SS Alexander McDougall was a "whaleback" ship, the last and longest whaleback ever built.[1] The design, created by Scottish captain Alexander McDougall (1845–1923), enabled her to carry a maximum amount of cargo with a minimum of draft. Whalebacks were also called "pig boats", among other names, due to their appearance. The Alexander McDougall was the only whaleback built with a traditionally shaped bow. This was done in an attempt to increase the strength of the ship's hull so that the beam could be increased.
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | Alexander McDougall |
| Builder | American Steel Barge Company |
| Launched | 25 July 1898 |
| Identification | U.S Registry #107372 |
| Fate | Unknown |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Whaleback freighter |
| Tonnage | 3672 gross |
| Displacement | 2824 net |
| Length | 418 ft (127 m) |
| Beam | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Draft | 22 ft (6.7 m) |
| Capacity | 6,800 tons bulk cargo |
Alexander McDougall was also the only whaleback to be outfitted with a quadruple expansion engine.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b Zoss, Neel R. (2007). McDougall's Great Lakes whalebacks. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub. pp. 108–109. ISBN 978-0-7385-5143-2.