Lake Carriers’ Association History 1880–2015

About the Book

The book tells the story of the Lake Carriers’ Association and its contributions to Great Lakes shipping, the region, and the national economy since its founding days in 1880 to the present. It describes the objectives of LCA in all the periods of history in chapters focused on the leadership and important concerns of that time. The leaders were presidents of major Great Lakes, ship owners, and later, professional men with significant maritime and government affairs experience. The LCA objectives were to improve safety of vessels and crews, obtaining government support for improvements of locks, channels, and ports; and the US Coast Guard helped in aids to navigation and ice breaking and in preventing unnecessary government regulations. There is a section on the contributions of William Livingstone, the longest serving president. Other sections tell the story of the work of LCA committees on navigation, engineering, environment, crew selection, and training and national security.

About the Author

George J. Ryan graduated from the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1957, was Board Chair of the American Maritime History Project; and Editor of the book Braving the Wartime Seas, honoring Cadets and graduates of the USMMA who died in WWII. He was President of Lake Carriers' Association and Executive Director of American Iron Ore Association until his retirement. He represented all Great Lakes U. S. Flag shipowners and most U.S. and Canadian iron ore producers. He was Director, Great Lakes Region, Maritime Administration, Cleveland; was Marad Representative, American Embassy, London after serving in Washington; in Grace Lines, he served as Captain and Assistant Port Captain. He earned a Master's Degree from the School of International Affairs, Columbia University in 1964. He served as an officer on the guided missile cruiser USS CANBERRA. In Cleveland, he was appointed to the Great Lakes Commission; he chaired the Board of Visitors Great Lakes Maritime Academy; he served on Great Lakes Maritime Task Force. Department of Commerce awarded him a Silver Medal for outstanding work for Marad. The Coast Guard awarded him the Distinguished Public Service Award.