BoatNerd.Com Discussion Boards

I don't know now, but I do recall Canadian ships having incinerators onboard in the late 1970s. I remember listening on the scanner when the Hamilton Harbourmaster called the Tarantau, which was anchored in Burlington Bay, about a "fire" a shoreline resident had spotted onboard their ship. The captain said they had their incinerator in operation at the time.

At least the shoreline resident didn't call the fire department like a Toronto resident did when the Robert S. Pierson (coal burner) was docked at one of the elevators in the early 1980s!

Its an incinerator of garbage.

Does anyone know what that "burner" device is at the stern of many of the American-flagged lake carriers? It's on nearly every Great Lakes Fleet ship and most of the Interlake ships (especially the classic lakers). I've also seen it on the Alpena and the Wilfred Sykes. Sometimes they are hidden under the deck overhang, with the exhaust stick through the deck. I don't think I've seen these on any of the Canadian vessels.

It's most apparent on the Presque Isle, where it stands along at the stern. Here's a photo from a recent visit to Two Harbors. It's not apparent in the photo, but it was in use at the time and letting out smoke.



I've heard some people wonder if it's a smoker. But it doesn't have the appearance of one. I wonder if it's some sort of waste burner. If anyone knows, I'd love to find out!