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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in'><div><div><div><div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in'><div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>90-year-old cargo ship serving as a holiday home hanging over a cliff on Lake Erie</span></b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;border-color:currentColor'><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>Ship originally transported iron and coal for Ford Motor Company</span></b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>Interior designed by Henry Ford. Thomas Edison was a passenger.</span></b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>Was decommissioned in 1981 after nearly 50 years of service.</span></b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>Ship's forecastle removed and hung over Lake Erie as a holiday home.</span></b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>During its time in service this cargo ship played host to illustrious guests such as Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>From the time it was built in 1924, the boat was also used to transport coal and iron ore across the American lakes.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>After being decommissioned in 1981 it was left to rust for four years before the front part of the ship was removed and perched on top of an 18-foot cliff to serve as a holiday home.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=633 height=356 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:435DBF39D6394AA0A9E9DE1CC619923B@FrankPC" alt="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"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>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<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=633 height=356 id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:F77C935D59374E189CC51C8E978DADC3@FrankPC" alt="Looking over the bow, which dangles 18 foot above the Lake, it still looks as if the boat is sailing"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Looking over the bow, which dangles 18 foot above the Lake, it still looks as if the boat is sailing<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=633 height=423 id="_x0000_i1027" src="cid:FB075BB8173844E88686217D957F78CA@FrankPC" alt="The ship still contains wood paneled state rooms, dining room and lounge designed by Henry Ford"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>The ship still contains wood paneled state rooms, dining room and lounge designed by Henry Ford<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=633 height=423 id="_x0000_i1028" src="cid:BE632452B9FF495B9F4C2D365B1C67AB@FrankPC" alt="The boat was used by Ford himself to travel across the American Lakes and Thomas Edison also took a ride"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>The boat was used by Ford himself to travel across the American Lakes and Thomas Edison also took a ride<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><br>However it has been modernized with a garage, a game room, bar, state-of-the-art kitchen and four bathrooms.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>90-year-old US cargo ship converted into holiday home<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=635 height=358 id="_x0000_i1029" src="cid:703A875BB58D43B481EC5004F4DEBC7C@FrankPC"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=633 height=356 id="_x0000_i1030" src="cid:39D27E16FB7B47529D7615D885B1BA4B@FrankPC" alt="Don't look down: Tourists may need a head for heights if they take a tour out onto the bow of the boat"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Don't look down: Tourists may need a head for heights if they take a tour out onto the bow of the boat<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=633 height=423 id="_x0000_i1031" src="cid:6C3B92FFB9B4439EA44BECBD938638A3@FrankPC" alt="The four-storey, 7,000sq ft home has kept the historic interior and updated it with some modern technology"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>The four-storey, 7,000sq ft home has kept the historic interior and updated it with some modern technology<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=633 height=423 id="_x0000_i1032" src="cid:D4E8FC295AA241979CF4CB48B0449FBA@FrankPC" alt="Along with the original features the ship's forecastle now has a garage, kitchen, bar and games room"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Along with the original features the ship's forecastle now has a garage, kitchen, bar and games room<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=306 height=423 id="_x0000_i1033" src="cid:6AF56901330A4DA3A38DF080619D1C59@FrankPC" alt="After being decommissioned in 1981 the front part of the boat was removed and sailed to the Lake"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=306 height=423 id="_x0000_i1034" src="cid:A8EEFA55CAAF45DF8C1CA6ABC52CD1FA@FrankPC" alt="It was perched on top of the cliff in 1986 where it has remained to this day"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>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<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Tourists are also able to take guided walks around the vessel which hangs 18 feet above the surface of Lake Erie.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>'Also from the bow it almost feels like you are on the water because of its close proximity to Lake Erie.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=633 height=423 id="_x0000_i1035" src="cid:F7EB8543AFED4AD4B2568536B72E6FDF@FrankPC" alt="Frank J Sullivan, who first converted the vessel, tried to turn it into a hotel in 1992 but was denied permission"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Frank J Sullivan, who first converted the vessel, tried to turn it into a hotel in 1992 but was denied permission<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=633 height=423 id="_x0000_i1036" src="cid:86558ECF2ABA48C384BFD8C254DEBA7D@FrankPC" alt="Sullivan sold it to father and son Jerry and Bryan Kaspar in 1999 who now allow guided tours around the house"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Sullivan sold it to father and son Jerry and Bryan Kaspar in 1999 who now allow guided tours around the house<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><img width=633 height=477 id="_x0000_i1037" src="cid:98C8D05BFCD3450A8B1E7AD79E88E3E5@FrankPC" alt="The impressive getaway includes five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a captain's office and living room with panoramic views out across the Lake"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>The impressive getaway includes five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a captain's office and living room with panoramic views out across the Lake<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>'I love the deck on the fourth floor - It's a great place to enjoy a cocktail overlooking the lake and the nearby cliffs and watching the sunset is amazing from there.'<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Videographer Nick James, who conducts tours of the hotel, said: 'The most incredible part is standing at the helm and the way the boat hangs over the cliff it actually feels like you are out on the open water.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>'I love the history that is still all around in the Benson Ford. In the parlour you can just imagine Thomas Edison and Henry Ford sitting smoking their cigars.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>'When you're there it feels as though you step back in time and they could appear at any moment.'<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#999999'>"The best cure for sea sickness, is to sit under a tree."</span><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><i><span style='font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#999999'>~ Spike Milligan</span></i><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></blockquote></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></blockquote></div><p class=MsoNormal><br><br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:11.4pt'><span class=hoenzb><span style='color:#888888'>-- </span></span><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div></body></html>