Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive

Block Calls it a Season

01/31
Early Wednesday Morning the Joseph L. Block arrived off Green Bay heading for Bay Ship and winter lay-up.

To make room for the Block the Charles M. Beeghly had to be moved outboard from the Steel Face Dock to make room for the Joseph L. Block. The Beeghly will be rafted out board of the Block at the Steel Face. This is the last ship of the season scheduled in for winter lay-up at Bay Ship for the 2001-2002 season.

Block coming in off Green Bay.
Selvick tugs pulling Charles M. Beeghly off the Steel Face Dock.
Block heading for Bay Ship and lay-up dock.
Block enters Bay Ship, while tugs hold Beeghly off dock.
Block slides into steel Face berth behind Beeghly.
Different View.
At the Steel Face Dock.

Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle

Cresswell Returns

01/31
The Peter R. Cresswell was back in Goderich around noon on Tuesday from a salt run to Ashtabula. The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley was waiting for her. The Cresswell pulled out Tuesday evening and the Risley remained in port.

The tug Debbie Lynn has been laid up in the marina, but the three MacDonald Marine tugs continue to help the Cresswell maneuver.

Reported by: Lisa Stuparyk

Great Lakes, Seaway susceptible to terrorists, admiral says

01/31
Osama bin Laden's terrorist network possesses boats that could be used to attack key installations on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, the chief of U.S. Coast Guard operations on the lakes said recently in Canada.

Rear Admiral James Hull cited locks, nuclear power plants, bridges and oil refineries as targets that terrorists could strike.

"You don't have to have a big boat to be a weapon of mass destruction. A 30-foot boat would do it," he said.

Hull said the Coast Guard will be among the agencies that works to increase security on the border between the United States and Canada. Security on the water portions of the border will be tightened just as it will be on land, he said.

U.S. and Canadian authorities plan to work together to establish maritime enforcement teams on the Great Lakes this summer. The countries also will coordinate how they share intelligence about suspicious activity on the lakes.

To pay for the additional patrols, President Bush has announced that the Coast Guard will get an additional $282-million in the next fiscal year.

Coast Guard officials on the lakes have seen several instances of suspicious activity since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Hull said.

Coast Guard patrols recently caught two men trying to cross the Detroit River by small boat. People also have approached Coast Guard stations asking how they could learn to steer lake freighters and other large vessels - inquiries ominously similar to those by the suicide hijackers who took flying lessons before crashing jetliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Reported by: Greg Jackson

Montreal Lay-up

01/31
Below are images of Montreal's lay-up fleet.

Arcadia at Bickerdyke Basin, as now sold, but awaiting future role.
Nindawayma, still in limbo awaiting sale.
CSL Niagara at her winter berth shed 3.
Ferbec at sec 25 looking forward to spring again.
Salty "Canada Senator" sec 27 waiting orders.
Algoport still in service looks like repairs of some kind as a lot of workers were milling about.
Cecilia and Amelia Desgagnes sec 56 East going through repairs in winter lay up.
Algosound and rafted to the Canadian Voyager.
Salty, Mariki Green unloading cargo at shed 42.
The under arrest salty, Panthermax and the now liberated Tug Hae Dong Star.
The heavy lift and Northern supply vessel Aivic, with the Mantadoc ahead of her and not in the picture the Algocen.
The inside of an elevator Not a pleasant way to find out but that the way it is today around Montreal ever changing skyline.
Hydrofoil boats that travel at a speed of 38 knots and are used to carry passengers between Montreal and Quebec City with a stop at Trios Rivieres (Three Rivers). They can be in Quebec City in just 4 hours, and can carry up to 71 passengers at one time, they will be back in the water this coming Spring. They handle groups as well as individuals, they will have 3 boats operating this coming season.
Six flags amusement park(formerly the Laronde Complex which dates back to the Worlds fair in 1967)which you can see is also in lay up.

Reported by: Kent Malo

Today in Great Lakes History - January 31

MANZZUTTI was launched January 31, 1903 as a) J.S. KEEFE.

January 31, 1930 - While the Grand Trunk carferry MADISON was leading the way across Lake Michigan to Grand Haven, she was struck from behind by her sister ship GRAND RAPIDS.

Data from: Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Steel supporters take out ads to urge import tax

01/30
Supporters of economically troubled iron ore mines in Michigan and Minnesota are taking out advertisements urging President Bush to place tariffs on steel imports.

Lake Superior Community Partnership, based in Marquette, Mich., bought a full-page ad Monday in Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, calling for a crackdown on imports.

"We believe the U.S. has just one shot to do it right, and if you fail it will be the end of mining on the Michigan and Minnesota iron ranges,'' said the ad, an open letter to the president.

Bush is expected to decide by early March whether to heed the U.S. International Trade Commission's recommendation that tariffs be imposed. The panel ruled recently that imports of certain steel products have harmed U.S. steelmakers.

Industry leaders accuse foreign producers of dumping steel on the U.S. market at artificially low prices.

Of particular interest to the mines are imports of semi-finished steel slabs, which over the past decade have risen from about 2 million tons a year to about 8 million tons, said Don Ryan, spokesman for Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. Semi-finished steel competes directly with domestic iron ore.

"It's very clear that some countries have targeted our market with their dumped, subsidized slabs,'' the Lake Superior Community Partnership said in the letter to Bush.

The letter ad is signed by Monsignor Louis Cappo, a Catholic priest and chairman of the partnership, a public-private economic development association.

Reported by: Al Miller

Jacklyn M. Refit

01/30
On Tuesday crews in Milwaukee lifted the second EMD diesel into the tug Jacklyn M. The first engine was installed last Thursday. GM built Electro Motive Diesels are known on the Lakes and beyond for their reliability and ease of maintenance. The Jacklyn M's horsepower will increase from 6000 to almost 7000 HP with the two new 20 cylinder engines.

Reported by: Andy LaBorde

Sarnia Lay-up

01/30
Pilot and photographer Don Coles was flying over Sarnia Tuesday and sent in the pictures below. All photographs are available for purchase. Don's company, Great Lakes Aerial Photos, is available for hire for any aerial photography need.

View from the south: Sidney E. Smith Dock, Government Dock, ADM and the North Slip. Don Coles
From the East. Don Coles
Looking south (North Slip at bottom of picture). Don Coles
Algorail at the Sidney E. Smith Dock. Reba Coles
View from the west: ADM, Government Dock and Sidney E. Smith Dock. Reba Coles
Close up of Maumee and Canadian Transfer in the North Slip. Reba Coles

Today in Great Lakes History - January 30

ELMDALE was launched in 1909 as a) CLIFFORD F. MOLL.

The CHIEF WAWATAM was held up in the ice for a period of three weeks. On January 30, 1927, she went aground at North Graham Shoal in the Straits. She was later dry-docked at Great Lakes Engineering Works in Detroit where her forward propeller and after port wheel were replaced.

January 30, 1911 - The PERE MARQUETTE 18 (II) arrived Ludington on her maiden voyage.

On 30 January 1881, ST. ALBANS (wooden propeller passenger/package freight vessel, 135', 435 t, built in 1869 at Cleveland) was carrying general merchandise, flour, cattle and 22 passengers in Lake Michigan. She rammed a cake of ice that filled the hole it made in her hull. She rushed for shore, but as the ice melted, the vessel filled with water. She sank 8 miles from Milwaukee. The crew and passengers made it to safety in the lifeboats. Her loss was valued at $35,000.

On 30 January 2000 crew began the removal of the four Hulett Ore Unloaders on Whiskey Island in Cleveland.

Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Weather Extends Salt Trade

01/29
Mild ice conditions around the lakes has extended the salt trade from Goderich.

The Peter R. Cresswell is expected to make fore more trips this season before entering lay-up. The vessel was expected to arrive in ballast Monday for another load of the white mineral. One of the remaining trips expected is a run to Milwaukee.

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley has been working to clear about 9" of brash-ice in the harbor. Also working in harbor are the Goderich based tugs of MacDonald Marine.

Reported by: Bruce Douglas

St. Clair River Traffic

01/29
Some traffic continues to move in the ice free St. Clair River. The John B. Aird was due at the Lambton Generating Station last night. The Algoeast was downbound at Sarnia Monday evening. Sunday the Capt. Ralph Tucker was downbound in the Lake Huron Cut.

Reported by: Jamie Kerwin

Weekly Updates

01/29:
The regular weekly updates are now available.
Click here to view

Today in Great Lakes History - January 29

The BUCKEYE (2) was launched January 29, 1910 as the straight decker a) LEONARD B. MILLER.

JOHN P. REISS was also launched this date in 1910 .

January 29, 1987 - The BADGER almost capsized at her dock due to a broken water intake pipe.

On 29 January 1953, RICHARD M. MARSHALL (steel propeller freighter, 643', 10,606 gt) was launched in Bay City, MI at Defoe's shipyard (hull #424). Later she was named JOSEPH S. WOOD (1957), JOHN DYKSTRA (1966), and BENSON FORD (2) (1983). She was scrapped in 1987 at Recife, Brazil.

Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Seaway tonnage slumps in 2001

01/28
A troubled North American steel industry and low water levels were largely responsible for an 11.4 percent drop in cargo tonnage for the St. Lawrence Seaway in 2001, Seaway President Guy Veronneau said recently.

Last year 40.76 million tones of cargo was carried through the Seaway. In 2000, vessels hauled 42.6 million tons of cargo through the Seaway.

Estimated cargo traffic on the Welland Canal dropped 12.3 percent while traffic on the Montreal-Lake Ontario section fell 13.7 percent.

The only bright spot was coal tonnage, which rose in 2001 over the previous year. Tonnage fell for grain, iron ore and general cargo.

The next several years could be equally troublesome because of "profound economic hardships" facing the Great Lakes shipping industry, Veronneau said.

Not all the news was bad. Veronneau said the Seaway met the objectives of its five-year business plan. Among its goals were implementing new technology to improve productivity and reaching a new contract agreement with its unionized workers.

Reported by: Matt Goodhugh

Refit Work at Port Weller

01/28
The refit of the Canadian Century is well under way. The single belt unloading system has been removed and are sitting along the fitout wall of the drydocks. The first section of her hull has been removed on the port side near the middle of the ship. Unlike the Tadoussac, where the replaced sections only came about half way up the hull, the new sections on the Century will cover the whole side just about to her deck.

The Hamilton Energy has been pulled from the deep dock after her upgrades and repairs including a new main engine, and has been placed at the fitout wall.

The Sauniere has been placed in the deep dock for her winter work.

Canadian Century at Port Weller Dry Docks in December.


Reported by: Jason Junge

Goderich Update

01/28
The Samuel Risley was back in port early Friday afternoon. On Saturday evening the Peter R. Cresswell arrived from Conneaut to take on another load of salt. She was assisted in turning around by three tugs. The Risley had previously broken up the ice in the inner harbor.

As this may be the last boat loading salt until spring, many Goderich residents came down to the harbor to watch.

Reported by: Lisa Stuparyk

Sarnia Report

01/28
The Canadian Enterprise was fueling at Shell and departed heading downbound on Saturday morning around 11:00 a.m.. She passed the Peter R. Cresswell in the St. Clair River and by 1:00 p.m. the Cresswell was upbound in the Lake Huron Cut.

Repairs to the lay-up fleet are continuing with the Algowood receiving cross member work and also a new piece of metal on the port bow. The bow work is at the site of a significant dent that was very noticeable when she arrived in Sarnia for lay-up.

The Cuyahoga's propeller blades have been removed and their is a new unloading belt sitting next to the Algorail. The Algoway has plastic for protection on the self unloading mechanical area suggesting work being done in that area.

On Sunday the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Griffon was docked at the Government Docks.

Reported by: Jamie Kerwin

Updates

01/28
A server problem has delayed the daily and weekly updates. Check back later tonight for the latest news.

I used the down time to wrap up the Model Builders Site Update (on a different server): www.mhsd.org/model

Today in Great Lakes History - January 28

SELKIRK SETTLER was launched January 28, 1983

At 4:00 am on 28 January 1879, the ferry SARNIA was discovered to be on fire while lying at Fitzgerald's yard in Port Huron. All of the cabins were destroyed although the fire department had the fire out within an hour. About $3,000 damage was done. She was in the shipyard to be remodeled and to have a stern wheel put in. Arson was suspected.

On 28 January 1889, the Port Huron Times announced that the Toledo & Saginaw Transportation Company went out of business and sold all of its vessel and its shipyard. The shipyard went to Curtis & Brainard along with the PAWNEE and MIAMI. The BUFFALO, TEMPEST, BRAINARD and ORTON went to Thomas Lester. The C. F. CURTIS, FASSET, REED and HOLLAND went to R. C. Holland. The DAYTON went to J. A. Ward and M. P. Lester. The TROY and EDWARDS were sold, but the new owners were not listed.

Data from: Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Oak Launched

01/27
Saturday morning after a brief ceremony and christening the USCG Oak was side launched into the Menominee River at Marinette Marine. The pre-launch ceremony was held indoors for the first time ever despite mild winter weather in the mid 40's at launch time. The tug Erica Kobasic and Escort assisted the 225-foot Seagoing Buoy Tender after launching and the Oak is now rafted to the Cypress behind the Sycamore at the Marinette Marine Dock. The Kobasic then departed with the Escort in tow for Escanaba, MI.

Crowd inside at the launch ceremony.
Oak ready to be launched.
Close up of the stern.
Oak hits the Menominee River.
Oak just after being launched rights it's self in the river.
USCG Sycamore with Erica Kobasic behind.
USCG Sycamore with the Cypress and Oak behind, tug Escort assisting Oak along the Cypress.
Video of the launch. mpg 350k

Across the river the Donner waits in Menominee.

Reported by: Scott Best, Lee Rowe, Matt Duncan and Dick Lund

Block Continues Run

01/27
Saturday the Joseph L. Block continued the late season Lake Michigan ore trade loading taconite in Escanaba for delivery to the steel mills on southern Lake Michigan. The tug and barge Joseph L. Thompson and barge Great Lakes Trader and Joyce Van Enkenvort are laid up at the dock.

Block loading.
Another view.
Thompson in lay-up.


Reported by: Lee Rowe

Today in Great Lakes History - January 27

In 1912, the Great Lakes Engineering Works' Ecorse yard launched the steel bulk freighter WILLIAM P. SNYDER, JR.

The LEON FALK, JR. closed the 1974 season at Superior by loading 17,542 tons of ore bound for Detroit.

January 27, 1985 - The CITY OF MIDLAND 41 had to return to port (Ludington) after heavy seas caused a 30-ton crane to fall off a truck on her car deck.

On 27 January 1978, ALLEGHENY, the training vessel of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy (built in 1944 at Orange, Texas as a sea-going naval tug) capsized at her winter dock at Traverse City, MI from the weight of accumulated ice. She was recovered but required and expensive rebuild and was sold and renamed MALCOLM in 1979.

On 27 January 1893, Charles Lonsby and Louis Wolf purchased the 161 foot wooden steam barge THOMAS D. STIMSON for $28,000. The vessel was built in 1881 by W. J. Daley & Sons at Mt. Clemens, Michigan as a schooner and was originally named VIRGINIUS. She was converted to a steamship in 1887.

Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Cutter Launch Today

01/26
Friday crews at Marinette Marine were preparing for today's launch of the U.S. Coast Guard's newest cutter. The USCG Oak will be side launched into the Menominee River at 10:00 a.m. today. The Oak is the latest of the Juniper Class 225-foot Seagoing Buoy Tender.

Oak on the ways.
Another view.
Sycamore in the water behind the Oak.
Cypress.
Erika Kobasic and Escort wait to help out.
Wide view (Oak, Sycamore and Cypress L to R).

Reported by: Dick Lund

Today in Great Lakes History - January 26

The keel for the CLIFFS VICTORY (a. NOTRE DAME VICTORY) was laid on January 26, 1945.

THOMAS F. COLE was launched January 26, 1907 by the Great Lakes Engineering Works, Ecorse, MI. as Hull #27.

J.F. SCHOELLKOPF, JR. was launched January 26, 1907 as a) HUGH KENNEDY.

The THALASSA DESGAGNES entered service for Le Groupe Desgagnes on January 26, 1994.

ST. LAWRENCE NAVIGATOR was launched in 1967 as a) DEMETERTON.

On 26 January 1898, the CITY OF DULUTH (wooden passenger/package freight vessel, 202', 1310 gt, built in 1874 at Marine City, MI as a passenger vessel) was carrying passengers, corn, flour and general merchandise from Chicago to St. Joseph, MI during a late season run when she struck an uncharted bar in a storm inbound to St. Joseph. She was heavily damaged and driven ashore 350 feet west of the north pier where she broke up. The Lifesaving Service rescued all 24 passengers and 17 crew members using breeches' buoy.

Data from: Steve Haverty, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Iglehart Enters Lay-up

01/25
The J.A.W. Iglehart entered lay-up Thursday afternoon in Detroit. The cement carrier tied up at the Lafarge Dock on the Detroit River about 1:30 p.m.

Reported by: Larry Kennedy

Roman in Rochester

01/25
The Stephen B. Roman was inbound Rochester last Wednesday night with cement for the Essroc Rochester Terminal. She loaded in Picton and then went to Oswego where she left part of her load before coming to Rochester to unload the remaining cargo.

Roman departed Rochester at about Thursday evening in ballast for Picton, Ontario to load.

Reported by: Tom Brewer

Canada's steelmakers benefit from U.S. decline

01/25
Financial prospects for Canada's steel producers are starting to improve, and part of their recovery may be fueled by the shutdown of U.S. steelmakers, according to The Canadian Press.

Canadian steelmakers will soon release their latest quarterly earnings reports, and results are expected to be grim as spot market prices for some products recently hit 20-year lows.

But with LTV Steel Corp. shuttered and a candidate for permanent closure, and other U.S. producers under bankruptcy protection, Canadian steelmakers are finding less competition, less supply on the market and an opportunity to start raising prices.

"It tightens things up," Glen Manchester, chief financial officer for Algoma Steel, told The Canadian Press. Algoma expects to emerge from bankruptcy protection by the end of January.

"When capacity disappears, it has a ripple effect, direct and indirect. We've picked up customers from LTV, as have many of the surviving producers, and that has an indirect effect on pricing," he said.

Algoma was plagued by high debt after building a state-of-the-art mill. As Canada's third-largest integrated steelmaker, it faced the same pressures as Hamilton competitors Stelco Inc. and Dofasco Inc. -- low demand, high supply and low product prices.

Reductions in supply and inventory corrections are allowing steelmakers to increase prices. Algoma will increase the price of spot sheet steel by about $30 a ton next month. Stelco has announced plans to raise prices for cold-rolled and coated sheet, following other recent increases for its hot-rolled sheet and plate products.

Although supply is falling, demand remains weak because manufacturing activity hasn't returned to its more robust levels of more than a year ago.

Key to any improvement is the auto industry. But experts say last year's heavy incentives to spur vehicle sales may have pulled demand forward, creating softness later this year

Reported by: Chris Jackson

Cypress Undergoes Trials

01/24
The USCG Cypress spent Tuesday and Wednesday undergoing trials and testing in Green Bay off Menominee, MI. The Cypress was tested by crews from Marinette Marine.

On Saturday at 10:00 a.m. the USCG Oak will be launched into the Menominee River at Marinette Marine. The Oak is the latest of the Juniper Class 225-foot Seagoing Buoy Tender to be launched for the Coast Guard.

Cypress approaching the Ogden Street Bridge at 6:30 a.m.
Cypress clear of the bridge heading to the Bay. (Menominee Paper Co coal dock in the background).
Sunrise over the Bay as Cypress heads outbound.
Cypress makes final turn heading between Marinette and Menominee breakwall outbound to Green Bay.

Reported by: Scott Best

Cresswell and Risley Return

01/24
The team of the Peter R. Cresswell and the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley were back in Goderich Wednesday. They came in early morning and the Cresswell loaded salt all day at the mine.

Click here for images and video of the Risley Breaking ice

Reported by: Lisa Stuparyk

Alpena Update

01/24
The J.A.W Iglehart arrived at Lafarge Wednesday afternoon to load cement. This should be its last load from Alpena and it is expected to lay-up soon. The Alpena went to lay-up on Monday in Cleveland.

Reported by: Ben and Chanda McClain

Roman Heads to Load

01/24
On Tuesday the Stephen B. Roman was heard calling the Adolphustown Ferry as it was heading into Picton to load cement.

Reported by: Ron Walsh

Today in Great Lakes History - January 24

The JOHNSTOWN (2) was launched January 24, 1952.

SPRUCEGLEN was launched January 24, 1924 as a) WILLIAM K. FIELD.

The steel barge MADEIRA was launched on January 24, 1900.

In 1988, while under tow of tug EVEREST, the ENDERS M. VOORHEES encountered force 9 winds, parted her towline and went aground and subsequently broke in two at Profitis Elais, Kythnos Island (Thermia) in the Cyclades between the Mirto and Aegean Seas. She was on her way to Turkey for scrapping at the time.

Data from: Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Iglehart in Muskegon

01/23
The JAW Iglehart arrived in Muskegon late Monday night to unload at the Lafarge Terminal. Muskegon Lake is ice free making this the latest in the season, or earliest cement delivery on record. The Iglehart departed about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday from the dock in Muskegon and headed north for Alpena. With temperatures in the 40's the port may see regular visits from the Inland lakes boats through the rest of the winter.

Reported by: Dan McCormick

Ice Breaking in Menominee River

01/23
Monday afternoon the icebreaking tug Erica Kobasic and the tiny tug Escort arrived in the Menominee River to break ice. The Kobasic made several sweeps of the river and turning basin, while the Escort broke ice along the USCG Cypress at Marinette Marine.

The Cypress went out in the bay Tuesday morning for the entire day to undergo trials. Early Tuesday morning the Escort was working to break more ice in the river.

This Saturday Marinette Marine will launch another Coast Guard boat, so the Kobasic and Escort will stay in Marinette until Saturday afternoon after the launch. The Kobasic was used to break ice to prevent any damage to the Cypress, although their is still no ice in the Bay off Menominee the River had ice that was quite thick in many places.

Erica Kobasic heading up river to Marinette Marine Co dock.
Escort follows the Erica Kobasic (the Escort was towed by the Kobasic from Escanaba to Menominee).
Close up of Kobasic cutting ice in Menominee River.
Erica Kobasic in Turning basin near K&K dock.
Another view of Kobasic in turning basin(note fishermen in back of photo, they had to abandon their shanty when the Kobasic arrived in the river, their shanty is to close to thin ice to be recovered).

Reported by: Scott Best

Milwaukee Update

01/23
In Milwaukee Monday workers were removing the second main engine from the tug Jacklyn M. At the same time the crew of the Susan Hanna/Southdown Conquest were laying up the cement hauling tug and barge at the Milwaukee Cemex Cement dock.

Reported by: Andy LaBorde

Toledo Lay-up

01/23
Pilot and photographer Don Coles was flying over Toledo Tuesday and sent in the pictures below. All photographs are available for purchase. Don's company, Great Lakes Aerial Photos, is available for hire for any aerial photography need.

Torco to CSX.
Close up of Lakefront/Torco Docks.Ste Claire, Saturn, Buckeye, Reserve, Middletown, Wolverine and David Z. Norton
CSX docks. From left to right, Norfolk Southern railway carfloats Manitowoc, Roanoke, and Windsor at The CSX Docks "Frog Pond" area, St Clair, Buffalo, Courtney Burton and Adam E. Cornelius
Columbia Star and Oglebay Norton at TWI.
Peter R. Cresswell unloading in Detroit.

Today in Great Lakes History - January 23

The GEORGE A. STINSON struck a wall of the Poe Lock at Sault Ste. Marie, MI on January 23, 1979. The damage was estimated at $200,000.

The rail car ferry GRAND HAVEN sailed on her first trip as a roll on/roll off carrier from Port Burwell on January 23, 1965 loaded with 125 tons of coiled steel bound for Cleveland and Walton Hills, OH.

January 23, 1980 - Protesting the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, workers refused to unload the Russian freighter KHUDOZHNKI PAKHOMOV docked at Dow Chemical in Ludington.

Data from: Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Risley Helps Cresswell into Port

01/22
There was a treat for Goderich residents Monday as the Samuel Risley was in port. The Peter R. Cresswell returned from Buffalo Sunday night but due to the amount of ice in the inner harbor, anchored on the north side of the salt mine for the night. The Samuel Risley left Parry Sound last night at 6:00 p.m. and was in Goderich by 8:00 a.m. to clear the ice for the Cresswell.

Crew members on the Risley reported that Goderich is the only active harbor with significant ice cover thanks to the mild winter.

Both ships were expected to remain in port until the Cresswell was loaded with road salt; their departure was scheduled for Monday evening.

Reported by: Lisa Stuparyk

Acomarit to Manage Paterson Fleet

01/22
N.M. Paterson & Sons Limited, Marine Division, has entered into an arrangement with Acomarit Canada to manage its fleet of Great Lakes vessels. This arrangement will be effective April 1, 2002.

Acomarit is part of the V. Ships Group which is the world’s largest provider of ship management services. V. Ships Ship Management Division, with headquarters in Glasgow, Scotland, manages over 670 ships worldwide. Services that V. Ship will provide to Paterson through Acomarit Canada will include vessel superintendence, crewing, catering, accounting, safety management, purchasing and other day to day operating functions. Other Canadian ship owners utilize Acomarit’s services.

N.M. Paterson & Sons Limited will continue to own and market the company’s fleet of vessels and this management change will not result in any change in the way Paterson deals with its customers. This management change will result in the elimination of 7 full time positions in the Thunder Bay office. Paterson will be working closely with the employees affected by this change to ensure their future success.

N.M. Paterson & Sons Limited was founded in 1908 by Norman McLeod Paterson. The company remains 100% Canadian and family owned. There are two primary business divisions within Paterson. The Grain Division provides grain handling, marketing, crop inputs sales and service, and feed grain manufacturing in the Prairie Provinces. The Marine Division has provided bulk cargo transportation on the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Waterway since 1915.

Reported by: N.M. Paterson & Sons

Roman to Resume Cement Run

01/22
According to an article in the Kingston Whig-Standard, the Stephen B. Roman will begin trips to the Picton cement plant today.

Residents were warned to beware of open ice in the Adolphustown, Long Reach and Picton Bay areas.

Reported by: Ron Walsh

Today in Great Lakes History - January 22

The c) WOODLAND (b. JENSEN STAR) was sold to International Capital Equipment of Canada and cleared off Lakes from Montreal January 22, 1991 under the Bahamian flag with the modified name to d) WOODLANDS .

The GOLDEN HIND was sold on January 22, 1973 to Trico Enterprises Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda (Quebec & Ontario Transportation Co. Ltd., Thorold, Ont., mgr.)

January 22, 1913 - The SAINTE MARIE (2) was launched.

Data from: Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Beeghly Arrives

01/21
Early Sunday morning the Charles M. Beeghly gave the security call for entering the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, headed for Bay Ship Building and winter lay-up.

The Beeghly entered into the canal from Lake Michigan and proceeded into the Bay. The Beeghly is final member of the Interlake Steamship Company to enter lay-up for the season.

Coming out of the canal.
Passing under Bay View Bridge .
Passing off Ryerson.
Bow shot no heavy Ice in this part of Bay.
Aft house.
Watching her enter the Michigan Street Bridge.
Sliding into Steel face dock .
At berth on dock.
Wide view of Bay from west side by Michigan Street Bridge.

Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle

LTV Fall Out

01/21
Bankruptcy filings by LTV Steel Corp. may affect Oglebay Norton's short-term earnings but aren't expected to have "long-term material impact" on the company, Oglebay Norton said last week in a news release.

"Some of our customers have filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code," Oglebay Norton said. "We do not expect that these reorganizations will have a long-term material impact on the company's financial situation, although, depending on the outcome, there may be an impact on the company's earnings in the near-term."

Oglebay Norton's Marine Transportation Division is among the Great Lakes fleets that carried bulk cargoes to mills owned by LTV Steel Corp., which has ceased operation in the face of mounting financial losses.

Reported by: Al Miller

Escanaba still moving Taconite

01/21
Saturday evening, the Joseph L. Block arrived at the Escanaba ore dock to load another late season cargo of taconite. Barge Great Lakes Trader is now in lay-up on the south side of the ore dock with tug Joyce L. Van Enkenvort.

Reported by: Rod Burdick

Chicago Area Harbors Still Active

01/21
Last Sunday, the Calumet River and Indiana Harbor were still mostly ice free. Some tug and barge movements can still be seen in both harbors. Local tugs from several companies continue to shift river barges in the Calumet River, while the tug/barge Michigan/Great Lakes continues to haul petroleum products out of Indiana Harbor.

In the Calumet River, the Great Lakes Towing tugs appear to be laid up for the winter, with radars and other electronics covered. At the GLT dock are the South Carolina, Massachusetts, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Arizona.

Docked at the KCBX dock were the tugs John A. Perry, Nicole S, and John M. Selvick, along with the small towboat Matador VI.

Photos taken Sunday (Jan. 12) along the Calumet River
Chris Ann heading upriver at 100th Street after moving barges.
Colorado and Arizona at the GLT dock.
Tugs at KCBX dock. Left to right: John A. Perry, Nicole S. and John M. Selvick. Behind the Nicole S. is the towboat Matador VI.
John M. Selvick.
Nicole S.
Tugs in the 104th Street Slip.

Photos taken Sunday at Indiana Harbor
American Marine Construction's tugboat Defiance .
Andrie tug Rebecca Lynn and barge A-410 .
Michigan and Great Lakes squeezing past the drawbridges .
Michigan and Great Lakes bow view .
Michigan and Great Lakes stern view .

Reported by: Tom Hynes

Marquette Season

01/21
Marquette's shipping season has ended and what a year it was. Foreign steel, 9-11, mill closings and mine shut downs all had an effect on this shipping season. Numbers for December and January were up compared to last season however, it was not near enough to help the total season.

Shipping traffic in and out of Marquette as a whole was down by 19% compared the 2000-2001 season. This equated to 385 ships visiting both harbors this year compared to 474 last season.

Lower Harbor
The lower harbor provided a mixed outcome. A total of 51 vessels visited the lower harbor which was down from 64 vessels (-20%) that visited last season. The H. Lee White led all vessels this season by making 18 visits to the harbor. The John Boland made 12 visits. Both the White and the Boland increased the number of trips to the lower harbor this season compared to last season. The only other vessel to increase their visits to the lower harbor was the cruise ship c. Columbus which made 4 visits.

Other vessels making trips to the lower harbor included six trips by the American Mariner, three by the Adam Cornelius, two each by the U.S.C.G. Sundew and Mackinaw, and finally one each by the U.S.C.G Buckthorn, Courtney Burton, Kiyi, and St. Clair. The Buffalo and the Sam Laud were the only two vessels that were seen last season but not seen this season in the lower harbor.

In conclusion, 92% of all vessels visiting the lower harbor were American flagged ship vessels with the American Steamship Co. leading the way with 78% (40 visits) of the visits, followed by the U.S.C.G. with 10% (5 visits) of the visits, and Oglebay Norton having 2% (1 visit) of the visit. Another 1% of the visits were other U.S. flagged vessels. Foreign vessels made up 8% (4 visits) of the visits which was accomplished by the c. Columbus.

Upper Harbor Events around the country as well as low water levels had an impact on shipping in and out of the harbor. A total of 334 vessels visited the harbor this season which was down by 19% from last season when 410 vessels visited the harbor.

Leading the way with total visits this season was the Lee Tregurtha with 43 visits. Following close behind were the Charles Beeghly with 37 visits, the Algomarine with 34 visits and the Kaye Barker and the Algosteel each with 31 visits. The John Boland and the H. Lee White each had 19 visits while the Great Lakes Trader had 17. Other vessels making visits included the Hebert Jackson with 11 visits, Mesabi Miner with 10 visits, the American Mariner with 9 visits, the James Barker with 8 visits, the Adam Cornelius and the Peter Cresswell each with 7 visits, the Canadian Transfer (who was last season's winner with over 100 visits) only made 6 visits this season, the Paul Tregurtha, the John Aird, and the Agawa Canyon each had five visits, the Courtney Burton, the Fred White and the Buckeye each had 4 visits, the Capt. Henry Jackman had 3 visits, the Sarah Spencer and the Algosoo each had 2 visits, while the following vessels each had one visit each; Joseph Thompson, Middletown, the Algowest (now the Peter Cresswell), Armco, Earl Oglebay, Sam Laud, U.S.C.G. Sundew, the Reserve, David Norton and Wolverine. Only two vessels, the Elton Hoyt and the James Norris, that visited last season failed to make visits this season.

The American flagged ship vessels made 71% of all visits (238 visits) lead by Lakes Shipping Co with 74 visits and Interlake Steamship with 72 visits. Other U.S. shipping companies included American Steamship with 55 visits, Oglebay Norton with 18 visits, Upper Lakes Barge with 17, and Upper Lakes Towing and U.S.G.C. each with one visit. The Canadians, with 29% of the visits, were lead by Algoma Central which was the over-all single company leader with 88 visits followed by Upper Lakes Group with 6 visits and Canadian Steamship with 2 visits.

Reported by: Art Pickering

The Port of Sept-Iles Second busiest Port in Canada

01/21
The Sept-Iles Port Authority reports a decrease in merchandise handled in 2001. Iron ore shipments dropped to 20.1 million tons, 3.8 million less then 2000, the result of a weak world-wide steel and iron ore market and more specifically, the economic recession that has spread to the North American and European steel industry.

Nevertheless, the Port of Sept-Iles was the busiest Port of Quebec in 2001 preceding Montreal and Quebec City and the second busiest in Canada after the Port of Vancouver.

550 ships docked in Sept-Iles in 2001 compared to 643 in the year 2000 carrying mainly iron ore, bunkers and gasoline. The Port of Sept-Iles is open to navigation year round and is capable of sheltering dept draft ships. It is located app 500 km/ 310 miles east of Quebec City on the north-shore of the St. Lawrence River at its eastern entrance where the Gulf of St. Lawrence and River blends.

The first ocean going ship to reach Sept-Iles in 2002 was the Liberian ore carrier Bernhard Oldendorff ( 77,499 dwt, 245 meters/804 feet long) under the command of Capt. Pristam Singh Rawat. In a brief ceremony, Port Authority officials presented the traditional Golden cane to Capt. Rawat on January 7, hours before the ship sailed for a US port with a load of 65,000 tons of iron ore.

Reported by: Frederick Frechette

Ghost Ship Festival

01/21
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Foundation is hosting the third annual Ghost Ships Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center on Saturday, March 16, 2002.

This year's program features seminars, films and presentations by numerous Great Lakes Authors, Historians, Divers and Underwater Archeologists.

For information about tickets, location and times, please visit www.ghost-ships.org

Reported by: Brendon Baillod and Dick Lund

Convention Update

01/21
New information has been added about the International Ship Masters' Association upcoming convention.
Members may Click here to view

Weekly Updates

01/21:
The regular weekly updates are now available.
Click here to view

Today in Great Lakes History - January 21

On this day on 1959 gale force winds and ice at Buffalo, NY caused the steamer Mac GILVRAY SHIRAS to break lose from its moorings and on the way down the Buffalo River collided with the MICHAEL K. TEWKSBURY and severed her moorings. Both vessels crashed into the Michigan Avenue Bridge causing millions of dollars in damages.

On 21 January 1895, CHICORA (wooden propeller passenger/package freight vessel, 199', 1123 gt, built in 1892 at Detroit) was bound from Milwaukee for St. Joseph on a mid-winter run. She foundered with little trace. All 25 on board were lost. The ship's dog was found wandering on the beach by St. Joseph, MI a few days later. A well organized search for the wreck continued until mid-June. Many small pieces of wreckage were washed ashore in the Spring.

On January 21, 1978 the Multifood Elevator #4 at Duluth, MN caught fire and collapsed onto the deck of the HARRY L. ALLEN which was laid up beneath the elevator. Her pilothouse was destroyed by fire. Severe warping and cracking of her plating occurred when cold water was poured onto her red-hot deck.

Data from: Brian Wroblewski, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Lee A. Enters Lay-up

01/20
The Lee A. Tregurtha entered Sturgeon Bay from Green Bay Saturday and went to Bay Ship for winter lay-up at Berth #9. At Berth #8 is the Wilfred Sykes with the Kaye E. Barker rafted to her. The Lee A. Tregurtha is on the north side of the slip next to the Kaye E.

Coming off Green Bay.
Selvick Tug Jimmy L. heading out to the Tregurtha .
On her way into the Bay as a snow squall picks up.
In front of the Graving dock, getting ready to turn around so she may back into Berth #9.
Prepairing to back into berth.
Half way in.
In the slip Sykes and Barker.


Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle

Last Load of Coal

01/20
The Charles M. Beeghly arrived in Milwaukee Saturday morning with the last coal load of the season. Fleet mate Lee A. Tregurtha was making slow progress towards Sturgeon Bay on Saturday Morning. They were in heavy ice off Sherwood Pt. Selvick tugs were making their way to the Tregurtha to assist them into the shipyard for winter lay-up.

Beeghly backing in.
Approaching the coal dock.
Passing the Cort.

Reported by: Andy LaBorde

Today in Great Lakes History - January 20

NORDIC BLOSSOM was launched January 20, 1981 as the a) NORDIC SUN.

On January 20, 1917, American Ship Building's Lorain yard launched the steel bulk freighter EUGENE W. PARGNY.

January 20, 1911 - The ANN ARBOR NO. 5 made her first trip into Kewaunee.

On 20 January 1923, CHOCTAW (steel propeller packet, 75', 53 gt, built in 1911 at Collingwood) burned at her dock at Port Stanley, Ontario.

On 20 January 1978, HARRY L. ALLEN (formerly JOHN B. COWLE, built in 1910) burned at her winter lay-up berth at Capital 4 grain elevator dock in Duluth. She was declared a total loss.

Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history
Please e-mail if you would like to contribute a significant event in Great Lakes history

Sturgeon Bay Update

01/19
Late afternoon Wednesday, after the Edgar B. Speer was placed in Berth #15, the 1000-foot Graving Dock was flooded and the Kaye E. Barker and the Andrie Barge A-397 were refloated and removed from the dock.

The Kaye E. Barker was taken to Berth #8 and rafted to the Wilfred Sykes. The Andrie barge A-397 was taken to Berth #5 in the South Yard.

This move will allow the Edgar B. Speer to enter into the Graving Dock after the Blocking is rechecked, and reset where required. On Thursday the Dock was pumped out and the Blocking checked.

Early Friday morning the Dock was reflooded, and the Selvick Marine tugs Jimmy L. and Susan L., William C., Escort II., and the tug Bay Ship were busy breaking Ice and preparing to place the Edgar B. Speer into the Graving Dock. With the Ice all broken and the gate for the Graving Dock clear and free of Ice, the Edgar B. Speer was pulled from Berth #15 and placed into the Graving Dock.

Wednesday late afternoon
Tugs flushing Ice away from dock gate.
Tugs waiting for gate to be opened. At this point it became to dark for Photo's

Thursday Morning
Kaye E. Barker rafted to the Sykes at Berth #8.
Bow shot of Barker, Miner and Speer from west side of bay.
Pilot houses.
Bows of Kaye E. Barker and Sykes.
Wide View of Bay Ship from Bulhead Point (west side of Bay).
Wide View of Ship yard from Michigan Street Bridge.

Friday Morning
Jimmy L. pulling Speer out of Berth #15.
Out of Berth William C. Tailing and Susan L. breaking Ice.
Close up of stern lining up on Graving Dock.
Tug Bay Ship taking over the Tailing Job, to pull the Speer into the Graving Dock.
View of the propellers.
Sliding into Dock under the Gantry Crane.


Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle

Shipwreck Exhibit

01/19
A new exhibit focusing on a mystery ship that ran aground in the Upper Peninsula in the 1840s is providing information about the history of travel and trade.

Visitors to the Michigan Historical Museum can see what excited archaeologists and historians in the exhibit, "Schooner in the Sand Unlocking the Secrets of a Great Lakes Shipwreck."

"This was not a deep-water wreck," said John Halsey, the state's archaeologist. "The ship blew onto the beach and probably quickly filled with sand."

The area at the mouth of the Millecoquins River near what is now Naubinway, about 50 miles west of the Straits of Mackinac, was sparsely populated at the time, Halsey said.

A member of a survey crew working in the area in 1849 reported seeing the beached 62-foot sailing ship, but it wasn't until 1990 that it was rediscovered by a 10-year-old boy who saw the ship's bow sticking out of the sand.

Since then, archaeologists from East Carolina University's maritime history and nautical archaeology program have excavated and studied portions of the wreck.

Halsey said the deck had been burned, presumably by scavengers who wanted metal fittings. And the masts had been broken off. But the rest of the ship and its contents were essentially intact. "It probably didn't have a crew of more than three or four people," Halsey said. "We don't know the name of the ship or what happened to its crew. There were no human remains found aboard." Some of the cargo found on the ship included barrels containing the remains of fish, presumably whitefish or lake trout; barrels of salt from Syracuse, N.Y.; an unopened chest of Chinese tea, tobacco and ceramics from England.

In addition to information about trade, archaeologists learned about the working life aboard ship. The museum's exhibit includes a full-scale cutaway re-creation of the ship, showing the crew's cabin, the cargo hold and more. Most of the artifacts from the ship also are on display. Chris Dancisak, the museum's manager of visitor services and operations, said the exhibit has been a year in the making, although most of the work was completed recently. "It's a lot like theater," he said. "You put a lot of work into it, but most of it comes down to the last week. Then you just hope it goes well." The exhibit runs through Aug. 18.

Reported by: Michael Hegarty

Today in Great Lakes History - January 19

On 19 January 1824, the Welland Canal Company was incorporated to build the first Welland Canal.

January 19, 1927 - The Grand Trunk carferry MADISON was christened with a bottle of Wisconsin milk. She entered service in March of 1927.

CLARENCE B. RANDALL (2) was towed to Windsor on January 19, 1987 for scrapping.

Data from: Joe Barr, Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

US Steel in talks to acquire National Steel

01/18
United States Steel Corp announced on Thursday it has started discussions aimed at a takeover of National Steel Corp. US Steel is already in consolidation talks with other U.S. steel companies.

The National Steel discussions come as U.S. Steel said it reached an agreement with Japan's NKK Corp. that gives it the option to buy all of NKK's stock in National Steel, a 53 percent stake of its outstanding shares. That agreement was reached as the U.S. steel industry is feeling the devastation of years of cheap imports, weak demand and spiraling costs.

The NKK deal also gives U.S. Steel the right to restructure a $100 million loan previously made to National Steel by a NKK subsidiary. In exchange for its National Steel stock, NKK will get warrants to buy 4 million shares of U.S. Steel common stock if the option is exercised. The warrants are exercisable through June 2007 at a price equal to 150 percent of the average closing price for U. S. Steel's stock during a 60-day period before the issuance of the warrants, the company said.

Reported by: John Sarns

Speer Closes Season for USS Fleet

01/18
Wednesday morning the Edgar B. Speer entered Sturgeon Bay, off Lake Michigan via the Ship Canal. The Speer Passed through the Bay View Bridge and entered into the mid bay Passing the Edward L. Ryerson before entering the Michigan Street Bridge and heading for Bay Ship. Once at Bay Ship she was rafted to the Mesabi Miner, which is rafter to the James R. Barker at Berth #14.

Berth #14 is holding three 1000' ships at 105' each in width. This give the dock a 315' steel wall of the sterns.

The Edgar B. Speer will be rafted there until Sunday when the Kaye E. Barker is refloated out of the Graving Dock. The Speer will then be moved in.

With the arrival of the Speer, this is the last schedule arrival of 1000-footers for Bay Ship this season and the last vessel in the USS fleet.

The Speer was assisted in make the turn to back to her temporary lay-up berth by a tug from Selvick Marine.

Edgar B. Speer in the Ship Canal.
Pilot house framed by trees.
Carpenters stop work to watch the Speer approach.
Passing through the Bay View Bridge.
Off the bow of the Ryerson.
Passing through Michigan Street Bridge.
Passing the Selvick Tug Fleet.

Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle

Conneaut By the Numbers

01/18
Below are statistics and images for the P&C Dock in Conneaut, OH for the 2001 season.

Coal Unloaded from Rail Cars
January - December
2001 - 8,190,567 tons dumped from 81,965 cars
2000 - 6,469,222 tons dumped from 65,788 cars

Coal shipped out by vessel
January - December
2001 - 7,310,338 tons in 314 boats.
2000 - 6,630,344 tons in 291 boats.

The last coal boat is expected between January 24 - 27.

Iron ore unloaded
2001 - 2,115,146 long tons from 49 vessels.
2000 - 3,196,922 long tons from 72 vessels.

Iron ore shipped
2001 - 2,196,183 short tons.
2000 - 2,856,849 short tons.

Stone inbound
2001 - 695,830 in 34 vessels.
2000 - 753,865 in 41 vessels.

Charles M. Beeghly off the lighthouse.
Close up of stern.
Turning in the harbor.
John B. Aird enters the harbor.
Another view.
Turning (note wash from bow thruster).
Looking down the bow.
Aird in P & C Dock.
Presque Isle.
In the Gap.
Ice sail on the bow.
Close up of stern.
Canadian Enterprise at the Coal Dock.
Close up.
Munson approaches port.
Entering.
Close up of bow.
Stern.

Reported by: Tom N.

Ship Scraping & Casualties

01/18
Salties broken up
The following vessels, all visitors to Great Lakes ports under at least one name were broken up according to the Nov. and Dec. editions of "Marine News" published by the World Ship Society. In brackets next to the name of the vessel is the year the ship transited the St. Lawrence Seaway for the first time bound for the Lakes.

The Freedom Mark II type Anemone (82), following a casualty, arrived at Alang, India 3/9/2001 to be broken up.
Apj Angad (79) arr. Alang 16/8/2001.
The Wismar type Med Viareggio (97) arr. Chittagong, Bangladesh about 23/8/2001.
MSC Elena arr. Alang 3/9/2001. On the Lakes as Lady Marina (83).
Afric Star (76) arr. Alang 18/9/2001.
Best arr. Alang 9/10/2001. On the Lakes as Heering Rose (66).
Dunlin arr. Alang 20-9-2001. On the Lakes as Areito (92).
The Varna type Epos (87) arr. Alang 5/10/2001. On the Lakes also as the Moroccan-flag Anwar (75).
The Freedom type Gemini I arr. Alang 14-9-2001. On the Lakes as Arkandros (78).
Munksund (98) arr. at an unidentified Indian location 20/7/2001.
The Varna type Pollux I arr. Chittagong 9/9/2001. On the Lakes as Boujniba (78) and as Pollux (87).
Star Stronen arr. Xinhui, China previous to 24/7/2001. On the Lakes as Chase Three (78), Anderso (79) and Forest Island (86)
Casualties:
Following a grounding south of Cape Town 5/9/2001, the Freedom Mark II type Ikan Tanda was scuttled 27/10/2001 some 200 nautical miles west of Cape Town. On the Lakes as AMAZON (79).
Following a flooding in one of her holds some 500 miles off Cape Town, the German Liberty type Bismihita'la was scuttled 17/9/2001 . On the Lakes as Susanne (77) and y (82).
Following the flooding of her engine-room 16/10/2001, Nabil Z. sank off Mokha, Yemen . On the Lakes as Bernd Wesch II (68).

Reported by: René Beauchamp

Today in Great Lakes History - January 18

The was refloated on January 18, 1967. On December 16, 1966 while loading at Montreal, the CABOT rolled over on her side and sank. The CABOT's stern section sails today as the b) CANADIAN EXPLORER .

The MONDOC (3) had her Canadian registry closed on January 18, 1979. The vessel had been renamed b) CORAH ANN and sold to Jamaican company.

National Steamship Co. was incorporated January 18, 1906.

L. P. Mason and Company of E. Saginaw, Michigan sold the steam barge PORTER CHAMBERLAIN (wooden steam barge, 134', 257 gt, built in 1874 at Marine City, MI) on 18 January 1888 to Comstock Brothers and L. & H. D. Churchill of Alpena, Michigan.

Data from: Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Coast Guard in Grand Haven

01/17
The U.S.C.G. Mackinaw and Acacia arrived in Grand Haven early Wednesday afternoon. Both vessels had a number of cadets from the Coast Guard Academy on board, their visit offered the cadets a few hours on dry land.

Both vessels are expected to depart Thursday afternoon. Winter Coast Guard vessel visits to Grand Haven have been rare since the Acacia left Grand Haven for Charlevoix as its home port a number of years ago.

Reported by: David Swain

Milwaukee Update

01/17
Even though it's mid January the port of Milwaukee remains busy. The Lee A. Tregurtha arrived early Monday morning with cargo of coal and was back again with another load of coal from Chicago in Wednesday morning. Also arriving Wednesday morning was the Susan Hanna with the Southdown Conquest.

On Tuesday afternoon crews from Advance Boiler and the Port of Milwaukee removed the first of the two main engines from the Lafarge tug Integrity. Prior to removing the 8 cylinder, 48,000 pound Caterpillar diesel the two main stacks had to be removed. Later this winter two 20 cylinder EMD engines will be installed.

This winter crews from Sturgeon Bay will also be returning a rebuilt generator to the Burns Harbor. This surgical procedure will involve removing various plates and frames in the last cargo hold to gain access to the engine room. The generator, one of two coupled to two of the boats four EMD main engines, is used to power the bow and stern thrusters when docking. The failed generator was removed this past summer over a four day period at Bay Ship.

Reported by: Andy LaBorde and Ben Wohlers

Great lakes shipping continues

01/17
Late season shipping continues on southern Lake Michigan. The Joseph L. Block was unloading at Inland Steel in Indiana Harbor Wednesday afternoon. The Lee A. Tregurtha was at the KCBX coal dock in South Chicago.

Reported by: Gary Clarke

Cresswell Continues Salt Run

01/17
The Peter R. Cresswell returned to the Goderich salt mine dock early Wednesday morning. She has just returned from Detroit and was loading another 25,000 tons of road salt. The salt will be need as Detroit received its first significant sown fall of the season on Wednesday evening.

Reported by: Lisa Stuparyk

Canadian Olympic Joins Port Colborne Fleet

01/17
Tuesday afternoon saw the arrival of the U.L.S. vessel Canadian Olympic after another busy 2001 season. Deckhands were busy securing the ship with extra lines on Wednesday. Structural work is expected to be done on the inside of the ship this winter. Local reports say that only 12 ships in the fleet will be coming out in the Spring.

The Olympic's sister ship Canadian Enterprise is supposed to run well into February running coal into Nanticoke before laying up there.

Canadian Olympic at her lay-up dock.
Crew place extra lines to hold her through the winter.
Stern view showing propeller and twin rudders.
Hull work on the Canadian Progress.
Close up.
Stern view.
Canadian Transport.
Tug Everlast.
Barge Norman McLeod.
Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin with her anchor placed on the dock.
Stern view.
Tug Jane Ann IV.
Stern view.
Barge Sarah Spencer.
Wide view.
Algobay with anchor down.
Stern view.
Tadoussac, hull of the former Desmarais at International Marine Salvage in back ground.
Close up.
Close up of name.
Stern view with anchor down.
Close up of bow thruster.
Scrapping of the Tarantau hull.
Close up.
Port Colborne Harbor.
Winter work on Lock 8.
Canadian Enterprise unloading at Nanticoke.
Side view.
From the dock.

Reported by: Alex Howard

Today in Great Lakes History - January 17

The PHILIP D. BLOCK was launched at Lorain, Ohio, by American Ship Building in 1925.

Tanker GREAT LAKES was launched in 1963 as the a) SINCLAIR GREAT LAKES.

JOHN E.F. MISENER (2) was float launched in 1951 as a) SCOTT MISENER (2).

January 17, 1902 - The PERE MARQUETTE 2 ran aground at Ludington.

PERE MARQUETTE 19 grounded in limited visibility on January 17, 1916 two miles south of Big Point Sable, MI 600 feet off shore. The captain made three unsuccessful attempts to find the Ludington Harbor entrance and on the turn around for the fourth attempt she grounded.

Data from: Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Last of Twin Ports Lay-up Fleet Arrives

01/16
The last of the Twin Ports winter fleet arrived Jan. 15 when Presque Isle docked at the Duluth port terminal and Philip R. Clarke pulled into Fraser Shipyards in Superior. By the end of the day, the Clarke was in Fraser's large drydock.

Virtually all the vessels of USS Great Lakes Fleet are in the Twin Ports. Presque Isle and Edwin H. Gott are at the Duluth port terminal, Cason J. Callaway is at nearby Garfield D, and Roger Blough, John G. Munson, Arthur M. Anderson and Philip R. Clarke are in Fraser Shipyards.

The only vessel missing is Edgar B. Speer, which will winter in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. The Speer was unloading in Gary on Jan. 15. It's due to arrive at the Sturgeon Bay shipyard at noon Jan. 16.

The shipping season continues, however, as workers unload lumber from a barge brought in over the weekend by the tug W.N. Twolan. The tug and barge are tentatively scheduled to depart Jan. 16, and various news media reports indicate the duo may make one more trip from Thunder Bay if the relatively mild weather continues.

Pictures by Kent Rengo
Cason J. Callaway at her winter berth.
Presque Isle and Callaway together in the same berth.
George A. Stinson at her winter berth, Hallett Dock #5 in West Duluth. She and the Indiana Harbor are berthed there, the Harbor is stern to stern with the Stinson.
Philip R Clarke in drydock at Fraser Shipyard. The Armco is in the background and the Duluth/Superior Vista Fleet is occupying the smaller drydock to the right. Note the differences in the wheelhouse design on the Clarke and Armco.

Reported by: Al Miller and Kent Rengo

Third Algoma Vessel in Owen Sound

01/16
A third Algoma vessel entered winter lay-up in Owen Sound Tuesday. The Algomarine docked on the east side of the harbor, north of the Miller Cement Silos and the Algosteel .

Reported by: Ed Saliwonchyk, Cecil Rawn and Peter Bowers

Today in Great Lakes History - January 16

The COLONEL JAMES PICKANDS was launched in 1926.

In 1987 the DETROIT EDISON (2) was at Brownsville, Tex. for scrapping, she was raised after being scuttled by vandals.

On her way to the cutters torch, the deadship ASHLAND was anchored off Bermuda in 1988 when she dragged her anchors and was swept onto rocks. She suffered massive bottom damage but the tow continued.

On 16 January 1909, TECUMSEH (wooden propeller bulk freighter, 200', 839 gt, built in 1873 at Chatham, Ontario) burned to a total loss at her winter berth at Goderich, Ontario.

On 16 January 1875, the Port Huron Times printed the following list of vessels that were total losses in 1874: Tug IDA H. LEE by collision in Milwaukee.
Tug TAWAS by explosion off Sand Beach.
Steamer W. H. BARNUM by collision in the Pelee Passage.
Steamer TOLEDO by partially burning at Manistee.
Tug WAVE by burning on Saginaw Bay.
Tug DOUGLAS by burning on the Detroit River
Steamer BROOKLYN by explosion on the Detroit River
Steamer LOTTA BERNARD by foundering on Lake Superior.

Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Oglebay Norton Company to Acquire Erie Sand & Gravel Company

01/15
Oglebay Norton Company announced Monday that it has entered into an agreement in principal to acquire Erie Sand & Gravel Company. The company expects the acquisition, which is subject to approvals, to be completed within the first half of 2002.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Michael D. Lundin, Oglebay Norton Company president and chief operating officer said, "This niche acquisition will fit well into our Great Lakes Minerals segment. It also complements our long-term strategy of providing fully integrated distribution of our products from quarry to customers on the Great Lakes."

Sidney E. (Sandy) Smith, III, president and chief executive officer of Erie Sand & Gravel Company added, "We are looking forward to becoming part of Oglebay Norton's Great Lakes Minerals operations. Working together as part of Oglebay Norton, we can service customers more efficiently and make available an expanded range of products and services."

The announcement did not address how the acquisition would effect vessels operated by the companies. Oglebay Norton Marine Services Company operates 12 vessels on the Great Lakes. Erie Steamship Company operates the self unloading bulk carrier Richard Reiss.

Web links:
Oglebay Norton
Erie Sand & Gravel

Reported by: John Sarns

Final Traffic for the Season

01/15
The Soo Locks closed for the 2001 season at 12:00 a.m. this morning. The final vessel to pass through the locks was the Algomarine downbound about 4:30 p.m. Monday afternoon. The vessel arrived at Algoma Steel Monday morning after a short weather delay on its trip from Marquette. It departed the steel mill about 1:30 p.m. but had to wait for the Poe Lock as divers were inspecting the lock's sill at the east end.

The 2002 navigation season for the locks will begin with the opening of the Poe Lock on March 25. The MacArthur Lock will re-open later in the spring.

Algomarine in the Poe Lock.


Reported by: Jerry Mason, Mike Cleary, Dan Fletcher and Philip Nash

Salt Trade Continues

01/15
The salt trade from Goderich continued Monday with the Peter R. Cresswell arriving early in the morning to load road salt. The ice has retreated back from the breakwall again, although there is still plenty in the inner harbor.

Sifto's Goderich mine has announced the lay off of 42 workers due to the mild winter. If weather conditions become worse, then they hope to be able to re-hire these workers by April.

Reported by: Lisa Stuparyk

Twin Ports Report

01/15
Cason J. Callaway arrived in Duluth on the morning of Jan. 14 to lay-up for the winter. Assisted by tugs from Great Lakes Towing, the Callaway was docked in the Garfield D slip near the port terminal about 7:00 a.m.

The Presque Isle and Philip R. Clarke are expected to arrive in the Twin Ports on Tuesday.

Reported by: Al Miller

Alpena Update

01/15
The Alpena loaded cement at Lafarge Sunday night and is expected in South Chicago sometime today. The J.A.W Iglehart arrived at Lafarge Monday evening to load cement. It is unknown when it will enter lay-up, possibly at the end of this week depending on business.

Reported by: Ben and Chanda McClain

Green Water

01/15
Shipwreck and video producer Ric Mixter is working on a follow up to his popular "Deep Six" video tape entitled "Lake Fury: Storms of the Century." Fury follows the most infamous of the lake storms: 1905, 1913, 1916 (Black Friday), 1940 and the Bradley sinking.

Below is a Real Video clip of a lake freighter that will be used in the video. The footage was shot on Lake Erie in 1999 and shows the vessel taking "green water" over her decks.

Release date for "Lake Fury: Storms of the Century" is tentatively Summer 2002.

Video clip of ship in heavy seas.

10% off, Final Day

01/15
Today is the final day of the 10% off Special Offer on the Know Your Ships web site. 10% off the total of any order placed via the website or by mail to their Ann Arbor location.

www.knowyourships.com

Today in Great Lakes History - January 15

FORT YORK was launched January 15, 1958.

In 1917 the ANN ARBOR NO. 6 left Ecorse for Frankfort on her maiden voyage.

On 15 January 1873, A. Muir began building a wooden 3-mast schooner ("full sized canaler") at his shipyard in Port Huron. Fourteen men were employed to work on her, including master builder James Perry. The schooner was to be the exact counterpart of the GROTON, the first vessel built at that yard. The vessel's dimensions were 138' keel, 145' overall, 26'2" beam and 11'6" depth.

On 15 January 1886, the tug KITTIE HAIGHT was sold to Mr. Fisken of Toronto for $3,900.

Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Last Through the Soo

01/14 1:30 p.m. update
The Algomarine is ready to depart Algoma Steel for the Soo Locks, departure time is 1:35 p.m. Crews working on the locks have divers in the water and the Algomarine was instructed to hold at the rail bridge until the lock is clear.
Click here for a live view of the locks

Original Report
The Soo Locks officially closes for the season at midnight January 15. The last upbound traffic passed through about 12:30 a.m. this morning. The Philip R Clarke was the last upbound vessel, clearing the Poe Lock at 1:00 a.m. heading for lay-up in Duluth. Last season the Clarke was also the final upbound vessel, passing through the day before the locks closed.

The last downbound vessel will be the Algomarine locking through this evening. The vessel arrived at Algoma Steel this morning after a short weather delay and is scheduled to depart about 5:00 p.m. for the locks.

The 2002 navigation season for the locks will begin with the opening of the Poe Lock on March 25. The MacArthur Lock will re-open later in the spring.

Reported by: Jerry Mason, Mike Cleary and Philip Nash

Sykes Enters Lay-up

01/14
The Wilfred Sykes arrived on Lake Michigan off Sturgeon Bay early Sunday morning. She sailed through the Ship Canal to enter Sturgeon Bay and proceeded to Bay Ship for winter lay-up.

In the Bay between Bay View and Michigan Street Bridge.
Passing.
Off the Stern of the Ryerson.
Crew man on deck.
Cook and Steward on deck enjoying view.
Entering Michigan Street Bridge.
Manitowoc crane ready to put gangway on Sykes.
Shot from across the yard as Sykes starts to make turn to back into Berth #8.
Entering Berth #8.
At Berth #8.

Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle

Last Load in Marquette

01/14
The Algomarine arrived in Marquette Sunday to take on the final load for the season. The vessel was delayed by heavy weather on Lake Superior and took shelter in Keweenaw Bay Saturday. The vessel finished loading late Sunday and departed at 8:05 p.m., closing the dock for the season. Loading.
Another view.
Departing.
Waves breaking on Saturday.
Another view.

Reported by: Lee Rowe

Twin Ports Report

01/14
An unexpected late-season arrival Saturday was the tug W.N. Twolan a barge of lumber from Thunder Bay. The Twolan has made numerous trips to the Twin Ports this season with dimensional lumber loaded aboard barges. The barge is unloaded at Hallett 8, an old coal dock up the St. Louis River on the Wisconsin side. Apparently, the tug and barge ran into thicker ice than anticipated or else the tug's crew choose not to try docking it in the dark because on Sunday morning the barge was anchored in the shipping channel while the dock was tied up at the dock.

The pair departed Thunder Bay Friday afternoon with approximately 6 million board feet of lumber. Unloading is expected to take a few days with the tug and barge departing on Thursday. It is possible that the pair will make two more trips, depending on ice conditions.

After being delayed by brisk winds blowing perpendicular to the mouth of the Duluth ship canal, the John G. Munson finally ended its season overnight Saturday when it arrived at Fraser Shipyards in Superior.

Pictures by Al Miller
The W.N. Twolan's lumber-laden barge sits at anchor Sunday morning in the St. Louis River channel off the mouth of the Hallett 8 dock.
Another view of the barge.
John G. Munson is laid up near the mouth of Howard's Pocket, the small bay that holds Fraser Shipyards. It's docked stern-to-stern with Roger Blough and across the slip holding Arthur M. Anderson.
Another view of the Munson.
Armco in Fraser Shipyards, with Roger Blough directly astern. The Armco has been docked across the entrance to both dry docks to reduce the amount of ice forming there. This way, when the Philip R. Clarke arrives this week to enter the drydock, a minimal amount of ice will be drawn into the dock.
Roger Blough docked in Fraser Shipyards.
View of the Armco's bow.
Another view of Armco.

Reported by: Al Miller and Eric Bonow

Toronto Lay-up

01/14
Below are images taken Saturday of Toronto's lay-up fleet.

Viewed from the Royal Canadian Yacht Club at the foot of Parliament St., Canadian Leader rafted to Canadian Mariner, and Quebecois in background.
Stern shot of Leader and Mariner, with the Toronto downtown in background.
Seaway Queen, as seen from the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.
Algoisle, as seen from Cherry St.
Algocape, as seen from Cherry St.
Bow shot of Canadian Venture, with Canadian Mariner and Leader to the far left.
English River, tied up astern of the Canadian Venture.
Stephen B. Roman, as seen from Cherry St.
Barge Metis (left) and Stephen B. Roman as seen from Cherry St.
Tugs Glenevis and Lac Como, as seen from Cherry St., tied up west of the Algoisle.

Reported by: Craig Ritchie

Owen Sound Lay-up

01/14
Below are images taken last week in Owen Sound.

David Shearman
Agawa Canyon from East Harbor.
Algosteel at Miller Cement.
From East Side of Harbor.
Chi-Chimaun.
Chi-Chimaun detail.

T. Parker
Algosteel and Agawa Canyon in lay-up.
Algosteel close up.
Profile of bow.
Agawa Canyon.
Close up.

Marinette-Menominee Season in Review

01/14
The shipping season got underway in Menominee/Marinette with the arrival of the Catherine Desgagnes in early April, the Ivi which was scheduled to arrive before the Desgagnes had to go to Chicago to lighten its load after grounding while approaching the Menominee River. The Catherine Desgagnes visited Marinette 7 times, while the pulp boat Menominee also visited 7 times with lumber and pulp products. The Marinette visited 6 times.

One of the highlights of the season in Menominee was seeing the Maumee, Calumet and McKee Sons return in their new colors all delivered coal to Menominee Paper, while the Maumee visited a second time with stone for Marinette Fuel and Dock.

The other highlight of the season was the late season flurry of pulp boats that visited Menominee. Included in the 10 Wagenborg boats that visited was the Virginiaborg on its maiden voyage, with a load of wood pulp. Along with the many Wagenborg boats, pig iron ships were in port all season.

The Algoway and Capt. Henry Jackman delivered loads of salt in July.

The 2001 season was very busy and saw another increase in the number of vessels visiting Menominee Marinette. 2002 looks to be very busy as well, with 15-20 loads of wood pulp expected to be brought in again on Wagenborg ships through out the season.

Reported by: Scott Best

Quebec Port Authority posts operation results for 2001

01/14
Results for 2001 indicate a consistent increase for the cruise ship business but a deceiving decline in merchandise handled.

With the exception of 1991 (year of the Gulf war) 2001 was the best year for cruise ships in Quebec City with 50,000 passengers being welcomed, the result of 87 cruise ship stopovers with 11 ships on their first voyage to this harbour. Next year appears to be even more promising with the arrival of two new cruise ship operators , Celebrity Cruise and Carnival Lines (the largest cruise ship line in the world). Holland American has scheduled 14 visits in 2002 compared to 4 in 2001.

15 million tons of merchandise transited the harbor in 2001 down by 1 million ton over 2000.

The decrease in merchandise handled results from a slower American economy, a faulting US steel industry (2.5 million tons in 2000 vs. 650,000 tons in 2001) and a reduction in exports of grain.(2,400,000 tons in 2000 vs. 2 million tons in 2001) All was not negative as important increases were noted in the kerosene, nickel and raw sugar trading. General merchandise dropped to 60,000 tons in 2001 from 100,000 tons in 2000.

Quebec Harbor’s operating income for 2001 was established at 11 million $C over 11.1 million $ C for 2000. Overall benefits for 2001 were estimated to be 2.6 million $ C vs. 3.2 million $C for 2000.

One of the interesting events of 2001 season occurred on November 19 when Bunge of Canada in record time loaded more than 101,202 tons of grain on the Maltese bulk carrier Mercedes (133,357 dwt, 268m long (880 feet), 43.8 meter wide (143 feet) for European Ports. When the Mercedes sailed from the St. Charles River grain terminal at high tide, the ship was drawing a 15 meters (50 feet) draft. This departure required the skilled assistance of a harbor pilot along with the help of the regular River pilots for its eastbound voyage to the Escoumins Pilot Station.

Reported by: Frederick Frechette

High Court says OSHA can monitor conditions on ships

01/14
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration can monitor workplace safety aboard many types of commercial vessels.

The Coast Guard already has authority to inspect freighters, offshore supply vessels, seagoing barges and some passenger ships. But its safety rules do not cover the full range of hazards that could face workers on the 68,000 uninspected vessels that cruise the nation's waters, the court found.

Advocates of workplace safety praised the court's decision. However, industry groups said it defied the will of Congress, which specifically gave the Coast Guard the right to monitor the safety of maritime workers.

About 100 workers are killed on uninspected vessels each year, and approximately 600 sustain serious injuries, according to the Coast Guard.

Reported by: Al Miller

Maritime Academy Open House

01/14
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City MI will be holding an open house from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 19. For more info call 231-995-1200 or visit their website at www.nmc.edu/maritime.

Assistant Operations Manager

01/14
Pere Marquette Shipping is accepting applications for an Assistant Operations Manager who has experience with the marine industry and knowledge of facilities on the Great Lakes. Send resume to Pere Marquette Shipping, Human Resources, P.O. Box 708, Ludington, MI 49431 or call 231.843.1509.

Reported by: Pere Marquette Shipping

Today in Great Lakes History - January 14

Scrapping began on the CHICAGO TRIBUNE January 14, 1989 by International Marine Salvage in Port Colborne, Ont.

January 14, 1920 - The Grand Trunk carferry GRAND HAVEN was fast in the ice three miles out of Grand Haven.

Data from: Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Milwaukee Lay-up

01/14
The Burns Harbor arrived in Milwaukee for winter lay up just before 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Fleet mate Stewart J. Cort was right behind, arriving at 6:00 p.m.

Cort approaches the harbor.
Backing into port.
Paul H. Townsend and Burns Harbor.
Soft lines on the Burns Harbor.
Life Rings.
View south from the pilot house.

Reported by: Andy LaBorde

Winds Keep Munson from Duluth

01/13
John G. Munson tantalized Twin Ports boatwatchers Saturday morning by twice approaching the Duluth ship canal before dropping anchor to wait for the wind to subside.

The Munson approached the ship canal shortly after 9 a.m. but stopped because of 18 mph westerly winds gusting to 25 mph. The Munson then turned away sharply to port about a mile from the canal.

After about an hour, the Munson got under way and again approached the ship canal. About a mile from the piers, the ship stopped and then drifted out of the shipping lane.

The Munson dropped anchor to wait for the winds to subside. It was expected to enter the harbor late in the afternoon or during the evening and then proceed to Fraser Shipyards in Superior to lay up.

For the other vessels in USS Great Lakes Fleet

Edgar B. Speer is due at Sturgeon Bay shipyard on Jan. 16

Presque Isle is expected at Two Harbors on Jan. 14 to undergo repairs before proceeding to Duluth for lay-up

Cason J. Callaway is due at Fraser Shipyards in Superior about 5 p.m. Jan. 13

Philip R. Clark was expected to leave Gary on Jan. 12 and arrive in Superior on Jan. 15.

John G. Munson turns away from the Duluth ship canal after its first approach.
The Munson proceeds back into the lake to try its approach later.
After its second approach to the ship canal Saturday morning, the Munson lies stopped and drifting.

Reported by: Al Miller

Today in Great Lakes History - January 13

On January 13, 1970 the lower engine room and holds of the SEWELL AVERY accidentally flooded sinking her to the bottom of Duluth Harbor causing minimal damage other than an immense cleanup effort.

January 13, 1909 - The PERE MARQUETTE 17 was freed after her grounding the previous December.

Data from: Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Mariner Closes ASC's Season

01/12
The final ship sailing in the American Steam Ship company fleet arrived for winter lay-up Friday. The American Mariner arrived off Green Bay, heading for Bay Ship Building that morning.

She entered Sturgeon Bay, bow first and turned around in front of the Graving Dock. She then backed down to her winter berth #2 next to fleet mate John J. Boland at Berth #3 where they were rafted together for the winter.

Selvick Marine tugs met the Mariner off Sherwood Point and entered the Bay with her. There was no major ice in Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay has mostly open water, except along the shore line.

Coming in off from the Bay of Green Bay at Sherwood Point.
Inbound off Potawatomi State Park (west side of Bay).
Close up of Stern.
Passing off the bows of Miner and Barker.
Next to fleet mate.
Lots of day light between fleet mates. Another Job well done Capt.

Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle

Marquette Update

01/12
The Charles Beeghly arrived in Marquette Friday carrying a load of coal. The Algomarine was expected to arrive late Friday or early Saturday to load what is expected to be the final load from the ore dock until spring.

Beeghly unloading coal.

Reported by: Lee Rowe

Cresswell Returns

01/12
Friday the Peter R. Cresswell returned to Goderich shortly before noon and docked at the salt mine. The Cresswell loaded 25,000 tons of road salt and departed for Buffalo.

Reported by: Lisa Stuparyk

USS Update

01/12
Vessels for USS Great Lakes Fleet are making their final trips of the season over the next few days.

Edgar B. Speer arrives in Two Harbors on Jan. 12 and is due in Gary on Jan. 15.

Presque Isle arrived in Gary on Jan. 11 and is due next in Duluth on the 15th to lay up.

Cason J. Callaway is expected to arrive in Duluth at 0600 hours Jan. 13 to lay up.

Philip R. Clarke is due in Gary on Jan. 12 and then goes to Superior's Fraser Shipyards on Jan. 15 for lay-up.

John G. Munson is due at Two Harbors on Jan. 12 to fuel before proceeding to Superior's Fraser Shipyards at 1230 hours to lay-up.

Reported by: Al Miller

Server Move

01/12
The Boatnerd.com server will be moving Saturday and there may be short interruption.

Today in Great Lakes History - January 12

The CHI-CHEEMAUN was launched January 12, 1974.

The GRAND HAVEN was gutted by fire on January 12, 1970 during scrapping operations at the United Steel & Refining Co. Ltd. dock at Hamilton, Ont.

MENIHEK LAKE was launched January 12, 1959

On January 12, 1973, the VENUS (2) had an engine room explosion shortly after unloading at Kipling, MI, (near Gladstone, MI) on Little Bay De Noc causing one loss of life.

On 12 January 1956, ANABEL II (probably a fish tug, 62 t, built 1928) was destroyed by fire at her winter lay-up at Roon S.S. Co. dock at Sturgeon Bay, WI.

January 12, 1911 - The ANN ARBOR NO. 5 hit the rocks close to the south breakwater when entering Manistique harbor, tearing off her starboard shaft and wheel.

The wooden steam barge O. O. CARPENTER (127.5', 364 gt) was sold by the Jenks Shipbuilding Company on 12 January 1892 to Mr. H. E. Runnels and Capt. Sinclair for $26,000. The vessel had been launched at Jenks yard on 13 May 1891.

Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Gott Ends Season

01/11
The Edwin H. Gott arrived in Duluth shortly after 4:00 p.m. Jan. 10 to end its season. The vessel docked at the Duluth port terminal with the assistance of at least one tug from Great Lakes Towing.

Reported by: Al Miller

First For 2002

01/11
Thursday the tug Susan W. Hannah and barge Southdown Conquest arrived in Grand Haven as the first vessel of the 2002 season. The barge was carrying a load of cement for CEMEX.

Reported by: David Swain

Last Load for Trader

01/11
The barge Great Lakes Trader and tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort loaded taconite pellets at the Marquette ore dock Thursday. As the pair were departing they signed off with "See you in the spring."

Saturday will see the last ship to load at Marquette for the 2001-2002 season.

Trader Loading.
Chutes down the taconite falls into the cargo hold.
Backing from the dock.

Reported by: Lee Rowe

Montreal Update

01/11
Still operating is the Algoport. Earlier this week she delivered a cargo of salt in Montreal and departed Montreal for the Magdalen Islands for another load. The same day, berthed ahead of her was her fleet mate Algocatalyst.

The Mathilda Desgagnes arrived at St. Joseph-de-la-Rive, QC for winter lay-up on Nov. 1, 2001.

The St. Lawrence River remains ice free in Montreal. Thursday was a rather mild today with temperatures at 3°c above zero.

Reported by: René Beauchamp

Sarnia Lay-up

01/11
The Algowood has entered lay-up at the Sarnia Government Docks on the South Wall. The vessel arrived some time on Thursday and is docked bow first. Tires have been placed over the port side indicating another vessel will be tying up beside her.

Fraser Ship repair has moved a trailer to the south side of the Government Dock sheds and some steel is now on the north side of the Government Dock sheds. Obviously some work will be done on the Algowood over the winter but with only one office trailer present, as opposed to the usual two, the scheduled work appears to be minimal.

It also appears that the Algonova is along side the Algoway in the North Slip.

The Peter R. Cresswell was down bound in the Lake Huron Cut around 7:00 a.m. Thursday morning.

Reported by: Jamie Kerwin

Loss Of LTV Tonnage Slams December U.S.-Flag Float

01/11
Iron ore cargos carried in U.S.-Flag lakers plummeted nearly 32 percent in December, largely because LTV Steel ceased operations and thus required no raw materials. Problems related to unfair trade abound in the American steel industry, so for the season, the U.S.-Flag ore float totals only 45.8 million tons, a decrease of 20 percent compared to December 2000.

U.S.-Flag coal cargos were in total down 14.8 percent in December. The drop came in western coal and was not unexpected.

With demand for iron ore so reduced, some vessels were switched to that trade, so season commitments were completed early. For the season, U.S.-Flag coal cargos stand at 21.2 million tons, an increase of 4.2 percent.

Thanks to mild weather that kept the construction industry active, stone cargos carried in U.S. bottoms in December increased 28.4 percent to 1.8 million net tons. The season-to-date total, 27.3 million tons, represents a decrease of 2.1 percent.

While the U.S.-Flag fleet will move a significant amount of iron ore in January, the stone and coal trades are basically finished. Some cement will move in January, but the salt, sand and grain trades should be complete.

Reported by: the Lake Carriers' Association

Former Coast Guard building could become art showcase

01/11
An artists' group is floating an idea to turn an old Coast Guard building on Milwaukee's downtown lakefront into a showcase for work by regional artists.

Gary John Gresl, president of the Wisconsin Painters & Sculptors Inc., and John Miller, an architect with an interest in historic preservation, are among those proposing to refurbish the deteriorating 87-year-old former lifeboat station.

Gresl said many art organizations favor the idea of a free-standing facility that would provide "a public focal point for visual artists and visual art activities in Wisconsin." Regional artists could use the envisioned facility as a place to sell or lease art.

Miller, an expert in adaptive re-use, said the project is both feasible and affordable. "The walls are of structural tile, the floors, wood. The worst part of the deterioration is settlement of the foundation. Otherwise it's a handsome piece of Prairie-style architecture," he said.

Reported by: Lisa Morris

Today in Great Lakes History - January 11

The steamer ROBERT S. McNAMARA, under tow reached her intended destination of Santander, Spain on January 11, 1974.

On 11 January 1962, ARCTURUS, formerly JAMES B. WOOD, was under tow of the Portuguese tug PRAIA GRANDE on the way to Norway to be scrapped when she foundered off the Azores at position 46.10N x 8.50W.

January 11, 1911 - The ANN ARBOR NO. 5 arrived Frankfort on her maiden voyage.

On 11 January 1883, the Port Huron Times reported that a citizens' committee met to help Port Huron businesses. "A. N. Moffat decried the taxation of vessel property. High taxation of vessel property had driven much of it away from Port Huron. He cited the case of Capt. David Lester of Marine City who came to Port Huron a few years ago to live and would have brought here one of the largest fleets on the Great Lakes, but when he found what taxes would be, returned to Marine City."

Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Oglebay Norton Fleet in for the Winter

01/10
Oglebay Norton's Columbia Star arrived in Toledo Wednesday as the finial member of the fleet to enter winter lay-up for the season. The Star entered port about 2:00 p.m. and joined its fleet mate Oglebay Norton at the TWI Dock.

Click here to visit the 8th Annual Winter Lay-up List

Top Hat in Port Stanley

01/10
The tug John Spence and barge were the first vessels to arrive in Port Stanley opening the 2002 season. The captain was presented the traditional silk top hat by officials in recognition of the event.

Reported by: Dave James

Double Date in Manistee

01/10
Manistee had a double date Wednesday as both the Gemini and the Capt Ralph Tucker arrived to load calcium chloride at General Chemical.

The Gemini arrived at 8:30 a.m. and proceeded to the dock where she tied up to the laid up barge Salty Dog #1 to load cargo. The Capt Ralph Tucker arrived at 1:00 p.m. and docked at the Seng #2 dock to wait her turn to load.

The two ships had 200 ft. between their sterns and marked the first time two tankers had been in port together. An excellent photo opportunity was given for area ship enthusiasts.

Both ships are running calcium chloride down to Amherstburg, Ontario and will continue to do so as long as the ice remains thin. The McKeil barge Ocean Hauler has a problem with her tank heating system which has made a charter with Cleveland Tankers necessary to handle General Chemical's needs.

Reported by: Chris Franckowiak

Cleveland-Cliffs moves to strengthen finances

01/10
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. announced Tuesday several moves aimed at conserving cash while also saying it expects iron ore production to increase this year.

Among the news the company announced:

To cut costs, the Empire Mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula will remain closed indefinitely. Cliff's hot briquette iron plant in Trinidad also will remain idle.

Later this month Cliffs will increase its ownership stake in the UP's Tilden Mine from 40 percent to 85 percent.

In another cost-cutting measure, the company has suspended its quarterly dividend to shareholders, saving about $4 million a year.

On a more positive note, Cliffs said Hibbing Taconite and Northshore Mining Co. in Minnesota are expected to increase their production this year to a total of about 9.8 million tons of taconite pellets.

Production at Hibbing Taconite Co., with an annual capacity of 8 million tons, is projected at 6.8 million tons for 2002. That's an increase of about 700,000 tons over 2001.

Northshore Mining Co., which can make about 4.5 million tons, is expected to reach 3 million tons this year, up considerably over the 2.8 million tons produced in 2001.

Hibbing Taconite Co. ships its pellets through the BNSF ore dock in Superior. Northshore Mining ships pellets from its own dock in Silver Bay, Minn.

Overall, pellet sales by Cliffs in 2002 are expected to be between 11.5 million and 12 million tons, up from 8.4 million tons in 2001.

Also on Tuesday, Cliffs' board of directors on Tuesday approved an investment of $4.5 million in the Mesabi Nugget project at Northshore Mining Co. Of the $4.5 million investment, $500,000 is cash. The remaining investment is in materials, property and manpower.

The project will convert iron ore taken from Northshore's Peter Mitchell Mine in Babbitt to nearly pure iron nuggets. A pilot plant at Northshore's processing plant in Silver Bay is to be built beginning in May.

Reported by: Al Miller

Stone Trade Ends Season On An Upward Trend

01/10
Thanks to comparatively mild weather in November and December that allowed for higher levels of construction activity, the Great Lakes stone trade ended the 2001 season with a small but noticeable rally. For the season, shipments from U.S. and Canadian ports totaled 37,114,674 net tons. While that total represents a decrease of 2.5 percent compared to 2000, the gap was much wider for most of the season. In fact, at the end of October, the stone trade was 5.5 percent behind 2000's pace. The trade might have rallied even more, but domestic steel production continued to slow as 2001 ended and thus further reduced demand for fluxstone.

Reported by: the Lake Carriers' Association

Assistant Operations Manager

01/10
Pere Marquette Shipping is accepting applications for an Assistant Operations Manager who has experience with the marine industry and knowledge of facilities on the Great Lakes. Send resume to Pere Marquette Shipping, Human Resources, P.O. Box 708, Ludington, MI 49431 or call 231.843.1509.

Reported by: Pere Marquette Shipping

Captain James (Jim) Friedrich

01/10
Captain James (Jim) Friedrich 71, of Rogers City and Holiday Florida died at his home in Holiday on January 8. He was first employed at Bradley Transportation than ASC for many years. He retired as Captain on the M/V Buffalo in 1992.

Today in Great Lakes History - January 10

ONTADOC (2) was launched January 10, 1975 (b MELISSA DESGAGNES)

On January 10, 1977 the CHESTER A. POLLING (b MOBIL ALBANY) broke in two and sank off the coast of Massachusetts.

January 10, 1998 - Glen Bowden, former co-owner of the Michigan-Wisconsin Transportation Company (MWT) died.

Data from: Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Last Outbound Cargo

01/09
The Port of Duluth-Superior’s last outbound cargo vessel of the season was scheduled for Tuesday with the departure of Bethlehem Steel Corporation’s Stewart J. Cort.

The Cort was expected to depart at approximately 10:30 p.m. from Superior’s Burlington Northern Santa Fe taconite facility with about 53,000 metric tons of iron ore destined for Bethlehem Steel at Burns Harbor, Ind.

The Port’s final outbound cargo vessel last season was Upper Lakes Group, Inc.’s, Canadian Olympic which departed January 5 from Superior’s Midwest Energy Resources facility with about 25,000 metric tons of coal destined for Ontario.

With the Soo Locks closing at noon, January 15, the Port’s last vessel movements of the 2001 season are scheduled to occur early the next day (January 16). Two USS Great Lakes Fleet, Inc., vessels, the Presque Isle and the Edwin H. Gott, are scheduled to arrive at approximately 9 a.m., bringing the total number of vessels wintering in the Port to 13. The Soo Locks will open again to spring vessel traffic on March 25.

The Norwegian-flag Spar Garnet brought the Port’s 2001 St. Lawrence Seaway navigation season for all vessels to a close with her December 17 departure from Duluth’s AGP Grain Limited with about 18,600 metric tons of soybeans destined for Naantali, Finland.

The St. Lawrence Seaway system officially closed for the season at midnight on December 24. Its 2002 opening is scheduled for March 26.

Duluth Lay-up fleet:

LOCATION	VESSEL	ARRIVAL DATE	CARRIER
Garfield C	Walter J. McCarthy Jr.	November 26, 2001	Amer. Steamship Co.
Garfield D	Cason J. Callaway	January 14, 2002	USS Great Lakes Fleet
Berth 1-2	Presque Isle	January 16, 2002	USS Great Lakes Fleet
Berth 4	H. Lee White	January 1, 2002	Amer. Steamship Co.
Berth 6-7	Edwin H. Gott	January 10, 2002	USS Great Lakes Fleet
Midwest Energy	Paul R. Tregurtha	January 3, 2002	Interlake Steamship Co.
Hallett Dock	Indiana Harbor	January 1, 2002	Amer. Steamship Co.
Hallett Dock	George A. Stinson	December 18, 2001	Amer. Steamship Co.
Fraser Shipyards	Arthur M. Anderson	In Shipyard	USS Great Lakes Fleet
Fraser Shipyards	Roger Blough	In Shipyard	USS Great Lakes Fleet
Fraser Shipyards	John G. Munson	January 12, 2002	USS Great Lakes Fleet
Fraser Shipyards	Armco	December 5, 2001	Oglebay Norton Co.
Fraser Shipyards	Philip R. Clarke	January 12, 2002	USS Great Lakes Fleet

Reported by: Lisa Marciniak, Duluth Seaway Port Authority

Sturgeon Bay Lay-up Fleet

01/09
The steel industry woes are effecting Bay Shipbuilding's winter fleet repair business.

This winter lay-up season only 11 ships and a handful of tugs/barges and other vessels are scheduled in for work at Bay Ship. In past years as many as 18 ships were in for winter repair.

Bay Ship based in Sturgeon Bay, Wi. is one of only three U.S. ship repair facilities on the Great Lakes. Bay Ship is the only port where the lake's largest vessel, the 1000-footers, can get the required Five Year Survey and dry docking.

Over all repair work is down about 40 percent from previous years. With the weather and economic conditions as they are, companies are demanding less work at Bay Ship.

Ships at the yard or on there way for repair, docking, minor repairs, surveys and or inspections are the 1000-footers.
James R. Barker (in)
Mesabi Miner (in)
Edgar Speer (on way)
Tug Dorothy Ann and Barge Pathfinder (in)
Tug Susan Hannah and Hannah Barge 5101 (on way)
Andrie Barge 397 (on way)

Miscellaneous Ships
826' Lee A. Tregurtha (on way)
767' Kay E. Barker (in)
635' Sam Laud (in)
730' American Mariner (on way)
728' Joe Block (on way)
678' Wilfred Sykes (on way)
437' Medusa Conquest (on way)
The Edward Ryerson remains in lay-up at the East Side City Dock.

Photos to follow as the ships arrive in Sturgeon Bay.

Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle

Ice Breaking on the St. Marys River

01/09
Monday the USCG ice breakers Katmai Bay and Biscayne Bay were in the lower St. Marys River for the start of winter operations and track maintenance. Assisting the cutters was the Coast Guard buoy tender Buckthorn, working aids to navigation in the river system. The 140-foot icebreaker Biscayne Bay was expected to lock through into Whitefish Bay on Tuesday.

Reported by: Jerry Masson

Salt Trade Continues

01/09
The Peter R. Cresswell arrived in Goderich Tuesday morning. The vessel plowed through the ice that has now formed in the harbor past the breakwall. It docked at the salt mine and was loading 25,000 tons of road salt for Detroit.

Reported by: Lisa Stuparyk

Today in Great Lakes History - January 09

BAIE COMEAU II was laid up on January 9, 1983 at Sorel, Que. and was sold the following April to Progress Overseas Co. S.A., Panama.

January 9, 1977 - The last survivor of the PERE MARQUETTE 18 disaster, Mike Bucholtz, died.

Data from: Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Snow Sinks Tug

01/08
Heavy snow falling in Buffalo last week caused the sinking of the 40-foot tug Deep See, owned by Buffalo Industrial Diving Co.

The tug partially sank in the Buffalo River from the weight of accumulated snow on its deck. The Deep See was raised by crane and removed from the river. The Buffalo River is completely ice covered which helped to contain a minor diesel fuel spill that was quickly cleaned.

Reported by: Glen kingsford

Final Loads for Duluth

01/08
The final boats of the season to load in the Twin Ports are expected to arrive Tuesday. Burns Harbor is scheduled for an overnight arrival at BNSF ore dock. It's scheduled to be followed late in the day by Stewart J. Cort, which will take the final cargo.

The DMIR ore dock in Two Harbors is expecting its final week of the season to be a busy one. The lineup includes Joe Block and Cason J. Callaway, Jan. 7; Presque Isle, Jan. 8; Philip R. Clarke, Jan. 9; Edwin H. Gott, Jan. 10; and Edgar B. Speer, Jan. 11. The final load of the season will be a partial cargo for Presque Isle on Jan. 14. The vessel will then proceed to Duluth to lay up.

After handling their final cargoes, all the GLF boats serving Two Harbors are expected to return to Duluth and Superior to lay-up. Last inbound vessel of the season currently is expected to be Cason J. Callaway, arriving on Jan. 16.

Reported by: Al Miller

Busy Day in Conneaut

01/08
The coal trade in Conneaut has been extremely busy lately. Monday at 5:00 p.m., the Canadian Olympic was loading. The American Mariner was tied up waiting to load and the Canadian Enterprise was due at 5:30 p.m.

Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Today in Great Lakes History - January 08

JOHN HULST was launched in 1938 for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co.

On 8 January 1877, the tug KATE FELCHER burned at East Saginaw. Her loss was valued at $3,000, but she was insured for only $2,000. She was named after the wife of her owner, the well known Capt. James Felcher of E. Saginaw.

In 1939 several tugs helped release the grounded CHIEF WAWATAM, which had been aground since January 3.

Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Max Hanley, Jody Aho, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

Donner's Pilot House to be removed

01/07
The pilot house on the crane ship William H. Donner will soon be removed. The Donner was moved from its normal dock space at Marinette Fuel and Dock to K&K dock in Menominee so that crews could remove the pilot house and do other work on the Donner over the winter months.

Two large cranes are now along side the Donner and it is expected that the pilot house will be removed soon. Once the pilot house is removed, it will be restored and used as part of an office.

After the pilot house is removed, the Donner will be moved back to Marinette in the spring where it will again be used to unload pig iron. Crews at K&K have been working since early December on dredging the dock at K&K to allow for deeper loads. Next year 15 to 20 loads of wood pulp will be brought in to the K&K dock.

Bow view of the Donner at K&K.
Stern view.
Cranes along the Donner that will lift the pilot house.
Pilot house from the Lillian (Marquette & Bessemer No. 2) near the entrance to K&K.
Another view of the pilot house.

Reported by: Scott Best

Pellet Terminal included in LTV Sale

01/07
LTV's Lorain Pellet Terminal will be included in the Feb. 27 auction of LTV's assets. The terminal would be sold for best price with or without being part of Cleveland mill, whichever way the most money is raised for creditors.

LTV has already had offers on the property for non-commercial use. The loss of this facility will cut the commercial shipping in Lorain harbor by about Seventy-five to one hundred vessel trips per season.

Before LTV ending production larger ships would load taconite pellets on the upper lakes and unload the cargo at Lorain, OH. Smaller ships would then transfer the cargo from Lorain to the LTV steel mill on the twisting Cuyahoga River.

The property has long been sought after for recreational use.

Reported by: Ned Gang

Season Ends for Thunder Bay

01/07
The 2001-2002 Shipping season appears to be officially over in the Port of Thunder Bay. The Canadian Steamship Lines boat Atlantic Huron departed port on Friday afternoon loaded with just over 21,000 mt of wheat bound for the port of Midland, ON. The Atlantic Huron backed out of Richardson Elevator at 3:15 p.m. and had no trouble negotiating the turn out the North Breakwall entrance. A thin layer of ice has formed on the inner Harbor but it has remained open around the elevators due to a few boat movements. The Atlantic Huron will return back to Thunder Bay and tie up at Pascol Engineering around Jan. 10 for winter lay-up.

The Canadian Enterprise appears to have been the last coal loaded boat to leave port. She departed Thunder Bay Terminals with more than 26,000 mt on December 31, 2001. With these last cargo shipments, the overall amount of cargo handled in this port has moved past the 9 million metric ton mark. This figure is up from last years total by almost 500,000 mt even though Grain shipments are down overall for the 2001 season. Grain shipments are reported to be around 500,000 mt less than last season and the lower amount is blamed on City tax. The Port Authority wants a tax break from the city for next year or it says that we may see the closure of one or more elevators. Despite grain shipments being down, it still remains the number one cargo for the Port with just over 6.5 million mt being shipped out.

Even though the last loaded boat has departed the port, three vessels are still expected to arrive in port for the winter lay-up. The Frontenac returned on Saturday and docked at Pascol for her 5-year survey. Also expected in port are the Atlantic Huron around the 10th and the Algosoo around the 15th, both of which will tie up at Pascol Engineering. These arrivals will bring the total of winter lay-ups to 7, down 1 from last years count. The Algontario, who has been here since 1999, will stay put at Pascol this winter. Last winter she was moved over to Keefer for the winter.

Current boats already in winter lay-up at Thunder Bay:
Pascol - Algoville, arrived Dec 22, 2001
Keefer - Paterson, arrived Dec 25, 2001
Halifax, arrived Dec 27, 2001
Oakglen, arrived Jan 1, 2002

Ice is just forming on the inner harbor of Thunder Bay this year, which is a far contrast from last year this time when the Mackinaw was breaking ice to keep the boats moving. Warm temperatures arrived back in October and have not really left since. Temperatures have not dipped below minus 20c at all this winter and usually have been rising to around minus 5c during the day. Normal for this time of year is about 5c below those amounts. These warm temps delayed the formation of ice on the harbor until December 25th. Officials believe that the lack of ice this year on the lake will play havoc with next year’s water levels. Without the ice to prevent evaporation and the lack of normal snowfall amounts for this time of year also, the lake might drop to levels not seen in 35 years.

Even a heavy snowfall from now until spring may not help. Lake Superior is currently about 15cm below average. Thunder Bay temperatures are expected to rise above zero in the next few days and no significant snowfall is in the forecast. Currently Thunder Bay has less than an inch of snow on the ground.

Photos of Thunder Bay traffic and lay-ups from the last few weeks:
Vandoc at Paterson dock has been idle since 1991.
Algoville at Pascol Drydock for the winter.
Algoville arriving Pascol on Dec 22, 2001.
Atlantic Erie loading at United Grain Growers "a".
Atlantic Huron loading last load of wheat at Richardson Elevator.
Backing out of Richardsons.
Departing Thunder Bay with last load of Wheat.
Canadian Enterprise backing up Mission River to Valley Camp.
CSL Niagara loading at Sask Pool 7a.
Frontenac loading at Sask Pool 7a.
Oakglen loading at Sask Pool 7a.
Paterson laid up at Keefer for winter.
Quedoc at Paterson dock since 1991.
Rt. Hon Paul J. Martin landing a crewman on elevator dock.
Agawa Canyon at Valley Camp.

Reported by: Rob Farrow

Goderich Update

01/07
The Peter R. Cresswell anchored on the lake Friday afternoon and stayed there until early Saturday morning. She loaded 25,000 tons of road salt, and left for Buffalo early afternoon.

There is at least one fishing boat still operating from Goderich, but the harbor is freezing up. Local tugs have been cruising the harbor breaking up the ice.

Reported by: Lisa Stuparyk

Parry Sound and Bayfield Inlet

01/07
Below are images taken on a trip along Parry Sound and Bayfield Inlet (just north of Pt. Au Baril).

Parry Sound
Grampa's Dream (For sale but reportedly broken down) Georgian Clipper and over the Dream's upper stern rail in the distance, the charter boat Chippewa, ex- Maid of the Mist III.
Andarlin, tug Cambrian and tour boat Island Queen V (3).

Bayfield Inlet
Chico II.
Alexander.
Tug Red Rock.

Reported by: Gerry Ouderkirk

Coast Guard's Marine Community Day planned

01/07
The Ninth U.S. Coast Guard District will hold its annual Marine Community Day conference January 30 and 31 in at the Sheraton Cleveland City Centre in Cleveland.

The theme for the conference is "The New Normal Post 9/11" and this year, for the first time, it will be extended from one day to a day and a half. This event brings together U.S. Coast Guard district personnel and members of the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway marine community for dialogue on a broad range of issues.

Discussion topics will include the Marine Transportation System initiative at the federal level, maritime security in the Great Lakes in the post-September 11 environment, navigation and charting technologies such as the new Automatic Identification System (AIS) being introduced in the Great Lakes/Seaway system, environmental issues and dredging.

Invited as the lunchtime keynote speaker is U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta. Also featured in a special panel on port security will be Rear Admiral Richard Larabee, director of port commerce for the New York/New Jersey Port Authority, and H. Van Link, chief superintendent of seaport police for the Port of Rotterdam.

New this year is a special, industry-sponsored banquet called the Admiral's Dinner to be held on the evening of January 30. Keynote speaker for the dinner is James Hartung, president of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and chair of the U.S. delegation for the American Association of Port Authorities. Master of ceremonies will be Davis Helberg, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.

Accommodations for Marine Community Day should be arranged directly with the Sheraton Cleveland City Centre, 216-771-7600. For registration information on Marine Community Day, which costs $52 per person and must be paid in advance, contact Ensign Steve Peelish, 216-902-6045.

For information on the Admiral's Dinner, which costs $60, contact Harbor House Publishers, 231-582-2814. Corporate sponsorships are also available for the Admiral's Dinner.

Paterson Photo Contest Winners

01/07
N.M. Paterson & Sons has announced the winners in the photo contest. The winning photos will be published in a company calendar. Winning photographers will be credited and receive a beautiful Paterson Safety First Limited edition Anchor Logo sweatshirt.

N.M. Paterson & Sons would like to thank all those who submitted images for the contest.

Mantadoc featured in this icy scene by Duane Jessup.
Mantadoc loading on a sunny day - Roger LeLievre.
Paterson loading in Duluth - Kenneth Newhams.

Weekly Updates

01/07:
The regular weekly updates are now available.
Click here to view

Today in Great Lakes History - January 07

On January 7, 1970 the e) ONG., former CONGAR (1) had her Canadian registry closed .The tanker had been sold for use as a water tender at Antigua in the Lesser Antilles.

Data from: Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Agawa Canyon Lay-up

01/06
On Saturday the Agawa Canyon ended its season when it dock for the winter in Owen Sound. The vessel docked west wall north of the grain elevator and crews are preparing the ship for the winter.

Reported by: Roger Cournoyer

Marquette Update

01/06
Ship traffic into the lower harbor ended with the arrival of the American Mariner from Duluth on Dec 13. The American Mariner delivered a load of coal to the City Board of Light & Power Plant. This is the earliest finish for the lower harbor in some time.

Marquette's upper harbor has been quite busy. Several vessels already in winter lay up made Marquette their final stop for cargo before entering lay up. This included the John Boland, Mesabi Miner, Middletown, and Wolverine. Also, the Agawa Canyon and Fred White made visits to Marquette last week and the Herbert Jackson was scheduled to arrive Sunday, all of whom will be en route to deliver their last load or en route to lay up.

A rare sight was seen in the upper harbor at the end of last week. The sight was ships waiting their turn to load at the ore dock. As the Algomarine and Agawa Canyon loaded on Thursday, the American Mariner could be seen waiting it turn. Once the Algomarine departed and the American Mariner pulled in, the Fred White arrives followed by the Great Lakes Trader. While the American Mariner and Fred White were at the dock and the Great Lakes Trader was waiting, the Algomarine arrive back for another load. Seeing ships in the harbor waiting their turn to load has been very rare sight this year.

Reported by: Art Pickering

Conneaut Traffic

01/06
The Presque Isle was unloading taconite at the P& C Dock Saturday afternoon. The barge had a good amount of ice on her forward end even with canvas covers on the forward end. The Integrated tug/barge was expected to depart about 6:00 p.m. and is due back at Two Harbors on January 8.

Astern of the Presque Isle was the Charles M. Beeghly loading coal. The Philip R. Clarke was expected to arrive on Sunday evening with a load of taconite and is due back at Two Harbors on January 9.

Reported by: Ned Gang

Lake Erie South Shore Erie to Sandusky - Part 4 of 4

01/06
Below are images taken on a trip along Lake Erie's South Shore from Erie to Sandusky.

Kelley Islander II in Sandusky.
Endeavour.
Commuter.
Goodtime I.
Tugs Mighty Jimmy & Mighty John III.
Tugs Prairieland, Mighty Jessie and Timberland.
Ferry Kayla Marie.
Tug Frank Palladino Jr.
Tugs Champion and Nancy Anne.
Kellstone Yard in Sandusky.

Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Today in Great Lakes History - January 06

While undertow heading for scrap, the HARRY R. JONES went aground at Androsan, Scotland on January 6, 1961 and it wasn't until February 15, that she arrived at her final port of Troon, Scotland.

January 6, 1999 - The Dow Chemical plant in Ludington announced a plan to close their lime plant, eliminating the need for Great Lakes freighter to deliver limestone.

Data from: Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

LTV Announces Sale Process for Integrated Steel Assets

01/05
The LTV Corporation announced Friday procedures for the sale of its Cleveland Works East and Indiana Harbor Works integrated steel assets.

The company said that it will conduct an auction on February 27 at 9:00 a.m. in Cleveland, Ohio. A hearing to approve the sale of assets to the highest and best bidder will be conducted on February 28 at 11:00 a.m. in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division. The Court is located in Youngstown, Ohio.

The Cleveland Works East assets are located in Cleveland, Ohio and the Indiana Harbor Works assets in East Chicago, Indiana.

Reported by: Roger LeLievre

Algoma at the Soo

01/05
The Agawa Canyon was downbound Friday morning with its last load for Algoma Steel. After unloading at the steel mill it will head downbound to the lower lakes for lay-up.

The Algomarine departed Algoma early that morning to Marquette with five more loads before lay-up. When the Algomarine arrived at Marquette they were expecting a long wait in line to load with at least two other boats arriving about the same time.

Algowood locked downbound Friday morning with its last load through Soo locks, the vessel has three more trips in the lower lakes.

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley stopped at the Purvis Marine Dock, then locked through into Lake Superior.

Reported by: Jerry Masson

Lake effect snow, mild winter could again lower lake levels

01/05
Unusually mild winter weather is resulting in little snow around much of the Great Lakes area, and that is reducing hopes that lake levels could continue to rebound from recent lows.

Around much of the western Great Lakes, November and December have brought relatively little snow. While some areas have seen heavy lake effect snows, most of that moisture has been pulled from the ice-free lakes. That means the unusually warm and ice-free lakes are losing millions of gallons of water to evaporation that won't be replaced by the melting of snow in spring, a major source of the lakes' water.

"It's quite likely that we're seeing the amount of snow that has fallen this year as a bad thing," Roger Gauthier, a hydrologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Detroit, told the Chicago Tribune.

"At least half [of the lake-effect snowfall] is going to be lost into the atmosphere. It will evaporate right off of the snow pack and drift to the eastern seaboard."

The Great Lakes began dropping four years ago, and they have reached levels that are now just a foot above the record low set in March 1964. Since 1997, levels in Lakes Michigan and Huron have dropped by more than 40 inches and remain 14 inches below average. Lake Superior is more than 6 inches below average, while Lake Erie is 4 inches under the norm. At only 1 inch below its average level, Lake Ontario has lost the least amount

Reported by: Al Miller

Erie, PA Season

01/05
The vast majority of Erie PA's 2001 season cargos were carried by the Richard Reiss. The Reiss made 35 visits to Erie during the year compared to 3 visits for the next most frequent visitor the John J. Boland. Of the 65 commercially registered vessels to visit Erie in 2001, 46 cargos of stone or gravel, 2 cargos of salt and 1 cargo of steel rails. The two salt cargos were delivered on April 11 and 12 by the Philip R. Clarke, the only trips a USSGLF vessel made to Erie in 2001. The steel cargo was delivered November 13 by the Kapitan Vakula, the only saltie to visit Erie last year.

2001 also marked the first year in recent history that no Canadian vessel delivered a cargo to Erie. In previous years, Algoma, ULS and Desgagnes boats have visited Erie, the Algoma and ULS to deliver salt or stone, and Desgagnes to load or unload pig iron.

Erie's sheltered harbor played host to two weather visits in October 2001, the Pathfinder on the 6th and the Maumee on the 25-27th of October.

The ill-fated cruise ship Arcadia paid one visit to Erie, and the cruise vessel Niagara Prince visited twice.

By fleet, Erie Sand led with 35 visits, not to mention the J. S. St. John's daily trips into Erie, followed by American Steamship with 11, USSGLF with 2, Interlake with 1 and Lower Lakes Towing/Grand River Navigation with 1.

Despite the shaky economy, Erie's number of visits in 2001 far surpassed the 2000 season.

Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Lake Erie South Shore Erie to Sandusky - Part 3

01/05
Below are images taken on a trip along Lake Erie's South Shore from Erie to Sandusky.

Tug Mississippi in Cleveland.
Great Lakes Towing Co. Dock.
Nautica Queen.
Tug Triton.
tugs Ohio & Delaware.
tugs California & Idaho.
barge Milwaukee.
tugs Peach State & Beaver State.
tug Mohawk.
barge St Marys Cement.

Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Today in Great Lakes History - January 05

The keel was laid January 5, 1972 for the ALGOWAY (2).

The wooden tug A. J. WRIGHT caught fire on 5 January 1893 while laid up at Grand Haven, Michigan. She burned to the water's edge. Her loss was valued at $20,000. She was owned by C. D. Thompson.

Data from: Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history
Please e-mail if you would like to contribute a significant event in Great Lakes history

Oglebay and ASC to Pool Great Lakes Fleets

01/04
Oglebay Norton Company today announced that Oglebay Norton Marine Services Company has agreed to pool the fleet operations with the fleet operations of American Steamship Company.

The multi-year agreement provides for the coordination of dispatch and other fleet operations but will not involve the transfer of any assets.

Michael D. Lundin, Oglebay Norton Company president and chief operating officer said, "Pooling our resources with American Steamship will enable us to deploy the pooled fleet more efficiently resulting in better service to our shipping and limestone customers. We look forward to building a long-term relationship with American Steamship Company."

Jerry Welsch, American Steamship Company executive vice president said, "Our companies share a long and successful tradition made possible by the commitment of dedicated employees in each of our respective organizations. The pool arrangement is the next logical step toward building a better value for our customer base. We look forward to working alongside Oglebay Norton Marine Services Company, LLC and meeting the needs of the customers with the improved efficiency of our pooled fleets."

John N. Lauer, chairman and chief executive officer of Oglebay Norton Company said, "We are pleased to be working closely with American Steamship Company. American Steamship has an excellent reputation and a solid understanding of the Great Lakes shipping industry, and we look forward to working together in the future."

Oglebay Norton Marine Services owns and operates a fleet of 12 self- unloading vessels and numerous docks and terminals on the Great Lakes. Oglebay Norton Company, a Cleveland, Ohio-based company, provides essential minerals and aggregates to a broad range of markets, from building materials and home improvement to the environmental, energy and metallurgical industries.

American Steamship Company provides waterborne transportation of dry-bulk commodities on the Great Lakes with a fleet of 11 modern, self-unloading vessels. American Steamship has been operating on the Great Lakes for nearly 100 years. American Steamship is a subsidiary of GATX Corporation. GATX Corporation is a specialized finance and leasing company. It uniquely combines asset knowledge and services, structuring expertise, creative partnering and risk capital to provide business solutions to customers and partners worldwide. GATX specializes in railcar and locomotive leasing, information technology leasing, venture finance and diversified finance.

Beleaguered Fleet Limps Into 2002

01/04
The active U.S.-Flag Lakes fleet numbered a mere 28 vessels on January 1. That's a decrease of 11 hulls compared to a year ago and 23 vessels compared to January 1, 2000. As of today (January 3), three more vessels have ended their season.

As stated all season long, unfair trade in steel is negating the gains that U.S.-Flag Great Lakes shipping made in the early and mid-1990s.

Reported by: the Lake Carriers' Association

Golden cane presented to Captain of tanker Jacmar in Quebec City

01/04
Quebec City Port Authorities presented the traditional Golden Cane to Captain Arthur M. Garcia of the tanker Jacmar (46,100 dwt. Panama flag) for being the first ocean-going vessel to reach Quebec City Harbor in 2002. The Jacmar with a cargo of 36,000 tons jet fuel picked up in Punta Cardon, Venezuela docked on New Year’s Day morning. After unloading its cargo, the Jacmar sailed for the Virgin Islands.

The presentation of the Golden Cane is the result of a long maritime tradition beginning in Quebec City in 1835. Its inspiration flows from a British custom of the 19th century. It is said that the British Authorities presented a gold tobacco box to the Captain of the first eastbound North American steamer of the year to reach a British port carrying mainly a precious cargo of timber.

Captain John Munn on his return trip to Quebec City proposed to the local Port Authorities of his day the idea of a similar presentation to the Captain of the first ocean going ship of the season to dock in Quebec City after the long ice-bound winter. In time a golden cane replaced the tobacco box.

In those days, there were no powerful icebreakers or strong reinforced vessels sailing the St. Lawrence River. As a result and depending of the severity of the winter, the first ocean-going ships would not reach Quebec Harbour until early spring and often after an epic race. Crowds were always waiting on the docks to cheer in the first ship as a symbol of the end of another long winter.

Winter navigation was introduced in the late 1950's with a timid start in 1959 thanks to the several daring Captains of small Canadian coastal vessels. With times, Danish , Russian and CP ships started regular scheduled calls and eventually the St. Lawrence River was open year round to Montreal.

Thursday’s presentation is more symbolic than the result of an epic race. It is nevertheless the recognition of a long tradition of fine seamanship and a friendly salute to the past seafarers.

Reported by: Frederick Frechette

NSPC resumes taconite production

01/04
National Steel Pellet Co. in Keewatin, Minn., has resumed production of taconite pellets following a 10-week shutdown.

The shutdown, which began Oct. 28, was aimed at reducing pellet inventory. A year ago, NSPC had half a million tons of pellets on the ground. Currently it has about 30,000 tons in inventory. Company officials hope the low inventory could lead to a more stable year of production.

"Right now, we're looking at running all year,'' General Manager Tom Peluso told the Duluth News Tribune. "We're going into this year with inventories much lower.''

NSPC produces pellets for the National Steel Corp. Much of its production is shipped through the BNSF ore dock in Superior, Wis.

Reported by: Al Miller

Twin Ports Report

01/04
The shipping season apparently is over for Midwest Energy Terminal. The Paul R. Tregurtha was shifted Thursday from its lay-up berth at the Duluth Port Terminal to the Midwest Energy Terminal loading dock. That makes the Tregurtha a safe bet to be the first vessel in the Twin Ports to get under way next spring.

According to Midwest Energy Terminal, the dock shipped 17.2 million tons of coal in 2001, up from 16.4 million shipped in 2000. The dock has increased its shipments every year since 1992.

Last vessel to load in the Twin Ports this season may be either Burns Harbor or Stewart J. Cort. Both are due at BNSF ore dock early next week.

Last vessel of the season in Two Harbors may be Presque Isle. For the past couple years, the Presque Isle has taken a partial load at the end of the season and then gone into lay-up.

Reported by: Al Miller

Marquette Update

01/04
The Algomarine and Agawa Canyon loaded pellets at Marquette Thursday. The pair have been running a shuttle carry taconite to the Algoma steel mill at Sault Ste. Marie.

Scheduled to arrive Thursday afternoon was the American Mariner. The Fred R. White is expected to load early this morning followed by the Algomarine and Great Lakes Trader.

Now that the season is winding down ships are being loaded differently. The ship docks, crews drop all the chutes with the gates unlatched and the train moves back and forth as they empty the cars into the various chutes.

Agawa Canyon loading.
Bow view.
Algomarine departs.

Reported by: Lee Rowe

Sarnia Lay-up

01/04
Below are images taken Thursday in Sarnia.

Canadian Transfer and Maumee in the North Slip.
Close up of Transfer's hull were pieces were joined.
Bow through the tall grass.
Stern view.
Panoramic of the North slip. (taken from the west side of the slip)
Bow view. (taken from the east side of the slip)
Close up of pilot house.
Stern view from dock.
Stern profile.
Heavy lines secure the ships.
Former U.S. Navy landing craft Masters Pride in the North Slip.
Panoramic of the Algoway at the south end of the North Slip.
Tires hang over the starboard side.
120-degree view of the Sarnia Harbor.
Cuyahoga and Saginaw at Cargill.
Close up.
Profile of Cuyahoga's stern.
Another stern view.
Saginaw at Cargill from the North slip.
Stern view of the Saginaw.
Tugs Sandra Mary and Le Taureau.
Another view.
Menasha.
W.N. Twolan and McAllister 132 at the Government dock.
Close up.
CCGS Griffon at the Government dock.
Looking to the North Slip.
Saginaw bow and the Algoway.
Algorail at the Sidney E. Smith Dock.
Crews hoisting equipment aboard.
Bow view looking to Cargill and the North Slip.
Panoramic of the Algorail.
One of the hazards of boatwatching.

Reported by: N. Schultheiss

Lake Erie South Shore Erie to Sandusky - Part 2

01/04
Below are images taken on a trip along Lake Erie's South Shore from Erie to Sandusky.

F M Osborne in Fairport Harbor, OH.
F M Osborne/Emmet J Carey.
Goodtime III in Cleveland.
William G Mather.
Close up.
tug Mississippi.
tugs New York & Maryland.
Great Lakes Towing Co. Dock.
Great Lakes Towing Co., drydock Favorite.
Earl W Oglebay.
Stern view.

Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Today in Great Lakes History - January 04

On January 4, 1978, the IRVING S. OLDS was involved in a collision with the steamer ARMCO while convoying in heavy ice in the Livingston Channel of the lower Detroit River. The OLDS hit a flow of heavy ice, came to a complete stop and the ARMCO, unable to stop, hit the OLDS' stern.

In 1952 the carferry SPARTAN was launched.

Data from: Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Gold Cane for Gemini

01/03
Gemini arrived in Manistee for the first time as the first arriving vessel of the year 2002 shortly after daylight on Wednesday. The captain of the vessel was presented with a gold cane by the citizens of Manistee as the first vessel of the New Year.

Gemini has been chartered by General Chemical for the next three months to carry calcium chloride from Manistee to Amherstburg along with the Capt. Ralph Tucker.

The tug Doug McKeil and barge Ocean Hauler reportedly has a problem with its tank heating system and calcium chloride has solidified in its tanks. The crew of the Gemini spent the day at the General Chemical dock cleaning the tanks in preparation for loading the calcium chloride.

Reported by: Steve Harold and Marcia and Patrick LaFreniere

Lee A. Opens Milwaukee

01/03
The Lee A Tregurtha became the Port of Milwaukee's first arrival of 2002 when it arrived late Tuesday night with a load of coal.

In other port news, the tug Jacklyn M and barge Integrity arrived for winter lay-up Wednesday. Winter work for the Jacklyn M. will include two new EMD diesel engines.

Reported by: Andy LaBorde and Robin Greathouse

Pathfinder Enters Lay-up

01/03
The tug Dorothy Ann and barge Pathfinder arrived for lay-up at Bayship in Sturgeon Bay Wednesday morning. The pair docked at Berth 11 next to the Sam Laud.

The tug was backed into berth so that the barge could be uncoupled from the tug, which allows the ballast tanks in the barge to be pumped free of water for the winter. This also allows the tug to be at the very end of Berth 11 for crane service to the tug over the winter months, but very limited service to the barge.

The U.S.C.G. Mobile Bay was working the shipping tract Wednesday morning in Sturgeon Bay and part of Green Bay.

Backing into the berth (images from Bulhead Point across the Bay).
Close up view .
Bow shot tug Bayship keeping her off from the Sam Laud .
Stern Shot from across the Yard.
USCG Mobile Bay departing Sturgeon Bay.

Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle

Frontenac Makes Rare Visit to Robin Hood mill

01/03
Wednesday, the Frontenac made a rare visit to the Robin Hood mill in Port Colborne, bringing a load of grain to the elevators. This will most likely be her last cargo of the season before lay-up.

Work was underway on board the Canadian Transport, which consists of replacement of the conveyor belts and major work to remove her crankshaft that was damaged during a fire last summer. The barge Sarah Spencer, tug Jane Ann IV and the Petite Forte are in lay-up at the stone dock. The barge Norman McLeod and tug Everlast are together with work ongoing above Bridge 21.

Frontenac unloading.
Canadian Transport.
Close up.
Looking aft on the snow covered deck.
Looking forward.
Work on the hold.
Engine repair from above.
An electrician in the door way.
Stone Dock.
Norman McLeod and tug Everlast.

Reported by: Alex Howard

Twin Ports Report

01/03
Algowood may claim the title of last ship of the season to load in the Twin Ports. The vessel loaded Jan. 2 at Midwest Energy Terminal with coal destined for the generating station at Nanticoke, Ontario. Algowood had been due on Dec. 31 but apparently was delayed by weather.

The last big movement of vessels in the Twin Ports will come between Jan. 12 and Jan. 16, when five ships from USS Great Lakes Fleet are expected to arrive for lay-up. John G. Munson, Philip R. Clarke, Cason J. Callaway, Edwin H. Gott and Presque Isle are all scheduled to lay- up at Duluth's port terminal or in Fraser Shipyards in Superior. A report last week in the Duluth News Tribune said many vessels won't undergo much winter work because of the economy, although it noted that "boiler work" will be done on the Arthur M. Anderson.

Until they enter lay-up, the GLF vessels are keeping busy. Edwin H. Gott made an unexpected appearance off Duluth on Wednesday, where it lay at anchor while waiting for the Two Harbors shiploader to finish another vessel. Vessels waiting for Two Harbors occasionally anchor off Duluth, but usually only when strong winds are expected. The Gott was due into Two Harbors on Thursday to load for Conneaut. Other GLF vessels still moving include Edgar B. Speer, which departed Gary on Wednesday and is due in Two Harbors on Jan. 5. Presque Isle is bound for Conneaut; Cason J. Callaway is due in Two Harbors on Jan. 7, Philip R. Clarke is scheduled to arrive in Two Harbors on Jan. 3 to load for Gary, and John G. Munson was loading in Ashtabula with cargo destined for Wyandotte.

Reported by: Al Miller

Marquette Update

01/03
The Herbert C. Jackson and Charles M. Beeghly loaded at Marquette's ore docks Wednesday. The Algomarine and Agawa Canyon were due that evening, according to the Mining Journal.

Jackson loading.
Bow view.
Beeghly loading.
Departing.

Reported by: Lee Rowe

Duluth Photos

01/03
Below are images taken on Tuesday. The H. Lee White came into lay up at the Port Authority and GLT's North Carolina was on hand to clear ice from the dock.

The pilothouse located on Highway 2 just outside of Superior, which has been a topic of discussion on the info search this year, has apparently been sold and has showed up behind the warehouses next to the Farmers elevator.

It is said to have come from the tug Sherman VI. It was last owned by Fred Paine of Superior, who salvaged it after a sinking. It was then stripped and dismantled at Fraser.

Marine Tech's fleet was renamed as follows crane barge B. Yetter becomes Dean R. Smith, crane barge NO. 1 becomes Alton Andrew, tug Jason becomes Lydie Rae and the 1910-built tug Nancy Ann becomes Callie M. The company was sold this past year to Ted Smith, who had been manager.

Their large hopper barge MTI H 2 sank mid-December in shallow water at Erie Pier. MTI H 1 is laid up behind her, but remains afloat.

The Duluth-based Corps of Engineers fleet has laid up at Kewaunee this winter after working in Burns Harbor. The convoy consists of crane barge H.J. Schwartz, tug D.L. Billmaier, tug Farichild, deck barges BC 6027 and BC 6289. The only piece remaining in Duluth is the crane barge Huron.

For a copy of Franz's yearly lay-up report, covering over one hundred commercial vessels from Two Harbors to the South Shore including the Twin Ports. Send a LSASE (2 stamps) to Zenith Tugboat Company, P.O. Box 16687, Duluth MN 55816. The report is for private use only.

H. Lee White works her way into the dock while North Carolina pushes ahead like an ice plow.
Stern View of White .
North Carolina runs between the White and the dock to get the rest of the ice out.
North Carolina returns to her dock.
Tug Callie M. She was built as the fish tug Chattanooga in 1910.
Dredge tender Lydie Rae, ex-USACE Ashland.
Tug Nancy Ann taken at night in 1998. She was renamed Callie M this fall.
Barge MTI H 2 sunk at Erie Pier, MTI H 1 behind her.
Pilothouse behind the Harvest States elevators.
Tug Seneca (1939) at the old Northern Pacific freight sheds.

Reported by: Franz VonRiedel, Zenith Tugboat Company

Lake Erie South Shore Erie to Sandusky - Part 1

01/03
Below are images taken on a trip along Lake Erie's South Shore from Erie to Sandusky.

Richard Reiss in Erie, PA.
Day Peckinpaugh.
Close up.
J. S. St. John.
Viking & Lansdowne.
Close up of Lansdowne.
Stern view of Viking.
Victorian Princess.
Atlantic Huron in Ashtabula. OH.
John R Emery in Fairport Harbor, OH.
Close up.

Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Lay-up List Updates

01/03:
The 8th Annual Winter Lay-up List has been updated.

Click here to visit the 8th Annual Winter Lay-up List

Pre Christmas Sale Extended

01/03:
The huge sale on shipping items has been extended until January 5. New items and prices will be posted on January 7. his is time to stock up on your items, price increases for the New Year will affect Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping items. Some items will increase and some will be discontinued.

Hats normally priced $15.00 are now $7.50, Interlake desk flags regular $7.50 now $3.75. *special sale prices are only available online for a short time.
Click here to view merchandise or send you order by e-mail

Today in Great Lakes History - January 03

While on the North Atlantic under tow for scrapping, the ASHLAND parted her towline but was tracked by U.S. Coast Guard aircraft and was retrieved by her tug on January 2, 1988 some 300 miles off course.

In 1939 the CHIEF WAWATAM ran aground on the shoals of the north shore near St. Ignace.

Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Cuyahoga Heads for Lay-up

01/02
The Cuyahoga was ready to depart an unknown dock on the St. Clair River Tuesday night and head for lay-up in Sarnia. They expected to be docked before midnight at the Sarnia Elevator.

Part of the Cuyahoga's winter work will include hull repairs to damage the vessel received while docking in Meldrum Bay. She joins fleet mate Saginaw and Grand River Navigation's Maumee in Sarnia's lay-up fleet.

Reported by: Jamie Kerwin

ASC Lay-ups

01/02
January 1 saw three members of the American Steamship Fleet enter lay-up. In Duluth the Indiana Harbor docked at Hallet 5 and the H. Lee White at the Duluth Port Terminal. In Sturgeon Bay, the Sam Laud arrived at Bay Shipbuilding.

The Sam Laud entered into Sturgeon Bay about 10:00 a.m. heading for Berth 10. At Berth 10 the Captain put his deck hands over the side and they were busy placing lines on the dock bitts, they will drop the anchors and the final lines when a crane crew is on scene.

Pictures by Vic DeLarwelle
Sam Laud at Berth 10.
Stern view.
Stacks from across the Bay, Laud, Miner, Barker, Kaye E. Barker is behind the 1000-footers.
Wide view of Laud, Miner, Barker from across the Bay.

Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle, Eric Bonow, Jake Nylund and Lee Grota

Quebec Harbor and St. Lawrence River ice free

01/02
With a mild November and December and absence of significant snowfalls, the St. Lawrence River is free of ice. The last time such conditions were observed was nine years ago. A Coast-Guard spokesperson indicated that the water temperature which is normally -1 to -1.5 C in December has remained this year around 0.9 C. Last year, the first ice floes appeared in early December and by the December 8 winter ice conditions were well in place.

Coast-Guard officials in Quebec City report that the present conditions are similar to those experienced in 1992-1993. That year, ice formed only in January but conditions rapidly changed for the worse with a severe long cold wave coupled with long periods of strong N-E winds. As a result, ice jams formed on Lac St. Pierre (east of Trois-Rivières) and shipping was suspended for 30 days.

The Coast Guard is now better equipped with sophisticated radars and on site cameras to record changing conditions that permit the icebreaking teams to intervene rapidly. In the area of the Quebec Bridge west of Quebec City, where many ice jams have formed in the past, due to the narrowing St. Lawrence River an on site camera feeds the Coast-Guard Ice Control Centre in Quebec City with immediate information on potential ice jams or break-away ice-floes.

Reported by: Frederick Frechette

Today in Great Lakes History - January 02

While on the North Atlantic under tow for scrapping, the ASHLAND parted her towline but was tracked by U.S. Coast Guard aircraft and was retrieved by her tug on January 2nd, 1988 some 300 miles off course.

The 3-mast wooden schooner M. J. CUMMINGS was launched at the shipyard of Goble & MacFarlane in Oswego, NY. Her owners were Mrs. Goble & MacFarlane, Daniel Lyons and E. Caulfield. Her dimensions were 142'6´x 25'2" x 11'6", 325 tons and she cost $28,000.

January 2, 1925 - The ANN ARBOR NO. 7 was launched. She was sponsored by Jane Reynolds, daughter of R.H. Reynolds, marine superintendent of the railroad.

Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Max Hanley, Jody Aho, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history
Please e-mail if you would like to contribute a significant event in Great Lakes history

Sarnia Lay-up Fleet Growing

01/01
The Algoway arrived early Sunday afternoon and docked at the end of Exmouth St., the south end of the North Slip. She is backed into the dock, this must have been a difficult task with the currents that run in the area of the North Slip and Government Docks.

The Saginaw also tied up at the Sarnia Elevators and they have once again backed it in and left it on the West end of the dock, similar to last year. The Cuyahoga may be place on the east end of the dock behind the Saginaw as it was last winter.

By lunch time, all the shutters where on the Saginaw's pilot house windows and the removal of the ballast was well underway.

There has been no steel or temporary office trailers placed in the area of the Sarnia Government Docks (South Wall). If a ship does lay-up at the dock it appear there wont be any major work done.

Pictures by Andy Severson and T. Parker
Bow view of Saginaw with Algoway in the distance.
Stern view Algoway.
Saginaw and Algorail.
Close up of the Algorail.
Canadian Transfer and Maumee.
Close up of Maumee.
View from across the river of Canadian Transfer, Maumee and Algoway in the North slip.
Saginaw at the Grain Elevator and Algorail at the Sidney Smith dock.

Reported by: Jamie Kerwin

Saginaw River Season

01/01
Commercial vessels logged more than 385 visits to the Saginaw River during the 2001 season. A dozen Great Lakes fleets were represented by 44 different vessels.

The number of vessel passages in 2001 exceeded by 50 those recorded on the Saginaw River in 1999 and 2000. Much of this increase could probably be attributed to the many highway construction projects undertaken in the region during the year. Stone products and cement make up the bulk of cargoes delivered to docks along the river.

Ships from American Steamship Company, Oglebay Norton Marine and Lower Lakes Towing/Lower Lakes Transportation accounted for about one half of the total visits. American Steamship vessels called more than 75 times, led by the Sam Laud with 29 arrivals and the Buffalo with 26. Oglebay Norton vessels also logged more than 75 trips, with the David Z. Norton taking the lead with 30 visits recorded.

The Mississagi, Maumee and Calumet all returned to the Saginaw River during the season under a new flag. The three vessels, now sailing for Lower Lakes, were frequent visitors in previous years as the George A. Sloan, Calcite II and Myron C. Taylor. All six vessels of the Lower Lakes fleet totaled more than 50 visits, with the Mississagi arriving 18 times.

The most frequent visitor on the river, however, was the tug Dorothy Ann with the barge Pathfinder, which recorded 32 visits. The newly constructed barge Great Lakes Trader, with tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort, became a regular visitor during the season, with 16 trips recorded.

Cement carriers Alpena, J.A.W. Iglehart, Jacklyn M/Integrity and Paul H. Townsend delivered 27 loads to the Lafarge terminal at Saginaw, while the Frontenac, Halifax and recently converted CSL Tadoussac delivered 18 loads of cement clinkers to Essroc in Essexville.

For Algoma Central Marine, the Algoway, Algorail and Agawa Canyon logged more than 30 trips into the river.

Deliveries began to wind down late in the season at the Bay Aggregates dock near downtown Bay City. The dock is to be relocated to make way for riverfront development, and while it was still receiving shipments late in the season, vessels began calling at the new facility closer to the mouth of the river in November and December.

In addition to stone and cement, the 20 docks along the Saginaw River also receive shipments of coal, salt, chemicals and petroleum products.

Outbound Buffalo passes Maumee at Saginaw Rock, May 1.
J.A.W. Iglehart, docked alongside E.M. Ford, May 8.
Mississagi, outbound at Zilwaukee, May 29.
Saginaw, upbound, May 30.
Joseph H. Frantz, outbound, June 7.
Maumee, approaching Cuyahoga at Zilwaukee, June 8.
Maumee, passing Cuyahoga at Zilwaukee, June 8.
Calumet, at Saginaw, June 26.
McKee Sons, outbound at Saginaw, August 28.
Newest construction, Great Lakes Trader, approaches oldest, E.M. Ford, at Saginaw, September 10.
Agawa Canyon, outbound, October 16.
Cuyahoga passing Earl W. Oglebay at Zilwaukee, November 7.
Canadian Transfer, making the turn at Cheboyganing Creek, upbound, November 10.
John J. Boland, at the old Bay Aggregates dock, November 13.
American Mariner, at the new Bay Aggregates dock, with Frontenac at Essroc, December 11.

Reported by: Stephen Hause

St. Clair River Traffic

01/01
Below are images of traffic passing on the St. Clair River Monday.

Lee A Tregurtha upbound and steaming under the Blue Water Bridge for the last time in 2001.
Heading for the bridge.
Karen Andrie and her tank barge A-390 downbound at Marine City Notice the ice on the barge and tug.

Reported by: Andy Severson

Lay-up List Updates

01/01:
The 8th Annual Winter Lay-up List has been updated.

Click here to visit the 8th Annual Winter Lay-up List

Happy New Year

Pre Christmas Sale Extended

01/01:
The huge sale on shipping items has been extended until January 5. New items and prices will be posted on January 7. his is time to stock up on your items, price increases for the New Year will affect Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping items. Some items will increase and some will be discontinued.

Hats normally priced $15.00 are now $7.50, Interlake desk flags regular $7.50 now $3.75. *special sale prices are only available online for a short time.
Click here to view merchandise or send you order by e-mail

Weekly Updates

01/01:
The regular weekly updates are now available.
Click here to view

Today in Great Lakes History - January 01

On January 1, 1973, the Paul H. Carnahan became the last vessel of the 1972 shipping season to load at the Burlington Northern (now Burlington Northern Santa Fe) ore docks in Superior. Interestingly, the Carnahan also opened the Superior docks for the season in the spring of 1972.

On 1 January 1930, HELEN TAYLOR (wooden propeller steam barge, 56', 43 gt, built in 1894 at Grand haven, MI) foundered eight miles off Michigan City, IN. She was nicknamed "Pumpkin Seed" due to her odd shape.

January 1, 1900 - The Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad merged with the Chicago & West Michigan and the Detroit, Grand Rapids and Western Railroads to form the Pere Marquette Railway Co.

On 1 January 1937, MAROLD II (steel propeller, 129'. 165 gt, built in 1911 at Camden, New Jersey as a yacht) was siphoning gasoline off the stranded tanker J. OSWALD BOYD (244', 1806 gt, built in 1913 in Scotland) which was loaded with 900,000 gallons of gasoline and was stranded on Simmons Reef on the north side of Beaver Island. A tremendous explosion occurred which totally destroyed MAROLD II and all five of her crew. Only pieces of MAROLD II were found. Her captain's body washed ashore in Green Bay the next year. At time of loss, she was the local Beaver Island boat. The remains of the BOYD were removed to Sault Ste. Marie in June 1937.

Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Max Hanley, Jody Aho, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series

This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history