600-footers

The 600-footers were a class of lake freighters all built to the design of the J. Pierpont Morgan. The J. Pierpont Morgan was launched in April, 1906, and was, at the time, the longest vessel on the Great Lakes.

Her sister ships were not all identical. Minor modifications were made. Mark L. Thompson, author of Queen of the Lakes, wrote that between 56 and 76 vessels were built to this design.

The 600-footers could use harbours that larger 730 ft seawaymax vessels can't use. Until 1961 no vessel longer than 600 feet was able to access Cleveland's harbour.

The vessels' draught was 19 ft. Their beam was 58 ft. They were powered by triple expansion steam engines, providing 1800 shp, and could carry 11,000 tons of cargo. They cost $440,000 to construct, in 1906 dollars.