How to find old drawings for ASME U-STAMPED vessels?

[timsch]

I am looking at a FORM U-1 from 1970 pertaining to a vessel purchased from an industrial resale yard that we are planning to use in a testing facility at our manufacturing facility. A vessel drawing number is noted on the form, but I do not have that drawing in-hand. How long are these drawings kept on the record, and are there any ways to retrieve this file?

Thanks.

 

[SnTMan]

Unless you can track down the original manufacturer, you are likely SOL.

Regards,

Mike

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[JStephen]

If the vessel was registered with the National Board, they may have information:

https://www.nationalboard.org/SiteDocuments/Registration/NB-264.pdf

I'm not that familiar with this, but per the first page of that pdf, it looks like it should have a NB number on the nameplate if that is the case. Registration is not mandatory.

My guess: A vessel from 1970, even if you DO find the original manufacturer, odds of getting that drawing are not real good. But manufacturers go in and out of business, get sold, move, etc., and a lot can happen to a drawing in 47 years.

 

[KoachCSR]

It has been my experience that OEMs do an excellent job of retaining record drawings for code vessels they've supplied. I just obtained a heat exchanger drawing from a manufacturer that bought out the OEM for a feedwater heater from 1964. Typically, if you can provide to them the serial number or other identifying information, they can dig through their memory banks rather effectively.

Good luck!

 

[timsch]

Thanks for the replies. A search online for the manufacturer, G. H. HICKS & SONS, INC, out of Louisville, KY does not return any results indicating they are still in business. I'd contact them if I could.

 

[KoachCSR]

I found this Youtube video "showing off" a used GH Hicks and Sons tank - they have a nice close-up of the nameplate which indicates that (at least in 1973), GH Hicks and Sons was a subsidiary of Chemineer, Inc. Perhaps Chemineer could help you - they appear to still be around.

 

[AWDMIKE]

Several years ago I tried to chase down drawings from various suppliers from South America and Japan which were 30+ years old, and had no luck. The problem was the shops changed ownership and names a few times and had trashed all the old drawings at some point years ago.

I'm not saying you wont have any luck, but we tried for quite awhile and could not find anything. Obviously the newer your vessel the more likely the shop still has records.

 

[timsch]

Thanks KoachCSR. I've sent them a request. Fingers crossed.

 

[david339933]

You may have luck....I still have hand drawings here from 1904....mostly steel ships. Boiler drawings from 50's on.

 

[timsch]

David,

Here in the Houston area we have the Battleship Texas docked in the ship channel, commissioned in 1914. I recently spent the night on it with my son on a Boy Scout event and had a grand tour. It was just amazing to be on a steel ship from that era, thinking what a monumental feat that it was at the time. It must be special to look at the hand drawings for such ships.

 

[david339933]

They are quite fascinating....some are steel hulled schooners....I am in Nova Scotia, Canada....the company I am with has been around as long as the country...1867. I have spent hours drooling over them.

 

[SnTMan]

timsch, I had the opportunity to tour the Texas some years back. Fascinating.

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[timsch]

Yep. I highly recommend it.