Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway historian and author Skip Gillham has turned his attention to the Liberty ships built for service during World War II. Though not beautify (FDR dubbed them “ugly ducklings”) they were functional and played a vital role in the Allied victory.

After the War, most were sold to private firms and many found their way into the inland seas after the Seaway opened in 1959. Gillham’s book is a comprehensive look at those vessels, from A to Z. In addition to the many black and white photos contained herein, the book also includes a thumbnail history of each vessel, including year built, former names and ultimate disposition (usually an overseas scrapyard).

A chapter also visits those Liberty ships that got into trouble on the Lakes, including the Protostatis and her ill-fated 1965 trip, which included two groundings and eventually led to the vessel being sold for scrap.
 Skip Gillham, 2004, Order from Skip Gillham, Box 443, Vineland, Ont. L0R 2C0 (80 pages, illustrated, $21, postage incuded)

Liberties on the Lakes is $21.00 and can be ordered from:
Skip Gillham
3750 King St, Vineland, ON, L0R 2C0.