SS Meteor (1896) facts for kids
SS Meteor, the only remaining intact "whaleback", Superior, Wisconsin
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United States |
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| Name | Frank Rockefeller (1896–1927) |
| Cost | $181,573.38 |
| Launched | 26 April 1896 |
| In service | 1896-1969 |
| Out of service | 1969 |
| Renamed |
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| Status | Museum ship |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 380 ft (120 m) |
| Beam | 45 ft (14 m) |
| Depth | 26 ft (7.9 m) |
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Meteor (Whaleback carrier)
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | Superior, WI |
| Built | 1896 |
| Architect | American Steel Barge Company; McDougall, Alexander |
| Architectural style | Whaleback Lake Freighter |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000081 100002377 (decrease) |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | 9 September 1974 |
| Boundary decrease | 26 April 2018 |
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The SS Meteor is a very special ship. It is the only one left of a unique type of boat called a "whaleback". These ships were designed by a Scottish captain named Alexander McDougall. His design allowed the ships to carry a lot of cargo while still floating in shallow water.
The Meteor was built in 1896 in Superior, Wisconsin, in the United States. It sailed for many years, with some changes, until 1969. Today, you can visit the Meteor as a museum ship in the same city where it was built.
Contents
The Meteor's Amazing Journey
The Meteor was built in the summer of 1896. It was made by the American Steel Barge Company (ASB) in Superior, Wisconsin. Its first name was Frank Rockefeller. It was the 36th of 44 whaleback ships ever built. These ships were made between 1888 and 1898.
Early Days as a Cargo Carrier
The Frank Rockefeller was built to join the ASB fleet. It helped move iron ore from ports on Lake Superior. This ore went to steel mills on Lake Erie. The ship also carried coal back up the lakes. Sometimes, it even carried grain. As a steamer, it often pulled one or more of the company's other barges.
In 1900, the Frank Rockefeller and other ASB ships were sold. They became part of the Bessemer Steamship Company. This company was the shipping part of the Bessemer Steel Company. Just one year later, the ship changed owners again. It joined the huge Pittsburgh Steamship Company. This company was part of the even bigger US Steel.
A Snowstorm and a Crash
On November 2, 1905, the Frank Rockefeller got lost in a snowstorm. It ran aground (hit the bottom) near Isle Royale. Most of the damage came from the barge it was towing. When the Frank Rockefeller hit the rocks, the barge kept going. It crashed into the back of the Frank Rockefeller! The ship was repaired and put back to work. It sailed as a "Tin Stacker" until 1927. They called them "Tin Stackers" because their funnels were painted silver.
New Jobs and New Names
In 1927, the ship was sold. It was used as a sand dredge and renamed South Park. As a dredge, it helped get sand to fill the land for the Chicago World's Fair in 1933.
In 1936, the ship got a new owner and a new job. It became a car carrier! It hauled new cars from cities like Detroit, Milwaukee, and Kewaunee. This lasted until 1942. That year, it was damaged near Manistique.
Becoming the Meteor Tanker
The ship was almost scrapped (taken apart for materials). But World War II created a huge need for ships. So, it was saved! The South Park was sold to the Cleveland Tanker Company. They changed it into a tanker. This is when it got its current name, Meteor. The Cleveland Tanker Company named their ships after things in space. As a tanker, the Meteor carried gasoline and other liquids for over 25 years.
The Meteor's Final Voyage
By 1969, the Meteor was the last of the original 43 whaleback ships still sailing. But that year, it ran aground again. This happened on Gull Island Shoal near Marquette, Michigan. The Cleveland Tanker Company decided not to fix the 73-year-old ship. It was an older type of tanker, and the damage was severe.
Because the Meteor was the very last whaleback, it was bought and repaired. In 1971, it was brought to Superior, Wisconsin. It was turned into a museum ship. You can find it docked at Barkers Island, where it still is today.
Preserving a Piece of History
The Meteor is the only complete example of these special "lakers" (ships that sail the Great Lakes). Other whalebacks are now just shipwrecks, like the Thomas Wilson.
Around the year 2000, the Meteor was in rough shape. Its hull was rusting, and the inside needed a lot of work. Because of its condition, it was named one of the 10 most endangered historical places in Wisconsin in 2004. But by 2016, a lot of restoration work had been done. Many parts of the ship now look great!
What Makes the Meteor Special?
The Meteor is about 380 feet long. That's longer than a football field! It is 45 feet wide and 26 feet deep. The ship has 12 cargo bays. These bays now hold exhibits that tell the story of the ship.
A Unique Design
The Meteor and most other whalebacks were designed differently from other large boats. They were among the first big ships on the Great Lakes to have all the crew and officer living areas at the back of the ship. There was only a small room at the front for the anchor.
On the Meteor, the living areas include:
- Rooms for the crew and officers
- A kitchen (called a galley)
- Two dining areas
- Five showers
- Three laundry areas
Helping to Preserve the Meteor
Since 2001, several groups have worked together to save the Meteor. These include the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society (GLSPS) and the Superior Public Museums (SPM). They started the S.S. Meteor Preservation and Stabilization Project.
Every April, volunteers come together for a weekend to work on the Meteor. In 2015, 40 volunteers helped out. They painted parts of the ship and cleaned up the exhibit areas. This project helps keep the Meteor in good condition for everyone to enjoy.
Images for kids
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SS Meteor, the only remaining intact "whaleback", Superior, Wisconsin
