Lake freighters, or lakers, are bulk carrier vessels operating on the Great Lakes of North America. These vessels are traditionally called boats, although classified as ships. Freighters typically have a long, narrow hull, a raised pilothouse, and the engine located at the rear of the ship.
SS Arthur M. Anderson, with pilothouse forward and engine room astern, also equipped with a self-unloading boom.
R. J. Hackett, the first modern Great Lakes bulk freighter
Whaleback Joseph L. Colby
Cason J. Callaway laid up in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. (2021)
A bulk carrier or bulker is a merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo—such as grain, coal, ore, steel coils, and cement—in its cargo holds. Since the first specialized bulk carrier was built in 1852, economic forces have led to increased size and sophistication of these ships. Today's bulk carriers are specially designed to maximize capacity, safety, efficiency, and durability.
Sabrina I is a modern Handymax bulk carrier.
Bulk carrier and loading apparatus, Seattle (2010)
Bulk carriers in the Port of Liverpool (2018)
Federal Margaree on the Great Lakes (2005)