James R. Barker was the first vessel of its size class to be wholly constructed on the Great Lakes, and it was constructed by American Ship Building Company in Lorain, Ohio. A cargo may be discharged using her self-unloading system, which consists of a 250-foot boom and three cargo hold belts, in around eight hours. In recognition of the chairman of the Interlake board, James R. Barker was given that name. 

The 46-year-old Self Discharging Bulk Carrier James R Barker is currently flying the American flag (USA). The Mesabi Miner, George A. Stinson, and William J. DeLancey were the other three identical sister ships built by American Shipbuilding after the Barker.

A 250-foot deck-mounted boom and a triple hold belt system are part of her self-unloading machinery. On November 8, 2015, The Barker discharged its last load of coal at the B.C. Cobb power station in Muskegon, Michigan. The facility shut down shortly after that. In 2017, she loaded the first shipment of new Mustang taconite pellets from Cleveland Cliffs.

As part of Interlake’s fleet enhancement program, unique diesel exhaust scrubbers were installed on the James R. Barker. Early in 2016, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, finished the task. James R. Barker has continuously been an important part of Interlake Steamship’s fleet, serving the iron ore and coal trades.

Let’s watch James R Barker Arriving In Duluth in the video below:

Source: Duluth Harbor Cam

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