The coal loader at Ashtabula, Ohio, USA. Facilities for loading coal on vessels at this time had advanced from the old wheelbarrow gangs. The improved bucket system which succeeded the primitive wheelbarrows also went into oblivion. Lake Erie shipping ports were provided with one to four rapid car unloaders. There were several types of these machines, and all performed a service more or less satisfactory. These car dumping machines could approximate the speed of loading iron ore - Date/Photographer unknown.