Freighter Friday with the Wilfred Sykes.


A true classic that continues to garner attention with every voyage she makes.

While the keel was laid in Lorain Ohio on Nov 1st, 1948 (3 years after World War II), she wasn't launched until June 28th, 1949.

When she entered service on April 19th, 1950, she was actually the longest vessel on the Great Lakes until the Joseph H. Thompson of 1952.

She was the first steamship built to burn "bunker C" heavy oil for fuel (instead of coal).

She was also the first Great Lakes freighter built with a 70' beam as well as the first laker built capable of carrying loads in excess of 20,000 tons.

She set multiple iron ore cargo records during her first 3 seasons of operation.

The Sykes is powered by 2 steam turbine engines producing a total of 7,700 hp which in turn drive an 18 1/2' four blade propeller which can provide a speed of up to 16 mph. (almost 14 knots). She has a range of 4,5000 miles.

She has a range of 4,500 miles.

This 678' classic beauty is captured here during the first week of June 2024 headed upstream in the Amherstburg Channel of the Detroit River.

Owned and operated by Central Marine Logistics.


To learn more about the Central Marine Logistics Fleet, please check out their website here;

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Aerial Photography and Videography by Windsor Aerial Drone Photography.


Licensed by Transport Canada.


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