Glossary Term: Bulk Freight “Rabbit" The term “rabbit” was a Great Lakes shipping nickname used primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to describe small, fast wooden bulk freighters that operated on the lakes. These vessels were often narrow, lightly built, and designed for speed rather than durability.
Characteristics of a Bulk Freight “Rabbit”
• Small to Medium Size: Typically 100–200 feet in length and less than 500 gross tons.
• Wooden Hulls: Many were built from wood, though later versions incorporated iron or steel reinforcements.
• Fast but Fragile:
• Built for quick transport of bulk goods like coal, iron ore, lumber, or grain.
• Speed came at the cost of structural strength, making them prone to hull failures in rough weather.
• Narrow and Low-Slung:
• A sleek design for maneuverability and fuel efficiency.
• Often rode lower in the water, increasing the risk of water intake during storms.
Usage in the Great Lakes Trade
• Primarily used in the 1870s–1910s before being replaced by larger steel freighters.
• Carried bulk commodities between major Great Lakes ports like Cleveland, Buffalo, Detroit, and Chicago.
• Often operated by independent owners or smaller shipping companies that couldn’t afford larger steel steamers.
Why the Name “Rabbit”?
• The nickname likely came from their speed and agility, similar to how a rabbit moves quickly but is also fragile.
• These vessels were known for darting between ports, completing short-haul freight runs faster than their larger counterparts.
Examples of Bulk Freight “Rabbits”
• SS Wyoming (1870–1904)
• A wooden bulk freighter built in Detroit and lost in Lake Huron in 1904.
• Originally a small steam barge, later converted multiple times.
• SS R.J. Hackett (1869–1905)
• Considered one of the first true bulk freighters on the Great Lakes.
Decline of the “Rabbit” Freighters
• By the early 20th century, the introduction of steel-hulled freighters made these small wooden bulk carriers obsolete.
• Many were either scrapped, lost in storms, or converted into unpowered barges.
Conclusion
A Bulk Freight “Rabbit” was a small, fast, but fragile wooden freighter used in Great Lakes shipping. While efficient for short-haul cargo transport, their light construction made them vulnerable, leading to their eventual replacement by steel freighters in the early 20th century.