Great Lakes 2000 Cruises
by Niel Schultheiss

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In a ceremony at Toledo Ship Repair July 13, the last ceremonial "Golden Rivet" was driven in to the hull of the World War II Liberty Ship John W. Brown. The Brown arrived on May 27 and had about 14,000 rivets replaced by the skilled crews at the ship yard.

The Brown made the journey to under go rivet replacement at the only yard capable of this type of work, experienced riveting crews are not easily found on salt water. This is not the case on the Great Lakes where many riveted hulls are still in existence.

In addition to the rivets, the vessels propeller, bearings, and through-hull fittings were inspected.; workers replaced zinc anodes on the hull that stem corrosion, replaced some of the ship's steel plates, sandblast and repaint the hull, and built life raft storage racks. The price tag for the work was  just under $1,000,000.

The Liberty ships were built as part of an emergency shipbuilding program during World War II to carrying equipment and supplies. Today only two operating Liberty ships exist from a fleet that numbered 2,710.

The vessel then made a tour of the lower lakes ports and was open for tours. In three ports the Brown offered locals one of the vessel's famous "Living History Day Cruises." All cruises are sold out except for the cruise departing from Toronto. There was One ticket left unsold!

Below are pictures of the Brown's journey on the Lakes

Onboard a "Living History Cruise" July 22 2000

• The John W. Brown at dock in Windsor.
• Stern view.
• Close up of her name board at the dock.
• The Brown builds up steam as she departs the dock.
• Gaelic tugs Shannon and Patricia Hoey turn the Brown. Pat Pavlat & Frank Bachnak.
• Patricia Hoey pulling on the stern.

Tug Shannon is the former U.S. Navy tug Connawango, YTB 388 built in 1943 for service in the Pacific.

• Shannon working on the Brown's bow. William Hoey
• Shannon departs Windsor. William Hoey
• Close up of the Shannon painted with her World War II stack colors and name.

A flotilla of local boats followed the Brown

• The U.S. Mail Boat J.W. Westcott II.
• Detroit fire boat Curtis Randolph put on an impressive display.
• The tour boat Diamond Queen along side.
• Tug Magnetic included in the parade.

Away from the dock the cruise begins

• Tug Shannon leads the Brown up the Detroit River. William Hoey
• Passing Detroit's skyline. William Hoey
• The Mail Boat comes along side. Pat Pavlat & Frank Bachnak.
• The Brown is controlled from an open air Flying Bridge.
• Rear view of the Flying Bridge.
• The master of the Brown watches over his ship.
• Another view of the Brown's master and Great Lakes Pilot.
• On deck the passengers enjoy the cruise.
• Live entertainment is just part of the fun.
• Another view of the band.

• In the engine room, crews work the ship's massive triple expansion steam engine.
• Looking down the side of the engine.
• The engine room telegraph.

• Passengers enjoy lunch below deck.
• The same area where the Brown also carried troops in World War II.

• The Brown steams on for Lake St. Clair. Pat Pavlat & Frank Bachnak.
• The Master and mate check their position before the Memorial Service.
• Below the flying bridge is the Battle Bridge.
• View through the three small windows.

• The cruise included numerous fly bys of World War II aircraft.
• This included an attack by Japanese aircraft. Crews "shoot down" the attacking plane.
• The Diamond Queen turns to head back to her Detroit dock.
• Included on the cruise were historic interpreters, here we see General George S. Patton, Jr.

The Brown is an operating museum, visitors have access to most of the ship and its many displays.

• An actual  "dear John Letter" sent to a crew man in World War II.
• No visit is complete without a visit to the well stocked Gift Shop.
• One unique souvenir is an actual 1942 rivet from the John W. Brown. Here we see "Brownie the Riveter" selling RIVET BONDS.

• We return to the dock sorry to see the 6 hours cruise end.
• The Brown's Master and Great Lakes pilot supervise the docking.

Friendly aircraft flying over the Brown included Great Lakes Aerial Photos. Below are aerial views taken by Don Coles.

• Don passes overhead N. Schultheiss
• The Brown heading into Lake St. Clair.
• A closer view.
• Heading into the lake.
• The tug Shannon as she escorted the Brown.

Aerial views are available by e-mailing LoftyPics@aol.com

Arriving in Windsor July 20 by William Hoey

• Heading up the Detroit River.
• Stern view upbound on the Detroit River.
• Tug Carolyn Hoey leads the Brown.
• Carolyn Hoey working with the Brown.
• Close up of the stern from the tug Patricia Hoey.
• Having turn the Brown against the river's current, she docks safely in Windsor.