Willis B Boyer

"Willis B Boyer" is a lake freighter which served as a commercial vessel on the Great Lakes for much of the 20th Century, and is currently undergoing renovation as a museum ship in Toledo, Ohio.

History

The steamship "Willis B Boyer" began life on July 1, 1911 in Detroit as the SS "Col James Schoonmaker". At the time of her launch she took the title of Queen of the Lakes which is given to the biggest ship on the Great Lakes. She became the flagship of the Shenango Furnace Company. She broke many cargo records for iron ore, grain and coal in her first year. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine which was later replaced by a steam turbine in 1955. She sailed as part of the Shenango's fleet until 1969 when she was sold to the Interlake Steamship Co who chartered the Schoonmaker to the Republic Steel Corporation. After a three year charter to that company Interlake decided to sell her to the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. They operated the laker for 7 years in the iron trade until she was laid up in 1980 due to a downturn in the steel industry which she served. After sitting unwanted for 7 years the city of Toledo decided to purchase her for use as a museum. She sits as the centerpiece of the International Park in that city. She still sits there undergoing a major renovation but still waiting for people to tour her.

Description

The "Willis B Boyer" is 613 feet long overall. She has a beam of 64 feet and a depth of 34 feet. Her carrying capacity is 15,500 gross tons. A unique feature of the ship is inside her pilothouse. She was one of the few ships on the Great Lakes to have a twin steering wheels. The starboard is the main wheel while the other was an auxiliary. As the flagship of the company for many years she was fitted with many features a normal laker would not have. She was fitted with 5 luxury guest suites in the bow of the ship. She also carried a guest lounge and dining room for their comfort.

Future

The Willis B Boyer is in serious trouble. 2007 is her 20^th year of sitting at International Park along the banks of the Maumee River. She has not seen a drydock at all during this time. The Boyer's hull is rotting very fast and the overall condition is deteriorating as well. The City of Toledo doesn't have the funds to care for her and within 3 years, she could be beyond repair. Currently, her fate appears to be in the scrapyard. But, there is hope for her future. Groups are attempting to obtain a 300,000 dollar grant to provide funds to drydock the Boyer for paint and repairs. Any donations, by anyone, will certainly help too. The Willis B Boyer is a maritime treasure; this one-time Queen of the Lakes is the largest museumboat on the Great Lakes and a splendid example of early maritime architecture, deserves to be preserved at all costs.

See also

* List of ship launches in 1911