This is Great. I have pictures and information of the Middletown in a book on ships of the Great Lakes, but to actually see a live video of the ship, how cool is that!! You know,if I had videos like this when I was a kid I would have been in my glory. I would look at picture books of ships and also draw pictures of them and build them out of Lego. It is great that there are people interested in this stuff.
The Middletown (now the American Victory)has had a storyed career from being attacked by japan as an oil tanker in WW2 to being converted to a great lakes ship her and the Lee A Tregurtha are grand vessels of the great lakes.
@GreatLakesShips This one always reminded me of a canoe in the back plus the stack was set back farther making it look different than others. I seen her many times in the St Marys river growing up.
Thats one thing I dont miss. Being caught in the ice in the rivers and the straights. worked as a deckhand for three years and I always hated the winter. I do miss working the lakes though. Video brought back memories. Did they end up getting you out of there?
The thing about the Middletown is that is use to be a war ship in WWII so it has a more unique design than most ore ships, And my grandpa works on the SS Philip R Clarke
It was converted into a ITB unit last year, which means that they lopped the stern off(and the engine room with it) and stuck a tug back there. Shes called the "Kuber" pronounced Koo-ber now. Van Eckenvort runs her these days. They also pulled off all those forward cabins too. This was taken the last year she was part of the Oglebay fleet... That fleet has since sold off all their ships. Sad I know.
You are right. I never could keep track of what happened to all those oglebay boats. except for the 2 that we got and the 1 that was re flagged Canuk.
It is still steam powered but that probably won't last much longer. At least if she is converted to diesel, it'll make her running life as a great lake ore carrier longer.
I take your point, and its good to know it has a useful future. But there's the thought that this is such an iconic North American ship design that it deserves to become a national monument. Big ship preservation is so difficult/ 'specially non-passenger vessels...
These ships are great, nice to see them in action,is the bridge up front funnel at rear a feature unique to the great lakes ships,they look so solid and strong.great video !!!!
Mostly uique to the great lakes, yeah. Though, most of these "forward enders" are 40-60 years older than your typical ocean going ship. Modern ships arn't built that way anymore.
Teddy's Tub never looked better. Now it's the "American Victory".
Global warming will make this RARER not more common! We adjusted loading (go see "Shipping Musical") to -7" (seven inches below datum) at Port Inland the other day. Although it's an operating headache, we need the ice in the winter to stop evaporation. The lack of ice cover over the last few mild winters has caused record low levels for Lake Superior. Not good.
Middletown to the rescue!!! That was nice of them to do that!! Were able to get unstuck?
SuperDuckman24 7 months ago
awsome qwhat ship are you on??? did you know that the middletown is actualy an old WWII oil tanker converted to a frighter!!
310sj 1 year ago
This is Great. I have pictures and information of the Middletown in a book on ships of the Great Lakes, but to actually see a live video of the ship, how cool is that!! You know,if I had videos like this when I was a kid I would have been in my glory. I would look at picture books of ships and also draw pictures of them and build them out of Lego. It is great that there are people interested in this stuff.
Thermionman1970 2 years ago
The Middletown (now the American Victory)has had a storyed career from being attacked by japan as an oil tanker in WW2 to being converted to a great lakes ship her and the Lee A Tregurtha are grand vessels of the great lakes.
araka08 2 years ago
I saw this ship last summer as the American Victory and it is a pretty classic and unique ship.
GreatLakesShips 2 years ago
@GreatLakesShips This one always reminded me of a canoe in the back plus the stack was set back farther making it look different than others. I seen her many times in the St Marys river growing up.
greenbeld 1 year ago
Wow,..That was pretty neat to see!
TimberWolf212 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
did it work?
Terrorizer321 2 years ago
Thats one thing I dont miss. Being caught in the ice in the rivers and the straights. worked as a deckhand for three years and I always hated the winter. I do miss working the lakes though. Video brought back memories. Did they end up getting you out of there?
Trainle 3 years ago
Beautiful ship, the "Middletown"! One of my dreams is to travel there just to see them passing by. Thank you, my Friend!
MCOvronnaz 3 years ago
winter sailing sucks. I like it nice and warm, in the engine room. 4/eng. m/v CDN Olympic
FarAway418 3 years ago
LOL saw you guys round about Ashtabula way in a nasty snow squall. Yup I agree.
3mate1 3 years ago
wooooow que largo adorable barcote
lemonplata 3 years ago
super vid...2nd time you got stuck in the ice :)
granskare 3 years ago
its one big ship, really long!
mickeymoose76 3 years ago
The thing about the Middletown is that is use to be a war ship in WWII so it has a more unique design than most ore ships, And my grandpa works on the SS Philip R Clarke
devel2202 3 years ago
No charge maybe you guys could give up a load of grain out of the Anderson's next time.
redcarpetlounge 3 years ago
Man, that's a nice ship. Why do great lakes ships have that unique design?
Exionne 3 years ago
because the calmer waves and less deeper water i live on the saint lawrence and see em all the time its cool when they go through the locks
pengapop12 3 years ago
It was converted into a ITB unit last year, which means that they lopped the stern off(and the engine room with it) and stuck a tug back there. Shes called the "Kuber" pronounced Koo-ber now. Van Eckenvort runs her these days. They also pulled off all those forward cabins too. This was taken the last year she was part of the Oglebay fleet... That fleet has since sold off all their ships. Sad I know.
3mate1 4 years ago
that was the reserve that got the notch not the Middletown the Middletown is now the american victory of the american steamship company fleet
SilverBen54 3 years ago
You are right. I never could keep track of what happened to all those oglebay boats. except for the 2 that we got and the 1 that was re flagged Canuk.
3mate1 3 years ago
Would this fantastic survivor be steam-driven? Are there plans to preserve it when it is withdrawn?
SteffanLlwyd 4 years ago
It is still steam powered but that probably won't last much longer. At least if she is converted to diesel, it'll make her running life as a great lake ore carrier longer.
LNERMallard 3 years ago
I take your point, and its good to know it has a useful future. But there's the thought that this is such an iconic North American ship design that it deserves to become a national monument. Big ship preservation is so difficult/ 'specially non-passenger vessels...
SteffanLlwyd 3 years ago
Beautiful old vessel!
SteffanLlwyd 4 years ago
NO Clue, I took this from the Maumee, No way of knowing if Capt ted was over there when they went by. Its a good possibility though.
3mate1 4 years ago
What year did you take this video ? I know a wheelsman who retired from the Middletown ...
msbowhoville 3 years ago
i see lake boats out on the river once in awhile so there is still some hope rite?
pengapop12 3 years ago
does anyone know if that was Capt Ted O. as captain on there?
If so how was he to sail with?
madvan212 4 years ago
These ships are great, nice to see them in action,is the bridge up front funnel at rear a feature unique to the great lakes ships,they look so solid and strong.great video !!!!
loshasguy 4 years ago
Mostly uique to the great lakes, yeah. Though, most of these "forward enders" are 40-60 years older than your typical ocean going ship. Modern ships arn't built that way anymore.
3mate1 4 years ago
Thanks for the reply now i know.
loshasguy 4 years ago
Good bit of seamanship.... tricky business passing so close. nice too see a bit of seamanship still exists in the world. Good stuff.!!!
landyman110 4 years ago
cool i see you have alot of videos stuck in the ice =p..
fallingup7 4 years ago
Don't see how this isn't five stars...this is awesome!
cwazymbfan 4 years ago
Thanks!!!
3mate1 4 years ago
Very cool - that ocean-built hull cuts the ice pretty darned well!
BKNorthbound 4 years ago
Teddy's Tub never looked better. Now it's the "American Victory".
Global warming will make this RARER not more common! We adjusted loading (go see "Shipping Musical") to -7" (seven inches below datum) at Port Inland the other day. Although it's an operating headache, we need the ice in the winter to stop evaporation. The lack of ice cover over the last few mild winters has caused record low levels for Lake Superior. Not good.
choirboyfromhell 4 years ago
Global warming will eventually trigger an ice age. So, in theory you'll see way more if this farther down the line.
ibook133 4 years ago
Beautiful!! Now that's a 'real' job!
sjmparadise 4 years ago
What's the rush big boy? Slow is better.
gaspo218 4 years ago
Great Stuff. Reminds me of time I spent with Manchester Liners in the 70's. I suppose with global warming these sights will become rarer.
steviejlyons 5 years ago