A 107 year-old ship that’s been a common sight on the Chicago area’s waterways may be nearing its end.
The St. Marys Challenger arrived at port in the city on Monday, and will soon undergo an inspection.
The ship’s owner said the exam will determine if it needs to have a new diesel engine installed.
A new engine may cost $15 to 20 million.
The inspection will mean either it returns to Lake Michigan as a freighter or is turned into a barge. The owners will know what the plan is next month.
The St. Marys Challenger is older than the Titanic.
It was once called the Medusa Challenger.
The 562-foot vessel was the longest ship to use the Chicago River, and travelling through downtown was usually a problem.
The Tribune reported at least 20 instances of bridges malfunctioning while the vessel was nearby from 1968 through 1979.
The freighter earned the nickname as Chicago’s “jinx ship.”
Brian Millersmith
Common sense: replace the engine! I'm quite sure a new freighter would cost MUCH MORE than $15 to 20 million…
joe
Sail it into the shore near the new lake Shore and ground it, then turn into a bar. Chicago needs another Tavern on the south side.
Hal
Replace the engine with a rebuilt engine for much less.