1862
1852: NORTH STAR [Built-1854 By S.W. & A.A, Turner of Cleveland, Ohio] She Burned at Cleveland, OH, February 20, 1862, to a total loss. Machinery removed and hull raised and dismantled in spring, 1862
1903
1903: On 20 February 1903, the straight-deck steamer G. WATSON FRENCH (steel propeller, 376 foot, 3,785 gross tons) was launched at W. Bay City, Michigan by West Bay City Ship Building Co. (Hull #608). She lasted until 1964, when she was scrapped by Lakehead Scrap Metal Co. at Fort William, Ontario. The other names she had during her career were b.) HENRY P. WERNER in 1924, c.) JOHN J. BOLAND in 1937, and d.) ALGOWAY in 1947.
1929
1929: ANNIE MOILES [Built-1867 by S.J. Tripp at East Saginaw, Michigan. As ANNIE, MOILES Reg Changes: 1900-C-96851, 1911-US-1579, 1911-C-96851 and 1923-US-1579] Burned at Ecorse, MI, February 20, 1929.
1940
1940: A fire broke out in the cargo hold of the package freighter KING at Buffalo when insulation, being installed for refrigeration purposes, ignited. Several firemen were overcome by the smoke, but damage to the ship was negligible.
1959
1959: On February 20, 1959, Interlake Steamship Co.’s HERBERT C. JACKSON (Hull #302) was launched at Great Lakes Engineering Works in River Rouge, Michigan.
1982
1982: The Canadian Coast Guard Icebreaker DES GROSEILLIERS (Hull #68) was launched February 20, 1982, at St. Catharines, Ontario by Port Weller Drydocks Ltd.
2024
2024: American Queen Voyages, an operator of US river Cruises ceased operations as of February 20, 2024. The company operated the OCEAN NAVIGATOR and OCEAN VOYAGER which wre sailing on the great lakes during the summer months.
2025
The Polish Steamship Co. (Polsteam) of Szczecin, Poland, has added another new vessel to its Laker-class fleet of ships. Recently added is the Polsteam Okra (IMO 9984819), built in 2024 and registered in Portugal. This vessel is a sistership to four additional vessels that Polsteam has built all in China for its Laker-class series. Beginning with the Polsteam Dabie, the first of the series (IMO 9971850), they were joined by the Polsteam (Koprowo) IMO 9971862 and Polsteam Lebsko (IMO 9971874). The first three ships of the new series are all Liberian registered. A fourth vessel, Polsteam Pile (IMO 9971886) was also added to the fleet in 2024. This vessel is registered in Portugal. The new Laker-class series vessels are each 656 feet in length and 78 feet in width and will replace older vessels in the Polsteam fleet.
Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Ahoy & Farewell II and the “Great Lakes Ships We Remember” series.
