It’s hard to pick a favorite freighter when there are nearly countless vessels that call the Great Lakes home and rely on the Soo Locks to haul cargo. Because traveling into Lake Superior is so important for the shipping industry, there are 13 freighters which push the envelope on how large a freighter can be. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, freighters measuring over 1,000 ft. were all the rage. These bulk carriers were designed with the maximum dimensions of the Poe Lock in mind. They’re so large, they can’t travel outside of the Great Lakes. We’re thankful they call the lakes home and are frequent fliers to Sault Ste. Marie.
We’ve gathered up information on all 13 of them to help you keep track of the largest freighters on the Great Lakes. Be sure to hover your cursor over the photos or to tap them on your mobile device to display each vessel’s stats. For more information on these freighters, be sure to visit our TikTok which features facts, trivia, and sometimes just peaceview views of these freighters and more.
Stewart J. Cort
Launched: May 1, 1972
Company: Interlake Steamship Co.
Size: 1,000’00”
Capacity: 58,000 tons
Engine Horsepower: 14,000 bhp
The Stewart J. Cort is the one that started it all. In fact the “#1” painted on her aft house celebrates her distinction as the first 1,000 footer. By being the first 1,000 footer, “Stubby,” as she’s affectionately known was in turn briefly the Queen of the Great Lakes (the crown the largest ship on the lakes wears.) Construction for the Stewart J. Cort’s bow and stern begin in 1970 in Mississippi. She was transported up north and in 1971 she had her hull inserted. Her unusual design and method of fabrication gave her the nickname “Stubby.” Her maiden voyage was on May 1, 1972.
Presque Isle
Launched: Dec. 16, 1973
Company: Great Lakes Fleet
Size: 1,000’00”
Capacity: 57,500 tons
Engine Horsepower: 14,840
The Presque Isle is the only 1,000-foot tugboat/barge combination on the Great Lakes and is the largest of its kind in the world. Construction cost a reported $35 million, which equates to over $252 million in 2023.
James R. Barker
Launched: Aug. 7, 1976
Company: Interlake Steamship Co.
Size: 1,004’00”
Capacity: 63,300 tons
Engine Horsepower: 16,000
Mesabi Miner
Launched: June 11, 1977
Company: Interlake Steamship Co
Size: 1,004’00”
Capacity: 63,300 tons
Engine Horsepower: 16,000
Walter J. McCarthy Jr.
Launched: July 12, 1977
Company: American Steamship Co.
Size: 1,000’00”
Capacity: 89,000 tons
Engine Horsepower: 14,000
American Integrity
Launched: June 8, 1978
Company: American Steamship Co.
Size: 1,000’00”
Capacity: 80,900 tons
Engine Horsepower: 14,400
American Spirit
Launched: July 15, 1978
Company: American Steamship Co.
Size: 1,004’00”
Capacity: 62,400 tons
Engine Horsepower: 16,000
Edwin H. Gott
Launched: July 19, 1979
Company: Great Lakes Fleet
Size: 1,004’00”
Capacity: 74,100 tons
Engine Horsepower: 19,500
With two 8-cylinder MaK/Caterpillar 8m43C diesel engines capable of producing 19,500 horsepower, the Edwin H. Gott is the most powerful freighter on the Great Lakes. Her younger sister the Edgar B. Speer is nearly identical.
Indiana Harbor
Launched: March 19, 1979
Company: American Steamship Co.
Size: 1,000’00”
Capacity: 89,900 tons
Engine Horsepower: 14,000
Burns Harbor
Launched: Oct. 28, 1979
Company: American Steamship Co.
Size: 1,000’00”
Capacity: 80,900 tons
Engine Horsepower: 14,400
Edgar B. Speer
Launched: June 4, 1980
Company: Great Lakes Fleet
Size: 1,004’00”
Capacity: 73,700 tons
Engine Horsepower: 19,600
American Century
Launched: Nov. 8, 1980
Company: American Steamship Co.
Size: 1,004’00”
Capacity: 62,400 tons
Engine Horsepower: 16,000
Paul R. Tregurtha
Launched: Feb. 4, 1981
Company: Interlake Steamship co.
Size: 1,013’05”
Capacity: 68,000 tons
Engine Horsepower: 17,120
The Paul R. Tregurtha is the current “Queen of the Great Lakes” and the longest reigning “Queen” the Great Lakes has seen. Big Paulie as she’s affectionately known was the last of the 1,000 ft. freighters capping off a decade of ship builds the Great Lakes has never seen and may never see again. The Tregurtha was the last freighter built on the Great Lakes for nearly 30 years until her newest fleetmate, the Mark W. Barker set sail in 2022. Want to take a look at the PRT? View a TikTok on her here. If you’re into vertical videos, we have feature videos on most of the 1,000 footers available here.
1,013 ft. of Freighter Facts
Looking to learn a bit more about these freighters while visiting the Soo Locks? Be sure to take a look along the fence at the Soo Locks Park. You’ll find 13 banners spaced out over 1,013 ft. with each one featuring one of the 1,000 footers. These banners make for great reading material while waiting to watch one of these giant freighters use the Soo Locks.
These 13 freighters are some of the main reasons people visit Sault Ste. Marie, and they’re a huge part of what makes the Soo a unique travel destination. Which one of these lake freighters is your favorite? Be sure to tag your freighter photos with the hashtag #ilovethesoo on social media while visiting Sault Ste. Marie. And don’t forget to tag us on your post on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram.
Special thank you to BoatNerd.com for being a great resource for freighter information
