JB Ford

[PDBLK25]

Thank you for the in-depth answer. I usually read the "News Search" very carefully - I don't know how I missed that one. It must have been a painful decision.

[Guest]

Lack of funds was the reason..they announced it on their website and it was in the news page last July 10..

7/10 - The Great Lakes Steamship Society is throwing in the towel on saving the J.B. Ford as a museum ship. A statement released on July 7 read:

“The J.B. Ford’s time on these freshwater oceans is coming to an end. After several years of efforts by the Steamship Society, we sadly decided at last month’s board meeting that we must halt our efforts to save the entire vessel.

“The 1903-built Ford has been the main focus of our Society since its inception and has had successes and failures like any group. However with mounting costs to preserve and stabilize the vessel and waning support for this particular vessel, we decided it would be best to let the venerable old workhorse go.

“We are not, however, abandoning her completely, Lafarge is still working with us to recover artifacts and significant items from the vessel. We are also hoping to be able to save her forward cabins, but this too in the short term may prove unfeasible. But we are trying regardless of the difficulties faced. The board of directors is still working with people in Alpena and also Lafarge at another opportunity that has less question marks and so far seems to be significantly less expensive, but also appears to have a great deal of support behind it. At this point it is not official, but the Great Lakes Steamship Society is exploring the option of focusing its efforts on the former flagship of Huron Cement, the S.T. Crapo, docked in Green Bay, Wis. We hope that soon we will have some news and information regarding this change in direction and that we can continue to count on your support as we have these past several years. If you get a chance to snap a photo of the Ford, be sure to do so, as her scrapping is imminent, and likely to happen before winter sets in. Thank you again for all your support. We will keep the news coming as we have it."

[PDBLK25]

I remember that the organization trying to save the Str. J.B. Ford gave up on saving her, but I don't recall that they ever went into depth as to why. They said they would look into saving the S.T. Crapo instead. Why did they change their minds? Both ships are in long-term lay up, but although the Crapo is newer, her prop & rudder are welded in a fixed position (I'm not even sure she retains her prop), while I believe the Ford retains both a working shaft & rudder. My guess is the conditions of their engines might be the reason. However, the J.B. Ford seems far more worth saving. Can anyone tell me why they gave up on the Ford? Thank you.

[Denny]

Not counting current operating vessels both U.S. and Canadian, she is I believe the oldest freighter on the Great Lakes or at least one of the oldest? I believe now the title of the oldest operating one at least goes to the Alpena. Don't know who it the oldest serving freighter and ship on the Canadian side? I would say it has to be either the Cuyahoga or Mississagi as both were built in the 1940s. Does anyone know who is the oldest working freighter on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes currently? Thanks.

[Middle rouge]

I think she was originally going there this past fall, but that didn't happen. Rumor is likely true.

[Jared]

The rumor mill is saying that she will be towed to the Soo in May for scrap. Has anyone else heard this?