James R. Barker: built in 1976; 1004 ft. long; Flag: USA
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Built in 1976 at Lorain Ohio, the James R. Barker was the 3rd 1000-footer to sail the Great Lakes and the first one to be built entirely on the Great Lakes. She took her maiden voyage to Taconite Harbor on August 8, 1976. She has 36 hatches that open into 7 cargo holds. Above the deck she has a 250-foot self unloader that allows her to discharge her own cargo.