Whale Back Ships of the Great Lakes
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
See slides of the uniquely designed. “Whale Back” ships of the Great Lakes. Invented in the 1880’s by Scottish designer Colonel Alexander McDougall. These ships had a submarine shaped hull. The Pilot House and fore cabin were built on large pipe like cylinders above the deck. Entrance to the upper cabins was done through these cylinders. The idea was that high waves would simply wash over the submarine shaped hull rather than crashing into them like traditional ships. This would make the vessel more seaworthy in rough sea.
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