ASC was hard hit by the Great Depression .
ASC was hard took advantage of the downturn to convert three of its bulk freighters to self - unloading vessels , which would prove to be the way of the future in Great Lakes shipping .
ASC was hard hit by the Great Depression , but took advantage of the downturn to convert three of its bulk freighters to self - unloading vessels , which would prove to be the way of the future in Great Lakes shipping .