Superior in Douglas County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
S.S. Meteor
Last of the Whalebacks
Photographed By Keith L, June 12, 2011
1. S.S. Meteor Marker
Inscription.
S.S. Meteor. Last of the Whalebacks. The Great Lakes whaleback fleet was the revolutionary result of Capt. Alexander McDougall's attempts to improve conventional ship design. Between 1888 and 1898, 43 whalebacks were launched and became forerunners of the bulk fleet on the Great Lakes today. Thirty-nine whalebacks were built in Superior-Duluth, and most of them were launched from a site about one mile west of here, now the Fraser Shipyards., The S.S. Meteor was launched at Superior in 1896 as the Frank Rockefeller to carry iron ore. Later, as the South Park, she carried such diversified cargoes as grain and automobiles. In 1943 she was converted to an oil tanker and renamed Meteor. She has been preserved as a memorial to her builder and a tribute to Superior., As a boy, Franklin D. Roosevelt came to Superior with his father to watch the launching of a whaleback. In his enthusiasm to get a good view, he was swept into the slip by waves. A member of the Superior Fire Department rescued him before he reached deep water.
The Great Lakes whaleback fleet was the revolutionary result of Capt. Alexander McDougall's attempts to improve conventional ship design. Between 1888 and 1898, 43 whalebacks were launched and became forerunners of the bulk fleet on the Great Lakes today. Thirty-nine whalebacks were built in Superior-Duluth, and most of them were launched from a site about one mile west of here, now the Fraser Shipyards.
The S.S. Meteor was launched at Superior in 1896 as the Frank Rockefeller to carry iron ore. Later, as the South Park, she carried such diversified cargoes as grain and automobiles. In 1943 she was converted to an oil tanker and renamed Meteor. She has been preserved as a memorial to her builder and a tribute to Superior.
As a boy, Franklin D. Roosevelt came to Superior with his father to watch the launching of a whaleback. In his enthusiasm to get a good view, he was swept into the slip by waves. A member of the Superior Fire Department rescued him before he reached deep water.
46° 43.349′ N, 92° 3.793′ W. Marker is in Superior, Wisconsin, in Douglas County. Marker is on Marina Drive. Follow the signs from U.S. 53 to Barker Island. You'll see the ship before you reach the island. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Superior WI 54880, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Barker's Island Sign; Veteran's Memorial in the distance.
Photographed By Keith L, June 12, 2011
7. Nearby Bell
Bell presented by the people of St. Louis Parish in memory of The Great Seafarers · May 1978
St Louis Superior A.D. 1912 · Presented by Rev.Louis.Charro
Photographed By Keith L, June 12, 2011
8. Nearby Seaman's Memorial Statue
This statue, dedicated in 1979, was created because of the Edmund Fitzgerald disaster in 1975.
Photographed By Keith L, June 12, 2011
9. Dedicated to the Seaman of the Great Lakes
I challenge the deep
with God as my helmsman.
Courage my vessel,
and the love of those
who wait on shore,
...my strength.
John Frank Leino
Sculptor: William Bradford Frost
Assisted by: Debra Anunti
Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2009, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,895 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on June 30, 2022, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 31, 2009, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 17, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.