600-footers

The 600-footers were a class of lake freighters all built to the design of the J. Pierpont Morgan.[1][2] The J. Pierpont Morgan was launched in April, 1906, and was, at the time, the longest vessel on the Great Lakes.

Her sister ships were not all identical. Minor modifications were made. Mark L. Thompson, author of Queen of the Lakes, wrote that between 56 and 76 vessels were built to this design.[2]

The 600-footers could use harbours that larger 730 feet (220 m) seawaymax vessels can't use. Until 1961 no vessel longer than 600 feet was able to access Cleveland's harbour.[2]

The vessels' draught was 19 feet (5.8 m).[3] Their beam was 58 feet (18 m). They were powered by triple expansion steam engines, providing 1,800 shaft horsepower (1,300 kW), and could carry 11,000 tons of cargo. They cost $440,000 to construct, in 1906 dollars.

selected 600-footers
imageinitial
name		launchedretirednotes
J. Pierpont Morgan1906-04-181979
Henry H. Rogers1906-06-16
  • Was approximately one foot longer than the J. Pierpont Morgan, making her, briefly, Queen of the Lakes.[2]
Norman R. Beam1906-08-181990
  • ended her life as a permanently moored barge.[3]
Peter A.B. Widener1906-10-20
Edward Y. Townsend19061968
Daniel J. Morrell19061966
  • Broke up in a storm on Lake Huron on 29 November 1966, 28 out of 29 crew lost.
Henry Phipps19071976
Col. James M. Schoonmaker1911-07-01
  • modified to be 617 feet (188 m), Queen of the Lakes.
D.G. Kerr1916[4]
D.M. Clemson1917
Eugene W. Pargny1917-01-201984
Homer D. Williams1917
August Zeising1917
William H Warner1923

References
  1. American Society of Marine Engineers (1953). The Log, Volume 48. Miller Freeman Publications. p. 49. Until the 1920s this class of vessel was considered just about the ultimate in size.
  2. Mark L. Thompson (1994). Queen of the Lakes. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 9780814343371.
  3. Mark L. Thompson (1991). Steamboats & Sailors of the Great Lakes. Wayne State University Press. p. 48. ISBN 9780814323595.
  4. "RPPC SHIP FREIGHTER SS DG KERR built 1916". Flickr. RPPC SHIP FREIGHTER SS DG KERR built 1916 600 footer SS DG KERR and Pittsburgh Steamship Company SS WILLIAM A. McGONAGLE launched Real Photo Antique Photo Postcard Photographer UNK3
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