The Edward Ryerson

This is another ship I've never seen before mainly because she was put into long term layup before I started to watch ships in earnest.  She is a favorite to many boatnerds because she is a fairly beautiful boat.  She is one of the last straight deckers that is American Flagged (a straight decker does not have the self unloading boom).  I am hoping that there is enough backlog in cargo that she might come out for an appearance but that is probably unlikely.

 The Ryerson was built in 1959 by the Manitiwoc Shipbuilding Company in Wisconsin.  She was one of the first 730 footers built for an American Company.  She would share the title of Queen of the Lakes with thirteen other ships until 1962 when the title would pass to the slightly larger Frankcliffe Hall.  She would carry cargo for Inland Steel.

She is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful ships on the Lakes.  If you look at the first picture you can see why.  Her antenna mast is streamlined and is reminiscent of the car wings of the era.  She would be difficult to convert to a self unloader though.  This probably seals her fate...but you never know.