Boat I.D.s

[Red]

The Ford boat appears most likely to be the Henry Ford II. If you compare this photo with those in the Snider and Davis book "The Ford Fleet," you will see that the orientation of the vents seem to match more with the Henry. As mentioned in the book the Henry and Benson were virtual twins, but early on the Benson had a taller stack and the vents seemed to be oriented higher and closer to the stack. Also, in the book there is no mention of the Benson having a deck added to the forward deckhouse. The Henry had navigational wings added when it was converted to a self-unloader. I have to admit this photo had me searching. Even if this does not solve the problem, it was a fun challenge! Thanks!

[Angie]

Thanks, everyone. The gal for whom I posted these shots also says thanks, & that she's "having all sorts of fun" with the posts.

[AlexMich]

Hi Angie! The two lake freighters are the Henry Ford II and most likely the Johnstown, judging how the name looks to be one word. The Benson Ford that has been mentioned, speaks of the original one that came out in 1924 as did the Henry Ford II, and it looked similar to the Henry as well. In the early 80s, the original Benson was put to the wall and the John Dykstra that joined the Ford Fleet in 1966, was renamed Benson Ford to carry on the name.

[Angie]

Hey Guest, I suppose it could be the Benson Ford, but only if i were before she had the extra deck added on the pilothouse. These shots were taken in 1968. When did the Benson Ford have the extra deck added?

[Guest]

First one could also be the Benson Ford (the one who's forward end is on South Bass Island).

[Barry]

Salty is a Jugolinja Line, Yugoslavian flag (Croatia) now ship. She was under charter to the Danish Co., J. Lauritzen Line (JL on stack)- likely the DUNAV, or a sister vessel.

[TWilush]

The first is definitely Henry Ford II, the second could be either Johnstown or Sparrows Point, but my money is on Johnstown.

[Greg h]

First one looks like the Henry Ford?

FYI, if you click on the smaller picture it will open to the large, full resoultion version.

[Angie]

A friend and her father took these shots back in the late 1960s/early 70s. The two lakers were taken off Algonac, MI in 1968. I do not know where/when the salty was taken. Does anyone know the vessel i.d.s?

I think the laker with the aft end cut off in the shot is the Henry Ford II. I think the one with the bird in the top right of the photo is the Johnstown. I have no idea what the salty is. Any guesses?

I posted them as higher-res shots on my Flickr account. Please email me if anyone wants the links to those versions. awwordynerdy at yahooDOT com

Thanks in advance.