#199 Hulett Ore Unloaders
1912
The largest and oldest surviving example of a highly efficient materials-handling machine unique to the Great Lakes that revolutionized ore handling and led to its rapid adoption throughout the lower-lake ore ports
The Huletts were highly efficient materials handling machines unique to the Great Lakes. Invented by Clevelander George H. Hulette (1846-1923). The first, steam-powered, with a 10-ton-capacity grab bucket, went into service at Conneaut, Ohio, in 1899. It could unload an ore boat at the rate of 275 tons an hour.
Like later Huletts, these were electrically powered. The various motions of the 170ton bucket were controlled by an operator riding in a small cab in the vertical leg just above the bucket. Each machine could unload 1,000 tons an hour.
The Hulett's clear superiority over existing mechanical unloaders revolutionized ore handling and led to its rapid adoption throughout the lower-lake ore ports. Through 1960, more than 75 were built by Cleveland's Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Co. and its predecessor and successor firms. With the advent of self-unloading ore boats, most have been dismantled. This battery is the largest and oldest of those that survive.
Preservation of these four giants is highly contested, and those interested in helping this cause should contact a local preservation group such as the Friends of the Huletts and the Ohio Canal Corridor.
Hulett iron ore unloaders at Pennsylvania Railroad ore docks at Cleveland, May 1943. Photo source: Library of Congress.
Landmark Location
Whiskey Island,
Cleveland Ohio
Visiting Info
Outside, along lake
Related Links
Friends of the Hulett Ore Unloaders and William G. Mather http://www.citizensvision.org/
Ceremony Notes
The plaque was presented on 2 August 1998 to the Port of Cleveland, in ceremonies on board the Goodtime III.