Paul R. Tregurtha
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Paul R. Tregurtha Built - 1981 1013 ft. x 105 ft. x 56 ft. The Paul R. Tregurtha is called the "Queen of the Lakes" because she is the longest vessel on the Great Lakes. The Paul R. Tregurtha is one of very few freighters that was built with passenger accommodations, once used to host Interlake Steamship Lines important business customers. Originally built and christened as the William J. DeLancey, she quickly received the nickname "The Fancy DeLancey." In recent years the vessel regularly carries shipments of coal to power plants around the Great Lakes but coal-fired plants are being phased out so her cargoes will likely change. Today, one can win a trip on the Paul R. Tregurtha through raffles sponsored by local civic clubs and charitable organizations.
Images
Photo of Paul R. Tregurtha entering Duluth , MN harbor to pick up a load of coal.
Photo of the guest quarters on the Paul R. Tregurtha
Photo (from above) of the Paul R. Tregurtha crew loading groceries
Photo of the galley on the Paul R. Tregurtha
Photo of the Paul R. Tregurtha entering the Soo Locks.
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
As you walked south from the “Starting Point” plaque to this location on the St. Clair River Boardwalk, the brass plaque marked Paul R. Tregurtha on the boardwalk represents the bow of this iconic Great Lakes freighter. The brass plaque at the Starting Point represents the stern or back of every ship included in this walking tour. By looking back to the starting point, you are able to get an estimate of the size or 1013 ft. length of the Paul R. Tregurtha.
Sources
St. Clair, by Charles Homberg, St. Clair Historical Commission, 2007; St. Clair Historical Museum and Research Center archives; Great Lakes Ships data base, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, Alpena, Michigan; Great Lakes Freighters by Rand Shackleton, Thunder Bay Press, 2003. "Paul R. Tregurtha - Personal files and notes", by Christine Gorzen, St. Clair Historical Museum. 2019.
Chrissy Gorzen
Chrissy Gorzen
Chrissy Gorzen
Chrissy Gorzen
Chrissy Gorzen