Because you can do this:
Again apologies for those who know this stuff, but to us space starved island hoppers, this is Nirvana!
"The Story of Benson Ford"
Bullet Points:
Room with an ocean view: 90-year-old cargo ship serving as a holiday home hanging over a cliff on Put-in-Bay
During its time in service this cargo ship played host to illustrious guests such as Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.
From the time it was built in 1924, the boat was also used to transport coal and iron ore across the American lakes.
After being decommissioned in 1981 it was left to rust for four years before the front part of the ship was removed, sailed to Lake Erie, and perched on top of an 18 foot cliff to serve as a holiday home.
The Benson Ford was originally a cargo ship for the Ford motor company, but has been converted into a holiday home hanging above Lake Erie
Looking over the bow, which dangles 18 foot above the Lake, it still looks as if the boat is sailing
The ship still contains wood paneled state rooms, dining room and lounge designed by Henry Ford
The boat was used by Ford himself to travel across the American Lakes and Thomas Edison also took a ride
The four-deck, 7,000 square foot getaway is made out of the ship's forecastle and includes the walnut paneled state rooms, dining room, galley, and passenger lounge designed by Henry Ford for his own personal use while on board.
The ship-house was originally owned by Frank J Sullivan, but after trying and failing to turn it into a hotel in 1992, Sullivan eventually auctioned the building to father and son Jerry and Bryan Kaspar, who still like to relax there while taking time off work.
However it has been modernized with a garage, a game room, bar, state-of-the-art kitchen and four bathrooms.
90-year-old US cargo ship converted into holiday home
Don't look down: Tourists may need a head for heights if they take a tour out onto the bow of the boat
The four-storey, 7,000sq ft home has kept the historic interior and updated it with some modern technology
Along with the original features the ship's forecastle now has a garage, kitchen, bar and games room
New life: After being decommissioned in 1981 the ship was left to rust but in 1986 the forecastle was removed (left) before being sailed to Lake Erie and perched on top of a cliff (right) where it remains to this day
Tourists are also able to take guided walks around the vessel which hangs 18 feet above the surface of Lake Erie.
Bryan Kaspar said: 'Everyone that sees it is intrigued to look inside and I think everyone that looks inside is amazed at the woodwork throughout the ship.
'Also from the bow it almost feels like you are on the water because of its close proximity to Lake Erie.
Frank J Sullivan, who first converted the vessel, tried to turn it into a hotel in 1992 but was denied permission
Sullivan sold it to father and son Jerry and Bryan Kaspar in 1999 who now allow guided tours around the house
The impressive getaway includes five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a captain's office and living room with panoramic views out across the Lake.
Again apologies for those who know this stuff, but to us space starved island hoppers, this is Nirvana!
"The Story of Benson Ford"
Bullet Points:
Room with an ocean view: 90-year-old cargo ship serving as a holiday home hanging over a cliff on Put-in-Bay
- Ship originally transported iron and coal for Ford motor company
- Interior designed by Henry Ford and Thomas Edison was a passenger
- Was decommissioned in 1981 after nearly 50 years of service
- Ship's forecastle removed and hung over Lake Erie as a holiday home
During its time in service this cargo ship played host to illustrious guests such as Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.
From the time it was built in 1924, the boat was also used to transport coal and iron ore across the American lakes.
After being decommissioned in 1981 it was left to rust for four years before the front part of the ship was removed, sailed to Lake Erie, and perched on top of an 18 foot cliff to serve as a holiday home.
The Benson Ford was originally a cargo ship for the Ford motor company, but has been converted into a holiday home hanging above Lake Erie
Looking over the bow, which dangles 18 foot above the Lake, it still looks as if the boat is sailing
The ship still contains wood paneled state rooms, dining room and lounge designed by Henry Ford
The boat was used by Ford himself to travel across the American Lakes and Thomas Edison also took a ride
The four-deck, 7,000 square foot getaway is made out of the ship's forecastle and includes the walnut paneled state rooms, dining room, galley, and passenger lounge designed by Henry Ford for his own personal use while on board.
The ship-house was originally owned by Frank J Sullivan, but after trying and failing to turn it into a hotel in 1992, Sullivan eventually auctioned the building to father and son Jerry and Bryan Kaspar, who still like to relax there while taking time off work.
However it has been modernized with a garage, a game room, bar, state-of-the-art kitchen and four bathrooms.
90-year-old US cargo ship converted into holiday home
Don't look down: Tourists may need a head for heights if they take a tour out onto the bow of the boat
The four-storey, 7,000sq ft home has kept the historic interior and updated it with some modern technology
Along with the original features the ship's forecastle now has a garage, kitchen, bar and games room
New life: After being decommissioned in 1981 the ship was left to rust but in 1986 the forecastle was removed (left) before being sailed to Lake Erie and perched on top of a cliff (right) where it remains to this day
Tourists are also able to take guided walks around the vessel which hangs 18 feet above the surface of Lake Erie.
Bryan Kaspar said: 'Everyone that sees it is intrigued to look inside and I think everyone that looks inside is amazed at the woodwork throughout the ship.
'Also from the bow it almost feels like you are on the water because of its close proximity to Lake Erie.
Frank J Sullivan, who first converted the vessel, tried to turn it into a hotel in 1992 but was denied permission
Sullivan sold it to father and son Jerry and Bryan Kaspar in 1999 who now allow guided tours around the house
The impressive getaway includes five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a captain's office and living room with panoramic views out across the Lake.
