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101 (barge)

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Whaleback Barge 101
History
United States
Name
  • Whaleback Barge 101
OwnerAlexander McDougall
Port of registry United States,
BuilderAmerican Steel Barge Company, Duluth, Minnesota
Yard number101
LaunchedJune 23, 1888
In service1888
Out of serviceDecember 3, 1908
IdentificationU.S. Registry #53249
FateLost with all hands 30 miles off Seal Island in the Atlantic Ocean
NotesFirst Whaleback ever built
General characteristics
Class and typeBarge
Tonnage428.30 gross 412.32 net
Length178 ft (54 m)
Beam25.1 ft (7.7 m)
Height12.7 ft (3.9 m)
PropulsionTowed by a steam-powered freighter
Capacity1,200 tons
Crew7

101 was an American whaleback barge that was usually towed by a steam driven freighter or a tugboat. She was significant as she was the first whaleback freighter ever built. She had a length of 178-feet a beam of 25.1 feet, and a depth of 12.7 feet.[1]

History

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Whaleback Barge 101 was built by the American Steel Barge Company of Duluth, Minnesota, while her cylindrical bow and her stern was built by Pusey & Jones Shipbuilding Company of Wilmington, Delaware. She was launched as hull #101 on June 23, 1888. There is a story that as Barge 101 was being launched in Duluth, McDougall's wife Emmelin said to her sister in law, "There goes our last dollar".[2] This was because McDougall had trouble finding investors for this unusual ship. With no investors, he had to spend his own money on building and financing the building of these vessels.

In 1889, Barge 101 was lengthened by the American Steel Barge Company of Superior, Wisconsin to 191-feet in length.[3] She grounded at Lime Kiln, near Detroit in April 1892, and immediately was filled with water. Workers started raising her shortly after the incident.

In 1903 she was sold to the Barret Manufacturing Company for ocean service. In 1906 she was purchased by the Coast Transit Company of New Jersey. On December 3, 1908 Barge 101 was in the tow of the tugboat John Hughes when she was lost with all hands 30 miles north of Seal Island. She was bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia with a cargo of tar at the time of the loss.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "0101". Bowling State Green University. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  2. ^ Zoss, Neel R. (2007). McDougall's Great Lakes Whalebacks. ISBN 9780738551432. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Thomas Wilson Shipwreck". Mnhs. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  4. ^ "101; 1888; Barge; US53249". Great Lakes Maritime Database. Retrieved 24 January 2018.