James R. Barker - Barking Loudly Into Duluth

Here is the James R. Barker arriving Duluth, MN and Superior, WI on 7/23/2024 for a load of iron ore pellets from the CN Dock, West Duluth, MN. The Barker gave an earth shaking master salute that sounded like a baritone and greeted the visitors by using it. As usual, the bridge responded back. He is heading to either Indiana Harbor, IN or Cleveland, OH possibly
Info (from Shipwatcher News)
The James R. Barker was constructed as a self-unloading bulk carrier for the Interlake Steamship Company. He was the third 1,000-Footer built, and was the third built entirely on the Great Lakes. He was built under Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970 at a cost of $40 Million.
The Barker‘s hull was constructed at American Shipbuilding’s Lorain yard while his deck house was constructed at their South Chicago yard, being transported to Lorain on the deck of the George D. Goble.
The Barker was the first of four similar brother ships constructed by American Shipbuilding, the others being the Mesabi Miner, American Spirit, and the Paul R. Tregurtha.
His self-unloading equipment consists of a triple hold belt system leading to an aft loop-belt system to a 250′ deck-mounted boom.