SS Col. James M. Schoonmaker facts for kids
Col. James M. Schoonmaker as museum ship in 2018
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States |
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| Name |
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| Owner |
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| Port of registry |  Toledo, Ohio |
| Builder | Great Lakes Engineering Works |
| Yard number | Hull 82 |
| Launched | 1 July 1911 |
| In service | 11 October 1911 |
| Out of service | 1980 |
| Identification | IMO number: 5077228 |
| Status | Museum ship |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 12,200 GRT |
| Length | 617 ft (188 m) |
| Beam | 64 ft (20 m) |
| Depth | 34 ft (10 m) |
| Installed power | triple expansion steam engine |
| Speed | 12 knots |
| Crew | 29 |
| Notes | oldest ship to carry the distinction of Queen of the Lakes |
The Col. James M. Schoonmaker is a famous lake freighter, a large ship that carried goods on the Great Lakes. It was also known as the Willis B. Boyer for many years. This ship is named after James Martinus Schoonmaker, a brave soldier who received the Medal of Honor. Today, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker is a museum ship in Toledo, Ohio, where people can visit and learn about its history.
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History of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker
The steamship Col. James M. Schoonmaker was built on July 1, 1911. It was made at the Great Lakes Engineering Works in Ecorse, Michigan. When it was launched, it became the biggest ship on the Great Lakes. This special title is called the Queen of the Lakes.
The ship became the main vessel for the Shenango Furnace Company. In its first year, it broke many records. It carried huge amounts of iron ore, grain, and coal. The ship was first powered by a triple expansion steam engine. This engine was later replaced by a steam turbine in 1955.
The Col. James M. Schoonmaker sailed for the Shenango fleet until 1969. Then, it was sold to the Interlake Steamship Company. Interlake rented the ship to the Republic Steel Corporation for three years. After that, Interlake sold the ship to the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company.
This company renamed the ship Willis B. Boyer. It was named after the company's president. The ship carried iron for 7 years. In 1980, it stopped working because the steel industry slowed down. The ship sat unused for seven years.
In 1987, the city of Toledo, Ohio bought the ship. They wanted to turn it into a museum. For many years, it was a main attraction at International Park in Toledo. Later, it was renamed back to its original name, Col. James M. Schoonmaker. It was then moved to the National Museum of the Great Lakes. This museum is located on the Maumee River in Toledo.
Ship's Design and Features
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The Col. James M. Schoonmaker is about 617 feet long. It is 64 feet wide and over 33 feet deep. It can carry 12,200 gross tons of cargo. This is when it is loaded to a depth of 21 feet.
One special part of the ship is its pilothouse. It had two steering wheels, which was rare for Great Lakes ships. The main wheel was on the right side. The other was a backup wheel.
Since it was the company's main ship, it had many special features. These were not found on regular cargo ships. It had five fancy guest suites at the front of the ship. Famous people, like Andrew Carnegie, stayed there. His businesses often involved the types of goods the ship carried. The ship also had a guest lounge and a dining room for passengers.
The Col. James M. Schoonmaker was one of many ships built using a famous design. This design was first used for the J. Pierpont Morgan. These ships were known as the "600 footers" because of their length.
Becoming a Museum Ship
On December 17, 2009, a plan was approved to create a new museum. The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and the Great Lakes Historical Society worked together. They decided to build the National Museum of the Great Lakes. It would be at the Toledo Maritime Center.
The Willis B. Boyer was repainted to look like it did when it first sailed. On July 1, 2011, it was officially renamed Col. James M. Schoonmaker. In October 2012, tugboats pulled the ship down the river. It moved to its new spot next to the museum. The museum officially opened in the spring of 2014.
See also
- James Martinus Schoonmaker
- SS William G. Mather Maritime Museum The Schoonmaker's fleet mate at one time, now a museum ship in Cleveland, Ohio
