
The James R. Barker is a 1,000-foot-long Great Lakes freighter that was built in 1976. It was named after James R. Barker, a former president of the American Steamship Company.
The ship is powered by a 22,000 horsepower diesel-electric propulsion system, which allows it to travel at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. This makes it one of the fastest ships on the Great Lakes.
With a capacity of 1,000 feet in length, 105 feet in beam, and 35 feet in depth, the James R. Barker is a behemoth of the Great Lakes. Its massive size allows it to carry a substantial cargo load.
The ship has a gross tonnage of 19,300 tons and a deadweight tonnage of 24,000 tons, making it a significant presence on the waterways.
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Vessel Information
The James R. Barker is a Self Discharging Bulk Carrier with an IMO number of 7390260.
The vessel was built in 1976 and is currently sailing under the flag of the United States.

It's worth noting that the James R. Barker is a large ship, measuring 304.80 meters in length overall.
The ship's beam is 32.09 meters, and its gross tonnage is 34,728 tons.
The James R. Barker has a deadweight of 0 tons, which is not specified in the available data.
Here is a summary of the vessel's particulars:
The James R. Barker is currently sailing to the port of Two Harbors, United States, at a speed of 13.0 knots.
The vessel is expected to arrive at its destination on April 29, 06:00.
The James R. Barker has a rich history, including being built by the American Ship Building Company at Lorain, Ohio.
The ship's builder is listed as American Ship Building Company, and it was laid down on October 14, 1974.
The James R. Barker has a length between perpendiculars of 990’06”, which is a significant measurement for a ship of its size.
The vessel's engine manufacturer is Pielstick, and its engine model is 16PC2V-400.
The James R. Barker has two MaK 6M43C four-stroke diesel engines, each producing 8,160 HP at 514 RPM.
The ship's installed power is 16,320 HP, which is a significant amount of power for a vessel of its size.
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Details

The James R. Barker is a Self Discharging Bulk Carrier.
It was built in 1976.
The vessel's flag is the United States of America.
The James R. Barker is 304.80 meters in length overall.
Here's a breakdown of the vessel's dimensions:
The vessel has a Gross Tonnage of 34728.
Activity
The James R. Barker was a ship that played a significant role in the shipping industry.
It was built by the Great Lakes Engineering Works in 1976.
The ship was 1,008 feet long and had a gross tonnage of 29,634 tons.
The James R. Barker was operated by the Great Lakes Fleet, which was a subsidiary of the Owen Sound Transportation Company.
The ship was a bulk carrier, designed to transport cargo such as iron ore and coal.
Changes and Stats
The James R. Barker had a long and storied career, but it's worth noting that it was scrapped in 2011.
The ship was built in 1976, which makes it over 40 years old.
Modifications

Modifications over the years have made a significant impact on the vessel's performance. New Propeller Blades were installed in 2000, a change that likely improved efficiency and speed.
The addition of Diesel Exhaust Scrubbers in 2016 at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, is a notable upgrade. This modification helps reduce emissions and contribute to a cleaner environment.
The vessel is equipped with 2 Controllable Pitch Propellers.
General Stats
Let's take a look at the general stats of this vessel. It has a capacity of 63,300 tons.
The vessel type is a Loop Belt Self-Unloader, which is a type of ship designed for efficient cargo handling. This type of vessel is known for its ability to unload cargo quickly and efficiently.
The self-unloading boom is quite impressive, stretching 250 feet in length and mounted aft on the vessel. This allows for easy unloading of cargo at the dock.
The vessel has a total of 7 cargo holds, arranged in a hatch-hold pattern of 5-5-5-5-5-5-6. This configuration allows for maximum cargo capacity and flexibility.
There are 36 hatches on the vessel, each measuring 65 feet by 11 feet in size. This provides ample access for cargo loading and unloading.
The vessel is powered by 2 engines, which provide the necessary propulsion and power for its operations.
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Gallery

The James R. Barker was a freighter ship built in 1976 by the Canadian shipyard, Port Weller Dry Docks, in Ontario, Canada. It was the first ship in the Great Lakes to be built with a cargo capacity of 25,000 tons.
The ship was named after James R. Barker, a prominent Canadian businessman and philanthropist. He was a key figure in the development of the Great Lakes shipping industry.
The James R. Barker was equipped with a single screw propeller and a diesel-electric propulsion system, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 20 knots.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_R._Barker_(1976_ship)
- https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/7390260
- https://doorcountypulse.com/whats-in-port-the-1004-footer-m-v-james-r-barker/
- https://greatlakesships.wordpress.com/james-r-barker/
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:James_R._Barker_(ship,_1976)
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