W. Wes Oleszewski

W. Wes Oleszewski

Welcome to the GHOST SHIPS, GALES AND FORGOTTEN TALES channel! Here you'll find the most interesting, obscure, haunting and informative true tales of Great Lakes shipwrecks and maritime history. It is all presented to you by Wes Oleszewski the author of more than two dozen books- more than 17 of which are on the subject of Great Lakes maritime adventures. He will take you THERE in each episode and you will find yourself going along on his research- somewhere back in time and feel as if you are really there. You'll meet real people who long ago worked the lakes and many of whom are still on the bottom of those five freshwater seas. Tune in today, and let the adventure begin!

Harsons Island announcement

Harsons Island announcement

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  • @TwistedSheep1009
    @TwistedSheep1009Күн бұрын

    I grew up in the little town where brage 115 was found! These ships always facinated me

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads19822 күн бұрын

    I have a Question: What are the Different types of Pilot House arrangements for lake freighters, and what are said arrangements called? Of course, I am not talking about the position of where the Pilot house is relative to the ship (as in Pilot house forward or all cabins aft), no, I am asking about the arrangement between the Pilot house and the cabins with it on the bow of the ship. Ships like the Calcite, Daniel J. Morrell, Cedarville, & S.T. Crapo, along with many other ships, had that certain arrangement with a Single deck of cabins and above it is the smaller pilot house.

  • @miapdx503
    @miapdx5033 күн бұрын

    Maritime history is fascinating. Around that time, women, instead of getting a "bbl," Brazilian Butt Lift, they added um, volume to their rear and by wearing "bustles," a large padded thing they wore under skirts. Interesting how the word has similar meaning...🤔

  • @authorwes
    @authorwes2 күн бұрын

    That may be where it originated

  • @miapdx503
    @miapdx5033 күн бұрын

    Those quarters were lovely. I saw where someone took the superstructure from an old ship, placed it on a foundation and made it their house! I love the idea, more so after seeing those photos. 🌹⚓

  • @authorwes
    @authorwes2 күн бұрын

    Photos thanks to the Library of Congress. Your tax dollars at work.

  • @miapdx503
    @miapdx5032 күн бұрын

    @@authorwes Ah, thank you! An immense source.

  • @gregoryjones8388
    @gregoryjones83886 күн бұрын

    Do you know we’re I can some models of the Great Lake freighters

  • @authorwes
    @authorwes5 күн бұрын

    Not really- I build my own.

  • @jeromewegand4785
    @jeromewegand47857 күн бұрын

    I RODE IT ABOUT EIGHT YEARS AGO AND LOVED IT. ABOARD WERE A GAGGLE OF COLLEGE ENVIRONMENTALISTS HYSTERICAL THAT IT BURNED COAL INSTEAD OF ENJOYING THE RIDE ! 'INDOCTRINATED YOUNG ZOMBIES !!!

  • @miapdx503
    @miapdx5038 күн бұрын

    When they put living quarters over the engine room, I would think the noise would be enough to make sleep impossible. 🤔 Or am I wrong?

  • @authorwes
    @authorwes2 күн бұрын

    People can learn to sleep anywhere.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads19828 күн бұрын

    The Stewart J Cort (of 1972) and the Presque Isle (of 1973) are the only Two Footers that are Pre-Edmund Fitzgerald Sinking. Also, I do highly think that the Presque Isle should have been one whole ship instead of a Tug Barge Combination. I honestly Do Not like the Tug Barge Combination.

  • @skycvg
    @skycvg9 күн бұрын

    I really enjoy your informative videos. I'm kinda a Great Lakes junkie when it comes to nautical history and with a Great Lakes library of over 150 books and counting (btw 10% are written by a guy named Wes Oleszewski) I really take heed to your recommendations and did find a copy of that Huron Cement history book. Thanks again for all you do for Great Lakes history.

  • @authorwes
    @authorwes5 күн бұрын

    COOL! Thanks for reading my books!! I'm just finishing book number 21- should be out next spring.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads19829 күн бұрын

    The Hilton is considered the Prototype of all Lumber Hooker Boats. It could be considered the Prototype of all Future Lake Freighters because it, like the R. J. Hackett that would come later, has the Pilot House Forward & Engine Cabins aft arrangement with an open spar-deck in the middle for Cargo.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198210 күн бұрын

    Imagine, Two Fictional Ship companies. One is the Whale-Back Bulk & Oil Corporation, which uses only Whaleback Steamers and Barges, and the other is the Monitor Maritime Company, which uses only Monitor vessels. Also, my personal favorite of the 3 Monitor class vessels is actually the Yuma, which isn't a true monitor, but it's still a Monitor.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198210 күн бұрын

    I say that one day, the Welland Ship Canal & the St Lawrence Seaway should be widened to allow larger ships such as the Footers to reach the Sea. Also, If only there were lists of all Past Ships owned by Companies on the Great Lakes.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198211 күн бұрын

    In the end, whether composite hulled or Regular. Whether long or short, All Wood, All Iron, or All Steel, Lake Freighters are Cool, and the Classic Design is Unmatched.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198211 күн бұрын

    Whale Backs could be built in the modern Day. With all the advances in technology, people can make them work.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198211 күн бұрын

    With all the changes in Technology, new Whalebacks could be built that are more efficient and overall better than the Originals. Also, I made up some Fictional company for a Fictional fleet of Ships that just so happen to be Whalebacks. This company is called the WhaleBack Bulk & Oil Corporation.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198211 күн бұрын

    Fictional corporation Name Idea: The WhaleBack Bulk & Oil Corporation. (It’s just some idea I had).

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198211 күн бұрын

    6:11 & 7:09, If those lake Boats could talk, they would all probably be very annoyed because they are all stuck waiting. The Captains too must be quite pissed because all their waiting is eating the Profits that they so desire.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198211 күн бұрын

    Lake Freighters certainly come in many different Pilothouse & Cabin Arrangements. Some freighters have Very small Boxy Pilothouses, some have Small Cylindrical Pilothouses high up and in-front of the Bow Cabins. Some have Small Cylindrical Pilothouses atop the Bow Cabins, others have Larger Pilothouses on top of the Cabins. Some have more cabins, some have less. Lake Freighters truly are each individually very unique among each other. The only common similarity was their arrangement of Pilot House Forward & Engine Cabins Aft.

  • @deksea
    @deksea13 күн бұрын

    I dont understand why there was no apparent attempts made at radio communication between these ships.

  • @authorwes
    @authorwes5 күн бұрын

    There are radio communications, but they are all very passive. NO ONE will EVER imply or comment on how one captain is operating their vessel. It is all up to the captain alone. It always has been and always will be.

  • @MOK433
    @MOK43314 күн бұрын

    Yes, would love to see videos about individual boats (origin, ownership, costs, unique features, etc.)

  • @edwardpapak4234
    @edwardpapak423416 күн бұрын

    You're talking about how obsolete scanners were briefly but us railfans use them daily

  • @authorwes
    @authorwes15 күн бұрын

    Good point. BTW- I just had to buy a new scanner.

  • @stanleyness7230
    @stanleyness723019 күн бұрын

    According to C.G.rules of the road the Calloway has right of way and you're to let him pass ahead.

  • @authorwes
    @authorwes15 күн бұрын

    Isn't there a rule about "careless and reckless operation"?

  • @firebrand07
    @firebrand0724 күн бұрын

    What became of that captain? Can’t imagine that move went well with anyone on the lakes let alone Interlake.

  • @authorwes
    @authorwes5 күн бұрын

    The president of Interlake took his copy of the video and kept it for the next time management of the tin-stackers complained about one of the Interlake boats- then he sent that video to them with a note that read something like, "Oh yeah? Look what one of your boats did to us!"

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198224 күн бұрын

    There it is. The L6-S-B1 class of Lake Boat. There is also the AAA class of lake freighters that includes the Aurther M. Anderson, Cason J. Callaway, and the Philip R. Clarke (and others). Anyways, I wonder how ships are given their own classifications.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198224 күн бұрын

    The idea of Package freighters to me on the Great Lakes is certainly unique. Most Cargoes carried on the Great Lakes are Bulk cargoes, but some cargoes are finished products that need to be delivered to stores for people to buy them.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198224 күн бұрын

    The Roger Blough caught fire in 1971, and then it catches fire again in 2021.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198225 күн бұрын

    Imagine what it would be like to have a Modern Day Whaleback. It would probably have a better design because technology has changed so much since the days of Alexander MacDougall.

  • @johnwurfel2862
    @johnwurfel286226 күн бұрын

    Wes: keeps saying Polock. 0:53 Me: Smiles in Polish.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198227 күн бұрын

    The Crew in the Crescent City: “You Wouldn’t Dare Execute us!!!” Anyways, does anyone imagine scenarios in Fantasy Fiction where there are nations and lands far away from the main setting that utilizes cool LakeBoat type Freighters and other cool Steam Ships and other technologies, or is that just me? Also, imagine a Lake Freighter GrainBoat called the SS Eustace Bruh. Funny name.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198227 күн бұрын

    I do believe that you could make some good money by making models and selling them. Also, it’s funny. When I read the name of the video, I thought it said “Don’t be Afraid to Sink,” but it actually says “Don’t be Afraid to Stink.” Also, I would definitely like to imagine putting a Model of a Great Lake freighter in a pool and creating lots of big waves in said pool to simulate a Storm.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198227 күн бұрын

    I am someone who likes HO scale Trains. Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a lake freighter model in HO scale that floats and runs? I would like that.

  • @GeorgeMinmumMaxingtonwell
    @GeorgeMinmumMaxingtonwell27 күн бұрын

    I really love how in the intro he highlights the AMA and what she did on November 11th '75 she's really overshadowed by the Fitz.

  • @colbypupgaming1962
    @colbypupgaming196228 күн бұрын

    Your latest videos on the C4s brought to the Lakes are set as for kids so comments are disabled. I had a question regarding them.

  • @authorwes
    @authorwes27 күн бұрын

    Due to abuse of the comment option, all videos posted in the future will have comments disabled.

  • @colbypupgaming1962
    @colbypupgaming196227 күн бұрын

    @@authorwes ah understandable. How can viewers submit questions?

  • @rawbsworld6604
    @rawbsworld660428 күн бұрын

    No more comments? Michipecoten a ww ll boat ? ie ship !

  • @authorwes
    @authorwes27 күн бұрын

    Due to abuse of the comments option, all future videos will have comments disabled

  • @rawbsworld6604
    @rawbsworld660427 күн бұрын

    @@authorwes 🤷‍♂️ don’t recall ubber bad comments but it’s your channel , but ya them idiots always been a part of YT 😢 ✌️🤙 BTW thanks for the reply

  • @gavinalaniz5376
    @gavinalaniz537628 күн бұрын

    a common visitor where i live, love your vids wes!

  • @chuckg6039
    @chuckg603928 күн бұрын

    Watch for a future video on Captain TJs channel. He is the captain of the Manitoulin. He indicated that he would capture some video of transferring the taconite to his ship. That'll be interesting to watch.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads198228 күн бұрын

    Hey W. Wes Olsezewski, Is it possible for you to talk about all the Job Positions of a Crew in a LakeBoat? I am interested in the arrangement and the different roles different crew members play.

  • @LiveAlohaOhana
    @LiveAlohaOhana28 күн бұрын

    This broke my heart when I heard about her .I was both a gateman and helmsman on board her back in the 80's She was a beautiful ship in my eyes cause we really took care of her back then ! I believe she was scrapped for insurance purposes! Greed due to the political reasons of cutback of coal

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads1982Ай бұрын

    Honestly, in my opinion, lake freighters with really small Pilot Houses are my favorite. And sure, I like ships like the Triple A Triplets (Arthur M. Anderson, Cason J. Callaway, and Philip R. Clarke), as well as the Honorable James L. Oberstar, The Michipicoten, The Roger Blough, The Stewart J. Cort, and generally most other ships with the Classic design, however, I really like the ships with the small Pilot Houses. In the end, all Lake Freighters are cool in my opinion, and I have never even seen one in person. Only in videos such as these and clips.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads1982Ай бұрын

    One thing I have thought up is that the Welland Canal and the St Lawrence Seaway should both be widened. The reason being that one day, the Iron will eventually run out, and once it does, then all the lake freighters will have to transition to delivering other kind of cargos, like intermodal freight, and Widening the Welland Canal & the ST Lawrence Seaway would allow larger ships like the Footers to pass through. Also, I wonder, what was the shortest Great Lake’s Ship to sport the Classic Design for Lake Freighters? Finally, the Arthur M. Anderson, the Cason J. Callaway, and the Philip R. Clarke are all Fine looking LakeFreighters (and you said they are known as the Triple A class LakeFreighter? I need to know more about all the different classes of lake Freighter).

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads1982Ай бұрын

    It doesn't have the classic design, But it's still a neat Freighter.

  • @user-db2fb1db1m
    @user-db2fb1db1mАй бұрын

    Brilliant engineering, cooperation & integrity- an unknown phenomenon in this “ smart “ generation. Must have been absolutely amazing to be in Detroit in 1912.

  • @trep53
    @trep53Ай бұрын

    The Ojibway makes quick work of the task. Good content.

  • @authorwes
    @authorwes28 күн бұрын

    Yep- they do an amazing job.

  • @mattmacpherson1033
    @mattmacpherson1033Ай бұрын

    I used to work for the Ann Arbor Railroad. Had old pics of the car ferry’s with trains derailed in the ferry

  • @RyanTodd-gg3tq
    @RyanTodd-gg3tqАй бұрын

    Hey Wes, i really enjoyed your video on the EM Ford. I was just curious when you heard the steam whistle from the EM Ford, what ship on the Great Lakes do you think closely resembles that sound? I am going to do a mini documentary on the EM Ford myself, and I wanted to get a steam salute from the ship, but i can't find one anywhere. Thanks for reading this!

  • @authorwes
    @authorwesАй бұрын

    None. Her whistle was unique

  • @johnwurfel2862
    @johnwurfel2862Ай бұрын

    She would have been fun to ride.

  • @johnwurfel2862
    @johnwurfel2862Ай бұрын

    How did the Calloway not ground out? She drafts more than 10 feet.

  • @authorwes
    @authorwesАй бұрын

    The Mauthe's crew were watching on radar and asked the same question.

  • @lynnclark4208
    @lynnclark4208Ай бұрын

    Was anything done to the other captain?

  • @authorwes
    @authorwesАй бұрын

    Nope.

  • @RyanTodd-gg3tq
    @RyanTodd-gg3tqАй бұрын

    49:53

  • @authorwes
    @authorwesАй бұрын

    Is that you?

  • @RyanTodd-gg3tq
    @RyanTodd-gg3tqАй бұрын

    @@authorwes yea, I'm the guy who asked about the whistle. Just made a timestamp for ppl to hear the salute.

  • @scottburns2600
    @scottburns26002 ай бұрын

    Who was the captain of the Mauthe during this trip?

  • @authorwes
    @authorwesАй бұрын

    Contact me at [email protected] for that