The MV Kaye E. Barker was constructed in Toledo in 1952 for the Cleveland-Cliffs Steamship Company as the SS Edward B. Greene, one of the eight AAA class freighters used for ore and coal shipping.

[2] The Greene differed from her seven AAA sisters in that she was constructed with an extra level to the forward deckhouse for more guest accommodations as she was to become the flagship of the Cleveland Cliffs fleet.

On her maiden voyage, which took place on July 29,[3] 19,788 tons of iron ore were loaded to be shipped to Toledo from Marquette, Michigan.

[5] The SS Edward B. Greene hauled hematite pellets from ore docks in Marquette, Michigan, to steel refineries in Detroit.

[6] In the winter of 1975–1976, Fraser Shipyards, Inc. was contracted by Cleveland Cliffs to lengthen the SS Edward B. Greene with a 120-foot mid-body section, increasing capacity to almost 27,000 tons.