Brian R. Wroblewski posted the questions:
Here's a couple nagging questions I've had for years:1 What was the last hand fired coal powered freighter on the lakes?2 What was the last reciprocating steam engine powered freighter on the lakes?(I know the Wawatam was the last hand bomber but she was a ferry.)
Richard Jenkins: The last freighter with a reciprocating steam engine of any type was the St. Marys Challenger with her Skinner Unaflow (2013).
For the traditional “up-and-downers” with all the motion out in the open, the very last freighter would have been the preserved Liberty Ship John W. Brown (triple-expansion) when she visited the Lakes for shipyard work in Toledo in the summer of 2000. For a laker in revenue service, the last was the Cuyahoga with her four-cylinder Lentz double-compound, which last ran under steam in early January of 2000. The last triple-expansion laker was the S.T. Crapo and the last quad was the E.M. Ford, both retired from active service in 1996.
A couple of years later, Brian posted:
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Brian R. Wroblewski posted Here's another one of my lists of the last of the coal fired boats on the lakes... Last hand bombed freighter: J.B. Ford, W.C. Richardson, & Hennepin all laid up in 1974 for the last time. Last coal fired freighter: ST Crapo on the US side, (stokers 1962), converted to oil 1994. Spruceglen on the Canadian side, retired in 1982. Last hand bombed ferry: Chief Wawatam 1984. Last coal fired ferry: SS Badger- still in service. Last reciprocating engine lake freighter operating: The last freighter with a reciprocating steam engine of any type was the St. Marys Challenger with her Skinner Unaflow (2013). For the traditional open frame engine, the very last freighter would have been the preserved Liberty Ship John W. Brown (triple-expansion) when she visited the Lakes for shipyard work in Toledo in the summer of 2000. For a laker in revenue service, the last was the Cuyahoga with her four-cylinder Lentz double-compound (2 LP & 2 HP cylinders) which last ran under steam in early January of 2000. The last triple-expansion laker was the S.T. Crapo and the last quad was the E.M. Ford, both retired from active service in 1996. On the Canadian side the last triple was the Willowglen until 1992 and the last Canadian Uniflow was the James Norris until 2011. |
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| Association for Great Lakes Maritime History posted The Hennepin of the Lake Shore Stone Co., credited as the first self-unloading Great Lakes bulk freighter, alongside a dock (Image Source: University of Wisconsin Madison Libraries Digital Collection – The Great Lakes Maritime History Project). [The text continues with much more history of the freighter.] |
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| JJ Lewis posted The pilot house of the Lee A. Tregurtha. You can see her WWII service ribbons on the port side under the upper railing. |
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| Scott Pearson posted
I finally caught up with the old lady of the Lakes loading taconite yesterday evening at Marquette's LS&I dock. The Lee A. Tregurtha was "built in 1942 as an ocean tanker and used in the Atlantic to refuel allied boats in the Second World War, she was awarded two battle stars for service in the war and was decommissioned in 1946. Her battle ribbons are displayed on the boat, on the side of the pilot house." Since 1946 she's undergone a number of renovations to extend her life span. I know she's one of the older lakers working on Lake Superior, possibly now the oldest? She's still a beauty
www.scottpearsonphotography.com
[The comments listed Alpena, Cuyahoga, Manistee and Mississaugi as older.] Scott Pearson shared Scott Pearson Just found out the Alpena is a couple of months older...possibly others? Looking forward to others responding with older vessels still in service. Bryan Howell Oldest before the Alpena was the 107 year old St. Mary's (Medusa) Challenger. It is now a barge. |
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| 4:12 video @ 3:52 [Do yourself a favor and start the video around 2:30 where they are going past the gear reduction unit to see the shaft turn.] |
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| Chris Franckowiak posted Algoway upbound Marysville, MI 7/11/17. Marcia LaFreniere Man, not lookin good !!!!! Chris Franckowiak She looked horrible........ Rumor has it she will make one last (maybe two) visit(s) to Manistee this fall. She finishes out this season and it's off to the scrapyard. Mike Barbacovi Letting her rust away before she meets the blow torch soon. [1972, "A versatile vessel, boatwatchers should see the Algoway on the Great Lakes for many navigation seasons to come." BoatNerd] |
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| Michael Konczak posted Irvin L. Clymer, St. Louis River in Duluth with salt for the C. Reiss dock, August 5, 1990. This would be one of her last trips before retirement. Photo by Michael Konczak Michael Lackore: If I recall properly, she was laid up at Rogers City, Mi along with the W. F. White beginning in 1974 while the other two sisters continued on with USS. The White was sold and the Clymer ( the smallest of the bunch) remained in long term layup until spring of 1981 when she was brought out again. 1981 was the last year that all three remaining sisters operated at the same time for USS. The Rogers City was retired in October of 1981 and the T.W. Robinson was retired the following spring. The W.F. White hung around until the end of the 1983 season before being retired ( Westdale needed her to replace the Leadale when she sank in 1982 at Thorold even though they had planned to retire the White). The Clymer soldiered on without her sisters but and went back into long term layup at Fraser Shipyard after the 1985 season. She came back out again, in the spring of 1988 for one last blaze of glory, operating through the 1988, 1989 and 1990 shipping seasons. She hung around in layup in Duluth for 3 more years before she was moved over to Azcon and scrapped. [I wonder which city it is headed to. C Reiss had docks in at least Duluth and Green Bay.] |
Kevin Stern posted three photos with the comment: "Algoway departing Milwaukee Sat June 18 2016."
Jackie Russell: Hoan Bridge in the background. Down by Jones Island.
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CarlzBoats on ALGOWAY and its sisters ALGORAIL and AGAWA CANYON.
2012 Flickr of Algorail passing a pile of Chicago's salt on the Calumet River while heading back to the lake at 100th Street.
Algorail passing KCBX terminals and the Manitowoc
2012 Flickr of Algorail passing a pile of Chicago's salt on the Calumet River while heading back to the lake at 100th Street.
Algorail passing KCBX terminals and the Manitowoc
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| Conor Megaffin posted Algorail and the Algoway tied up together awaiting scrap in Port Colborne. [One can tell that the economy has picked up because more ships are being scrapped and replaced by ships built in China.] |
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| This photo has been moved to "1949 SS Wilfred Sykes" |
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| Clarence Vautier posted [Hon. James L. Oberstar, 1958, BoatNerd] |
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| Kenneth Bailey posted The Honorable James L Oberstar passing Detroit [It is amazing how a different angle makes the rear look so much wider.] |
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| JKay Worthington posted Hon. James L Oberstar UB St Clair River,St Clair,MI Oct.19, 2018 2:04pm E Marie Ramczyk That's a long one! |
Michipicoten
Another laker with the bridge at the bow, LTT's Michipicoten, loading ore. You can see the unloading boom swung to the side to make room for the chutes coming down from the dock. [1952, BoatNerd It was "built on saltwater" because the Great Lakes shipyards were overloaded. Since it was built before the Seaway opened in 1959, it is smallish so that it could go up the Mississippi and Illinois river to the Great Lakes. It was one of three boats built in 1952 that used the waterway. So the Marine Angel was not the only boat that required movement of the movable bridges between Lemont, IL, and the South Branch of the Chicago River.]
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| Because of an accident on Jun 8, 2024, this photo has been moved to "1952 MICHIPICOTEN Laker." |
Debbie Parker posted five photos with the comment: "The "Cuyahoga" leaving the Port of Lorain 7/13."
[1943, BoatNerd]
Jane Herrick posted three photos with the comment: "Roger Blough arriving in Duluth today." [1968, BoatNerd]
Lance Aerial Media posted six images with the comment: "Some pictures from inside the 1959 Herbert C Jackson while in Winter Layup - thanks to @interlakesteamshipcompany and @andrewdeandetroit."
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| JKay Worthington posted Cuyahoga DB St Clair River,St Clair,MI Oct. 20,2018 4:30pm |
Jane Herrick posted three photos with the comment: "Roger Blough arriving in Duluth today." [1968, BoatNerd]
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| 3 William D. Halsey "Does this water make my butt look big?" |
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| Kristi Mrozek Goodell posted Watched my boy last night! Herbert C Jackson upbound at Mission Point heading for Duluth. Kevin Stern They did hang around Lake Michigan for the past week and a half. Went up and down the Lake hauling stone. Went to Holland a couple times and Port Inland at the top of Lake. Only that one trip into MKE on the 5th that I missed. Arrived at 930pm during Summerfest. [1959, BoatNerd] |
Lance Aerial Media posted six images with the comment: "Some pictures from inside the 1959 Herbert C Jackson while in Winter Layup - thanks to @interlakesteamshipcompany and @andrewdeandetroit."
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| This photo has been moved to "1952 M/V Kaye E. Barker." |
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| This photos has been moved to "1952 SS Philip R. Clarke." |
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| Jim Hoffman posted The Cedarglen inbound Maumee Bay at Toledo, Ohio. Photo taken by Jim Hoffman. |
Wayne Sapulski shared his album Philip R. Clarke In Winter Lay-Up of 30 photos, many of which are interior shots. The comments indicate the ship repair is being done in Toledo, OH. But they don't mention the company. Is it Ironhead Fabricating? It was converted to a self-unloader in 1982.
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John G. Munson, 1952 (Tom Chambers posted, My Michigan by Krystal posted three photos)
Jeff Rueckert posted two photos with the comment:
Lynda Crothers posted three photos with the comment: "Ojibway upbound passing Carleton Is, Cape Vincent, windy, Friday afternoon 15:30."
Frontenac: "The keel was laid May 17, 1967 at Davie Shipbuilding Ltd., Lauzon, QC for their hull # 661 which has proven to be the last classic (wheelhouse forward) straight deck bulk carrier (wheelhouse forward) built for the Canada Steamship Lines fleet of Montreal, QC." (David Kaye posted)
See also CarlzBoats. (PROGRESS was the first built with a stern wheelhouse. [CarlzBoats])
Lee A. Tregurtha at the LSI ore doc, Marquette, MI. See also CarlzBoats 1 and 2.
Saginaw, 1953 (Marc Dease posted)
2001 Flickr of it unloading at 100th Street in Chicago on the Calumet River
1997 Flickr of Charles M. Beeghly loading at the KCBX rail-to-water transfer facility
Carl Burkett posted his article on the Self Unloader ALGOSTEEL - Her Last Transit.
A video of Algosteel (source) 1966, BoatNerd
Clifford Taylor Looks like she got some load on her !
Phil Cuchetti what an embarrassment ,the way they keep their boats. I know they ship allot of salt but damn........throw some paint on these.
Clifford Taylor This is her final season ! No point sending her to turkey all painted up !!
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| Eric Jacobi posted Cason J Callaway passes under the Blotnik Bridge. [Actually, it is the Blatnick Bridge. 1952, BoatNerd] David Kaye posted two photos in the Soo in July 17, 2017. |
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| Kenneth Bailey posted The John D Leitch downbound at St Clair. [1967, BoatNerd] A video. It seems to be moving fast! (source) |
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| Kenneth Bailey posted Stevie Wonder's hometown passing Motown [1953, BoatNerd] |
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| Screenshot from a Real Fast Fotography video of the Paul H. Townsend being moved by a couple of tugs to be cut up for scrap in Port Colborne, ON. (source) |
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John G. Munson, 1952 (Tom Chambers posted, My Michigan by Krystal posted three photos)
Jeff Rueckert posted two photos with the comment:
John G. Munson arriving September 13 at 8:30 am carrying coal to Fox River Terminal from Chicago, IL and departing September 13 at 4:30 pm next pic is a throw Back 1951.
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| Jeff Rueckert posted John G Munson heading into Green Bay Dock this Morning. |
Lynda Crothers posted three photos with the comment: "Ojibway upbound passing Carleton Is, Cape Vincent, windy, Friday afternoon 15:30."
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See also CarlzBoats. (PROGRESS was the first built with a stern wheelhouse. [CarlzBoats])
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| JKay Worthington posted Frontenac UB St. Clair River,St Clair,MI Oct. 20, 2018 12:20pm |
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| Lydia Petkus posted 1937-04-15 An aerial view of thirty-five freighters trapped in the ice of Lake Superior's White Fish Bay. |
Lee A. Tregurtha at the LSI ore doc, Marquette, MI. See also CarlzBoats 1 and 2.
Saginaw, 1953 (Marc Dease posted)
2001 Flickr of it unloading at 100th Street in Chicago on the Calumet River
1997 Flickr of Charles M. Beeghly loading at the KCBX rail-to-water transfer facility
Carl Burkett posted his article on the Self Unloader ALGOSTEEL - Her Last Transit.
Dennis DeBruler Looking at this group, I have noticed that the bridge was moved from the bow to the stern. Why was that? Something to do with the transition from steam to diesel or designing them to be self-unloaders or ???
Carl Burkett Cargo capacity more than anything Dennis. By not having the wheelhouse forward, there’s room for another hold. There are many benefits to having a wheelhouse forward ship especially on the Great Lakes where you are transit through so many locks. I talk about it in this post about the classic straightdecker OJIBWAY and the movement to self unloaders vs. gearless bulk carriers.
https://carlzboats.blogspot.ca/.../classic-straightdecker...
730' ALGOSTEEL has a front wheelhouse, but a self-unloader. Nonetheless, it made her last transit on April 27th, 2018.
Sal Greco The algosteel and algowood
Both ships built in collingwood at colwood ship building yard.
I saw both ships being launched.
CarlzBoats caught Algosteel pushing water while upbound.
https://carlzboats.blogspot.ca/.../classic-straightdecker...
730' ALGOSTEEL has a front wheelhouse, but a self-unloader. Nonetheless, it made her last transit on April 27th, 2018.
Sal Greco The algosteel and algowood
Both ships built in collingwood at colwood ship building yard.
I saw both ships being launched.
CarlzBoats caught Algosteel pushing water while upbound.
A video of Algosteel (source) 1966, BoatNerd
Clifford Taylor Looks like she got some load on her !
Phil Cuchetti what an embarrassment ,the way they keep their boats. I know they ship allot of salt but damn........throw some paint on these.
Clifford Taylor This is her final season ! No point sending her to turkey all painted up !!
Carl Burkett posted his article on the Self Unloader ALGOSTEEL - Her Last Transit.
Dennis DeBruler Looking at this group, I have noticed that the bridge was moved from the bow to the stern. Why was that? Something to do with the transition from steam to diesel or designing them to be self-unloaders or ???
Carl Burkett Cargo capacity more than anything Dennis. By not having the wheelhouse forward, there’s room for another hold. There are many benefits to having a wheelhouse forward ship especially on the Great Lakes where you are transit through so many locks. I talk about it in this post about the classic straightdecker OJIBWAY and the movement to self unloaders vs. gearless bulk carriers.
https://carlzboats.blogspot.ca/.../classic-straightdecker...
730' ALGOSTEEL has a front wheelhouse, but a self-unloader. Nonetheless, it made her last transit on April 27th, 2018.
Sal Greco The algosteel and algowood
Both ships built in collingwood at colwood ship building yard.
I saw both ships being launched.
Dennis DeBruler When did the ship building yard close?https://www.google.com/.../@44.5047266,-80.../data=!3m1!1e3
Dennis DeBruler I see Collingwood Shipyards was building seaway max ships in 1972: https://carlzboats.blogspot.com/.../csl-niagara-iroquois...
CarlzBoats on ALGOMARINE
https://carlzboats.blogspot.ca/.../classic-straightdecker...
730' ALGOSTEEL has a front wheelhouse, but a self-unloader. Nonetheless, it made her last transit on April 27th, 2018.
Sal Greco The algosteel and algowood
Both ships built in collingwood at colwood ship building yard.
I saw both ships being launched.
Dennis DeBruler When did the ship building yard close?https://www.google.com/.../@44.5047266,-80.../data=!3m1!1e3
Dennis DeBruler I see Collingwood Shipyards was building seaway max ships in 1972: https://carlzboats.blogspot.com/.../csl-niagara-iroquois...
Built by Collingwood Shipyards and launched in 1974, the ALGOSOO was the last traditional straight deck style built on the Great Lakes and instead of having her self unloader equipment and boom situated immediately behind the ship wheelhouse like most straight deck self unloaders, the SOO's are located near her aft accommodations quarters. [CarlzBoats]
CarlzBoats on ALGOMARINE
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