Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive

Tucker Arrives

01/31
The tanker Capt. Ralph Tucker arrived at the Morterm Dock in Windsor Wednesday afternoon under escort of the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley. It is believed that the Tucker will remain in some type of lay-up until severe ice conditions in the Straights of Mackinac and northern Lake Michigan lessen.

Capt. Ralph Tucker downbound.
Another view.
Close up approaching the dock.
Docked at Morterm.
Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley clearng the dock for the truck ferry.
Breaking ice off the dock.
Close up.
McKeil tug Stormont gets ready for another ice breaking session at the Detroit-Windsor truck ferry operation.
Doug McKeil laid up for winter near the Tucker.

Reported by: Eric Stapleton

AK Steel offer for National now includes pellet plant

01/31
On Thursday AK Steel raised its offer for bankrupt National Steel Corp. by $100 million, and included the National Steel Pellet Co. in the bidding.

AK Steel and U.S. Steel both made offers in federal bankruptcy court earlier this month to buy National Steel, but neither offer included NSPC. AK Steel's revised offer provides hope for the Minnesota taconite plant, which faced a possible shut down if not included in any purchase of National Steel assets.

The judge presiding in the National case set Feb. 6 for a hearing on AK Steel's new offer. Meanwhile, U.S. Steel said it remains interested in acquiring National.

National Steel Pellet Co. is one of the most efficient taconite producers in the Great Lakes region. Much of its production is shipped through the BNSF ore dock in Superior.

Reported by: Al Miller

Local Coast Guardsmen to Deploy

01/31
Active duty and reserve Coast Guardsmen from around the Great Lakes region have received orders to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Port Security Unit (PSU) 309, based in Port Clinton, Ohio, will be sending 117 of its members to join with the more than 500 Coast Guard active duty and reserve personnel who are also being deployed.

PSU 309 is a component of the U.S. Naval Warfare Command, it provides waterborne and land-based protection for shipping and critical port facilities in support of U.S. and allied naval forces throughout the world. The specific dates of departure, duration and destination of the deployment are not being disclosed for operational security reasons.

Numbers by state
Illinois-4
Indiana-3
Kentucky-2
Michigan-19
New York-2
Ohio-62
Pennsylviania-4
Wisconsin-1
Outside the Ninth Coast Guard District-20

Reported by: Scott Bronson

Cliffs reports big loss, but predicts better 2003

01/31
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. on Wednesday reported a fourth-quarter loss of $65.6 million, resulting largely from write-offs on properties in Michigan and Trinidad. However, the company predicted better pellet sales will improve results for 2003.

"The year 2002 was full of challenges, but it was also a remarkable year in which decisive actions turned adversity into opportunity," said John S. Brinzo, chairman and CEO. "We have been profitable on an operating basis the last two quarters, and the stage has been set for a profitable 2003."

For all of 2002, Cliffs reported a loss of $66.4 million, compared with a $19.5 million loss for 2001. The year's losses included a $52.7 million noncash charge to write off some assets at the Empire Mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and a $5.2 million loss to discontinue Cliffs' investment in a hot briquette iron plant in Trinidad.

But amid the gloomy report are signs that this year will be better, Cliffs said.

Iron ore pellet sales in the fourth quarter of 2002 were 4.5 million tons, up from 2.7 million tons in 2001. Sales for the year were 14.7 million tons compared with 8.4 million tons in 2001.

Company officials expect a strong market for iron ore pellets this year will enable Cliffs to produce a company record of 20 million tons.

In Minnesota, production at Hibbing Taconite is projected to be 8.3 million tons and 4.8 million tons at Northshore Mining Co. in Babbitt and Silver Bay. In Michigan, production is predicted to hit 8 million tons at Tilden Mine and 6.2 million tons at the Empire Mine.

"We are starting 2003 with a much-improved outlook and a full order book," Brinzo said. "While we still have significant challenges as we work to increase profit margins and improve the competitive position of our mines, our business fundamentals are solid."

Cliffs owns and manages Northshore Mining Co. and is part-owner and manager of the Empire and Tilden mines, both in Upper Michigan, and Hibbing Taconite. It manages the Wabush Mine in Newfoundland.

Reported by: Al Miller

Soo & St. Ignace Lay-up

01/31
Below are images from Sault Ste Marie, Ont. and St. Ignace, Mi. taken last week.

Norgoma at Bondar Park, Soo, ON.
Yankcanuck at the Purvis Marine Dock.
barge PML Salvager.
Stern view.
tugs Avenger IV & Reliance.
Algonova's bow showing previous name.
tug W I Scott Purvis.
tug Anglian Lady.
Another view.
Wilfred M Cohen at the Purvis Dock.
Rocket.
Remains of the Vandoc at the Purvis West Dock.
Another view.
Quedoc bow.
Stern view.
Engine room.
Another view.
Straits of Mackinac II.
Stern view.
Mackinac Express, Island Express and Straits Express.
Mackinac Express.
Stern view of hull.
Island Express.
Straits Express.
Close up of her hull.
Shelpers Nicolet.
Sheplers Sacre Bleu.
Arnold's Mackinac Islander in St, Ignace.

Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Montreal Lay-up

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

The former Windoc with Algosound rafted on the outside.
Oakglen with the Mapleglen rafted to her.
The Cecilia Desgagnes against the wall and the Amelia Desgagnes on the outside. There are personnel working on board the Desgagnes ships and that is the reason for the smoke from the stack of the Cecilia.

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

Good News - Bad News for Steel

01/30
The steel industry Tuesday reported both good news and bad news for the U.S. taconite and Great Lakes shipping industries.

The good news came as U.S. Steel Corp. reported its fourth-quarter net income in 2002 was $12 million, a dramatic improvement from the net loss of $174 million it reported for the same quarter a year ago. The fourth-quarter earnings pushed the company's 2002 profit to $62 million, compared to a net loss of $218 in 2001.

Thomas J. Usher, U.S. Steel chairman, attributed the company's profitability to improvements in its flat-rolled domestic steelmaking business, good performance of the U.S. Steel Kosice steelmaking facility in the Slovak Republic, and cost-cutting efforts.

U.S. Steel's domestic steelmaking facilities produced about 11.5 million tons of raw steel in 2002 compared to about 10 million tons in 2001. Those mills operated at a 90.1 percent utilization rate compared with 78.9 percent in 2001.

U.S. Steel owns and operates the Minntac Mine in Mountain Iron, Minn., an iron ore plant that is North America's largest producer of taconite pellets. Most of those pellets are shipped out of Two Harbors, Minn., aboard vessels of Great Lakes Fleet.

However, bad news for the domestic steel industry came as the Commerce Department reported that U.S. companies imported more steel in 2002 than in the previous year, despite steep tariffs imposed last March on certain kinds of foreign-made steel.

Nearly 2.5 million tons of steel were imported to the United States in December, according to the Commerce Department. That would make 2002 the fourth-highest year for steel imports.

Reported by: Al Miller

Disabled Container ship Salvaged

01/30
A salvage vessel was towing a disabled Finnish container ship off Newfoundland on Tuesday morning, as the gale that forced abandonment of the vessel subsided.

The Camilla, a 436-foot freighter, was the site of a dramatic airlift last Friday of 16 crew members by a Canadian Coast Guard search-and-rescue helicopter from St. John's. The rescue took place after the vessel lost engine power and was adrift in heavy seas southeast of Newfoundland.

The deep-sea tug Kegoria had a line on the freighter by early Tuesday, after the crew of Secunda Marine's Ryan Leet -- a Canadian salvage boat -- was able to get on board to secure the tow lines.

The Camilla, built in 1981, belongs to the fleet of Lundqvist Rederierna, a company based in Mariehamn, Finland. The vessel was not in any immediate danger when it asked for the evacuation.

Reported by: Dave Mossberg

Five cruise ships to visit lakes this summer

01/30
Despite recent setbacks to the Great Lakes cruise ship industry, five vessels are scheduled to tour the lakes this summer.

The vessels are all familiar to the lakes: Grande Mariner, Niagara Prince, Georgian Clipper, Nantucket Clipper and Le Levant. Missing is the C. Columbus, which is staying away from the lakes this season to work the Mediterranean Sea.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer compiled a list of prices and itineraries for the cruise ships:

--The 183-foot Grande Mariner and 175-foot Niagara Prince, owned and operated by American Canadian Caribbean Line of Rhode Island, will offer 15-night cruises between Rhode Island and Chicago through the Great Lakes, Erie Canal, Hudson River and Long Island Sound, with prices beginning at $2,655 per person. Also offered are eight-night cruises on Lake Superior, starting at $1,840 per person, while six-night Lake Michigan cruises begin at $1,135.

-- Georgian Clipper, a small Canadian ship that sails only on Georgian Bay and the North Channel, will offer six-night cruises for $1,349, four-night cruises for $899, and three-night cruises for $599.

--The upscale 207-foot Nantucket Clipper will make 14-night voyages between Quebec City and Chicago, with calls at Niagara Falls, Ont.; Mackinaw City and Northport in Michigan; and Sturgeon Bay and Manitowoc, Wisc. Rates start at $4,280.

--The sleek Le Levant will return to the lakes with several seven-night cruises between Toronto and Milwaukee or Chicago, with ports of call at Traverse City, Mackinac Island and Port Huron, Mich.; Niagara Falls, Ont.; and Cleveland. Like the other four ships, Le Levant will offer onboard lectures on topics such as Great Lakes history and wildlife. Weeklong cruises, including one night's pre-cruise hotel stay in Toronto or Chicago, are $3,995 to $5,595 per person.

Noticeably absent from the Great Lakes cruise scene this year is the Columbus, the 472-foot German cruise ship that revived cruising on the Great Lakes when it began sailing here in 1998. But that's not a sign of bad times, Tom Conlin, founder of Great Lakes Cruise Co., is quick to point out.

"We had good loads last year," he told the Plain Dealer. The absence of the Columbus this year is not a result of fears that it couldn't be filled. The ship was offered a five-month charter in the Mediterranean, which has a longer season than the Great Lakes, making it a lucrative deal for the owner, Hapag-Lloyd. "We hope to have it back here in 2004," says Conlin.

Cruises can be booked through Great Lakes Cruise Co., 1-888-891-0203; For general information on Great Lakes cruising, check the Web site for Cruising the Great Lakes at www.cruisingthegreatlakes.org

Reported by: Dave Sherman

Lake Michigan High Speed Service

01/30
Planning continues for a proposed high-speed ferry service across Lake Michigan. Grand Rapids-based LEF Corporation plans to begin service as early as April from St. Joseph to Waukegan. IL. and Chicago.

LEF owner Douglas Callighan, a British engineer with ties to hovercraft and ferryboat industries, is bringing a successful idea in the UK over to the US. The service will be called FAST-KAT.

The first service will be passenger only using the 300-passenger Voyager III. The trip will leave St. Joseph for Waukegan, a voyage of just under two hours, and then an hour trip to Chicago.

In 2004 the service would expand to a 500 passenger ship that will also carry vehicles. Additional ports would be serviced as customer demand dictates. Callighan said his ultimate goal would be to introduce hovercraft service which would enable year round service.

This would most likely affect the Lake Michigan Carferry Badger negatively, especially if ports north of St. Joseph are brought into the service.

Reported by: Scott Spencer

Cleveland hosting public meeting on Maritime Security

01/30
The U.S. Coast Guard will hold a public meeting on Maritime Security Thursday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Cleveland City Centre. The meeting will discuss the implementation of specific elements of the recently passed Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) as it relates to the International Ship and Port Facility Code (ISPS). Also to be discussed are recent amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Many of the requirements in the MTSA directly align with the international security requirements adopted this December during a Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with broader application for domestic vessels and facilities. The meeting will include discussion on issues such as:

Port Security Committees and Port Security Plans.
Vessel Security Assessments and Plans.
Vessel and Company Security Officers.
Facility Security Assement and Plans.
Facility Security Officers.

Reported by: Scott Bronson

Picture Delays

01/30
I'm back up to speed with my e-mail and should catch up on the pictures later this week, sorry for the delay. Please continue to send along the pictures and news reports.

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

U.S.-Flag Carriage Down Again In 2002

01/29
U.S.-flag Great Lakes vessels hauled 101.3 million tons of cargo in 2002, a slight decrease compared to 2001. Even the one gain - 1.2 million tons of iron ore - is misleading. During 2001, LTV Steel, the nation's third largest producer, was continually reducing its iron ore requirements as it limped toward bankruptcy and then closure. ISG relit those blast furnaces in mid 2002, so the upturn reflects a resumption of production at those facilities in Ohio and Indiana. In reality, the 48.2 million tons of iron ore moved in U.S. bottoms in 2002 represent a decrease of 24 percent compared to 1997. It was in that year that foreign steelmakers, facing contracting markets in Asia, began dumping their excess production in the United States. Since then, more than 30 American steelmakers and steel processors have filed for bankruptcy. Roughly half of those companies will never melt iron or mold steel again.

The U.S.-flag coal trade was essentially unchanged in 2002. Reduced demand for eastern coal offset an increase in loadings of western, low-sulfur coal.

Shipments of limestone decreased slightly and reflect both reduced demand for fluxstone from steelmakers and slack orders for aggregate from the construction industry. The 8 percent fall-off in cement cargos likewise relates to the general sluggishness that characterized the Great Lakes basin construction industry in 2002.

A quartet of U.S.-flag lakers never operated in 2002. The EDWARD L. RYERSON and ELTON HOYT 2ND owe their idle status to steel's woes. The small self-unloaders RICHARD REISS and JOSEPH H. FRANTZ were victims of the slowdown in aggregates shipments.

Several other U.S.-flag lakers were delayed in their return to service. The mid-sized self-unloaders BUCKEYE and COURTNEY BURTON did not sail until June. The AMERICAN REPUBLIC did not resume operations until early July. Even the 1,000-footer JAMES R. BARKER remained inactive until late June.

Reported by: Lake Carriers' Association

Owen Sound Lay-up

01/29
Owen Sound's lay-up fleet remains bust with activity. The Capt. Henry Jackman is docked on east wall of the harbor north of the cement silos.

Pictures by Ed Saliwonchyk
Jackman in lay-up.
Stern view at the dock.
Close up.
Bow view.
Repairs on the Algoway continue under cover and protection from the elements.

Pictures by David Shearman
Wide view across the harbor.
Close up of the bow.

Reported by: Ed Saliwonchyk and David Shearman

Workers readying tall ship for spring sailing

01/29
Crew members of the tall ship Highlander Sea are putting in long weeks this winter to ensure their vessel is ready to set sail in April.

The Higherland Sea, a 154-foot Grand Banks topsail schooner, is at Port Huron's Seaway Terminal undergoing an overhaul. Acheson Ventures, the development company formed by Port Huron businessman and philanthropist Jim Acheson, last year bought the 79-year-old schooner from its Canadian owners and plans to operate it out of Port Huron this season.

Until April, workers are putting in 50-hour weeks to prepare the vessel for sailing. Blocks, booms and gaffs are being repaired and varnished, and both of the vessel's diesel engines have been removed for overhauling.

The ship's engine room is being redesigned to provide more crew space and to better balance this ship. Workers hope to have that project finished by the time the engines are returned next month.

The ship in November was dry-docked in Toledo, Ohio, where workers fixed leaks in its propeller seal and sea cocks.

Reported by: Bill Jackson

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

Jackman Enters Lay-up

01/28
Monday afternoon the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley broke open a track through the ice in Owen Sound Harbor. She was followed in by the Capt. Henry Jackman arriving for winter lay-up. The Jackman was originally scheduled to operate into February but the predicted mild minter turn to sever ice conditions as temperatures remain below freezing and high winds make some ports unreachable.

Risley blasts through the ice. Ed Saliwonchyk

Reported by: Ed Saliwonchyk and David Shearman

High-speed Lake Ontario ferry nearing reality

01/28
Year-round ferry service between Canada and the United States appears to be closer than ever to reality.

The ferries -- three catamarans that can carry more than 250 cars and 1,000 people -- are ready. Their dock can be built in time for a spring 2004 launching, said William F. Wilkinson, president of the Toronto-based International Fast Ferry Corp.

"We think the time for a ferry service has come," Wilkinson said. "Now the casino is in, we believe the traffic is there. We'll have boats in and out of Porter every hour on the hour from dawn until midnight."

Wilkinson said his company has the financing in place for the $150 million project but is waiting to hear back on its application for $40 million in tax credits from New York. He described meetings with officials and elected representatives in Albany last week as encouraging. The ferry ride across Lake Ontario would cost $35 for vehicle and driver each way, and $21 for walk-on passengers. The 28-mile trip would take 40 minutes, less half the time it takes to drive the congested Queen Elizabeth Way, the only direct route between Niagara Falls and Toronto.

Free shuttle buses provided by the Seneca Niagara Casino would whisk passengers from the Porter dock to the downtown casino, about 20 minutes away. Motorists would have a quick and direct route via the Robert Moses Parkway.

Between running the boats and operating the dock facilities, the company would employ between 500 and 1,000 people, Wilkinson said.

Reported by: Chris Jackson

Toledo Update

01/28
The Middletown remains in dry dock at the Shipyard. On Monday morning the USCGC Bristol Bay escorted the tug John Spence and her barge to the B-P Dock. Meanwhile the Bristol Bay continued breaking ice upriver as far as the I-280 Bridge by the Hocking Valley Docks. She then turned around and headed back down river.

It is unknown if she will stay in Toledo until the John Spence is ready to sail or if she will continue on with her ice breaking duties on the western end of Lake Erie and the Detroit River area.

Reported by: Jim Hoffman

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

Jackman Unloads, Mackinaw Stops for Supplies

01/27
The Capt. Henry Jackman arrived in Detroit early Sunday morning to off load a cargo of salt. The Jackman spent three and a half days carrying the cargo, part of which was destined for Conneaut, Ohio. Ice conditions across the lakes have become severe. On Southern Lake Erie ten days of sustained winds has plugged port entries with ice fields that are almost impassable for even the mightiest of ice breakers.

The Jackman's was escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw. After escorting the Jackman up the Detroit River, the Mackinaw docked off Joe Louis Arena to take on supplies and give the crew a much needed rest and the opportunity to watch the Super Bowl.

The Mackinaw was expected to depart Detroit Sunday night or Monday morning. Once upbound, the big ice breaker is scheduled to enter a planned maintenance period in its home port of Cheboygan, Mi. The vessel could be tasked to work Northern Lake Michigan and the Straits of Mackinaw but it is unlikely with the Capt. Ralph Tucker heading for lay-up.

The Capt. Henry Jackman departed the Rouge River Sunday afternoon with help from the Gaelic tugs Carolyn Hoey on her bow and the Patricia Hoey on the stern. The Jackman was escorted upbound by the Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Samuel Risley. Additional salt cargoes from Goderich have been cancelled and the Jackman is headed for winter lay-up in Owen Sound, they are expected to arrive late Monday afternoon.

Pictures by Ken Towne
Jackman unloading in the Rouge.
Close up.
Upbound off Belle Isle heading for lay-up.
Mackinaw docked behind Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Reported by: Kenneth Borg, Ken Towne and Gary Angel

Montreal facing low water level

01/27
Below-average precipitation in most of the Great Lakes basin has left the Port of Montreal facing its lowest water levels in 40 years, the Montreal Gazette reported Tuesday.

Much of the Great Lakes region has been without significant snowfall this season, and much of the snow that has fallen has been "lake effect" snow that draws much of its moisture from the lakes. Precipitation and water supplies were well below average in December for all of the Great Lakes except Lake Erie.

In Montreal, port officials said levels in the past week have fallen to 24 centimeters below the level considered for optimal functioning of the port. The last time levels dipped this low was the mid-1960s.

"It's not a question of safety or of ships being unable to come into the port, but it is a question of larger ships being unable to use their full capacity" Michel Turgeon, director of communications for the Montreal Port Authority, told the Montreal Gazette.

He said every 30 centimeters of water below minimum levels means 130 fewer containers in every large ship coming in and out of the port.

"We are taking it seriously enough that we have invested $9 million in selective dredging," to remove shoals in some parts of the river and make the channel deeper, Turgeon said.

Jean Morin, an Environment Canada researcher and expert on the St. Lawrence River, said low levels can cause higher costs for purifying drinking water, lower hydro-electric power output, and threats to certain plant, fish and animal species.

Reported by: Marc Ackerman

Weekly Updates

01/27
The weekly updates have been uploaded.
Click here to view

Picture Delays

01/27
I'm back up to speed with my e-mail and should catch up on the pictures early this week, sorry for the delay. Please continue to send along the pictures and news reports.

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

Jackman Heads for Detroit

01/26
Four days after her trip began, the Capt. Henry Jackman was expected to arrive in Detroit early Sunday morning to unload their cargo of salt. After unloading the Jackman is expected to depart Detroit and head for lay-up. Temperatures in the region have remained below freezing for more than a week, this has caused heavy ice to build across the lakes. High winds have caused the ice to pile up creating windrows that can be several feet thick.

The cargo of salt was loaded in Goderich, Ont. as a split load going to Conneaut, Oh. and Detroit. The Jackman was escorted to Conneaut by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw. When the two ships arrived in Conneaut Friday they found heavy windrows of ice blocking the harbor. The Mackinaw worked most of Friday evening to break through the ice but progress was slow. Saturday morning it was determined that running the Mackinaw in these conditions could result in damage to the machinery that could take it out of service, a price too high for just one cargo of salt.

The Mackinaw and Jackman headed back across Lake Erie Saturday encountering difficult conditions in western Lake Erie. The Mackinaw was expected to stop for the night in Detroit for supplies and depart Sunday morning upbound.

The Mackinaw is scheduled to enter a planned maintenance period in its home port of Cheboygan, Mi. The Mackinaw has been released from Operation Coal Shovel, icebreaking on the lower lakes, but may be tasked to join Operation Oil Can in the Straits of Mackinac and northern Lake Michigan.

Pictures departing Saturday: Brad Webster
Heading west bound.
Jackman off the light.

Pictures arriving Friday by: Jeff Thoreson
Mackinaw working her way into Conneaut Friday.
Mackinaw and the Jackman.
Close up of the Mackinaw.
The Jackman heading back out.
Another View of the Mackinaw. Note how far she is listing to starboard.
Mackinaw backs past the lighthouse.
The ice field in Conneaut Harbor.

Reported by: Dave Wobser, Jeff Thoreson and Brad Webster

Tugs Turned Back in Manistee

01/26
Two were turned back Friday evening in an attempt to break a path for the Capt Ralph Tucker into Manistee, Mi. The Andrie towing tugs Barbara Andrie and Maribeth Andrie arrived around 11:15 p.m. to attempt to break a path through Manistee's channel.

The Barbara was first to attempt, coming abeam of the North pier, before waiting for the Maribeth to follow. The Maribeth was reporting three-inch ice on the windows and a lot of frozen spray, allowing for poor visibility. This was evident as the Maribeth came close to the South breakwall before turning back out to Lake Michigan.

The Barbara then also gave up and both vessels proceeded upbound for Frankfort, MI to wait out the weather. Six-foot seas, and 25 knot winds buffeted the attempt. It is unknown when the tugs may return or if the Coast Guard will be called in to break the thick ice in the harbor.

The Capt. Ralph Tucker retreated from the Manistee area. The vessel left her Manistee anchorage Saturday morning and headed back up to the Manitou Passage where she will stay until Monday.

Weather forecasts for the next few days don't appear too good for icebreaking, with 6 to 9 foot waves predicted for the next two days.

Reported by: Chris Franckowiak

Hollyhock Launch

01/26
On a cold, gray and windy day the USCG Hollyhock hit the water about 10:40 a.m. Saturday. Even though the launch was closed to the general public, there was a good crowd at Marinette Marine and about 50-75 people watched from the K&K property in Menominee. The tugs Erika Kobasic and Krystal (Escort II) were on hand to assist with the launch, while the USCG Mobile Bay was also in port. All three left Menominee shortly after the launch as snow began to fall.

On the ways prior to launch.
Christening about to begin.
On her way into the water.
Righting herself after launch.
Wide view.
In the snow an hour after launch.

Reported by: Dick Lund and Lee Rowe

Mackenzie Departs Belgium

01/26
The Mackenzie departed the port of Antwerp around noon on Saturday for the last time under her current name.

She departed from the Euro container terminal, but it is unclear why she was at the container terminal. The Mackenzie had no containers on deck and she was also riding high in the water.

She was assisted by two tugboats out of the harbor, this frequent Antwerp visitor said goodbye in rainy weather as it is unclear if she will return.

The Mackenzie was in port for repairs at the Antwerp Ship Repair yard. The vessel expects to sail for Canada in February when she will join the CSL Fleet.

Mackenzie departs. Dirk de Smedt

Reported by: Chris Rombouts

Replica Ship Destroyed by Fire

01/26
A replica of a sailing ship was destroyed by fire Saturday morning. The Le Grande Hermine was moored in Jordan Harbour just west of St. Catharines. It had become a southern Ontario landmark and was well known to boatwatchers heading to the Welland Canal. Police say it was almost certainly the work of an arsonist.

Le Grande Hermine in 2001 Mike Nicholls

Reported by: Bill Bird

Quebec Harbor reports a 17% increase in business for 2002

01/26
The Quebec Port Authority has announced excellent results for 2002. The Harbour had suffered a set back in the 2001 season with certain bulk cargoes. In 2002, the tonnage handled shows an increase of 17% over 2001 - 17.9 million tons over the 15.3 million tons registered for 2001. These results are the highest increase recorded over the past ten years.

This unprecedented growth is explained by the arrival of new trading such as kerosene and iron ore. During 2002 the harbor consolidated its position as leader on the St. Lawrence River for solid bulk and liquid cargoes in transit for the Great Lakes Ports.

In the cruise ship business, the harbour handled 66,000 passengers in 2002 over the 49,000 for 2001. The largest cruise lines of the world are now frequent visitors to the Quebec. The cruise ship terminal at Quebec, built at a cost of 19.2 M$CAN, was inaugurated last September and proved to be a valuable asset.

The first ocean-going ship to enter the Quebec Harbour in 2003 on January 3 was the 810 feet (247m) Greek oil tanker Cap Laurent (147,436 dwt) carrying a full cargo of Algerian crude oil for the Ultramar Refinery.

Respecting a tradition dating back to 1835, the Port Authority presented to Capt. Panagiotis Vandoros the gold cane for his achievement.

Reported by: Frederick Frechette

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

Jackman Arrives, Finds Wall of Ice

01/25
The Mackinaw and Capt. Henry Jackman arrived off of Conneaut, Oh. at 3 p.m. Friday, after an ice covered trip down the lakes from Goderich.

The pair found a wall of ice blocking passage into the port. 30 knot winds Thursday night pushed ice from Lake Erie into the harbor entrance. The ice has piled up and formed an ice plug stretching 600 feet into the harbor. The ice was reported to reach the bottom of the channel at some points and is piled up to six feet above the water level and higher in some areas.

The Mackinaw turned into port first while the Jackman waited off shore. The Mackinaw entered the ice field lining up for the piers and hit the ice at full speed. The Mighty Mac made less than half a ship length before she was brought to a halt by the ice. The Mackinaw then tried to back out but was stuck in the ice.

The ship was rocking from side to side on her next attempt to back off. The Mackinaw has a heeling and trimming system which allows the ship to rapidly shift water from tanks on one side to the other. With normal ice conditions this feature is not used, indicating the ice plug at Conneaut is severe. The rocking motion appears to have worked and the Mackinaw freed her self.

For the next six hours the Mackinaw made multiple passes on the ice field including breaking relief tracks. As the sun set the Mackinaw was backing into port to use her propellers to break away the ice field and wash it out to the lake. After six hours of work, running the equipment at full power, the Mackinaw was only able to break a track about 300-feet into the ice plug.

About 9 p.m. Friday night the Mackinaw stopped for the night and reported to the Jackman that they will wait until morning to decided on their next move. Saturday morning the Mackinaw backed into the ice plug to check conditions. As soon as the Mackinaw's stern hit the ice plug it came to a halt. After discussing conditions with the Jackman arrangements were made to return to Detroit where the entire cargo will be unloaded.

The Capt. Henry Jackman is loaded with salt from Goderich.

Mackinaw working her way into Conneaut.
Mackinaw and the Jackman.
Close up of the Mackinaw.
The Jackman heading back out.
Another View of the Mackinaw. Note how far she is listing to starboard.
Mackinaw backs past the lighthouse.
The ice field in Conneaut Harbor.

Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Second offer for National Steel doesn't include taconite plant

01/25
AK Steel Corp. has joined the bidding for bankrupt National Steel Corp., but, like an earlier bid from U.S Steel, this offer doesn't include the National Steel Pellet Co. in Keewatin, Minn.

AK Steel of Middletown, Ohio, on Thursday offered $1.025 billion to acquire most of National's steelmaking assets. National Steel, based in Mishawaka, Ind., has been operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since March 6.

Left out of the bidding is the taconite mine and plant of National Steel Pellet Co., which is one of the most efficient taconite producers in North America. Some of the company's pellets are shipped to National mills by rail, but most are sent to the BNSF ore dock in Superior, Wis., for shipment by lake freighter.

Excluding the 36-year-old taconite plant from the bidding raises questions about its future. Tom Peluso, National Steel Pellet Co. general manager, said AK's decision doesn't mean the taconite plant will close. It's still possible to supply AK with taconite pellets should AK win the bidding war.

Of eight Minnesota taconite plants that operated in 1978, only six remain. Employment within the industry has fallen from 16,132 in 1978 to about 4,200.

Reported by: Mike Delaney

Launching new Great Lakes cutter

01/25
Hollyhock is the first addition to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Great Lakes fleet in more than 20 years. On Saturday the Marinette Marine Corp. (MMC) will launch the U. S. Coast Guard cutter Hollyhock.

Hollyhock was built to replace cutter Bramble, homeported in Port Huron, Mich. It is part of plan to replace the Coast Guard’s World War II era 180-foot cutters.

Hollyhock is a 225-foot Juniper Class seagoing buoy tender with icebreaking capabilities. It is the 14th cutter of a planned fleet of sixteen to be built by MMC in Marinette. MMC also built fourteen 175-foot Keeper Class coastal buoy tenders for the Coast Guard. In October 2001 MMC was award the contract to build an icebreaker to replace the Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw ‘the Great Lakes Icebreaker’.

Mrs. Beverly Silva, wife of Rear Admiral Ronald Silva, is the cutter’s sponsor. Rear Admiral Ronald Silva, the Ninth Coast Guard District Commander, will be the keynote speaker.

Hollyhock will be homeported in Port Huron. The cutter is scheduled to be delivered to the Coast Guard in September 2003 and should arrive at its homeport a few weeks later.

Principal Characteristics
Length...................................225'
Beam....................................46'
Full Load Draft.....................13'
Buoy Deck Area..............2875 sq. ft
Crew:...............................6 Officers, 34 Enlisted
Main Engines....................2 x CAT 3608 (Low Emission) 3100 Bhp @ 900 rpm
ReductionGear/Prop.........Singleshaft, 10 ft diameter, Bird Johnson Controlable Pitch propeller
Crane...............................20 ton hydraulic 60 ft boom
Machinery Plant................Automated control w/ dynamic positioning and FDDI network

Reported by: Paul Roszkowski

River Prepared for Launch

01/25
The Erika Kobasic with the small tug Krystal (Escort II) in tow arrived at Marinette Marine Friday afternoon. A short time later the USCG Mobile Bay entered the Menominee River. They began the job of breaking the ice in front of Marinette Marine Corp. preparing for Saturday's launch of the USCG Hollyhock. The Mobile Bay docked behind the Erika Kobasic. The Kobasic, with propeller turning, flushed the ice back to the Mobile Bay, who also had her propellers and bubblers going, to flush the ice downriver. The two worked until after dark clearing an opening for the Hollyhock, which had some of her "launch banners" in place.

USCG Hollyhock on the ways .
Erika Kobasic, with Krystal alongside, & USCG Hollyhock .
Close-up of Erika Kobasic & Krystal .
Close-up of Krystal .
Mobile Bay in the Menominee River.
Close-up of bow breaking ice.
More ice-breaking activity.
Mobile Bay's bubblers kick up spray and ice.
Mobile Bay off the stern of the Erika Kobasic flushing ice.
Mobile Bay prop wash flushes ice downriver.

Reported by: Dick Lund

Ice Rescue Training

01/25
The United States Coast Guard, Station Saginaw River, has been hosting USGC Personnel from around the country, some from as far away as New York and Maine, for three days of ice rescue training/practice. This training started on Wednesday and ended today with two HH-65 helicopters from Stations Traverse City and Detroit participating in rescue drills on the Saginaw River. Many hoisting drills were held for the rescue swimmers and other personnel.

Coast Guard helo coming in for a hoist.
Making the hoist.
Heading for shore.
Flying by Station Saginaw River.
One helo on deck with another coming in.

Reported by: Todd Shorkey

Today in Great Lakes History - January 25

On January 25, 1988 L’ORME NO.1 was involved in an accident at Ultramar Refinery near Quebec City when attempting to tie up during foggy weather. She struck the dock and the impact started a fire that extensively damaged the wharf and the forward section of the ship.

Scrapping on the E. J. BLOCK began at Port Colborne on January 25, 1988.

The JOSHUA A. HATFIELD was launched January 25, 1923.

The W.C. RICHARDSON (2) was launched January 25, 1908 as the a) WAINWRIGHT.

On 25 January 1890, ALEX NIMICK (wooden propeller, 298', 1968 gt) was launched at W. Bay City, MI. She was built by J. Davidson (hull # 30).

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

Jackman Heads to Conneaut

01/24
The Capt. Henry Jackman passed downbound through the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers early Thursday morning. The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley escorted the Jackman to the lower St. Clair River where they were met by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw.

Mackinaw took over the escort and proceeded through the rivers and across the heavy ice in Western Lake Erie. The Mackinaw originally planned to escort the Jackman to South East Shoal and then meet tugs from the Great Lakes Towing Company who would continue the escort to Conneaut, Oh. Heavy ice in Ashtabula, where the G Tugs are based, prevented them from leaving port. The Mackinaw is now expected to escort the Jackman to the dock in Conneaut, Oh.

Thursday evening the Mackinaw stopped for repairs about 30 miles North East of Cleveland. The Jackman continued on a short distance but decided to wait for the Mackinaw.

Both vessels stopped for the night in the ice and were expected to continue their trip Friday morning. The Mackinaw will take up the lead about 7 a.m. Friday morning and the Jackman should arrive in Conneaut late Friday afternoon.

After the Jackman unloads part of the cargo of salt in Conneaut, they will return upbound under escort of the Mackinaw to finish unloading in Detroit. From Detroit they are expected to return to Goderich for another load of salt for a Lake Michigan port.

Mackinaw stopped at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit Wednesday evening. N. Schultheiss
Images of the Mackinaw down bound Monday. Don Detloff
Downbound of Algonac State Park, St. Clair River.
Passing.
Close up.

Reported by: Barry Hiscocks and Rex Cassidy

Launch Still on for Saturday

01/24
The launch of the USCG Hollyhock at Marinette Marine remains on schedule for 10 a.m. Saturday morning. This launch has been closed to the general public. The launch can normally be viewed from across the Menominee River from the grounds of the truck parking lot at K&K Warehouse. It is possible that the lot may be closed during the event.

The river is coved with heavy ice and local tugs are expected to break the ice prior to launch.

On Wednesday employees of Marinette Marine Corp. walked out on strike after rejecting the company's latest contract offer.

Reported by: Dick Lund, Scott Best

Tucker Waits to Enter

01/24
The Capt. Ralph Tucker arrived at Manistee Wednesday morning and found considerable ice built up in the river since her departure last Friday. It was quickly decided that it would be difficult to break out the ice at a speed that she could safely transit the river, which has several sharp turns and a number of lightly constructed recreational boating docks. It was decided to wait until Friday to make the transit with the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mobile Bay from Sturgeon Bay.

The Tucker departed about 11 a.m. to anchor at South Manitou Island and await the arrival of Coast Guard. Her transit of the Straits of Mackinac also required Coast Guard assistance. The last significant ice breaking in Manistee was in the 1980's by the Adam E. Cornelius on her last trip as a powered vessel.

The Ludington Daily News reported the arrival on Wednesday of the tug Mark Hannah and barge E-63 at that port from Chicago to load calcium chloride. The vessel found ice in the outer harbor and spent hours breaking ice to reach the Dow Chemical pier.

Reported by: Steve Harold

Great Lakes water levels falling again

01/24
Great Lakes water levels are falling again following months of little precipitation and cold weather that has encouraged evaporation.

"Levels will be down a bit from last year," Marie Strum, water resources engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Detroit, told the Detroit News. "It's been very dry in the (lakes) Michigan-Huron basin the past six months."

After dropping to their lowest levels in 35 years in the spring of 2001, all the Great Lakes except Superior rose last year - but were still below normal.

But lakes Huron and Michigan are seven inches lower than at this time a year ago.

"We had very dry conditions this past year in Lake Huron and Michigan and that's why the levels dropped so quickly," Strum said. "The low precipitation and evaporation is the reason."

Lakes St. Clair and Superior are down two inches, Lake Erie one inch and Lake Ontario, eight inches, the Army Corps said. The region around western Lake Superior has received relatively little rain and snow since September. Mild temperatures through early January kept ice from forming on the lake and sped evaporation.

Falling lake levels have a significant economic impact on the Great Lakes region. Freighters must carry lighter loads and recreational boats face a greater chance of damage.

Reported by:

Algonova Arrives

01/24
The Algonova was upbound early Thursday morning through the frozen St. Marys River escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay. The convoy arrived in Soo harbor by noon and the tanker made her way to the Purvis Dock through light brash ice while the cutter returned to base for refueling.

Reported by: Jerry Masson

Salties sold for demolition

01/24
The following vessels, all visitors to St. Lawrence Seaway/Great Lakes ports under at least one name were sold a few months ago to be broken up according to the December edition 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 German Liberty ship Ali S was beached at Alang, India 11/10/2002. In the Seaway trade as Heide Leonhardt (1970).
The Santa Fe class Aliana Princess was beached at Alang 17/10/2002. In the Seaway as Aegis Ionic (1983).
Asha Manan was beached at Mumbai, India 19/9/2002. In the Seaway as Bright Melbourne (1981).
Atlantis Joy (1998) was beached at Alang 10/10/2002.
Bayram Abi was beached at Alang 5/10/2002. In the Seaway as Cenk (1984).
Kabirdas (1981) arrived at Kolkata, India 22/1/2002.
Sinega was beached at Alang 22/10/2002. In the Seaway as Kapitan Zamyatin (1994).
A vessel sold for demolition four years ago is Younglly. Demolition commenced in India 27/7/1999. In the Seaway under her three original names: Tokyo Venture (1975), Busan Star (1983) and Kaptan Guven (1986).

Reported by: René Beauchamp

Picture Delays

01/24
I'm having trouble downloading picture attachments with my e-mail, sorry for the delay. Please continue to send along the pictures and I should have it straightened out soon.

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

Jackman Departs

01/23
After a short weather delay the Capt. Henry Jackman departed Goderich Wednesday about 5 p.m. under escort of the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley. The Jackman is loaded with salt for Detroit, Mi. and Conneaut, Oh.

Below freezing temperatures have caused heavy ice to build rapidly across the region. The Risley will escort the Jackman to the lower St. Clair River where the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw will take over. They expected to meet about 1 a.m. Thursday morning. The Mackinaw will escort the Jackman through the rivers, and through the heaviest ice in western Lake Erie to Pelee Passage. From there private tugs will escort the Jackman to Conneaut.

Mackinaw stopped at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit Wednesday evening. N. Schultheiss
Images of the Mackinaw down bound Monday. Don Detloff
Downbound of Algonac State Park, St. Clair River.
Passing.
Close up.

Reported by: Barry Hiscocks

Strike Could Delay Launch

01/23
About 700 employees of Marinette Marine Corp. walked out on strike Wednesday after rejecting the company's latest contract offer, the Marinette Eagle Herald reported.

Members of Boilermakers Local 696 last Saturday voted almost unanimously to reject the company’s contract offer. They told the newspaper they would go on strike when their contract expired at midnight Tuesday even if they had reached a tentative agreement with their employer.

"The company is asking for concessions and the membership is unanimously against the concessions the company has proposed," Springer told the newspaper.

Union and company officials met Monday with a federal mediator, and further talks were likely. Marinette Marine did not comment.

The strike leaves the planned Saturday launch of the USCG Hollyhock in question.

Reported by: Dick Lund, Scott Best and Wendell Wilke

HMS Detroit Seized

01/23
The future of the HMS Detroit, which was seized by police while under construction in Amherstburg, is plagued with questions as the new year begins.

The Canadian government awarded a $700,000 Millennium grant in 1998 to start construction on the replica tall ship. Amherstburg pitched in another $710,000 in 2001.

Then, however, police seized the uncompleted vessel when a conflict arose over how much is owed the builders of the hull, Hike Metal Products of Wheatley, Ontario.

Hike says it is owed $323,000 by the not-for-profit group Project HMS Detroit. The group counters that the amount owed is actually much lower, but has not released any figures.

The dispute has raised questions about whether the project is still viable, and whether project directors can raise the $3.5 million needed to complete the vessel. An article published in the Amherstburg Echo newspaper said it is unlikely the project can proceed without the federal or provincial governments contributing more money.

The article raised the possibility that federal aid could push the vessel to completion so it could be docked at Fort Malden as a boost for the tourist trade there.

Reported by: Gerry O. and T. Parker

Montréal, Varennes and Verchères Traffic

01/23
KAVO DELFINI arriving Montréal, Jan.14.
BUCCANEER upbound off Varennes for Montréal, Jan.16.
Wide view.
PYTHEAS down bound from Montréal to Belledune, Jan.17.
P&O NEDLLOYD AUCKLAND downbound from Montéal with the moon in the background, Jan. 21.
P&O NEDLLOYD AUCKLAND approaching Verchères on a very cold morning -10 F Jan. 21.
CANADA SENATOR off the Verchères dock, Jan. 20.

Reported by: Marc Piché

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

Launching new Great Lakes Cutter

01/22
On Saturday, January 25 at 10 a.m. the Marinette Marine Corp. (MMC) will launch the U. S. Coast Guard cutter Hollyhock.

Hollyhock was built to replace cutter Bramble, homeported in Port Huron, Mich. It is part of plan to replace the Coast Guard’s World War II era 180-foot cutters.

Hollyhock is a 225-foot Juniper Class seagoing buoy tender with icebreaking capabilities. It is the 14th cutter of a planned fleet of sixteen to be built by MMC in Marinette. MMC also built fourteen 175-foot Keeper Class coastal buoy tenders for the Coast Guard. In October 2001 MMC was award the contract to build an icebreaker to replace the Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw ‘the Great Lakes Icebreaker’.

Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-10-MI) is the cutter’s sponser and keynoter speaker during the launch ceremony. Rear Adm. Ronald Silva, the Ninth Coast Guard District Commander, will also be speaking.

Hollyhock will be homeported in Port Huron. The cutter is scheduled to be delivered to the Coast Guard in September 2003 and should arrive at its homeport a few weeks later.

Reported by: Paul Roszkowski

Port Colborne Traffic

01/22
The Canadian Transport arrived through heavy ice Tuesday to lay up at Wharf 18, the fuel dock. Suprisingly, a McKeil tug with the barge Salty Dog departed Wharf 19 Tuesday morning escorted by the USCG Cutter Bristol Bay through heavy ice heading upbound. Progress appeared to be very slow. The conditons proved to be too much for the tug and barge and they returned to Port Colborne. The Bristol Bay continued east headinf for the Detroit River.

Heavy ice contnues to build on Lake Erie. Coverage on the lake is reported to be over 90 percent.

Reported by: Chris Wilson

Jackman in Goderich

01/22
The Capt. Henry Jackman arrived at the salt mine about noon Tuesday. The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley cleared a path through the ice and into the inner harbor for the Jackman. Once there local tugboats were waiting to escort the Jackman to the dock.

The Risley docked on the north side of the mine and will wait to escort the Jackman out after loading. The salt will be delivered to Detroit and Conneaut.

Reported by: Lisa Stuparyk

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

Jackman Continues

01/21
The Capt. Henry Jackman continues to operate late into the season as ice builds across the lakes. The Jackman was escorted up the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and lower St. Clair River Monday by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw.

The Jackman was traveling unloaded from Buffalo to load salt in Goderich, Ontario. It is believed to be loading a split load for Detroit and Conneaut. The Jackman is the last member of the Algoma Fleet operating this late in the season.

The Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw is expected to remain in the Detroit area for much of the week.

Reported by: Barry Hiscocks

Roman in New York

01/21
After unloading a partial cargo of cement on Sunday the Stephen B. Roman departed the Essroc terminal in Rochester (Charlotte), NY on the Genesee River. The Roman then moved to the turning basin where it encountered a solid sheet of ice in the basin. The ice prevented her from turning around.

After several attempts of backing and trying to find broken ice the small tug Bluewater, owned by Lee Ludwig of Sodus Bay, NY, was called in for assistance. The tug made several passes eventually breaking up the ice. This allowed the Roman to complete her turn and head downriver, back into Lake Ontario.

This was reported to be the Roman's last trip of the season.

Reported by: Jason LaDue and Tom Brewer

Integrity Enters Lay-up

01/21
Sunday the cement barge Integrity and tug Jacklyn M. entered lay-up in Milwaukee. The pair ended a long season that was marked by occasional trouble with the tug's new engines.

Lay-up fleet in Milwaukee.

Reported by: Andy LaBorde

Viking Rests in Menominee

01/21
The Viking I remains docked at K & K warehousing in Menominee, MI. No work has been started on the planned conversion to a barge. The vessel was towed from Erie, Pa. last week and will be converted to a barge used to haul wood pulp.

Viking I docked on Monday. Dick Lund

Reported by: Scott Best and Dick Lund

Ferry Service Ends

01/21
Ferry service between Bayfield, WI and Madeline Island ended on Sunday. The last two ferries to operate, Island Queen and Nichevo II, are laid up at the ferry terminal in Bayfield.

The two larger ferries, Madeline and Bayfield, were laid up earlier at the Municipal dock in Bayfield. The fish tug Thomas C. Mullen laid up on Thursday, Jan. 16.

Reported by: Harvey Hadland

Toronto Report

01/21
Unloading of the Algocape's storage load of sugar began Monday morning at the Redpath Sugar dock. The vessel was shifted into the berth Sunday afternoon after McKeil's harbor tugs broke the ice in the Redpath slip. It took several hours to get the Algocape moored.

The McNally Construction Co. tug R.C.L. Tug 11 went into Blockhouse Bay (Toronto Island lagoons) Monday morning. McNally has a shore-based crane dredging at Gibralter Point, on the island near the water filtration plant, as part of the deep-water cooling project for downtown Toronto.

On Saturday night the island ferry Ongiara, while attempting to break ice around the Ward's Island dock, went aground off the island. The firetug Wm. Lyon Mackenzie came to assist and pulled the ferry out of the mud. The Mackenzie now goes out each morning to break a track through the ice for the island ferry. The island airport ferry Maple City continues to service the airport.

Reported by: Alan Parker

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

Mississagi Enters Lay-up

01/20
The Mississagi entered lay-up in Sarnia Saturday night, ending a busy season. The Mississagi entered dry dock in December for her 5-year survey. Instead of sailing for lay-up after departing the dry dock, the Mississagi returned to service for a few late season trips carrying salt from Goderich.

On her last trip the Mississagi encountered heavy ice as temperatures well below freezing have caused the ice to form rapidly across the lakes.

Pictures by Marc Wright
Mississagi at Cargill.
Close up.
Another view.
Saginaw and Griffon.
Saginaw, Halifax and Algolake.
Halifax in the North Slip.
Conveyor assembly on the dock next to the Agawa Canyon.

Reported by: Marc Wright and T. Parker

Detroit's Columbia Will go to New York

01/20
On January 8 the National Trust Loan staff and the National Trust Loan Committee voted to transfer ownership of the historic Bob-lo boat Columbia to a New York based preservation group. This organization has plans to restore her and return her to service on the Hudson River.

In a letter dated Jan. 8 to the Detroit-based group, The Friends of the Bob-Lo Boat Columbia, Krista Kendall of the National Trust Loan Funds wrote that a New York-based maritime preservation group represents the Columbia's "best interests."

Kendall wrote that "there was a concern that a strong preservation rehabilitation ethic may not prevail throughout the project. Columbia is a National Historic Landmark thereby affording Columbia national significance."

She also said that adequate funding to rehabilitate the ship had not come from the Detroit area, and that the Detroit group may lack the resources to pay the high costs associated with preserving the vessel.

"The strong outpouring of support for the Friends of the Bob-Lo Boat Columbia effort, as demonstrated by e-mails and phone calls received by the National Trust Funds staff, and the impact of removal of Columbia from the Detroit region have made this an especially difficult decision," Kendall wrote. "However, based on Columbia’s deteriorating condition and the concerns expressed above, the Loan Committee has decided that pursuing transfer of ownership to the group in New York City will give Columbia her best chance for survival and stable on-going stewardship."

The Columbia will remain at the Great Lakes Steel dock in Ecorse Michigan until the spring. The vessel is then expected to be towed to Toledo, where she will undergo extensive repairs to insure her safe passage to New York.

Bob-Lo Steamers Home Page

Reported by: James Belisle

Steel tariffs 'rejuvenating' U.S. producers

01/20
Recently announced buyouts of bankrupt Bethlehem Steel and National Steel Corp. are signs that controversial tariffs are helping the ailing U.S. steel industry, analysts say.

When President Bush imposed tariffs of up to 30 percent on steel imports last year, he announced that the goal of the measure was to "facilitate positive adjustment to competition from imports." With the announcement last week that U.S. Steel would buy National Steel, and the pending takeover bid for Bethlehem by International Steel Group, the tariff policy appears to be on the verge of success.

Charles Bradford, president of Bradford Research, a metals consultancy, told the Financial Times of London that "a monumental change is occurring" that will improve the cost-competitiveness of the integrated steel mills.

With three or four strong steel companies, he said, the industry will be able to drive a harder bargain in negotiations with customers, helping to sustain steel prices that were at historic lows before the tariffs.

But trade lawyers and steel market analysts are less sanguine that the deals will do anything to ease international tensions over trade in steel. In the short run, they say, the problems could even get worse.

Richard Cunningham, a lawyer with Steptoe & Johnson, which represents Corus, the UK steel producer, said, "This is an industry that has always (gone), and will always go, back to the well for more import protection if the economy softens and imports are either steady or rising. You shouldn't expect the result of this will be peace in steel trade."

Integrated steel producers are the most important customers to U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet. Much of the tonnage carried on the lakes consists of taconite pellets, limestone and coal used by intergraded steel mills to produce iron and steel.

The Bush administration, in deciding to impose tariffs on steel imports in March, said that protection would give the industry "breathing room" to adjust to low-cost import competition. But past bouts of protection, including "voluntary" restraints on imports in the 1980s, have done virtually nothing to achieve that goal.

The comprehensive nature of the current Bush tariff program, however, changed the dynamic. In addition to the tariff protection, Bush demanded conspicuous restructuring, as well as moving aggressively to assume a portion of the onerous retirement costs for former steelworkers. A provision quietly tacked onto last year's trade bill could provide billions of dollars to cover health care expenses for retirees.

Wilbur Ross, chairman of International Steel Group, which was created in February last year with the acquisition of bankrupt LTV, said of the tariffs: "It was very important. In our case we made the commitment to buying LTV a week before the Bush announcement, and we did it because it appeared to us that he would do something significant . . . We would never have made this bid without it."

Following the imposition of tariffs in March, spot prices for hot-rolled steel rose from a low of $220 per ton in January 2002 to nearly $400 by July. Perhaps more importantly for US steel companies, the tariffs disrupted many of the relationships between U.S. steel buyers and foreign steel makers, forcing the customers to scramble for alternatives.

Both the companies and the Steelworkers used the opportunity to make what promises to be radical change in the work practices governing the steel industry.

In its negotiations with ISG, the US steelworkers' union agreed to tear up a 750-page labor agreement, eliminating a host of restrictive rules that had sapped productivity. ISG in turn agreed to eliminate several layers of management bureaucracy, turning over most of the day-to-day operations of its steel plants to employees.

If such an agreement can be negotiated with U.S. Steel and other integrated producers, analysts agree the result is likely to be a handful of companies that are far more competitive with low-cost imports.

Reported by: David Anderson

Port Colborne Lay-up

01/20
Below are images taken on Sunday of Port Colborne's lay-up fleet.

CSL Tadoussac.
Canadian Progress.
Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin & Algowood.
Algowood stern.
Martin's stern.
Close up.

Reported by: Chris Simpson

Sturgeon Bay Museum Offers Tug Boat Talk

01/20
Local tugboat operators will explain history and day-to-day operations of their small, sturdy vessels in a free presentation titled "Tugboats: work horses of the harbor" at the Door County Maritime Museum at 7 p.m. Tuesday January 21. The Talk features employees of Selvick Marine and Towing in Sturgeon Bay and is sponsored by the Maritime Friends Speakers Series.

Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle

Ghost Ships Festival

01/20
The 2003 Ghost Ships Festival will be held Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16, 2003 at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center in Milwaukee. This year, we have expanded to two days, adding a Sunday show from 9AM - Noon and we have reserved the entire convention center. There will be a cash bar and buffet running throughout the show and we have added socialization rooms where people can relax and talk. We have a bang-up slate of presenters and authors, and we will have more booths and displays than ever. As in the past, we will have the largest raffle anywhere in the scuba world, sporting hundreds of items.

Our presenters are as follows:
Joyce Hayward
Ric Mixter - Safe Ashore - The 1940 Armistice Day Storm
Wes Oleszewski
Harry Zych
Steve Radovan
Larry Boucha
Jeff Gray - Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary
Bob Gadbois
Kimm Stabelfeldt - Dive on the William Young
Dennis Hale - Sole Survivor of the Daniel J. Morrell
Pat & Jim Stayer
Cris Kohl
Georgeann & Mike Wachter v Sean Jones - Port Washington Shipwrecks
Brendon Baillod

The following authors will be signing books:
Wes Oleszewski
Kimm Stabelfeldt
Cris Kohl
Robert Myers - Shipwrecks of Berrien County
Georgann & Mike Wachter - Erie Wrecks, West/East
Pat & Jim Stayer
Steve Harrington - Divers Guide to Michigan
P.J. Creviere - Wild Gales & Tattered Sails
Dennis Hale - Sole Survivor
To order tickets and to get more information, visit: www.ghost-ships.org.

Weekly Updates

01/20
The weekly updates have been uploaded.
Many new pictures and features including new shots of the Vermontborg grounding:

Click here to view

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

Viking I Tow Arrives

01/19
The Viking I tow arrived in Menominee, Mi. passing the North Pier Lighthouse around 5 a.m. Saturday. The tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort left the tow and continued up the Menominee River to break a track in the ice all the way up to K&K Warehouse. About 7:30 a.m. the tow reached the inner harbor and prepared to pass through the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge.

An ice encrusted Olive L. Moore led the way while the Joyce L. Van Enkevort brought up the rear. After passing through the bridge, the Olive L. Moore led the way to the K&K Warehouse East Dock, where the Viking was eventually tucked in directly behind the crane ship William H. Donner. After the Viking was secured, the two tugs headed back out into Green Bay and back to Escanaba.

Viking I will be converted to a barge in Menominee to haul wood pulp from Marathon and Thunder Bay to K&K Warehousing in Menominee.

Tow arrives Saturday morning. John Krueger

Pictures by Dick Lund
The tow reaches the inner harbor with the Olive L. Moore leading the way.
An ice-covered Olive L. Moore.
Track in the ice near K&K Dock broken by the Joyce L. Van Enkevort.
The Viking 1.
Joyce L. VanEnkevort brings up the rear.
Olive L. Moore heads up river past the bridge.
Viking 1comes through the bridge.
Viking 1 is through the bridge.
Stern of Joyce L. VanEnkevort.
Viking 1 at the K&K East Dock.
Close-up of Viking 1.
Olive L. Moore and Viking 1 at dock.
The Viking 1 tucked in behind the William H. Donner.
Viking 1 pilothouse close-up.
Viking 1 later in the afternoon.

Reported by: Scott Best, Dick Lund and John Krueger

Vermontborg Pulled Free

01/19
Salvage crews were successful in refloating the stranded Vermontborg Saturday night. In preparing for the effort crews shortened the and the tip of one of the propeller blades was been cut off. A hole in the hull near the engine room was patched with several sheets of 5 mm steel plating.

Two tugs and a Guernsey work boat were offshore Saturday afternoon rigging the towline. Floats were attached to the line carrying it out to sea and the waiting tugs.

Click here for pictures of the grounded Vermontborg Updated with new pictures from Saturday

Reported by: Richard Lord

New Chairman at Algoma

01/19
The Board of Directors of Algoma Central Corporation announced Jan.16 that it had elected Radcliffe R. Latimer to the position of Chairman of the Board on the resignation of The Honourable Henry (Hal) N.R. Jackman from that position. Mr. Jackman remains a Director of the Corporation.

Reported by: Ed Schipper

Risley Escorts the Tucker

01/19
The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley was in the lower Detroit River upbound in the Amherstburg Channel about 9:30 p.m. Saturday night. The Captain Ralph Tucker was about a half hour behind with a load of brine for General Chemical.

Both vessels moved easily through the ice. During the winter the Amherstburg Channel sees very little traffic as upbound and downbound traffic use the Livingston Channel.

Pictures of the escort on St. Clair River Saturday afternoon by Don Detlloff
Risley leads the way past Marine City.
Another view.
Passing.
Close up.
Stern view.
Downbound at Algonac St. Park.
Close up.

Reported by: David Cozens and Don Detlloff

Jackman Struggles into Buffalo

01/19
The Capt. Henry Jackman struggled for two hours Saturday afternoon working through the ice to reach the Lackawanna Slip. The Cutter Bristol Bay was escorting the Jackman but it still took over two hours because of the ice that was packed by the wind. The Jackman reported they would be departing around 3 a.m. Sunday. The Bristol Bay headed to the Buffalo Coast Guard Station wait for the Jackman's departure.

Reported by: Michael Madigan and Michael Madigan, Sr

Green Bay Tonnage

01/19
The Green Bay shipping season has officially ended. The season began with the arrival of the Great Lakes Trader on March 29 and ended with the John G. Munson departing on December 30. Total port tonnage for the 2002 season was 1,866,867 metric tons which was a 5% drop from 1,962,155 in 2001.

Cargo that increased in tonnage this year was coal, limestone and pig iron while decreased cargo was cement and salt. There were 164 ship arrivals which is down 11% from 2001's 185 arrivals. Traffic and tonnage are both expected to increase in 2003 due to the continued use of the new Northeast Asphalt terminal and the reopening of the K&K dock.

Reported by: Jason Leino

Sarnia Lay-up

01/19
Below are images taken last week of Sarnia's Winter Lay-up Fleet.

Agawa Canyon at the Sidney E. Smith Dock.
Another view.
Calumet and Maumee at the Government Dock.
Stern view.
Close up.
Saginaw at Cargil.

Reported by: Marc Wright

Toledo Lay-up

01/19
Below are images of Toledo's lay-up fleet taken Saturday

Buffalo.
Adam E. Cornelius.
Buckeye and museum ship Willis B. Boyer.
Buckeye's bow thruster.
Courtney Burton.
Ste. Claire.
Stern view.
Gemini.

Reported by: Roger LeLievre

Toronto Lay-up

01/19
Below are recent images of Toronto Winter Lay-up Fleet.

Pictures by: Craig Ritchie
Algobay.
Anchor on the dock.
Algocape.
Algoisle.
Canadian Provider.
Canadian Mariner.
Pilot house.
Stern view.
Stephen B. Roman.
English River.
Metis.
Pier 35 (left to right) Stephen B. Roman, Seaway Queen and Canadian Venture.
Charter yacht Yankee Lady.
McKeil tugs Atomic and Glenevis located in the Turning Basin Channel.
Elsie D.
Hydrofoils.

Pictures by: Ted Siuda
Algocape.
Close up.
Algobay.
Close up of bow.
Anchor down.
Anchor pocket.
Bow thruster.
Rudder.
Stern view.
Close up.
Canadian Miner.
Stephen B. Roman.

Reported by: Craig Ritchie and Ted Siuda

Name Change for Familiar Visitor

01/19
The saltwater vessel Great Laker, a frequent visitor to the Great Lakes, was renamed Kolguev on Dec. 25, 2002. She now sails under the Russian flag.

Rumors of a rename followed the vessel during her most recent trip to the lakes last fall.

Great Laker enters Lock 8 on the Welland Canal last May.

Reported by: Roger LeLievre

Today in Great Lakes History - January 19

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

The DAVID M. WHITNEY (steel propeller freighter, 412', 4626 gt) was launched on 19 January 1901 by the Detroit Ship Building Company (hull #138) in Wyandotte, Michigan for the Gilchrist Transportation Company of Cleveland, Ohio. She lasted until 1969 when she was scrapped in Spain when she was named BUCKEYE.

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, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, 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

Viking I Arrives

01/18
The Viking I tow arrived in Menonimee, Mi. Saturday morning after spending serveral days battleing ice. The tug Joyce L. VanEnkevort came into the harbor first to break ice in the Menominee River about 6 a.m. She then went out and took up the stern line behind the Viking 1. The barge Great Lakes Trader was dropped off in Escanaba. The Olive L. Moore, loaded down with ice from stem to stern, took the bow line and the tow passed through the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge about 7:15 a.m. The tow then proceeded up river to the K&K Warehouse Dock, where they tucked in behind the William H. Donner. The Donner had been moved to the dock late last year. At 9 a.m. the Joyce L. and Moore were heading home to Escanaba, MI.

Original Report
Last night the Viking I tow was expected to arrive off the Menominee Break Wall between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. Saturday morning but could be delayed further by ice. At mid night there was no sign of the tow from Menominee. The Joyce L. will lead the tow and do the majority of the ice breaking. The Olive L. Moore will act as the trailing tug controlling the tow from the stern. Heavy ice has delayed the arrival into Menominee. The ice in Green Bay is estimated to be up to 12-inches thick in some spots. The tugs will dock the Viking I behind the William H. Donner at K&K warehouse. They intend to bring the tow through the bridge, even if it is still dark outside. Check back for updates Viking I will be converted to a barge in Menominee to haul wood-pulp from Marathon and Thunder Bay to K&K Warehousing in Menominee.

Reported by: Scott Best , Dick Lund and John Krueger

Effort to refloat Vermontborg fails again

01/18
Another effort to refloat the stranded hull of the Vermontborg failed Friday morning when a tow line snapped, the Guernsey Press reported.

Salvage officials said they might try to refloat the vessel again Friday night if a new tow line could be attached before high tide.

The Vermontborg's hull was being towed from a Romanian shipyard to a Dutch yard for completion when it broke free Jan. 3 and stranded on the La Capelle reef near the UK island of Guernsey. Because the vessel stranded during a particularly high tide, it has proven difficult to refloat.

Salvors were hopeful that Friday's attempt would succeed because the tide was expected to be relatively high.

"The conditions were quite good - the ship became light and started to move," said harbor master Captain Robert Barton. "The tugs took up their positions and started to shorten the tows so they had better control over it. As the main tow rope started to take the strain, it came up very taut because of the swell and possibly because it may have been caught on the rocks somewhere."

"There was a very loud crack and, once the main tow had gone, it was not really safe to continue the salvage operation because, if the other tow line had parted as well, the vessel would have been out of control," he said.

Attaching a new tow line was proving difficult Friday because of high winds and surf.

Click here for pictures of the grounded Vermontborg

Reported by: Richard Lord

USCG Launch Set for next Saturday

01/18
The USCG Hollyhock is set for launch on Saturday, January 25, 2003. With below freezing temperatures, ice has been rapidly developing in the Menominee River. The tug Erika Kobasic usually assists in ice breaking and the launch. They will be aided by the arrival of the Viking I tow sometime on the 18th, which will break a path in the ice at least as far as K&K Warehouse.

USCG Hollyhock on the ways at Marinette Marine.
Another view.

Reported by: Dick Lund

Work Progressing at Port Weller

01/18
Crews at Port Weller Dry Dock are keeping busy this winter with work on the Atlantic Huron and the museum ship Haida. The Atlantic Huron is undergoing a mid life refit at the ship yard, when finished, it will look similar to the Leitch and Algoville as opposed to the CSL Tadoussac.

The Haida is in for repair and maintenance work before heading to its new home in Hamilton.

Atlantic Huron in dry dock.
Atlantic Huron and Haida.
Close up of the Huron.
Old side tanks cut away.
Old tank that was removed.
Cutting on the hull.
Close up in the dry dock.
Haida.
Another view.
Wide view.
Close up of bow.
Stern.
Close up.
View down the side.
Another view.

Many section of the Welland Canal have been drained for the winter as crews perform various maintenance projects.

Empty canal.
View from Lock 2.
Scaffolding at Lock 2.
Inside Lock 2.
Above Lock 2.
Canal below the sky way.
Another view.
Close up.
Looking north.

Reported by: Alex Howard

Your Picture on the Cover

01/18
Author Wes Oleszewski is about to release his tenth book of true adventures on the Great Lakes, "True Tales of Ghosts and Gales" and he is looking for a cover picture. This is your chance to have your picture on the cover of Wes' next book! That's right, dump out those shoeboxes, empty those file folders and rifle through your collection to find your very best "lakeboat in heavy weather" picture. The photos will be judged by Avery Color Studios- Wes' publisher- and the winner will have their image and name on the cover of Wes' next book. Plus, Wes will be appearing with the winner at a Boatnerd "Gathering" where they will both autograph copies of the book together.

We are looking for dramatic images of waves bursting upon Great Lakes freighters- the kind of picture that will make the average book store shopper feel seasick and in total fear of the awesome power of the lakes.

The following are the rules of the contest:
Only photos of lakeboats in heavy weather will be considered.
Photos may be new or old, however, persons submitting the photos must have the right to publish the image and proof there of.
Photos must be of high quality and suitable for publication.
Both amateur and professional photographers may enter.

Please e-mail your photo to moderator@boatnerd.net

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, used in the interim