Older freighters

[Al]

On many of the older vessels you mention, that turret-shaped structure was the pilothouse, in which the wheelsman stood while the mate and watchman stood on an open-air "pilothouse" on top so they could see better. Most of these upper pilothouses were enclosed early in the 20th century and everybody was stationed in the same place. I think some of these enclosed pilothouses were built in-house because in some photos you see very ungainly upper pilothouses have been added to vessels and then, years later, replaced with better structures. Some vessels had bridge wings to help the mates and master see better when docking or working with tugs. Many of the larger vessels built in that era had a "Texas deck" that usually included a masters cabin, a guest cabin and an observation room. The pilothouse then sat atop this cabin. A few boats built by the big steel companies had an extra deck inserted in that forward end to accommodate additional guest cabins.

[Chief]

Some of the older ones were called turret's that were sorta half round. Some had bridge wings or they were added later. Some had the wings added if they were converted to self unloaders so you could see around the unloading gear. Most of the ships with the turret type pilot houses had them changed in the late 40's and early 50's because they were too small. With the advent of radar and most ships by then having radio telephone in the pilot house as well as a gyro compass or repeater there just wasn't room for all the electronics, Add the wheel, chart table, captains chair and such more room was needed, so the small pilot houses were modified or replaced with larger ones giving the ship a more modern look.

[Ron]

Interested in older freighters of 1900's thru 1920's. Some had round cabin with wings on the forecastle deck with a fly bridge above. Others had a flybridge, round cabin and a another round cabin with wings, top to bottom. What was the name of these cabins and what was their purpose? I know a texas cabin was in here somewhare. Thanks for info.
Ron