St. Marys Challenger Montage

NOTE: Please see the Video Response "Trip on the St. Marys Challenger" at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMcAM1vah2Y

for a newer version with an audio track. This audio track was disabled after a copyright claim by Warner Music Group.

The steamer St. Marys Challenger (ex. William P. Snyder, Elton Hoyt II, Alex D. Chisholm, Medusa Challenger, and Southdown Challenger) is the oldest-operating freighter on the Great Lakes. These videos were shot in September 2007 during a trip down the length of Lake Michigan, from Charlevoix to South Chicago with powdered cement.

Launched in 1906 at Ecorse, Michigan, the Challenger was converted to carry cement in 1967 and celebrated her 100th year of operation in 2006.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Great
• Lakes
• freighter
• Charlevoix
• Chicago
• Medusa
• Southdown
• St.
• Marys
• Challenger

[mmichaelc]

Great video is there any more footage of the steam engine running ?

[BKNorthbound]

That's about the only footage I have of the steam engine...it's entirely enclosed, so the only way to see it moving is to look through small portholes near the crankshaft, which is how I got that shot.

[fishnetlarry]

Really enjoyed this video. The music adds tons to it's quality but the video along is outstanding.

Nice Job!!!

[BKNorthbound]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[tebreds1]

I agree, very well done video! It's interesting to see a ship of that age still in use. I don't know much about these great lakes ships (though they are oddly facinating), but I wouldn't think there are many even close in age that are still operating. How big is she? I would guess she had to have been consider quite large when launched in 1906.

[BKNorthbound]

Thanks! She is 551'01" from stem to stern, so a little over half the length of the largest boats currently sailing the Lakes. Definitely pretty good for 1906, although there were 600-footers coming out at that time as well.

[Rumpintime]

I helped out on that ship over the spring while it was laid up for the season. Just found out today that their conveyorman died in an accident in the ship's cargo conveyor. He'd just got the position this year. 

[Thermionman1970]

This video is a ship lovers dream.Got any more?!! I would love to go on this ship for a couple weeks and see and hear the steam engine in action . I lived in Owen Sound Ontario in the early1990's and watched the Willowglen warming up getting ready to depart at the end of winter and you could hear through the engine room hatch the huge reciprocating engine turning over slowly and I will never forget that awesome whining sound!

[clockbuilderhg]

This ship and the S.S. Badger are the only reciprocating screw steamers still running on the lakes. Both have Skinner uniflow engines.

[garbon2535]

Great video but it would be great if there was audio.

[llibra]

i was lucky enough to catch her coming into Muskegon harbor yesterday. she's a beauty! you caught some great close-ups!

[MWAirvirtual]

The next oldest great lakes ship is the Maumee built in 1929