Ships of the St. Clair River Press Release - Released May 2008

For immediate release

Inland Expressions
42211 Garfield Rd. #297
Clinton Township, MI. 48038
Phone: (586) 549-5813

Ships of the St. Clair River

A new author for a new era

Connecting Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River has seen a number of interesting ships make passage. In this volume twenty current Great Lakes vessels are described with detailed histories.

New author Raymond A. Bawal, Jr. has taken his love of the lakes and written his first book on the subject. Concise and informative for the novice who has a passing curiosity about the subject but detailed enough for the lake lore historian this book is a sure fire winner for any circle.

This is what Boatnerd.com is saying about the book, "In this volume, 20 current Great Lakes vessels are described with detailed histories. Meant to showcase a cross-section of ships in operation on the Great Lakes, this book includes vessels ranging in size from the small Yankcanuck to the huge Paul R. Tregurtha. Many of the pictures were taken in the St. Clair area by the author - the historic Maumee graces the cover. The author has done his research, and it shows."

Ships of the St. Clair River also includes prior ownerships, name changes, and incidents in which theses vessels have been involved. This collection is meant to provide a cross section of ships in operation on the Great Lakes. Vessel types include straight deck bulk carriers, self-unloaders, cement carriers, and tankers. Vessel sizes range from the 324 foot YANKCANUCK to the 1,013 foot PAUL R. TREGURTHA.

Ships of the St. Clair River contain numerous photographs showing these ships in both their previous operations, along with depictions current as of the 2008 shipping season. Over 200 vessel names are indexed within the text. Book is 107 pages long, soft cover in 8 1/2" X 11 1/2" format. Ships of the St. Clair River contains 140 never before published photographs.

Raymond A. Bawal, Jr. when he is not working on his new company, Inland Expressions can be found taking more photographs of Great Lakes Freighters around the Great Lakes region. He is currently working on several books and other Great Lakes projects.

ISBN 978-0-9818157-1-8

To place orders for the book,
Retailers Contact: Partners Book Distributors Phone:(800) 336-3137
Individuals Contact: Amazon.com
To arrange a book signing or interview, contact Raymond A. Bawal, Jr. at rbawaljr@inlandexpressions.com

Twilight of the Great Lakes Steamers Press Release - Released June 2009

For immediate release

Inland Expressions
42211 Garfield Rd. #297
Clinton Township, MI. 48038
Phone: (586) 549-5813

Twilight of the Great Lakes Steamers

Steam powered freighters, once the mainstay of the Great Lakes fleet, are now in the twilight of their era on the inland seas.

Author Raymond A. Bawal, Jr., in his second published work, has delved into the last of the steamers that are plying the lakes. Well researched and with interesting stories of each freighter throughout their careers this book is a must for even the casual reader as well as anyone well versed on the great ladies of the lakes.

Once numbered in the hundreds, this class is now represented by only twenty active carriers as of the end of the 2008 shipping season. They range from the ST. MARYS CHALLENGER built in 1906, with over 100 years of steadfast service, to the last steam powered freighter to be built on the lakes, the CANADIAN LEADER, built in 1967. Individual histories are given for each vessel providing details of previous and current operations. These steamers encompass a variety of carrier types, including cement carriers, straight deckers, and self-unloaders. Included are numerous never before published photographs.

Twilight of the Great Lakes Steamers contains numerous photographs showing these ships in both their previous operations, along with depictions current as of the 2008-2009 shipping season. This book has been indexed for ease of use. Twilight of the Great Lakes Steamers is 114 pages long, soft cover in 8 1/2" X 11 1/2" format. There are 94 photos included with this publication.

When Raymond A. Bawal, Jr. is not working creating more books, he can be found taking photographs of Great Lakes Freighters around the Great Lakes region.

ISBN 978-0-9818157-2-5

To place orders for the book,
Retailers Contact: Partners Book Distributors Phone:(800) 336-3137
Individuals Contact: Amazon.com

To arrange a book signing or interview, contact Raymond A. Bawal, Jr. at rbawaljr@inlandexpressions.com