MV John J. Boland is a diesel-powered lake freighter owned and operated by the Buffalo-based American Steamship Company (ASC),[4][5][6][7] a subsidiary of Rand Logistics.

She is a self-unloading vessel, with a 250-foot (76 m) boom, mounting a conveyor belt, that could be swung to port or starboard.

[9] The ship is powered by two GM diesel engines rated at 3,600 horsepower (2,700 kW) driving one shaft and bow and stern thrusters.

[9] She is a self-unloading vessel, with a 250-foot (76 m) boom, mounting a conveyor belt, that could be swung 105° to port or starboard.

[9] Operated by the American Steamship Company on the Great Lakes, Charles E. Wilson served uneventfully until 2000.