Cost would be the big factor on the Lakes. Front and rear accommodations means two sewage plants and connecting all the bridge controls to the back end.
For ocean vessels having the accommodations in the back means a nicer ride and less motion sickness for the crew. The bow moves up and down (and other directions) much much more than the stern.
On many (most) big ships engine noise isn't too loud in the rooms that are in the after end. The main exceptions are the few built by Steinbrenner in the early 70's (Adam E. Cornelius, Calumet, etc). Expect to have a hearing loss from being on those.
Stewart Cort
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Mich Alex
Re: Stewart Cort
Cost and money. It's less expensive to build a boat with all the accomodations at the stern. The Cort is one of the last three boats that were built with the Great Lakes profile of wheelhouse forward, the other two that came after are the Roger Blough and the Algosoo.
Re: Stewart Cort
Bethlehem Steel had an option with Litton for up to five thousand-footers with Litton. When the company tried to exercise their option for two thousand-footers in November 1973, and one in December 1973, Litton refused to build the ships. The 70s were a time of high inflation, and from the time the Stewart J. Cort was ordered in 1968 to 1973, the cost for building the ships had increased dramatically. Bethlehem Steel then sued for Breech-of Contract and demanded $95 million dollars in damages. The case went to the Supreme Court and wasn't settled until late 1983 when the court ruled in favor of the defendant, Litton.
Because of the delay in building the new ships, Bethlehem Steel in late 1974 took over the two options American Steamship had with Bay Shipbuilding for two thousand-footers, i.e. Lewis Wilson Foy and Burns Harbor. Then irony is today, both ships now sail with American Steamship.
Because of the delay in building the new ships, Bethlehem Steel in late 1974 took over the two options American Steamship had with Bay Shipbuilding for two thousand-footers, i.e. Lewis Wilson Foy and Burns Harbor. Then irony is today, both ships now sail with American Steamship.
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Ludington Rob
Stewart Cort
The Cort has a unique design - a forward pilot house that includes all accommodations. Is this popular with the sailors? Less noise and vibration away from the engines but also a longer walk for the engineers. Why is she the only boat with this configuration?