I (Roger Hewlett) worked on the Stmr. Sparkman D. Foster, (Sparky) 3 different times between 1958 and 1963. I was fireman, which is boiler operator, and I shoveled coal to keep up the steam. There were six firemen and the ship burned about 28-30 tons per day.
The job was rough and dirty, and quarters were crummy, but food was good and plentiful. This ship was a love/hate relationship.
The Captain was Fred M.Hudson and he was a very nice person. Also nice: George Meno of St.Clair, Mi. was chief engineer Charlie Babbs was 1st asst. engr., and Charlie LaPorte of Marine City, Mi. was 3rd asst. Engineer. In time I might remember the second asst.engineer name who was reported to have later died in a fall from a ladder on perhaps this or another Laker. Leo Manor was the oiler from Superior,Wisc. The unlicensed crew was SIU including myself.
I have about 30 seconds of 8mm movie I took in about 1958 of the Foster laboring in Lake Superior rough weather.
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I (Roger Hewlett) worked on the Stmr. Sparkman D. Foster, (Sparky) 3 different times between 1958 and 1963. I was fireman, which is boiler operator, and I shoveled coal to keep up the steam. There were six firemen and the ship burned about 28-30 tons per day.
The job was rough and dirty, and quarters were crummy, but food was good and plentiful. This ship was a love/hate relationship.
The Captain was Fred M.Hudson and he was a very nice person. Also nice: George Meno of St.Clair, Mi. was chief engineer Charlie Babbs was 1st asst. engr., and Charlie LaPorte of Marine City, Mi. was 3rd asst. Engineer. In time I might remember the second asst.engineer name who was reported to have later died in a fall from a ladder on perhaps this or another Laker. Leo Manor was the oiler from Superior,Wisc. The unlicensed crew was SIU including myself.
I have about 30 seconds of 8mm movie I took in about 1958 of the Foster laboring in Lake Superior rough weather.
Roger Hewlett
St.Clair, Michigan
04 October 2018