SS St. Marys Challenger: A Vessel with a Rich History

The SS St. Marys Challenger has a rich history that spans several decades. It was built in 1919 in the United States.

This vessel was originally designed for cargo transport, but it also played a significant role in World War II, serving as a troop ship.

The Challenger was built with a steel hull and had a gross tonnage of 1,500 tons. It was a sturdy vessel that could withstand harsh weather conditions.

During its time as a troop ship, the Challenger transported soldiers and equipment to various locations, contributing to the war effort.

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The St. Mary's Challenger changed hands again in early 2009 when she was purchased by Port City Steamship Services, a subsidiary of the McKee family-owned Sand Products Corp. of Muskegon, Michigan.

In 2013, the vessel was deemed too costly to update, so it was decided to convert her to an articulated barge. This conversion involved removing the forward pilothouse and replacing it with a small lookout tower, as well as the removal of the engine room and aft accommodations.

The tug Bradshaw McKee joined the St. Mary's Challenger at Sturgeon Bay and the pair entered service on June 3, 2014.

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The early years of recent history were marked by significant technological advancements, including the invention of the first practical computer in the 1940s.

This led to the development of the first commercial computers in the 1950s, which were massive machines that took up entire rooms.

The first successful satellite was launched in 1957, marking a major breakthrough in space exploration.

It was a time of great optimism and possibility, as people began to imagine the potential of these new technologies to improve lives and transform society.

The first commercial jet airliner was introduced in the late 1950s, revolutionizing air travel and making it faster and more accessible.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread lockdowns and a significant economic downturn in 2020.

The global economy suffered a major contraction, with many countries experiencing their worst recession since the 2008 financial crisis.

The pandemic accelerated the shift to remote work, with many companies adopting flexible work arrangements to keep employees safe.

The WHO declared the pandemic a global health emergency in January 2020, prompting governments to take drastic measures to contain the spread of the virus.

The US government passed the CARES Act, a $2 trillion stimulus package aimed at mitigating the economic impact of the pandemic.

The recent history of our world is a complex and dynamic topic. The past few decades have been marked by significant events that have shaped the course of human history.

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was a pivotal moment in modern history, marking the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new era of global politics. This event was a direct result of the growing dissent among Eastern European countries against Soviet rule.

The rise of the internet and social media in the 1990s and 2000s revolutionized the way people communicate and access information. This shift had a profound impact on global communication, commerce, and politics.

The 9/11 attacks in 2001 were a devastating terrorist attack on the United States, leading to a global war on terror and a significant shift in international relations. The aftermath of the attacks saw a surge in military interventions and a heightened sense of global insecurity.

The Arab Spring protests in 2010 and 2011 saw widespread demonstrations and uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa, leading to the overthrow of several long-standing regimes. This period of mass protests and regime change was a significant turning point in modern history.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had a profound impact on global health, economies, and societies, accelerating the shift to remote work and online communication. The pandemic also highlighted the interconnectedness of the world and the need for global cooperation in the face of a common threat.

The SS St. Marys Challenger was designed to be a versatile and reliable vessel. It was built in 1954 by the St. Marys Shipyard in St. Marys, Ontario, Canada.

The ship's length is approximately 56 meters, making it a significant size for its time. Its beam, or width, is around 8.5 meters.

The Challenger has a gross tonnage of about 450 tons, which is a measure of its volume and cargo capacity.

The Steamship William P. Snyder, later renamed Elton Hoyt II, was launched on February 7, 1906, by Great Lakes Engineering Works in Ecorse, Michigan.

This massive vessel was built to shuttle hematite, a type of iron ore, for the Shenango Furnace Company. It was a crucial time in history, as the development of the assembly line for consumer goods made with steel was also underway.

The ship was originally powered by two Scotch boilers, a common technology of the time. By 1950, it had been repowered with a Skinner Marine Uniflow steam engine and two watertube boilers.

Over the years, the vessel underwent multiple renamings, reflecting its changing ownership. It was eventually converted into a cement carrier, a new life that would last for decades.

The Medusa Challenger, as it was known, became a favorite among boatwatchers on the Great Lakes. Its riveted steamship design was a testament to the engineering prowess of the Second Industrial Revolution.

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The pilothouse is a significant piece of maritime history that's now on display at the museum, thanks to a generous donation in 2015.

It was donated by the St. Marys Challenger, providing a rare opportunity to preserve and share this piece of history with the public.

With the Second Wave expansion, the museum is giving visitors an immersive experience by stepping into the very space where captains once navigated the Great Lakes.

Work is underway to enhance the exhibits and give visitors a unique glimpse into the past.

The pilothouse has been relocated during the Second Wave construction, allowing visitors to explore this historic space in a new and exciting way.

The St. Marys Challenger was a veteran of the Great Lakes, operating for an unbelievable 107 years before being taken out of commission in 2013.

Built by Great Lakes Engineering Works in Detroit, Michigan, she first sailed as the William P. Snyder in 1906.

She changed ownership several times, being renamed Elton Hoyt II in 1926 and then Alex D. Chisholm in 1952.

In 1998, Southdown Incorporated acquired the ship and renamed it the Southdown Challenger.

A string of company acquisitions took place in the years that followed, with companies and subsidiaries changing ownership.

In 2005, St. Mary's Cement Incorporated, a subsidiary of Votorantim Cimentos', renamed the ship the St. Marys Challenger.

The ship had survived collisions with other freighters, concrete docks, and underwater obstructions, rough waters, and even a waterspout.

By 2013, the ship was the oldest operational lake freighter, but time was taking its toll on the veteran vessel.

An inefficient fuel system, outdated electrical system, and replacement parts that all needed to be custom fabricated made the cost of operating the St. Marys Challenger immense.

In 2014, the conversion took place, transforming the 107-year-old lake freighter into a barge.

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The SS St. Marys Challenger underwent a significant transformation in 2013. It was refitted to become an articulated lake barge pushed by a dedicated tugboat.

The cost of this refitting was over $10 million. This major overhaul allowed the vessel to continue operating on the Great Lakes.

The tugboat, Prentiss Brown, was built in 1967 and had previously worked in various locations, including Florida, South Carolina, and New York, before coming to the Great Lakes in 2008.

The St. Marys Challenger's pilothouse was conserved and donated to the National Museum of the Great Lakes in 2015.