Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive

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Slow Progress in the River
02/28
Thursday was a day of slow progress for the Reliance and PML 9000. The tug arrived in the river and anchored the barge off Lime Island about 1 a.m. The Reliance then continued upbound to break a track. About 9 a.m. the tug turned at the Sugar Island Ferry Dock and returned downbound. As the Reliance was turning off the dock, the tug Wilfred M. Cohen was down bound at Six Mile Point and the Mackinaw was upbound at Lime Island.
The Reliance and Cohen returned to the barge at Lime Island about 3 p.m. and were joined by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw. The vessels then started working up the St. Marys River, making slow progress. About 9 p.m. they had traveled 8 miles up the river and decided to stop for the night. The transit is expected to resume early Friday morning after first light.
Reported by: Scott Best and Linda Stoetzer

Ice Coverage
02/28
Coast Guard icebreakers are encountering more ice this winter than they've seen in the past several years, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Much of Lake Huron, Lake Erie, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River have more ice cover this year than in the past few years. One Coast Guard crew recently encountered ice more than 2 feet thick off Lake Erie's Point Pelee. They also ran into 20-foot-high windrows.
"There's certainly more ice cover than we've seen the last five or six years," said Ray Assel, physical scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Ferry service to Harsens Island was interrupted for a couple of days earlier this week by ice. Early Sunday, a wall of ice from Lake Huron blocked access to the island, said Nancy Bryson, office manager of Champion's Auto Ferry, which offers ferry service between Harsens Island and Algonac.
Lake Huron is packed, she said.
"I heard the ice is wall-to-wall, no gaps, up past Lexington," Bryson said. "There's a lot of ice out there, monstrous ice. It's not sheet ice, as we call it. This is chunks 5-feet thick."
During an average Michigan winter, about 70 percent of Lake Superior would be covered by ice, Assel said. But because of the lake's 483-foot depth, it doesn't completely ice over.
Likewise, about 70 percent of Lake Huron will typically be covered by ice during winter. Its depth, like Lakes Superior and Michigan, usually prevents it from completely icing over.
Besides its depth, Lake Michigan's large surface area limits ice cover to the northern end and around the shoreline areas farther south. Lake Ontario's depth also keeps ice from completely covering it.
Ice almost always forms on Lake Erie, because it is the shallowest of the lakes.
"In fact, it's big news when it doesn't form an ice cover," Assel said.
Ferries to and from Mackinac Island were able to run all winter long in 2002. This winter the ferries stopped running Jan. 21, which is about the normal date for the ice bridge to form between the island and St. Ignace.
"Usually, we start running again toward the end of March or early April," said Bob Brown, general manager of Arnold Lines. "This year it could be a little later."
Click here to view recent ice thickness on the Great Lakes
Reported by: Robin Simmons

AK Steel gets FTC nod on National
02/28
The Federal Trade Commission's antitrust offices have closed ahead of schedule the waiting period for AK Steel Corp's proposed $1.1 billion purchase of National Steel Corp., AK officials said Thursday.
Closing the waiting period means AK Steel won't have to provide additional information to the Department of Justice on the proposed acquisition.
AK Steel is embroiled in a bidding war for bankrupt National Steel. Last month, AK increased its offer to $1.1 billion, topping U.S. Steel's bid of $950 million.
The auction period for National Steel will end April 7 when Judge John Squires, who is overseeing National Steel's bankruptcy, is expected to approve the winning bid.
Reported by: Dave Smith

Niagara Views
02/28
Below are images taken in Thorold, Ontario of the old locks from the second and third Welland Canals. The best time to take pictures of the old locks is in the winter as the area is without foliage. In the summer they are covered in trees, bushes and tall grass. Also included are pictures of the burned out La Grande Hermine Enr. at Jordan Harbour.
A frosty and misty morning as water still flows through the lock.
Water flowing over the upper sill.
Frosted tree on lock wall.
Inside the lock chamber looking downbound.
All Twenty Six locks were made of cut stone.
No Poured concrete here.
Third canal lock southeast of present day Lock 3.

Burned out hull of the La Grande Hermine Enr.
Bow view.
Close up.
Steel hull was covered with wood.
With the wood burned away her steel hull can be seen.
Former pilothouse through the debris.
On deck.
Tour boat Dalhousie Princess at Port Dalhousie.
Reported by: Capt. Alain Gindroz

Hamilton, Goderich and Sarnia
02/28
Below are image taken last week at Hamilton, Goderich and Sarnia.
Hamilton
Provmar Terminal II in Hamilton.
Stern view.
Provmar Terminal II, Provmar Terminal and Hamilton Energy.
Hamilton Energy.
Close up.
Lorena I.
Montrealais.
Techno St Laurent & Pacific Standard.
Canadian Navigator.
tug Batchawana.
tug Prescotont in Hamilton.
Gordon C Leitch in Hamilton.
Canadian Prospector.
Algosoo and Leitch.
Algosoo.
James Norris.
View from the dock.

Goderich
Teakglen in Goderich.
Close up.
Bow view.
Teakglen stern.
Salvage Monarch & Seven Sisters stern.
Salvage Monarch stern.
Ian Mac & Debbie Lyn in Goderich.
Stern view.
Donald Bert.
Willowglen.
Wide view.
Willowglen stern.
Frontenac.
Close up.
tug Dover.
Seven Sisters.
Stern view.
Salvage Monarch in Goderich.

Sarnia
Le Taureau, Sandra Mary & Bagotville in Sarnia.
Calumet & Maumee.
Algonova.
Halifax.
Algolake & Algonova.
Stern view.
Huron Lady II.
Mike's trip totaled 1,733 miles, visiting Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Waukegan, Chicago, Michigan City, Sandusky, Port Clinton, Toledo, Goderich, Hamilton and Sarnia. (Monday February 17, Milwaukee to Detroit; Wednesday February 19, Sandusky; and Thursday February 20, Goderich, Hamilton, Goderich and Sarnia)
Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Today in Great Lakes History - February 28
INCAN SUPERIOR was launched February 28, 1974
OUTARDE (2) was launched February 28, 1906 as a) ABRAHAM STEARN.
In 1929 the Grand Trunk carferry MADISON, inbound into Grand Haven in fog and ice, collided with the Army dredge General G.G. MEADE, berthed on the south bank of the river for the winter. Damage was minor.

Data from: Max Hanley, Steve Haverty, 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

Reliance Upbound
02/27 10 a.m. Update
Monday morning the Reliance continued upbound the St. Marys River, about 9 a.m. the tug turned at the Sugar Island Ferry Dock and returned downbound. As the Reliance was turning off the dock, the tug Wilfred M. Cohen was down bound at Six Mile Point and the Mackinaw was upbound at Lime Island.
Original Report
After passing through difficult ice conditions in northern Lake Huron the tug Reliance and barge PML 9000 reached the St. Marys River about 6:40 p.m. Wednesday night.
The tug made slow progress upbound through the ice and anchored the barge off Lime Island about 1 a.m. The Reliance then continued upbound to break a track.
The tug was expected to continue all the way up to the Soo harbor. Fleet mate Wilfred M. Cohen will depart the Purvis Dock and head downbound to assist with the barge. Reliance and Cohen will then return down bound to retrieve the barge. Early Thursday morning the tug reported slow progress but continued on.
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw is expected in the St. Marys River about 5 a.m. Thursday morning. The Mackinaw will work the ice off Drummond Island to ease conditions for the Drummond Island ferry and then head to assist the Reliance.
Check back for updates
Reported by: Scott Best and Linda Stoetzer

Tucker Back in Service
02/27
The Capt. Ralph Tucker returned to General Chemical in Amherstburg Monday to unloading. It appears that last weekend's ground caused no damage to the tanker.
Reported by: Dave Cozens

Ice Halts Carferry Service
02/27
Car ferry service on the St. Clair River between Marine City and Sombra, Ont. has been hampered again by an ice chocked St. Clair River. The car ferry Daldean has not run for several days. Ice conditions in the river are severe as ice continues to build in the lower river.
Reported by: Duane Upton

Outage
02/27
Last night and through this morning the web site was unavailable due to a connection problem at the server. The problem is now corrected, sorry for the delay.

Today in Great Lakes History - February 27
GOLDEN SABLE was launched February 27, 1930 as a)ACADIALITE.

Data from: Steve Haverty, 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

Tug and Barge Stuck in Ice
02/26
Heavy ice trapped the tug Michigan and barge Great Lakes as they became stuck west of the Leelanau Peninsula on Monday. Local media reports that the tug and barge became stuck as they departed Grand Travers Bay after unloading in Traverse City. The U.S. Coast Guard sent a helicopter to the scene to assess the situation and tasked the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw to assist.
Tuesday morning the Mackinaw was on scene and had broken a track for the tug and barge. By early afternoon Tuesday the Michigan/Great Lakes was making steady progress following the Mackinaw through the ice. The tug and barge are heading to Chicago to load.
Local media reports that this is the first time Grand Traverse Bay has been frozen over in almost a decade. The wind has pushed the ice together into heavy pressure ridges where the bay meets Lake Michigan. The conditions on Grand Traverse Bay are so severe that future transits can only be made with Coast Guard ice breaker assistance.
The Michigan/Great Lakes operates year round delivering fuel oil to northern Michigan ports.
Reported by: David Swayze and Joseph Komjathy

Reliance Continues
02/26
The tug Reliance and barge PML 9000 continued upbound Tuesday remaining close to the Lake Huron shore line. Early this morning the pair were upbound in northern Lake Huron and reported ice ranging from 4 - 8 inches thick.
The tug was expected to stop for the night off Presque Isle, however conditions may allow the pair to continue upbound for the lower St. Marys River.
Once in the lower St. Marys River the tug will leave the barge and head upbound to break ice. Another tug from Purvis Marine is expected to depart the dock in Sault Ste. Marie and meet the Reliance in the lower river. Once the tugs meet they will return downbound to retrieve the barge and head back to Sault Ste. Marie.
The trip downbound through the St. Marys River last week was very difficult, a trip upbound with an unloaded barge could be even worse. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw is expected to break ice in the Straights of Mackinac Wednesday and then head for the St. Marys River. The Mackinaw is currently the only Coast Guard ice breaker available in the area. All others are down for maintenance, preparing for the opening of the shipping season in late March.
Another trip to Detroit is planned for the Reliance and barge PML 9000. The barge was expected to be reloaded and the pair will make the trip all over again. Weather and ice conditions have made this first test trip difficult, but it appears to have been a successful test.
Reported by: Joe Farris

No Sale for the Islander
02/26
The sale of the ferry Amherst Islander at Leamington, Ont. was delayed due to mechanical problems with the ferry. Officials said they would make repairs and try to sell the vessel again. Efforts to auction the vessel off were unsuccessful and the reserve bid was not met.
The vessel, launched in 1952, was one of the last built at the Kingston Shipyards. She was idle at Kingston for two years and then sent to help with service Pelee Island in Lake Erie.
Reported by: Ron Walsh

Hamilton Update
02/26
The big barge CSL Trillium is being scrapped on Heddle's big drydock and Josee M.(2) ex- Imperial Lachine is on Heddle's small dry dock. After Heddle is finished cutting up CSL Trillium, McKeil's package freighter Nunavut Trader (which still bears the name Loreena 1) on its' hull, is scheduled for dry docking.
The wheelhouse has been removed from the small freighter CALEDONIA, which is undergoing conversion to a tall ship by Canadian Sailing Adventures at McKeil's yard. The wheelhouse is lying in McKeil's parking lot.
Reported by: Gerry O.

Effort on to rebuild New Buffalo lighthouse
02/26
New Buffalo city officials and others are eager to build a replica of the town's 1839 long-vanished lighthouse, but they're still trying to find the money needed for the project.
Supporters of the idea envision a park with a replica of the lighthouse as the showcase on the spot where Lighthouse Restaurant once stood. The two-story lighthouse would be built according to original specifications.
To move toward the project toward reality, the New Buffalo City Council has formed a five-member Business Improvement District board. New Buffalo City Manager Tom Johnson said the panel can help oversee downtown development required to become eligible for grants.
The biggest hurdle is the cost. Figures have not been made official, but preliminary estimates of just acquiring the prime lakefront real estate is $3 million to $4 million.
The new lighthouse is expected to draw tourists to downtown New Buffalo. To complement the lighthouse, other possibilities for a park include a band shell for summer concerts and other events along with an ice skating rink.
The old lighthouse once stood where Lighthouse Creek empties into Lake Michigan about a half-mile west of New Buffalo Marina. In 1859, a dune shifted, causing the foundation to crumble and the lighthouse to topple over, said Smith.

Reported by: David Leopold

Today in Great Lakes History - February 26
The completed hull of the BELLE RIVER (b) WALTER J. McCARTHY JR.) was floated off the ways February 26, 1977.
JOSEPH L. BLOCK was launched February 26, 1976.
On 26 February 1874, the tug WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE, Jr. was launched at Port Huron Dry Dock. Her dimensions were 151' overall, 25'6" beam, and 13'depth. Her machinery was built by Phillerick & Christy of Detroit and was shipped by rail to Port Huron. She cost $45,000. Her master builder was Alex Stewart.
On 26 February 1876, the MARY BELL (iron propeller, 58', 34 gt, built in 1870 at Buffalo, NY) burned near Vicksburg, Michigan.

Data from: Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, 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

Reliance Departs
02/25
The tug Reliance and barge PML 9000 departed the McLouth Steel dock in Trenton, Mi about 10 a.m. Monday morning. The pair are sailing upbound for their home dock in Sault Ste. Marie. They expected to reach the Soo Tuesday afternoon, the actual arrival will depend on weather and ice conditions.
The tug and barge were escorted through northern Lake St. Clair and the lower St. Clair River by the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley. Monday morning the Risley was escorting the Capt. Ralph Tucker upbound, several hours ahead of the Reliance.
The steel coils unloaded at Trenton are from Algoma Steel in the Soo, this shipment by barge is a test of a winter alternative to trucking the automotive steel from Algoma Steel to Detroit-area customers. One barge load of coils is equivalent to around 200 truckloads of the steel product.
Although weather and ice conditions made the trip difficult, it appears to have been a successful test. It is unknown if the tug and barge will make additional trips this winter.
Early Tuesday morning the tug and barge expected to arrive in the Soo Tuesday afternoon. Ice in the St. Marys River could delay their arrival.
Reported by: Joe Farris

Today in Great Lakes History - February 25
CREEK TRANSPORT was launched this day in 1910 as a) SASKATOON (1).

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

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

Reliance Upbound
02/24 11 a.m. Update
The tug Reliance and barge PML 9000 departed the McLouth Steel dock in Trenton, Mi about 10 a.m. Monday morning. The pair are sailing upbound for their home dock in Sault Ste. Marie. They expected to reach the Soo Tuesday afternoon, the actual arrival will depend on weather and ice conditions.
Ice breaker assistance will be required in northern Lake St. Clair and the lower St. Clair River. The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley is working the area. Monday morning the Risley was escorting the Capt. Ralph Tucker upbound, several hours ahead of the Reliance.
The steel coils unloaded at Trenton are from Algoma Steel in the Soo, this shipment by barge is a test of a winter alternative to trucking the automotive steel from Algoma Steel to Detroit-area customers. One barge load of coils is equivalent to around 200 truckloads of the steel product.
Although weather and ice conditions made the trip difficult, it appears to have been a successful test. It is unknown if the tug and barge will make additional trips this winter.
Original Report
Heavy snow and high winds prevented unloading of the barge PML 9000 on Saturday and has delayed the departure of the tug & barge. Sunday night there was no estimated departure time for the tug and barge.
The storm started Saturday morning and continued to drop heavy amounts of snow through early Sunday morning. 11.5 inches were reported to have fallen at Wyandotte, Mi., this is located just north of the dock where the PML 9000 is unloading.
Reported by: Sam Buchanan

Heavy Ice Grounds the Tucker
02/24
Saturday afternoon the Capt. Ralph Tucker returned to Allied Chemical at Amherstburg, Ont. in the lower Detroit River to unload a cargo of brine.
About 10 p.m. Saturday night high winds and extremely heavy drift ice pulled the Tucker away from the dock. Crews quickly disconnected the unloading gear and drop all three of the vessel's anchors. The anchors stopped the Tucker a short distance south of the dock.
They remained in this position until 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning when severe ice conditions again pushed the tanker farther down river. The vessel was pushed aground on the East side of the Amherstburg Channel, about 600-feet below the Allied Chemical Dock.
Sunday afternoon the Windsor based tug Stormont arrived on scene and waited for the Gaelic Tugboat Company tugs Carolyn Hoey and Roger Stahl to arrive.
The Carolyn Hoey and Roger Stahl arrived about 3 p.m. making an interesting passage downbound from Detroit. To avoid starting an ice flow the tugs came half way down the Livingston Channel and cut across to the Amherstburg Channel at the "Hole In The Wall", an opening in the Livingstone Channel at the North End of Bob-Lo Island.
With all three tugs on the port side, Stormont at the bow and Carolyn Hoey and Roger Stahl on the stern, all three began to push at the stranded Tucker. At 4:40 p.m. the Tucker was pushed free.
The Tucker proceeded down the Amherstburg Channel under her own power accompanied by the Stahl to the Detroit River Light. There the Tucker turned 180-degrees and headed up the Livingston Channel for Windsor where it will be inspected. The vessel arrived at the Morterm Dock about 7 p.m. and will remain there over night.
Onboard inspections showed no damage to the tanker and there was no risk of pollution.
Pictures by Dave Cozens
Tucker aground Sunday morning.
Another view.
Close up of bow.
Gaelic tugs arrive.
Pushing the Tucker back into the channel.
Wide view.
Stormont comes around the bow.
Heading downbound.
Roger Stahl escorts the tanker downbound.
Reported by: Dave Cozens and Mark Shumaker

Work Continues at Lorain
02/24
The removal of the former Pellet Terminal at Lorain, Ohio continues. Last week various sections were taken down including several overhead conveyer sections. The metal siding that had been on the terminal buildings has been taken and the larger pieces of equipment will be lifted and place at the wharf on the river side.
Saturday the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Neah Bay was in the Black River breaking ice. It is unknown when the barges will arrive to move the terminal to Cleveland.
Reported by: Al Doane

Report says Cleveland's port can give up downtown land
02/24
Cleveland's port can sacrifice some of its downtown lakefront property by moving operations west, according to a report prepared for the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority.
The report examined what would happen if the port vacated one dock for the city's use and used two others for a Lake Erie ferry service to Canada. The port authority commissioned the report to take part in Cleveland's lakefront redevelopment discussions.
Critics complain that the port authority is using too much desirable waterfront land for a declining industry. That's a claim which makes people like Gary Failor, the port authority's executive director, nervous.
"Replacing our capacity is essential to preserve our manufacturing industries and their jobs," Failor told the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The $26,000 analysis by TranSystems Corp. includes docks 20-32 east of the Cuyahoga River and the Cleveland Bulk Terminal on Whiskey Island.
The report assumes the port will vacate Dock 32 as early as next year so the city can develop it for a park, restaurants, shops, a festival site or other public use.
The report also examined moving operations from Docks 28 and 30 for a new Cleveland-to-Canada ferry that would carry cars, trucks and up to 800 passengers.
The study assumed an annual growth of 2 percent for steel cargo and 2.5 percent for bulk cargo, such as iron ore, stone, cement and limestone.
The forecast sounds realistic to Glen Nekvasil of the Lake Carriers Association, which represents operators of U.S. ships on the Great Lakes. "There's no question that dry bulk cargo will rebound as the economy rebounds," he told the newspaper.
Losing docks 32, 30 and 28 would drop Cleveland's port capacity by 360,000 tons and lead to overcrowding as early as next year, according to the report.
Replacement ideas include:
--Building a 144,000-square-foot warehouse on Dock 20.
The warehouse, which would replace warehouses on Docks 30 and 32, conflicts with one of four proposals under consideration for a new convention center. That proposal envisions hotel, retail and business development on the port-owned property.
Peter Spittler, architect for the plan, has suggested filling in 29 acres off Whiskey Island and moving port operations there in phases. The port authority, however, considers the idea impractical and too expensive.
--Expanding on Whiskey Island.
In December, the port authority offered $7 million to buy private property on Whiskey Island -- half for expansion and half for a city park. The port and the property owners haven't reached an agreement and talks are at a standstill.
Critics complain that the plan would displace about 475 boaters at Whiskey Island Marina.
Reported by: Rob Kennedy

New Ferry for Miller Boat Line
02/24
The Port Clinton News Herald reports that Timothy Graul Marine is designing a new 126-ft ferry for service between Catawba Island and Put-in-Bay, Ohio. Construction bids will go out this summer and the new ferry is expected to enter service in the spring of 2004. Miller Lines is the only fleet serving Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Islands that carry vehicles.
Reported by: Dan Schneider

DeTour Reef Lighthouse Restoration Meeting Scheduled for March 10
02/24
The DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society has recently announced to the public and all contractors, an Invitation to Bid on the restoration of the exterior of the DeTour Reef Lighthouse which is located offshore about two miles from DeTour Village. As part of this bidding process, a mandatory pre-bid meeting for general contractors interested in bidding on the DeTour Reef Lighthouse restoration project will be held on Monday, March 10, at 1:00 p.m. at the DeTour Village Town Hall in DeTour Village, Michigan.
Ken Czapski of U.P. Engineers and Architects (UPEA) of Marquette, the project architect, along with representatives from DeTour Village and Directors of the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society (DRLPS) will be there to provide information on bid requirements and answer questions. A tour of the lighthouse will follow, weather permitting. Transportation will be provided via the Drummond Islander III ferry boat. Attendees are advised to wear winter clothing for the tour of the offshore, unheated lighthouse.
Over the past several years, under the sponsorship of the Village of DeTour and Drummond Island Township, DRLPS has been awarded several grants totaling more than one million dollars from state and federal sources to restore the DeTour Reef Light located in northern Lake Huron at the eastern end of Michigan�s Upper Peninsula. The exterior restoration work will begin this spring with interior restoration to follow.
Upon completion of the restoration work, the DRLPS expects to offer public tours to this historic offshore lighthouse beginning in 2004.
Copies of the contract documents may be obtained from UPEA, upon payment of a $50 refundable deposit for each set, plus a $50 non-refundable handling fee. Please contact Ken Czapski of UPEA (800-862-6061, 906-228-6061, kczapski@upea.com).
Sealed bids for the restoration project will be received by the Village of DeTour at the DeTour Village Town Hall, 260 S. Superior St., DeTour Village MI 49725, until 4:00 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at which time these sealed bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.
Along with interested contractors, the public is invited to attend this meeting. For more information, please contact Chuck Feltner, President of DRLPS (906-493-6079, cfeltner@aol.com). To learn more about the Society and the lighthouses of DeTour Passage, visit www.DRLPS.com
Reported by: Jeri Feltner

"Your Picture on the Cover" Contest Winners
02/24
Two winners have been selected to have their photos or drawings appear as the cover of Author, Wes Oleszewski's upcoming book "True Tales of Ghosts and Gales" The winners are, Capt. C. (Bud) Robinson with his painting of the Arthur M. Anderson in a gale and Eric Treece with his picture of lightening on the Saginaw River. Avery Color Studios of Marquette, Michigan selected the two images and formed them into a composite cover for the book. This will be Wes Oleszewski's tenth book of true adventures in Great Lakes maritime history and will be released this coming spring. Advanced orders can be had by calling Avery at 800-722-9925.

Weekly Updates
02/24
The weekly updates have been uploaded.
Click here to view

Today in Great Lakes History - February 24
The KINSMAN INDEPENDENT (2) was launched February 24, 1923 as a) RICHARD V. LINDABURY.
The founder of Arnold Transit Co., long-time ferry operators between Mackinac Island and the mainland, George T. Arnold filed the Articles of Association on Feb. 24, 1900.
On 24 February 1920, TALLAC (formerly SIMON J. MURPHY and MELVILLE DOLLAR, steel propeller, 235', built in 1895 at W. Bay City, MI) was on a voyage from Colon, Panama to Baltimore, MD, when she stranded and was wrecked 18 miles south of Cape Henry, VA.

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

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

Heavy Ice Grounds the Tucker
02/23 7 p.m. update
About 3 p.m. the Gaelic tugs arrived on scene and took up position with the tug Stormont. At 4:40 p.m. the tugs were able to pull the Tucker free from the soft river bottom. The vessel departed upbound under her own power to the Morterm Dock in Windsor for inspection. The vessel arrived at 7 p.m. and will remain there for at least 24 hours.
The Samuel Risley remainded on hand during the grounding, stopped in the East Outer Channel below the Amherstburg Channel, to offer ice breaking assistance if needed. Once the Tucker was freed the Risley departed upbound for Dieppe Park in Windsor for the night.
2 p.m. update
At 2 p.m. tugs from the Gaelic Tugboat Company in Detroit were departing the Rouge River heading to assist the Tucker. The Carolyn Hoey and big tug Roger Stahl will work with the tug Stormont to pull the tanker free. They expected the refloating to go smoothly as the Tucker is able to pump off a large amount of ballast water.
Once free the Tucker will head upbound the Livingston Channel to the Morterm Dock in Windsor for inspection. Onboard inspections this morning showed the tanker was free of damage.
The Tucker is aground about 600-feet below the General Chemical dock at Amhurstburg, Ont.
Check back for updates

10 a.m. update
Saturday afternoon the Capt. Ralph Tucker returned to Allied Chemical at Amherstburg, Ont. in the lower Detroit River to unload a cargo of brine.
About 10 p.m. Saturday night high winds and extremely heavy drift ice pulled the Tucker away from the dock. Crews quickly disconnected the unloading gear and drop all three of the vessel's anchors. The anchors stopped the Tucker a short distance south of the dock.
They remained in this position until 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning when severe ice conditions again pushed the tanker farther down river. The vessel was pushed aground on the East side of the Amherstburg Channel where it remained at noon today. The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley is on hand, standing by to offer ice breaking service. The Windsor based tug Stormont was en route to pull the Tucker free Sunday morning. The Stormont arrived at the Canadian Coast Guard station in Amherstburg shortly after noon Sunday to wait for additional crew members. They expected to begin operations to refloat the Tucker by 2 p.m.
Crews on board the Capt. Ralph Tucker were planning to pump off the vessel's ballast and reported no pollution and no damage to the tanker.
Capt. Ralph Tucker docked at Morterm Feb. 8.

Reported by: Dave Cozens and Mark Shumaker

Reliance Expected to Depart Today
02/23
Heavy snow and high winds prevented unloading of the barge PML 9000 on Saturday and has delayed the departure of the tug & barge. Wyandotte, Mi., just north of the dock, reported 11.5 inches of snow fall from the storm that started Saturday morning.
The tug Reliance and barge PML 9000 stopped off Wyandotte, Mi. in the Detroit River Friday night before entering the Trenton Channel and heading for the McLouth Steel Dock in Trenton, Mi. The pair arrived at the dock late Friday night or early Saturday morning. The delay may have been due to the unmanned Grosse Isle Toll Bridge. This time of year the bridge is not manned and requires advanced notice before opening.
Unloading on the barge continued through Saturday and the pair expected to be ready to depart early Sunday morning. With heavy snow forecast for the area the tug and barge may wait until Sunday morning to depart. It is unknown if the Samuel Risley will escort the pair upbound.
Reported by: Sam Buchanan

Winter Work on the Cuyahoga
02/23
Work on the Cuyahoga's port tunnel is nearing completion. Crews have been at work since the Cuyahoga entered winter lay-up in Port Stanley.
After sand blasting to white metal the white paint was heated to 180 degrees and then sprayed on. In the next week the rollers and conveyer belt will be reinstalled. The project has been a major improvement.
View down the port tunnel.
Starboard tunnel for comparison.
Reported by: Ted Coombs

Muskegon officials approve dock deal for cross-lake ferry
02/23
Muskegon officials have agreed to guarantee a dock site in their city for the developers of a cross-lake ferry, a move that's needed to keep the project's funding efforts moving forward, the Muskegon Chronicle reported.
Lake Express of Milwaukee needs to have a Muskegon dock agreement to include in its application for federal loan guarantees to build a new $17 million catamaran ferry boat. The dock lease agreement still must be approved by the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners, a move expected next week.
A location for the dock hasn't been determined. The two possibilities are the West Michigan Dock & Market and the city's Hartshorn Municipal Marina.
"It is another exciting new chapter for Muskegon County and downtown Muskegon," Mayor Steve Warmington said, citing the increased likelihood of re-establishment of cross-lake ferry service between Muskegon and Milwaukee. Service could begin in 2004.
West Michigan Dock owners have agreed to a tentative lease with the city allowing for the ferry dock to be constructed at its downtown Mart Dock, but Lake Express officials are reviewing that agreement. Lake Express must sign off on any Muskegon dock agreement, Warmington said.
Warmington said as a dock site, both the Hartshorn Marina and Mart Dock are acceptable to Lake Express.
Reported by: Don Weiss

2003 Public "LandLubber Series"
02/23
Throughout the year, the Museum Ship William G. Mather will present public programs on Great Lakes history and culture at an "inland" location to make it easier for "Land Lubbers" to get onboard.
The first program will be: "History of Great Lakes Shipping" From French Voyageur Canoes To 1,000-Foot Freighters
George Ryan, past-president of the Lake Carriers' Association, will present a multi-media history of the Inland Seas' rich shipping heritage.
The program takes place Wednesday, February 26, 2003 6:30 - 7:15 pm at CanalWay Center (Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation of Cleveland Metroparks)
4524 East 49th Street (off Whittlesey Way)
Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
(216) 206-1000
Click here for more details
Reported by: Rex Cassidy

Today in Great Lakes History - February 23
The e) U.S.S. ROTARY (YO-148) was commissioned on February 23, 1943 at Sullivan's Dry Dock & Repair Co., Brooklyn, NY and assigned duty with the Service Force, Third Naval District, Atlantic Fleet. The tanker was renamed h) DETROIT early in 1955 and traded on the lakes until. Her partially dismantled hull was abandoned in 1985 in the back waters of Lake Calumet.
On 23 February 1843, SANDUSKY (wooden side-wheeler, 148', 377 t, built in 1834 at Sandusky, OH) caught fire at her dock on Buffalo Creek in Buffalo, New York and burned to the hull. She was recovered, rebuilt as a 3-masted bark and lasted another two years.

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

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

Reliance Arrives
02/22 11 a.m. Update
The tug Reliance and barge did not arrive Friday evening as first reported. The tug and barge stopped off Wyandotte before entering the Trenton Channel late last night or early this morning. The delay may have been due to the unmanned Grosse Isle Toll Bridge. This time of year the bridge is not manned and requires advanced notice before opening.
Unloading on the barge continued Saturday morning and the pair expected to be ready to depart about 12 a.m. Sunday morning. With heavy snow forecast for the area the tug and barge may wait until 7 a.m. Sunday morning to depart. It is unknown if the Samuel Risley will escort the pair upbound.
Original Report
Friday evening the tug Reliance and PML 9000 arrived at McLouth Steel in Trenton, Mi. to unload the cargo of steel coils loaded in Sault Ste. Marie. The tug and barge experienced some difficulty transiting the lower St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair but was kept moving by the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley.
The tug and barge expect to depart Saturday morning and have requested the Risley escort them upbound. After a successful escort Friday afternoon, the Risley sailed downbound for Toledo to escort the tug John Spence and barge into port. The Risley was expected to depart Toledo early Saturday morning and return to Detroit to assist the Reliance and barge upbound through the river system. The Reliance and PML 9000 expected to get underway about 8 a.m.
Check back for updates.
Samuel Risley downbound past River Rouge.
barge PML 9000 and tug Reliance downbound past River Rouge.
Another view.
barge GTB 2 & tug Carolyn Hoey loading salt at Ojibway.
Cedarglen at the ADM Dock.
Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Cliffs chief confident Hibbing Taconite will supply Burns Harbor pellets
02/22
The head of Cleveland-Cliffs expects Hibbing Taconite Co. to continue providing taconite pellets to Bethlehem Steel's Burns Harbor steel mill even if that facility is sold to International Steel Group, the Duluth News Tribune reported Friday.
"ISG would continue to source the Bethlehem Burns Harbor facility with Hibbing Taconite pellets," John S. Brinzo, chairman and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., told the newspaper during a Thursday visit to the Minnesota taconite plant. "The pellet flow will continue into Burns Harbor."
Brinzo's confidence is welcome at Hibbing Taconite, which long has been a key supplier of pellets to the Burns Harbor mill. Bethlehem Steel had been trying to sell its 62-percent share of the Hibbing Taconite, and the steelmaker's recent bankruptcy raised even more questions about the taconite plant's future.
Hibbing Taconite is expected to operate at capacity this year, producing about 8 million tons of taconite pellets. The plant ships its pellets aboard Great Lakes freighters that load at the BNSF ore dock in Superior, Wis.
Acquisition of Bethlehem Steel by Cleveland-based ISG could bode well for Hibbing Taconite. Bethlehem Steel owns 62.3 percent of Hibtac, Cleveland-Cliffs owns 23 percent and Stelco owns 14.7 percent.
Cliffs remains interested in acquiring a larger share of Hibbing Taconite, Brinzo said. If ISG completes a U.S. Bankruptcy Court action to acquire Bethlehem, Cliffs would seek to sign long-term pellet contracts with ISG.
Full production at Hibbing Taconite, and at several other Iron Range taconite plants, is a bright spot in a changing industry. Consolidation of the domestic steel industry has left the future of at least two Iron Range taconite plants -- EVTAC Mining Co. and National Steel Pellet Co. -- uncertain.
However, Brinzo said Cliffs now is concerned about shedding its "legacy costs" -- pensions and benefit costs -- just as many bankrupt steel companies and domestic iron ore producers have done.
"Legacy costs are the biggest threat to the industry," he said. "There is no getting around it that we have to make some changes to reduce those costs. We have to be able to change those benefits."
Cliffs, which had considered purchasing National Steel Pellet Co. in Keewatin, won't pursue that possibility, Brinzo said. The future of that taconite plant appears to lie in the hands of its bankrupt parent company, National Steel Corp., and its two suitors, AK Steel Corp. and U.S. Steel Corp., he said.
Reported by: Ed Schipper

Sarnia Lay-up
02/22
Winter work continues on Sarnia's lay-up fleet, this view is onboard the Algolake with the Algonova along side.
Reported by: Barry O'Connor

Shipwreck Program today in Dearborn, Mi
02/22
The Ford Seahorses Scuba Diving Club will present its 25th Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival today at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan. The day�s activities include fresh and salt water programs, seminars, and underwater photo contest results.
The large exhibit hall will be filled with exhibitors� ranging from maritime artists, historical and preservation societies and shipwreck artifact collections. For every main program ticket purchased one dollar will be donated to Divers Alert Network (DAN) a non-profit medical and research organization dedicated to the safety and health of recreational scuba divers and associated with Duke University Medical Center. Visit www.fordseahorses.org for festival and ticket information

Today in Great Lakes History - February 22
February 22, 1925 - The ANN ARBOR NO. 7 made her maiden voyage.
On 22 February 1878, the 156' wooden freighter ROBERT HOLLAND was purchased by Beatty & Co. of Sarnia for $20,000.

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

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

Reliance Heading for the St. Clair River
02/21 4 p.m. Update
The Reliance and PML 9000 made it through the heaviest ice in Lake St. Clair with little trouble thanks to the Samuel Risley. The pair continued downbound and the Reliance expected to take the barge into the Trenton Channel with out escort, as the channel is ice free. The barge will dock at McLouth Steel and unload the cargo of steel coils.
The tug and barge expect to depart Saturday morning and have requested the Risley escort them upbound. Friday afternoon the Risley will sail downbound for Toledo to escort the tug John Spence and barge into port. Once the Spence has safely arrived in Toledo, the Risley will return upbound to assist the Reliance and barge.
1 p.m. Update
The tug Reliance and barge PML 9000 continued downbound Friday morning and by early afternoon had reached northern Lake St. Clair. The tug and barge are being escorted by the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley. They appear to be making good progress through the ice but have become stopped at times requiring the Risley to work in close to relieve the ice pressure. The tug and barge are expected to reach McLouth Steel about 4:30 p.m. Ice conditions may delay this arrival time.
10 a.m. Update
Reliance and barge PML 9000 were downbound in the St. Clair River Friday morning and expected to reach the Salt Dock Light at Marine City about 11:30 a.m. The pair are being escorted by the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley. The Risley was downbound ahead of the tug and barge preparing the lower St. Clair River for escort.
The heaviest ice is in the lower river and on Lake St. Clair. Friday morning the tug and barge expected to reach McLouth Steel about 6:30 p.m. Ice conditions may delay this arrival time.
Original Report
The tug Reliance and barge PML 9000 passed downbound on Lake Huron Thursday and expected to reach the southern end of the Lake early Friday morning.
The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley expected to meet the tug and barge at 43 North in lower Lake Huron about 4 a.m. The Risley will take up the lead and escort the Reliance and PML 9000 downbound through the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers.
The load of steel coils is expected to be unloaded in Trenton, Mi., south of Detroit. The trip downbound would normally have them arriving in the late afternoon. With the heavy ice conditions in the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers it could take considerably longer.
Check back for updates.
Reported by: Dave Wobser

Two Minnesota taconite plants issue shutdown warnings, but officials say both facilities may continue operating
02/21
National Steel Pellet Co. notified employees Wednesday that the plant may close, but company officials said the warning is a legal formality and does not necessarily mean the facility will shut down.
NSPC's notice came just five days after EVTAC Mining Co. issued a notice that it may shut down in mid-May due to lack of production contracts.
Officials for National Steel Pellet Co. issued the notice because the plant could be sold by the end of April. In such cases, formal notice is required by the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. The 5.4 million-ton-per-year facility near Keewatin, Minn., continues to operate normally.
"It (the warning) has to happen," General Manager Tom Peluso told the Duluth News Tribune. "I feel very confident that we are going to continue to operate."
WARN offers protection to workers, their families and communities by requiring employers to provide 60 days' notice of a plant closing or mass layoff. Notice must be provided to state dislocated worker units, the appropriate unit of local government and either the affected workers or their labor union representatives.
The taconite plant is likely to be included in a sale of its parent firm, bankrupt National Steel Corp. By issuing the 60-day WARN notice, National Steel Corp. essentially is telling employees that by April 21 they could be working for a new owner.
On Jan. 30, AK Steel Corp. offered $1.125 billion in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to buy National Steel Corp., including its mine and taconite plant. U.S. Steel is expected to make a higher offer by April 7.
Last Friday, EVTAC Mining Co. issued a 90-day shutdown notice. EVTAC currently has only enough contracts to make taconite pellets through the middle of May. Company officials hope that by mid-May, additional steel industry consolidation will occur and lead to new pellet contracts.
NSPC ships its pellets through the BNSF ore dock in Superior, although it also ships substantial tonnage by rail. EVTAC, located near Eveleth, Minn., ships its pellets through the DMIR ore dock in Duluth.
Reported by: Al Miller

Goderich Update
02/21
There was no activity in Goderich Thursday but a warm and sunny day offered an good opportunity to photography the lay-up fleet and storage hulls.
Panoramic of the harbor - MacDonald Marine tugs, Frontenac, Teakglen, tug Salvage Monarch, tug Seven Sisters and Willowglen.
Tug Salvage Monarch, Teakglen, and Frontenac with Sifto Salt in the back ground.
Tug Salvage Monarch and tug Seven Sisters.
Reported by: Jim Bauer

Sarnia Lay-up
02/21
Below are images taken Wednesday of Sarnia's lay-up fleet.
Agawa Canyon, bow view.
Agawa Canyon, stern lines.
Algolake.
Close up of Algolake's propeller.
Halifax.
Halifax, stern view.
Mississagi.
Saginaw, berthed behind Mississagi.
Saginaw, framed by Agawa Canyon's bow lines.
Maumee and Calumet.
View from across the river.
USCG Bramble, berthed in Port Huron.
Huron Lightship Museum in Port Huron.
Guest parking only.

Reported by: Stephen Hause

Port Weller and at Jordan Harbour
02/21
Pictures by: Shaun Vary
The burned out La Grande Hermine Enr. at Jordan Harbour.
This historic sailing ship replica can easily be viewed by passing tourists on the QEW Highway. The vessel spent part of her career as the ferry La Marjolaine (1914) and later as a freighter on the St. Lawrence River.
Another view Interestingly, the wooden "sailing ship" superstructure was simply added over top of the original vessel. Even her wheelhouse can be seen intact on the stern.
Westpete appearing to be in some distress at Jordan Harbour. She was built in 1953 by Erieau Shipbuilding for the Consolidated Gas Company and saw many years service in the Lake Erie natural gas industry. She is more recently a dive and work boat on Lake Ontario.
Lady Kim I at her Pilot Boat Dock in Port Weller.
J. W. Cooper which is normally stationed at Port Colborne.
Port Weller Pilot Boat Juleen I.
Pilot Boat Mrs. C.
These boats have interesting histories as they were both fish tugs. Juleen I was built by master boat builder Ralph Hurley of Port Burwell, On. in the seventies and was one of many "one man operation" fish tugs that he built. Her original owner, Robt. Hamilton sold her to Gary Cooper of Selkirk, On. He fished her and later increased her efficiency by lengthening and widening the hull. She was converted for use as a Pilot boat in 1990. When the Juleen I was chartered for use as a pilot boat, Gary Cooper built a new fishing tug in 1990/91, the Mrs. C. It has been stationed at Port Weller since 2001.
Juleen I as a fishing tug.
Mrs. C. before conversion.
Cuyahoga and drill rig Timesaver at Port Stanley.
Fishing tug C.J. Weaver at Port Stanley.

Pictures by: Gerry O.
La Grande Hermine Enr. at Jordan Harbour.
Another view.
Close up.
Close up of bow.
Westpete with a heavy list.
Caledonia at McKeil's yard being converted to sail by Doug Prothero of Canadian Sailing Expeditions.
Another view.
Reported by: Shaun Vary and Gerry O.

Sandusky, Port Clinton & Toledo
02/21
Below are images taken Wednesday
Tugs Timberland & Mighty Jimmy in Sandusky, OH.
Tug James Palladino.
Barge Kellstone I.
Jet Express II in Port Clinton, OH.
Jet Express III.
Stern view.
Jet Express.
Three Jet Expresses.
David Z. Norton at the Torco Dock in Toledo.
Saturn & Gemini.
Ste Claire.
Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Today in Great Lakes History - February 21
The EDWIN H. GOTT arrived at Two Harbors (her first trip) February 21, 1979 with the loss of one of her two rudders during her transit of Lake Superior. Also the other rudder post was damaged. She was holed in her bow and some of her cargo hold plating ruptured as a result of frozen ballast tanks. Even the MACKINAW suffered damage to her port propeller shaft on the trip across frozen Lake Superior.
The keel of the new bow section for the HILDA MARJANNE was laid on February 21, 1961 while at the same time the tanker hull forward of her engine room bulkhead was being cut away.
On 21 February 1929, SAPPHO (wooden propeller passenger ferry, 107', 224 gt, built in 1883 at Wyandotte, MI) burned at her winter lay-up dock in Ecorse, Michigan. She had provided 46 years of service ferrying passengers across the Detroit River. She was neither repaired nor replaced since the Ambassador Bridge was nearing completion.

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

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

Reliance Continues on, Open Water Ahead
02/20
The tug Reliance and barge PML 9000 spent Wednesday struggling through the ice in the St. Marys River. The pair departed the Soo on Tuesday morning and ran into ice difficulties almost immediately. The tug and barge pushed down river Tuesday but stopped for the night about 5 p.m.
Ice in the river has piled up and at some points was deeper than the draft of the barge. These conditions made ice breaker escort necessary. About 7 a.m. Tuesday the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw took up the lead downbound. Joining the escort was the Purvis Marine tug Wilfred M. Cohen, it departed the Soo about 1 p.m. The Cohen met the tug and barge near the Stribling Point Ranges. Following the wake of the Mackinaw through Sailors Encampment, the tug and barge swung around Johnson�s Point towards the junction buoy and rejoined the downbound course at Lake Munuscong.
At 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night the Reliance and PML 9000 were heading for Lake Huron in the lower St. Marys River near Detour, Mi. The tug and barge reached the lower St. Marys River about 36 hours after their departure from the Soo. This is normally a five hour trip.
Open water over most of Lake Huron should allow a normal transit to Port Huron, about 20 hours. Once the tug and barge reach Port Huron they will likely need escort through the lower St. Clair River and Detroit River.
The Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Samuel Risley has been working this area and will likely take up the lead. The Mackinaw released the escort in Lake Huron and expects to remain in the St. Marys River/Straits of Mackinac area.
The barge is loaded with steel coils from Algoma Steel in the Soo, this shipment by barge is a test of a winter alternative to trucking the automotive steel from Algoma Steel to Detroit-area customers. One barge load of coils is equivalent to around 200 truckloads of the steel product.
Pictures from the U.S. Coast Guard taken Tuesday courtesy Brian Kloosterman
Reliance and PML 9000 struggle in the ice.
Close up of the barge.
Mackinaw heads for the tow.
Mackinaw turning to escort the tow.
Stern view.
Tug and barge.
Ice piled up at the bow of the PML 9000.
Another view.
Ice flight by the Coast Guard also included a pass over the Straights of Mackinaw to check conditions.

Tow passing in the lower St. Marys River. Linda Stoetzer
Mackinaw leading.
Close up of tug & barge.
Reported by: Linda Stoetzer

New Builds for Fednav
02/20
Fednav's website reports that fourteen new seaway-sized ships on the way for the largest saltwater fleet serving the Great Lakes / St. Lawrence River system.
Due for delivery this year from Jing Jiang, China are the Federal Elbe and Federal Leda, to be followed in 2004 by the Federal Danube. These three are sister ships to two new lakes visitors in 2002, the Federal Weser and Federal Ems.
Four new ships are on order from Shin Kurushima, Japan; three to be delivered in 2004 and the last in 2005. No names for these ships has been announced yet. They are listed as sister ships to the Federal Shimanto and Federal Yoshino, delivered from the same yard in 2001.
Also due this year is the Federal Kumano, coming from the Oshima Shipyard in Japan. Listed as a sister ship to the eight other vessels built by Oshima for Fednav from 1999 to 2001, she'll be followed by two more; the Federal Seto in 2004 and an as-yet unnamed ship in 2005.
In addition, four ships of a new class are on order from Wenchong Shipyard, China. They will measure about 185m x 23.7m (607' x 78') overall and carry 27,000 metric tons of cargo at a maximum draft of 9.8m (32'2"), and 19,570 metric tons at Seaway draft. They are the Federal Mackinac, Federal Manitou, and Federal Matane, all due in 2004, and the Federal Margaree, due in 2005.
When all is said and done at the end of 2005, Fednav may be looking back at quite a period of new construction, when thirty-two new seaway-sized ships joined its fleet in just ten years.
Reported by: Eric Holst

Tucker in Amherstburg
02/20
The Captain Ralph Tucker returned to Amherstburg, Ontario with another load of brine for General Chemical. The Tucker had no problem with ice in the lower Detroit River, but was escorted by the Samuel Risley from Sarnia through the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair and upper Detroit River.
The Tucker is expected to continue the Sarnia-Amherstburg shuttle through mid-march. She will then make an attempt to load in Manistee, Mi. Ice conditions in northern Lake Michigan has prevented her normal run from Manistee to Amherstburg.
Reported by: Dave Cozens and Chris Franckowiak

Coast Guard Tows Stranded Fishing Vessel
02/20
The 36-foot tribal fishing vessel Earl C safely moored Saturday after being towed by Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay to Northport, MI. After transferring fuel to the vessel, the Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay escorted the Earl C into Grand Traverse Bay. The fishing vessel's heat exchanger then iced up preventing the vessel from operating.
Katmai Bay took the Earl C in stern tow to Northport, MI, where Station Charlevoix, Grand Traverse Conservation Tribal Officer and Michigan DNR conducted a boarding of the vessel. The fishing vessel was sited for an improper number of fire extinguishers and no immersion suits on board. The vessels voyage was terminated until discrepancies can be fixed.

Today in Great Lakes History - February 20
On February 20, 1959, the Herbert C. Jackson was launched at Great Lakes Engineering Works in River Rouge, Michigan.
The DES GROSEILLIERS was launched February 20, 1982.
On 20 February 1903, G. WATSON FRENCH (steel propeller, 376', 3785 gt) was launched at W. Bay City, MI. She lasted until 1964 when she was scrapped by Lakehead Scrap metal Co. in Fort William, Ontario. The other names she had during her career were HENRY P. WERNER (1924), JOHN J. BOLAND (2)(1937), and ALGOWAY (1947).
On 20 February 1903, G. WATSON FRENCH (steel propeller freighter, 376', 3785 gt) was launched at W. Bay City, Michigan. She was later named HENRY P. WERNER (1924), JOHN J. BOLAND (2)(1937) and ALGOWAY (1947). She lasted until 1964 when she was scrapped by Lakeland Scrap Metal Company in Fort William, Ontario.

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

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

Winter Shipment Gets off to a Slow Start
02/19
Originally scheduled to leave at 9 a.m. Monday morning, the tug Reliance and barge PML 9000 got underway just after 10 a.m. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw was upbound in the lower river at Mud Lake. The ice in Sault Harbor had been broken up Monday, but had refrozen and the tug and barge soon ran into trouble. While the Katmai Bay was docked on the Michigan side, the Reliance's fleet mate tug Scott Purvis came to assist. At noon the tugs managed to break through to the open water at the Sugar Island Ferry. Normally, this is a 10 minute trip.
With the Scott Purvis following, the Reliance and barge continued on meeting the upbound Mackinaw at the south end of Sugar Island. With the wider channel opened by the big icebreaker, the Reliance and barge proceeded down river. The Mackinaw continued upbound to the Soo, passing Six Mile Point at 2 p.m.
Troubles continued through the evening with the tug and barge making slow progress through the ice.
The Mackinaw and tug and barge passed just below Six Mile Point around 5 p.m. They are stopped for the night around Nine Mile Point as the Reliance was stopped in the ice. Evaluation and a new plan are expected in the morning.
The steel shipment by barge is a test of a winter alternative to trucking the automotive steel from Algoma Steel to Detroit-area customers. One barge load of coils is equivalent to around 200 truckloads of the steel product.
Reliance and barge PML 9000 pulling away from the dock .
Stuck in the ice, Sault Harbor.
Another view.
Close up, Reliance.
Scott Purvis along side.
Close up of PML 9000's notch.
Downbound.
Scott Purvis following.
Passing Mission Point.
Mackinaw upbound.
Reliance and PML 9000 near Six Mile Point.
Reported by: B. Barnes and Linda Stoetzer

Algoway Repairs
02/19
The Algoway, in Owen Sound for winter lay-up, has had the large hole in the bow repaired. The tarp covering the work area was removed this week, revealing the work done over the last few weeks.
Owen Sound is fully frozen over with ice as far as can be seen. According to locals this is the first time in several years that this has happened.
Hole in the bow before repairs.
Work in progress a few weeks ago.
Close up.
Repairs complete.
Close up.
Frozen harbor at Owen Sound.
Reported by: David Shearman and Ed Saliwonchyk

Help Wanted
02/19
Central Marine Logistics, Inc. is accepting applications for entry-level Operations and Marine Engineering shore side staff. Interested applicants should email resumes in Word or ACSII to info@centralmarinelogistics.com by February 28, 2003.
Reported by: www.centralmarinelogistics.com.

Today in Great Lakes History - February 19
The b) TROY H. BROWNING (c. THOMAS F. PATTON) was towed from the James River with two other C4s, the LOUIS McHENRY HOWE (b. TOM M. GIRDLER) and MOUNT MANSFIELD (b. CHARLES M. WHITE), to the Maryland Dry Dock Co., Baltimore, MD, February 1951, to be converted to a Great Lakes bulk carrier according to plans designed by J.J. Henry & Co., New York, NY.
Wolf & Davidson of Milwaukee sold the JIM SHERIFFS (wooden propeller, 182', 634 gt, built in 1883 at Milwaukee, QI) to the Kelley Island Line on 19 February 1887.

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

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

Winter Shipment Ready to Go
02/18
Tuesday morning the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw is expected to escort the tug Reliance and barge PML 9000 downbound from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., the barge is loaded with about 400 steel coils for Detroit. The steel shipment by barge is a test of a winter alternative to trucking the automotive steel from Algoma Steel to Detroit-area customers. One barge load of coils is equivalent to around 200 truckloads of the steel product, according to the Soo Evening News.
On Monday the Reliance departed the Purvis Marine Dock to breakup shore ice in the Soo Harbor while the cutter Katmai Bay worked in the lower river opening the ice track. The downbound course will take them through the upbound channel to Stribling Point, down to Johnson�s Point and over to the Junction Buoy where they will rejoin the downbound channel. The downbound channel is closed for the winter because of an ice bridge on the West Neebish.
The Mackinaw was working in the Straits of Mackinaw area Monday and was expected to enter the St. Marys River system Monday night. The Mackinaw will widen the ice channel to about seventy five feet from the current forty feet made by the Bay Class icebreakers and tankers.
The Mackinaw has spent most of February at her home port of Cheboygan, Michigan. The mid winter rest was a planned maintenance period.
Purvis Dock.
Close up.
Katmai Bay upbound.
Reported by: B. Barnes

U.S.-Flag Carriage Up 34 Percent in January
02/18
U.S.-flag lakers hauled 2.4 million net tons of cargo on the Great Lakes in January, an increase of 34 percent compared to 2002. Compared to the 5-year average, the January float represents an increase of 7 percent.
Iron ore for the steel industry dominated the trade in January. Shipments totaled 2.1 million tons, nearly double that of a year ago, and a 17 percent improvement over the 5-year average. However, one must remember that iron ore totals for previous years have been extremely depressed, so positive comparisons are not difficult to achieve.
Reduced demand for steam coal for power generation produced the fall-off in coal cargos. January loadings totaled only 138,000 tons, a decrease of 31 percent compared to 2002 and 54 percent compared to the 5-year average.
Reported by: Lake Carriers' Association

First ice pack helps Great Lakes
02/18
The Great Lakes should benefit from the season's first extensive ice pack to develop on the lakes since 1997, researchers and meteorologists say.
The scarcity of ice in recent years has contributed to a drop in water levels. Lake Michigan is at its lowest level in nearly 40 years. Lake Superior dropped twice its normal amount in January.
"If you get an extensive ice cover in the winter, it certainly reduces the amount of evaporation," Raymond Assel, a scientist with the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Mich., told the Chicago Sun-Times. Great Lakes ice generally reaches its greatest extent around the end of February.
The most recent ice maps show ice building out from the shorelines of Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Some areas are frozen over, including Saginaw Bay, Green Bay, Lake St. Clair and most of the Mackinac Straits.
The waters of western Lake Superior off Duluth have been covered with an extensive ice pack for the past week -- the first such ice pack to last for more than a couple of days this season.
Ice cover on the lakes also could help some fish species.
Ice plays a major role in ecology and climate around the lakes. It is particularly important to the reproduction of fall-spawning fish, such as whitefish, whose eggs lie in the cold water during winter.
"When you do have extensive ice cover, you tend to have more eggs survive into the spring," Assel said. Open water leaves the eggs vulnerable to wind, waves, predators or even being tossed onshore, he said.
For at least the last 20 winters, the Great Lakes have experienced generally warmer-than-average temperatures. But this season, temperatures have been below normal in January and early February.
Reported by: Dave Phillips

Sturgeon Bay Lay-up
02/18
Below are images taken on Monday of Bay Shipbuilding's winter lay-up fleet.
Joseph L. Block and Wilfred Sykes.
Charles M. Beeghly, Lee A. Tregurtha, and Herbert C. Jackson.
Close-up of Lee A. Tregurtha and Herbert C. Jackson.
Mesabi Miner, Paul R. Tregurtha, and Columbia Star.
Sam Laud in graving dock.
Joseph L. Block.
St. Clair, John J. Boland, and Charles M. Beeghly.
Wide view. St. Clair.
John J. Boland.
Charles M. Beeghly.
Sam Laud and Dorothy Ann in graving dock.
Close-up of Sam Laud.
Reported by: Dick Lund

Lake Michigan Lay-ups
02/18
Below are images taken on Monday.
Integrity and Jacklyn M in Milwaukee' Jones Island.
Burns Harbor and Stewart J Cort.
Bow view.
Another view.
Tug Edward E Gillen III.
Kenosha Pier head Light.
Another view.
Kenosha Lighthouse.
Historical marker.
Close up of the tower.
Fishtug Peggy S at Kenosha, WI.
CTC NO 1 in South Chicago.
Another view.
Nicole S in Chicago.
John M Selvick.
Another view.
Scout.
Matador VI.
Masco I.
OCONTO.
Stern view.
Blue Chip Casino at Michigan City, IN.
Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Today in Great Lakes History - February 18
IMPERIAL ST. CLAIR participated in an historic special convoy with DOAN TRANSPORT, which carried caustic soda, led by CCGS GRIFFON arriving at Thunder Bay, Ont. on February 18, 1977. The journey took one week from Sarnia, Ont. through Lake Superior ice as much as six feet thick, and at one point it took four days to travel 60 miles. The trip was initiated to supply residents of the Canadian Lakehead with 86,000 barrels of heating oil the reserves of which were becoming depleted due to severe weather that winter.
The JOSEPH S. YOUNG (1) was towed to the Great Lakes via the Mississippi River and arrived at the Manitowoc Ship Building Co., Manitowoc, WI on February 18, 1957 where her self unloading equipment was installed. This was the last large vessel to enter the Lakes via the Mississippi. She was the first of seven T2 tanker conversions for Great Lakes service.
The Murphy fleet was sold on 18 February 1886. The tugs GLADIATOR, KATE WILLIAMS and BALIZE went to Captain Maytham, the tug WILLIAM A. MOORE to Mr. Grummong, the schooner GERRIT SMITH to Captain John E. Winn, and the tug ANDREW J. SMITH to Mr. Preston Brady.

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

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

Port Huron getting new Coast Guard vessel, station
02/17
Port Huron's Coast Guard units will undergo substantial changes this year, with a new vessel arriving and a new station opening, the Port Huron Times Herald reported.
By late summer, the 180-foot World War II-vintage cutter Bramble will be replaced by the 225-foot cutter Hollyhock, which was launched Jan. 25 in Marinette, Wis. The cutter will be moored at the Bramble's old dock on the St. Clair River near Pine Grove Park and the city water-filtration plant.
Workers will dredge near the shoreline and extend the concrete pier about 50 feet south to accommodate the Hollyhock's extra length. A 3,000-square-foot cutter-support building also will be built on the base to provide office and storage room for the Hollyhock's crew.
Despite a strike by shipyard, finishing work by subcontractors on the Hollyhock will continue, Marinette Marine Inc. officials said.
Several members of the Bramble's crew who will transfer to the Hollyhock are being sent to training schools to learn about the more sophisticated equipment they will operate.
The Coast Guard also is replacing the Port Huron Coast Guard Station at the foot of Garfield Street, which was built in the 1930s.
"It's one of the oldest in the Coast Guard," said Petty Officer 1st Class Kirk Campbell, second-in-command at the station.
The new $3 million station, started last fall and scheduled for completion in November, will be a 10,000-square-foot building, about 30 percent larger than the one it replaces.
The Coast Guard in 2002 built a $1.3 million harbor near the station and brought the station's two boats from the Black River to a place where they could respond more quickly to emergencies. In addition to improved communications facilities, the new station will have separate quarters for male and female crew members.
Principal Characteristics
Length...................................225'
Beam....................................46'
Full Load Draft.....................13'
Buoy Deck Area..............2875 sq. ft
Crew:...............................6 Officers, 34 Enlisted
Main Engines....................2 x CAT 3608 (Low Emission) 3100 Bhp @ 900 rpm
Reduction Gear/Prop.........Single shaft, 10 ft diameter, Bird Johnson Controllable Pitch propeller
Crane...............................20 ton hydraulic 60 ft boom
Machinery Plant................Automated control w/ dynamic positioning and FDDI network

On the ways prior to launch January 25.
Christening about to begin.
On her way into the water.
Righting herself after launch.
Wide view.
In the snow an hour after launch.
Reported by: Dick Lund

Shipbuilder lays off 60
02/17
Palmer Johnson Inc. said it has cut about 60 administrative jobs over the past two weeks because of an uncertain economic future.
The layoffs leave Palmer Johnson, a builder of luxury sail and power yachts since 1918, with 220 workers at its Sturgeon Bay shipyard.
The job cuts involved administrative support workers. The company does not plan to cut production jobs, said Phil Friedman, chief executive officer.
"We're trying to weather this," Friedman said. "We are not shutting the door."
The company's remaining jobs are secure through November 2004, when the last of four yachts now under construction is scheduled for delivery, Friedman said.
The company blamed the layoffs on the world economy, a downturn in new yacht contracts, legal battles and other factors.
The Door County shipbuilder is looking for investment capital to bolster it for the long term, Friedman said. The company also continues to work with Bay Shipbuilding Inc. and the Door County Economic Development Corp. to study ways to improve the shipbuilding industry in Sturgeon Bay.
Reported by: Dan Kennedy

Duluth Lay-up
02/17
Below are images of vessels in lay-up around Duluth's Port Terminal.
photos of the Roger Blough, Edgar B. Speer, Presque Isle, Edwin H. Gott and the Walter j. McCarthy Jr. Again, they are all in the port terminal area
Wide view of the lay-up fleet.
Edgar B. Speer and Presque Isle.
Speer close up.
Roger Blough.
Another view.
Close up.
Reported by: Glenn Blaszkiewicz

Owen Sound Lay-up
02/17
Below are images taken Sunday at Owen Sound, Ont.
Capt. Henry Jackman and Algoway.
Capt. Henry Jackman.
Close up.
Algoway.
Another view.
Close up.
Chi-Cheemaun.
Close up.
Logo.
Snow at the end of the pier.
Another view.
New unloading hopper for Self Unloaders.
Reported by: Capt. Alain Gindroz

Cedarglen Lay-up
02/17
The Cedarglen is waiting out the winter on the Detroit River at the ADM Dock in Windsor. Below are images taken last weekend.
Cedarglen docked at ADM.
Grain elevators.
Stern view.
Close up.
Another view.
Remnants of the former HALCO billboard can be see on the side of the hull.
Loading/Unloading rig at the dock.
Bow view.
Former name can be seen.
Bow thruster.
On deck looking aft to the unique accommodations block.
Wide view.
Cargo hold.
Hatch crane controls.
Another view.
Builders plate on the accommodations block.
Rebuilding plate.
View forward.
Looking down the bow.
Ship's bell.
Looking at the elevator through deck gear.
Another view.
In the engine room looking up at the massive B & W 774 diesel engine.
Engine builder's plate.
Chief engineer Stan Ditcham at the steering gear.
Toromont technicians Finley MacDonald (left) and Barry O�Connor on hand to repair a generator.
Generator running.
Ballast controls.
Top of the main engine.
Rebuilding the turbo charger.
Interior passageway.
crew state room.
Officer's dining room.
Captain�s office.
Captain�s lounge.
Roomy stairwell.
Pilothouse sealed up for the winter.
Control station.
View forward.
View aft.
Stack.
Another view.
On deck.
Engineers head home for the winter.
Click here for the history of the Cedarglen.

Reported by: N. Schultheiss

Trip Raffles
02/17
Time is running out to purchase your tickets for the Walter J. McCarthy Jr Trip Raffle. Only two weeks left to order tickets.
Trip Auction
Lake Superior State University, in conjunction with Algoma Central Marine (ACM), is auctioning a 5-8 day trip for four adults on one of ACM's vessels during the summer of 2003. The winners of the auction will work with representatives of ACM to schedule the trip between May and September 2003.

The auction will be conducted from March 3, 2003 to March 31, 2003. Bid forms can be downloaded from www.lssu.edu/foundation/vessel/

Proceeds from the auction will establish the Great Lakes Mariner Scholarship Fund at LSSU. Employees of participating shipping companies/unions and their children will be eligible for the scholarship.

Weekly Updates
02/17
The weekly updates have been uploaded.
Click here to view

Today in Great Lakes History - February 17
In heavy weather on February 17, 1981 the WITSUPPLY (b. TRANSTREAM) foundered in the Caribbean Sea off Cabo de la Vela, Colombia. She was being towed to the scrap yard at Cartagena, Columbia when she sank.
February 17, 1977 - The CITY OF MIDLAND 41, shortly after departing Ludington encountered a heavy ridge of ice that snapped all the blades off her starboard propeller. One of the blades ripped a hole two feet long by three inches wide which caused the 41 to take on water, but pumps were able to keep her afloat. SPARTAN came out to free her but also became mired in the ice. On February 18 the cutter MACKINAW freed them.

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

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

Difficult Conditions on the St. Lawrence River
02/16
An ongoing severe cold spell is creating mounting difficulties for shipping in the Quebec City area . The sub-zero weather coupled with lower tide flows and weaker winds has been creating headaches for ships and Canadian Coast Guard ice operations.
The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Pierre Radisson has been on 24 hour alert in Quebec Harbor for ice operations, flood prevention near the two Quebec bridges, shipping needs and to assist the ferries plying between Quebec City and Levis.
The stall period between high and low tides which is an hour under normal conditions has been timed to be from two to three hours because of the combined lower tide flows and weaker winds. These conditions favour the formation and thickening of ice. The narrow passage between the Quebec bridges has often contributed to the creation of huge ice jams. These jams can last for weeks, not only stopping navigation between Quebec and Montreal but producing a potential for disastrous flooding for the lower shores of the River and the islands west of Lac St-Pierre.
The Pierre Radisson has been making passes under the bridges early every morning to prevent the formation of ice jams by assuring the easterly flow of ice with the ebb tide.
Since the beginning of winter the Coast Guard icebreakers of the district have assisted 71 ships, in normal winter conditions they assist from 25 to 30. The Coast Guard expects to assist over 100 ships this winter.
Friday night the weather was -25C with a chill factor of -41C. It is expected that gradually over the next few weeks the seasonal temperatures of -10C will be achieved.
Pierre Radisson.

Reported by: Frederick Frechette

Michigan lawmakers 'disappointed' with lack of Soo funding
02/16
Michigan lawmakers Sen. Carl Levin and Rep. Bart Stupak said they're disappointed President Bush�s 2004 budget request does not include funding for a new lock at the Soo.
Michigan and other Great Lakes states along with the federal government have contributed money in recent years for planning a new lock capable of accommodating 1,000-footers. The lock, estimated to cost about $225 million, would ease the danger that failure of the Poe Lock could keep the largest lake boats out of the taconite trade.
�I am very disappointed that the president�s budget for Fiscal Year 2004 does not contain any funding to continue the Soo Lock construction project,� Levin said in prepared remarks. �If the Poe Lock should fail, shipping between Lake Superior and Lake Huron would essentially cease, and the steel industry and steel reliant industries would be crippled.�
Levin said annual shipping on the Great Lakes exceeds 180 million tons with more than half passing through the Soo Locks.
Stupak also voiced concern but noted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees and maintains the locks, likely has sufficient funds on hand to continue the work.
�I�m not surprised. A lot of things are being cut and I would have liked to have seen the budget have money in it,� Stupak said. �But I am hopeful that there is enough money in the pipeline.�
Congress authorized building a new, larger lock in 1986 to replace the Davis and Sabin locks, which were built during World War I. The two remaining locks, the MacArthur and the Poe, were built in the 1940s and the 1960s, respectively. With the Davis and Sabin locks now obsolete, the 1,200-foot Poe Lock handles about 75 percent of the tonnage shipped through the locks.
Reported by: Ed Schipper

Cleveland Lay-up
02/16
Alpena at Lafarge.
American Republic and Earl W. Oglebay.
Fred R. White Jr.
Reported by: Bob Smalling

Today in Great Lakes History - February 16
The EDWIN H. GOTT sailed on her maiden voyage February 16, 1979 in ballast from Milwaukee, bound for Two Harbors, MN. This was the first maiden voyage of a laker ever in mid-winter. She was in convoy with three of her fleetmates; CASON J. CALLAWAY, PHILIP R. CLARKE and JOHN G. MUNSON, each needing assistance from the U.S.C.G. MACKINAW to break through heavy ice 12 to 14 inches thick the length of Lake Superior. The GOTT took part in a test project, primarily by U.S. Steel, to determine the feasibility of year around navigation.
The JAMES E. FERRIS was launched February 16, 1910 as the ONTARIO (4).
On February 16, 1977 a four hour fire caused major damage to the crews' forward quarters aboard the W.W. HOLLOWAY while at American Ship Building's Chicago yard.
February 16, 1939 - The state ferry CHIEF WAWATAM was fast in the ice in the Straits of Mackinac. She freed herself the next day and proceeded to St. Ignace.
The little tug JAMES ANDERSON burned on Long Lake near Alpena, Michigan on the morning of 16 February 1883. Arson was suspected.

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

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

Twin Ports Tonnage
02/15
Improved iron ore shipments and another record coal-shipping year through the Port of Duluth-Superior boosted total commerce for the 2002 season above both 2001�s level and the five-year average, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority reported Friday.
Total waterborne commerce reached 39.5 million metric tons, an eight percent increase from last year�s 36.5 million tons and four percent above the five-year average of 38 million tons.
Iron ore cargoes in Duluth-Superior increased 21 percent from last season�s 13.9 million tons to 16.8 million tons, significantly higher than Great Lakes total iron ore shipments which were reportedly about seven percent ahead of last year�s level.
Outbound western coal via Superior�s Midwest Energy Resources Co. set a record at the facility for the ninth consecutive year, reaching 16.4 million tons (nine percent above last year�s 15.1 million tons).
The Port�s third leading cargo, bulk grain shipments, reached 3.3 million tons as compared to last year�s 3.8 million tons. The 14 percent decrease was largely attributed to a weak U.S. export market combined with a lakes-wide decline in steel imports, meaning fewer outbound ocean ships available at competitive rates.
Both international and domestic trade increased from last year�s level, with international trade totaling 13.1 million tons, 10 percent above last year�s 11.9 million tons. Domestic trade�s 26.4 million tons was up seven percent from 24.6 million tons a year ago.
Port developments during the 2002 season included:
� Construction by Innovative Pine Technologies/Lake States Lumber of a $3 million, 22,000-square-foot remanufacturing and distribution facility for foreign and domestic forest products on a nine-plus acre waterfront parcel leased from the Port Authority at the Clure Public Marine Terminal.
� Opening of the $3.8 million, 104,000-square-foot East Warehouse Annex at the Clure Terminal.
� Attraction by Clure Terminal operator Lake Superior Warehousing Co., Inc., of a Syncrude UE-1 heavy-lift project, with two of three ships scheduled bringing in enormous pieces of equipment manufactured in Spain and Italy and destined for an oil sands project in Canada via record-setting rail shipments.
� A long-term lease with precision machining manufacturer Northstar Aerospace for the Port Authority�s new 20,000-square-foot-plus light manufacturing building on three acres of the Airpark industrial complex.
� Sale of a two-acre Airpark parcel to local Miller Brewing Company distributor Better Brands, Inc., for construction of a 30,000-square-foot office facility and state-of-the-art temperature-controlled warehouse.
The season�s first commercial vessel arrival was Interlake Steamship Company�s Mesabi Miner on March 26. The Norwegian-flagged Menominee was 2002�s first full Seaway transit, arriving April 2.
The season�s last vessel to transit the Seaway was the Marshall Islands-flagged Lake Ontario, which departed on December 17. Oglebay Norton Marine Services Company�s Oglebay Norton departed January 10 with the Port�s final outbound cargo, and Great Lakes Fleet, Inc.�s, Presque Isle arrived January 16 for winter berthing.
The Presque Isle brought the total number of vessels wintering in Port to 15�the most since the recession of the 1980s�noteworthy because maintenance, repair and renovation work done per wintering vessel averages $800,000.
Total vessel arrivals in 2002 of 1,140 represented an increase of 113 from last year. There were 701 U.S.-flag, 289 Canadian-flag and 150 overseas vessels.
Reported by: Lisa Marciniak, Duluth Seaway Port Authority

Tucker Returns
02/15
The Capt. Ralph Tucker was upbound in the Amherstburg Channel at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon. She docked at General Chemical with a load of brine. The shuttle between Amherstburg and Sarnia will continue on Saturday morning when the Tucker is expected to depart upbound.
Reported by: David Cozens

Toronto-New York ferry takes another step
02/15
High-speed ferry service across Lake Ontario moved a step closer to receiving state funding with the endorsement Wednesday of the Project Review Committee of the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency.
"It was unanimous we go for it," committee member Mario Pirastru said. "I think it's needed for the general well-being of the county, and it would be a great boost for the casino."
Pirastru was referring to the recently opened Seneca Niagara Casino, which would run free shuttle buses from the proposed ferry terminal just east of Youngstown, N.Y., to the downtown casino.
William F. Wilkinson, president of Toronto-based International Fast Ferry Corp., told the county committee he needs $40 million in state tax credits to launch the $150 million service.
The funding application must be