after the exposition ended the "columbus" entered passenger service, and an additional deck (third superstructure, fifth total) was added during the 1899–1900 winter season. despite the "columbus"' success at the exposition, and mcdougall's promotional efforts, the whaleback design never caught on. by 1900, the last whalebacks had been built in superior: the "alexander mcdougall" in 1899 (the last powered ship), and the "john smeaton", the last whaleback barge. the american steel barge company was sold to the american ship building company, becoming their superior works, and switched to more conventional laker designs.