Unloading History: Schooner-Barges, Self-Unloaders, and the Development of a Modern Maritime Landscape

Summary

Throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the Great Lakes were at the center of rapid technological advancements in shipping and shipbuilding. The diverse demands for trade and unique geographic characteristics of the region created the necessity for highly specialized vessels and technologies. While the development of steam propulsion and use of metal hulls aided this progress, advancements in unloading systems helped propel shipping into the twentieth century.  The emergence of self-unloading schooner-barges represents an important chapter in this progression. Though examples of this early construction are no longer available above the water, the archaeological remains of converted self-unloaders Adriatic, EMBA, and Transfer provide an opportunity to study the catalysts of maritime innovation and the role these played in the development of the region’s unique maritime landscape. The self-unloading technology implemented on these vessels offers insight into early twentieth century trade, transport, and Great Lakes maritime communities.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2015   •
• Where the Forest Meets the Water’s Cool: New Perspectives in Maritime Archaeology of the Great Lakes Region

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 405