Big Boat

Sunday evening Rob and I thought we would go to Captain Sundae's and get a Tommy Turtle and head to the channel to watch the boats coming in. We had perfect timing...we got to watch the Wilfred Sykes head out into Lake Michigan.

Here is a little info - for those who care - Like Rob:)

Built by American Shipbuilding Co., Lorain, OH in 1949 for Inland Steel Co., the streamlined bulk freighter Wilfred Sykes was the first new American-built Great Lakes vessel constructed after World War II. At the time of her launch, she was the largest vessel on the Great Lakes. The Sykes is powered by 2 steam turbine engines producing a combined 7,000 horsepower driving an 18 1/2 foot diameter four-blade propeller giving her a speed of up to 16 mph. Being the first steamship built to burn "bunker C" heavy oil for fuel instead of coal, her fuel tanks can hold 165,000 gallons giving her a cruising range of 4,500 miles. She is also equipped with a bow thruster.

Her 18 hatches feed into 6 compartments where she can carry 20150 tons at maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and is capable of carrying 21500 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 27 feet 7 1/2 inches. The Sykes was the first Great Lakes vessel built with a 70-foot beam and was also the first laker built capable of carrying in excess of 20,000 tons.