Mystery Ships Of The Great Lakes

Mystery Ship

2011-12-02T20:04:00.005-05:00

Who am I?

The ship appears to have a W on the stack.

Mystery Ship

2011-01-21T13:45:00.007-05:00

Who am I?

This ship appears to have run aground. Does anyone know where and when this photo was taken?

Mystery Ship

2010-11-11T11:18:00.006-05:00

Who am I?

In honor of Veterns Day.

Raise The Flag?

2010-09-16T18:49:00.004-04:00

What does this picture depict? It appears that a fleet flag is higher than the American flag! The man on the right looks to be raising a pennant with the number 1223. Is this a ship number? The man on the left seems to be to be raising a Union Jack. Does any of the activity correspond with the passing ship? The photo was taken at Belle Isle in the 1960's. The ship is the Shenango II.

Sailing On By

2010-09-14T19:12:00.005-04:00

Despite the fact that I have not posted in almost a year, the site still appears to be very active.

I continue to receive messages from all around the world concerning the ships depicted on the site.

Please check back in the very near future for corrections, updates and maybe even a new picture or two!

Sagamore

2009-11-06T18:47:00.004-05:00

This Mystery Ship was originally identified as the Seneca. The tug is actually the Sagamore. Mr. Harold Harold Tartell and Mr. William T. Mentz were kind enough to supply me with detailed information about the the beginning and end of this tug. Please click here to learn the about the Sagamore.

Soo Locks / B. F. Jones

2009-07-25T14:47:00.007-04:00

Thanks to Steve Haverty for identifying the location as the Soo Locks. Steve supplied the following information about the photo:

This is at the Soo locks. The B.F. Jones is entering the old Poe Lock. If I am looking correctly, it may even be the Davis/Sabin side of the approach wall. If you notice the large crane barge in the foreground, this is where the current Paul Bunyan figure is located. The statue is in a small holding pond docking area for the corps just off the warehouse on the McCarthur Approach wall.

Horace Johnson / Joshua A. Hatfield

2009-03-08T22:11:00.007-04:00

A photo containing two Mystery Ships was posted on February 9, 2008. An anonymous visitor correctly identified the ship on the left as the Horace Johnson. The ship on the right, which remained unknown for over a year, is Joshua A. Hatfield. As Mike M. correctly surmised, both belong to the Pittsburgh Steamship Company. Jim added that perhaps the ship with the lesser amount of smoke is damaged and the other ship was rafted to it so it could provide power and rudder. Jim went on to say that this was an uncommon arrangement but he had heard old-timers mention it when telling their stories. Please click here to read about the Horace Johnson and Joshua A. Hatfield as well as the interesting comments made regarding these two former Mystery Ships.

Seneca

2009-02-21T17:28:00.008-05:00

The Mystery Ship posted on October 14, 2007 defied identification. No one even ventured a guess! In January, I received a letter from Lars Hagen Jr. who stated that the tug was the Seneca from New Jersey’s Blue Line. How did Lars know? He was an oiler on the Seneca during the summers of 1956 and 1958! Not only that, his father served as the Blue Line’s Chief Engineer for many years. Thanks to Lars for identifying this Mystery Ship! Please click here to read about the Seneca.

Venus

2009-01-14T19:07:00.014-05:00

The Mystery Ship posted on November 5, 2007 proved difficult to identify. Based on research done by myself and The Rock, the ship was tentatively identified as the O.S. McFarland. Several months after the identification was made, an anonymous poster felt the ship in question differed slightly from the O.S. McFarland but did not give a possible identification. As it turns out, the anonymous poster was correct! The ship is not the O.S. McFarland but the Venus. Please click here to read about the Venus.

Back Bay

2009-01-10T21:53:00.031-05:00

Although I have not posted in almost a year, I have come to find out the site is still referenced and enjoyed by many.

Since that time, additional Mystery Ships have been identified and several misidentifications have been corrected.

Please check back in the near future for updates, corrections and maybe even a new picture or two!

City Of Montreal

2008-03-30T12:56:00.005-04:00

Congratulations Rock! The Rock has correctly identified this week’s Mystery Ship as the City Of Montreal. The ship was built in 1927 at Midland, Ontario by the Midland Ship Building Company. She was one of five “City Class” package freighters built for the Canada Steamship Lines. The vessel was sold in 1961 to Steelfactors, Ltd. and scrapped shortly thereafter at the Davie Shipbuilding & Repair Yard in Lauzon, Quebec.

John Roen

2008-03-21T11:26:00.006-04:00

Congratulations Rock! The Rock has correctly identified this week’s Mystery Ship as the John Roen. The tug was built in 1895 at Camden, New Jersey for the Army Corps of Engineers. The vessel was acquired by Walthen & Company of Baltimore, Maryland in 1932 and renamed the Lamont. The Roen Steamship company purchased the tug in 1935 and renamed the vessel the John Roen. The ship changed hands several times over the next few decades before being acquired by the Great Lakes Towing Company in 1951. She was renamed the Samuel E. Bool in 1953. The tug was renamed the Georgia in 1972 and slipped from documentation shortly thereafter.

John R. Emery

2008-03-13T19:12:00.005-04:00

Congratulations Jim! Jim has correctly identified this week’s Mystery Ship as the John R. Emery. The ship was built in 1905 and launched as the Trenton in Buffalo, New York. The W.L. Emery Company of Detroit, Michigan purchased the vessel in 1925 and renamed it the John R. Emery. The ship was reduced to barge in 1957 and converted to oil in 1958. The sand-sucker spent almost 100 years on the Great Lakes before retiring in 1999. If you would like to see a color photo of the John R. Emery taken by Jim Hoffman in 1994, please click here .

Renvoyle

2008-03-07T20:49:00.007-05:00

Congratulations Rock! The Rock has correctly identified this week’s Mystery Ship as the Renvoyle. The ship was built in 1925 and launched as the Glenledi in Wellsend, England. The ship was built to canal size and sailed across Atlantic Ocean carrying her own prefabricated mid-body. After reaching Midland, Ontario, the ship was lengthened by Midland Shipbuilding Company. The vessel was then acquired by the Canada Steamship Lines who renamed her the Renvoyle. The ship sailed for over 40 years on the Great Lakes before it collided with and sunk the Sylvania on June 1, 1967. The ship was sent for scrapping later that year. If you wish to see another photo of the Renvoyle from the same
time period, please click here.

··· --- ···

2008-03-06T19:07:00.011-05:00

No, the site hasn’t sunk, however, I have run out of Mystery Ship photos. Thus, there will be a slight change. I will be posting photos of known ships with the name obscured. Once someone identifies the ship, the answer, as always, will be posted. As for the photo above, it was taken in 1929 when the Ralph Budd was stranded on the rocks of Saltese Point six miles west of Eagle Harbor in Lake Superior. All crew members were rescued. If you wish to see a photo of the Ralph Budd from approximately the same time period, please click here.

Sagamore

2008-03-02T09:18:00.011-05:00

Thanks to Harold Tartell and William T. Mentz for identifying the ship as the Sagamore.

Mr. Tartell of upstate New York supplied the following information about the beginnings of the Sagamore:

The SAGAMORE built in 1939 as the PETER MORAN by Pennsylvania Shipyards, Beaumont, Texas. She was transferred over to the US Navy during World War II, and became DONOCANA YTB-733. After the war she went back to Moran as PETER MORAN, and after 1948 she was sold to James McWilliams Blue Line to become SAGAMORE. She was sold in the late 60's, and went South to become BUCK ALLEN and then CHARLIE MENTZ. She was eventually scrapped in the 70's.

Mr. Mentz provide the final chapter in the story of the Sagamore:

The tug's last name was "Charlie Mentz" from 1975 to about 1983 and was then scrapped by Bisso Towboat Company of New Orleans. I have the original Wooden Wheel / Engine Telegraph and 2 Brass Port Holes on display in my home.

I christened the tug in April 1975. It was named in honor of my father who was very instrumental and major supporter / customer of Bisso when re-organized under new ownership in 1968 by ancestors of original owners of Bisso.

Mystery Ships

2008-02-27T19:31:00.002-05:00

Who are we?

Mystery Ship

2008-02-22T10:33:00.002-05:00

Who am I?

C.H. McCullough, Jr. / Robert C. Stanley

2008-02-19T21:48:00.009-05:00

Rich, a former crewmember of the Harry L. Allen, was kind enough to supply our latest Mystery Ships. The photo shows two ships passing in close proximity of one another and attests to the fine skill of the wheelmen. If anyone can identify the Mystery Ships, Rich would be very appreciative.

Thanks to Jim and The Rock for identifying the ship on the left as the C.H. McCullough, Jr. The ship was built for the Acme Steamship Company in 1907 and launched as the Ward Ames. The Interlake Steamship Company acquired the ship in 1913 and in 1917 they renamed her the C.H. McCullough, Jr. Her propeller was removed in 1969 and she spent the next two seasons as a barge. In 1971, the Cement Transit Company purchased the vessel, re-installed the propeller and used the ship in the general bulk trade for the next few seasons. The C.H. McCullough, Jr. was eventually scrapped in 1980. If you would like to see Rudi Rabe’s photo of the C.H. McCullough, Jr., please click here.

Thanks to Eric H. for indentifying the ship on the right as the Robert C. Stanley. The ship was one of sixteen “Maritime Class” freighters that were built in 1943. She was scrapped in 1989. If you would like to see an additional photo of the Robert C. Stanley, please click here.

Mystery Ship

2008-02-16T19:34:00.003-05:00

Who am I?

Mystery Ship

2008-02-12T21:32:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

This is a special Mystery Ship. David, who I believe is from Ohio, sent this photo taken by his father. David states that family legend seems to indicate that his father took a lake freighter, possibly the Richard V. Lindabury, to France during World War II. To my knowledge, this cannot be possible as ships were unable to leave the Great Lakes until 1959 when the St. Lawrence Seaway was built. If anyone can identify the ship, location or shed some light on the possibility or impossibility of David's tale, it would be greatly appreciated!

Horace Johnson / Joshua A. Hatfield

2008-02-09T00:52:00.003-05:00

Who are we?

The Horace Johnson was built by the American Ship Building Company in Lorain, Ohio and launched on June 20, 1929. The ship was built for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company. On January 1st, 1953; as a result of restructuring, the Pittsburgh Steamship Company was renamed Pittsburgh Steamship Division, U.S. Steel Corporation. The Horace Johnson and her fleet mates, including the Joshua A. Hatfield, were transferred directly to U.S. Steel Corporation. The ship last sailed until 1980 and was eventually scrapped at Thunder Bay, Ontario, in June 1984. The Joshua A. Hatfield was also built by the American Ship Building Company for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company. She was launched on January 25, 1923. The Joshua A. Hatfield plied the Great Lakes for over 50 years before making her last run in 1977. The ship was sold Hyman-Michaels Company of Duluth, Minnesota on July 1, 1984 for scrapping. She was eventually scrapped in 1988.

Mystery Ship

2008-02-05T16:43:00.000-05:00

Who am I?

James Whalen

2008-02-01T19:58:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Research has identified the ship as the James Whalen. The tug was built in 1905 for the Canadian Towing & Wrecking Company of Port Arthur, Ontario who used her as an icebreaker. The ship had a long and distinguished career and made her mark in Great Lakes maritime history when on April 4, 1910 she became the first Canadian vessel to send a wireless message. The tug retired in 1992. Instead of being scrapped, the ship was returned to her original home of Port Arthur, now known as Thunder Bay. The ship was restored to her original 1905 configuration and is now a tourist attraction in Heritage Park, which located along the Kaministiquia River. If you wish to see a photo of the James Whalen as she appears today, please click here.

Ruth Hindman with Mary E. Hindman

2008-01-28T18:54:00.011-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Jim for not only identifying the ship but the barge as well! The ship is the Ruth Hindman. The American Ship Building Company in Lorain, Ohio built her in 1908 as a fire tug. The ship was originally named the William A. McGonagle. In 1935, the tug was sold to the Pigeon Timber Company of Fort William, Ontario and renamed the Marguerite W. The vessel was again sold in 1953, this time to the Hindman Transportation Company who renamed her the Ruth Hindman. The ship was renamed the Lynda Hindman in 1965 and sold to the Siddall Fisheries in 1966. The tug was scrapped later that year. The barge is the Mary E. Hindman and was built in 1941 by the St. Louis Shipbuilding and Steel Company. She was launched as the WS 304 and served the Hindman fleet from 1952 to 1956. The barge was abandoned in 1969 due to poor hull condition. If you would like to see another photo of the Ruth Hindman, please click here. Click here if you wish to see a photo of the Ruth Hindman pulling the Mary E. Hindman.

B.A. Peerless

2008-01-24T18:10:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Research has identified the ship as the B.A. Peerless. The tanker was built in 1952 for British American Oil Company at the Collingwood Shipyards. The vessel was shortened in 1959. The ship was sold to Gulf Oil Canada, Ltd. in 1969 and was renamed the Gulf Canada. In 1984, the ship was again sold, this time to Coastal Canada Marine Inc. who named it the Costal Canada. The ship was scrapped in 1990. If you wish to see several color photos of the B.A. Peerless when she sailed as the Gulf Canada, please click here.

General Ludlow

2008-01-21T10:23:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Jim for identifying the vessel being towed as the General Ludlow. The scow was built in 1904 by the Johnston Brothers for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The vessel went through several owners before being acquired in 1940 by Leigh C. Merrill of Algonac, Michigan. At that time, the General Ludlow was rebuilt as a dredge. Merrill sold the dredge in 1964. The vessel was renamed the Pointe Hennepin in 1969 and removed from documentation in 1972. The tug towing the General Ludlow remains a Mystery Ship!

Santa Alicia / Santa Regina

2008-01-17T18:47:00.003-05:00

Who am I?

The Saint Lawrence Seaway opened in 1959. Upon hearing this announcement, the Grace Line applied for and obtained an approval to operate a Great Lakes route. This proved to be a financial disaster for the company and the route was given up after one season. Two of the ships that the Grace Line operated on the Great Lakes were the Santa Alicia and the Santa Regina. The Santa Alicia began life in 1945 as the Coringa. She was built under the auspices of the U.S. War Department and went through several owners before coming to the Grace Line in 1957. She was sold in 1960 and scrapped in 1969. The Santa Regina began life much the same way as her sister ship. She was built under the auspices of the U.S. War Department as the John Land in 1943. The vessel served in World War II and received five battle stars. After the war, she went through several owners before coming to the Grace Line in 1957. She was sold in 1961 and scrapped in 1969. If you would like to see a picture of the Santa Alicia please click here. To see Hans-Peter Moeller’s photo of the Santa Regina, please click here.

John B. Cowle (2)

2008-01-16T18:26:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for possibly identifying the ship as the
John B. Cowle (2). The ship was built by the American Ship Building Company and launched in 1910. The vessel was
renamed the Harry L. Allen in 1969. In 1978, while the ship was laid up in Duluth, Minnesota, Multifood Elevator #4 caught fire and collapsed onto the deck. The pilothouse was destroyed and some of her plates were severely warped. The ship was declared
a constructive total loss and promptly scrapped. If you wish to see a much clearer photo of the John B. Cowle (2), please click here.

Makaweli

2008-01-13T00:20:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Daniel of Rimouski, Quebec, Canada for identifying the ship as the Makaweli. The vessel was named the Cowee when it was launched in 1919. In 1922, the ship was sold to the Matson Navigation Company of San Francisco, California and renamed the Makaweli. On December 7, 1941 while at port in Pearl Harbor, the ship was damaged during the attack. In 1946, the ship came to the Great Lakes when the vessel was sold to Lakeland Tankers Limited of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The ship continued to service the Lakes until it was scrapped in 1967. If you would like to learn more about the Makaweli, please click here.

Algosteel (1)

2008-01-11T19:22:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for providing clues that led to the ship being identified as the Algosteel (1). The ship was named the Thomas Barlum when it was launched in 1907. In 1935, the ship became part of the Algoma Central & Hudson Bay Railroad Company fleet and was renamed the Algosteel. During a 1967 inspection, the vessel was found to be in need of repair. The repair was deemed to be too costly and the ship was sunk as a breakwater at Burns Harbor, Indiana. If you would like to see a color photo of the Algosteel (1) taken by William Lafferty in 1962, please click here.

M/S Helga Smith

2008-01-09T17:13:00.000-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Tom Jones of Sweden for identifying the ship as the
M/S Helga Smith. The cargo ship was launched in Sweden in 1947. The ship was sold to Panama in 1956 and renamed the Michigan . In 1966, the ship was again sold, this time to Greece and renamed the Nissos Psara. The ship was renamed the Medatlantic in 1970. In 1973, the ship suffered a fire in the engine room and was scrapped a year later. If you would like to learn more about the M/S Helga Smith, please click here.

Mystery Ship

2008-01-06T11:18:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Mystery Ship

2008-01-03T18:28:00.000-05:00

Who am I?

Mystery Ship

2008-01-02T15:05:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock and MikeM for providing clues that may eventually lead to the identification of this Mystery Ship. The stack symbol indicates that the tug belongs to the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers. The bow reads “Corps Of Engineers.” Unfortunately, that isn’t the name of the vessel as many Army tugs were marked in this manner. However, research indicates that it is one of four tugs: LT-4 Major Wilbur F. Browder, LT-5 Major Elisha K. Henson, LT-7 Major George W. Hovey or LT-18 Major Emil H. Block. Since all four tugs are nearly identical in appearance, this vessel, for now, will remain a Mystery Ship.

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T10:25:00.001-05:00

Have a great 2008!

The photo above depicts the South American on the Detroit River going past Ford Motor Company Of Canada. The passenger steamer was built in 1914 by the Great Lakes Engineering Works of Ecorse, Michigan. She spent her career providing regular service to Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Mackinac Island, Chicago and Duluth. She retired in 1967 and was to be used as a dormitory and class room for the Union's Lundeburg School of Seamanship but did not pass inspection. The South American was scrapped in 1992. If you would like to learn more about the South American as well as see additional pictures and listen to her whistle blow, please click here.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-31T10:21:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

The ship in the above photo is the Western States. The passenger steamer was built in 1902 by the Detroit Ship Building Company of Wyandotte, Michigan. She spent most of her career making the run between Detroit and Cleveland. In 1955, automobiles had all but replaced steamers and the ship was converted to a floating hotel. The “flotel” proved unprofitable and the ship was scrapped in 1959. If you would like to learn more about the Western States as well as see additional pictures, please click here.

Mitschfibre

2007-12-22T13:14:00.005-05:00

Thanks to Tonylast for identifying the vessel as the Mitschfibre. The barge was built in 1895 by the Chicago Ship Building Company and christened the Marcia. The vessel was sold to the Detroit Sulphite Transportation Company and renamed the Mitschfibre. The barge was sold again in 1939 to tDriftwood Lands & Timber and then sold once more in 1954, this time to the Hindman Transportation Company. The Mitschfibre served her final years as a grain storage hulk in Owen Sound, Ontario before being scrapped in 1966.

Hornum

2007-12-20T10:51:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Tonylast for identifying the ship as the Hornum. The ship was built as the Luksefjell in 1930 for Olsen & Ugelstad and launched in Porsgrunn, Norway. In 1937 she was purchased by Zerssen, a German shipping concern and renamed the Holnis. The vessel was renamed in 1941 to the Hornum. The Hornum was scrapped in 1962. Erich R. Anderson, a former sailor for Zersssen, sailed on many of their ships including the Hornum. You can read his comments here.

Helene

2007-12-17T16:38:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Research indicates that this is most likely the Helene. The yacht was built by the Defoe Boat and Motor Works in 1927 for Charles Sorenson of the Ford Motor Company. The yacht left Michigan waters in 1936 and served in World War II before returning in 1949. The Helene still exists and now spends her time in Lake St. Clair. If you would like to see an additional photo of the Helen, please click here.

Cadillac / Frontenac

2007-12-14T15:24:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for identifying the ship as either the Cadillac or the Frontenac. Both ships sailed for the Cleveland-Cliffs Steamship Company. The Cadillac was launched in 1943 while the Frontenac was launched in 1923. The Cadillac was laid up for the last time 1981 and scrapped in 1987. In November 1979 the Frontenac sustained major structural damage from running hard aground while entering Silver Bay, Minnesota. The damage was so extensive the ship was eventually scrapped.

Santa Alicia / Santa Regina

2007-12-11T23:14:00.005-05:00

The Saint Lawrence Seaway opened in 1959. Upon hearing this announcement, the Grace Line applied for and obtained an approval to operate a Great Lakes route. This proved to be a financial disaster for the company and the route was given up after one season. Two of the ships that the Grace Line operated on the Great Lakes were the Santa Alicia and the Santa Regina. The Santa Alicia began life in 1945 as the Coringa. She was built under the auspices of the U.S. War Department and went through several owners before coming to the Grace Line in 1957. She was sold in 1960 and scrapped in 1969. The Santa Regina began life much the same way as her sister ship. She was built under the auspices of the U.S. War Department as the John Land in 1943. The vessel served in World War II and received five battle stars. After the war, she went through several owners before coming to the Grace Line in 1957. She was sold in 1961 and scrapped in 1969. If you would like to see a picture of the Santa Alicia please click here. To see Hans-Peter Moeller’s photo of the Santa Regina, please click here.

George A. Sloan / Robert C. Stanley

2007-12-09T20:16:00.000-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to MikeM and The Rock for identifying the ship as either the Robert C. Stanley or the George A. Sloan. Sixteen “Maritime Class” freighters were built in 1943 including the two previously mentioned vessels. The Robert C. Stanley was scrapped in 1989 while the George A. Sloan, now named the Mississagi, continues to sail the Great Lakes. If you would like to learn more about the George A Sloan, please click here. If you wish to see a color picture of the Robert C. Stanley, please click here.

Irvingwood

2007-12-08T17:39:00.000-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Steamman for identifying the ship as the Irvingwood. The ship was built as a canaller in 1952 for the specific purpose of carrying pulpwood. She was scrapped in 1988. If you would like to learn more about canallers like the Irvingwood, please click here.

Regent

2007-12-06T16:10:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Tonylast for identifying the ship as the Regent. The ship was built in 1934 for the Gulf Oil Corporation by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation. The ship held 16,000 barrels of oil. After serving Gulf for 40 years, the ship was sold to Nicaruga. In October of 1983, a fire broke out aboard the vessel and the ship sank near Bluefields City, Nicaragua. If you wish to see additional pictures of the Regent, please click here.

Mystery Ship

2007-12-02T12:13:00.000-05:00

Who am I?

Harvey H. Brown / James C. Wallace

2007-11-29T18:28:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for providing great insight that has possibly identified the Mystery Ship as the Harvey H. Brown or James C. Wallace. The sister ships sailed for the Interlake Steamship Company. The Harvey H. Brown was launched in 1908. On June 5, 1972, the ship then named the Parker Evans, collided with and sank the Sidney E. Smith, Jr. just below the Blue Water Bridge. A photo depicting the recovery of the Sidney E. Smith can be seen here. The Harvey H. Brown was scrapped in 1981. The James C. Wallace was launched in 1905 and scrapped in 1963.

Ornefjell

2007-11-26T18:01:00.004-05:00

Who am I?

Research indicates that this is the Norwegian cargo ship Ornefjell. The ship was built in 1937 and scrapped in 1971. The Ornefjell served in several convoys during World War II before seeing duty in the Great Lakes.

Mystery Ship

2007-11-23T15:19:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

This vessel is proving to be quite the Mystery Ship. The Rock believes that the ship may be the Stadacona. Stearman feels the stern of the ship pictured differs from the Stadacona and has identified the vessel as the Donnacona. Tonylast disagrees with both possibilities and feels that the ship is the Goderich. Tonylast bases his opinion on the number of hatches and high forecastle.

Mystery Ship

2007-11-20T16:09:00.000-05:00

Who am I?

M.S. Riverdore

2007-11-19T17:59:00.000-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Yvon from Fort de France (Martinique) and Bruce from Aberdeen, Scotland who agree that the ship is most likely the M.S. Riverdore. The cargo ship was built in 1958 by William Gray and Company Ltd. of West Hartlepool, England. The ship was scrapped in 1982. If you would like to learn more about the M.S. Riverdore, please click here.

Baby Brøvig

2007-11-17T14:15:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Derek of Harwich, England for identifying the ship as the Baby Brøvig. This Norwegian cargo ship was launched in 1949 and sailed under several different names before being scrapped in 1984. If you would like to learn more about the Baby Brøvig, please click here.

Helen Hindman (2)

2007-11-16T14:56:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to MikeM and The Rock for solving this Mystery Ship. The ship has been identified as the Helen Hindman. The ship was built in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1911 and is believed to have been scrapped in the 1980’s. Captain George Hindman founded what would become the Hindman Transportation Company in 1939. Almost all the ships in the fleet bore the name of a family member. This was the second ship with the Helen Hindman moniker.

W.E. Fitzgerald

2007-11-14T16:53:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for identifying the ship as the W.E. Fitzgerald. The ship was launched in 1906 and scrapped in 1971. The ship’s namesake, William Fitzgerald, had a son Edmund who also had a ship named for him – the ill-fated Edmund Fitzgerald!

MS Ciandra / MS Colonia

2007-11-12T21:08:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Research indicates that the ship is one of two German freight and passenger ships. The MS Ciandra was built in 1952 and scrapped in 1977 while her sister ship, the MS Colonia, was built in 1953 and scrapped in 1986. If you would like to learn more about these two Salties, please click here.

Mystery Ship

2007-11-11T01:14:00.001-05:00

In honor of Veterans Day.

Who am I?

Does anyone know what kind of ship this is? Please click here to see a discussion of the possibilities!

Michigan

2007-11-09T09:58:00.001-05:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for identifying the ship as the Texaco Michigan. The ship was launched in 1902 as the Horace S. Wilkinson and sailed under several different names. The above photo, taken in the 1940’s, depicts the ship as the Michigan. The ship was converted to a tank barge in 1967.

Venus

2007-11-05T21:32:00.006-05:00

Who am I?

The ship was built in 1901 at Lorain, Ohio by the American Ship Building Company. She was acquired by the Interlake Steamship Company in 1913 and converted to a crane ship in 1927. The ship was sold several times during the next 20 years before being purchased in 1958 by the Steel Products Steamship Company. The ship was renamed Steel Products at that time. In 1961, she was sold to Marine Salvage, Ltd. in Port Colborne, Ontario for scrapping. On the way there, the ship broke the tow line and partially sank at Point Abino, Ontario. The Venus never went any further and was scrapped on that spot during the winter of 1961.

Shenango II

2007-11-02T09:51:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to MikeM for identifying the ship as the Shenango II. The ship was built for the Shenango Furnace Company and launched in 1958. The ship was sold in 1967 and renamed the Charles M. Beeghly. The ship still sails the Great Lakes today! If you would like to know more about the Shenango II, please click here.

Simon J. Murphy

2007-10-24T19:08:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for identifying the ship as the Simon J. Murphy. The ship was launched in 1900 in Wyandotte, Michigan. After 60 years of service, the Simon J. Murphy was scrapped.

Imperial Sarnia

2007-10-21T18:42:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for identifying the ship as the Imperial Sarnia. The ship was launched in 1948 as a tanker for Imperial Oil, Ltd. The ship was modified during the winter of 1953 and left the Great Lakes for East Coast service before returning in 1962. The Imperial Sarnia was converted to an oil storage barge in 1986. Auke Visser of the Netherlands has compiled a superb site dedicated to tankers of this type. Please click here to see additional photos and information about the Imperial Sarnia.

Put-In-Bay

2007-10-18T20:03:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for identifying the ship as the Put-In-Bay. The ship was launched in 1911. At that time, the ship was the largest excursion steamer built for Detroit River service. The ship was sold for scrap in 1953 but before going to the scrap yard, it was towed out to Lake St. Clair and set ablaze! Many remember the fiery end of the Put-In-Bay but The Rock actually witnessed this historic maritime event!! Click here to read The Rock’s comments. Click here if you wish to read more about the glorious beginning and unusual end of the Put-In-Bay.

Seneca

2007-10-14T14:09:00.006-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Lars Hagen Jr. of of Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia for identifying the ship as the Seneca. The tug was built in 1940 at Beaumont, Texas for James McWilliams Blue Line, Inc. The tug served the Great Lakes for over 35 years but was involved in several controversial incidents that resulted in lawsuits. You can read about them here and here. The Seneca was removed from documentation in the 1980’s.

City Of Cheboygan

2007-10-11T19:57:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for identifying the ship as the City Of Cheboygan. The ship was originally launched as the Ann Arbor No. 4 in 1909. In 1937, the ship was purchased by the State of Michigan and converted to a car ferry used to transport people and automobiles across the Straits of Mackinac. The opening of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957 was the death knell for the City Of Cheboygan along with all other car ferries. The ship was sold in 1958 and used as a storage hulk for potatoes until it was scrapped in 1973. If you would like to see additional photos of the City Of Cheboygan as well as an article by car ferry historian Les Bagley, please click here.

Did Columbus Sail The Great Lakes?

2007-10-08T12:25:00.008-04:00

No, but a replica of the Santa Maria, the flagship of Columbus' 1492 voyage, sailed the St. Clair River for many years. Andrew Cuthbertson and his son Tom of Cuthbertson Marina in Algonac, Michigan built the ship, which was aptly named the Santa Maria II. The Cuthbertsons completed the Santa Maria II in 1936 and sailed it until 1962 when the ship was dismantled.

In the early 1940’s my Grandfather was on Harsen’s Island when he filmed the Santa Maria II. Click below to view this brief but rare footage!

Happy Columbus Day!

In a very exciting development, the Grandson of the builder of the Santa Marie II added his personal comments about the history of the ship. To read his observations, please click here.

Mystery Ship

2007-10-05T15:34:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for his insight on the possible identities of several Mystery Ships depicted in the photo. Click here to read The Rock's comments and learn what one of the vessels may be!

Imperial Oil Limited Tanker

2007-10-03T20:10:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Imperial Oil Limited of Canada had many tankers of this type sail the Great Lakes during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Noted historian The Rock offers the names of Imperial Welland or Imperial Cobourg as the likely identity of this Mystery Ship. Other possible names are the Imperial Midland, Imperial Hamilton, Imperial Sarnia or Imperial Goderich. Auke Visser of the Netherlands has compiled a superb site dedicated to tankers of this type. Please click here to review Auke’s photo album and perhaps be the one to reveal the identity of this Mystery Ship!

Scott Misener

2007-09-29T13:08:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for identifying the ship as the Scott Misener. The ship was built in 1950 and was scrapped in 1986. If you would like to see a color photo of the Scott Misener taken by Jeff Cameron, please click here.

Prins Frederik Willem

2007-09-27T20:06:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Bob of Gravesend, Kent, United Kingdom for identifiying the ship as the Prins Frederik Willem. The ship was launched in 1951 and sailed until 1977 when it wrecked in the Mediterranean Sea. If you would like to learn more about the Prins Frederik Willem, please click here.

Edward S. Kendrick / South American

2007-09-21T10:19:00.001-04:00

Who are we?

Thanks to The Rock for identifying both Mystery Ships! The freighter on the left is the Edward S. Kendrick while the passenger ship on the right is the South American. The Edward S. Kendrick was launched in 1907 and was scrapped in 1973. The South American was a popular passenger steamer that was launched in 1914 and served on the Great Lakes until she was retired from service 1967. The ship was to be used as a dormitory and class room for the Union's Lundeburg School of Seamanship but did not pass inspection and was eventually scrapped in 1992. If you would like to see a color photo of the South American taken by Bud Massman, Jr., please click here.

Sherman VI

2007-09-14T17:46:00.000-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Tonylast for identifying the ship as the Sherman VI. A. B. Ceresti at Millville, Florida built the tug in 1941 for Sherman & Sons of Panama City, Florida. The ship came to the Great Lakes in 1948. On April 19, 1974, the Sherman VI sank in Duluth, Minnesota. She was eventually raised and repaired only to be scrapped two years later.

Delphine

2007-09-07T10:24:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Mike for identifying the ship as the Delphine. The Delphine was the personal yacht of Horace Dodge. The yacht was named after Dodge’s only daughter and launched in 1921. The Dodge family sold the yacht in 1968 and it passed through many hands before falling into disrepair. The yacht has since been restored and in 2003 was re-christened by none less than Princess Stephanie of Monaco! If you wish to learn more about the long and colorful history of the Delphine, please click here.

Tom M. Girdler

2007-09-07T10:13:00.000-04:00

Who am I?

Research indicates that the ship in front is a “Girdler Class” freighter. Three freighters of this type sailed the Great Lakes:
Tom M. Girdler, Charles M. White and Troy H. Browning, which also sailed as the Thomas F. Patton. I believe the ship in the photo is the Tom M. Girdler. Do any of the experts agree? Disagree?

Several experts have weighed in with their opinions! Please click here to view their informative comments and learn if they agree or disagree that the Mystery Ship is the Tom M. Girdler! If you would like to see a color photo of the Tom M. Girdler that was taken by Tom Manse in the 1960’s, please click here.

Special thanks to The Rock who believes the ship behind the purported Tom. M. Girdler is the Lethbridge.

Eugene P. Thomas

2007-08-29T19:17:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for providing great insight as to the possible identification of this Mystery Ship. The Rock states that there were about 10 ships that sailed the Great Lakes with characteristics similar to the Mystery Ship. Some of those ships were the Thomas F. Cole, James A. Farrell, Richard V. Lindabury, Myron C. Taylor and the Eugene P. Thomas. Please click here to read The Rock’s insights and also find out why he identified this Mystery Ship as the Eugene P. Thomas!

Marquette & Bessemer No. 2 (2)

2007-08-11T10:59:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Mike for an excellent suggestion and several members of the Yahoo! Car Ferry Group for identifying the ship as the railroad car ferry Marquette & Bessemer No. 2 (2). The ship was launched as a car ferry in 1910 and was cut down to a pulpwood and crane barge in 1944. The ship was renamed the Lillian in 1948 and scrapped in 1997.

John Roen IV

2007-08-10T13:20:00.000-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to The Rock for identifying the ship as the tug John Roen IV. The tug was launched in 1947 and declared a total loss in 1976. If you would like to see a color photo of the John Roen IV that was taken by John Vournakis in 1963, please click here.

Mackinaw

2007-08-02T23:05:00.001-04:00

Who am I?

Thanks to Mike for identifying the ship as the United States Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw. The ship was launched in 1944 and decommissioned in 2006. The ship is now a maritime museum.
If you would like to learn more about the Mackinaw, please
click here.

Ahoy!

2007-08-02T22:46:00.001-04:00

Welcome to my new photoblog, Mystery Ships Of The Great Lakes. The images that will comprise this blog are believed to have been taken on the St. Claire River between 1946 and 1952. Long forgotten freighters, tugs and other ships will glide out of the past. Unfortunately, their names are not readily apparent. Thus, I seek your help in identifying these "Mystery Ships Of The Great Lakes."