Topic starter
02/12/2013 5:03 pm
Yes, that is correct; the 1906 built Str. ST. MARY'S CHALLENGER first named as the W.P.SNYDER (sans the Jr) will be cut down into a barge this winter. Most of us have probably not seen this SNYDER though, as her trade has been carrying cement across Lake Michigan. Her Skinner Uniflow engine rolled over for the final time last month.
With the ST. MARY'S CHALLENGER being converted to a barge the only commercial steamboats operating on the Great Lakes with reciprocating machinery will be the car ferry BADGER and Toronto's side wheel ferry TERILLIUM. Thankfully, there still does remain numerous lakers with steam turbines providing the propulsion, and hopefully the CHALLEENGER's machinery will be preserved some how in a museum.
Now, I could be wrong, but I suspect that when the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE blows her first departure whistle of the 2014 season that she will be the oldest vessel trading in the American Merchant Marine. Let's all hope that is for a long time at that!
04/12/2013 3:26 am
I was fortunate to have seen her steam out of Milwaukee's harbor while I was on a harbor tour over the Labor Day weekend. Frank, the deed is already done however...the pilot house is gone with a conveyor pivot already in place, Manitowoc Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay is doing the work...
Boatnerds.com as well as several Facebook pages have many pictures of her last days and several from the shipyard in Door County. Sad that Port City chose that route. Oldest operating commercial laker now is the Alpena, which is a newbie of sorts, built in 1942.
Topic starter
04/12/2013 4:04 am
Thanks, Pete, for filling in the blanks. I greatly appreciate it. Do you know if the ALPENA is still steam or has she been diseasealized? Nevertheless the ALPENA sure has the lovely traditional lines of a classic laker.
05/12/2013 3:01 am
Can't they just make a barge if they need one and leave her alone for all to enjoy?
08/12/2013 3:39 pm
Ron Anderson;32578 wrote: Can't they just make a barge if they need one and leave her alone for all to enjoy?
The great mystery that many of us on the Lakes are totally confused by! There would have been several non-profits who would have gladly accepted a donation of a working lake boat!!
Topic starter
08/12/2013 6:25 pm
Pete Sisak;32589 wrote: The great mystery that many of us on the Lakes are totally confused by! There would have been several non-profits who would have gladly accepted a donation of a working lake boat!!
MONEY!!!...Mystery solved.