Friday, July 17, 2015

VALLEY CAMP GREAT LAKES FREIGHTER MUSEUM

Wednesday, July 15 – To continue our sightseeing from yesterday in Saulte Ste.Marie, MI, our next stop was at the Valley Camp Great Lakes Freighter Museum. The Museum is the worlds largest Maritime museum.

Valley Camp

The cost for the self-guided tour is $13 per person. Besides touring the deck, the massive inside holds a 20,000 square foot museum with over 100 exhibits! We spent over two hours walking around the ship and loved it! We certainly recommend adding this stop to your itinerary if you visit Saulte Ste. Marie.

The ship, Valley Camp, is 550’ in length, 58’ wide, and has a 31’ draft. It carried 11,500 tons or 500,000 bushels of grain. During its active life, the ship carried about 16 million tons of cargo and sailed over 3 million miles all in the Great Lakes. It had a crew of 29 men.

The Coal Bunker holds 300 tons of coal. This ship burned about 50 tons of coal per day.Valley Camp

Valley Camp

Valley Camp

Early 20th century technology is one display in the Valley Camp's engine room and pilot house. We were able to explore nearly every inch of the ship including the engine room, crew quarters, officer's quarters, captain quarters, pilot house, all the decks, and most interesting a walk on the floor of the cargo hold.

This is the floor. Ore was dumped way down here causing the warping of the floor.
We had to watch our step.
Valley Camp

Valley Camp

Valley Camp

Crew room.
Valley Camp

Valley Camp

Valley Camp

Crew dining room
Valley Camp

Officers’ dining room. A bit different.
Valley Camp

There is an Edmund Fitzgerald Exhibit, located in one of the cargo holds.  It featuring two lifeboats, the largest pieces of wreckage that were recovered. The wreck of the Fitzgerald is an interesting story we will cover on our next stop at Whitefish Point, MI, at the Shipwreck Museum.

Edmund Fitzgerald

This lifeboat washed ashore one day after the sinking.Edmund Fitzgerald

Vally Camp

Looking from one end of the freighter to the other.Vally Camp

Any volunteers to do some climbing?
Vally Camp

It was a gorgeous day to spend time exploring this freighter. This was a real treat for the both of us. Put it on your bucket list as a must see.

The Capitan enjoying the beautiful day.Vally Camp

Paul, if you are trying to recreate the famous scene in the Titanic, you are
facing the wrong way.
Vally Camp

We left Saulte Ste. Marie Thursday morning. We may get a day or two behind in blogging. We will be staying in Newberry for a couple of days. Check back on our next adventure.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!