Lake freighter

English: Lake freighters (lakers) carry bulk cargoes on the Great Lakes in North America. Many ship names were reused after boats were sunk, scrapped or sold off and renamed. The same name may apply to four or even five different ships.

Current boats

Currently afloat, as of 2012 season

Classic lakers

The classic pattern lakers have a bridge in the front of the boat with a second house in the rear over the engine room. Usually with a bluff bow.

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  Algomarine, formerly Lake Manitoba
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  Algosoo
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  Algorail
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  Algosteel
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  Algoway
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  Arthur M. Anderson
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  Alpena, formerly Leon Fraser
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  American Fortitude, formerly Ernest T. Weir, Courtney Burton
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  Baie Comeau
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  Cason J. Callaway
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  Canadian Provider, formerly Murray Bay, now Algoma Provider
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  CSL Tadoussac, formerly Tadoussac
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  Cuyahoga, formerly Mesabi, J. Burton Ayers
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  Edward L. Ryerson
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  Frontenac
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  Herbert C. Jackson
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  Hon. James L. Oberstar, formerly Shenango II, Charles M. Beeghly
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  J.B. Ford and J.A.W. Iglehart, now stationary cement transfer ships
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  John G. Munson
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  J.W. Shelley, formerly Algocen, now Phoenix Star
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  John D. Leitch, formerly Canadian Century
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  Kaye E. Barker, formerly Edward B. Greene, Benson Ford
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  Lee A. Tregurtha, former Mobiloil, Samoset, USS Chiwawa AO-68, Walter A. Sterling, William Clay Ford
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  Manitoba, formerly Mantadoc, Teakglen, Maritime Trader
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  McKee Sons, originally WWII troop transport Marine Angel, now barge with tug Invincible
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  Metis, now cut down to barge
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  Michipicoten, former Elton Hoyt 2nd
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  Mississagi, formerly George A. Sloan
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  Montrealais, now Algoma Montrealais
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  USN oiler Neshanic, later Gulfoil, Pioneer Challenger, Middletown, American Victory
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  Philip R. Clarke
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  Quebecois, now Algoma Quebecois
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  Richard Reiss, later Manistee
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  Saginaw, formerly John J. Boland
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  St. Marys Challenger, oldest working laker, built 1906
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  Voyageur Independent, formerly Charles L. Hutchinson, Ernest R. Breech, Kinsman Independent, now Ojibway

Modern boats

Usually with a single house aft. May have a bluff bow, raked bow or a bulbous bow.

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  Adam E Cornelius, formerly Roger M. Kyes
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  Algobay, now Radcliffe R. Latimer
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  Algolake
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  Algowood
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  Algoma Buffalo
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  Algoma Guardian
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  Algoma Mariner
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  Algoma Navigator, formerly Demeterton, St. Lawrence Navigator, Canadian Navigator
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  Canadian Olympic, renamed Algoma Olympic
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  Algoma Progress, formerly Canadian Progress
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  Canadian Transport, renamed Algoma Transport
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  American Courage, formerly Fred R. White
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  American Mariner
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  American Republic, now Great Republic
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  Atlantic Erie, formerly Hon. Paul Martin
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  Atlantic Huron, formerly Prairie Harvest
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  Birchglen, formerly Mackenzie, Federal Mackenzie, Federal Richelieu, Canada Marquis
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  Capt Henry Jackman
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  CSL Assiniboine, formerly Jean Parisien
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  CSL Laurentien (formerly Louis R. Desmarais)
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  CSL Niagara (formerly J.W. McGiffin)
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  CSL Welland
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  Cedarglen (formerly Ems Ore , Montcliffe Hall, Cartierdoc) iced in the St. Marys River
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  English River, originally a packet freighter, now a bulk cement carrier
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  H. Lee White
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  John B. Aird
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  Burns Harbor and John J. Boland
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  Joseph L. Block
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  Manitowoc (formerly Earl W., Earl W. Oglebay, Paul Thayer)
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  Mapleglen (formerly Federal Maas)
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  Richelieu, formerly Federal Ottawa, Lake Erie with Edgar B. Speer
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  Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin
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  Robert S. Pierson, previously Wolverine
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  Roger Blough
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  Saguenay, formerly Federal Trader, Lake Superior
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  St. Clair
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  Sam Laud
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  Spruceglen, formerly Selkirk Settler, Federal St. Louis, Federal Fraser, Fraser
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  Stephen B. Roman, bulk cement carrier, originally Fort William, a packet freighter
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  Tim S. Dool
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  Toronto Drydock, the former ship Menier Consul

1000-footers

The largest boats on the Great Lakes, ranging from 1000 to 1014-feet long and built between 1976 and 1981. All are still in service.

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  Columbia Star, later American Century
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  American Integrity (formerly Lewis Wilson Foy, Oglebay Norton)
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  American Spirit (formerly George Stinson)
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  Burns Harbor and John J. Boland
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  Edgar B. Speer
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  Edwin H. Gott
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  Indiana Harbor and Presque Isle in the Detroit River
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  James R. Barker
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  Mesabi Miner
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  Oglebay Norton
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  Paul R. Tregurtha, in ice during winter layup
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  Stewart J. Cort
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  Walter J. McCarthy, Jr., formerly Belle River

Integrated tug-barges

Integrated tug-barges features dedicated tugs with coupling equipment which mates with receivers in v-notches in the barges, effectively creating a unified unit. On the Great Lakes, these barges have often been created by cutting of the engine room and superstructures of old freighters.

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  Great Lakes Trader with tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort
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  Integrity, barge with tug G.L. Ostrander
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  Innovation with tug Samuel de Champlain
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  James L. Kuber with tug Victory
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  Joseph H. Thompson barge and tug Joseph H. Thompson, Jr.
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  Integrated tug-barge Lakes Contender (barge) and Ken Boothe Sr. (tug)
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  McKee Sons, originally classic laker converted to barge with tug Invincible
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  Pathfinder (formerly straight-decker J. L. Mauthe)
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  Presque Isle

Museum ships

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  Willis B Boyer (bow of Buckeye (now, Lewis J. Kuber), visible on left)
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  Col. James M. Schoomaker
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  Col. James M. Schoomaker
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  William G. Mather
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  SS Valley Camp
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  William Irvin
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  SS Meteor, last remaining whaleback freighter

Decommissioned/scrapped boats

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  Algocape, formerly Richelieu, scrapped 2012
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  James Norris, built 1951, scrapped 2011
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  Algontario (scrapped 2011) with James Norris (readied for scrapping 2011) and Tim S. Dool)
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  Saunière, previously Brooknes, Algosea, scrapped 2011
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  MV Maumee, formerly William G. Clyde (1929 - 1961), Calcite II (1961 - 2001), scrapped 2011
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  Canadian Ranger, built forward section 1943, aft section 1967, scrapped 2011
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  Agawa Canyon, built 1970, scrapped 2010
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  Canadian Leader, built 1967, scrapped 2010
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  Algoport, built 1978, sank under tow to China for refitting 2009
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  Myron C. Taylor, later Calumet, built 1929, scrapped 2007
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  Comeaudoc, formerly Murray Bay, built 1959, scrapped 2002
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  Cadillac, built 1943, scrapped 1987
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  William Clay Ford pilot house (now part of Dossin Great Lakes Museum (built 1953, scrapped 1987)
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  Benson Ford (forward bridge now a private cliffside house) (built 1924, scrapped 1986)
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  John Hulst, scrapped 1986
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  Frank C Ball, renamed J R Sensibar, Conallison, scrapped 1984
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  Samuel F. B. Morse, built 1898, cut down to barge 1974, scrapped 1982
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  J.H. Sheadle, built 1906, scrapped 1980
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  J.S. Ashley, later Fred A. Manske, Brookdale, built 1909, scrapped 1980
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  Thomas F. Cole, built 1907, scrapped 1980
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  E.A.S. Clarke, built 1907, scrapped 1978
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  Ridgetown, formerly William E. Corey, built 1905, partially sunk as breakwater in 1974, oldest surviving freighter hull
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  John Sherwin, built 1906, scrapped 1973
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  United States Gypsum, launched 1910, sank while under tow to scrapper 1973
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  R.L. Ireland, built 1903, scrapped 1972
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  William C. Moreland, later Sir Trevor Dawson, Charles L. Hutchinson, Gene Hutchinson, Parkdale, built 1910, scrapped 1971
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  W. Grant Morden, later Donnacona, built 1914, scrapped 1969
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  Victory, later Victorius, built 1895, intentionally sunk at Toronto, 1969
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  Powell Stackhouse, built 1905, scrapped 1967
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  Saturn, later J. Frater Taylor, Algosoo, built 1901, scrapped 1967
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  Mataafa, built 1899, sunk 1905 but refloated, scrapped 1965
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  G.J. Grammer, built 1902, scrapped 1964
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  John W. Gates, built 1900, scrapped 1961
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  George H. Russel, later Canopus, built 1905, scrapped 1961
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  Calcite, built 1912, scrapped 1961
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  Frank J. Hecker, built 1905, sank in Atlantic under tow to scrappers in 1961
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  William Nottingham, built 1902, scrapped 1947 and Hurlbert W. Smith, built 1903, scrapped 1958
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  E.C. Pope, built 1891, scrapped 1953
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  Pioneer, later Natironco, Scorpion, San Carlo, built 1893, scrapped 1931

Lost boats

More at 1913 Great Lakes storm: Ships

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  Edmund Fitzgerald, sunk 1975
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  Daniel J. Morrell, sank in 1966
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  Cedarville, sank in 1965
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  Carl D. Bradley, lost in 1958
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  Henry Steinbrenner, built 1901, sank in storm 1953
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  Martin Mullen, later Scotiadoc, sunk in 1953 after colliding with steamer Burlington in fog
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  Fordonian, renamed Yukondoc, Georgian, Fordonian (again), Badger State, sank in Gulf of Mexico 1946
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  Superior City, largest freshwater vessel at time of launch, sank 1920
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  George G. Hadley, wrecked on North Point, Alpena in 1917
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  Argus, formerly Lewis Woodruff , sunk in the 1913 storm
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  Henry B Smith, sunk in the 1913 storm
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  Hydrus, formerly R.E. Schuck, built 1903, sank in 1913 storm
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  Charles S Price, upside down after Great Storm of 1913
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  Isaac M. Scott, built 1909, sunk in the 1913 storm
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  James Carruthers lost in 1913 storm, only 6 months after it was built
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  Louisiana, built 1887, run aground in 1913 storm, burned to waterline
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  L.C. Waldo, later Riverton, Mohawk Deer, sank once under each name
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  John B. Cowle, sunk 1909
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  Chauncy Hurlbut, total loss after intentionally run aground while sinking in storm, 1908
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  Cyprus, sunk 1907, its first year
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  Appomattox, built 1896, sank 1905
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  Sevona, built 1890, sank 1905
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  Philip Minch, built 1888, burned and sank 1904
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  Bannockburn, built 1893, lost 1902
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  Thomas Wilson, pulling two consort barges, lost in 1902
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  M.M. Drake, sunk 1901
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  SS Sagamore, whaleback freighter, lost in 1901
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  Vienna, sunk 1873
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  Iosco, wooden steamer, sank in 1905

Unidentified boats

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  Self-unloader at Duluth
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  Freighter leaving the Soo Locks
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  Fully loaded whaleback in Poe Locks
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  Laker entering Duluth ship canal
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  Ice-covered boat entering Duluth
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  Thirteen lakers in winter layup
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  Freighter in Eisenhower Lock
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  Multiple freighters at ore docks in Duluth, c. 1910
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  Freighter in drydock at Toledo
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  Laker loading from ore jennies
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  Lakers at Duluth-Superior ore docks
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  Two lakers passing each other in the St. Clair River
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  Freighter in the Welland Canal
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  Freighter leaving Two Harbors, Minnesota
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  Icebreaker Mackinaw escorting a freighter
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  Lakers unload at Ford's Rouge Plant
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  Soo Locks in the early 20th century
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  Freighters tied up in Toronto
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  Toronto harbor in 1918

Similar and related ships

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  J. W. Westcott II, mail boat for the freighters passing Detroit
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  T/S State of Michigan, training ship for merchant mariners based at Traverse City
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  Ojibway, supply ship for passing freighters in the St. Marys River
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  Lightship Huron, formerly a light at head of St. Clair River, now a museum ship
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  Escanaba, one of several icebreakers in the Great Lakes to keep harbors and shipping lanes open
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  Algosea, a tanker on the Great Lakes, used for petroleum products and brine
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  PML 9000, large push barge
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  McCleary's Spirit and tug William J. Moore, an integrated tug/tanker barge
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  Everlast tug, part of an integrated tug barge combination with the heated asphalt barge Norman McLeod
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  Madeira, a Great Lakes schooner-barge
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  SS Myron, a lumber hooker, sunk 1919
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  SS Badger and SS Spartan, originally hauled train freight cars, Badger is now a car ferry
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  SS City of Milwaukee, another railroad car ferry, now a museum
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  Milwaukee Clipper, passenger ship/car ferry, hauled new cars from the factories in the off-season, now a museum
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  SS Keewatin, passenger liner also worked in the packet freight trade