1959 Herbert C. Jackson
Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter
Built at River Rouge MI by Great Lakes Engineering Works, Hull 302
Keel laid June 28, 1958; launched Feb 20, 1959
690’ LOA, 670’ LBP, 75’ beam, 37’6’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 24’, coal-fired boilers, steam turbine engine, 6000 SHP
Enrolled at
670.6 x 75.1 x 33.0, 12752 GT, 8026 NT US 278780 to:
Interlake Steamship Co., Cleveland OH, Pickands Mather & Co., Mgr. (home port Wilmington DE)
Entered service May 15, 1959
Converted 1975 to self-unloader and boilers converted to oil firing at Bay City MI by Defoe Shipbuilding Co.
Remeasured to 12292 GT, 7370 NT
IMO 5148417
In service 2011 for Interlake Steamship Co.
5902
What a beautiful boat she is!! I returned home in 1974 from overseas and the Army after four years in the service. I had the pleasure of going to work at Defoe Shipbuilding in Bay City, Michigan, shortly thereafter. Defoe had a program at the time to hire returning veterans and teach them a Skilled Trade. I was fortunate enough to learn how to weld while I was there. I started out as a Tack Welder and progressed to a Solid Welder. I worked on the Jackson while she was laid up at Defoe’s while she was being refitted to a self-unloader and switched from coal to oil fire. What a unique experience that was. I still see her plying the waters of Bay City and I have also seen her traveling the St. Mary’s River from the DeTour side or from the Drummond Island side of Michigan. She will always be a fond memory of mine. My son developed Freighter Fever early on in life and he gets a big kick everytime he has a chance to see one of the boats that I worked on years ago. Sadly, Defoe’s is long gone but the Herbert C. Jackson sails on!! Mike Pentkowski.
Watched her pass under the Mackinaw Bridge tonight.
Saw the Herbert Jackson on Lake Erie just north of Erie, Pa a few days ago and looked it up and found this link. Pretty cool to learn a little history about these ships. Thank you.
Saw the Herbert Jackson on Lake Erie just north of Erie, Pa a few days ago and looked it up and found this link. Pretty cool to learn a little history about these ships. Thank you.
Just saw her in Munising, MI as we arrived in town!
I’m looking at her right now through my front window as she enters the breakwater in Muskegon. She just blew her horn! Welcome back, old girl! Nice to see you again!
Was an engineer cadet in 1982 til the layup in December. While on the Herbert C. Jackson, the captain found out my grandmother lived in Marine city Michigan and every time we passed her condo downtown, he would sound the horns. She would always run to the balcony and wave until the Herbert passed. The captain continued with this well beyond my stay. I want to thank this captain for his thoughtfulness and congratulations to his family for having such a wonderful person in their lives.
Resptfully
Paul LaBelle
Ph 586 873-1476
She just passed by my condo window in Grand Haven, MI on the channel by the Coast Guard Station. She blew her horn and is safely in the channel.