RETRO KIMMER'S BLOG: CARGO SHIPS

9.01.2018

THE WRECK OF THE TITANIC WAS FOUND SEPT 1 1985

Seventy-three years after it sunk to the North Atlantic ocean floor, a joint U.S.-French expedition locates the wreck of the RMS Titanic. The sunken liner was about 400 miles east of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic.

American Robert D. Ballard headed the expedition, which used an experimental, unmanned submersible developed by the U.S. Navy to search for the ocean liner.

The Argo traveled just above the ocean floor, sending photographs up to the research vessel Knorr. In the early morning of September 1, Argo was investigating debris on the ocean floor when it suddenly passed over one of the Titanic‘s massive boilers, lying at a depth of about 13,000 feet. The wreck was subsequently explored by manned and unmanned submersibles, which shed new light on the details of its 1912 sinking.

2.15.2014

THE BENSON FORD SHIP COTTAGE ON PUT-IN- BAY

Benson Ford Cargo ship originally transported iron and coal for Ford motor company

Interior designed by Henry Ford and Thomas Edison was a passenger

Decommissioned in 1981 after nearly 50 years of service

Ship's forecastle removed and hung over Lake Erie as a holiday home

The ship actively roamed the Great Lakes hauling iron ore for over 50 years until it was decommissioned in December of 1981.

The "Benson Ford" forward end is a cottage at Put-In-Bay

At present, the ship house is owned by Bryan Kasper.

Benson Ford a 90 year old US cargo ship converted into holiday home. The four-deck, 7,000 square foot getaway is made out of the ship's forecastle and includes the walnut paneling

Looking over the bow, which dangles 18 foot above the Lake, it still looks as if the boat is sailing

The four-deck, 7,000 square foot getaway is made out of the ship's forecastle and includes the walnut paneled state rooms, dining room, galley, and passenger lounge designed by Henry Ford for his own personal use while on board.

The ship-house was originally owned by Frank J Sullivan, but after trying and failing to turn it into a hotel in 1992, Sullivan eventually auctioned the building to father and son Jerry and Bryan Kaspar, who still like to relax there while taking time off work.

However it has been modernized with a garage, a game room, bar, state-of-the-art kitchen and four bathrooms.

The ship still contains wood paneled state rooms, dining room and lounge designed by Henry Ford

Tourists are also able to take guided walks around the vessel which hangs 18 feet above the surface of Lake Erie. Bryan Kaspar said: 'Everyone that sees it is intrigued to look inside and I think everyone that looks inside is amazed at the woodwork throughout the ship.

Also from the bow it almost feels like you are on the water because of its close proximity to Lake Erie. Frank J Sullivan, who first converted the vessel, tried to turn it into a hotel in 1992 but was denied permission

GIANT PHOTO GALLERY

Now the ship’s sawed-off ”superstructure” sits atop a rocky cliff overlooking Put-In-Bay on Lake Erie north of Sandusky, Ohio.

In 1999, the ship was sold again and bought by a father and son duo who have used it ever since as a private residence. They quickly renamed the ship the Benson Ford and set about renovating the first floor to include a garage and massive family room.