Visualizing the Difference
In the foreground "footer" James R Barker has just pulled into the CSX ore dock and swung out their boom to start unloading. Built in 1976 with a length of 1,004 feet (hence the thousand "footer" nickname for Lake Boats this size) the Barker has a 63,300 ton capacity. In comparison the classic Lake Boat Philip R Clarke looks considerably smaller. Commissioned in 1952 and 767 feet long it is hardly small but its 25,300 ton capacity is less than half that of the Barker. Aside from the length difference the Barker is also a much wider ship with a 105 foot beam vs. the Clarke's 70 foot beam. On the bright side, after being in long term layup for years there's word that the Clarke is fitting out and should join the active fleet in the next month or so which would be a very welcome addition to the handful of remaining "classic boats" still in service. Toledo, OH 7/4/2022
Visualizing the Difference
In the foreground "footer" James R Barker has just pulled into the CSX ore dock and swung out their boom to start unloading. Built in 1976 with a length of 1,004 feet (hence the thousand "footer" nickname for Lake Boats this size) the Barker has a 63,300 ton capacity. In comparison the classic Lake Boat Philip R Clarke looks considerably smaller. Commissioned in 1952 and 767 feet long it is hardly small but its 25,300 ton capacity is less than half that of the Barker. Aside from the length difference the Barker is also a much wider ship with a 105 foot beam vs. the Clarke's 70 foot beam. On the bright side, after being in long term layup for years there's word that the Clarke is fitting out and should join the active fleet in the next month or so which would be a very welcome addition to the handful of remaining "classic boats" still in service. Toledo, OH 7/4/2022