The E.M. Ford – A lost piece of history?

I am always interested in learning about unique ships, especially ships with unique propulsion systems. The E.M. Ford struck me as one of the most unique historic American ships (although the vessel became Canadian flagged before she retired).

The E.M. Ford is a Great Lakes ship, or a “Laker.”  Built in 1898, it was a true workhouse, carrying coal, cement, and perhaps a few other cargoes across the Lakes on countless voyages.  Believed to be one of the last remaining ships with a quadruple expansion steam engine in existance, the E.M. Ford holds a particular importance in the history of Great Lakes Shipping.  Engineering buffs will recognize the rarity of a quadruple expansion steam engine.

The ship was sold for scrap in November of 2008 to Purvis Marine of Canada.  Many Lakers enthusiasts were saddened to imagine the final fate of the E.M. Ford.  Unfortunately, the ship never garnished enough interest or financial backing to become a museum, primarily due to remaining asbestos insulation on board the ship.  The sale of the ship to a salvage company for scrapping even caught the eye of the New York Times.   The owner of Purvis Marin claims to be a steam buff himself, and hopes to save the steam engine and associated historical items from the ship.

For more on the history of the E.M. Ford, including a great collection of photos, please visit the article by Brian Ferguson at Boatnerd.   This is a must read for the full story on this wonderful ship.

There is also a great description of the Ford by the Inland Mariners here.  (pdf)  This too a must read!

Ironically, it was the economy that snuffed the boilers out on the E.M. Ford, but it has also prevented the ship from being broken up thus far.  Low prices for scrap metal has kept the Ford docked at the Purvis Marine shipyard in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, still intact.  Unfortunately, the slow economy will also spell the demise for many other historic ships on the Great Lakes as companies look to cut expenses and reduce capacity.  Wikipedia provides an excellent summary of historic ships in danger on the Lakes.

Museum or historic ships at risk

A number of historic museum ships face uncertain futures.

• The aforementioned E M Ford, cement steamer, is as of August 2008, slated for scrapping at the end of the year or the beginning of 2009 according to press reports. She will face the same fate as the lost Lewis G Harriman.

• There is a campaign to draw the public’s attention to the need to renovate the whaleback tanker ship Meteor in Superior, Wisconsin.

• Perhaps best-known among ships at risk is Toledo’s Willis B Boyer. The future of the Boyer has taken a turn for the better with the port authority taking ownership, providing payment for the ship’s caretaker in the Spring of 2007. The Toledo Blade and other local media outlets have provided editorial support.

• SS Norisle at Manitoulin Island. Plans call for the ship to be towed and scuttled as a dive site. The “Friends of the Norisle” have formed to oppose this loss. Supportive articles and letters to the editor have appeared in the Manitoulin Expositor newspaper.

An honorable ship indeed.