Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Hello Hugh, Hanna did the same run. They began with opening of the Seaway in 1959. The Captains and mates were good through the Welland Canal, but they picked up a pilot from Cape Vincent, the East end of Lake Ontario, down to Escoumaines (sp). Their cargoes were mostly iron ore from Sept Isles, with an occasional cargo of grain for Montreal or coal for Hamilton. Mike

USS did send some of their Mates down the Welland and Seaway on Canadian Vessel until they had the necessary trips to write for Pilotage and then put them on the Steel Trust boats back in the 1960s. They were sending the Triple "A"s, The Suppers and the Maritime boats down To Port Cartier at that time. They were good for the Weland and the seaway down to Montreal and then they took Canadian Pilots down to Escoumins. Not sure if any other Americans Company's did that or not?

what about "company pilots"? Don't some companies put them on and off as needed? (Port Weller, Port Colborne, Iroquois Lock)

All Captains and Mates on the Great Lake Vessels are licensed 1st Class Pilots for the Great Lakes for the lakes on which the Company operates.

seems as though we were both right, to a point. He also stated that for a great lakes freighter to run the St. Clair, and St. Marys River, they would bring in an outside pilot, which didn't seem right to me, I know they do for salties but with the regular captains, am I right on that??

On the US Side, it kind of depends on the union contract. Also for the longest time CG rules stated you have to maintain a "reasonable watch" in the engine room which counted for a few extra. It's like how when the railroads went diesel and you still had firemen and brakemen for years afterwards. I haven't sailed since I was in college but 10 years ago-

Burns Harbor (02) 24- 1 captain, 3 mates, 5 engineers, 3 qmeds, 1 convayer man, 2 stewards, 3 wheelsmen, 3 watchmen, 1 bouson, 2 deckhands.

Roger Blough (03) 20-22 -for the wheels man they used the term ABU for someone who would wheel in the rivers, but could also work as a DH or WM. They also only had 2 Qmeds. Deckands ran gates on unloads.

John G. Munson (03) 20-22 - same as above

Pere Marquette 41 (03) 9-10 1 captain, 2 mates, 2 engineers, 1 cook, 2 deckhands, 2 equipment operators/utilities.

Earl W. Ogelbay (27-29) *only ship I worked on with a porter and a couple gatemen, on the other ships the DH and WM ran gates.

Trilliums run with 17 or 18 (with an Electrical Technician) plus Cadets:

1 Captain
3 Mates
4 Engineers
3 Able Bodied Seamen
3 Ordinary Seamen
1 Mechanic's Assistant
1 Head Tunnelman
1 Chief Cook

Algoma Navigator is about 27. Though this summer we were up to 32 aboard with Cadets and some welders along for the ride.

A few years back the Indiana Harbor had a crew of 24.

I think with automation of engine rooms and pilot house systems those numbers are down to around 22 - 24. The ATB's are doing it with 14 or less sometimes.

Not any more. Now down to the low 20's..20-22 or so. I think the new Trillium and Equinox boats have even a little less, but not sure about that.

Had a discussion with a friend today, and the debate was how many crew members does it take to run a great lakes freighter?? I say typically 28-29.