Twenty-three of those lost made their homes in Rogers City. To say the town devastated was an understatement. Today, the people of Rogers City will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bradley’s loss. The centerpiece for the commemoration will be the recently recovered bell from the vessel. Last summer, divers removed the bell and replaced it with a replica engraved with the names of the entire crew to serve as a memorial marker to those lost. The original bell was returned to Rogers City and restored. It is displayed in a place of honor at the Great Lakes Lore Museum there, where it has remained silent for the last year. Tuesday evening, it will be rung once for each of the crewmembers. The first to ring it will be Frank Mays, the sole remaining survivor.
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Federal court upholds Michigan ballast water law 11/25 - Traverse City, Mich . — A federal appeals court Friday upheld a Michigan law designed to prevent oceangoing freight ships from bringing invasive species to the Great Lakes in their ballast water. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati rejected a challenge to the statute filed by nine shipping companies and associations. They claimed the measure interferes with interstate commerce and is pre-empted by federal law.Michigan requires saltwater ships to obtain a Department of Environmental Quality permit before calling at the state's ports. It certifies they either will not discharge ballast water or have onboard technology to kill live organisms in the water before it is dumped. Legislators enacted the law in 2005, frustrated with what they considered an inadequate federal response to the exotic species that have caused billions of dollars in damage to the Great Lakes economy. "We're pleased that the court has upheld Michigan's contention that there is more that can be done to keep the invasives out," said Robert McCann, spokesman for the DEQ. "This is a big win for the Great Lakes." Messages seeking comment were left with shipping industry representatives. At least 185 invasives have been detected in the lakes, most of which are believed to have arrived in ship ballast. They disrupt the ecosystem's natural balance by competing with native species for food and habitat. "The millions of people who depend on the Great Lakes deserve a solution to this serious problem to protect our drinking water, economy and way of life," said Marc Smith, state policy director for the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes office in Ann Arbor. Ships fill their ballast tanks to improve stability in rough seas when traveling with little or no cargo. They dump the water — and whatever life forms it carries — after arriving in port to take on freight. U.S. and Canadian regulations have long required oceangoing vessels to dump ballast water at sea and fill their tanks with salt water before entering the Great Lakes. More recently, they have ordered ships to rinse tanks at sea even if they're carrying no ballast, in order to kill freshwater creatures lurking in residues. Environmentalists say those measures are helpful but inadequate. They contend sterilizing water before release is the only way to ensure no live invader will escape. Michigan is the only Great Lakes state with its own ballast law. The DEQ has issued more than 100 permits to ships that promised not to discharge ballast in the state's waters. In 2007, U.S. District Judge John Feikens in Detroit rejected the shipping industry's lawsuit seeking to nullify the law. Upholding Feikiens' ruling Friday, a unanimous three-judge appeals court panel said some of the plaintiffs had no standing to sue while the others' arguments were invalid. "Michigan, for undisputedly legitimate reasons, has enacted legislation of a type expressly contemplated by Congress," the panel said. "We have no basis to disrupt the result of those democratic processes." In a separate development, a Wisconsin official said Friday the state would conduct a hearing on a proposed system for regulating ballast water discharges at its ports, which has been challenged by the National Wildlife Federation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to issue a Clean Water Act permit next month that simply would order ships to meet existing requirements for cleaning out ballast tanks. But the Great Lakes states are considering setting tougher standards under the act. Most are leaning toward adopting International Maritime Organization standards that limit the number of live organisms in discharged water. Wisconsin in October formally proposed doing so. Although tougher than what EPA wants, Wisconsin's policy still would allow invasives to enter the lakes, the wildlife federation's Smith said. He urged the Great Lakes states to follow the lead of New York, which is developing a standard 1,000 times more stringent than the international one. Wisconsin will hold a hearing on the issue early next year but considers the IMO standard the strongest that can be achieved with existing technology, said Todd Ambs, water division administrator for the Department of Natural Resources. "We'd like to have stronger standards but this is about what we can get in place right now," Ambs said. Shippers have complained the Wisconsin standards are too tough, he added. From Mlive.com |
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Wind power is pushing Duluth port to a new age 11/25 - Duluth -- In 2005, a ship called the Bavaria arrived in Duluth-Superior from Europe with a visually stunning cargo the gritty taconite and coal port had never seen: gargantuan yet somehow slender blades, hubs and shafts meant for towering wind turbines.Since then, America's increasing embrace of wind power has brought the port a windfall, with shipments surging to make the head of the Great Lakes a major funnel for turbines destined for the Upper Midwest and parts of Canada. Jason Paulson, operations manager for Lake Superior Warehousing Co., which transfers turbines from ships to specially designed semitrailer truck caravans, said the port is on track to handle a record 2,000 windmill components this year for several manufacturers, most bound for wind farms in Montana, Oklahoma, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. Shipments of wind turbines through the port shot from 34,080 freight tons in 2005 to 307,000 freight tons last year. The Duluth Seaway Port Authority reported this year that transportation of wind turbines was the single largest factor in making fiscal year 2007 its most profitable. "The growth is explosive," Paulson said. "There were times this season when we were moving 12 windmills a day. It's become the major portion of our heavy-lift business." Most components are imports from large manufacturers such as Siemens AG, a German conglomerate that this year shipped 76 turbines from its factory in Denmark through Duluth to a wind farm under construction in Adair, Iowa, west of Des Moines. The delivery required six ships and more than 500 semitrailer trucks. But the port also is seeing growth in exports of windmill components from companies such as LM Glasfiber, a Danish firm that shipped a load of turbine blades this year from its Grand Forks, N.D., factory to a wind farm in Brazil. The U.S. wind energy industry is expected this year to increase its capacity a record 7,500 megawatts -- enough to power 2.2 million homes, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Much of that capacity, up from a record 5,249 megawatts in 2007, is being installed in the Midwest and Great Plains. That gives Duluth-Superior, the world's most inland seaport, a distinct advantage. "We're blessed with being close to the wind fields," Paulson said. "But we're also building a reputation for handling these components. Montana and Oklahoma are getting into the sandbox of other ports, but developers are finding it more efficient to use this one." One reason for that, he said, is a "giant team effort" by the port, trucking companies and the state to get the ungainly turbine components to their destinations. Anderson Trucking Service of St. Cloud has been a key member of that team and, like the port, has capitalized on being in the right place at the right time. The already large firm added a division -- ATS Wind Energy Services -- just to handle turbine component deliveries. The company says it has carried 35,000 loads of wind energy components so far. Delivering the windmills also requires a lot of help and cooperation from the state, because state troopers are needed to escort loads, and the Department of Transportation [MnDOT] must issue permits and devise routes. A typical semitrailer truck is 75 feet long and has five axles. In comparison, the specially designed semitrailer set required to carry a windmill's nacelle -- the tubular generator made to mount horizontally on top of the tower -- is 200 feet long, with up to 21 axles. "It's not like you're going to go straight down I-35 to get to Iowa; our overpasses aren't high enough," said Ted Coulianos, MnDOT's supervisor of permitting oversize and overweight loads. The Siemens generators that went from Duluth to Iowa were routed through St. Cloud and then south through New Ulm, to avoid troublesome overpasses, bridges and Twin Cities traffic. Paulson said the convoys leaving Duluth all summer had at least six trucks, at least one state trooper vehicle, and escort or "pilot" vehicles at the front and rear, all in radio contact to coordinate stopping traffic at intersections and other tricky maneuvers. Coulianos said that through the end of October, MnDOT issued a record 5,163 permits this year for oversize or overweight loads of wind tower components. The department had to create a three-person "wind team" just to handle the permits and plan the routes. "Economically, it's a boon, but it makes for a crazy quilt of shipments," Coulianos said. "The growth this year has been staggering, and we expect to have as much or more projects next year." From the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune |
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Port Reports - November 25 South Chicago - Lou Gerard St. Marys Challenger was out bound in the Calumet River at 92nd Street Sunday morning, followed by Atlantic Huron, being towed backward at 100th Street. Grand Haven - Dick Fox Saginaw River - Todd Shorkey |
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Updates - November 25 News Photo Gallery updated Historical Perspective Gallery - Carl D. Bradley Grand Island North Light updated |
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Today in Great Lakes History - November 25 In 1890, the WESTERN RESERVE delivered a record cargo of 95,488 bushels of wheat from Duluth to Buffalo. In 1913, the schooner ROUSE SIMMONS, Captain August Schueneman, departed Thompson Harbor (Michigan) with a load of fresh cut Christmas trees bound for Chicago. Somewhere between Kewaunee and Two Rivers, Wis., the SIMMONS was lost with all hands. On 25 November 1857, ANTELOPE (wooden schooner, 220 tons, built in 1854, at Port Robinson, Ontario) was driven ashore by a gale near St. Joseph, Michigan. Five lives were lost. She was recovered the next year and rebuilt. INCAN SUPERIOR was withdrawn from service after completing 2,386 trips between Thunder Bay and Superior and on November 25, 1992, she passed down bound at Sault Ste. Marie for service on the Canadian West Coast. Renamed PRINCESS SUPERIOR in 1993. ROBERT C. STANLEY was laid up for the last time November 25, 1981, at the Tower Bay Slip, Superior, Wisconsin. She was scrapped at Aliaga, Turkey in 1989. CITY OF MILWAUKEE (Hull#261) was launched November 25, 1930, at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co. She was sponsored by Mrs. Walter J. Wilde, wife of the collector of customs at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She entered service in January of 1931. On 25 November 1866, F. W. BACKUS (wooden propeller, 133 foot, 289 tons, built in 1846, at Amherstburg, Ontario) was carrying hay, horses and cattle off Racine, Wisconsin. She was run to the beach when it was discovered that she was on fire. Her crew and passengers disembarked. The tug DAISY LEE towed her out while she was still burning, intending to scuttle her, but the towline burned through and she drifted back to shore and burned to the waterline. Her live cargo was pushed overboard while she was still well out and they swam to shore. On 25 November 1874, WILLIAM SANDERSON (wooden schooner, 136 foot, 385 gross tons, built in 1853, at Oswego, New York) was carrying wheat in a storm on Lake Michigan when she foundered. The broken wreck washed ashore off Empire, Michigan. near Sleeping Bear. She was owned by Scott & Brown of Detroit. During a storm on 25 November 1895, MATTIE C. BELL (wooden schooner, 181 foot, 769 gross tons, built in 1882, at E. Saginaw, Michigan) was in tow of the steamer JIM SHERRIFS on Lake Michigan. The schooner stranded at Big Summer Island, was abandoned in place and later broke up. No lives were lost. On 25 Nov 1947, the CAPTAIN JOHN ROEN was renamed c.) ADAM E. CORNELIUS by the American Steamship Co. in 1958, CORNELIUS was renamed d.) CONSUMERS POWER. Eventually sold to Erie Sand, she was scrapped at Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 1988. Built in 1927, as a.) GEORGE M. HUMPHERY. On 25 Nov 1905, the JOSEPH G. BUTLER, JR (steel straight-deck bulk freighter, 525 foot, 6,588 gross tons) entered service, departing Lorain, Ohio, for Duluth on her maiden voyage. The vessel was damaged in a severe storm on that first crossing of Lake Superior, but she was repaired and had a long career. She was renamed DONALD B GILLIES in 1935, and GROVEDALE in 1963. She was sunk as a dock in Hamilton in 1973, and finally sold for scrap in 1981. Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Max Hanley, Jody Aho, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history. Please e-mail if you would like to contribute a significant event in Great Lakes history. |
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Steelmaker warns of up to 2,444 layoffs 11/24 - Burns Harbor, IN - As many as 2,444 employees at Arcelor Mittal's steel plant could be laid off indefinitely in January, the company said. The company has notified the United Steelworkers and other stakeholders about the possibility of an "indefinite layoff" at the Porter County plant beginning in the second half of January, ArcelorMittal announced Friday.The recent drop off in global steel production and the company's previously announced plan to reduce production in North American by 40 percent played into the decision, the company said. "Potential work force reductions are a direct result of the extraordinary economic environment we are facing, and the company hopes to return workers to their jobs as market conditions warrant," ArcelorMittal said in a statement. Jim Robinson, director of United Steelworkers District 7, said the union is negotiating with ArcelorMittal to minimize the number of layoffs. Word of the potential layoffs had spread through the Burns Harbor plant over the past few days, Robinson said. Union leaders at the international level "certainly knew what was going on," Robinson said. "They see the fact there aren't any orders. We're not making a lot of steel." The global economic downturn that prompted the cut in steel production calls for action by elected officials, Robinson said. "They need to step up to the plate and quit worrying about investment bankers and CEOs and start acting on behalf of average, middle-class American workers," Robinson said. The Burns Harbor plant is located 10 miles east of Gary. From the South Bend Tribune |
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Marinelink Explorer on the move 11/24 - Port Weller - The latest acquisition of Algoma/Upper Lakes, Marinelink Explorer, has departed the Seaway Marine Drydock and was seen upbound above Welland Canal Lock 3 Sunday under tow by the tugs Commodore Straits and Radium Yellowknife. It’s destination is unknown.Reported by Alex Howard |
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Port Reports - November 24 Saginaw River - Todd Shorkey and Gordy Garris On Friday, the Algorail was inbound with a load of stone for the GM dock in Saginaw. The Algorail was finished unloading at 5 p.m. and went upriver to turn at the Sixth Street turning basin in Saginaw. Algorail was turned and back outbound for the lake at 6:45 p.m. Friday evening. Traffic remained active over the weekend as the tug Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber were outbound from the Saginaw River late Saturday evening after unloading at both the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Stone docks earlier in the day. The Manistee unloaded at the Sargent dock in Essexville early on Saturday, turned from the dock and waited for her fleetmate, Calumet, to pass inbound before heading outbound for the lake. Calumet continued upriver to unload at the GM dock in Saginaw. Sunday morning saw the Calumet outbound from the GM dock headed for the lake. She passed the inbound tug Manitou, pulling Luedtke Derrick Boat #16 and another barge, near the pump-out island. Manitou continued upriver and dropped off her barges at the Essroc dock in Essexville before heading back to the lake. The Agawa Canyon was inbound a few minutes later headed upriver to unload at the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee. Agawa Canyon was expected to be outbound late Sunday night or early Monday morning. Buffalo - Brian Wroblewski The English River went to anchor off Buffalo at 5 p.m. Sunday evening. She will be coming in at 6:30 a.m. on Monday. Toledo - Jim Hoffman On Sunday, Catherine Desgagnes finished loading coal and departed from the CSX Docks late Sunday morning. The salt water vessel Garganey was at the Midwest Terminal Dock. The tug Rebecca Lynn with her barge were at the B-P Dock. Spruceglen was at the Andersons "K" Elevator loading grain. The revised schedule for coal boats due in at the CSX Docks has the Arthur M. Anderson due in early Monday morning, H. Lee White due in Wednesday afternoon followed by Kaye E. Barker due in Saturday. The revised schedule for ore boats due in to the Torco Ore Dock has the John B. Aird and CSL Assiniboine due in Monday morning followed by the Algosteel due in Sunday. Marquette - Rod Burdick Sunday afternoon, Saginaw arrived at the Upper Harbor ore dock and loaded taconite. South Chicago - Brian Z. Canada Steamship's Atlantic Huron arrived at the Beemsterboer in South Chicago Saturday afternoon to load petroleum coke. The Huron was scheduled to load 29,000 tons destined for Belladune. Hamilton - Eric Holmes Saturday morning the tug Karen Andrie and barge departed in ballast at 7:30 am. for Sarnia. The Federal Katsura arrived at 1:15 p.m. with steel products from Antwerp, Germany. Her next port will be Cleveland with a part cargo. The Algomarine arrived at 7:30 p.m. Cleveland - Bill Kloss Saturday, Frontenac was at the Cleveland Bulk Terminal loading concentrate, and Maumee was unloading at Ontario Stone. Toronto
- Charlie Gibbons |
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Updates - November 24 News Photo Gallery updated Historical Perspective Gallery - Carl D. Bradley Grand Island North Light updated |
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Today in Great Lakes History - November 24 On this day in 1966, Hjalmer Edwards became ill while working as a Second Cook on the steamer DANIEL J. MORRELL. He was transferred to the hospital at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan when the MORRELL transited the locks for the last time on Thanksgiving Day. Five days later, the DANIEL J MORRELL sank during a severe storm on Lake Huron with a lone survivor.On 24 November 1945, SCOTT E. LAND (steel propeller C4-S-A4 cargo ship, 496 foot, 10,654 gross tons) was launched at Kaiser Corporation (Hull #520) in Vancouver, Washington for the U.S. Maritime Commission. She was converted to a straight-deck bulk freighter at Baltimore, Maryland in 1951, and renamed TROY H. BROWNING. In 1955, she was renamed THOMAS F. PATTON. After serving on the Great Lakes, she was scrapped in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1981. On November 24, 1990, the KINSMAN INDEPENDENT ran hard aground off of Isle Royale. The vessel was on its way to load grain in Thunder Bay, Ontario, when she ended up 25 miles off course. The damage to the vessel was nearly $2 million, and she was repaired at Thunder Bay before the start of the 1991 season. Built in 1952, as a.) CHARLES L. HUTCHINSON, renamed b.) ERNEST R. BREECH in 1962, c.) KINSMAN INDEPENDENT in 1988. Sold Canadian, renamed d.) VOYAGEUR INDEPENDENT in 2005. On November 24, 1950, while bound for South Chicago with iron ore, the ENDERS M. VOORHEES collided with the up bound steamer ELTON HOYT II (now the ST MARYS CHALLENGER) in the Straits of Mackinac during a blinding snow storm. Both vessels received such serious bow damage that they had to be beached near McGulpin Point west of Mackinaw City to avoid sinking. The ROSEMOUNT stored with coal, inadvertently sank alongside CSL's Century Coal Dock at Montreal, Quebec, on November 24, 1934. Paterson's PRINDOC (Hull#657) was launched November 24, 1965, at Lauzon, Quebec, by Davie Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.. November 24, 1892 - The ANN ARBOR NO 1 ran aground on her first trip just north of the Kewaunee harbor. On 24 Nov 1881, LAKE ERIE (wooden propeller canaller, 136 foot, 464 gross tons, built in 1873, at St, Catharine's, Ontario) collided with the steamer NORTHERN QUEEN in fog and a blizzard near Poverty Island by the mouth of Green Bay. LAKE ERIE sank in one hour 40 minutes. NORTHERN QUEEN took aboard the crew but one man was scalded and died before reaching Manistique. The CITY OF SAGINAW 31 entered service in 1931. On 24 November 1905, ARGO (steel propeller passenger/package freight, 174 foot, 1,089 tons, built in 1896, at Detroit, Michigan) dropped into a trough of a wave, hit bottom and sank in relatively shallow water while approaching the harbor at Holland, Michigan. 38 passengers and crew were taken off by breeches' buoy in a thrilling rescue by the U.S. Lifesaving Service. NEPTUNE (wooden propeller, 185 foot, 774 gross tons, built in 1856, at Buffalo, New York) was laid up at East Saginaw, Michigan, on 24 November 1874, when she was discovered to be on fire at about 4:00 a.m. She burned to a total loss. The ANN ARBOR NO 1 left Frankfort for Kewaunee on November 24, 1892. Because of the reluctance of shippers to trust their products on this new kind of ferry it was difficult to find cargo for this first trip. Finally, a fuel company which sold coal to the railroad routed four cars to Kewaunee via the ferry. Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Max Hanley, Jody Aho, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II, The Marine Historical Society of Detroit and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Port Report - November 23 Marquette - Lee Rowe |
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Updates - November 23 News Photo Gallery updated Historical Perspective Gallery - Carl D. Bradley Grand Island North Light updated |
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Today in Great Lakes History - November 23 In 1940, the CONSUMERS POWER, a.) HARRY YATES of 1910, collided with the
MARITANA on the Detroit River. The MARITANA sustained $11,089.91 in damage.
MARITANA was scrapped at Hamilton, Ontario, in 1947. |
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USS Freedom in Québec City for the weekend 11/22 - Norfolk, VA - The US Navy's newest warship, the USS Freedom, will stop for the week-end in the port of Quebec City from Nov 21 to 24, 2008. The ship will not be open to visitors. The ship was scheduled to dock at Pier 21 on Friday.The first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), USS Freedom began her maiden voyage a week ago after being commissioned Nov. 8 in Milwaukee, Wis. Freedom is scheduled to make port calls throughout the Great Lakes area of the U.S. and Canada, and along the New England coastline in celebration of the new ship. The port visits include: Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo N.Y.; Montreal, Québec; Québec City, Québec; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Boston, Mass.; and Annapolis, Md. The transit will conclude at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., where the ship will undergo a year-long testing and evaluation. The ship will be in Quebec City for the week-end from Nov 21-24 and will be leaving early Monday morning. She will not be open to visitors but the population is invited to appreciate this new ship at pier 21 in the port of Quebec City. |
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Port Reports - November 22 Saginaw River - Stephen Hause Agawa Canyon was outbound from Saginaw early Friday evening after unloading during the day at the GM dock. On Thursday, the Manistee and the Manitowoc arrived together in the river. Manistee delivered a split load to the Wirt Stone Docks in Bay City and Saginaw while Manitowoc called at the Sargent dock in Essexville. Both vessels were outbound on Thursday evening. Marinette/Menominee - Dick Lund On Friday afternoon, Rosaire A. Desgagnes was still unloading pig iron at Marinette Fuel & Dock when the saltwater vessel Spar Jade arrived. The Spar Jade anchored out in the bay of Green Bay off Menominee until the Desgagnes departed around 5 p.m. The Spar Jade, assisted by the "G" Tugs, Texas and Indiana, then headed into Marinette Fuel & Dock with another load of pig iron, and were alongside the craneship William H. Donner shortly after 7 p.m. Toledo - Jim Hoffman Toronto - Charlie Gibbons |
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Updates - November 22 News Photo Gallery updated |
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Today in Great Lakes History - November 22 In 1947, the Canadian tanker BRUCE HUDSON broke down shortly after departing Port Stanley, Ont. The U.S. tanker ROCKET, Captain R. B. Robbins, managed to get a line on the HUDSON and tow her 50 miles through high seas and a snow storm to shelter behind Point Pelee. Later, the tug ATOMIC arrived on scene and towed the Hudson to Toledo for repairs.On 22 November 1860, WABASH VALLEY (wooden propeller, 592 tons, built in 1856, at Buffalo, New York) was caught in a blizzard and gale off Muskegon, Michigan, on Lake Michigan. Her skipper thought they were off Grand Haven and as he steamed to the harbor, visibility dropped to near zero. The vessel ran onto the beach. Her momentum and the large storm waves carried her well up onto the beach where she broke in two. Her machinery was salvaged and went into the new steamer SUNBEAM. Scrapping of the SPRUCEGLEN, a.) WILLIAM K. FIELD was completed on November 22, 1986, by Lakehead Scrap Metal Co. at Thunder Bay Ontario. The SPRUCEGLEN was the last Canadian coal-fired bulker. Cleveland Cliffs steamer FRONTENAC while in ballast sustained major structural damage from grounding on Pellet Reef attempting to enter Silver Bay, Minnesota, at 2140 hours on November 22, 1979. On 22 November 1869, CREAM CITY (3-mast wooden bark, 629 tons, built in 1862, at Sheboygan, Wisconsin) was carrying wheat in a gale when she lost her way and went ashore on Drummond Island. She appeared to be only slightly damaged, but several large pumps were unable to lower the water in her hull. She was finally abandoned as a total wreck on 8 December. She was built as a "steam bark" with an engine capable of pushing her at 5 or 6 mph. After two months of constant minor disasters, this was considered an unsuccessful experiment and the engine was removed. The CITY OF MILWAUKEE was chartered to the Ann Arbor Railroad Co. and started the Frankfort, Michigan-Kewaunee, Wisconsin service for them on November 22, 1978. November 22, 1929 - The CITY OF SAGINAW 31 went out on her sea trials. On 22 November 1860, CIRCASSIAN (wooden schooner, 135 foot, 366 tons, built in 1856, at Irving, New York) was carrying grain in a gale and blizzard on Lake Michigan when she stranded on White Shoals near Beaver Island. She sank to her decks and then broke in two. Her crew was presumed lost, but actually made it to Hog Island in the blizzard and they were not rescued from there for two weeks. A final note from the Big Gale of 1879. On 22 November 1879, The Port Huron Times reported, "The barge DALTON is still high and dry on the beach at Point Edward." Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Max Hanley, Russ Plumb, Steve Haverty and Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Tension-filled day for Freedom's crew, Passing through Welland Canal 11/21 - Aboard USS Freedom - The crew knew this would be a tough day, perhaps one of the biggest challenges yet for the U.S. Navy's first Littoral Combat Ship. They were headed for Canada's Welland Canal, the narrow, man-made passageway between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. It was the next leg of the ship's journey from its builder's yard in Wisconsin to the open ocean.The Welland features eight locks that lower ships from Erie to Ontario. Heading from the south end and starting with Lock 8, the ship moved in the morning of Nov. 18 in frigid temperatures and passing snow showers with a slow deliberateness. Each lock was a major shiphandling challenge, with only about 6 feet to 8 feet between the ship's sides and the towering stone walls of the locks. "We've got lots of time. We're in no hurry. We're going to do this right," Cmdr. Don Gabrielson, commanding officer of the Freedom, told his crew in the morning. The Canadians knew the challenges of the operation. "This ship has lots of angles, features that jut out at the walls," said master mariner Capt. Anil Soni of the Canadian government. Soni had come aboard to inspect the ship for the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. "It's going to be tough, but they're doing very well," he added. Soni pointed to a passing laker cargo ship, its flat sides streaked fore to aft with enormous scratches. The lakers hug the side of the locks, deliberately scraping the ships along one side to avoid banging into the other. "The cargo ships are built for these locks," he said. But lock-hugging was not an option for the angled sides of the Freedom. The warship's crew rigged rubberized fenders over the ship's sides fore, aft and amidships. Perhaps as a harbinger of things to come, fenders were hung from the bridge wings that projected high over the ship's sides. "We'll need those," Gabrielson said after passing through the first, relatively low, lock. "Those locks up ahead will be higher than the ship," he cautioned. That was indeed the case as the ship descended down Lock 7, the second lock of the day. Deckhands fore and aft raised and lowered the fenders to keep them in the most protective spot, and soon the bridge windows were filled with nothing but the sight of the sides of the lock and its massive steel gate. Gabrielson flitted from one side of the ship to the other, calling out the distance between the ship and the walls and calmly encouraging his crew. Several times the Freedom bumped into the walls, but the fenders held and there was no damage - at least to the ship, if not the fenders. "You've got it; you're doing fine," Gabrielson told the crew. The bridge watch stifled the urge to breathe a sigh of relief as they made it through Lock 7, knowing that the toughest challenge was coming up. Locks 6, 5 and 4 were grouped together, back to back, and it would take nearly two hours just to get through that bunch. Lock 6 went by almost routinely. Then in Lock 5, things got a bit rougher. "Come to port," Capt. Dan Hobbs, a private consultant, told the escorting tug Ohio, which was guiding the LCS in the lock. But the Ohio was coming right. "You're going to starboard - come to port," Hobbs said. But the Ohio continued to pull the Freedom the wrong way. Out on the port side, the Freedom's bridge wing came into contact with an oaken lock gate. The fender hanging off the bridge wing got caught and, as the tug kept pulling the wrong way, the fender rope tore off a small railing. The wing itself pranged into the stone wall, punching a small hole in the structure and leaving some scratches and dents. But the damage to the ship's pride might have been greater. "It'll take a bit of work; we'll have to fix it up," Gabrielson said afterward of the damage. "But we can't look back. We've got more to do." And Freedom pushed on. It would take nearly 10 hours to make it through the Welland, and the crew was only halfway there. From Defense News |
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Port Reports - November 21 Buffalo - Rob Wolcott and Dan Sweeley There was a unusual visitor to Buffalo Thursday in the form of the barge McKee Sons and her Tug Invincible. They were docked at the Sand Supply Co. dock making a late season call with sand for the upcoming winter. She arrived just past midnight on Wednesday night. Toledo - Jim Hoffman |
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World shipping industry struggles to stay afloat as trade dips 11/21 - With commentators now referring to the present situation in the shipping sector as a "slump," it has been a pessimistic week for the (global) industry. The online Journal of Commerce reports that container ship charter rates are now in "freefall" with fears of ship owner bankruptcies and ocean carriers cutting or suspending services because of significant drops in cargo volumes.Furthermore, weak freight rates, plus a glut in idle tonnage due to falling chartering activities, is adding to the downward spiral that has yet to bottom out. For instance, a 2,750 TEU, gearless sub-Panamax vessel now commands $14,000 per day, down from $19,500 in September and $26,292 in 2007 (figures from Fairplay, quoting Clarksons). The financial institution Exim India has described the outlook for India as "bleak" with rates falling by around 40 per cent since July and the Times of India reported that large shipping lines operating between India, Europe and the US say freight rates have dropped to $700 from $1,000 per TEU and to $1,600 from $1,900 per FEU. The Times also describes the fall of between 15 to 37 per cent in shipping stock prices between June and October. The newspaper also cited fears that the large number of newbuildings for Indian operators that are scheduled to be launched in 2009 will have an adverse effect with shipping lines unable to recover costs unless there is a significant upturn in rates. Those carriers that are concerned with a single activity are seen as most vulnerable, particularly the container and bulker sectors. Where companies have diversified, the outlook is slightly better due to mixed interests across container, tanker and offshore business. Major shipping indexes are also reinforcing the gloom with the Baltic Dry Index, a gauge of demand for bulk shipping, plunging by 91 per cent this year and the US Cass Freight Index of Shipments falling 16.9 per cent in October compared to the same period one year ago. This fall followed in the footsteps of a previous 16.6-per cent decline in September. Lloyds List describes container outlook as "bleak" with profits taking a nosedive even before the full impact of the downturn is felt. The journal quoted that Evergreen Marine has reported that third-quarter profits were down 94 per cent year on year, and that a number of smaller carriers have already gone bankrupt with many likely to struggle, compared to larger container shipping lines who should fare better with reliance on reserves built up during boom years, but there are still said to be rumors that one or two might be over-stretched. There are some positive factors that will help to counter, but not equalize, the negative trends. These include the fact that many new buildings have been ordered against long-term charters, but with the integrity of those long-term charters being less secure now, some would argue that this isn't such a positive factor. However, as long as the dollar recovers in value there is some reprieve, at least, from extreme gloom and, of course, falling oil prices are good news. From Gulfnews |
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Ship sinking plan not off shoals yet 11/21 - Brockville, Ont. - A provincial Ministry of Natural Resources official says it’s premature to suggest there’s clear sailing for plans to sink a 2,800-ton warship in the St. Lawrence River.Jim Fraser, MNR area supervisor in Kemptville, said Monday that concern over the artificial reef project’s impact on the river’s fish habitat is just one of several regulatory hurdles still in the way. “We’re trying to work proactively with the proponent, but there’s a number of hoops still to go through,” said Fraser. His comments follow remarks at a city council meeting last week by a Brockville and District Tourism Advisory Committee member indicating approvals were close at hand. “Everything looks good, we’re looking at … perhaps the sinking going forward perhaps after Labor Day. It’s amazing news,” committee member Laura Good told councillors. She was referring to plans by the Eastern Ontario Artificial Reef Association (EOARA) to purchase the decommissioned HMCS Terra Nova, a 372-foot anti-submarine destroyer escort built in 1956. The EOARA is seeking approval to sink the warship in 130 feet of water in the St. Lawrence about four kilometres east of Brown’s Bay. The $2-million project has the support of municipal, provincial and federal politicians who are eager to reap its economic benefits. While Fraser said there are still several approvals required, the major unresolved question is clearly what impact scuttling the massive warship will have on the sturgeon population. Fraser said the MNR asked EOARA representatives in an earlier meeting to explore alternative locations. Meanwhile, if the sturgeon issue is resolved, two less-difficult issues remain to be settled with the ministry, said Fraser. Those are determining who owns the section of riverbed – almost certainly the Crown, said Fraser – and whether there are existing tenures or leases in place for submarine telephone or hydro cables. When those title searches are complete, he said a tenure agreement would have to be drafted with EOARA. And Fraser noted those are just the hurdles the project faces with MNR. Other ministries will require proof the ship has been stripped of any potential contaminants, while an environmental assessment, possibly including public consultation, is also required. From the Brockville Recorder and Times |
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Updates - November 21 News Photo Gallery updated New book The Great Lakes Engineering Works, the Shipyard and its Vessels Lay Up List updated |
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Today in Great Lakes History - November 21 On 21 November 1861, ENTERPRISE (2-mast wooden scow-schooner, 64 foot, 56 tons, built in 1854, at Port Huron, Michigan) was driven ashore near Bark Shanty at the tip of Michigan's 'thumb' on Lake Huron. The storm waves pounded her to pieces. Her outfit was salvaged a few days later. On the evening of 21 November 1890, the scow MOLLIE (wooden scow-schooner, 83 foot, 83 gross tons, built in 1867, at Fairport, Ohio) left Ludington, Michigan, with a load of lumber. About 8:00 p.m., when she was just 25 miles off Ludington, she started to leak in heavy seas, quickly becoming waterlogged. Capt. Anderson and his two-man crew had just abandoned the vessel in the yawl when the steamer F & P M NO 4 showed up, shortly after midnight. The rough weather washed Capt. Anderson out of the yawl, but he made it back in. At last a line from the F & P M NO 4 was caught and made fast to the yawl and the crew made it to the steamer. The men had a narrow escape, for the MOLLIE was going to pieces rapidly, and there was little likelihood of the yawl surviving in the gale. The PATERSON (Hull#113) was launched November 21, 1953, at Port Arthur, Ontario, by Port Arthur Ship Building Co. Ltd.. In 1924, the MERTON E. FARR slammed into the Interstate Bridge that linked Superior, Wisconsin with Duluth, Minnesota, causing extensive damage to the bridge. The bridge span fell into the water but the FARR received only minor damage to her bow. On 21 November 1869, the ALLIANCE (wooden passenger sidewheeler, 87 foot, 197 gross tons, built in 1857, at Buffalo, New York) slipped her moorings at Lower Black Rock in the Niagara River and went over the falls. She had been laid up since the spring of 1869. November 21, 1906 - The PERE MARQUETTE 17 encountered one of the worst storms in many years while westbound for the Wisconsin Central slip in Manitowoc. Wisconsin. She made port safely, but the wind was so high that she could not hold her course up the river without assistance. The tug ARCTIC assisted, and as they were proceeding through the 10th Street Bridge, a gust of wind from the south drove the ferry and tug against the north pilings of the 10th Street Bridge. The ARCTIC, pinned between the ferry and the bridge, was not damaged, but she crushed the hull of a fishing tug moored there, sinking her, and inflicted damage of a few hundred dollars to the bridge. November 21, 1923 - Arthur Stoops, the lookout on the ANN ARBOR NO 6, was drowned while stepping from the apron onto the knuckle to cast off the headline. On the night of 21 November 1870, C. W. ARMSTRONG (wooden propeller steam tug, 57 foot, 33 tons, built in 1856, at Albany, New York) burned at her dock at Bay City, Michigan. No lives were lost. More incidents from the Big Gale of 1879. On 21 November 1879, The Port Huron Times reported, "The schooner MERCURY is ashore at Pentwater. The schooner LUCKY is high and dry at Manistee; the schooner WAUBASHENE is on the beach east of Port Colborne. The schooner SUMATRA is on the beach at Cleveland; the large river tug J P Clark capsized and sunk at Belle Isle in the Detroit River on Wednesday [19 Nov.] and sank in 15 minutes. One drowned. The schooner PINTO of Oakville, Ontario, stone laden, went down in 30 feet of water about one mile down from Oakville. At Sand beach the barge PRAIRIE STATE is rapidly going to pieces. Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Max Hanley, Steve Haverty and Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history. |
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Coast Guard evacuates man off Mackinac Island 11/20 - St. Ignace - The U.S. Coast Guard evacuated a man off Mackinac Island, Mich., Wednesday, at approximately 1:30 p.m.Coast Guard Station St. Ignace received a call from a physician at the Mackinac Island Medical Center at approximately 1:15 p.m. The physician requested assistance with transporting a possible stroke victim to a local hospital on the mainland. St. Ignace launched a 47-foot motor life boat and recovered the 59-year-old man at 1:26 p.m. He was transported to the Coast Guard Station were an awaiting Emergency Medical Services ambulance transported him to an area hospital. "We provide assistance to people in need of medical attention when they are isolated from proper medical facilities on shore," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Miranda Yarger, coxswain of the 47-foot motor life boat. |
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U.S.-flag cargo movement on Lakes slows a bit in October 11/20 - Cleveland - The U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet hauled 11.1 million net tons of cargo in October, a slight decrease from both a year ago and the month’s 5-year average.The downturn in steel production did not translate into a drop in iron ore cargos in October. Loadings in U.S. bottoms actually increased by 160,000 net tons. However, five U.S.-flag lakers are now laid-up for the year, primarily because of the slowdown at the nation’s steel mills. The dredging crisis also impacted cargo totals. With the water level on Lake Superior receding, the largest vessels were trimming some 2,000 tons off their loads compared to just a month ago. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers needs to remove 17 million cubic yards of sediment from ports throughout the system, but Federal funding remains inadequate. Restoring the Great Lakes navigation system to project dimensions would provide a real economic stimulus to the economy at no additional cost to the taxpayer or Federal government. The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) that pays for dredging with taxes on waterborne commerce has a surplus of nearly $5 billion. The Lakes dredging crisis could be solved with an allocation of about $230 million, or less than 5 percent of the surplus in the HMTF. For the year, U.S.-flag carriage stands at 85.2 million net tons, a slight increase (200,000 net tons) compared to a year ago, but down about 1 percent (or 800,000 net tons) from the 5-year average for the January-October timeframe. More information is available at www.lcaship.com. Source: Lake Carriers’ Association. |
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Port Reports - November 20 Saginaw River - Todd Shorkey The Calumet was inbound late Tuesday night, headed upriver to unload at the GM dock in Saginaw. She was outbound Wednesday morning after unloading overnight. Suttons Bay - James Shannahan A vessel believed to St. Marys Challenger was avoiding the weather on Lake Michigan by taking shelter in Suttons Bay (Grand Traverse Bay) on Tuesday evening. Alpena - Ben & Chanda McClain South Chicago - Steve Bauer |
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Film crew on hand as biofuels plant readies large shipment 11/20 - Erie, PA - Lake Erie Biofuels is ready to ship another 600,000 gallons of biodiesel overseas from the Port of Erie this week, and the local company also is getting some new attention. The biodiesel plant made history earlier this month when a jet used its fuel to complete the first biodiesel-powered flight across the U.S.This week, film crews from the National Broadcast Group are visiting the plant to get material for Shades of Green, a documentary that is to be shown on the Discovery Channel in February. "They chose us because of the unique facility we have here," said Lake Erie Biofuels laboratory manager Glenn Green. The local plant has the ability to use not only soybean oil to make biodiesel, but also other vegetable oils, discarded restaurant grease, chicken fat, beef tallow and other materials, and get consistent quality results. The biodiesel to be loaded in a freighter bound for Europe this week, for example, was made from canola oil, said company Chief Financial Officer Chris Peterson. The company doesn't often use canola oil because it is more expensive than soybean oil and is in more direct competition with uses for human food products. But it has better properties for winter biodiesel use. Its usual feed stock -- soybean oil -- on the other hand, is a byproduct of crushing soybeans for the soymeal that goes into human and animal food products, Peterson said. "Until the biodiesel industry came about, it was a waste product for them to a certain extent." Lake Erie Biofuels has a capacity to produce 45 million gallons of biodiesel a year. It has been operating at 60 to 70 percent after running at 90 percent for most of the summer, Peterson said. Nationwide, the biodiesel industry operated at about 20 percent capacity in 2007, Peterson said. European exports have pumped up the local plant's production, taking about 80 percent of the biodiesel it produces. But local officials hope that will change. Federal requirements for petroleum companies to mix at least 500 million gallons of renewable fuels into their diesel and heating oil are expected to increase demand for biodiesel in 2009. Plus states, such as Pennsylvania, will require a 2 percent blend of biodiesel into heating oil and diesel fuel once infrastructure for the new fuel is in place. Peterson said the goal of Lake Erie Biofuels has always been to supply biodiesel for heating oil and diesel fuel for the Northeast part of the country. "That was our intended market from day one," he said. "What we hope to do is wean off the European exports in the next 12 to 18 months. We project instead of exporting 80 percent, to maybe get that down to 50 percent over the next 12 to 18 months." From the Erie Times-News |
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Seaway to have a more Italian flavor 11/20 - St. Catharines - The St. Lawrence Seaway hopes to receive more vessels originating from Italy in the future after signing a cooperative partnership recently.St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. personnel from Canada and U. S. had met with counterparts from Italian ports of Genoa, La Spezia and Savona. "It will strengthen the mutual understanding and friendship between our ports as well as promote trade and maritime business and the growth of our respective economies," said Seaway president and CEO Richard Corfe. Cooperation will included discussions on expanding marine transportation and trade, exchanging data and information, and joint communications on ways to improve port management and economic development. The Seaway delegation visited Turkey for similar talks last week From The Cornwall Standard Freeholder |
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Indian warship takes out pirate mother ship 11/20 - The Indian Navy Talwar-class frigate INS Tabar has "completely destroyed" a Somali pirate mother ship.The frigate, which is currently in the Gulf of Aden for Anti-Piracy Surveillance and Patrol Operations, encountered a pirate vessel, 285 nautical miles South West of Salalah (Oman) on the evening of November 18 with two speed boats in tow. This vessel was similar in description to a "mother vessel' mentioned in various piracy bulletins. INS Tabar closed the vessel and asked it to stop for investigation. "On repeated calls," says a statement from India's Ministry of Defense," the vessel's threatening response was that she would blow up the naval warship if it closed her. Pirates were seen roaming on the upper deck of this vessel with guns and rocket propelled grenade launchers. The vessel continued its threatening calls and subsequently fired upon INS Tabar. On being fired upon, INS Tabar retaliated in self defense and opened fire on the mother vessel. According to one Indian media report, INS Tabar, which is also equipped with the Israeli Barak missiles, opened up with its medium machine gun, a closing-in weapon capable of firing 4,500-5,000 rounds per minute. As a result of the firing by INS Tabar, fire broke out on the vessel and explosions were heard, possibly due to exploding ammunition that was stored on the vessel. Almost simultaneously, two speed boats were observed breaking off to escape. The ship chased the first boat which was later found abandoned. The other boat made good its escape into darkness. An Indian media report quotes a senior navy source as saying that the warship used heavy guns to "completely destroy" the pirate vessel. "From what we see in photographs the pirate vessel is completely destroyed," the officer said. Since deployment, INS Tabar has successfully escorted 35 ships, including a number of foreign-flagged vessels, through the Gulf of Aden, and on November 11 foiled two near simultaneous hijack attempts, one on an Indian ship and the other on a Saudi vessel From Marine Log magazine |
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Town seeks solutions to shallow harbor 11/20 - Cobourg - The town is considering buying its own dredging machinery to maintain the depth of the harbor at Cobourg, Ont."It would be a godsend to the marina," Councillor Bob Spooner, coordinator of parks and recreation, told council at the Nov. 10 meeting. By the end of 2007 sailing season, the harbor entrance was only five feet deep. The harbor needs to be at least seven feet deep for power boats and sailboats to navigate through. It has been dredged three times in the last four years. In the spring of 2006, the harbor was made 16 feet deep, at a cost of about $80,000. Council set aside $250,000 in the 2008 budget for the harbor dredging work. The harbor mouth was dredged to 14 feet deep early in the 2008 boating season. "It's not holding up very well, it's filling in," said Spooner. "In the harbor itself, it's not filling in as quickly." The problem is being blamed on the frequent rainstorms and high winds of the summer season. The sand filling in the harbor is thought to be coming all the way from the Scarborough bluffs, said Spooner. Last fall, Cobourg council approved a $19,750 initial study on how to keep the harbor waters at a proper depth. Hall Coastal Canada Ltd., a Kingston engineering firm, was hired to study the depth problem and come up with possible solutions. Spooner said if the town does buy dredging equipment, the cost could be off-set by renting it out to other Lake Ontario harbours that are facing similar problems. The parks and recreation department is still researching the possibility of Cobourg owning its own marina dredging equipment, Spooner said. A staff report will have to come before council before buying any equipment. "We're confident if we did this purchase it would resolve the issue," said Spooner. From the Cobourg Northumberland News |
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Author to sign copies of St. Marys Challenger book in Port Huron Saturday 11/20- Port Huron - Great Lakes author/photographer Christopher Winters will be on hand to autograph copies of his new hardcover book "Centennial: Steaming Through the American Century" at the Great Lakes Maritime Center in Port Huron Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.The book documents life aboard the 102-year-old steamer St. Marys Challenger as she approached the centennial anniversary of her maiden voyage in 2006, and also explores the long history of this amazing vessel. Copies of the illustrated coffee-table style book will be available at the signing. As an added bonus, Roger LeLievre, editor and publisher of the annual boat watching guide "Know Your Ships" will also be on hand with a limited supply of the 2008 issue. Anyone buying Winters' book can also purchase an autographed copy of "Know Your Ships" for $12 (regular price, $16.95). The Great Lakes Maritime Center is located on the St. Clair River, where it intersects with the Black River. |
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Updates - November 20 News Photo Gallery updated New book The Great Lakes Engineering Works, the Shipyard and its Vessels |
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Today in Great Lakes History - November 20 In 1948, the ROBERT HOBSON was blown against the Duluth-Superior breakwall as she tried to enter the harbor during a 68 mph gale. Damage to the vessel was kept to a minimum when Captain John Mc Nellis ordered the seacocks opened to settle the HOBSON on a sandbar. Renamed b.) OUTARDE in 1975, she was scrapped at Port Colborne, Ontario in 1985.On 20 November 1854, BURLINGTON (2-mast wooden brig, 80 foot, 117 tons, built in 1842, at Cleveland, Ohio) was driven hard aground near Port Bruce, Ontario, on Lake Huron while trying to assist the stranded Canadian bark GLOBE. The SAGINAW was christened at the Government Dock in Sarnia, Ontario, in 1999. Bonnie Bravener and Wendy Siddall broke the traditional bottle of champagne adding the second vessel to Lower Lakes Towing's fleet. The company then generously opened the vessel for tours to all those in the large crowd that had gathered to witness the event. She was built in 1953 as a.) JOHN J. BOLAND. Hall Corporation of Canada's EAGLESCLIFFE HALL was launched in 1956, at Grangemouth, Scotland. Sold off the lakes, renamed b.) EAGLESCLIFFE in 1974, she sank two miles east of Galveston, Texas, on February 9, 1983. The ferry WOLFE ISLANDER was christened on November 20, 1946, at Marysville, Wolfe Island. The new ferry was the unfinished OTTAWA MAYBROOK which was built to serve the war effort in the south Pacific Ocean. She replaced two landing barges which were pressed quickly into service following the condemned steamer WOLFE ISLANDER, a.) TOM FAWCETT of 1904, which had served the community for 42 years. Officially christened WOLFE ISLANDER by Mrs. Sarah Russell, it took five tries before the champagne bottle finally broke on her port side. At 2240 hours on November 20, 1974, the ROY A .JODREY ran aground on Pullman Shoal, located at Wellesley Island in the St. Lawrence River near Alexandria Bay, New York. All of the crew was rescued. Early the next morning at 0305 hours she slid off the shoal, rolled on her side and sank in 150 feet of water. Pittsburgh Steamship's steamer RALPH H. WATSON (Hull#285) was launched in 1937, at River Rouge, Michigan, by Great Lakes Engineering Works. On 20 November 1872, the side wheel steamer W. J .SPICER was finally laid up and the crew dismissed. She had served for many years as the Grand Trunk ferry at Fort Gratiot on the St. Clair River. On 20 November 1880, BAY CITY (wooden barge, 199 foot, 480 tons, built in 1852, at Trenton, Michigan as the sidewheeler FOREST CITY) was carrying coal when she was cast adrift east of Erie, Pennsylvania by the steamer JAMES P. DONALDSON in a storm. She was driven ashore and wrecked. Her crew was saved by the U.S. Lifesaving Service using breeches' buoy. November 20, 1898. ANN ARBOR #3 left Cleveland, Ohio for Frankfort, Michigan, on her maiden voyage. November 20, 1924 - Pere Marquette fleet engineer Finlay Mac Laren died after 42 years with the railroad. He was succeeded by his brother Robert until Leland H. Kent was named fleet engineer in 1925. On 20 Nov 1871, the schooner E. B. ALLEN was sailing from Chicago to Buffalo with a load of corn when she crossed the bow of the bark NEWSBOY about six miles off the Thunder Bay Light on Lake Huron. The NEWSBOY slammed her bow deep into the schooner's hull amidships and the ALLEN sank in about 30 minutes. The crew escaped in the yawl. The NEWSBOY was badly damaged but did not sink. On 20 Nov 1999, the Bermuda-flag container ship CANMAR TRIUMPH went aground on the St. Lawrence River, off Varennes about 15 kilometers downstream from Montreal. She was the third vessel to run aground in the St. Lawrence River that Autumn. The Canadian Coast Guard reported that she was having engine problems and the CBC News reported that the vessel's rudder was damaged in the grounding. On Saturday morning, 20 Nov 1999, Marinette Marine Corporation of Marinette, Wisconsin, launched the 175-foot Coast Guard Cutter HENRY BLAKE. The BLAKE was one of the "Keeper" Class Coastal Class Buoy Tenders. Each ship in the "Keeper" class is named after a famous American lighthouse keeper. Data from: Joe Barr, Brian Johnson, Dave Swayze, Russ plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Max Hanley, Steve Haverty and Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history. |
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After three tugs and 12,500 nautical miles, Algobay arrives in China 11/19 - Ship brokers Marcon International report on their website that Algoma Central Corp.’s Algobay arrived in China September 10 after a 12,500 nautical mile tow involving three different tugs. Marcon arranged for the towing, although they do not name the tugs involved.The tow commenced on May 25 from Montreal to Gibraltar through the Suez Canal, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and finally arriving at the Changjiangkou buoy off Shanghai to await pilots, escort tugs and clearance up the Yangtze River. After a short delay, the ship was towed the 100 miles upriver under the Jiangyin Suspension Bridge, one of the longest span suspension bridges in the world. The major rebuild, to be completed by December 2009, will also involve a repowering of the 1978 built self-unloader. For more see www.marcon.com. Reported by Mac MacKay |
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Port Reports - November 19 Twin Ports - Al Miller Vessel traffic Tuesday morning in the Twin Ports included Walter J. McCarthy Jr. loading at Midwest Energy Terminal while the James R. Barker fueled at the Murphy Oil terminal and awaited its turn at the coal dock. Just ahead of the Barker, the heavy-life vessel Jumbo Vision was unloading a reactor for the oil sands project in western Canada. Later in the day Paul R. Tregurtha was scheduled to arrive for Midwest Energy Terminal. Marquette - Rod Burdick and Lee Rowe Tuesday afternoon, Adam E. Cornelius visited Marquette for the first time this season and loaded taconite at the Upper Harbor ore dock. Saginaw River - Todd Shorkey Manitowoc was inbound the Saginaw River early Tuesday morning, calling on the Wirt Stone dock in Bay City. She finished her unload of Sugar Stone, turned off the dock, and was outbound for the lake during the early afternoon. A few hours later, the tug Rebecca Lynn and her tank barge departed the Bit-Mat dock after unloading there overnight and into the morning. Marinette - Scott Best Tuesday morning, the Rosaire A Desgagnes arrived in Marinette, Wis., on its first-ever visit to this port. The Desgagnes tied up along the Donner at Marinette Fuel & Dock to unload a cargo of pig iron. Most pig iron delivered to Marinette over the past 10-12 years has been handled by fleet mate Catherine Desgagnes. Sarnia - The McNally Marine tug Bagotville, with tow McNally Derrick #1, was downbound under the Bluewater Bridge, Sarnia, enroute to the Government Dock. Toledo - Jim Hoffman Robert S. Pierson was at the CSX Docks loading coal. The salt water vessel Garganey was at the Midwest Terminal Dock. The tug Sea Service with the barge Energy 6506 were at the B-P Dock loading cargo. The revised schedule for coal boats due into the CSX Docks has the CSL Niagara, Catharine Desgagnes, Calumet and the Arthur M. Anderson due in Friday followed by the Herbert C. Jackson on Saturday. The revised schedule for ore boats due into the Torco Ore Dock has the Canadian Navigator and Adam E. Cornelius due in Thursday. Grand Haven - Dick Fox The Maumee came in light this morning to pick up a load of sand from the Construction Aggregates dock in Ferrysburg, Mich. It is expected to deliver the its cargo down the lake and return for another load or two yet this week. |
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U.S. Coast Guard begins Operation Big Tow 11/19 - Cleveland – The Ninth Coast Guard District will begin Operation Big Tow within the Great Lakes area to ensure commercial tugs are compliant with rules, regulations and licensing procedures.The Coast Guard is conducting Operation Big Tow as a continuous safety message to the maritime industry community. The intent of this operation is strictly a marine safety focused operation being conducted to ensure that individuals operating Uninspected Towing Vessel (UTVs) are properly licensed. A Marine Safety Alert message was released in September 2008 by the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship in Washington, D.C. in response to a recent collision between a cargo vessel and a loaded oil barge in the Mississippi River. The collision resulted in more than 282,000 gallons of #6 fuel oil spilling into the river. The Maritime Safety Alert was released strongly reminding the towing industry of its responsibility to properly man their vessels with adequate numbers of qualified and licensed crewmembers. The preliminary investigation into that collision incident revealed that the crewmember operating the vessel at the time of the casualty was not authorized to independently operate the tug. The Coast Guard will primarily be checking licenses to ensure vessel operators are properly licensed for their respective vessel's size, type, and route. The Coast Guard will look for opportunities to work with industry and UTV operators to conduct boardings and examinations at locks and dams, while vessels are tied up pier side or through other methods that facilitate the flow of commerce while allowing the Coast Guard to check licenses and conduct safety checks. All of our personnel have been ordered to conduct their operations with the utmost level of professionalism and respect. The Coast Guard is committed to improving towing vessel safety throughout the entire maritime transportation system. Our proactive communications efforts are designed to increase awareness of the Coast Guard's regulatory authorities and to encourage owners and operators of UTVs to self-correct any issues with license compliance and safety issues. USCG News Release |
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Cliffs-Alpha merger is off 11/19 - Duluth - Cliffs Natural Resources has ditched plans to aggressively expand into the coal business.The manager of three Iron Range taconite mines announced Monday that it no longer aims to purchase Alpha Natural Resources of Abingdon, Va., the nation’s largest supplier of Appalachian metallurgical coal to the steel industry. Cliffs, based in Cleveland, is the largest supplier of iron ore pellets in the nation. It first unveiled plans to acquire Alpha in mid-July as part of a cash-and-stock deal then valued at about $10 billion. In the meantime, however, Cliffs’ stock has tumbled from $111.46 per share to $19.65 — about 18 percent of its original value. Had the acquisition occurred with Cliffs trading at Monday’s price, the original $10 billion deal would have been worth less than one-third its original value. Alpha’s stock has been beaten up badly, as well, dropping from $104.93 on the date the original deal was made public to $24.90 at the close of trading Monday. The proposed Alpha buyout quickly met with opposition from the figurehead of Cliff’s largest single shareholder — Phil Falcone, senior managing director of Harbinger Capital Management Partners. A Chisholm native, Falcone was a vocal critic of the deal, suggesting that Cliffs would do better to put itself on the market than to buy Alpha. Falcone sought shareholder permission for Harbinger to take a larger interest in the company, giving it enough control to effectively block the deal. His overtures were ultimately rejected, but shareholder opposition to the acquisition continued to dog Cliffs. “They needed two-thirds of shareholders to vote in favor of the deal, and that was highly unlikely,” said Tony Robson, a steel analyst with BMO Capital Markets. Even before the nation’s financial markets went haywire, Robson said many shareholders were uneasy about an acquisition that stood to de-emphasize Cliffs’ long-standing focus on iron ore. Cliffs manages nine iron ore facilities, including three in Minnesota: United Taconite, Northshore and Hibbing Taconite. Robson said the recent economic downturn has made the acquisition an even tougher sell, however. Sensing shareholder unrest, Cliffs recently pushed back a vote on the proposed acquisition from November to December. Alpha objected to the delay and filed a suit against Cliffs. On Monday, the two companies announced a settlement of all outstanding litigation and the termination of the merger agreement. But Cliffs will need to pay Alpha $70 million to get off the hook. To put that figure in perspective, Cliffs profits for the first nine months of this year were about $462 million. Spokesmen from both companies did not return phone calls from the News Tribune late Monday afternoon. If the two had merged, they would have become one of the largest U.S. mining companies, with iron ore facilities and more than 60 coal mines in North America, South America and Australia. From the Duluth News-Tribune |
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Contractors waiting to wade into water work; 11/19 - Wisconsin could become the go-to place for Great Lakes wind turbine construction, but the possibility is too remote for contractors to take it seriously. Ted Smith, president of Marine Tech LLC, Duluth, Minn., said he sees wind turbines and towers headed toward land projects, but before contractors build towers in water, they will need answers about permitting, transmission lines and cost.Smith said he would consider pursuing the market once those questions are answered, but it’s too early to think about it now. “I think there’s going to have to be a lot of places on land where you can’t put them anymore before you put them on the Great Lakes,” he said. A report from the group Wind on the Water laid out a list of necessities — including bigger barges and the right skill sets — for contractors to build turbines and towers in the lakes. If the projects materialize and the state moves forward, Wisconsin companies could build the barges and supply the construction crews for all of the Great Lakes, said Richard Stewart, co-director of the Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. It would be a lost opportunity if companies aren’t prepared when Great Lakes wind projects become reality, he said. Edward E. Gillen Co., a Milwaukee marine contractor, probably has the barges and cranes to build turbines within a mile of the shoreline, said President Richard Zirbel. But it’s a whole different animal when the projects are farther offshore because there will be more stress on the towers, requiring different equipment and construction gear, he said. “Our company would be interested if there is any utility or company that is seriously considering doing it,” Zirbel said. “The reality part is, I think it is very unlikely that somebody is going to be able to do that in the near future.” The tricky part is deciding when to invest in the training and equipment for large offshore projects, Stewart said. But, like a highway project, it will take years of engineering and permitting work between a project’s announcement and actual construction, so companies will have time to prepare. “Even if we said we’d do it tomorrow,” Stewart said, “from a construction point of view, it isn’t like we have a company on standby that knows how to do them.” The Great Lakes has a large fleet of barges (PDF) to haul freight, but nothing designed to handle a crane that could lift large turbine components, Stewart said. Those barges take between one and four years to build. That leaves two questions: Who owns the barges? Who operates them? “Could a construction company own a ship or the barges? Absolutely,” Stewart said. “The only thing that prevents people from owning things is money.” Companies, potentially marine contractors, must develop the skills necessary to build turbines on water, he said. It could be done through partnerships with firms experienced with wind turbines. “They certainly could have people who do set up a branch of their company to do things like that,” Stewart said, “so long as the contract is big enough to warrant the investment.” Should those contracts start to emerge, Smith said he would consider getting into the business. “Sure, we would chase anything,” he said. “We would look at anything at least once. I don’t know any businessman that wouldn’t.” By Sean Ryan for the Daily Reporter |
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Updates - November 19 News Photo Gallery updated New book The Great Lakes Engineering Works, the Shipyard and its Vessels Weekly updates |
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Today in Great Lakes History - November 19 On this day in 1939, in a 24 hour period, there were 132 transits of the Soo Locks. There were 71 upbound passages and 61 downbound passages.On this day in 1952, Mrs. Ernest T. Weir smashed a bottle of champagne against the hull of the largest freighter built on the Great Lakes and the 690 foot ERNEST T. WEIR slid down the ways at the Lorain yard of American Ship Building Company. The new vessel had a crew of 38 under the command of Captain W. Ross Maitland and Chief Engineer C. F. Hoffman. On 19 November 1897, NAHANT (wooden propeller freighter, 213 foot, 1,204 gross tons, built in 1873, at Detroit, Michigan) caught fire while docked near Escanaba, Michigan. Firefighters were hampered by sub-zero temperatures and she burned to a total loss. The fire jumped to the dock and did $300,000 worth of damage. Two of the crew were burned to death. The wreckage of the vessel was still visible from the Escanaba lighthouse 100 years later. American Steamship's SAM LAUD (Hull#712) was launched on this date in 1974, at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The keel for the JOHN T. HUTCHINSON (Hull#1010) was laid November 19, 1942, at Cleveland, Ohio for the U.S. Maritime Commission. The Kinsman Transit Co.'s steamer MERLE M. McCURDY was laid up for the last time at Buffalo, New York, on November 19, 1985. She was scrapped at Port Colborne, Ontario, in 1988. On 19 November 1842, the wooden schooner BRANDYWINE was carrying flour in a storm on Lake Erie when she capsized and then drifted to the beach near Barcelona, New York. One passenger's body was found in the cabin, but the entire crew of 6 was lost. More incidents from the terrible storm swept the Lakes in mid-November 1886. On 18-19 November of that year, The Port Huron Times listed the vessels that were known to have foundered in that storm. Here is the list of vessels that foundered as it appeared on 19 November 1886. "The barge EMERALD near Kewaunee, 5 lost. The barge F M DICKINSON near Kewaunee, 3 lost. Two unknown schooners (one supposed to be the HELEN) near Port Sherman. One unknown schooner near Hog Island Reef. The barge NORTH STAR near East Tawas, the fate of the crew is unknown." The list then continues with vessels ashore. "The barge WALLACE and consort on Choclay Beach, east of Marquette. The schooner SOUTH HAVEN near Pt. Sherman. The schooner MARY near Blenheim, Ontario. The schooner PATHFINDER near Two Rivers, the cargo and vessel are a total loss. The schooner CUYAHOGA and two scows in North Bay. The schooner P S MARSH and an unknown schooner at St. Ignace. The schooner HARVEY BISSELL near Alpena. The propeller CITY OF NEW YORK near Cheboygan. The schooner KOLFAGE near Goderich, Ontario has broken up. The propeller NASHUA on Grass Island, Green Bay. The barge BISSELL near Kewaunee. The schooner GOLDEN below China Beach. The propeller BELLE CROSS and barges across from China Beach. The schooner FLORIDA on Marquette Beach is a total loss. And the barges BUCKOUT, MC DOUGALL, BAKER, GOLDEN HARVEST near East Tawas. The schooner HATTIE JOHNSTON sailed from Milwaukee loaded with 26,000 bushels of wheat on the night of 19 November 1879, and then a severe gale swept Lake Michigan. After two weeks, she was presumed lost with all hands. Aboard were Capt. D. D. Prouty, his wife and 8 crewmen. On 19 Nov 1886, the steamer MANISTIQUE was towing the schooner-barges MARINETTE and MENEKAUNEE, all loaded with lumber, in a NW gale on Lake Michigan. The gale lasted three days. The barges broke loose after a long fight against the elements and both were wrecked near Frankfort, Michigan. Six of the seven aboard the MARINETTE were lost including the woman cook and her 13-year old daughter. The MENEKAUNEE broke up before the Lifesaving Service could get to her and all seven aboard died. When the Lifesaving Service arrived on the beach, they found a jumbled mass of lumber and gear and the ship's dog keeping watch over the dead bodies. The dog also died soon after the Lifesaving crew arrived. EMPIRE MALDON (steel tanker, 343 foot, 3,734 gross tons) was launched on 19 November 1945, by Sir James Laing & Sons, Ltd., at Sunderland, United Kingdom for the British Ministry of War Transport She was sold to Imperial Oil Co. of Canada in 1946, and renamed IMPERIAL HALIFAX and served on the Maritime Provinces-East Coast trade. In 1969, she was purchased by Johnstone Shipping, Ltd., of Toronto and served on the Great Lakes. She lasted until 1977, when she was scrapped by United Metals, Ltd. in Hamilton, Ontario. On Friday morning, 19 Nov 1999, shortly after leaving the ADM dock in Windsor, the salty AVDEEVKA lost power in the Fighting Island Channel of the Detroit River. The main engine on the vessel quit while she was abreast of Grassy Island and she began drifting downstream. The stern anchor was dropped and then the port side bow anchor. She began swinging towards the middle of the channel with her stern outside the channel when the main engine was restarted and she headed back upstream for the Belle Isle anchorage. Once in the anchorage a team from the U.S. Coast Guard boarded the vessel to investigate. She was released the next day. It is reported that the vessel lost power due to main fuel valve being left closed after routine maintenance during her stay at the ADM dock. Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Max Hanley, Steve Haverty and Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history. |
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New Canfornav ship sails into Thunder Bay 11/18 - Thunder Bay - A new ship is sailing the Great Lakes this week, and shipping officials call that good news for both the industry and the city. The Cyprus-flagged motor vessel Blacky is being loaded with canola at Thunder Bay, Ont.’s Viterra elevator, and will make its way to Mexico where the shipment will be turned into canola oil.Lake Superior Shipping ship agent Sandy Henderson said Blacky is the first of 14 ships to be built in China by Montreal-based Canfornav Inc. He said it is a good sign that new ships are being built. Henderson also said that the ship was built three months ago, and can carry up to 28,000 tonnes of cargo. As for the kind of cargo the ship can carry, Henderson said anything from grain to steel. But with the depth limitations in the Great Lakes, it cannot carry more than 20,000 tonnes out of Thunder Bay. The Blacky will arrive in Mexico in about two weeks. From Thunder Bays' Source |
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Freedom departs Buffalo 11/18 - Buffalo - The USS Freedom departed Buffalo shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday morning escorted by two tugs. USS Freedom is sailing off the lakes for Norfolk , Va., and a five-month Post Delivery Availability. Final acceptance trials are set for next May, then the ship will leave for Florida and ultimately its home port in San Diego. The 378-foot Freedom was constructed at Marinette Marine Corporation, Marinette, Wisc., and was the first naval vessel to be built and commissioned on the Great Lakes since World War II. Reported by Brian W. |
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New Seawall for Cobb 11/18 - Muskegon, Mi -
Consumers Energy Co. is investing $11 million in the docking facility that accommodates 1,000-foot coal freighters at Muskegon's B.C. Cobb generating plant and benefiting several local companies at the same time.
Great Lakes Dock & Materials will be the prime contractor on the project that calls for replacement of 1,800 feet of seawall. Other local firms working on the job will be Jackson-Merkey Contractors, Northshore Construction Co. and Verplank Trucking.
"It's great that Consumers did that," said Great Lakes Dock's Joe Bailey, adding that he will be using local suppliers wherever possible.
The project has received permits from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It will involve placing 2.7 acres of fill outward from the existing seawall and construction of a new seawall.
In the process, it will eliminate 11 large round "docking cells," several of which already have been removed due to deterioration. The existing seawall, which has been in place since the 1940s, also has deteriorated.
"There are places in the steel with holes big enough to put your arm through," said Consumers Energy Public Affairs Director Dennis McKee.
The new seawall will consist of 52-inch-wide steel sections running 70 feet into the ground.
McKee said contractors expect to have the job 95 percent completed by March 1, in time for the first spring coal shipments.
"The seawall replacement project is necessary for our continued operation of the Cobb plant," said Plant Manager Tom Gesinski. "The coal is used to generate the steam necessary to operate the machinery that makes electricity."
The Cobb plant consists of two coal-burning units each capable of generating 160 megawatts, and three natural gas-fired turbine generators that can each produce 60 megawatts.
As one condition of its permits, Consumers Energy will be required to mitigate any impact the seawall project may have on aquatic life in the area. It will create new bottom-land habitat on its property between the middle and south branches of the Muskegon River.
The utility also will create a second wetland habitat on its electric transmission right of way adjacent to the Muskegon State Game Area.
Reported by Muskegon Chronicle |
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Port Reports - November 18 Saginaw - Todd Shorkey Toledo - Jim Hoffman Hamilton - Eric Holmes |
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Coast Guard responds to oil spill in Kinnickinnic River in Milwaukee 11/18 - Milwukee -
The Coast Guard is responding to an oil spill on the Kinnickinnic River that happened about 3 p.m. Monday near Skipper Buds Marina.
A crane that was attempting to lift a yacht out of the water tumbled into the river and a portion of its fuel contents spilled after the fall.
A Coast Guard Station Milwaukee 25-foot response boat was dispatched to the scene, and the spill was contained by oil boom. Coast Guard responders from Sector Lake Michigan estimate a spill potential of 250 gallons, (90 from the yacht and 160 from the crane.)
"After ensuring the safety of the people involved in this incident, our attention turns to minimizing the environmental impacts" said Cmdr. Joe Malinauskas, Chief of Response for Sector Lake Michigan, "We are very pleased with the rapid and effective response by both Skipper Buds and CG Enterprises."
Most of the fuel remains in the submerged tanks. The Coast Guard is investigating the reasons for the spill, and is making certain that the oil is removed from the water.
The Coast Guard oversees the investigation of and response to pollution threats on the navigable waters, maintains a cadre of highly trained pollution investigators and responders. They will provide oversight of the oil spill response personnel and equipment that is being mobilized to the scene.
The crane was owned and operated by CG Enterprises of Milwaukee and no injuries were reported.
Reported by USCG |
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Updates - November 18 News Photo Gallery updated New book The Great Lakes Engineering Works, the Shipyard and its Vessels Weekly updates |
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Carl D. Bradley Tragedy Remembered 50 Years Later On this day 50 years ago shortly after 5:30 pm the Carl D. Bradley broadcast this distress signal “Mayday! Mayday! This is the Carl D. Bradley. Our position is approximately twelve miles southwest of Gull Island. We are in serious trouble! We’re breaking up!” Built in 1927 by American Ship Building Co. in Lorain, OH, the 638 foot self-unloading freighter that was known as the “Queen of the Lakes” when launched was now caught in the middle of a Lake Michigan November Gale that was generating winds up to 60 mph. The Carl D. Bradley had departed Buffington, Indiana in ballast the day before and was bound for the Port of Calcite, MI to lay up for the winter. In that gale 50 years ago the ship broke in two amidships and sank in a matter of minutes. Of the 35 crewmen on board only 2 survived. Twenty-three of those lost made their homes in Rogers City. To say the town devastated was an understatement. Today, the people of Rogers City will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bradley’s loss. The centerpiece for the commemoration will be the recently recovered bell from the vessel. Last summer, divers removed the bell and replaced it with a replica engraved with the names of the entire crew to serve as a memorial marker to those lost. The original bell was returned to Rogers City and restored. It is displayed in a place of honor at the Great Lakes Lore Museum there, where it has remained silent for the last year. Tuesday evening, it will be rung once for each of the crewmembers. The first to ring it will be Frank Mays, the sole remaining survivor. Great Lakes Shipping Profiles has also released two versions of Carl D. Bradley prints. The ship is depicted as she would have looked in the late 1950’s shortly before the tragic wreck. Click here to view. Reported by John Belliveau and Bob Vandevusse from the Holland Sentinel |
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Paddle-to-the-Sea 11/18 - On July 12, 2007, six-year-old Reading Beardslee and her seven-year-old sibling Jasper launched a toy canoe into the St. Mary's River. The launch of the tiny vessel, dubbed Paddle-to-the-Sea, took place about halfway between De Tour, Michigan and Drummond Island. Inscribed on the bottom of Paddle-to-the-Sea was the family name, their phone number and a message stating: "Please put me back in the water. I am Paddle-to-the-Sea." Over the following year, the little boat carved by the Beardslee family travelled down the St. Marys' River and into Lake Michigan, before hitting shore at White Lake - 220 miles from the launch point. There, it was discovered by Doddin Applegate this past September, who contacted the Beardslee family. Doddin and Brooks Applegate will fix up the canoe over the winter and re-launch it next spring. News of the discovery proved exciting to Reading and Jasper, who had sought to re-create the adventure of Paddle-to-the-Sea - Holling Clancy Holling's 1941 illustrated book for children. The book tells the story of an indian boy who releases a hand-carved canoe with his tribal colors into Lake Nipigon and describes the canoe's journey from Lake Nipigon to Lake Superior, over to the St. Lawrence and into the Atlantic Ocean. Reported by Soo Today from the White Lake Beacon |
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Today in Great Lakes History - November 18 On 18 November 1869, EQUATOR (wooden propeller package freighter, 184 foot, 621 tons, built in 1857, at Buffalo, New York) was trying to pull the schooner SOUTHWEST off a reef near North Manitou Island on Lake Michigan. A storm swept in and EQUATOR foundered in the relatively shallow water. She was thought to be unsalvageable but was re-floated in 1870. Her hull was extensively rebuilt and became the barge ELDORADO in 1871, while her engine was used in the tug BISMARCK. The CARL D BRADLEY was lost in a violent storm on Lake Michigan on November 18, 1958. The CANADIAN OLYMPIC's sea trials were conducted on 18 November 1976. Her maiden voyage was on 28 November 1976, to load coal at Conneaut, Ohio for Nanticoke, Ontario. Her name honors the Olympic Games that were held at Montreal that year. The bow and stern sections of the vessel that was to become the STEWART J CORT were built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division, Litton Systems, Inc., Pascagoula, MS, as hull 1173. That 182 foot vessel, known as "STUBBY" was launched on 18 Nov 1969. "STUBBY" sailed under its own power from the Gulf of Mexico through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Welland Canal to Erie, Pennsylvania where the sections were cut apart by Erie Marine, Inc. and the 818 foot mid section was added -- making the Lakes first thousand footer. The ASHCROFT was launched November 18, 1924, as a) GLENIFFER. On 18 November 1873, the tug CRUSADER was launched at 1:20 p.m. at the Leighton & Dunford yard in Port Huron, Michigan. Her dimensions were 138 foot overall, 125 foot keel, 23 foot beam, and 12 foot depth. She was built for Mr. G. E. Brockway of Port Huron. On 18 November 1842, CHICAGO (wooden passenger & package freight sidewheeler, 105 foot, 166 tons, built in 1837, at St. Joseph, Michigan) was struck by a gale between Ashtabula and Conneaut in Lake Erie. She lost both of her stacks and became unmanageable when her fires went out. She was driven ashore about 3 miles east of Silver Creek, New York and was wrecked. About 60 persons were on board and amazingly no lives were lost. On 18 November 1882, DROMEDARY (wooden propeller, 120 foot, 255 gross tons, built in 1868, at Port Dalhousie, Ontario) burned to a total loss at the dock at Hamilton, Ontario when her banked fires overheated. She was owned by Burroughs & Co. No lives were lost. A terrible storm swept the Lakes in mid-November 1886. On 18-19 November of that year, The Port Huron Times listed the vessels that were known to have foundered in that storm. Here is the list as it appeared on 18 November 1886. "The barge CHARLES HINCKLEY is ashore near Alpena. The schooner P S MARCH is ashore at St. Ignace. She will probably go to pieces. The schooner THOMAS P SHELDON is ashore about 10 miles north of Alpena. The crew were rescued by the tug HAND. The schooner NELLIE REDINGTON is reported going to pieces at Two Rivers. Three of her crew reached harbor all right, but the other 7 men on board are in danger of their lives. The coal barges F M DICKINSON and EMERALD were driven ashore at Kewaunee, Wisconsin Wednesday morning [17 Nov]. Three of the DICKINSON's crew were drowned, the other four floated ashore on a plank. The EMERALD's crew started ashore in the yawl, but 5 were drowned. On 18 November 1881, the schooner JAMES PLATT left Bay City with a cargo of lumber for Chicago. However, she was wrecked on Lake Michigan during a terrible snow storm during the first week of December and never made it to Chicago. The storm lasted two full days and six of the crew survived but the rest were lost. The ANN ARBOR NO 4 ran aground on Green Isle, the island in Green Bay to the north of her course between Sturgeon Bay and Menominee on 18 Nov 1913. ANN ARBOR NO 3 pulled her off undamaged after about 2 hours work. Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Max Hanley, Steve Haverty and Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history. |
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Freedom arrives in Buffalo 11/17 - Buffalo - The USS Freedom arrived about 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The tugs Washington, New Jersey, and Shenandoah were alongside to assist her into the North Pier - Visiting Ship's Dock. She was secure by 4:30 and the colors were struck at 4:32 p.m.. She will be open for tours on Monday afternoon from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will depart for the Welland Canal on Tuesday morning. Freedom departed Cleveland about 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Reported by Brian W. |
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Steel industry woes continue, layoffs mount 11/17 -
One Hamilton steelmaker is laying off workers and another will shut down
over Christmas, sending more than 5,000 workers home, as the global
financial crisis continues to batter the steel industry.
U.S. Steel Canada is temporarily laying off 175 employees at its Hamilton
plant as it extends the shutdown of its blast furnace.
In addition to the staff reductions in Canada, Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel
is laying off 500 workers at facilities in the Pittsburgh area, northwest
Indiana, Fairfield, Ala., Ecorse and River Rouge, Mich., and Granite City,
Ill.
And ArcelorMittal Dofasco will halt all steelmaking for two weeks at
Christmas, taking the unprecedented step of asking all unessential workers
to take vacation or unpaid leaves.
Steelmakers have been pummeled by the global economic slowdown and a steep
slide in orders from key customers, including automakers.
"The volatility in this market is just unprecedented. I¹ve never seen demand
this bad," said Larry Meyer, a spokesperson for ArcelorMittal Dofasco.
Laid-off workers at U.S. Steel Canada will not be called back until the
Hamilton blast furnace, the heart of the plant's steelmaking operations,
is brought back to life following a shutdown that started late last month,
said Rolf Gerstenberger, president of the United Steelworkers union at the
plant.
Though tentative plans had called for the furnace to be restarted in
mid-December, the shutdown is now expected to extend into the new year. The
union was told to expect another 32 layoffs in the next two to three weeks,
Gerstenberger said.
No layoffs have occurred at U.S. Steel Canada's Lake Erie operation in
Nanticoke, where the blast furnace has been shut down for a week for
repairs, said Bill Ferguson, union president at the facility. The Lake Erie
plant employs 1,200 people.
The downturn marks a sharp reversal of fortune for the steel sector. Driven
by strong demand during the summer, both U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal pumped
out steel at record rates and saw profits soar in the second and third
quarters. Workers at the former Stelco took home thousands of dollars in
production bonuses.
But as the global economy slumps, demand for the steel used in cars and
appliances has plummeted and customers are struggling to secure credit.
"Who'd have thought six months ago this would happen?" said Mike Doyle, an
employee at U.S. Steel Canada.
Reported by:
Hamilton Spectator
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Port Reports - November 17 South Chicago - Brian Z. and Steve B.The Joseph L. Block was loading coal at KCBX Terminals on the Calumet River Saturday. The Block arrived from Indiana Harbor after unloading ore pellets. Loading was completed at midnight, with the Block taking on 23,000 tons of coal destined for Escanaba, MI. Sunday afternoon found three boats on the Calumet River. At the North American dock at Iroquois Landing, the Rosaire A. Desgagnes was unloading at the PI Plant. Around 4 p.m. the Manitowoc finished unloading and backed out of the river and into the bay.
Alpena - Ben & Chanda McClain Saginaw - Stephen Hause |
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Updates - November 17 News Photo Gallery updated Weekly updates |
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Today in Great Lakes History - November 17 On 17 November 1884, PHOENIX (wooden propeller wrecking tug, 173 gross tons, built in 1862, at Cleveland, Ohio) caught fire in one of her coal bunkers at 7:00 a.m. while she was tied up to the C. S. R. Railroad slip at Amherstburg, Ontario. Several vessels, including the Dunbar tug SHAUGHRAUN and the steam barge MARSH, tried to save her. The SHAUGHRAUN finally got a line on her and pulled her away from the dock and towed her near NorwellÕs wharf where she burned and sank. On 17 Nov 1969, the RIDGETOWN (steel propeller bulk freighter, 557 foot, 7,637 gross tons, built in 1905, at Chicago, Illinois as WILLIAM E COREY) was laid up at Toronto for the last time with a load of grain. In the Spring of 1970, Upper Lakes Shipping, Ltd. sold her to Canadian Dredge & Dock Co., Ltd. of Toronto. She was sunk at Nanticoke, Ontario for use as a temporary breakwater during the construction of harbor facilities in the Summer of 1970. Still later, she was raised and sunk again in the Summer of 1974, as a breakwater to protect marina facilities at Port Credit, Ontario. On November 17, 1984, the EUGENE P THOMAS was towed by the TUG MALCOLM to Thunder Bay, Ontario for scrapping by Shearmet. In the morning of 17 November 1926, the PETER A B WIDENER (steel straight-deck bulk freighter, 580 foot, 7,053 gross tons, built in 1906, at Chicago, Illinois) was running up bound on Lake Superior in ballast when it encountered strong Northeasterly winds. About six miles Southwest of the Rock of Ages Light on Isle Royale, the captain gave orders to change course for Duluth, Minnesota. There was no response because the wheel chains had parted from the drum, thus disabling the rudder. Repairs cost $4,000. On 15 Nov 1972, the MICHIPICOTEN (steel straight-deck bulk freighter, 549 foot, 6,490 gross tons, built in 1905, at W. Bay City, Michigan as HENRY C FRICK) departed Quebec in tow of Polish tug KORAL for scrapping in Spain. The tow encountered bad weather and the MICHIPICOTEN broke in two during a major fall storm on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Her forward section sank on 17 November off Anticosti Island, and the after section sank the next day. The propeller JOHN STUART burned about two miles from Seewaing, Michigan at 9:00 p.m., 17 November 1872. She had been aground there for some time. On 17 November 1887, ARIZONA (wooden propeller package freighter, 189 foot, 962 gross tons, built in 1868, at Cleveland, Ohio) was carrying oils and acid used in mining operations when her dangerous cargo caught fire as she approached the harbor at Marquette, Michigan in heavy seas. Poisonous fumes drove all of the crew topside, leaving the vessel unmanageable. She ran against the breakwater and the crew jumped off. The burning steamer "chased" the crew down the breakwater tow |