Friend Ships
Vessels Spirit and Spirit of Grace

Spirit and the Spirit of Grace span 340' long, 50' wide, and 7 stories high from top to bottom. Each has a capacity of 5,000 freight tons.

Their purpose of taking supplies to nations in need has benefited thousands of people during times of natural disasters, wars, and poverty. The vessels have traveled to many countries including Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Jamaica, Albania, Croatia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Angola, Latvia (then the USSR), St. Kitts/Nevis, Antigua and St. Lucia. The ships have visited many of these countries two, three, even four times! Spirit and Spirit of Grace's deliveries reaching people in need are only a portion of Friend Ships' accomplishments. Compare the differences between Spirit and Spirit of Grace or tour the engine room.

Spirit Ship		Spirit of Grace
"Spirit" is one of 218 ships from the "R1-M-AV1"-type (her holds were originally refrigerated) built in 1944 for the US Maritime Commission at Pennsylvania Shipyard in Beaumont, Texas. The ship was built for commissioning by the Navy. She carried supplies to the troops overseas, transported returning servicemen home and successfully dodged the Japanese Navy, who, on several occasions, hunted Spirit to destroy her. In 1946, Spirit's military career ended and she was decommissioned. Alaska Steamship Company leased her from the government and she was employed for several years to haul refrigerated cargo from Puget Sound to Nome, Alaska. In 1957, "Spirit" made her last commercial voyage and she was later purchased by a maritime company in Tacoma, Washington. Friend Ships obtained "Spirit" on October 2, 1985.		Built in 1944 the "Spirit of Grace", was used by the 481st Transportation Company as a stevedore training vessel at Hunter's Point, Treasure Island, and Rio Vista. During this period it was named USAV Resolute.   "C1-M-AV1"-type, was originally commissioned, the "Pembina." Before she was given to us to use for the benefit of the poor and needy, the "Pembina" hauled ammunition for the U.S. government. She has four main holds, three forward of the house and one aft. She has two 30-ton "jumbo" booms on deck. Acquired for use by Friend Ships in 1996, "Spirit of Grace" has since hauled the main supplies and equipment to start "Friend Ships Village" and has delivered aid to Hurricane Mitch victims in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Quotable Quotes: "Friend Ships is truly a walk of faith - both personally & corporately." Fun Fact: Each piston on the main engine has a 21.5 inch diameter, a 29 inch stroke, and weighs about 2,000 pounds.

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