* New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner...

* New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has returned as acting chairman of American Ship Building Co., 14 months after retiring from the job.

Steinbrenner, American Ship’s biggest shareholder and chairman of its executive committee, said he agreed to the board’s request that he become acting chairman. He succeeds Paul D. Butcher, who died Aug. 3 of a heart attack.

“It’s just for the time being until we get our feet on the ground,” Steinbrenner said.

Steinbrenner had left American Ship’s helm in June, 1991, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.