MV Kaye E. Barker

The MV Kaye E. Barker is a self-discharging lake freighter owned and operated by the Interlake Steamship Company. She was originally built as the Edward B. Greene, and was later renamed Benson Ford before being sold to Interlake and named the Barker. It primarily hauls hematite pellets, stone, and coal across the North American Great Lakes.

Kaye E Barker
MV Kaye E. Barker docked in Marquette, Michigan.
History
United States
OwnerCleveland Cliffs Steamship Company (1952-1985)

Rouge Steel Company (1985–1989)

Interlake Steamship Company (1989-present)
OperatorInterlake Steamship Company
BuilderAmerican Ship Building Company
Laid downas Edward B. Greene
Christened10 January 1952
Completed1952
Maiden voyage29 July 1952
Renamed1985 (Benson Ford by the Rouge Steel Company) 1989 (Kaye E. Barker by the Interlake Steamship Company)
IdentificationIMO Number 5097450

MMSI Number 366904910

Call sign WCF3012
General characteristics
Class and typeAAA-Korea class bulk freighter
Length767 ft (234 m)
Beam70 ft (21 m)
Depth36 ft (11 m)
Propulsion2 x Rolls-Royce Bergen B32:40L6P 6 cylinder diesel engines
Speed17 miles per hour (15 kn)
Capacity25,900 tons

Construction
MV Kaye E. Barker on the Fox River in downtown Green Bay (2022).
The Edward B. Greene on her maiden voyage in 1952, docked in Marquette

The Barker was constructed in Toledo in 1952 for the Cleveland Cliffs Steamship Company as the Edward B. Greene, one of the eight AAA-Korea class freighters used for ore and coal shipping. The Greene was the first lake freighter to be constructed entirely in drydock.[1] She was christened on January 10, 1952, with her sea trials beginning on June 18 of the same year. On her maiden voyage, which took place on July 29,[2] 19,788 tons of iron ore were loaded to be shipped to Toledo from Marquette, Michigan.

Description

The Greene was built 647 feet long with a hull depth of 36 feet. It was powered by a 7,700 SHP DeLaval steam turbine and was equipped with 24 hatches.[3] It measured 11,726 gross tons.[4]

Service history

The Greene hauled hematite pellets from ore docks in Marquette, Michigan, to steel refineries in Detroit.[5]

Lengthening and conversion to a self-unloader

In the winter of 1975–1976, Fraser Shipyards, Inc. was contracted by Cleveland Cliffs to lengthen the Greene with a 120-foot mid-body section, increasing capacity to almost 27,000 tons. At the same time, six of the other AAA-Korea class freighters were lengthened in the same way. In 1981, the ship was converted to a self-unloading vessel, with the addition of a 250-foot aft-mounted boom.[6]

Purchase by Rouge Steel Company

In 1985, four years after the conversion, the Greene was purchased by Rouge Steel Company, originally a division of Ford Motor Company. Upon the ship's purchase, it was renamed Benson Ford III. Its new route stretched from Marquette to Detroit to supply the Ford plant there.[7]

Purchase by Interlake Shipping Company

The Ford fleet was dissolved in 1989, leading to the Interlake Shipping Company's purchase of all remaining Ford boats. With the purchase, Interlake signed a contract to ship iron ore to the Rouge Steel plant. This created the Lakes Shipping Company, a new division of Interlake.

Second Renaming

With Interlake's purchase of the Benson Ford, the decision was made to rename it to the Kaye E. Barker, after the wife of Interlake's president.[8]

Repowering

In 2012, the Barker was repowered at Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Her steam turbine was replaced with two 6-cylinder Rolls-Royce diesel engines and other equipment. Along with these upgrades, the Barker also received a replacement rudder and stock.

References
  1. jayspalette (2009-08-07). "E.B. Greene". Jay's Palette. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  2. "Greene, Edward B. – Great Lakes Vessel HistoryGreat Lakes Vessel History". www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  3. "Greene, Edward B. – Great Lakes Vessel HistoryGreat Lakes Vessel History". www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  4. "Edward B. Greene". bob.plord.net. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  5. jayspalette (2009-08-07). "E.B. Greene". Jay's Palette. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  6. "Kaye E. Barker -IMO 5097450". www.boatnerd.com. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  7. "Edward B. Greene – Joseph H. Frantz". www.mhsd.org. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  8. "Kaye E. Barker". Duluth Shipping News. Retrieved 2019-04-22.


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