The lake freighter MV Saginaw was launched as John J. Boland in 1953, the third vessel to bear that name.

[1][2] Using heavy fuel oil, the vessel was powered by two Foster-Wheeler water tube boilers providing steam to a De Laval cross compound steam turbine driving one shaft rated at 7,000 shaft horsepower (5,200 kW).

[2] The ship was designed for the stone trade and is equipped with a 76.20 m (250 ft 0 in) discharge boom that can be swung 120 degrees to port or starboard.

[2] In December 1998, John J. Boland was laid up again and the American Steamship Company did not intend to sail the vessel the following year.

Upon return to service in December 1999, Saginaw now carried cargoes of stone, aggregates, coal, wheat, or salt.

On 4 April 2003 the bulk carrier became stuck in ice outside Marquette and was not freed until three days later by the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker CCGS Samuel Risley.

On 31 December 2011, Saginaw suffered a second boom collapse, this time while loading coal at Thunder Bay, Ontario.