Does anyone know what this is (was)?

[jeep4grog]

Found this pic on the wall of a bar in Sandusky Ohio during Bike Week last summer

[greenman407]

Doesnt look familiar, some kinda gunboat?

[roedj]

whalebacks also called pig boats

Obviously, neither of you two gentlemen are "Lakers" as I am. I grew up on the St. Clair River connecting Lake St. Clair with Lake Huron and used to watch the whalebacks or pig boats, as we called them, sail by quite often. They didn't just run on the Lakes as some crossed the Atlantic as they were very seaworthy running through heavy seas with decks totally awash. Most of them ended their days as barges.

See the attached pic.
...

Dan

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Neat. So, did they haul liquid cargo?

David

[roedj]

Neat. So, did they haul liquid cargo?

David

Absolutely, see the referenced Wikipedia article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Meteor_1896

In case you're wondering, we called them pig boats because of their bow/nose.

Oink, oink,

Dan

[jeep4grog]

Thanks for the info. I am a recent transplant to the Lake area. I grew up on the coast in CT and spent 30 years in San Diego.

This Might be my next project...

[roedj]

Thanks for the info. I am a recent transplant to the Lake area. I grew up on the coast in CT and spent 30 years in San Diego.

This Might be my next project...

If you're really serious go to:

http://www.olddetroitshop.com/shipplans1.html

and buy the plans for the John Ericsson. I have the plans as well and someday...someday .. well, you know the rest.



Dan