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F. B. Walker & Sons, Pascagoula MS

Arnold V. Walker Shipyard, Pascagoula MS

James K. Walker Marine, Moss Point MS

Most recent update: November 4, 2011.

There were three shipyards in the Pascagoula area owned by members of the Walker family.  The first was F. B. Walker & Sons, which was on the east side of the Pascagoula River, just north of Highway 90.  The facility had been a shipyard since 1860, operated first by Miguel Pol, becoming Frentz Shipbuilding in 1878 and Gulf Ship in 1918.  F. B. Walker bought it in 1933 and operated it with his sons Arnold and John.  After F. B. Walker died, in 1940, his son John continued to operate the yard, which closed in 1980 and was taken over by Hudson Shipbuilders, (HUDSHIP).

F. B. Walker's other son, Arnold, left F. B. Walker & Sons after his father died and started his own yard.  The Arnold V. Walker Shipyard was also on the east side of the Pascagoula River, but further south, just north of Ingalls' East Bank yard: this yard was closed and sold to Ingalls in 1957.

Finally, a third family member, James K. Walker, started his own yard in the early 1970s and this survived until 1985.  It is not clear exactly where this yard was located.  It is described as being (a) on Highway 63, (b) on the west bank of the Escatawpa River, (c) north of Moss Point and (d) on the site of the DeAngelo family's famous "Italian" shipyard.  If anyone can straighten this problem out, please e-mail me at timcolton@aol.com

And if anyone can add to the table below, please send your info to me at timcolton@aol.com

Hull # Name Owner Type  GT Ft. Built Disposition
Built by F. B. Walker & Sons
            1937 [1st steel vessel]
  John Colle Jr   Tug 83 64 1941 Later Southern Kraft No.6, Bay Boys
  M. B. Long  US Army Corps of Engineers Tender/towboat 21 48 1941  
  Roy F. Rudolph  US Army Corps of Engineers Tender/towboat 21 48 1941 Sold as Roy F. Rudolph, now M/V Rudolph
  Robt. E. Coppedge   Tug? 64 61 1941 Later H. S. Mitchell, 
  ST 138 US Army Tug 99 77 1942 Sold 1966 as Tommy T, later Dana Dauntless [also listed as built by Calmes Engineering, New Orleans LA]
      Tank Barge 498 180 1942 Later Colle 120
      Tank Barge 498 180 1943 Later Colle 121
      Tank Barge 500 180 1943 Later Walker No. 23
  ST 244 US Army Tug   85 1943  
  ST 245 US Army Tug   85 1943  
  Patricia Chotin   Cargo vessel 101 77 1945 Later Suwannee.  Existence in doubt 1991
  Linda Chotin    Berwick Bay Towing  Towboat  362  104 1945  Later Linda, G-Ten, Frank B, Frank C Barker II, now Becky E
  Manana   ?? 34 47 1946 Active
  Novelty   Fishing Vessel 201 130 1946 Existence in doubt 1991
  Capt Wes Robinson   Fishing Vessel 146 105 1947 Existence in doubt 1991
  Meco   Fishing Vessel 104 85 1947 Existence in doubt 1991
  ??   Towboat 335 104 1947 Later Nina Sue, Amy Okey
  F B Walker River Towboats  Towboat   366 114 1947 Later Joan Simpson, Sinclair Louisville, Bobbie J, now Frank B Tamble
  Mattie P Simpson Charleston (Mo) Oil Co Towboat  372 114 1948 Later Sinclair St. Louis
  Johnny Walker Simpson Towing Co Towboat   366 114 1948 Later Liberty, Kay A., now Billy Waxler  
  Black Gold   Fishing Vessel 158 94 1949 Now Alaska.
  Bernard Walker   Fishing Vessel 186 113 1949 Later Dritsik, now Autumn Dawn
  Norman Maddox   Fishing Vessel 119 93 1949 Later Ted Sapp, Malco I.  Existence in doubt 1991
  Falcon   Fishing Vessel 114 90 1950 Later offshore Little Red Too.  Existence in doubt 1991
  Trade Wind   Offshore Service Vessel 123 82 1950 Later Western Isle.  Existence in doubt
  Sea Raven   Offshore Service Vessel 156 107 1950 Later fishing Deborah, Sea Raven.  Existence in doubt 2001
134 Jimmy Walker   Tug 359 117 1951 Later Casteel, Bayou Lacombe. Existence in doubt 1991
136 Capt Alex Lewis   Fishing Vessel 174 111 1952 Later Capt Paul Willis, Capt Alex Lewis.  Existence in doubt 1991.
  Lillian Walker   Fishing Vessel 130 88 1952 Existence in doubt 1997
  Elizabeth Lion Towing Co Tug 20 40 1952 Later Susan, Calcasieu Fueler, now Attecia C
140 Jimmy Walker   Offshore Service Vessel 127 87 1952 Later W-B, Teal.  Existence in doubt 1991
146 Johnette Walker   Offshore Service Vessel 209 111 1953 Later San Salvador Express, Johnette Walker, Innocent Express, now Pack One
  Kay Walker   Offshore Service Vessel 184 106 1954 Scrapped 1979
149 Lurline Walker   Offshore Service Vessel 184 106 1954 Later Mr. Red Too
  F. B. Walker   Offshore Service Vessel 134 87 1955 Now Southsea Mana.
151 Cedar Creek   Offshore Service Vessel 151 83 1955 Existence in doubt 1991
154 Oil Creek   Offshore Service Vessel 163 82 1955 Scrapped 1987
155 Elsie Janis   Research Vessel 138 90 1955 Later Cynthia Walker, now Sirenian
156 Paul E. Nash   Cargo Vessel 152 92 1955 Later Big Red Too.  Existence in doubt 2010
  Black Creek   Cargo Vessel 184 83 1955 Later Bahama Land.  Existence in doubt
159 Toni Walker   Offshore Service Vessel 147 92 1956 Now Super Red.
  Wayne Walker   Research Vessel 159 95 1957 Later Lillian 30.  Existence in doubt 1985
165 Tiger Shark   Fishing Vessel 90/291 91/130 1958 Later tug Lady Salvor, now Cape Florida [gt & length USCG/LR)
  Panther   Tug? 35 45 1960  
  Northern Brave   Offshore Service Vessel 123 80 1961 Later Kala Loa’a, Sea Blazer, Solution, Creole Sue, Solution.  Existence in doubt 2000
172 John F. Walker, Jr.   Offshore Service Vessel 296/391 158 1967 Later G W Pierce, Fugro I, G W Pierce, Offshore Venture, OMS Maverick, now Lady Rosalind I
175 Cherokee Indian Towing Co Tug  189 92 1971 Later Big Miss, now Capt. Jos. Bisso.
  MF 620 Midstream Fuel Service Tank Barge 290 135 1972  
  Dorinda Trawler Dorinda Fishing Vessel 111 74 1973  
  Leland J Frank J Lepern Fishing Vessel 105 71 1973 Lost 1979
  Ladonna Luann   Fishing Vessel 145 92 1973 Later Dana Ann, Sherri Ann, now Susan K.
  Lady Rebel   Fishing Vessel 112 73 1973 Now St. Martin.
  Delta Miss  George Engine Co  Towboat  118 72 1974 Later Big Sam, Point Coupée, now Big Sam
192 Okaloosa    Plimsoll Marine  Towboat  157 66 1974 Active.
193 Mittie Louise LEC Investment Corp (Point Landing Inc)   Towboat  161 66 1974 Now Taylor Marie.
194 Melvin Williams Wood Marine Corp  Towboat  160 66 1975 Now Capt. Jim Green 
195 Roger Billiot Wood Marine Corp Towboat  159 66 1975 Later Allen James, Limestone Leader, Kurt Spanier, Jonathan Thomas, now Nativity
196 Capt. John Walker Koch-Ellis Marine Contractors Towboat  159 66 1975 Later Sandstone Express, Cyndi Spanier, now Lil Susan S 
  Lucky Louie West Delta Construction  Towboat  97 66 1975 Later Miss D., Lady Audrey, Miss Leah, now Medicine Bow.
198 Ruby        Towboat  160 66 1975 Later Orleans, now Connie Z
199 Avon II   Avondale Industries Towboat  160 66 1975 Active.
200 Venture II Venture Towing  Towboat   160 66 1975 Later Shanty Frank, now Rapture   
  Pinto    Missouri River Barge Lines  Towboat   159 66 1975 Active   
  Prancer    Missouri River Barge Lines Towboat   158 66 1975    
  Three Jack Three Ace Towing  Towboat   158 66 1975 Later Capt Zeus, now Sue Holston
  John F. Walker  Modern Boats  Towboat   159 66 1975 Active.
207 Miss Wendy John F Walker Jr Towboat 158 66 1975  
209 Defiance F B Walker & Sons Towboat  158 66 1976  
211 Miss Laurie Spanier Marine Corp Towboat   153 66 1976 Later Jenny Marie, now John C Terral
212 Celine    Compass Green River  Towboat   163 66 1977 Now Shirley Mahone
213 Mr. Eddie North Bank Towing (Odyssea Marine) Tug 125 70 1976 Now Bayou Dawn
  Katie    Modern Boats  Towboat   158 66 1976 Now Jim Marko
215 Cindy Cole Energy Transport Services  Towboat   158 66 1976 Later Helen Kolbe, now Linda B.,  John G
216 Zoe    Compass Marine Services  Towboat   166 66 1976 Now Miss Nelda
  Modern    Modern Boats (Archway Fleeting & Harbor Service)  Towboat   158 66 1976 Now Leslie Ann
  Clydesdale Gateway Harbor Service Towboat 170 66 1977 Launched as Virginia Cole, completed by Hudson Shipbuilding, active
Built by Arnold V. Walker Shipyard
10 Hunley   Tug  101 82 1946 Now Miss Faye.
  Big Bee   Miller & Co  Tug   39 50 1946 Active.
  Eagle Bay Towing & Dredging Towboat 39 50 1946  
  Rigmaster   Tug? 45 61 1947  
  Jimmy Colle Colle Towing Co  Towboat   330 111 1948 Later Wm. Barnes
  W. G. Violette   Towboat 136 76 1949 Later Egret
  Bruce Walker   Towboat 136 76 1949 Later Agnes S, Eva H, Universal Switcher, Deer Park, Silver Fox
  Arnold V. Walker Arnold V. Walker Towboat  250 96 1949 Now A. Dean Heasley 
  Dicky Walker   Offshore Service Vessel 113 83 1949 Later Delta Corrosion II, now Dady Express.
  Capt. Alec   Towboat? 99 66 1950 Later Chemvoy, Mary Kathryn, now Brittany Beyel
48 Viking Prince   Tug 145 96 1951 Existence in doubt 1991
  Alfred B. Beardslee Launch & Barge Towboat 42 53 1951 Now Jerry Bollinger
  E. C. Marshall  Freeport Sulphur Co  Towboat   97 72 1951 Now Pa Pa Fred
  Bruce Arthur A L Mechling Barge Line Towboat   163 86 1951 Now Miss Carolyn
  H. F. De Bardeleben III Coyle Lines Towboat  352   1951 Active
  Houston Coyle Lines Towboat  353   1951 Later Grand Lake, now Brenda Ann Foret
87  H. A. Purgley Freeport Sulphur Co   Towboat   121 78 1952 Later Mable Bollinger, Shirley Watson, Miss Donna, now Capt Travis
  R. I. Brubaker   Freeport Sulphur Co   Towboat  121  78 1953 Now Anna S.
  V. J. Vallot   Freeport Sulphur Co  Towboat  81/121 78 1953 Later Ms-T, now Eva Walker
  Mobile Coyle Lines Towboat 232 77 1953 Later Bailey B, Mobile, now Mr Jason
  Bluff Creek   Cargo Vessel 148 83 1953 Existence in doubt 2001
100 Sea Explorer Robert E Bailey Fishing Vessel 147 82 1954 Existence in doubt 2005
101 Miss Lou Miss Lou Towing Service  Towboat   319 111 1952 Later Paulette Jones, Del Rio, Shenandoah, now Arkansas
  Neptune   Fishing Vessel 187 140 1954 Existence in doubt 1991
  Red Creek   Offshore Service Vessel 159 83 1954 Existence in doubt 1991
  Stormy II Harbor Dredge & Dock Tug ? 18 37 1955  
  Tuscaloosa    Coyle Lines  Towboat   231 77 1955 Active.
104 Birmingham Coyle Lines  Towboat 257 80 1955 Lost 1989
105 Sea Service   Offshore Service Vessel 185 131 1955 Now Rio Papaloapan.
106 Marine Service   Offshore Service Vessel 185 131 1955 Later Alabama, Rio Bravo.  Lost 1980
  Kermac Workboat II   Offshore Service Vessel 195 124 1956 Later Tough Brio. Lost 1983
112  Dallas Coyle Lines   Towboat   257 77 1956 Later Mister Wimpys, Cherokee Prince
  Patoka    US Army corps of Engineers  Towboat   130 81 1956 Active.
116 State Star   Cargo vessel 134 83 1956 Later research R V Commonwealth.  Existence in doubt
  Barbee     Mill Ridge Coal Co  Towboat  156  58 1957 Later Andy. M/V Andy
  Lil Abner   Fishing Vessel 607 194 1957 Later Abner. Scrapped 1990
119 National Pride   Fishing Vessel 778 131 1957 Later State Express, Express, Alaaskan Eight, now Westwind
  Pensacola Coyle Lines  Towboat   229 76 1957 Later Liberty Bell, Glen-Karen, Robert W Taylor, Oscar O. Griffin Jr., now Deanna Ladawn
128 Rio das Contas   Cement Carrier 246 134 1958 Later research, now Pantai Mas.
Built by James K. Walker Marine
  Miann   Fishing Vessel  142 77 1972 Later cargo. Active
224 Troydon Southern Clam Co Fishing Vessel 127 72 1973 Lost 1995
  Norman D   Fishing Vessel 199 80 1974 Lost 1989
225 Southern Kraft No 16 International Paper Co Towboat   279 85 1975 Later Louis Develle , now Capt Sam Yount
227 Chad D   Towboat 98 57 1975 Later Cap’n Ed, now Cap N Ed.
229 Kevin P. L & L Oil Co Towboat 41 41 1975  
  Fred E Adams   Towboat 127 62 1976 Active
  Funny Face   Fishing Vessel 162 82 1976 Active.
  Marblehead   Fishing Vessel  159   1977 Later cargo Pertinacious, L’Oeil du Maitre, St Louis I, chase Express, Now Lady Carmel
232 Nicole   Fishing Vessel 50 55 1977 Later Miss Callie, now Miss Brielle
  Lonely Man Little Mary Corp  Fishing Vessel 199 95 1978 Now Arthur M.
236 Charlotte G Off Shore Diving Fishing Vessel 119 79 1979 Active.
237 Hazel Lorraine I Sea Pacific  Fishing Vessel 197 111 1979 Now Alaska Rose.
238 Sharon Lorraine Sea Pacific  Fishing Vessel 195 111 1980 Now Bering Rose.
239  J B Teague Freeport Sulphur Co Towboat  24  42 1980 Now Captain Kelly
240 J B Yesso Freeport Sulphur Co Towboat 27 42 1980 Now Inland Gator
241 Harvey Warrior DJ & RJ Guidry  Offshore Service Vessel 95/177 80 1981 Now Crosby Faith
242 Harvey Challenger DJ & RJ Guidry Offshore Service Vessel 97/185 84 1981 Now Crosby Challenger
244 Cape Fear Sea Mar Offshore Service Vessel 172 105 1983 Lost 2000
246 Jersey Devil PMD Enterprises Fishing Vessel 185 91 1985 Active.