Straight decker

A straight decker according to the original meaning of the term is a ship built with its pilothouse forward and engines aft to provide a continuous hold in between.

[1] The current common meaning of "straight decker" upon the Great Lakes is a bulk/ore freighter which has not been equipped with self-unloading machinery.

[3] The Edward L. Ryerson is one of only two remaining straight-deck bulk carriers still part of the American fleet on the Great Lakes, the other being the John Sherwin.

The largest straight-decker, the 806-foot John Sherwin, has not sailed under its own power since 1981, and its conversion to a diesel self-unloader in 2008 was suspended because of the world economic downturn.

[1] Instead of locating the pilothouse and deckhouses in the center of the ship, the new design placed deck houses at the extreme front and back of the boat.