By Chris Winters

The crew of the PAUL R. TREGURTHA load 60,000 tons of western coal at the Superior Midwest Energy Terminal, March 16, 2013 – first trip of Interlake Steamship’s centennial season on the Great Lakes.

Interlake’s flagship the PAUL R. TREGURTHA was built in 1981 at Lorain, Ohio by the American Ship Building Company as the WILLIAM J. DeLANCEY.   She was nicknamed Fancy DeLancey because of her luxurious owner’s accommodations.  She was renamed in 1990 in honor of Interlake’s Vice Chairman of the Board.  At 1013.5 feet, she is the longest ship on the Great Lakes and has held the title Queen of the Lakes since 1981.

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Chris Winters is a Trustee and Vice President of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society, a well-known author and has been a photojournalist for over 25 years.  He and his cameras have enjoyed a privileged glimpse into the lives of merchant mariners aboard some of the Great Lakes best-known and best-loved vessels.

This story was originally posted on July 14, 2024.