ON THE LAKES

Museum ship William A. Irvin preserved at Duluth.

• Laid up: The former United States Steel bulk carrier William A. Irvin arrived at Duluth from Sandusky with a cargo of coal on Dec. 15, 1978, ending a 40-year sailing career.

• Origin: The 610 foot, 9 inch long vessel had been built at Lorain, Ohio, and entered service June 25, 1938, heading to Duluth for the first of hundreds of loads of iron ore.

• Service: The ship sailed in the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. and usually carried ore and coal to United States Steel docks around the lower lakes.

• Features: The vessel had four guest rooms in the forward cabin and tunnel deck passages to allow crew and corporate friends to move between the bow and the stern without having be out in the elements.

• Trouble: The boiler ruptured on the first trip in April 1964, leaving one crew member dead and two more injured. A power failure in June 1977 resulted in the ship going aground at Sault Ste. Marie and it also stranded in Lake Erie early in 1978.

• Offer: The vessel was offered for use as a museum ship at Duluth but the company wanted it maintained in operating condition in case it was needed to haul cargoes once again.

• Sold: The Duluth Convention Board approved the funds to purchase the vessel in April 1986 and, after being refurbished, it was towed to Duluth and opened for display on June 28, 1986.

• Popular: An estimated 500,000 visitors boarded the William A. Irvin in its firs eight years and they handsome vessel remains a major attraction along the Duluth waterfront.

Note: This is the 43rd year of On The Lakes in the Times Herald. Author Skip Gillham has numerous books available including “The Ships of Purvis Marine”. It can be ordered from Skip for $30.00 (includes postage) at 3750 King St., Vineland, Ontario, Canada. L0R 2C0.