Great Lakes wooden tanker barges were a common sight on the lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These barges were used to transport various liquid cargoes, such as oil, gasoline, and other petroleum products.
Wooden tanker barges were constructed using wood as the primary material for their hulls. They typically had a single deck and were designed to carry liquid cargoes in large storage tanks within the barge. The tanks were often divided into compartments to prevent the cargo from shifting during transit.
These barges varied in size and specifications, depending on the specific vessel and its intended purpose. They could range from smaller barges of around 100 feet in length to larger ones exceeding 200 feet in length. The dimensions and carrying capacity of the barges would depend on the specific design and requirements of each vessel.
While wooden tanker barges were once a common sight on the Great Lakes, their use declined over time with the introduction of steel-hulled vessels. Steel provided increased strength, durability, and safety, which led to a shift in the construction of barges and other vessels. As a result, the use of wooden tanker barges diminished, and they were gradually replaced by steel-hulled barges in the mid-20th century.
