On this day February 19, 1959, the 689 foot ore carrier HERBERT C. JACKSON was launched at the Great Lakes Engineering Works River Rouge yard. This was the beginning of replacing older vessels on the Lakes. Her launch into the Detroit River caused a “skinned nose” as this February 20th article from the Traverse City Record-Eagle notes:
“Michigan’s newest Great Lakes freighter, the 689 foot ore carrier HERBERT C. JACKSON, was afloat in the Detroit river today sporting a skinned nose.
“As she slid down the ways in near zero weather yesterday, the freighter gathered so much speed that her port bow butted into a dock at the opposite side of the slip. Engineers said the damage was only minor.
“The HERBERT C. JACKSON is scheduled to go into service for the Interlake Steamship Company.
“Herbert C. Jackson, vice president of the Interlake, in whose honor the ship was named, pointed out that more than half the ore freighters on the Great Lakes are at least 50 years old, and should be replaced. He said 42 vessels like the one launched yesterday, could replace the 125 ships now at the half century mark.”
Photo at top of page: HERBERT C. JACKSON below the Neebish Rock cut, Sep 1983, photo by Robert Campbell
“Locking Through” color post card
The JACKSON was coal fired and had a loaded speed of 15 ½ miles per hour.
HERBERT C. JACKSON with WILFRED SYKES waiting for their cargo at the Escanaba ore dock, January 13, 2004, photo by Craig Olson
HERBERT C. JACKSON upbound on Lake Superior for Marquette, January 6, 2004, photo by Craig Olson
During the winter of 1974/75 the JACKSON was converted to an oil burner and self-unloader at the Bay City Defoe Shipbuilding Yard. Modernization included a 250-foot boom and attendant superstructure aft. Her cargo holds were modified to accommodate 75 loading hoppers and conveyor belts. This conversion decreased her capacity by 1000 tons but the greater flexibility and speed of unloading allowed her to increase her trips each season. Also new was special 25-man life rafts that could be inflated in 30 seconds.
The JACKSON is currently and has spent her entire 65 year career in the Interlake fleet.
Suzette Lopez
PHOTO CREDIT: The Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Milwaukee Public Library and Wisconsin Marine Historical Society.
This story was originally posted on February 19, 2024
