Visitors can discover what life was like aboard a working Great Lakes freighter, the William G. Mather, when they explore the 1925-built Mather from bow to stern and see its huge cargo holds, brass and oak pilot house, elegant guest quarters and four-story engine room. They also can walk the decks and marvel at the “engineering firsts” that helped transform Northeast Ohio into a great industrial center.
The Mather is docked at 305 Mather Way (old Erieside Avenue), north of the Great Lakes Science Center.
The ship is open from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. daily in June, July and August, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday in May, September and October. Cargo chats, a speaker series, will take place on some afternoons in the summer and fall. Other days will feature special events. In September, “Happy Birthday, Captain Harry!” will celebrate the 100th birthday of the Mather captain, Harry Anderson, with stories of life aboard the Mather and history brought to life.
Due to its historic nature, the Mather has limited handicapped accessibility.
Cost is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for youths ages 5-17, and free for members.
Tickets are available on-site and at Great Lakes Science Center’s box office at 601 Erieside Ave. in Cleveland and online at www.greatscience.com.
For more information, call (216) 574-6262 or go to www.greatscience.com.