Where Great Lakes Freighters Go To Die: Left To Rot (Part I)

[@donkeyboy585]

“They went back and forth setting records for the biggest loads carried” Translation they were constantly overloaded.

[@RustyRench]

And they wonder why it sank with over 10,000 tons more than it was rated to carry on board.

[@falcondragonslayer]

⁠@@RustyRenchWhat ship are you talking about?

[@RustyRench]

@@falcondragonslayer Edmund Fitzgerald

[@falcondragonslayer]

@@RustyRench Edmund Fitzgerald was carrying 26,000 tons (its rated capacity) when it sunk, not 10,000 tons over capacity (I don’t think overloading it that much would even be possible if they filled the cargo holds to the brim and covered the deck in piles of ore). Edmund Fitzgerald was notoriously cheaply built and poorly maintained. If anything, that’s why it sunk, not because it was over capacity.

[@LokiOdinson-fz8ps]

​@@falcondragonslayeramazing how many of these dingdongs took little Gordie Lightfoots song and miss understood it.

[@chooch9816]

What an enjoyable watch. Looking forward to Part 2 and other productions to come.

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you! Lots of good stuff to come!

[@fuzzybutkus8970]

Great job,Love the freighters here in Mich. Grandpa used to take me to Belle Isle to watch the huge ships.

[@michaeldethrow3873]

Quite the professional documentary. Looking forward to Part 2.

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you! Lots of good stuff to come!

[@jefffrayer8238]

I agree, lots of great footage and info about the ships, history and the future. Excellent work, Subscribed.

[@LongShipsChannel]

@@jefffrayer8238 thank you! Lots of good stuff to come!

[@darthdevious]

Fun fact about the Ryerson, well, her namesake to be exact. Edward L. Ryerson was the younger brother of Arthur L. Ryerson, one of Titanic's first class passengers, who was sadly lost in the sinking. The famous picture of a young boy, Douglas Spedden, playing with his top on the deck of the Titanic, also has Arthur Ryerson in the picture, as he was one of the men watching the lad. In the film Titanic (1997), it was Arthur's coat that Jack Dawson "borrows".

[@LongShipsChannel]

Wow! I did not know that. Thanks for sharing.

[@billiamnotbob]

I saw the Ryerson come into Sturgeon Bay on one of her last trips. Beautiful ship. I used to make deliveries up to Duluth and saw here there as I'd cross the bridge. Sad to see here sit all boarded up. When I lived in Green Bay I used to watch many of the ships come in like the Anderson and others.

[@homeaccount1524]

John Sherwin was laid up in Nov 1981 and moved in 2006 for a self unloader conversion and new engine, but those plans were put on hold due to the economy. Looks like both hulls are in good shape after all these years.

[@LongShipsChannel]

For sitting out in the elements I’ve read the vessels are still in relatively good condition. Specifically, the Ryerson.

[@homeaccount1524]

@@LongShipsChannelThat is true. I have driven by the Ryerson in recent years and she looks in better shape than half of the ships that come into Duluth.

[@larryhealey6827]

I saw it in Sarnia on the St Clair river in 1975. Northbound. June or July.

[@justinolsen9284]

Just a slight correction, the Sherwin was put into lay up in 1981

[@janetcarbone4213]

Interesting. Well presented and Sad

[@ronniedale6040]

What a great little documentary.

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you 😊

[@davidcoudriet8439]

Well done! Great photography. Now to see part two!

[@LongShipsChannel]

@@davidcoudriet8439 part 2 will be about recycling ships!

[@scottburns2600]

The Ryerson was not fastest ship on the lakes during this period. That honor went the the Cliffs Victory

[@LongShipsChannel]

@@scottburns2600 I have read that cliffs victory only went 16.5 knots.

[@llbburris]

Nice job! I have watched dozens of great videos on the ships of the Great Lakes and never heard of "Fast Eddie". Found it all interesting and beautifully narrated. Can't wait for part two!

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you! Lots of good stuff to come!

[@jimhall1095]

Thank you for this! Looking forward to more, subscribed :)

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you! More great stuff to come!

[@jimhall1095]

@@LongShipsChannel Nice voice too :) I always stop and see the Edward Ryerson when I can.

[@jimhall1095]

@@LongShipsChannelWhere’d ya go?

[@LongShipsChannel]

@ hey there! I’m coming back! Thinking of a different angle for the videos!

[@jimhall1095]

@ Ok :). Happy to help with ideas & topics

[@drizler]

What year did they start going mainstream with self unloaders. I grew up right on the St Lawrence in the 60s near Ogdensburg and saw one of those only a few times . When the Roy Jodery went down near Morristown I was in college and remember seeing the pictures of it at the time 1975 and remember noting how odd that huge boom was so I’m sure there hadn’t been many around my section of the river ever or I’d have seen them constantly.

[@falcondragonslayer]

It was somewhere around the late 60s to early 70s I think. Around the same time they started making the switch from the classic lakers to the stern-Enders.

[@31Alden]

Very well done and narrated. Looking forward to Part II

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you!

[@jamesnelson6980]

Outstanding! 2 vessels built by Manitowoc Shipbuilding...RYERSON and MUNSON.

[@LongShipsChannel]

I LOVE THE MUNSON! Her salute and she recently got a fresh paint job!

[@jamesnelson6980]

@@LongShipsChannel Yep! She looks brand new. My grandfather was a riveter at Manitowoc Shipbuilding for 44 years, and drove a lot of rivets on the MUNSON during her building in 1952-52. He would be proud to know she's still sailing! Correction ..1951-52!

[@scottayar5136]

The lakes trade is growing ever tighter as the years pass. The John sherwin saw her last shot at a refit in 2008 come and go the new barker proved cheaper to build refitting the sherwin with her engine room gutted I think it’s only a matter of time before she is scrapped she was moved in 2006 but has not sailed under her own power since 1981 the Ryerson design has made booming her much too costly but given status’s on the lakes she would make a fine museum

[@falcondragonslayer]

I would love for Reyerson to be a museum. As far as I’m aware of, the William A. Irvin in Duluth is the youngest museum ship on the lakes, and it’s 86 years old. It would be nice to have a newer ship as a museum. The Reyerson is 64 years old, so it’s a decent bit younger than the Irvin.

[@Klappadler7844]

This reminds me of one of those old documentary's like the "Long Ships Passing"

[@curbstomp3126]

Lets hope she returns to the lake.

[@adriannegrillo8394]

I keep hoping she does too! She's magnificent!!

[@georgeyaniga7848]

Outstanding. Given the abundance of hyperbole and cultish boatnerdism available, you have skilfully captured the nuances of our business with just enough nostalgia.

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you! I’ve really put time in my research!

[@ericknutson7569]

Totally enjoyed this video, ,,,,,great job! I can't wait for part two.

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you!

[@0rien_]

this is by far one of the best short documentaries on the great lakes i have ever watched

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you! I’ve spent a really time time researching different areas of Great Lakes shipping. More great stuff to come!

[@royalslack]

Beautiful!

[@mistypuffs]

I’ve never subscribed so quick. Really interesting stuff ^^

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you! Lots to come!!!

[@terryhawkins5585]

I REALLY LIKE THESE OLD SHIPS

[@falcondragonslayer]

The Sherwin looks significantly worse for wear than the Ryerson in this video. I wouldn’t be surprised if it never returns to service. The Reyerson, on the other hand, doesn’t look too bad from the outside. But looks can be deceiving. Who knows what the state of the hull is? Or if the turbines will even be repairable after sitting still for so long. I hope the Reyerson comes back into service, but there’s a lot that’ll have to happen for that to happen. One of the main things is adding a self-unloading system. I think there were plans made, but the ship or the hull would make it difficult. The other option I’d like to see happen is the Reyerson being saved as a museum ship. There are a fair amount around the lakes (William A. Irvin, Valley Camp, SS Meteor, Col. James M. Schoonmaker, etc) but those are all rather old ships (the newest being the Irvin, which was built in 1938 (86 years old). It would be cool to have a newer vessel as a museum somewhere. The Ryerson would be a great option too, since it was designed to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible.

[@localcrew]

I like chainsaws. But I also like Great Lakes Freighters! Just subscribed!

[@josemedeiros007]

Interesting video, don't they salvage the steel from old ships, or is it to expensive and not cost effective?

[@LongShipsChannel]

It depends! They can sell the ship to a salvage yard depending on the price of steel. I don’t know why they haven’t sold the Ryerson or Sherwin.

[@Skidderoperator]

Use them for bridge dolphins.

[@Jeff-sl8xz]

The Arthur m Anderson is still hauling the last ship that had radio and visual contact with the Edmund Fitzgerald the night she sank.

[@dag221]

Looks like the Ryerson has been moved since this footage was shot. Google maps shows it at this location in August 2023. But the satellite images labeled 2024 show it around the corner up past the dry docks. Seeing as I don't know anything at all ship maintenance or storage I have no idea what any of that could mean. I would imagine the docking fee for a boat like that wouldn't be a small thing.

[@donwood2522]

Wanted t o see where ships go to die ????

[@rverro8478]

Alang, India

[@curbstomp3126]

Lay up is where they die. Once in lay up for years they usually go to one of 2 great lakes ship breaking yards.

[@tsfullerton]

The Ryerson crew always happily returned our waves when she came in to unload.

[@UQRXD]

Ocean vessels can last for over 40 years.

[@WilliamCooper-l6f]

These ships would be great additions to maritime schools, Coast Guard and navy training, as museum pieces, like the SS Col. James M Schoonmaker, as target practice , as artificial reefs, refitted to be self unloading, or scrapped. There is no reason why these ships remain in lay-up. I love this woman's voice who is narrating this documentary. She sounds exactly like the person who narrated my book trailer.

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you!!

[@Comm0ut]

Museum ships suck resources from every other museum ship because there are very few DONORS. People wanting to save everything forget this. Except for volunteers and donors they want someone else to spend the money and immense labor.

[@Skidderoperator]

BRIDGE SUPPORT PROTECTION

[@WilliamCooper-l6f]

​@@Comm0ut my bad, I was under the belief they took tax money to make museums?

[@NPC-Gamer]

8:43 is the John G. Munson, still going strong today. Great work on the video !

[@LongShipsChannel]

With a fresh paint job!

[@terryhawkins5585]

ITS REALLY SAD 😔 ABOUT THOES SHIPS TOO BAD THEY CAN'T BE STILL WORKING ❤❤

[@jamesdoan3586]

Where's Part 2?

[@LongShipsChannel]

Finishing it up!

[@gregobern6084]

Almost hangs up when launched ,Fitz will be fine

[@HootisGarage]

We see it all time. Needs to be a museum ship.

[@johnrebel9539]

The fly bridge & accommodation block would be of interest to people,but maintenance on the rest of the hulk would be extremely high.

[@treeandaturd]

american valor is laid up in toledo, and she has the self unlaoding boom, and still looks pretty good!

[@LongShipsChannel]

I was reading up the American Valor actually! It has been sold several times and I believe has been sold to a Canadian steamship company

[@jamesbraun9842]

@@LongShipsChannel Lower LAkes Towing is the division. (The project seems to have been put on hold).

[@gregobern6084]

If i had a ship it would be named after former La Pointe village resident ,Frank Belanger

[@NIN34]

The sherwin has been laid up since the 80s, it was suppose to be re powered and converted to a self unloaded but the economy crash of 2008 ended that plan.

[@mplsmark222]

Do you know how many steam powered lakers are still in use?

[@LongShipsChannel]

@@mplsmark222 The Alpena is still steam powered

[@mplsmark222]

@@LongShipsChannel thank you

[@RailPreserver2K]

​@@LongShipsChannelthats one that I hope will get saved, same with the anderson.

[@ibbylancaster8981]

As a North Carolinian, we don’t have any lakes large enough to accommodate much more than a small yacht and river traffic pretty much ceased on the Cape Fear River except for around Wilmington NC at the coast. I have traveled up through Chicago and seen one of the boats that was eventually scrapped, that sat near the interstate. Best my memory serves, it was a white painted ship that was laid up beside some grain elevators. It’s terribly sad to see these monsters rot away. Wouldn’t they be excellent apartments? Go in and set them up like they’re being dry docked and go in and turn each compartment into multi level homes. Just spitballing ideas. Very wonderfully written and narrated. I will be looking forward to the rest of this series. Much love to you from North Carolina 🤙🤙

[@LongShipsChannel]

That ship is the C.T.C No. 1!

[@mlarson3107]

@@LongShipsChannel I think it is used as storage bin for concrete raw bulk or salt mix ect.

[@LongShipsChannel]

@@mlarson3107 yes!

[@LokiOdinson-fz8ps]

No they would not make nice apartments REDNECK. Nothing like your house having to go into drydock. STUPID IDEA.

[@dash456789]

Awesome video

[@milehighkit4725]

I definitely enjoyed that! Looking forward to part two.

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you! More great things to come!

[@FoxyRodgers]

Love you! RCVWL&Penny

[@ramshackleshack751]

Pronounced Hew-let. Awesome machines. Like a giant dinosaur 😊

[@FoxyRodgers]

You’ve got a great voice for it

[@bekindandrewind1422]

So many people in need.. These could be turned into housing or at least SOMETHING could be done with them other than leaving them to degrade until they become useless..

[@davidbarnsley8486]

So looking forward to more videos on these boats 👍👍

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you! More great stuff to come!

[@rcstl8815]

No pictures of the Edmund Fitzgerald looking up at the fish?

[@brettfavreify]

Nice video. But your first statement is correct. These are work boats. When they are of no further use, economy and efficiencies dictate these boats are either scrapped or go into layup. Boatnerders get too wrapped up in the aesthetics and design. The construction of the Mark Barker, the first American-built boat on the lakes in 40 years, hopefully is a signal of a new era in shipbuilding that puts new hulls in the water. Putting a boom on the Ryerson or Sherwin, reconfiguring the holds, repowering them and installing the latest emissions technology would make little to no sense to a penny-pinching marine carrier. If they retired the Blough and St. Clair early because of onboard fires, why would a company make the investment in bringing the Ryerson back into service.

[@LongShipsChannel]

There's nothing wrong in appreciating history!

[@brettfavreify]

@@LongShipsChannel Absolutely. But everything has a lifespan.

[@jamesbraun9842]

The Blough and St.Clair were both destroyed by fire and deemed a total loss by the insurance company and owner. Just like when a car is totalled, where it's determined it would cost more to repair the car than it would to replace it.

[@LongShipsChannel]

@@jamesbraun9842 the Blough is in long term layup

[@johnrebel9539]

I agree. All the comments that think fast eddie should become a museum haven't put alot of thought into that. The ships owner isn't going to just give away millions of dollars worth of scrap and if they do they think maintenance on 700+ foot of ship is cheap? Nothing lasts forever. They scrap battleships with far greater significance to people.

[@pappabob29]

I watch lots of those Rouge River Ford Plant videos/documentaries where these guys were bringing ore and other products to supply that facility that built millions of cars from the late 20's and continue there on a much smaller scale. Old Henry Ford wanted to be as self reliant as was humanly possible. Having his own steel, glass, textile, rubber, and casting, ad well as generating his own power at the rouge facility. He also had his own lumber sources for what was needed in the production of the cars of the day. Unlike today where all of the automotive corporations "outsource" so much of the final product that ends up being "dead/obsolete" in 10 years.

[@LongShipsChannel]

The William Clay Ford is one of my favorite ships (was)! Ford always had great ships in their fleet!

[@christopherelrod8788]

I always thought they ran until they sunk😂. It's not an easy life for em and the all eventually break or get unlucky with a bad storm and a malfunction

[@austinshackles549]

I'm surprised you don't mention the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald. OK it's pretty well known but it's kinda part of the story, I feel.

[@LongShipsChannel]

Lots more stuff to come! The fitz will have to be several parts….

[@zooba1974]

Very nicely done!!! Can't wait for part 2!

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you! Lots of good stuff to come!

[@dustind3960]

Edmond fitzgeraled rest in peace at the bottom of lake surperior

[@survivingworldsteam]

I am afraid they are getting Fast Eddie ready for a trip to the breakers. Not trying to start a rumor or anything, but that is its most likely fate.

[@LongShipsChannel]

😞

[@sneezabonk]

They are keeping it for scrap price. (Once the value for Scrap goes up the ship will go).

[@aprylrittenhouse4562]

Didn't Ryersons father die on the titanic

[@pauldietz1325]

Steel production is down in the US from its peak, and 70% of it is from recycled scrap. There's much less demand for iron ore.

[@LongShipsChannel]

Although the demand for steel is down. Great Lakes shipping remains the most efficient, sustainable and economic way to ship iron ore!

[@jt7250]

The high quality iron ore in Minnesota is pretty much gone, and they are mining the lower quality iron ore, called Taconite now, which in the mining heyday was considered waste product. There is still plenty of this lower quality ore (supposedly 100 years worth). Beyond that they say there are deposits of a different type of iron deposits that would require a different type of processing.

[@johnrebel9539]

Scrap metal is alot safer industry then mining

[@RyanN880EP]

I was born & raised in Minnesota, town called International Falls. And I remember the Edmund Fitzgerald incident very well. Even been to Duluth more than once. But there's nothing beautiful about the Great Lakes ships and freighters in my opinion. Was just another job and way to keep the bills paid to them people. Damn sure wasn't pretty

[@marklottero5345]

Those Huelett unloaders are neat

[@sailawaybob]

Ive seen them pass thru the Soo Locks all these ships are amazing at what they do. As for the ships mothballed seems like they could maybe add self loaders ??? Seems like a lot of $$$$$ sitting there.

[@LongShipsChannel]

I agree! The price of steel flucates if they scrapped it. I’ve read that the Ryerson is in pretty good condition still but adding self unloading equipment would be expensive, less cargo space and very difficult the way the stern was built

[@Skidderoperator]

Instant bridge dolphins

[@J3scribe]

Nice video, I look forward to the next installment. Google Earth shows that the Ryerson has been moved from the slip she occupied in the video to a spot next to dry docks further down the channel. She is berthed near a modern ore hauler that is nearly twice her size. If they retrofit her with an auto unloader it will take up quite a bit of capacity.

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thank you! Lots of good stuff coming!

[@LongShipsChannel]

Yes unfortunately if they did add self unloading equipment it would be very difficult the way the stern was constructed. Also taking away cargo space 😕

[@mlw2613]

The Edmund Fitsgerald Crew MICHAEL ARMAGOST FREDERICK BEETCHER THOMAS BENTSEN EDWARD BINDON THOMAS BORGESON OLIVER CHAMPEAU NOLAN CHURCH RANSOM CUNDY THOMAS EDWARDS RUSSELL HASKELL GEORGE HOLL BRUCE HUDSON ALLEN KALMON GORDON MACLELLAN JOSEPH MAZES JOHN MCCARTHY ERNEST MCSORLEY EUGENE O'BRIEN KARL PECKOL JOHN POVIACH JAMES PRATT ROBERT RAFFERTY PAUL RIIPPA JOHN SIMMONS WILLIAM SPENGLER MARK THOMAS RALPH WALTON DAVID WEISS BLAINE WILHELM Rest in peace boys

[@AdamTaylor-g5p]

Well Duh Sherlock!

[@scopex2749]

OH MY BIG FITZ..........Bless their souls. 27,000 tons broke her back - this competition risks lives on the lakes 😢" She was the pride of the America side, coming back from some mill in Wisconsin".......The FIRST of the big ships. Sleep in peace now. It s a gret shame though as the 'self unloaders' put many people out of work on the Hulett unloaders at Whiskey Island, Cleveland.

[@merhbass]

Bravo.

[@roscoefoofoo]

The narrator's vocal frrrrrryyyy...y tells me "Bye-bye."

[@LongShipsChannel]

Hope you’re having a great day too!

[@joeanderson9852]

👍

[@CycolacFan]

The Edmund Fitzgerald had a gross tonnage of 13,632lb ?? About seven tonnes? The same weight you could get into a large van? 😂

[@ShawnC.W-King]

Average, doesn't mean that was it... She did that one run that was more than double that in one run.😊

[@CycolacFan]

@@ShawnC.W-King that was when the crew carried it in suitcases…

[@calvinrhoades4406]

The unloaders are pronounced hoo let

[@steve66oh]

The unloaders are pronounced "HEW-lets", not "hull-its".

[@davidteague3849]

Nice voice fry

[@_SurferGeek_]

It's so common nowadays... even making its way into main stream media and radio.

[@turboturtle9083]

That's the sound your voice makes when you don't clear your throat and baby batter dries on your vocal chords.

[@mlarson3107]

I remember the 80s as kid. Best days was when one of the coal boats would show up and unload.

[@harrycarter1722]

You. Read 1 book. On your life.

[@LongShipsChannel]

Thanks for your comment, Harry! Actually I’ve read several books. Also, gathering information from historical societies, lectures and university papers. Sorry to disappoint you 🥰

[@harrycarter1722]

@@LongShipsChannel Hey LongShips. My apologies. This was supposed to be a text to someone. Not sure how it ended up in comments on your feed. I enjoyed and appreciated your article.

[@LongShipsChannel]

@@harrycarter1722 thank you!

[@donengebretson4716]

Lose the vocal fry!

[@LongShipsChannel]

Nope. This is my voice 😊

[@jazzridez]

That obnoxious sound in the background drove me off your channel. Never to return. What is the matter with you people?

[@LongShipsChannel]

Hey I hope you’re having a great day too!

[@stovetopburner4196]

Great video .