Lake palace
You can see and feel it as you walk up the red metal ramp— she has been to many places with many adventures. Known as the Queen of the Lakes, she’s endured the waves and crests of the Great Lakes, stately under the bluest skies and waters and triumphant over swells of gray, stormy weather, for over sixty-five years. The SS Col. James M. Schoonmaker (formerly the Willis Boyer) was the largest (from 1911 to 1914) and is still considered to be one of the most elegant bulk freighters in the world. Purchased by the City of Toledo in the late 1980s, and recently restored, this sleek, curvy beauty is now permanently moored along the shores of the Maumee River next to the National Museum of the Great Lakes (1701 Front St.). The self guided tour of the 617 foot long deck offers gorgeously expansive views of the river, the architecture of Toledo’s urban skyline and the majestic Veterans’ Glass City Skyway Bridge. Below decks are the impressive massive engines with signage which explains how it all works along with cargo areas that can hold more than fifteen thousand tons. The freighter is unique, as most vessels of this type do not have luxury guest suites, a large formal dining room or a wood carved double wide staircase. The best part of the ship is the bow, where metal staircases lead you up to the pilot house featuring twin steering wheels and outdoor decks for more views.
Tickets for the J.M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship (through October) are available in the
National Museum of the Great Lakes. Both the ship and the museum are open
10am-5pm Tuesday–Saturday and noon-5pm Sunday. The National Museum of the Great Lakes is an adventurous voyage through history with interactive displays including navigation equipment and “underwater tours” of shipwrecks. For more information visit inlandseas.org.
