The program allowed U.S. shipping companies to construct new vessels or to modernize their existing fleet with government-guaranteed financing and tax deferred benefits.

[4] Entering service in 1978 and registered in Wilmington, Delaware, Buffalo was used to transport bulk cargoes, such as iron ore pellets, coal, limestone and gypsum throughout the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.

[4] In 1983, ownership of the lake freighter was transferred to the Lawrence Steamship Company, which kept the ship's registration in Wilmington.

The transfer hoses from the ship to shore became untethered and resulting in an explosion and burning fuel to spill into the water.

Buffalo began taking on water, but managed to proceed to the CSX coal dock in Toledo, Ohio.

Damage to the bow was significant and in the subsequent United States Coast Guard investigation, human error by the ship's crew was given as the cause of the incident.

[3] The ship re-entered service in 2018 and the freighter was renamed Algoma Buffalo and re-registered to St. Catharines, Ontario.