Milwaukee Clipper conversion
Author: railpax71
Date: 12-24-2011 - 16:52
Another Great Lakes ferry, the Milwaukee Clipper, underwent a conversion from coal to oil while retaining the original steam propulsion. Originally built as the Juniata and served PRR routes.
The 1940 rebuilding added an art-deco superstructure with a streamlined stack that served no function. The original stacks were located aft.
In 1983 the company I worked for, Commodore, leased her for exhibition space at the Consumer Electronics Show for their "Boatload" of software. Renamed the "Commodore Clipper" they even repainted the Navy Pier side so she would look presentable. I wandered around every place I could snapping pictures. Pullman berths in the sleeping area, pilot house, and engine room. I think we were exhibiting in the Cafeteria area. A few of my pictures were recently published in a history of Commodore.
SS Milwaukee Clipper is currently on display in Muskegon, MI.