Boatnerd Discussion Forum

You might try searching in the following collection at the Library of Congress, which can be searched online.

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections ... bject.html

They have some excellent drawings of the USCGC Bramble, along with 43 extremely good photos of the ship, so they may have similar information on some of the older Lake boats.

Hi Jared,
Thanks for reading and the reply. I will certainly check out bearcomarine.com and appreciate the suggestion.

I sure wish I could easily avail myself of BGSU's stash in person - I'm envious of your treasures and can surely relate to the “scent of the yard!” I used to be geographically close to BGSU (and even affiliated with their music department for a time.) But alas I’m across the country and bored to death with salt-water ‘ships’ (yawn) and have been inspired to do some research and perhaps writing about my home and the rich lakeboat heritage. Of course there are plenty of pictures of boats, pilothouses, engine rooms, staterooms and maybe even a galley or two online but I really want to pull the whole work/living experience together through the designs and plans – not just the “nuggets.”

I’ve been searching quite a while but have had little luck on these classic designs. There used to be a site (maybe perhaps GLMI?) that had The Fitz’s deck plans online including both deckhouses and engineering spaces but I can no longer find those. But as The Fitz was on my wall for 10 years, I believe those are now memorized and I’d like to explore other boats (though I'd still love to have 'em!)

I realize I’m preaching to the choir here but am just addicted to these historic marvels and while it was certainly a commitment of hard work, separation and even risk, I revere the experience, history, and crafts that thrived in the classic heyday for so long in my backyard. And I sure do miss the lonely passing whistles heard out my bedroom window on the lakes.

Peace,
Merhboat

You will not find many online. The only blueprints of a lake freigher online would be at bearcomarine.com. They have a very limited collection of famous freighters. Other than that I just got back from BGSU with blueprints. They are from the orginal shipyard and still have the scent of the yard on them. They are stores offsite and are avaiable if you make and appt with Rober Graham. They will not let you down. Jared D

Is anyone aware of any Great Lakes freighter deck plans/blueprints (interior especially) that may be studied or available to view online?

I am not speaking of art, prints for purchase or scale-model builder plans (they tend to leave out all interiors) but seek to study photos (.jpgs etc) and/or .pdf style versions of genuine accommodation plans.

In particular, I am seeking to study the interior builds of traditional “fore and aft house” style freighters - not the soulless floating rear-house ‘Velveeta cheese boxes’ we are see more and more of.

I used to have the full fantastic framed engineering blueprints of the Fitz on my wall. I picked them up at the S.S. Keewatin’s gift shop a decade and half ago, but lost them in a disaster. But I’d prefer to view such online for ease of access /portability transportation and especially the cost. (The Fitz plans were fittingly gigantic covering the entire wall and were awfully expensive.)

The boats I’d tend to want to study would be older rather than more recent builds; anything from the triple expansion days to say mid-70s’-ish would suit just fine. I did poke around at BGSU’s Great Lakes historical collection but have not found online-viewable blueprints as of yet (perhaps I haven’t stumbled into the right area there?)

I’m new to the forum but an old-BoatNerd -soul that relocated away from the lakes and my favorite pastime. I’m grateful this site keeps the “lake rust” in my blood. Thanks a bunch for reading and I’ll make a point to check back for any advice, comments or general abuse LOL!

BoatMerh