It’s hard to pick a favorite freighter when there are nearly countless vessels that call the Great Lakes home and rely on the Soo Locks to haul cargo. Because traveling into Lake Superior is so important for the shipping industry, there are 13 freighters which push the envelope on how large a freighter can be. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, freighters measuring over 1,000 ft. were all the rage. These bulk carriers were designed with the maximum dimensions of the Poe Lock in mind. They’re so large, they can’t travel outside of the Great Lakes. We’re thankful they call the lakes home and are frequent fliers to Sault Ste. Marie.

We’ve gathered up information on all 13 of them to help you keep track of the largest freighters on the Great Lakes. Be sure to hover your cursor over the photos or to tap them on your mobile device to display each vessel’s stats. For more information on these freighters, be sure to visit our TikTok which features facts, trivia, and sometimes just peaceview views of these freighters and more.

Stewart J. Cort

Launched: May 1, 1972

Company: Interlake Steamship Co.

Size: 1,000’00”

Capacity: 58,000 tons

Engine Horsepower: 14,000 bhp

The Stewart J. Cort is the one that started it all. In fact the “#1” painted on her aft house celebrates her distinction as the first 1,000 footer. By being the first 1,000 footer, “Stubby,” as she’s affectionately known was in turn briefly the Queen of the Great Lakes (the crown the largest ship on the lakes wears.) Construction for the Stewart J. Cort’s bow and stern begin in 1970 in Mississippi. She was transported up north and in 1971 she had her hull inserted. Her unusual design and method of fabrication gave her the nickname “Stubby.” Her maiden voyage was on May 1, 1972.

Presque Isle

Launched: Dec. 16, 1973

Company: Great Lakes Fleet

Size: 1,000’00”

Capacity: 57,500 tons

Engine Horsepower: 14,840

The Presque Isle is the only 1,000-foot tugboat/barge combination on the Great Lakes and is the largest of its kind in the world. Construction cost a reported $35 million, which equates to over $252 million in 2023.

James R. Barker

Launched: Aug. 7, 1976

Company: Interlake Steamship Co.

Size: 1,004’00”

Capacity: 63,300 tons

Engine Horsepower: 16,000

Mesabi Miner

Launched: June 11, 1977

Company: Interlake Steamship Co

Size: 1,004’00”

Capacity: 63,300 tons

Engine Horsepower: 16,000

Walter J. McCarthy Jr.

Launched: July 12, 1977

Company: American Steamship Co.

Size: 1,000’00”

Capacity: 89,000 tons

Engine Horsepower: 14,000

American Integrity

Launched: June 8, 1978

Company: American Steamship Co.

Size: 1,000’00”

Capacity: 80,900 tons

Engine Horsepower: 14,400

American Spirit

Launched: July 15, 1978

Company: American Steamship Co.

Size: 1,004’00”

Capacity: 62,400 tons

Engine Horsepower: 16,000

Edwin H. Gott

Launched: July 19, 1978

Company: Great Lakes Fleet

Size: 1,004’00”

Capacity: 74,100 tons

Engine Horsepower: 19,500

With two 8-cylinder MaK/Caterpillar 8m43C diesel engines capable of producing 19,500 horsepower, the Edwin H. Gott is the most powerful freighter on the Great Lakes. Her younger sister the Edgar B. Speer is nearly identical.

Indiana Harbor

Launched: March 19, 1979

Company: American Steamship Co.

Size: 1,000’00”

Capacity: 89,900 tons

Engine Horsepower: 14,000

Burns Harbor

Launched: Oct. 28, 1979

Company: American Steamship Co.

Size: 1,000’00”

Capacity: 80,900 tons

Engine Horsepower: 14,400

Edgar B. Speer

Launched: June 4, 1980

Company: Great Lakes Fleet

Size: 1,004’00”

Capacity: 73,700 tons

Engine Horsepower: 19,600

American Century

Launched: Nov. 8, 1980

Company: American Steamship Co.

Size: 1,004’00”

Capacity: 62,400 tons

Engine Horsepower: 16,000

Paul R. Tregurtha

Launched: Feb. 4, 1981

Company: Interlake Steamship co.

Size: 1,013’05”

Capacity: 68,000 tons

Engine Horsepower: 17,120

The Paul R. Tregurtha is the current “Queen of the Great Lakes” and the longest reigning “Queen” the Great Lakes has seen. Big Paulie as she’s affectionately known was the last of the 1,000 ft. freighters capping off a decade of ship builds the Great Lakes has never seen and may never see again. The Tregurtha was the last freighter built on the Great Lakes for nearly 30 years until her newest fleetmate, the Mark W. Barker set sail in 2022. Want to take a look at the PRT? View a TikTok on her here. If you’re into vertical videos, we have feature videos on most of the 1,000 footers available here.

1,013 ft. of Freighter Facts

Soo Locks poster of mesabi Miner

Looking to learn a bit more about these freighters while visiting the Soo Locks? Be sure to take a look along the fence at the Soo Locks Park. You’ll find 13 banners spaced out over 1,013 ft. with each one featuring one of the 1,000 footers. These banners make for great reading material while waiting to watch one of these giant freighters use the Soo Locks.

These 13 freighters are some of the main reasons people visit Sault Ste. Marie, and they’re a huge part of what makes the Soo a unique travel destination. Which one of these lake freighters is your favorite? Be sure to tag your freighter photos with the hashtag #ilovethesoo on social media while visiting Sault Ste. Marie. And don’t forget to tag us on your post on Facebook, TwitterPinterest, TikTok, and Instagram.

Special thank you to BoatNerd.com for being a great resource for freighter information