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Tarantau Scrap Tow Update

10/31:
The Tarantau was towed into Port Weller yesterday afternoon by the tugs Alice A, Vac and Lac Como. The tow departed Toronto yesterday morning and is heading for International Marine Salvage of Port Colborne for scrapping.
Please send in any pictures you have taken of the tow Click here to e-mail

Reported by: Skip Gillham and John Stark




Norris Departs Dry Dock in Thunder Bay

10/31:
The James Norris departed Pascol Engineering's drydock at 1500hrs yesterday. She was towed by the tugs Peninsula and George N. Carleton over to the Keefer Terminal. The vessel was to warmup her engine and take on fuel there. On Monday she will load a cargo of potash at Valley Camp.

The Norris was on Pascol's drydock for 13 days, arriving October 18. She was in for repairs to her damaged forward ballast tank, damaged that occurred when the vessel struck bottom in the channel entering Ludington, MI.

Reported by: Ron Konkol




Seaway Update

10/31:
On October 28 the following vessels were transiting the St. Lawrence Seaway between Montreal (St.Lambert lock) and Iroquois lock. Upbound was the tug LAC VANCOUVER towing the barges Resolute No. 11 and Resolute No. 14 for delivery to a point just above St. Lambert lock. In addition, the tug delivered the barge Quensa to Valleyfield. All the barges were in ballast.

The only laker transiting was ALGOWOOD with iron ore for Burns Harbor from Quebec City. Salties were APTMARINER with steel for Hamilton, MALYOVITZA also underway with steel for Detroit. Both vessels will go to Duluth to load grain before leaving the Lakes. CONSENSUS MANITOU with steel coils for Oshawa and Strange Attractor for Toronto with cement clinkers. In addition reported upbound were CATHERINE DESGAGNÉS for Milwaukee with pig iron from Tracy (Sorel) and THALASSA DESGAGNÉS for Sarnia from Morrisburg in ballast. Downbound was another Desgagnés vessel, PETROLIA DESGAGNÉS for Montreal in ballast from the Soo. Other downbounders were the salties YICK HUA with peas from Thunder Bay, ZIEMIA TARNOWSKA with wheat from the lakehead and LITA with corn from Duluth.

Nine lakers transited, namely Algoma's ALGOVILLE and ALGOCAPE with soya beans from Duluth, ALGONORTH carrying the same type of grain but from Thunder Bay all for delivery at Port Cartier originally but enroute, Algoville was diverted to Montreal. ALGORIVER was heading for Baie Comeau with corn, ALGOSOUND with wheat from Prescott for delivery at Quebec City and JOHN B. AIRD from Hamilton and ALGOBAY from Morrisburg, both in ballast were going to Pointe Noire. The two other lakers were Upper Lakes Shipping QUEBECOIS for Baie Comeau with corn and CANADIAN TRADER with soya beans for Port Cartier from Duluth. In addition, there was the Canadian tanker DIAMOND STAR for Montreal in ballast from Oakville and the tug ESCORT PROTECTOR for Tracy pushing the tank barge McAsphalt 401 in ballast.

Follow-up to earlier reports. The COMEAUDOC which is still loading from trucks in Montreal is also loading corn in addition to soya beans. As a matter of fact, she is loading mostly corn.

CARTIERDOC which spent about six days for repairs lately had her steering gear fixed up. The tug DANIEL McALLISTER is in fact on display between Lock 1 and Lock 2 in the Lachine Canal near the Lock Cafe. She is secured to the bottom of the canal bed in a cradle.

Other news: On October 29, demolition of the former Canadian Vickers Shipyard administrative building began. Once it is done, only two other buildings will remain. Canadian Vickers closed its door on Dec. 31, l989. The administrative building was built 87 years ago according to a newspaper report and is currently owned by the City of Montreal. According to my notes, the last ship built by Canadian Vickers was the icebreaker NORMAN McLEOD ROGERS in 1969. Ship repairs went on until about 1979 and until 1989, Canadian Vickers was manufacturing reactors and other components for American submarines.

Reported by: René Beauchamp.




Twin Ports Report

10/31:
Tadoussac has been an infrequent visitor to the Twin Ports this season, but it was in Duluth on Oct. 30, backed into the General Mills elevator slip and discharging grain into the receiving hopper.

Reported by: Al Miller




Toledo Report

10/31:
Canada Steamship Lines' Jean Parisian and the Nanticoke were set to depart ADM/Countrymark and Anderson E Elevators Saturday night. This trip to Toledo by the Parisian was the first this season. Both ships were assisted up the Maumee River by tugboats




Comeaudoc Loading

10/31:
The Comeaudoc is scheduled to finished loading cargo on Monday, she has been loading in Montréal since October 06. The loading crew have been working from 6:00 a.m. to midnight recently trying to finish the loading as quickly as possible.

The Comeaudoc currently has over 22,000 tonnes on board and only 1,600 tonnes remain which will bring her winter storage load to around 24,000 tonnes. Her cargo consists mostly of Corn with some Soya beans also being loaded.

The vessel has been loading via conveyors and trucks for the past four weeks. One by one the trucks have been dumping to the conveyors which in turn load the ship which is docked at Section 25 of the Port of Montréal. Each truck brings in an average of 35-40 tonnes and over 600 trucks have discharged into her so far.

As of Friday evening, she has loaded 7206.15 tonnes of Soya and 15097.18 tonnes of Corn. It is uncertain where she will be docked after she is finished loading.

Reported by: Steve Sliwka




Empire and Tilden Mines Resume Production

10/31:
Cleveland Cliffs recently resumed iron ore production at the Empire and Tilden Mines in the Upper Peninsula. Both mines ship ore through Marquette and Escanaba.

Reported by: Jim Zeirke




Today in Great Lakes History - October 31

CANADIAN EXPLORER's sea trials were conducted on October 31, 1983 on Lake Erie where a service speed of 13.8 m.p.h. was recorded.

The EDWIN H. GOTT was christened October 31, 1978 .

On October 31, 1973, the H.M. Griffith entered service.

J.W. McGIFFIN cleared Midland, Ont. on her maiden voyage October 31, 1973 bound for Thunder Bay, Ont. to load iron ore for Hamilton, Ont.

The CADILLAC (4) was launched October 31, 1942 as a) LAKE ANGELINA

ELMGLEN (2) cleared Owen Sound, Ont. on October 31, 1984 on her first trip in P. & H. colors.

On October 31, 1966 while downbound in the St. Marys River loaded with 11,143 tons of potash for Oswego, NY, the HALLFAX ran aground on a rocky reef and settled to the bottom with her hold full of water. She had grounded on Pipe Island Twins Reef just north of DeTour, MI.

The CHARLES L. HUTCHINSON (3) struck a reef the night of October 31, 1925 three miles south of Manitou Island, off the Keweenaw Peninsula, on Lake Superior.

On October 31, 1983 the SYLVANIA was towed out of the Frog Pond by the harbor tugs ARKANSAS and WYOMING. She was handed over to the tug OHIO for delivery to the Triad Salvage Co. at Ashtabula, OH arriving there on November 1st. Dismantling was completed there in 1984. Thus ended 78 years of service. Ironically the SYLVANIA, the first built of the 504 foot class bulkers, was the last survivor of that class. During her career with Columbia Transportation, the SYLVANIA had carried over 20 million tons and netted over $35 million.

On 31 October 1883, CITY OF TORONTO (wooden passenger-package freight sidewheeler, 207', 898 GC, built in 1864 at Niagara, Ontarion) caught fire at the Muir Brothers shipyard at Port Dalhousie, Ontario and was totally destroyed. She previously had her paddle boxes removed so she could pass through the Welland Canal, and she was in the shipyard to have them reassembled that winter.

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

This is a small sample, the books include 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




Saginaw Arrives

10/30:
Gaelic Tugboat Company's Patricia Hoey met the tug Roger Stahl and Saginaw in lower Lake Huron yesterday morning and safely docked the vessel in Sarnia.

At 0810 the tug Patricia Hoey had secured a line to the Saginaw's stern, acting as the trailing tug with the Roger Stahl in the lead. The tow continued downbound and passed under the Blue Water Bridge, where boat watchers lined the shoreline to view and photograph the event.

The tugs effortlessly guided the 640-foot Saginaw through the swift current under the Bridge and turned the vessel just below the Government Dock in Sarnia. The Gaelic tugs maneuvered the Saginaw into her slip at the Dock.

Lower Lakes Towing will spend the next month renovating the Saginaw and expects to have her ready to sail by December 1. As of yesterday, the ship's former name had been painted out and the stack was painted in the Lower Lakes Towing colors.

The operation began on the night of October 19 when the Stahl departed the Gaelic Tugboat Company dock in Detroit. The trip was not an easy one but the tug Roger Stahl proved she could take what mother nature could dish-out.

Crossing Lake Superior with the Saginaw in tow, the tug encountered heavy weather while battling 12-foot seas. The Saginaw with ten Lower Lakes Towing employees aboard, was riding very high in the water with her bow thruster above the water line. Riding this way makes her more susceptible to heavy weather.

On Wednesday the tow again met with heavy weather on Lake Huron. The storm hit the tug with 8-foot waves over her bow, Captain John Wellington kept the 3,000 horsepower tug moving at a reduced speed to safely weather the storm.

Both Gaelic tugs returned to the tug yard on the Rouge River in Detroit Friday evening.

Crew on the Roger Stahl Crew on the Patricia Hoey
Captain: John Wellington
Chief Engineer: Jim Salsburg
Mates: Brian Smith and Joey Reaume
Crewmembers: Andy Trynka and B. Fredrickson
 Captain: William Cline
Chief Engineer: Roger Stahl
Mate:  Vern Holton
Crewmembers: Brendon Murphy and Anthony Smith

Pictures
The tow on lower Lake Huron
The tug Roger Stahl guiding the Saginaw into the Government Dock





Tarantau Scrap Tow

10/30:
Shortly before 10:00 a.m. this morning the Tarantau was towed from her Cherry Street slip in Toronto with the tug Alice A in the lead. There were about two dozen people on the vessel when she left the slip and her radar was turning.

She is expected to arrive at Port Weller in the Welland Canal sometime this afternoon.

She was to be towed across Lake Ontario by several McKeil tugs and is heading for International Marine Salvage of Port Colborne, Ontario. A former member of the Canada Steamship Lines fleet, the Tarantau has been laid-up in Toronto since December 23, l996.

Reported by: Jeff Cameron, Roger LeLievre Bill Bird, and John Stark




Twin Ports Report

10/30:
Presque Isle is scheduled to make another call at Midwest Energy Terminal on Nov. 2. The boat has made several calls there this season to carry coal to Nanticoke. The rest of the SMET line-up is composed of its regulars this season: St. Clair, Oct. 29; Columbia Star, Oglebay Norton, Canadian Transport, Oct. 30; Paul R. Tregurtha, Oct. 31; Canadian Enterprise and Walter J. McCarthy Jr., Nov. 1.

Reported by: Al Miller




Collision Bend

10/30:
Collision Bend on the Cuyahoga River came close to its name yesterday. Collision Bend is one of the many turns in the twisting river. An unidentified dredge barge exited the turn Friday heading down the Cuyahoga just as the American Republic was about to enter the turn heading up river.

The vessels maneuvered to avoid each other but it is reported that there was not much room between the two vessels.

The American Republic is regarded as one of the most maneuverable vessels on the Lakes. Her special design features include four steering rudders, four flanking rudders, twin propellers in fixed Kort nozzles and 1500 hp bow and stern thrusters. These features allows her to navigate the winding river without tug assistance.




Sailors withdraw plea, turn away union help

10/30:
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported yesterday that the Filipino crew members on the saltie Evangelos have withdraw their pay complaint filed with the union. Nine of twelve crew members had signed power of attorney statements with the union on Saturday but all had withdrawn their statements by Tuesday of this week.

The ship has since sailed for Casablanca. It is believed the shipping company put pressure on the crewmen through a hiring agency in the Philippines which would have blacklisted the crewmembers for future jobs.

Reported by: Rex Cassidy




Today in Great Lakes History - October 30

The tugs GLENADA and MOUNT McKAY towed AMOCO ILLINOIS from Essexville on October 30, 1985 and arrived at the M&M slip on November 1st. where she was to be scrapped.

The CADILLAC (4) and her former fleetmate CHAMPLAIN (3) arrived under tow by the the Dutch tug/supply ship THOMAS DE GAUWDIEF on October 30, 1987 at Aliaga, Turkey to be scrapped there.

The ISLE ROYALE (2) (Canal Bulk Freighter) was launched October 30, 1947 as a) SOUTHCLIFFE HALL for the Hall Corporation of Canada Ltd. (which in 1969 became Hall Corporation (Shipping) 1969 Ltd.), Montreal.

On 30 October 1874, LOTTA BERNARD (wooden sidewheel "rabbit", 125', 147 T, built in 1869 at Port Clinton, OH) was carrying general merchandise from Silver Islet to Duluth when she foundered in a terrific gale off Encampment Island in Lake Superior. Three lives were lost. She was capable of only 4 miles per hour and was at the mercy of any fast rising storm.

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

This is a small sample, the books include 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




Saginaw to Arrive today

10/29:
Gaelic Tugboat Company's Patricia Hoey departed her Detroit dock in the Rouge River just after mid-night and is planning to meet the Stahl and Saginaw in lower Lake Huron this morning. She will assist the tow through the swift currents under the Blue Water Bridge and help dock the Saginaw in Sarina's Government Dock. It was originally reported she would be towed to the North Slip.

At last report the tow is estimating 0830 Friday morning for Lights 11 & 12 in lower Lake Huron.

Check back through out the day for updates and pictures.

Click here for a computer enhanced image of the John J. Boland with Lower Lakes Towing colors and the name Saginaw.

Reported by: Bill Hoey Jr., Gaelic Tugboat Company




Twin Ports Report

10/29:
Twin Ports grain shipments are moving smoothly following a week of clear skies. On the morning of Oct. 28, the Kastor P was loading at Cargill B1, Lady Hamilton was at AGP, and Marion Green and Canadian Ranger were loading at Harvest States. Panay R. and an unidentified saltie were anchored on the lake waiting for berths.

H. Lee White called in Duluth on Oct. 27 to unload at the Reiss Inland dock. It then was scheduled to proceed to Two Harbors to load taconite pellets.

Reported by: Al Miller




Marquette Update

10/29:
The Elton Hoyt 2nd pulled into Marquette's upper harbor Wednesday to take on a load of ore. The Canadian Transfer was scheduled to make its third visit within a week early yesterday morning. Also due in at the upper harbor was the Charles M. Beeghly, this was her first visit back since the big storm last weekend.

The Charles E. Wilson was also due in yesterday and will pay a visit to Marquette's lower harbor.

Reported by: Art Pickering




Traffic Remains Steady in Saginaw

10/29:
On Thursday morning several vessel were departing Saginaw. The Algorail was outbound passing under the I-75 Bridge (Zilwaukee) at 10:00 a.m. She had arrived to unload at the Burrough's Dock in Saginaw Wednesday afternoon.

The Herbert C. Jackson was outbound at the front range lights 15 minutes later. The Jackson apparently suffered no damage on Monday when she was temporaraly stuck in the muddy river bottom a few hundred yards north of the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Bay City. She unloaded part of her cargo at the Bay Aggregate Dock in Bay City and unloaded the remaining cargo at the Rock Products Dock in Saginaw.

Reported by: Lon Morgan, Mike Levengood and Stephen Hause




Canadian Century Repairs Complete

10/29:
The Canadian Century departed the Port Weller Dry Docks some time Monday. The vessel had been in Dry dock since October 3rd or 4th undergoing rudder repairs. She returned to service departing the dry dock heading upbound.

Reported by: John Stark




Crews Seek Legal Action for Pay

10/29:
Sunday's Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the crew members aboard the saltie Evangelos began a court fight for back wages on Saturday in the Welland Canal as they signed documents to begin the process.

Officials of U.S. and Canadian maritime unions are battling the owners of the Evangelos over an estimated $100,000 the unions say is owed the ship's 12-member Filipino crew.

On October 14 the vessel was inspected by the Seafarers International Union in Cleveland after they received complaints of improper pay, poor food and filthy linen. The union received complaints from 13 Filipino crewmembers on the Panamanian registered vessel. The sailors stated they were paid $300 to $400 a month well below the $1200 monthly set by a labor agreement.

The captain of the vessel denies the claim. The Plain Dealer quotes Captain Stavros Fotinos as shouting "Ridiculous" to reporters as the ship locked through. In the middle of the captain's denial, nine crew members signed powers of attorney authorizing the unions to sue for claimed back pay.

The court battle against the owner, Stavros Roussos Management and Chartering S.A. of Piraeus, Greece, was to begin this past Monday in a Montreal court.

Click here for the complete story from the Cleveland Plain Dealer
The paper has also run an interesting feature on Ships of Shame

Reported by: Rex Cassidy




Life at the Flats Book

10/29:
Written by Michael M. Dixon, illustrated with numerous historical photographs and accounts of early life at the St. Clair Flats, 288 pages, Library of Congress catalog card number 87-71779. If purchased from the non profit, all volunteer SOS Channel Lights organization, all profit goes toward saving the Old South Channel Range Lights just off the southeastern tip of Harsens Island in Lake St. Clair.

A quality publication, it is hard bound with a dark blue cover with gold printing. Size is approximately 9x12 inches.

Publishers: Mervue Publications and St. Clair Delta Publishing Price: $59 plus postage, or pick up in Mount Clemens.
SOS Channel Lights
P.O. Box 46531
Mount Clemens, MI 48046
Phone (810) 772-1888

Reported by: Chuck Brockman




Today in Great Lakes History - October 29

ALGOLAKE was launched October 29, 1976

On October 29, 1986 the JAMES R. BARKER, who had suffered an engine room fire, was lashed side-by-side to the thousand-foot WILLIAM J. DE LANCEY and towed this way to Sturgeon Bay, Wis. for repairs.

The b) CANADIAN EXPLORER was christened on October 29, 1983 at the Port Weller Dry Docks.

The National Transportation Safety Board ruled on October 29, 1991 that Total Petroleum was responsible for the fire that destroyed the tanker JUPITER because of faulty moorings and exonerated the BUFFALO from primary responsibility.

On the afternoon of October 29, 1987 while upbound with coal from Sandusky, OH, the ROGER M. KYES ( b) ADAM E. CORNELIUS) went aground on Gull Island Shoal in Lake Erie's Middle Passage and began taking on water. About 3,000 tons of coal was transferred to the AMERICAN REPUBLIC after which the KYES freed herself the next morning. Damage from the grounding required extensive repairs.

The tug portion of the PRESQUE ISLE (2) departed New Orleans on October 29, 1973.

The H.C. HEIMBECKER's last trip started at Thunder Bay, Ont. with a load of grain bound for Owen Sound, Ont. where, on October 29, 1981, it was discovered that one of her boilers was cracked. When unloading was completed on October 30th, the HEIMBECKER proceeded under her own power to Ashtabula, OH for scrapping.

On 29 October 1892, ZACH CHANDLER (3 mast wooden schooner-barge, 194', 727 GT, built in 1867 at Detroit) was carrying lumber from Ashland, WI in tow of the steamer JOHN MITCHELL when the two became separated in a northerly gale in Lake Superior. The CHANDLER was overwhelmed and broke up on shore about three miles east of Deer Park, MI. Five of the crew made it to shore in the lifeboat and the Lifesaving Service saved two others, but one perished. Three years earlier, the CHANDLER stranded at almost the same spot and sustained heavy damage.

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

This is a small sample, the books include 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




Saginaw Tow Update

10/28:
The tug Roger Stahl with the Saginaw in tow spent last night running at reduced speed in the northern part of Lake Huron. The tow cannot pass under the Blue Water Bridge until daylight. The tow is estimating 0900 Friday morning for lights 7 & 8 in lower Lake Huron.

Gaelic Tugboat Company's Patricia Hoey is expected to leave the Detroit dock some time tonight and meet the Stahl and Saginaw in lower Lake Huron. She will assist the tow through the swift currents under the Blue Water Bridge and help dock the Saginaw in Sarina's North Slip.

The 2000 HP tug will be under the command of Captain William Cline from Port Huron. The namesake of the tug Roger Stahl will be the Chief Engineer onboard the Patricia Hoey.

Daily reports will be listed here as the tow progresses, check back for updates.

Click here for a computer enhanced image of the John J. Boland with Lower Lakes Towing colors and the name Saginaw.

Reported by: Bill Hoey Jr., Gaelic Tugboat Company




Toledo Update

10/28:
The grain rush continued in Toledo yesterday. The Paterson was at ADM Countrymark Elevator, The Gordon C. Leitch is at Anderson's "K" Elevator, and the CSL Niagara is at Anderson's "E" Elevator.

All three vessels started loading their cargoes yesterday and should depart today depending on how the loading process goes.

The tug James Pallidino still remains in drydock at the shipyard, no word on why she is in for repairs.

Reported by: Jim Hoffman




Oil Rig Welded to Ship

10/28:
Tuesday morning in Sept-Iles Bay the ship Mighty Servant 1, a oil rig carrier, fill her ballast tanks with sea water and was almost totally submerged. Only the pilothouse and stern stacks were above water.

The oil rig Petrobas 36 hauled by tugs, started moving in direction of the carrier. After a two hours the tugs succeed in positioning the Petrobas just above the submerged deck of Mighty Servant 1.

The Mighty Servant 1 started to pump her ballast waters out raising at a rate of 30 cm per minute.

This particular oil rig is the heaviest structure to ever have been lifted in maritime history.

In order to secure the rig for the 3 week Atlantic Ocean trip to Brazil, workers attached chains and welded the 35-story structure to the deck.



Reported by: J.F. Boutin




Pellet Production to Resume

10/28:
Pellet production at National Steel Pellet Co. near Keewating, Minn., is expected to resume Oct. 29 following a nearly one-week shutdown for repairs.

A cooler for taconite pellets stopped operating Sunday night, allowing some of the white-hot pellets to fuse to the machine. Production had to be stopped to repair the cooler.

Plant officials said they expected to lose 93,000 to 100,000 tons of production, although they noted that the plant was ahead of this year's production schedule. Pellet shipments continued from stockpiles.

Reported by: Al Miller




Busy day at Southdown

10/28:
In Charlevoix yesterday there were five ships at the Southdown cement plant. The Southdown Conquest, Southdown Challenger, an unidentified tug/barge and the tug Dorothy Ann and barge Pathfinder with a load of Gypsum. The tug Dorothy Ann was reported to be detached from the barge Pathfinder, it is unknown why. The Challenger was waiting to load.

Reported by: Dustin Sadowski




Today in Great Lakes History - October 28

The CANADIAN PIONEER's maiden voyage was on October 28, 1981 to Conneaut, OH to take on coal for Nanticoke, Ont.

The CANADIAN TRANSPORT (2) was launched October 28, 1978 for Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd., Toronto, Ont.

GEMINI was christened October 28, 1978 at Huron, OH.

The GEORGE M. CARL (2) was launched October 28, 1922 as a) FRED G. HARTWELL (2)

D.M. CLEMSON (2) was launched October 28, 1916

CHARLES M. WHITE was launched October 28, 1945 as a C4-S-A4 cargo ship a) MOUNT MANSFIELD for the U.S. Maritime Commission (U.S.M.C. Hull #2369).

On 28 October 1887, BESSIE BARWICK, a 135' wooden schooner built in 1866 at St. Catherine's, Ontario as a bark, left Port Arthur for Kingston, Ontario with a load of lumber during a storm. For more than ten days, her whereabouts were unknown. In fact, a westerly gale drove her into the shallows of Michipicoten Island and she was pounded to pieces. Her crew was sheltered by local fishermen and then made it to the Soo in a small open boat.

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

This is a small sample, the books include 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




Saginaw Tow Update

10/27:
10:00a.m. update
The tug Roger Stahl and Saginaw locked through Soo Locks just after 7:00a.m. this morning. The tow should pass under the Blue Water Bridge at first light Friday Morning. The Gaelic tug Patricia Hoey will meet the tow in lower Lake Huron to assist the Saginaw into the North Slip in Sarnia.
Click below for pictures of the tow locking through.
Animation of the tow exiting the Poe Lock (80k)

Original report
The tow was scheduled to arrive off Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior just after mid-night this morning.

The assist tug Wilford Cohen is expected to meet the tow at 0300. The tow may arrive at the locks before daylight, be sure to check the live cam.

Daily reports will be listed here as the tow progresses, check back for updates.

Click here for a computer enhanced image of the John J. Boland with Lower Lakes Towing colors and the name Saginaw.

Reported by: Bill Hoey Jr., Gaelic Tugboat Company
Thanks to: Jim and Barb Noetzel, Scott McLellan, Robert Anderson, Brian Bernard, Dave Wobser, Dean J. Frazer and Jim Grill for saving the live cam images and reporting.




Twin Ports Report

10/27:
Several salties were in the Twin Ports on Oct. 26 for routine loads of grain, but one vessel stood out: The 468-foot Dutch-flag Marion Green was maneuvering into the Harvest States elevator without assistance from tugs -- an exceedingly rare move for a saltie in the Twin Ports.

Reported by: Al Miller




City of Milwaukee Move

10/27:
The Traverse City Record Eagle Newspaper reported yesterday that if voters here decide to welcome the historic SS City of Milwaukee with open arms on Nov. 2, the ship's one-mile journey from Elberta will be an expensive one for the volunteer group that owns the 68-year-old carferry.

The Society to Preserve the SS City of Milwaukee would have to pay $500,000 to dredge a path for the ship across Betsie Bay. The group currently has about $100,000 set aside for the carferry's journey and subsequent permanent installation. Society officials say they have more funds coming in the form of donations.

Further complicating the issue is that the city of Frankfort has a lien on the ship's title, which could cause a roadblock should the society wish to mortgage the boat to raise capital.

Last week, representatives from the society asked the Frankfort city council to consider removing the lien but deny that they plan on mortgaging the boat for money.

"We just want to keep our options open in case the voters say no," said society secretary Duane Nugent, referring to the Nov. 2 vote which will decide the City of Milwaukee's fate.

If voters turn down a proposal to move the boat from Elberta to Frankfort, the society plans to send the boat to Mackinaw City, which the group claims would like to use it as a tourist attraction.

According to Nugent, the lien dates back to 1984 when the state transferred the ferry to the city of Frankfort. On the title, the state Department of Transportation placed a condition stating that the boat could never be used as collateral to borrow money. It also granted the city a lien against the boat.

In September, the society asked MDOT to release the collateral condition, which it did, but the city's lien remains.

Nugent says the group already has other funding lined up through a U.S. Department of Agriculture guaranteed loan program. According to Nugent, the loan would require no collateral and would be federally guaranteed in case of default. Roger Griner, the society's vice president who Nugent says is responsible for securing the loan, could not be reached for comment. Frank Smith, Frankfort city supervisor, said he worries that Frankfort will ultimately be responsible for costs incurred by the society and its efforts to preserve the boat. "Look, any of those volunteers could walk out tomorrow and guess who's left with the liability," said Smith.

"We don't want to be the eventual owner of this million-dollar project," he said, referring to the costs associated with dredging, purchasing land for parking and providing a permanent place for the ship. Last Monday, the Frankfort city council voted to table the lien release request until the society formally wrote and requested the release rather than asking verbally.

Smith had his doubts as to what the council would decide about the lien when it next meets on Nov. 15.

"If somebody provides us with a contract with the city of Mackinaw City that shows they've accepted the vessel, then we would consider releasing the lien," he said.

"But ultimately it is up to city council."

For more information on the City of Milwaukee click here


Reported by: Mike Dell, Lake Ann Michigan




Oglebay Norton Reports a 13% Increase in Third Quarter Earnings

10/27:
Oglebay Norton Company yesterday announced results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 1999. Third quarter highlights include the following:

Net income increased 13.2% to $6.4 million from $5.7 million in the year earlier period and earnings per share, assuming dilution, were $1.32, a 10.9% improvement compared to $1.19 in the third quarter of 1998.

Proceeds from the sales of the Global Stone Detroit Lime Company and Global Stone Ingersoll Ltd. and cash generated from operations resulted in a $70 million reduction in total debt from $350 million, at the end of the second quarter of 1999, to $280 million. This lowered the company's leverage ratio (total debt to last twelve-months reported EBITDA) to 3.9 times from 4.9.

Successful completion and ratification of a new five-year labor agreement with the United Steelworkers of America covering unlicensed vessel personnel in the Marine Services segment.

Oglebay Norton Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer John Lauer said, "We are pleased with our strategic accomplishments in the third quarter, however, we are far from satisfied with our third quarter income from operations."

"Our Marine Services segment is performing better than the rest of the industry. We operated the entire fleet throughout the quarter at 100% of capacity. However, we did not compare favorably to our record third quarter of 1998. Revenues were down 4% primarily due to low water levels. Income from operations was down 19% ($.22 per share) compared to last year resulting from low water levels combined with higher fuel costs. While Marine Services is behind last year's record level, if weather conditions cooperate, the operating trend of the third quarter should continue through the fourth quarter, producing the second best year of the segments long history."

"Industrial Sands operations had a strong quarter with revenue up 7% and income from operations up 26% compared to last year, primarily as a result of improvement in the oilfield markets and continuing strong momentum from our Orange County operation. Our Brady, Texas operation just registered its first quarterly increase in tonnage in the last five quarters. It appears this trend is continuing in the fourth quarter. With continuing strength in Orange County, we are confident of a strong fourth quarter and solid increases for all of 1999."

"Despite softness in some of the traditional markets for lime and limestone, non-recurring events at two of our facilities, and delays in closing the sales of Global Stone Ingersoll and Global Stone Detroit Lime, Lime and Limestone segment income from operations increased 6% on flat revenue compared to last year. Demand is strong in most of our key markets, particularly in the industrial fillers markets. We do not anticipate any of the issues we experienced during the third quarter in this segment to continue into the fourth quarter and are projecting solid gains in total segment sales and operating profit for the year as a whole."

In the third quarter, the Lime and Limestone segment sold a dock located in Detroit, Michigan. Non-recurring gains from the disposition of assets increased earnings by $900,000 or $0.19 per share. The purchase price received for Global Stone Ingersoll and Global Stone Detroit Lime was treated as an adjustment to the 1998 purchase price of Global Stone Corporation, and therefore, no gain was recognized.

Mr. Lauer concluded: "Our emphasis in the fourth quarter will be to offset the unavoidable impact of low water levels on Marine Services with robust performance in our minerals segments."

Oglebay Norton Company, a Cleveland, Ohio-based company, provides essential minerals to a broad range of markets, from building materials and home improvement to the environmental, energy and metallurgical industries. Building on a 145-year heritage, our vision is to become the premier growth company in the industrial minerals industry.

To access the live or taped web-cast of the conference call, visit the Oglebay Norton Company website at www.oglebaynorton.com.
To access the replay via telephone, dial 1-800-475-6701, from within the United States and 1-320-365-3844, from outside the United States. The Access Code is 471870.




Algoma Steel Announces Results for the Quarter

10/27:
Algoma Steel announced yesterday its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.

A net loss of $16.8 million or $0.32 per share was incurred in the third quarter. This compares to a second quarter loss of $26.9 million or $0.51 per share and a net loss of $12.9 million or $0.25 per share in the third quarter of 1998.

Financial and Operating Results
The loss from operations for the quarter was reduced to $4.7 million from a $15.4 million loss from operations in the second quarter. Lower shipments of negative margin structural and tubular products and improved selling prices for sheet contributed to the improvement as did a successful municipal tax appeal and a forgiveness of debt in a subsidiary which totaled $9 million. The latter two items reduced the after-tax net loss in the quarter by $7.6 million.

Steel shipments decreased to 500,000 tons for the third quarter from 571,000 tons in the second quarter. The decline in shipments was due to the elimination of the seamless tubular and structural product lines as well as lower sheet shipments due to summer customer shutdowns. The exit from these businesses has resulted in higher flat rolled sales with 495,000 tons of shipments in the third quarter versus 436,000 tons shipped in the third quarter of 1998.

The workforce level at September 30 was 4,250 people compared to 4,500 people at June 30 and 5,200 people in mid-1998.

Trade
In late August, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal made a material injury finding covering cold rolled sheet originating in or exported from Belgium, Russia, the Slovak Republic and Turkey. Imports from these countries must be at normal values as determined by Revenue Canada, otherwise they will be subject to anti-dumping duty.

Based on a complaint by Algoma and another Canadian producer of carbon steel plate, Revenue Canada has initiated an investigation into the alleged dumping into Canada of product from Brazil, India, Indonesia, Finland, Thailand and the Ukraine. The investigation will also look at countervailable subsidies on product from India, Indonesia and Thailand. A preliminary determination with respect to dumping and countervailable subsidies is expected early in the new year with final determinations expected in the second quarter of 2000.

Litigation
The Township of Michipicoten has stated that it will initiate a class action lawsuit against the Company in respect of arsenic in the soil in the Wawa area. The Company has no reason to believe that the arsenic in the soil represents a health risk. The Company plans to participate with the Township and the Province in appropriate studies respecting this issue. The Company intends to conduct a vigorous defense of any action brought against it.

Outlook
Demand for steel products remains strong with sheet prices continuing to strengthen. Plate prices appear to be stabilizing with some producers announcing price increases.

The main operating priorities continue to be improving productivity at the DSPC and cutting costs throughout the Company.

Contact:
Algoma Steel Inc.
Mario Dalla-Vicenza, 705/ 945-2400 705/ 945-2412 FAX




Rouge Industries Posts Third Quarter Loss of $11.0 Million

10/27:
Tuesday Rouge Industries, Inc. reported a net loss of $11.0 million or $0.49 per share for the third quarter of 1999 compared to net income of $5.5 million or $0.25 per share in the third quarter of 1998. The loss in 1999 was due in part to the continuing effects of the February 1, 1999 Rouge Complex Powerhouse explosion and fire.

"I am pleased to report that we have returned our steelmaking operations to the pre-explosion production levels during the third quarter, and we are now producing and supplying our full range of high quality steel products to our customers,'' said Carl L. Valdiserri, chairman and chief executive officer.

Steel product shipments totaled 671,000 tons, 73,000 tons or 12.2% higher than the third quarter of 1998, which was impacted by the GM strike, and 299,000 tons higher than the second quarter of 1999. Raw steel production in the third quarter totaled 778,000 tons, 34,000 tons or 4.6% higher than the third quarter of 1998 and 437,000 tons higher than the second quarter of this year. The Company took delivery during the third quarter of the last 37,000 tons of the slabs and coils purchased this year to ensure continued steel supply to its customers. The Company's operating income in the third quarter was adversely impacted by $33.1 million of direct and indirect costs attributable to the powerhouse explosion. These costs include $32.6 million of additional property damage and business interruption costs, and $500,000 of professional service costs that are not covered by the insurance policy. The property damage and business interruption costs have been partially offset by $26.8 million of income for anticipated insurance recovery. This recovery amount is net of a $5.8 million reserve, which the Company believes is appropriate given the complexity of the issues surrounding the insurance claim process.

"In addition to the powerhouse related costs, the Company's results were also adversely affected during the quarter by electricity service interruptions and prohibitive electricity rates at our ladle refining facilities, the electrogalvanizing facility (Double Eagle Steel Coating Company) and the hot dipped galvanizing line (Spartan Steel Coating) during periods of extremely hot weather during the quarter,'' stated Gary P. Latendresse, vice chairman and chief financial officer. ``These three facilities have always been supplied by the local public utility under an interruptible supply contract. During periods of high demand, electricity shortages caused the utility company to restrict supply to virtually all of its interruptible supply customers in our geographic area or to pass through exceedingly high purchased electricity cost premiums incurred by the utility to maintain supply,'' added Mr. Latendresse.

Through September 30, the Company has recorded costs of $186.0 million directly and indirectly attributable to the explosion. Insurance recoveries of $149.2 million have been recorded through September for property damage and business interruption losses of $182.4 million. The recovery amount is net of a $33.2 million reserve. To date, the Company has been advanced $129.0 million against the business interruption and property damage costs. The Company will continue to record explosion related costs and insurance recovery amounts until the new powerhouse is completed and it is no longer dependent upon the temporary electricity and steam facilities.

"Our order book continues to be reasonably strong, and we expect shipments in the fourth quarter to be only slightly lower than the third quarter,'' said Mr. Valdiserri. "Although we expect the fourth quarter steel price increases to hold, we remain focused on our internal cost reduction efforts to improve profitability and earn an acceptable margin. Productivity, yield and quality throughout the steel making operations are improving, and we are concentrating on additional spending controls and purchasing initiatives to further lower our costs. We are also starting to see cost improvements coming from Spartan Steel Coating, and we expect to see our new waste oxide facility contributing to lower costs in the fourth quarter,'' concluded Mr. Valdiserri.

The Company expects that the new co-generation powerhouse, being constructed on Rouge Steel property by an affiliate of CMS Energy Corporation and scheduled to commence operation by mid 2000, will not only lower the Company's costs but will greatly improve supply reliability. The new plant is expected to provide Rouge Steel with a non-interruptible supply of lower cost energy even during the hottest days of the year.




Today in Great Lakes History - October 27

The PAUL THAYER (b) EARL W. OGLEBAY) was christened on October 27, 1973 at Lorain.

While the JAMES R. BARKER was up bound October 27, 1986 on Lake Huron above buoys 11 & 12, a high pressure fuel line on the starboard engine failed causing an engine room fire, which was extinguished by on-board fire fighting equipment. Fortunately no one was injured. On October 29th the BARKER was lashed side-by-side to the thousand-foot WILLIAM J. DE LANCEY (b) Paul R. Tregurtha) and taken to Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

On her maiden voyage the HOCHELAGA (2) departed Collingwood on October 27, 1949 for Fort William, Ont. to load grain for Port Colborne, Ont.

The FRANCIS E. HOUSE was laid up at Duluth, MN on October 27, 1960 and remained idle there until April, 1966 when she was sold to the Kinsman Marine Transit Co., Cleveland and was renamed c) KINSMAN INDEPENDENT (1).

On October 27, 1973 the HENRY LALIBERTÉ struck an embankment while backing from the Frontier Dock Slip at Buffalo, NY and damaged her steering gear beyond repair. As a consequence she was laid up there.

The RED WING (2) and the FRANK A. SHERMAN departed Lauzon, Que. on October 27, 1986 in tandem tow by the Vancouver based deep-sea tug CANADIAN VIKING bound for scrapping in Taiwan.

On 27 October 1869, ALFRED ALLEN (wooden schooner, 160 T, built in 1853 at Pultneyville, NJ as J. J. MORLEY) was bound for Toledo, OH with 500 barrels of salt when she went on the Mohawk Reef near Port Colborne, Ontario in a blizzard. She washed free and drifted to the mainland beach where she was pounded to pieces. No lives were lost.

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

This is a small sample, the books include 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




Saginaw Tow Update

10/26: 9:30 a.m.
At 0800 this morning the tug Roger Stahl checked in on the downbound course, just past Marquette in Lake Superior. She reported 10 to 12-foot seas with a forecast calling for the weather to improve this afternoon. The tow is expected to make Whitefish Bay at 2300 hours tonight. The Saginaw and Stahl should be at the Soo during daylight hours.

The tug Wilford Cohen is expected to meet the tow at Whitefish Bay and assist the tow through the Soo Locks and then release near Detour.

Daily reports will be listed here as the tow progresses, check back for updates.

Click here for a computer enhanced image of the John J. Boland with Lower Lakes Towing colors and the name Saginaw.

Reported by: Bill Hoey Jr., Gaelic Tugboat Co.




Jackson Stopped by Low Water

10/26:
Added 6:05 p.m. Monday
The Herbert C. Jackson was stopped in the muddy bottom of the Saginaw River for about an hour Monday. She was stuck a few hundred yards north of the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Bay City, Michigan. The Jackson was heard asking the bridge for an opening several times between 1630 and 1730 as it attempted to free itself. At about 1700 hours, the Jackson reported to the Coast Guard that it was stopped in the middle of the Saginaw River shipping channel.

Southwesterly winds of about 20 miles per hour had lowered the water level in the river to -2" yesterday afternoon.

At about 1735 hours, the Jackson requested another bridge opening, and a few minutes later, reported to the Coast Guard that it was free and moving through the bridge.

Reported by: Stephen Hause and Lon Morgan




Tug and Barge Run Out of Fuel

10/26:
Coast Guard units from Houghton, Duluth and Traverse City were dispatched Sunday evening to assist a 46-foot National Park Service tug that apparently ran out of fuel about nine miles from the upper entrance to the Keweenaw waterway on Lake Superior.

The tug E. J. Colomb was towing a 100-foot barge Beaver loaded with heavy equipment. An National Park Service workboat reportedly took the tug under tow while two vessels from Station Portage in Houghton towed the barge into the waterway. The tug arrived at the Lily Pond Marina near Houghton about 10 p.m. and its two crew members were reported safe.

Along with the boat from Houghton, the USCG dispatched a helicopter from the Traverse City air station and the cutter Sundew from Duluth. The helicopter flew to Houghton Co. Airport, MI and remained overnight as a forward deployed resource in the event the tow failed.

The Courtney Burton made herself available to assist and diverted to scene. Her assistance was not needed.

Reported by: Al Miller




Seaway Update

10/26:
Sunday was rather quiet in the Seaway. Upbound with iron ore were four lakers, namely: CSL NIAGARA for Nanticoke, ALGOCEN for Hamilton, ALGOSOO for Lorain and CARTIERDOC for Chicago. Cartierdoc had been in Montreal since Oct.19 possibly undergoing some minor repairs at shed 6.

Also upbound was the laker CANADIAN VOYAGER in ballast for Prescott from Baie Comeau. Before entering the Seaway however, she called in Montreal to take on bunkers at section 94.

Other vessels upbound were the tanker SATURN heading for Oswego with bunker oil and the salties MLJET and MOOR LAKER both with steel for unloading in Hamilton and Detroit respectively.

Only four vessels transited downbound, the salties EVANGELOS with soybeans pellets from Thunder Bay and TRIAS with soybeans from Duluth. The lakers MAPLEGLEN with dried beans loaded at Toledo was en route to Quebec City and MONTREALAIS with wheat from Thunder Bay was on her way to Montreal for Elevator No.4

Reported by: René Beauchamp.




Marquette Update

10/26:
The first winter storm of the year has come and gone and vessel traffic was getting back to business Monday. The Algosteel and the Charles M. Beeghly both of which arrived late last Thursday spent Friday and Saturday in port waiting for the storm to subside. The American Mariner was anchored in the lower harbor over the weekend also waiting for the storm to subside.

After three days of gale force winds with 15-20 foot waves, snow and rain, the sun finally warmed the region Sunday and Lake Superior finally calmed down. That allowed the three vessels in port to depart early Sunday and permitted traffic to resume.

The Paul R. Tregurtha arrived after weathering the storm in Thunder Bay, she was sailing from Superior with a load of western coal.

The Canadian Transfer to arrive in the upper harbor to load taconite for Algoma Steel at the Soo. Transfer had been on the hook in Whitefish Bay since late Friday night to wait out high winds. She is scheduled for a week of trips out of Marquette.

Finally on Monday morning the Joseph H. Thompson arrived.

Reported by: Art Pickering, Robert Oom and Rod Burdick




Oglebay Norton to Discuss Third Quarter Results Today

10/26:
In a recent press release Oglebay Norton announced a live internet broadcast today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

The Company's Chairman, President and CEO, John N. Lauer, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, David H. Kelsey will discuss 1999 third quarter earnings results at its conference call that will be broadcast live.

Click here to listen




Dofasco Plans Live Results

10/26:
Yesterday Dofasco announced that the conference call with the financial community, which regularly accompanies the Company's release of its quarterly consolidated results, will be broadcast live across the Internet. Interested investors can access the call through the "Finance & Shareholders" page at www.dofasco.ca. For those investors unable to listen to the call live, the audio file will be archived and available for subsequent listening.

Dofasco will release its third quarter results at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 27th. The conference call will take place at 1:00 p.m. that afternoon.

Dofasco is a leading North American steel producer. Product lines include hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized and tinplate flat rolled steels, as well as tubular products. Dofasco's wide range of steel products is sold to customers in the automotive, construction, steel distribution, packaging, pipe and tube, manufacturing and appliance industries.




Bethlehem Steel Results

10/26:
Bethlehem Steel Corporation will broadcast its quarterly earnings conference call on Wednesday, October 27, at 2:30 PM EDT.

Click here to listen




GATX Announces Quarterly Results

10/26:
On Friday the board of directors of GATX Corporation, the parent company of American Steamship Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.275 per common share, payable December 31, 1999, to shareholders of record December 15, 1999.

The board also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.625 per share on the $2.50 preferred stock, payable December 1, 1999, to shareholders of record November 15, 1999.

American Steamship Company's net income for the quarter fell to 0.7 million down from 2.7 million last year. Year to date net income fell to 2.4 million vs. 5.5 million last year.

In announcing the figures, GATX explained the drop as "over all the environment on the Great Lakes is very tough these days not only for American Steamship Company but for there competitors as well..." sighting iron ore shipments that are down due to the lingering effects of steel imports, low water levels, and a pricing environment that was described as "quite competitive".

Click here to listen to the GATX announcement




LTV Declares Common Stock Dividend

10/26:
Last week the LTV Corporation announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $O.03 per common share, payable on December 7, 1999 to stockholders of record at the close of business November 15, 1999.

This is LTV's fifteenth consecutive quarterly dividend paid on common shares.

The LTV Corporation is a manufacturing company with interests in steel, metal fabrication and leading steel technologies. Last year LTV reported sales of $4.3 billion.

Reported by: LTV




Saginaw Tow Crossing Lake Superior

10/26:
Report added Monday at 3:30 p.m.
The tow is travelling the regular downbound course on Lake Superior. They have an ETA of 0300 Tuesday morning off Copper Harbor, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With Gale warnings in effect, the tow may go to anchor on the east side of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The forecast calls for the northwesterly gales to diminish by dawn today as the wind turns to the north at 25 knots. This means they would have rode out the worst of the weather before reaching the shelter of the Keweenaw.

If they continue and maintain their speed it will be Wednesday morning when the tow arrives at the Soo Locks.

Report added Monday at 10:00 a.m.
The tug Roger Stahl and Saginaw are planning to make eight knots and the voyage is expected to take approximately five days. Ten personnel are expected to ride the Saginaw during the voyage. The tug Wilford Cohen will meet the tow at White Fish Bay and assist the Saginaw and Stahl through the Soo Locks and then release near Detour. The Gaelic tug Patricia Hoey will meet the tow at the Lake Huron Cut and assist the tow through the Blue Water Bridge and into the dock at Sarnia, Ontario.

Daily reports will be listed here as the tow progresses, check back for updates.

Click here for a computer enhanced image of the John J. Boland with Lower Lakes Towing colors and the name Saginaw.

Reported by: Bill Hoey Jr., Gaelic Tugboat Co.




Saginaw Tow Departs Duluth

10/26:
Report added Monday at 3:00p.m. - Update with new pictures
Gaelic Towing's tug Roger Stahl drew a lot of attention in the Twin Ports on Oct. 24 when it arrived to tow the Saginaw down the lakes.

Capt. John Wellington wasted no time in taking the Stahl from the Duluth piers to the Murphy Oil dock at Duluth's port terminal to fuel. After about an hour, Wellington, tug and crew proceeded to Fraser Shipyards to pick up the Saginaw.

The Stahl, formerly the USCG tug Kaw, is powered by twin diesel engines. Capt. Wellington is well known around the lakes, and several acquaintances stopped by to pay their regards. The captain was a gracious host but all business taking the tug into the yard, occasionally using binoculars to size up a buoy and quietly issuing directions to the wheelsman.

Boatwatchers and old sailors watched the process from several vantage points around the harbor. About 100 people were present at the Duluth piers as the Stahl departed with the Saginaw in tow, assisted by a tug from Great Lakes Towing.

The photos here offer a glimpse into the size and capabilities of the Stahl. It was interesting to note that even with the latest in navigation technology, the tug's crewmen still needed to know traditional seamen's skills to prepare the tow line for the Saginaw.

Photographs (Click on text to view).

  • Roger Stahl fueling at the Murphy Oil dock in Duluth
  • Capt. John Wellington, center facing camera, talks with two crewmen while two guests -- Wes Harkins and Dick Bibby -- look on.
  • The Stahl's wheeslman guides the tug through Duluth harbor.
  • The view as the Stahl enters Fraser Shipyards
  • Approaching the Saginaw
  • The Saginaw at its dock about an hour before the tow. The name has been painted out and the gangway removed. The master had to come ashore in a manbasket hoisted by a crane.
  • The Roger Stahl with Saginaw in the background
  • Stahl crewmen rigging the tow line
  • Stahl's engine room from top of ladder. The two engines produce 3,000 horsepower.
  • Stahl's port diesel engine with crewman
  • Stahl's pilothouse taken from the bow.
  • The Stahl's towing bollard located aft of the superstructure
  • The Stahl's cable winch. Dick Bibby, former Hanna agent in Duluth and avid boat historian, stands alongside to give it scale.
  • The Stahl's messroom.

    Check back for updates as the tow progresses.

    Reported by: Al Miller




    • News Reporters wanted

    10/26:
    I would like to invite anyone interested in reporting from their area to send in reports for this news page when ever they see anything interesting. Reports can be sent by e-mail or by using a form if the sender does not want credit.

    If you would like credit your name (or company name) will be listed on the news page and I can also add links to any web sites you like. This is also a good way to link more traffic to a web site.

    Currently we could use more reports on the fall grain rush, specifically in the Welland Canal and Seaway. If you become a regular contributor I can create an About the Author web page.

    Click here to E-mail
    Click here to send news using the form.If you would not like to have your name used remember click the "no" button




    Today in Great Lakes History - October 26

    LOUIS R. DESMARAIS was christened October 26,1977.

    On October 26, 1968 the R. BRUCE ANGUS grounded in the St. Lawrence River near Beauharnois, Que. Sixteen hundred tons of iron ore were lightered to free her and she damaged 65 bottom plates.

    The HUTCHCLIFFE HALL and OREFAX were sold October 26, 1971 to the Consortium Ile d'Orleans of Montreal made up of Richelieu Dredging Corp., McNamara Construction Ltd. and The J.P. Porter Co. Ltd.

    On October 26, 1924 the E.A.S. CLARKE (2), anchored in the Detroit River opposite the Great Lakes Engineering Works because of dense fog was struck by the B.F. JONES (1) near her after deck house which caused the CLARKE to sink. No lives were lost.

    On October 26, 1977 the MENIHEK LAKE struck a lock in the St. Lawrence Seaway sustaining damage estimated at $400,000.

    On October 26, 1971 the ROGERS CITY (2) had her A-frame collapsed while unloading at Carrollton, MI on the Saginaw River. Her unloading boom was cut away and temporary repairs were made at Defoe Shipbuilding Co., Bay City, MI.

    The tug ROUILLE was launched on October 26, 1929 as Hull 83 of Collingwood Shipyards Ltd.

    The schooner HEMISPHERE, which was being sought by the U.S. Marshals at Detroit and the St. Lawrence River, escaped at the Gallop Rapids and has gone to sea.

    On 26 October 1851, ATLAS (wooden propeller, 153’, 375 T, built in 1851 at Buffalo) was carrying flour from Detroit to Buffalo when she was blown to shore near the mouth of the Grand River (Lorain, OH) by a gale, stranded and became a total loss. No lives were lost.

    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 include 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




    Saginaw Tow Departs Duluth

    10/25:
    10:00am update:
    They are planning to make eight knots and the voyage is expected to take approximately five days. Ten personnel are expected to ride the Saginaw during the voyage. The tug Wilford Cohen will meet the tow at White Fish Bay and assist the Saginaw and Stahl through the Soo Locks and then release near Detour. The Gaelic tug Patricia Hoey will meet the tow at the Lake Huron Cut and assist the tow through the Blue Water Bridge and into the dock at Sarnia, Ontario.

    Original report:
    The steamer Saginaw was towed from Fraser Shipyards in Superior on the afternoon of Oct. 24 by the Gaelic tug Roger Stahl with assistance from a the tug Minnesota from Great Lakes Towing Co.

    The Saginaw tow left Duluth about 6 p.m. under tow of the Stahl, with the GLT tug handling the stern line until the tow was well outside the piers of the Duluth ship canal. The Saginaw's former name, John J. Boland, was painted out on the stern and bow and the nameboards had been removed.

    The Stahl arrived at 1 p.m. under command of Capt. John Wellington. The tug fueled at the Murphy Oil dock, then proceeded to Fraser Shipyards. A tug from GLT arrived at 4 p.m. to assist in getting the Saginaw out of the harbor. The GLT tug handled the stern and the Stahl was on the bow.

    Apparently some problems arose in removing the Saginaw from the shipyard. Several people watching the process said the bow line came lose and the Saginaw was blown into a mud bank. After swinging the stern for about 20 minutes, the vessel came free and the tow proceeded. Because of the wind from the south, it was a tight squeeze in getting the Saginaw past the abutments of the old Clough Avenue street-car bridge that remain in the shipyard. Once out of the yard, the tow moved quickly.

    Photographs (Click on text to view).

  • Tug Roger Stahl arriving from the Lake Superior
  • Close up view
  • Video of the tug arriving (168k)

  • Tug Roger Stahl and Minnesota working together towing the Saginaw from Fraser Shipyards
  • Saginaw and tugs leaving Fraser Shipyards
  • Leaving Fraser Shipyards
  • Close shave with the old Lamborn Avenue bridge abutment.
  • GLT tug Minnesota helping Saginaw and Stahl
  • Stahl and GLT tug have emerged from Howard's Bay and are proceeding out of St. Louis Bay.
  • Tow is approaching Blatnik Bridge at mouth of St. Louis Bay
  • Leaving St. Louis Bay and entering Duluth Harbor
  • All leaving St. Louis Bay
  • Approaching Duluth ship canal
  • All are approaching Duluth ship canal to depart
  • Approaching Duluth ship canal
  • Tow under the Aerial Lift Bridge
  • Stern of the Saginaw under the Aerial Lift Bridge and departing Duluth probably forever

    Check back for updates as the tow progresses.

    Reported by: Al Miller




    • DeTour Update

    10/25:
    USS Great Lakes Fleetmates John G. Munson and Cason J. Callaway, along with Interlake Steamship Company's Herbert C. Jackson were anchored off Pipe Island at the upper end of DeTour Passage from Friday evening until late Saturday or early Sunday. Yesterday afternoon another Interlake vessel, the Elton Hoyt 2nd, remained at the Drummond Island dolomite dock.

    Reported by: Marc & Jill Vander Meulen




    Reiss Waits out Weather

    10/25:
    The Richard Reiss was seen at anchor very close to the Canadian shoreline just off Buffalo Harbor on the morning of the 24th.

    The Coast Guard hailed the vessel on the radio asking if everything was ok after receiving phone calls of a ship aground on Lake Erie. The captain explained that he was waiting out the wind while in the lee of Point Abino.

    Reported by: Brian Wroblewski




    Former Bob Lo Office Fire

    10/25:
    At approximately 5:15 pm Sunday the old Bob Lo office building at the Detroit Marine Terminal caught fire. Fire crews responded quickly and appeared to have the fire under control.

    The former Bob Lo office building is the low building right at the end of Clark Street with the Detroit Marine Terminal sign on top, not the large warehouse just south of it.

    Reported by: Wade P. Streeter




    News from Tawas Bay - Lake Huron

    10/25:
    Seen at anchor, waiting out the weather on Saturday were the barge Pathfinder and a Canada Steamships Lines self-unloader. Both had departed by Sunday noon.

    Reported by: Rick Schwinke




    Today in Great Lakes History - October 25

    The ALGOBAY departed on her maiden voyage October 25, 1978 from Collingwood light for Stoneport, Mich. to load stone for Sarnia, Ont.

    The STERNECLIFFE HALL entered service on October 25, 1947.

    The HURON (4) arrived at Santander, Spain October 25, 1973 in consort with the WYANDOTTE (2) towed by the German tug DOLPHIN X. for scrapping.

    October 25, 1895 - Shenago No. 2 (later Pere Marquette 16) was launched in Toledo, Ohio. She was built by the Craig Shipbuilding Company for the United States & Ontario Steam Navigation Company and later became part of the Pere Marquette carferry fleet.

    The engines of the propeller WESTMORELAND, which sank in 1854 near Skillagalee Reef in Lake Michigan, were recovered and arrived at Chicago on 25 October 1874.

    ARK was built on the burned out hull of the steamer E. K. COLLINS as a sidewheel passenger steamer in 1853 at Newport, MI, but she was later cut down to a barge. On 25 October 1866, she was being towed along with three other barges down bound from Saginaw, MI in a storm.. Her towline parted and she disappeared with her crew of 6. The other three tow-mates survived. There was much speculation about ARK's whereabouts until identifiable wreckage washed ashore 100 miles north of Goderich, Ontario.

    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 include 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




    Tow Departs

    10/24:
    7:30 EDT update by Ken Newhams:
    The tow departed the shipyard at 6:00 CDT
    A picture of the tow has been added on the Duluth Shipping News page, check back for updates through out the night and tomorrow.

    5:00 EDT update by Al Miller:
    The crew of the Roger Stahl is preparing to depart Fraser Shipyards in Superior sometime this evening with the steamer Saginaw in tow. The Saginaw, formerly the John J. Boland, has a long history on Lake Superior. It was the first vessel into Reserve Mining Co. in Silver Bay, hauling coal in there before the taconite plant began operating. The Boland also carried the first cargo of low-sulfur western coal from Midwest Energy Terminal when it opened in the mid-70s.

    3:00 update by Ken Newhams:
    The Gaelic Tugboat Company's tug, the Roger Stahl, came under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge at 1 PM today (Sunday, October 24). She will take on fuel at the Murphy Fuel Dock before moving over to Fraser Shipyard in Superior to pick up the Saginaw (formerly the John J. Boland). The Roger Stahl will be assisted by a tug from the Great Lakes Towing Company until they get out into the lake. Under tow, the Saginaw will be taken to Sarnia, Ontario where she will be restored to life again as a Great Lakes cargo boat, working mostly in the stone trade. She is now owned and will be operated by Lower Lakes Towing Ltd. of Port Dover, Ontario. Aboard the Saginaw during the tow will be about 9 of the crew who will work the boat when she returns to duty. That includes Captain Scott Bravener, an owner of the boat and her captain.

    More pictures at Duluth Shipping News



    Reported by: Ken Newhams and Al Miller




    Great Coverage

    10/24:
    My thanks to Al Miller and Ken Newhams of the Duluth Shipping News for helping with this outstanding coverage. The Duluth Shipping News page also has great pictures posted to the site.




    Tug Set to Depart

    10/24:
    11:00 update:
    The Tug Roger Stahl departed the Keweenaw Waterway at 0001 this morning and should be inbound the Duluth piers at 1300 (local time). The Stahl will fuel at Murphy Oil and then shift to Fraser Shipyards at 1430.

    Once the Saginaw in ready for tow the Stahl will call for an assist tug to depart. They should be backing away from the dock at 1600 local time.

    Check back for updates through out the day.

    Original report
    The Roger Stahl attempted to cross Lake Superior yesterday at 5:00pm. The tug traveled a few miles out into the lake and turned back in the face of 12-foot seas.

    She was expected to depart some time this morning to make the 14 hour trip across Lake Superior.

    Jim Noetzel photographed the tug at dock in the Keweenaw Waterway Saturday.
    Bow view
    Stern view
    The towing winch

    Please send in any pictures that you take of the tug or towing operation.

    Reported by: Bill Hoey Jr., Gaelic Tugboat Co.




    Saginaw in Superior

    10/24:
    Crews continue working on the Saginaw at Fraser Shipyards in Superior. Below are pictures taken yesterday.
    A last glimpse of the Saginaw at Fraser Shipyards
    The Canadian flag flying from the Boland's fantail.
    The U.S. courtesy flag and "under tow" signal (the partially obscured black diamond) flying from the foremast halliards.


    Reported by: Al Miller
    Click here for a new book written by Al.




    Sykes In Green Bay

    10/24:
    Repairs started Friday to the Wilfred Sykes appear to be finished and the vessel's bow is back in the water.

    Saturday afternoon she was waiting out the weather along with the barge St. Marys Cement and tug Triton.




    Heavy Weather Causes Delays Across the lakes

    10/24:
    Heavy weather has caused most vessel sailing on the lakes to seek shelter. Reports from yesterday are included below.

    Vessels seeking shelter from Lake Superior at the ore docks in Marquette yesterday were the Algosteel and Charles E. Beeghly.
    Sandy Chapman included these pictures with the report:
    The Algosteel at dock
    Lake Superior

    Ron Konkol reporting from Thunder Bay on northern Lake Superior saw the following vessel at anchor: Yick Hua , Algonorth, Paul R. Tregurtha, James R. Barker and the Algolake. All vessels departed the area by Saturday Evening.

    Tom Kelly reports that the Southdown Challenger has been anchored in Suttons Bay, Lake Michigan for two days riding out the storm. In addition to her anchor and deck lights, a strange orange light glows from just aft of the pilot house - yes, a jack-o-lantern.

    At the south end of Suttons Bay a 30' sailboat was being pounded by the waves after breaking loose from her mooring.

    The Adam E. Cornelius was waiting inside Grand Haven Piers prior to proceeding to Milwaukee. Midnight Saturday was 48 hrs waiting for wind to decrease.

    Lon Morgan reports from Saginaw that the Walter J. McCarthy Jr. arrived at the Essexville Power Plant on the 21st at 1300. She unloaded her cargo, and about 2100 that evening made a security call that she would be departing soon. The crew on the McCarthy later cancelled her departure. As of Saturday afternoon, she remained at the dock. The water level in the Saginaw River had dropped substantially due to strong winds out of the west/southwest.

    In the St. Clair River Saturday afternoon most traffic was waiting for weather. Andrew Severson reports that the following boats were tied up or anchored in the river. Philip R. Clarke was tied up at the Azko salt dock in St. Clair. Canadian Venture went to anchor off of Recor Point. The Petrola Desaganes was tied up at the lower end of the Shell dock in Coruna Ont. Algomarine was going to Imperial Oil for fuel and planned to stay until the weather lifted. The only traffic moving was downbound traffic. The saltie Mina Cebi downbound, the Algosar departed the government dock downbound to the Imperial Oil lower dock.

    Water levels in the lower Detroit River were as low as +02.0 yesterday afternoon. The weekly forecast called for levels of +15.0 Chuck Pike reports that the Mina Sebi anchored at the Belle Isle Special Anchorage Area at 2:00pm.

    Brian Wroblewski reports that in Buffalo yesterday evening the Richard Reiss was docked at the Black Rock Canal tie up wall. She was waiting out the weather in the calm waters of the canal because there were two vessels already occupying the dock at her next loading port.




    Wind and Seas cause Salty to Drift

    10/24:
    The salt water vessel Arktis Faith was anchored off of buoys 11 & 12 in Lake Huron yesterday afternoon. The vessel reported to Sarnia Traffic that her anchor would not hold. The vessel requested to lift anchor and proceed north at dead slow, without a pilot returning to pick up her pilot at 0400 this morning.

    The vessel planned to hoisted anchor and proceeded northwest of Buoys 11 & 12 anchoring there. At 6:30pm the Arktis Faith was back on the hook and holding.

    Reported by: Andrew Severson




    Taylor Update

    10/24:
    Last weekend the Myron C. Taylor was unable to unload her cargo in Saginaw due to an unloading system failure. She sailed to Sturgeon Bay shipyard for repairs.

    The bucket elevator system on the Taylor, which carries cargo from the spar deck level to the unloading boom, was severely damaged when the vessel attempted to unload at Saginaw Rock last week.

    The aging system, which had just undergone some minor repairs to strengthen it, literally ripped itself apart after running for about 30 minutes. The Taylor was loaded too deep to turn around in the Saginaw River turning basin, so the Great Lakes Towing Tug Wisconsin was dispatched from Detroit to tow the Taylor out into deep water in Saginaw Bay. From there she proceeded under her own power to Bay Shipbuilding at Sturgeon Bay for repairs--essentially rebuilding the entire bucket elevator system.

    USS Great Lakes Fleet hopes the project can be completed within 4 weeks and the vessel can return to service to finish out the season. The Taylor is carrying "egg meal" in 2 of her holds, which is similar to beach sand. Since the cargo is damp, there's concern that it will freeze in the hold if temperatures drop while the boat is undergoing repairs. In all likelihood, a crane with a clamshell bucket will be used to remove the egg meal. It's unclear at this time whether the cargo will be transferred to another USSGLF vessel for movement to Saginaw Rock, or whether it will merely be piled on the dock at Sturgeon Bay and reloaded into the Taylor after it has been repaired.

    Deck crewmembers were discharged the day the ship reached the dock at Sturgeon Bay and the balance of the crew, engineers, oilers, and galley personnel departed the vessel on the morning of October 22.

    Reported by: Mark L. Thompson




    Today in Great Lakes History - October 24

    TEXACO WARRIOR (2) was launched October 24, 1969 as a) THUNTANK 6.

    The PHILIP D. BLOCK along with the W.W. HOLLOWAY scrap tow arrived Recife, Brazil. October 24,1986

    The THOMAS W.LAMONT and her former fleetmate, ENDERS M. VOORHEES arrived at Alegeciras, Spain on October 24, 1987 on the way to the cutters torch. The LAMONT was one of the last bulkers that retained her telescoping hatch covers to the very end.

    The NIPIGON BAY arrivied Thunder Bay, Ont. on October 24, 1980 where repairs were made from damage caused by her grounding a earlier in the month.

    On 24 October 1855, ALLEGHENY (wooden propeller, 178’, 468 T, built in 1849 at Cleveland) was carrying general merchandise and passengers in a storm, when she anchored near the Milwaukee harbor entrance for shelter. She lost her stack and then was unable to get up steam and was helpless. She dragged her anchor and came in close to the beach where she was pounded to pieces. There was no loss of life. Her engine and most of her cargo were removed by the end of the month. Her engine was installed in a new vessel of the same name built to replace her.

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

    This is a small sample, the books include 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




    Tug Waits at Houghton

    10/23:
    The tug Roger Stahl continues to wait out the storms on Lake Superior at Houghton, MI on the Keweenaw Waterway. The latest reports from the tug call for her to wait until morning and depart sometime on Saturday.

    Please send in any photos that were taken.

    Reported by: Bill Hoey Jr., Gaelic Tugboat Co.




    S.S. Saginaw update

    10/23:
    Yesterday in Superior the Saginaw was being prepared for her tow to Sarnia by employees from Lower Lakes Towing.

    Colt Edin reports that the pilot house shutters were being removed and there were lights and people in the pilot house. One of the anchors was lowered a few feet so that birds nests and debris would fall out, they were then bulled back up. A Canadian flag is now flying from the stern, but an American flag is still flying on top of the pilothouse. There are people all over the ship.

    Ken Newhams with the Duluth Shipping News was on board the Saginaw yesterday and has put together a web page with pictures. Click on the link above.




    Seaway Update

    10/23:
    The following vessels were noted as having transiting the Seaway on Oct.21 between St. Lambert and Iroquois locks. Upbound were the lakers MANTADOC in ballast for Thunder Bay from Sorel, JOHN B. AIRD with iron ore for Ashtabula from Pointe Noire, ALGOISLE and TADOUSSAC with iron ore also and both for Hamilton, Algoisle having loaded at Port Cartier and Tadoussac at Pointe Noire.

    In addition, there was two Desgagnés vessels, their new tanker MARIA DESGAGNÉS heading for Clarkson loaded with petroleum products from the Maritimes, and their bulker AMELIA DESGAGNÉS bound for Toledo with aluminum bars from Pointe Noire.

    Four salties completed the scene, CARO for Windsor in ballast, FEDERAL SCHELDE for Oshawa with steel, CAPETAN MICHALIS for Detroit with steel coils and SPAR GARNET with steel for Hamilton.

    There was less traffic downbound. The tug EVANS McKEIL pushing the tank barge Salty Dog I loaded with calcium chloride for possibly Halifax, the Cleveland Tankers SATURN in ballast for Quebec City from Oswego, the Rigel Shipping tanker DIAMOND STAR on charter to Groupe Desgagnés bound for Montreal in ballast from Bronte, the laker ALGOSOUND with wheat for Quebec City from Prescott and the salties EAGLE with corn from Windsor and STOLT EGRET with fuel oil from Clarkson.

    Still loading from trucks in Montreal is COMEAUDOC. She is loading a storage cargo of soy beans. Later on, she will be towed to a wintering berth situated near the grain elevator in Montreal and will wait for the cost of grain to raise before unloading in the spring.

    Arriving for lay up in Montreal on Oct.19 was the general cargo ship LADY FRANKLIN. She had completed several trips to Arctic destinations since the beginning of summer, most of her cargo having been loaded at Côte Ste.Catherine in the St. Lawrence Seaway.

    Reported by: René Beauchamp.




    Twin Ports Report

    10/23:
    Gale force winds on Lake Superior Oct. 22 prompted several vessels to seek shelter until the weather moderated. Forecasts called for northwest winds to 45 knots and waves 7 to 11 feet in height. At midday, the weather buoy near Outer Island in the Apostles was reporting northwest winds at 25 knots and seven-foot waves.

    Columbia Star, bound for Midwest Energy Terminal in Superior, was reported anchored above the Soo and due at Duluth on Oct. 24. Courtney Burton, carrying stone for CLM dock in Superior, also was reported anchored above the Soo. Buckeye, bound for Silver Bay, and Armco were at the Soo. American Mariner was anchored off Marquette.

    Some vessels kept moving despite the weather. Joe Block arrived Duluth for the DMIR dock. James R. Barker departed Duluth in the morning and Algolake and Canadian Transport both arrived to load coal.

    Reported by: Al Miller
    Click here for a new book written by Al.




    Green Bay

    10/23:
    The Wilfred Sykes arrived in Green Bay yesterday evening with her bow raised. She docked at Western Lime Corp. where crews arrived to do some type of repairs. A welders arc could be seen from the front anchor pocket. At last report she was still tied up at the dock.

    Mid-afternoon Friday the Agawa Canyon was at anchor in upper Green Bay riding out the Northwest Gale. The Messabi Miner is upbound through Port des Morts passage off the tip of the Door County Peninsula at 1:00 PM CDT yesterday.

    Reported by: Jim Robinson




    Cuyahoga in Saginaw

    10/23:
    On Friday afternoon the Cuyahoga arrived at the General Motors dock in Saginaw. It is unusual for freighters to use this dock. However, at least one other delivery was made here in recent weeks. Most likely, the dock space is being used by a local stone company for additional space to receive and store materials.

    Reported by: Stephen Hause




    Barge on the Cuyahoga

    10/23:
    A St. Mary's Cement barge entered the Cuyahoga River yesterday afternoon and was heading up river on tow from a Great Lakes Towing tug.

    The Barge just beat the third squall of the day by about a half hour. The squall started with snow, quickly progressed to sleet and then a mix of sleet and rain.




    USX-U.S. Steel profits drop 86 percent

    10/23:
    Steelmakers USX-U.S. Steel and Nucor Corp., Nos. 1 and 2 respectively, had opposite third-quarter results as U.S. Steel's profit plunged 86 percent while its smaller rival's earnings rose for the first time in eight quarters.

    U.S. Steel's net income fell to $8 million, or 7 cents a share, from $58 million, or 63 cents. Nucor's profit from operations in the quarter ended Oct. 2 rose 4.7 percent to $68.2 million, or 78 cents a share, from $65.1 million, or 74 cents, in the year-earlier period. U.S. Steel's sales dropped 11 percent while Nucor had a slight increase.




    Today in Great Lakes History - October 23

    The CECILIA DESGAGNES was launched October 23, 1970 as a) CARL GORTHON, for Rederi A/B Gylfe, Hälsingborg, Sweden.

    GRAND RAPIDS Rail Car Ferry was launched October 23, 1926 for the Grand Trunk-Milwaukee Car Ferry Co., Muskegon, MI.

    WILLIAM B. SCHILLER was launched October 23, 1909 for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co., Cleveland, OH.

    October 23, 1926 - The Grand Trunk carferry Grand Rapids was launched in Manitowoc. She entered service in December of 1926.

    October 23, 1952 - The S.S. Spartan arrived Ludington on her maiden voyage.

    On 23 October 1868, F. T. BARNEY (wooden schooner, 255 T, built in 1856 at Vermilion, OH) collided with the schooner TRACY J. BRONSON and sank below Nine Mile Point, NW of Rogers City in Lake Michigan. The wreck was found in 1987 and sits in deep water, upright in almost perfect condition. Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze,

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

    This is a smallsample, the books include 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




    Saginaw Sale Official

    10/22:
    Lower Lakes Towing Ltd. of Port Dover, ON is pleased to announce the addition of the Steamer John J. Boland to our Company. The vessel was officially purchased from Clemons Ships Ltd., Englishtown, NJ, on October 22, 1999.

    The vessel has been renamed Saginaw and will be towed to Sarnia with the Gaelic Towing Company tug Roger Stahl. ETD Duluth is Friday p.m., weather permitting. The vessel is registered out of Nanticoke, ON.

    The name, like the Cuyahoga, continues to pay tribute to the heritage of our North American Rivers and our customers who use them.

    Shelley Machine, of Sarnia, ON, has been awarded the contract to retrofit the vessel to Canadian new vessel standards.

    We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers, suppliers and supporters who have helped make this expansion possible. The Saginaw will provide our customers with new found flexibility and security in our services, for today and long term.

    Click here for a computer enhanced image of the John J. Boland with Lower Lakes Towing colors and the name Saginaw.

    Reported by: Lower Lakes Towing Ltd.




    Congratulations Lower Lakes Towing

    10/22:
    Congratulations to Lower Lakes Towing on the purchase of the Saginaw. The boatwatching community is glad to see this unique boat added to the fleet, may she have a safe and profitable career.

    Click here for the Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Salute




    Tug Waits at Houghton

    10/22:
    10:30am update
    The tug Roger Stahl is presently tied up on the Houghton, MI side of the Keweenaw Waterway near the Portage Lift Bridge in the Keweenaw Peninsula. She arrived early this morning and is expected to shift to the West entrance of the waterway later today or tomorrow morning.

    Gale warnings are up on Lake Superior with the Stannard Rock lighthouse reporting wind gusts to 47 knots. A weather buoy in eastern Lake Superior reported waves over 13 feet at 10:00am.
    Map of the area

    Original report:
    The tug Roger Stahl was due at Houghton, MI on the Keweenaw Waterway at 2400 last night. Captain John Wellington's intentions were to lay for weather. A strong cold front is forecast to cause storm force winds by early afternoon. Winds in excess of 50 knots will build waves to 14 to 18 feet.

    Daily reports will be listed here as the tow progresses, check back for updates.

    Reported by: Bill Hoey Jr., Gaelic Tugboat Co. Additional information reported by Jim Grill




    Canadian flag raised on the Saginaw

    10/22:
    The Canadian flag was raised on the stern flag pole of the Saginaw early Thursday afternoon for the first time.

    A small group of sailors from Lower Lakes Towing were busy preparing the Saginaw for her tow from Superior's Fraser Shipyards. Among the work observed underway Thursday was the delivery of fuel, assumed to be for the onboard diesel electric generator. Also, the stern anchor was raised.

    The Boland's name boards on the pilot house have been removed. It has been mentioned that the name boards are to be donated to a museum by American Steamship Co., although which museum has not yet been identified.

    Other work finished include the locking of the Boland's propeller and rudder in place for the tow.

    With the most recent weather forecast for Lake Superior calling for gale and storm warnings today, the tow is not expected to get underway from Superior until this coming Saturday or Sunday.

    Reported by: Terry Sechen




    Twin Ports Report

    10/22:
    After a couple of slow days, the Twin Ports grain trade is returning to its usual brisk fall pace. On Oct. 21, the saltie Lita is loading at Cargill B1; Canadian Trader is at Harvest States 2; and Algoville was loading at General Mills in Duluth. The Hilal 2 and Olympic Miracle were anchored on Lake Superior waiting for grain berths. As of now, Hilal 2 will likely be out there until Oct. 25 waiting for the Cargill berth. The Ziemia Tarnowska and Kinsman Independent are scheduled to arrive Oct. 22 for grain.

    Midwest Energy Terminal is going to be busy for the next few days. Paul R. Tregurtha was fortunate enough to be first in line Oct. 22. Algolake was due to arrive next and anchor on the lake until the Tregurtha clears the berth. Then James R. Barker is expected to arrive and lay by at the port terminal. Behind the Barker is the Canadian Transport, which also is expected to anchor out on the lake until its turn at the berth. American Mariner is due to arrive in Duluth on Oct. 22 to unload stone at the Reiss Inland dock, then it, too, will join the line at Midwest Energy Terminal.

    Philip R. Clarke is scheduled to make an unusual appearance at Escanaba on Oct. 23. John G. Munson is making one of its periodic calls to unload coal at Ontonagon, Mich., on Oct. 23. Myron C. Taylor is still not listed on the GLF vessel update and apparently remains at Sturgeon Bay shipyard for repairs.

    Reported by: Al Miller
    Click here for a new book written by Al.




    Marquette and Weather Update

    10/22:
    The Algorail made another visit yesterday morning to Marquette's upper harbor. Strong winds delayed the vessel from entering the harbor on Thursday.

    Weather warnings were posted for the Lake Superior region for a strong storm system that was to arrive Thursday evening.

    The storm is predicted to make travel on Lake Superior rough and will cause coastal flooding on the north shore of the Upper Peninsula. This storm will also bring snow to the region and current predictions call for 2-3 inches by Saturday. Temperatures were expected to rise as high as 60 degrees Thursday before driving into the low teens by today. Additional warnings are possible. Ship travel on Superior will be uncomfortable for the next few days.

    This storm system will bring dropping temperatures across the Lakes with gale or storm warnings forecasted for all of the Lakes.

    Reported by: Art Pickering




    Ballast Troubles

    10/22:
    On Monday an Enhanced Seaway Inspection / Ballast Water Exam was conducted on the motor vessel Pany R in Montreal. Seven of the vessel's nineteen ballast tanks were found to be non-compliant for salinity, the requirement is 30 ppt and the tanks ranged from 0-15 ppt. The vessel was advised that upon arrival in U.S. waters a retention letter requiring the vessel to retain all the ballast in those seven tanks would be issued.

    The vessel applied to Canadian Authorities for permission to dump the non-compliant ballast in Montreal. Canada approved the request and the vessel discharged the non-compliant ballast while in Montreal harbor.

    While the Pany R was still in Montreal, a U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment determined that the remaining 12 ballasted tanks were in technical non-compliance because the ballast water exchange was conducted within 200 nautical miles of the U.S. coast. A policy by the Marine Safety Office Buffalo allows for alternate exchange sites with approval from the Captain of the Port.

    Excluded from these sites are exchanges off the coast of Virginia and North Carolina due to the higher risk of taking on non-indigenous fresh water species from the Chesapeake Bay outflow.

    The Pany R. departed Montreal and was boarded at the Snell Lock by the Marine Safety Detachment. Their investigation determined that six tanks were exchanged off the North Carolina and Virginia coast, however, those tanks had already been discharged in Canada.

    No ballast was required to be retained and vessel was released to proceed to Duluth to load grain.




    Today in Great Lakes History - October 22

    The PRESQUE ISLE (2)'s tug completed her sea trials on October 22, 1973 in New Orleans.

    On October 22, 1986 the ALGOCEN spilled about four barrels of diesel fuel while refueling at the Esso Dock at Sarnia.

    The TOM M. GIRDLER departed South Chicago light on her maiden voyage, October 22, 1951, bound for Escanaba, MI where she loaded 13,900 tons of ore for delivery to Cleveland, OH.

    The THORNHILL (1) grounded on October 22, 1973 just above the Sugar Island ferry crossing in the St. Marys River.

    On 22 October 1887, C.O.D. (wooden schooner-barge, 140', 289 GT, built in 1873 at Grand Haven, MI) was carrying wheat in Lake Erie in a northwest gale. She was beached three miles east of Port Burnell, Ontario and soon broke up. Most of the crew swam to shore, but the woman who was the cook was lashed to the rigging and she perished.

    October 22, 1929 - The S.S. Milwaukee (formerly Manistique Marquette and Northern 1) sank in a gale with a loss of all 52 hands. 21 bodies were recovered. Captain Robert McKay in command.

    On October 27, 1929, a Coast Guard patrolman near South Haven, Michigan, picked up the ship's message case, containing the following handwritten note:
    "S.S. MILWAUKEE, OCTOBER 22/29 8:30 P.M.
    The ship is taking water fast. We have turned around and headed for Milwaukee. Pumps are working but sea gate is bent in and can't keep the water out. Flicker is flooded. Seas are tremendous. Things look bad.
    Crew roll is about the same as on last pay day.
    (signed) A.R. Sadon, Purser."

    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 include 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




    Tug Enters Lake Superior

    10/21:
    At 0650 this morning the tug Roger Stahl had just entered Whitefish Bay in Lake Superior. The vessel will sail along the south shore of Lake Superior for the Keweenaw Waterway and should be at the entrance some time around mid-night.

    An approaching strong cold front may delay her departure from the waterway as the weather forecast calls for gale to storm force winds with 13 to 17-foot waves.

    The tug is bound for the Fraser Shipyards in Superior, WI to tow the former John J. Boland, now Saginaw to Sarnia, ONT.

    Daily reports will be listed here as the tow progresses, check back for updates.

    Click here for a computer enhanced image of the John J. Boland with Lower Lakes Towing colors and the name Saginaw.

    Reported by: Bill Hoey Jr., Gaelic Tugboat Co.




    Seaway Update

    10/21:
    On Oct. 19, it was quite busy in the Seaway between St. Lambert and Iroquois locks, mostly for vessels travelling upbound. In ballast was the barge ATL-2402 under tow of Atlantic Alder and Atlantic Oak bound for Sarnia. Others were the tanker Saturn for Oswego loaded with asphalt. the laker Quebecois, Canadian Venture and Canadian Provider with iron ore all for Hamilton, Algosound in ballast for Prescott, the tanker Diamond Star with diesel fuel for Bronte, the small passenger ship Canadian Empress (capacity 66 passengers) bound for Kingston and completing her last cruise in the Seaway this year, the salties Kamenitza and Pany R. in ballast for Duluth, Millenium Raptor with stainless steel for Detroit, Grant Carrier with pig iron for Marinette, Peonia with sugar for Toronto, Rhea with fluorspar for Windsor, Great Laker with steel for Hamilton and Thorsriver with general cargo for Hamilton also.

    Downbound were the following lakers: CSL Niagara with stone for Quebec City, Algocen with soybeans for Port Cartier, Capt. Henry Jackman with sand for Côte Ste.Catherine and Algosoo in ballast for Pointe Noire. The salties were Alexandria loaded with soybean pellets, Kapitonas Domeika with ball clay, Malene Sif and Jian She 36 both in ballast. In addition, the Canadian Coast Guard ship Caribou Isle went to Cornwall from Prescott.

    Reported by: René Beauchamp.




    Toledo News

    10/21:
    The latest vessel line up at Toledo has both the Canadian Miner (Andersons "K") and the Mapleglen (ADM) arriving yesterday morning at there respective Elevators.

    The saltie Golden Laker is due for an undetermined elevator in Toledo and it is uncertain which tugboat company will service her. Due for Toledo World Terminals is the Great Laker.

    The harvest is in full swing now as all three Elevators are busy with semi trucks bringing the grain in.

    Reported by: Jim Hoffman




    Bridge Delays Traffic

    10/21:
    A cable replacement project at the Norfolk Southern One Bridge on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland caused a longer than expected delay for traffic in the River. The U.S. Coast Guard approved repair schedule called for a 36-hour closure for bridge maintenance. Due to unexpected difficulties, the bridge remained closed for an additional nine hours, delaying two inbound vessels. The vessel are believed to be The tug Frank Palladino Jr. with barge Kellstone I and the tug Dorothy Ann and barge Pathfinder.

    The bridge was operational at 8 p.m. on October 19th. The second phase of the cable replacement was scheduled to take place after the delayed vessels offloaded their cargo and departed the river.




    Lakes Continue to Drop

    10/21:
    Recent drops in all five Great Lakes are startling scientists Tuesday's Detroit News reports. The scientists believe water levels will ebb still lower, and may signal a period of extreme lows seen only every 30 years. Commercial freighters sailing the Lakes have been forced to reduce the amount of cargo carried in order to negotiate shallow rivers and canals. The low water levels have caused numerous vessel groundings this season.

    "We're watching a severe and really remarkable fall," said Roger L. Gauthier, supervisory hydrologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Detroit District. "The water is falling faster than we first anticipated this summer, and we are not bottoming out yet."

    Lakes Michigan and Huron retreated 5 inches just the past month. Lakes Erie and Ontario dropped 6 inches, and Lake Superior, at the top of the system, fell by 3 inches.

    Water experts expect further declines over the next four weeks. Whether marinas and shipping lanes will be further affected next spring depends on winter snowfall. Forecasters are reluctant to make a guess.

    On all five lakes, extreme low waters are raising issues that affect shipping, property, fishing, drinking water, wildlife and public health.

    Lakes Michigan and Huron are down by 17 inches from a year ago; Lake Erie is down by 16 inches; and Lake Ontario by 3 inches, according to federal figures. The lone exception is Lake Superior, the largest and deepest lake in the system, which has risen a half foot from last year. Scientists say recent rains over Canada replenished the lake, but the increase is not enough to dramatically flood the lower four lakes.

    "Even with Superior, it looks like we're facing the possibility of 30-year lows. The drop during the past two years has been quite extensive," said Dr. Frank H. Quinn of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Ann Arbor. As a rule, the Great Lakes swell to their highest in summer, as spring melting rolls down the system. Levels ebb to their lowest in winter, when snow and freezing temperatures slow flows from tributaries.

    The last such low was charted 35 years ago, in 1964, a year when thousands of acres of new beach were exposed on Lake Michigan, and a similar expanse of rocks appeared on the shores of Lake Huron. "The year of 1964 was a time of drought," Gauthier said. "Conditions on the lower four Great Lakes this year now qualify as a drought, and our records suggest we are overdue for below-average levels of water." Click here for the full story.




    Lighthouse and Island Sold for $86,003

    10/21:
    The Detroit News reports that Tuesday a Saginaw County diver bought a Lake Superior lighthouse and the island it sits on offering $86,003.

    Scott Holman of Freeland, a longtime explorer of Great Lakes shipwrecks, turned in the highest amount of 85 sealed bids for the Granite Island Lighthouse, 10 miles off the coast of Marquette.

    Lighthouses seldom are sold to the public. Neither are islands. So Tuesday's sale of the 1868 structure and its 2 1/2-acre island roused interest across the country.

    "We were very pleased with the amount of competition today," Melissa Green, the U.S. General Services Administration officer in charge of selling the island, is quoted as saying.

    Bids came from as far as California. The second-highest offer was $80,000; the low, $11. Holman's bid application will be reviewed, and assuming there are no problems, he'll get the deed to Granite Island. The buyer has been familiar with the remote outpost since the late 1950s, when he opened a diving shop in Marquette.

    Holman said he plans to restore the dilapidated lighthouse, vacant since 1939. Eventually, he'll offer tours to groups interested in seeing what life was like 100 years ago for a Great Lakes lighthouse keeper.




    Today in Great Lakes History - October 21

    The JOHN B. AIRD arrived at Sarnia, Ont. October 21, 1990 for repairs after suffering a conveyor belt fire a week earlier.

    The JAMES A.FARRELL and fleetmate RICHARD TRIMBLE were the first vessels to lock downbound in the newly opened Davis Lock at the Soo on October 21, 1914.

    On October 21, 1954 the GEORGE M.HUMPHREY(2) set a record when she took aboard 22,605 gross tons of iron ore at Superior, WI. The record stood for six years until 1960.

    The crew on the SAMUEL MATHER (3) was safely removed from the badly exposed steamer on October 21, 1923 by the Eagle Harbor life saving crew. She had run aground on the 19th.

    It was announced on October 21, 1986 that Canada Steamship Lines and Upper Lakes Group would merge CSL's Collingwood shipyard and ULS' Port Weller shipyard and create Canadian Shipbuilding & Engineering (1986) Ltd.

    On 21 October 1941, AMERICA (steel tug, 80', 123 GT, built in 1897 at Buffalo) was on a cable along with the big tug OREGON off Belle Isle in the Detroit River trying to pull the steel bulk freighter B. F. JONES off a bar. The cable tightened, pulling AMERICA out of the water and spinning her upside down. Six of the crew of 13 lost their lives. AMERICA was later recovered.

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