S.S. Manhattan

SS Manhattan was an oil tanker constructed at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, that became the first commercial ship to cross the Northwest Passage in 1969. Having been constructed as an common tanker in 1962, she was refitted for this journey with an icebreaker bow in 1968–69. Registered in the United States at the time, she was the largest US trade vessel as well as the biggest icebreaker in history. The size and draught of the liner need cautious preparations for her transit on the river. SS Manhattan passing Astoria, Oregon, 1965. Manhattan remained in service until 1987. After an mishap in East Asia she was scrapped in China.