Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive

‘Know Your Ships’ set to sail April 10

03/30

Another sure sign of spring is the impending release of the 2004 edition of the popular “Know Your Ships” book. This year’s volume, featuring the steamer Michipicoten as Vessel of the Year, should be ready for shipping about April 8.

Besides listing more than 2,000 vessels and their owners, year built, length, capacity, type of engine and former names, the 148-page “Know Your Ships” contains more than 50 color photos of vessels in Great Lakes and Seaway service.

In addition, “Know Your Ships” includes nine pages of colorful stack and flag markings, a section dedicated to the Soo Locks, Welland Canal and St. Lawrence Seaway, Jody Aho’s “Marine Milestones” and “Passages,” a look at the changes in the shipping scene since last year’s book.

“Know Your Ships” is now in its 45th year. To order, or view sample pages: www.knowyourships.com

“Know Your Ships” 2004 cover image

Reported by: Marine Publishing Co.

Improved Year Forecast for Seaway Grain Trade

03/30

St. Lawrence Seaway users say there’s reason to believe 2004 will be a good year for the eastern grain export route, according to a recent report in Western Producer, a Canadian agriculture magazine.

“It definitely looks like it’s going to be busier than the last couple of years,” said Wayne Smith, vice-president of marketing and vessel traffic for Seaway Marine Transport of St. Catharines, Ont. Seaway shippers depend on grain and iron ore for a big part of their business, and both those industries have been in the doldrums the past couple years.  

“I’m really hoping we’re going to do between 6.5 to seven million tonnes of grain this year,” said Dennis Johnson, chief executive officer of the Thunder Bay Port Authority.

Grain shipments out of the Lakehead totaled 5.5 million tonnes last calendar year and averaged 5.9 million tonnes over the previous five years, according to figures from the Canadian Grain Commission, down from the 15-18 million tonnes a year shipped in the early 1980s.

“Usually we start the year with a bang and finish with a bang,” he said. “We’ve missed that spring bang the last couple of years but judging by the calls I’ve been getting, we should have that old-fashioned spring bang again.”

The Canadian Wheat Board, the seaway’s biggest grain shipper, expects to ship 1.6 million tonnes of wheat and barley through the system between reopening and the end of the crop year July 31. That would boost 2003-04 crop year shipments of CWB grain through Thunder Bay to 4.1 million tonnes. A projected 1.6 million tonnes of other crops would boost the crop year total to a little less than five million tonnes.

Smith said his company plans on having its full fleet of 11 bulkers in service this season. His company manages the fleet of vessels owned by Algoma Central Corp. and Upper Lakes Group.

Reported by: William Blair

Richard Reiss On the Move

03/30

Richard Reiss has been busy since fitting out for new owner Grand River Navigation. She visited Cleveland March 26, loaded in Marblehead March 27 and arrived at Lorain that afternoon. From there she was back to Marblehead to load for Cleveland.

Reported by: Wendell Wilke

Photos by: Mark Thomas Weber
Richard Reiss, the day before she left Erie on her first trip.
Close up of stack

Port Report

03/30

St. Lawrence Seaway

The first vessel in the Seaway on opening day March 25 at the St.Lambert Lock was Vega Desgagnés bound for Hamilton with diesel oil. The second was Halifax bound for Toledo. First one downbound at Iroquois was Cedarglen on opening day. Voyage Windsor/Quebec City with soymeal.

The first salty was the Italian flag chemical tanker Ievoli Shine bound for Mississauga in ballast on March 28. It was her first visit to the Lakes.

Reported by: René Beauchamp
Photo by: Gerard Belley
Halifax near Mariatown

Twin Ports Activity

Things were busy around the Twin Ports this past weekend.  The Columbia Star spent Saturday morning loading coal. She left shortly after noon. Edgar B. Speer was tied up at Port Terminal undergoing repairs. The Speer was expected to complete repairs and take on a load of taconite in Two Harbors. Both the Burns Harbor and James R. Barker were loading taconite. The Burns Harbor was in Superior at the Burlington Northern dock and the Barker was in Duluth at the DM&IR dock.

Reported by: Brian Peterson
Columbia Star departing Duluth
Stern view.
Disappearing into the fog

Canadian Progress officially began the Twin Ports shipping season when it arrived in Duluth shortly after noon on Friday, March 26. After fueling at the Murphy Oil dock, the vessel proceeded to Midwest Energy Terminal to load 27,000 metric tons of coal for Nanticoke.

While vessel traffic in the port began the previous week, the “official” start of navigation is also marked by the arrival of the first vessel from below the Soo.

Reported by Al Miller

Marquette

 The H. Lee White brought a load of stone to Marquette’s lower harbor dock and was the first ship to that dock this season. She then moved to the upper harbor for a load of ore, and became the first ship to use that facility this season as well. The Michipicoten had been expected to be the first ship for ore, but was delayed by mechanical problems. The Saginaw is expected on Tuesday.

Reported by: Lee Rowe
H. Lee White unloading stone at the Shiras Steam Plant dock.
Stone pile
H. Lee White at the power plant, another view
White at the ore dock

Sturgeon Bay

Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder departed her winter layup from Bayship around 5 a.m. Monday, then turned around in Lake Michigan to head back to Bayship for bowthruster repairs approximately three hours later. Sam Laud was ballasted down and the gangway ladder detached ready to depart sometime today.

Reported by: Darren Hesler

Milwaukee

The Captain Henry Jackman delivered a partial cargo of cement clinkers to the Milwaukee St. Marys Cement plant Sunday. This was the first trip here for the  Jackman in the cement trade. Previously clinkers were delivered by CSL.

Also in port Sunday was the Alpena.

Reported by: Andy LaBorde
Jackman unloading

 Toronto

The owner of the Russell-built tug Wendy B., Capt. Gordon Bennett, was pulled from the harbor by police divers a few days ago from the water beside his tug. Algoville departed Toronto Friday afternoon and Gordon C. Leitch left Sunday morning around 11.

Although it seemed like no work was being done on the new harbor charter vessel Yankee Lady 4 during the winter, the owners were prefabricating hull pieces indoors. These parts are now being brought to the construction site and assembled.

Reported by: Charlie Gibbons

Thunder Bay

Algocape was loading at Richardson’s Monday and will be leaving in the near future. Algonorth is still being worked on in drydock, while nothing is happening with Algontario yet. Rumors are circulating that the damaged Algontario will be repaired and returned to service this season.

Reported by: Rob Farrow

Hamilton

Thursday, March 25, the Peter R. Cresswell departed on its first trip this season at 5 p.m. The Nanticoke arrived at 6 p.m. Friday, March 26, saw the Canadian Navigator headed out on her first trip at 7 p.m. heading to Montreal with a load of slag from Pier 26. Saturday, March 27, the Algowood arrived at 8:30 a.m. with a cargo of coal from Toledo for Dofasco. The tanker Vega Desganges arrived at 9 a.m. Sunday March 28 saw the Frontenac arriving at 8 a.m. with iron ore pellets for Stelco from Superior, departing at 3:30 p.m. heading back to Superior. The Algosoo finally departed at 12 noon as the Hamilton Around the Bay marathon had the bridge closed in the morning. The tug Salvor and barge McLeary’s Spirit departed at 3 p.m. The Vega Desgagnes shiftedto Pier 12 around midnight to do gasless welding repairs on one hold for six hours.

Reported by: Eric Holmes

Welland Canal

The ULS Corp. straight decker Canadian Miner was upbound in the Welland Canal Sunday afternoon, loaded with cargo from Clarkson. After unloading, she will continue on for Duluth. Also preparing to depart was the Canadian Prospector in Port Colborne. Cutting continues on the Canadiana at Ramey’s Bend and the Algogulf and Kinsman Enterprise at IMS.

Canadian Miner enters Lock 8.
In the ice
Canadian Miner, stern view, with remains of Algogulf and Kinsman Enterprise at left.
Canadian Prospector awaits fitout, and fresh paint.

Scrapping progresses on the Canadiana.
Mooring bitts
Another view of the bitts
Capstan
Aft section of hull
Looking aft from the bow.

 Reported by: Alex Howard

Saginaw

The CSL Tadoussac made her first visit to the Saginaw River last Friday, calling on the Essroc Terminal in Essexville to unload cement clinker.  She arrived early Friday morning. After discharging, she left for Superior to load taconite.

The tug Gregory J. Busch and barge STC 2004 have been working on a dredging project at Pier 7 Marina on the West side of the Saginaw River in Bay City. The pair has been transiting between the marina and the pump-out island in the Saginaw Bay.

Reported by: Todd Shorkey
CSL Tadoussac unloading at Essroc
Another view

Photo by Brian Ferguson
Gregory J. Busch

New McKeil Barge Due for Manistee-Amherstburg Run

03/30

Mckeil Marine’s new barge the KTC 135 was due to arrive in Montreal Sunday.  This barge comes from the East coast, and was owned by K-Sea transportation. The barge will join the KTC 115, which was purchased by Mckeil last spring. The KTC 135 will be pushed by the Doug Mckeil and be engaged in the Manistee-Amerhstburg brine trade with her sister-barge the KTC 115. The Capt. Ralph Tucker is expected to be used as a reserve vessel when demand for product increases. The Tucker arrived in Manistee at 2300 Saturday evening to load brine at General Chemical for Amherstburg. The Salvor / KTC 115 has also been making regular runs since the ice conditions have let up.

 Reported by: Chris Franckowiak

Removal of Niagara River Ice Boom Delayed

03/30

The New York State Power Authority has decided to delay removal of the Niagara River Ice Boom until after April 1. Heavy southwest winds caused the previously 57 percent ice-covered East Basin of Lake Erie to become up to 73 percent ice covered. Observation flights will take place over the next few days to monitor the situation and keep track of the ice conditions. Icebreakers could be heard on the radio escorting ships in and out of the Welland Canal all week.

Looking out onto the lake showing the Buffalo breakwall and the boom logs/chains.

Reported by: Brian Wroblewski

Action Needed to Prevent Lakes from Becoming “Invader Zoo”

03/30

In a statement provided to a congressional hearing, both the U.S. and Canadian co-chairs of the International Joint Commission urged the U.S. Congress to take swift action to protect the Great Lakes from the onslaught of aquatic invasive species in ballast water. The hearing followed action by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt an international ballast water convention and considered the implications for reauthorization of the National Invasive Species Act.

“Aquatic invaders don't recognize dotted lines on the map. That means policy makers in both the U.S. and Canada must reach across those lines to fight back,” said Dennis Schornack, Chair of the U.S. Section. “It also means that what we need now is action by this Congress to put the Great Lakes first.”

“We have learned from over 50 years of experience with the sea lamprey that it costs millions of dollars yearly in perpetuity to control these invaders.  Once they get into the Great Lakes and establish a beachhead they can never be completely eradicated, so they must be stopped before they can get in,” said the Right Hon. Herb Gray, Chair of the Canadian Section. “Whether they enter through a canal like the lamprey or through ballast water like the zebra mussel, prevention must be our first priority.”

Over the last two decades virtually all of these invasive species have arrived in the Great Lakes by way of ballast water discharged by foreign ships when they take on cargo.  The IJC believes these ship borne invaders are a source of great risk; therefore setting a standard for ballast water treatment must be the central focus of any plans implemented by both the U.S. and Canada.  

“The day is close at hand when the tally of non-native species in the Great Lakes will total 200 invaders,” said Schornack. “The bottom line is that these invaders are turning the Great Lakes into a zoo - not an ordinary zoo where the animals are safely confined but a zoo where they are unleashed to wreak havoc and devastation on the native ecological community.”

The Commission also noted that an estimated 15 more invertebrates and fish in the Ponto-Caspian region of Eurasia have the special traits that could enable them to hopscotch from there to the Baltic to the Great Lakes.  They stressed that the uncertainty of how much damage these new invading species might wreak upon the ecology and economies of the Great Lakes should drive both the U.S. and Canada into action.

Reported by: IJC

Hollyhock Damaged in Collision With Cort

03/27 (Pictures Added 3/30)
 
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Hollyhock was involved in a collision with the 1,000-foot laker Stewart J. Cort Thursday morning while breaking ice in the St. Marys River.

No one was injured in the accident, which resulted in Hollyhock being sent back to her Port Huron base for repairs. She arrived at Port Huron Friday.

The Hollyhock's upper bow was damaged, and its flagpole is missing. Coast Guard spokesmen said the Cort sustained "cosmetic" damage to its bow. The Cort was stopped in the ice at the time of the incident. Weather conditions at the time were poor, and fog reduced visibility to one-quarter of a mile.

U.S. Coast Guard officials are investigating the crash and didn't know what sent the Hollyhock, which has state-of-the-art navigation technologies, into the freighter, according to a story in Saturday¹s Port Huron Times Herald.

A Coast Guard spokesmen didn't know how expensive repairs would be for the $29 million, 225-foot-long ship, or how long they would take. The Hollyhock was placed into service last October, and this was her first icebreaking assignment.

Photos by: Tom Welles
Hollyhock damage bow view
Close up.
Hollyhock at her Port Huron dock.

Photos by: James LeBouton
View of damage from on board.
Bow damage without tarp.

Images From Season Opener

03/27

Shipping at the Soo Locks and on the St. Marys River, which officially began early Thursday morning, has been dogged by fog ever since. These photos were taken on Thursday and Friday.

Photos by: Lee Rowe
Edwin H. Gott waiting above the locks
Callaway above the locks
Callaway moving in the fog toward the locks
Callaway leaves the locks
Lock approach shrouded in fog.
Mackinaw at West Pier
Pilothouse and ribbons
Mackinaw, stern view
Mackinaw at Mission Point
Walter J. McCarthy Jr. approaching the locks
McCarthy, stern view
Paul R. Tregurtha at West Pier
CSL Laurentien at Mission Point

Photos by: Andy LaBorde
Edgar B. Speer departs winter lay-up at Milwaukee
Another view
Speer passes Integrity
Outbound at Milwaukee pier light

Charles M. Beeghly unloads coal March 22 at Milwaukee.
Beeghly, deck shot

Photos by: Rob Farrow
Frontenac, first boat out of Thunder Bay, getting stuck while trying to make turn in ice
CCG Griffon and tug George N. Carleton assist Frontenac
Another view of CCG Griffon, this time breaking ice in front of Saskatchewan Pool 7a
CCG Griffon releasing Glenada and Point Valour at Saskatchewan Pool 7a
George N. Carleton breaks ice around Pascol in preparation for Atlantic Erie's departure.

Atlantic Erie receives fresh paint at Thunder Bay before sailing on her first trip.
Covered with primer
Another view
Algonorth in drydock.

Mesabi Miner Returns to Service

03/27

The Mesabi Miner, damaged in Mackinac Straits ice earlier this week, has resumed service after a quick trip back to Bay Shipbuilding Co. in Sturgeon Bay for repairs. Still in layup at Sturgeon Bay are the Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder, Lee A. Tregurtha, Sam Laud and the Herbert C. Jackson.

Reported by: Darren Hasler

USCG Sundew to be Decommissioned May 27

03/27

The Coast Guard cutter Sundew (WLB 404) will be decommissioned after 60 years of service at 11 a.m. Thursday May 27 at Duluth's Bayfront Park.

All present and former crew, family and friends of the Sundew are encouraged to attend the ceremony. The ceremony will also be open to the public.

Information is being sought regarding former Sundew commanding officers. Anyone who has commanded the Sundew should contact the e-mail address below with your name, date of service on Sundew, phone number, email address and mailing address.

The Sundew is one of two 180-foot IRIS Class sea-going buoy tenders built in 1944 that are still in service. The Marine Iron & Shipbuilding Company in Duluth built Sundew and, along with another Duluth-based shipyard, Zenith Dredge Company, constructed 37 other 180-foot seagoing buoy tenders between 1942-1944. She was launched on February 8th 1944 and commissioned on August 24th 1944. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $861,586.

For any questions regarding Sundew’s decommissioning, please contact Lieutenant (junior grade) Michael Wolfe at 218-720-5461, mwolfe@cgcsundew.uscg.mil.

Reported by: USCG

Fog Slows Traffic on Locks’ First Day

03/26

The Soo Locks shipping started at 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning, but vessel traffic was brought to a standstill shortly thereafter by thick fog.

Traffic started to move late Thursday. Mackinaw, Katmai Bay and Biscayne Bay were called to the Winter Point area to break out a convoy of upbounds that included CSL Laurentien, Stewart J. Cort, Atlantic Huron, CSL Niagara, Oglebay Norton, Edgar B. Speer, H. Lee White and Burns Harbor. Downbound after first boat Edwin H. Gott were the Cason J. Callaway, Walter J. McCarthy Jr., Paul R. Tregurtha, Frontenac and Pineglen.

The first upbound vessel at the locks this season was Canadian Progress.

Reported by: Jerry Masson

Anderson Opens Season at Stoneport

03/26

Arthur M. Anderson arrived at the Stoneport dock on a foggy Thursday morning to load its first cargo of the season. The H. Lee White had also taken on stone and departed by early Thursday morning. Loading the Anderson was expected to take 12 hours. The tug/barges Great Lakes Trader and Joseph H. Thompson are on the schedule for Friday.

The Alpena is due back in port sometime on Friday after making deliveries on Lake Michigan. J.A.W Iglehart is headed for South Chicago after spending Wednesday in Alpena getting repairs from possible ice damage.   

Reported by: Ben & Chanda McClain

More Vessels Depart the Twin Ports

03/26

The Duluth-Superior layup fleet continued to shrink this week as the Roger Blough, Indiana Harbor and John G. Munson all got under way Wednesday.

Indiana Harbor was the first to get away, backing out of its berth in late afternoon and backing into St. Louis Bay to load coal at Midwest Energy Terminal.

The Blough left the Duluth port terminal to load at the Duluth DMIR ore docks.

John G. Munson departed Fraser Shipyards for Two Harbors, where it was to load for Lorain.

Of the two remaining layup vessels, American Mariner was expected to depart Hallett dock on March 25 to load at BNSF in Superior while John J. Boland was scheduled to leave Fraser Shipyards on March 27 to load at Two Harbors.

Reported by: Al Miller

Goderich Report, Toronto Update

03/26

The Atlantic Huron is out of lay up at Goderich, full of salt, and headed north up the lake. Thursday, the Canadian Transport was loading salt, with several more ships due before the end of the month.

Reported by: Lisa Stuparyk

In Toronto, McKeil’s harbor tugs pulled the Barge Laviolette from the Redpath Sugar dock this morning and rafted it to Canadian Mariner on the west wall at Pier 35.

Stephen B. Roman came in late Wednesday and departed Thursday afternoon after unloading her cement cargo at the Essroc plant.

A pile driver is at work on Pier 52 preparing the dock for the arrival of the high-speed cat The Breeze, the new cross-lake ferry.

Reported by: Jason Leslie

Edwin H. Gott Opens Season at the Soo Locks

03/25

Although the Great Lakes Fleet's steamer Cason J. Callaway reported in to the St. Marys River system first, fleetmate Edwin H. Gott was designated the first commercial passage of the 2004 season at the Soo Locks.

Although the locks didn’t officially open until 12:01 Thursday morning, an official welcoming committee boarded the Gott around 5 p.m. Wednesday. The Gott was given the lead position due to her wider beam, which is considered better for breaking a track for the narrower Callaway to follow once the pair lock through. The Gott was expected to lock through, and proceed down the river to the Nine Mile anchorage, where she would wait for first light before continuing.

CSL Laurentien, Canadian Progress and Atlantic Huron were upbound in the lower river near DeTour Wednesday, waiting for an icebreaker escort. Hollyhock, Katmai Bay and Biscayne Bay were breaking ice in the lower river for track maintenance. The Walter J. McCarthy Jr. reported in downbound above the locks Wednesday evening.

According to a report by Jack Storey in the Soo Evening News Wednesday, this may be the busiest opening day at the Soo Locks in a quarter century. A Coast Guard spokesman on Tuesday said a total of 28 vessels are scheduled to make the river by Thursday from both directions.

Although all channels except the West Neebish were mostly open Wednesday, all were ice-filled and narrow, slowing progress in both directions. The lower ice edge on the lower St. Marys River has moved up to the Lime Island-Sweets Point area off  Raber. On the upper end, fast ice extended out to Isle Parisienne, with some ice formations out toward Whitefish Point.

Reported by: Jerry Masson, B. Barnes, Soo Evening News

Toronto's First Visitor

03/25

The first visiting vessel of the season arrived this afternoon when Hamilton Energy came into port to bunker the lakers Gordon C. Leitch and Algoville. The Stephen B. Roman cannot be counted as the first visiting vessel as it winters in Toronto. The Roman has already made one trip out and back. The Roman has gone again.

Unloading is almost done on the Barge Laviolette at the Redpath Sugar dock.

Work has begun again on the new Yankee Lady 4 excursion vessel. The keel was laid in December, but no other work was done. The bilge keels are now under construction. The new vessel is being built by the vessel's owners at the Port authority yard on the Keating Channel.

The winter tarps have been removed from the island ferries Sam McBride and William Inglis as crews begin fitting them out for the season.

Reported by: Jason Leslie

Mesabi Miner Reported Damaged in Ice

03/25

Mesabi Miner arrived back in Sturgeon Bay mid-evening Wednesday for repairs to damage caused by ice. The Miner suffered a crack about one inch wide and five feet long while transiting the Straits of Mackinaw on her first trip of the season.. Plans call for the Edward L. Ryerson to be moved into the Bay Shipbuilding yard, while the Miner will ballast out and have the repairs done at the PBI dock . Herbert C. Jackson is still in the drydock.

In other Sturgeon Bay news, the Oglebay Norton departed Bay Ship Wednesday afternoon, headed out to Lake Michigan through the ship canal. The Norton was the third of  four 1,000-footers at the yard for winter lay-up 2003-2004.

American Sprit will depart Bay Ship Thursday, going out through the ship canal to the lake.

Oglebay Norton departs
American Spirit

Reported by: Darren Hesler, Vic DeLarwelle

Mather Museum Says Thanks to Cleveland May 1

03/25

The steamship William G. Mather Museum wants to thank the city of Cleveland for its continued support and 40-year lease signed last July by Mayor Campbell, which paves the way for some long-range developments for the popular North Coast Harbor Museum.

As a way to say thanks to Cleveland, on opening day of its 14^th season, Saturday, May 1, the Mather will offer free admission to Cleveland residents showing proof of address. With a 55-year history as a Great Lakes freighter and 13 years as a museum longer than two Cleveland Brown’s football fields, the Mather has an intriguing story and the crew is grateful for the chance to tell it.

The Mather Museum is open in May on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Hours are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. except Sunday and holidays when the mueseum opens at noon. Admission is $5.50/adult, $4.50/senior and $3.50/student; children under five get in for free. Visitors can choose a self-guided tour or, when available, an hour-long guided. Due to its historic nature, the Mather has limited accessibility. 

Reported by: Rex Cassidy

Callaway Expected to be First Downbound at Soo Locks

03/24

11:30 p.m. UPDATE
Cason J. Callaway was downbound tonight in Lake Superior and will anchor near Isle Parisenne until dawn. The 767-foot ore carrier plans to meet with escort cutter Mackinaw near Gros Cap Light, and follow the ice track to the Poe Lock approaches for the official locks opening. Operation Taconite is in place as the cutter Hollyhock works through the night on track maintenance in the lower river.

ORIGINAL REPORT
The U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw departed Soo harbor Tuesday at 1900 hours bound up Gros Cap for channel maintenance. The first downbound ship of the year is expected to be the Cason J Callaway, which was loading in Duluth. Katmai Bay and Hollyhock were working in the lower river Tuesday night on channel maintenance for the first upbound expected.

Reported by: Jerry Masson

Capt. Henry Jackman Opens Welland Canal

03/24

Capt. Brett Walker of the Algoma Central Corporation vessel Capt. Henry Jackman was presented with the ceremonial top hat at Lock 3 Tuesday morning as the Welland Canal officially opened for its 175th consecutive year of service.

Dick Corfe, President and CEO of The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, declared the canal officially open. He also unveiled the first billboard in an educational campaign to promote the many benefits to be derived from the increased use of the marine mode – reduced congestion, reduced air pollution and reduced highway maintenance costs. Starting this week, anyone who travels the Toronto – Windsor corridor by road will start to see these billboards along the 400-series of highways.

He also announced a new operating draft of 26’6,” (an increase of three inches over last year) for all inland vessels and for ocean vessels equipped with bow thrusters. This will allow full-size Seaway vessels to carry an additional 300 tons on each voyage, improving the efficiency and productivity of both the system and vessel fleets.

The ceremony also marked the beginning of the countdown to the 50th anniversary of the Seaway. Fifty years ago this summer, construction began on the St. Lawrence Seaway, the first step in opening the way for ocean vessels into the heart of North America.

“2004 holds promise, not only to be busy,” says Corfe, “but highly productive, in our collective endeavor to raise the profile of marine transportation. We will be in the thick of things, looking for new ways to use the system, new cargoes and new partnerships, while reinforcing the ones we have.

“In the Welland Canal, we completed a $13 million winter maintenance program on time and on budget, including the electrical rehabilitation of Bridge 21. We also began a six- year $40 million program to convert our mechanical lock equipment to hydraulic drives. As well as being more efficient, the new equipment will reduce maintenance costs and will operate effectively in adverse weather, giving us the potential to extend our season.”

The Jackman also took the top hat in 1993.. The first downbounder, which also recived opening honors at Port Colborne was the Cedarglen. The McKee Sons and tug Invincible also transited the canal Tuesday.

The Montreal-Lake Ontario section of the Seaway will open to navigation Thursday at 0800 hours.

Reported by: St. Lawrence Seaway Authority, Jimmy Sprunt, Ron Walsh

Callaway, Gott depart the Twin Ports

03/24

Cason J. Callaway and Edwin H. Gott departed their layup berths overnight March 22-23 to begin the 2004 navigation season. The Callaway left Fraser Shipyards to load at the DMIR ore dock in Duluth. The Gott left its berth in Duluth to proceed to Two Harbors to load taconite pellets. The G tug North Dakota assisted the Callaway from the stern.

Walter J. McCarthy Jr. opened the season at BNSF ore dock Tuesday when it began loading taconite pellets destined for Detroit’s Zug Island. The McCarthy spent the winter in Superior at the old Lakehead Pipeline dock.

While the McCarthy was loading Tuesday, Frontenac arrived from Thunder Bay and anchored off Superior Entry to wait for the dock.

Indiana Harbor was fueling at its layup dock Tuesday. It’s scheduled to load at Midwest Energy Terminal Thursday.

Reported by: Al Miller

Photos by: Brian Peterson
Edwin H. Gott departing Duluth.
Callaway backing into DM&IR.
Callaway at the dock.
Close up of the tug North Dakota.

Richard Reiss Prepares for First Trip

03/24

Grand River Navigation’s newly-acquired Richard Reiss could leave Erie, Pa., as early as Tuesday night on her first trip for her new owners.

Her first destination is Marblehead, where she will load for Fairport.

Reported by: Roger LeLievre

Strong Season Expected for Great Lakes Carriers

03/24

In an article earlier this week in the Duluth News Tribune and widely reprinted around the Great Lakes, shipping officials predicted a strong start to this year’s Great Lakes shipping season.

“Things are looking much better than last year,” observed Charlie Patterson, vice president and general manager of the Duluth-based Great Lakes Fleet Inc. “There appears to be some pent-up demand from last year for taconite. Some of the steel mills apparently are desirous of early cargo, because inventory levels are lower than they would like them to be.”

“We had some momentum built up last season, and it appears to be continuing into this season as well,” agreed Glen Nekvasil, a vice president for the Lake Carriers Association, an organization that represents operators of U.S.-flagged laker fleet. He also said demand for stone also appears on the upswing.

“It looks like this could be the year of the lakers,” added Ron Johnson, trade development director for the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. 

Reported by: Roger LeLievre

More Departures, Arrivals

03/24

Wilfred Sykes left winter lay-up at Sturgeon Bay Tuesday afternoon. She was believed bound for Escanaba to load ore for Indiana Harbor. Arthur M. Anderson was expected to sail early Wednesday morning from Sturgeon Bay for Stoneport.

The freshly-painted Atlantic Erie departed Thunder Bay early Tuesday evening, headed to Superior to load. Algonorth was pulled back into dry dock Tuesday morning at Pascol, while the Pineglen was loading at Cargill and was expected to move to Mission Terminal Tuesday night.

Nanticoke was the first coal boat of the season for the CSX Docks at Toledo, arriving Tuesday morning to load coal. The Saginaw was expected to follow her later in the evening. The Halifax will be the first ore boat of the season into the Torco Ore Dock. She is due in early Sunday afternoon.

The Alpena made it's third appearance of the 2004 season in Milwaukee Tuesday morning. It tied up alongside the Jacklyn M/Integrity, which went back into lay up after discharging its winter storage load in Waukegan, South Chicago and Milwaukee earlier in the month.

On Tuesday, Mesabi Miner was pulled from her lay-up birth between the American Spirit and the Oglebay Norton at Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay. She was headed upbound.

Last Saturday, the Charles M. Beeghly departed her lay-up berth at Bay Shipbuilding, sailing sailed west three miles toward Sherwood Point where Selvick tugs had broken a turning circle in the ice. With the tug assistance, she was turned around east and proceeded through the Sturgeon Bay Ship canal and onto Lake Michigan. Plate ice at the northwest end of Sturgeon Bay and into Green Bay waters remains up to 12-18 inches thick.  As of this date tracks have not been cut into Green Bay waters beyond the northwest end of Sturgeon Bay/Sherwood point light.

American Republic became the first vessel of the 2004 season at Lorain on Tuesday. She passed through the Charles Berry Bridge at 2030 hours, going up the Black River to the Terminal Ready Mix and Jonik docks.

Reported by Vic Delarwelle, Rob Farrow, Jim Hoffman, Andy LaBorde, Carl Grota, Charles Mackin

Photos by: Carl Grota
Beeghly headed for Sherwood Point.
Jimmy L. assists the Beeghly.
Mesabi Miner moves past bows of Oglebay Norton and American Spirit.

Photos by: Gerry Banks
Beeghly departs Sturgeon Bay
Beeghly, stern view

Photos by: Andy LaBorde
Alpena unloads
Stern view

Restoration of Erie’s Land Lighthouse Complete

03/24

A crane recently hoisted a new steel and copper lantern room 50 feet to the top of the Land Lighthouse, marking the end of a $400,000 restoration of the first lighthouse on the Great Lakes.

Since June, Fiske & Sons, an Erie, Pa., has been working on the landmark, replacing its mortar facade, refurbishing its 69-step iron staircase and adding electrical service.

The original lantern room and watch deck were removed in 1899 by the U.S. Coast Guard and moved to the Marblehead Lighthouse in Sandusky, Ohio. The Land Lighthouse has been dark ever since.

Pat Scutella, caretaker of the lighthouse, told the Buffalo News recently he hopes the new lantern room will allow the lighthouse once again to guide ships into Erie, but port officials have told him that was unlikely.

Reported by: Dave Wobser

PRT Back to Marquette on Monday

03/24

The Paul R. Tregurtha made a second trip to Marquette on Monday with a load of coal.  This made her the first and second ship in to the harbor this season. The Michipicoten is expected to be the first ship coming in for ore, arriving some time later this week.

Paul R. Tregurtha unloading coal.
Coal pile.  Note the water being sprayed on the coal as it comes off the belt

Reported by: Lee Rowe

Great Lakes Water Levels To Improve

03/24

After years of decline, Great Lakes water levels are expected to rise a bit this year.

"Practically all the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair will be above last year’s levels,” Cynthia Sellinger, a hydrologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, told the Detroit Free Press for a Tuesday story. Here are Sellinger’s predictions:

Lakes Michigan and Huron: Four to 6 inches higher than last year, but 17 inches below the long-term average. (Huron's average depth: 195 feet; Michigan's is 279.)
Lake St. Clair: Two inches higher than last year, but 5 inches below average. (Average depth: 10 feet.)
Lake Superior: Roughly at the same level as last year, and 4 inches below average. (Average depth: 500 feet).
Lake Erie: Three to 4 inches higher than last year, and 4 inches below average. (Average depth: 48 feet.).

Lake Ontario is excluded because manmade controls affect its levels. The predictions are based on a number of factors, including more precipitation in the Great Lakes basin and ice cover that prevents evaporation from pulling moisture out.

Besides being a boon for owners of small craft, the rise will mean more profits for Great Lakes shipping interests, said Glen Nekvasil, a vice president with the Cleveland-based Lake Carriers' Association.

“For a 500-foot cement ship, one more inch of draft means 70 more tons of cargo,” Nekvasil told the newspaper. “For a 1,000-foot iron ore freighter, it means an additional 270 tons of cargo.”

Reported by: Roger LeLievre

Seaway Opening Date Challenged

03/24

Critics say the government agency that runs the Seaway is sacrificing the environment to get ships to port earlier. They are urging the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation to delay the waterway’s annual opening date in order to prevent harm to fish.

Stephen Litwiler of New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation says a ship’s wake can rattle the ice enough to gouge delicate habitat.

“The ice going up and down is scouring the shoreline and pushing water in and out of the shallow marshy areas and it's dislodging vegetation that's critical for these habitats,” she said in a radio interview. “The bobbing ice can be so bad it can damage people’s docks and homes along the river.”

Politicians and interest groups, including New York’s two senators and the Mohawk tribe that lives along the river, are calling on the St. Lawrence Seaway to postpone its March 25 opening date. Just one week, they say, will give the ice time to melt. Stephanie Weiss, director of the citizens’group Save The River, said environmentalists fear the date is driven by the shipping industry.

“People lose money, so when you have that situation when they’re trying as hard as they can to open early, we think it just makes it difficult for them to make the safest possible decision.” Weiss said getting cargo ships in and out of Great Lakes ports one week earlier isn’t worth the risk of damaging the St. Lawrence River's fish and nature for good.

The decision is made by government agencies in the U.S. and Canada.

Reported by: David Sommerstein, Great Lakes Radio Consortium

Kaye E. Barker joins the shipping season

03/22

Kaye E. Barker was the first vessel out of Fraser Shipyards this spring when it departed March 22 to load coal at Midwest Energy Terminal in Superior. The Barker is due to carry 18,500 tons of coal to the power plant at Taconite Harbor. She joins fleetmate Paul R. Tregurtha, which already is in action carrying coal to Marquette.

Cason J. Callaway also was expected to leave Fraser late Monday or Tuesday to load at the DMIR ore dock. The dock has a large stockpile of pellets, ensuring it will be busy at the start of the season. That's a sharp contract to much of last season, when the closure of EVTAC resulted in dwindling business for the dock until the navigation season's final days, when EVTAC's resurrection as United Taconite brought boats back to the dock.

The Paul R. Tregurtha was the first boat to arrive in the Twin Ports this season when it returned from Marquette on March 20. Frontenac was expected Tuesday from Thunder Bay, becoming the first boat from another port to arrive here. However, the "official" first boat of the season will be the first arrival from the lower lakes. This is a tradition that dates to the ports' earliest days, when no boats wintered here and the first boat from below the Soo marked the resumption of vessel traffic and the arrival of much-anticipated supplies, store goods and passengers.

Reported by: Al Miller

Canadian Olympic has Stack Fire

03/22

While transiting Lake Erie near Erie, Pa., last Monday (3/15) en route to Conneaut, the ULS Group's Canadian Olympic experienced a small fire in the port exhaust stack. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Neah Bay and Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley were diverted from ice breaking operations to assist the stricken vessel.

After two hours of checking for hot spots in the stack and engine room, M/V Canadian Olympic successfully restarted its starboard engine. CGC Neah Bay was released back to ice breaking operations while the Risley escorted Canadian Olympic into Conneaut.

Reported by: USCG

Fit Out Continues for Speer, Burns Harbor, Cort

03/21

Crews for the Edgar B. Speer, Burns Harbor and Stewart J. Cort, laid up at Milwaukee, have returned to start fitting out their boats. After completing USCG inspections, all three vessels should be heading north by mid week. The new International Steel Group logos are now in place on both the Cort and Burns Harbor.

ISG logo on Burns Harbor’s stack.
Logo on the Cort’s funnel.

Reported by: Andy LaBorde

Ice Breaker Griffon Arrives at Thunder Bay

03/21

At 4:34 p.m. Sunday the Canadian Coast Guard cutter Griffon rounded Thunder Cape and made a beeline for the hard ice pack in Thunder Bay. Gale winds apparently did not slow her progress across Lake Superior after she locked through at the Soo on Saturday. 

The ice in Thunder Bay only extends six miles out to the Welcome Islands this winter, thanks to lots of snow and high offshore winds over the past month or so.

 Griffon was expected to push on towards Keefer Terminals where she will be expected to make a decision on whether to release the boats there, or dock at the Coast Guard station for the night. The CSL and Algoma boats Frontenac, Pineglen and Algocape are tied up at Keefer. Smoke had been seen coming from the stacks of the Pineglen and Frontenac a few days ago, and it is thought that these two boats are anxious to leave.  Frontenac is scheduled to load in Superior on Tuesday this week. The Thunder Bay Tug Service tugs have been busy breaking ice in their slip in preparation to help the boats through the ice.

Meanwhile, the boats at Pascol Engineering are starting to show life. Smoke was coming the stack of the freshly painted Atlantic Erie, as she floated in dry dock on Sunday. The Gravel & Lake crews were down around their tugs, perhaps preparing for a move in the near future of the Atlantic Erie out of dry dock.  A bit of activity has been seen on the Algontario lately, fueling the latest rumors of her being repaired and sailing soon. She received bottom damage in the St. Mary's River in 1999 and has sat idle in Thunder Bay ever since.

Reported by: Rob Farrow

Tregurtha Due Back in Marquette Monday

03/21

The second cargo of the season will make its way into Marquette's upper harbor about mid-morning Monday.  The Paul R. Tregurtha departed Superior early Sunday morning carrying another load of coal for Wisconsin Electric. 

The Tregurtha will have to deal with high winds, rough seas, and possibly snow when it arrives . After unloading, she will return Superior late Monday or early Tuesday. Meanwhile, there are still no updates on the Michipicoten, which is scheduled to leave Soo, Ont., sometime late Wednesday or early Thursday for Marquette. The short trip from the Soo takes approximately 12 hours. She is  tentatively scheduled for an early Friday morning arrival.  Also on the schedule for next weekend are the H. Lee White and John J. Boland.

Reported by: Art Pickering

Canadian-flag Lakers on the Move

03/21

Canadian Transport departed its Port Colborne, Ont., lay-up berth Sunday afternoon, backing out into Lake Erie from Wharf 18-3. Bound for Conneaut to load coal, she was assisted by the small tug Seahound. The John D. Leitch, which is headed for Windsor to load salt,  followed the Canadian Transport.

The Canada Steamship Lines’ self-unloader Nanticoke is the first vessel to load at Goderich, where she arrived Saturday at the salt docks. Atlantic Huron remains laid up at that port.

The first ship out of Hamilton was the CSL Tadoussac, which departed at 1 p.m. Saturday, heading toward the Welland Canal.

Reported by: Eric Holmes, Lisa Stuparyk

Mailboat J.W. Westcott Starts Service Next Week

03/21

The Detroit-based mailboat J.W. Westcott II will return to service April 7th at 0800.

Reported by: Capt. Sam Buchannan

Southdown Challenger Fitting Out for 98th Year

03/21

The cement carrier Southdown Challenger’s engine room crew will report back to the boat on April 5, with a tentative departure date of April 20. The boat will leave Milwaukee and sail to Charlevoix, Mich. to load cement.

Reported by: Kevin Rogers

 History Postings

03/21

The Today in Great Lakes History feature will return next week.

Tregurtha First Out and First in at Duluth

03/20

Paul R Tregurtha was the first ship to depart Duluth and is also the first ship to arrive in Duluth for the 2004 shipping season. She sailed under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge shortly before 4 p.m. on a return trip from Marquette where she delivered that port’s first coal cargo.

Paul R. Tregurtha under the Lift Bridge.
Close up of the bow.
Stern view.
Backing under the Blatnik Bridge.
Another view.

Reported by: Brian Peterson

Toledo Coal Dock Gears up for Another Season

03/21

In Toledo, the coal crews are reporting back to work Monday with a two-shift operation.  The first coal boat, tentatively due Monday, is the Nanticoke with a 6 p.m. start. Saginaw is due Tuesday at 7 a.m.  On the ore side, the Halifax was tentatively due Sunday at the Torco Dock.

Pictures taken at Toledo docks the week of March 16.
Toledo Shiploader
Toledo Shiploader (another view)
Toledo Docks Rotary Dumper
Adam E. Cornelius in layup
H. Lee White (stern view) in layup
Buffalo
Buffalo (stern)
Wolveine laid up
Wolverine (stern)

 Reported by: Bob Vincent

Milwaukee Prepares for Launch of Lake Express Service

03/21

Work is progressing on Milwaukee's new high speed ferry dock. Ground was broken in January for the ferry terminal. Service is scheduled to begin in June to Muskegon, Mich. Billboards and banners have begun to appear in the Milwaukee area promoting the new Lake Express ferry that will carry passengers and vehicles across Lake Michigan in approximately 3 hours.

Advertising banner
Terminal under construction in Milwaukee

Reported by: Andy LaBorde

St. Marys River Icebreakers Ready for Locks Opener

03/20

Ice breakers were out in force this morning with Mackinaw working in the upper river after locking through the Poe Lock yesterday. The icebreakers Griffon, Biscayne Bay, Katmai Bay and Hollyhock are working in the lower river, all in anticipation for Thursday’s Soo Locks season opener. The Griffon later headed upbound through the locks and on to Thunder Bay.

Reported by: Jerry Masson

Photos by: R. Walker
Photo of the Hollyhock, taken in the lower St. Marys River earlier in the week.
View of Soo Harbor showing ice above the locks.
Scrapping continues on Quedoc at the Canadian Soo. Next to the Quedoc is the barge Chief Wawatam. Also in the photo is the Lewis G. Harriman, which will also be cut up for scrap this year.

Photos by: B. Barnes
Hollyhock on March 13.
Stern view.

Season Underway at St. Joseph

03/20

Inland Lakes’ steamer Alpena opened the 2004 shipping season Friday at St. Joseph, Mich. She delivered 10,000 tons of cement to the Lafarge dock, according to news reports.

Reported by: Jim Spencer

Paul R. Tregurtha Opens Marquette Season

03/19

The Paul R. Tregurtha was the first ship into Marquette this shipping season, bringing a load of coal from Superior to the Presque Isle Power Plant. Work continues at the ore dock, readying it for the Michipicoten, expected this week.

Unlike last year's start to the shipping season in which two vessels became stuck in the ice just outside the upper harbor, the Tregurtha had no problem this year getting through the light ice cover in the upper harbor.  The Tregurtha is the first commercial vessel to visit Marquette this season and is the second vessel into Marquette this month.  Earlier this month, the U.S.C.G. Sundew made its first and last visit of the season when she arrived to check out the buoys in both the upper and lower harbors.

Reported by: Lee Rowe and Art Pickering

Photos by: Lee Rowe
Paul R. Tregurtha unloading coal.
Close-up of stern
Ore chutes down on the north side of the dock as winter work continues.

Saginaw River Season Begins

03/18

The 2004 shipping season began on the Saginaw River early Wednesday morning with the arrival of the tug John Spence & barge McAsphalt, which passed the Pump-Out Station shortly before 9 a.m. and continued upriver to the Triple Cleen Liquifuels Dock in Essexville to unload.

The tug Gregory J. Busch and barge STC 2004 were also moving in the river on Wednesday after departing their lay-up dock in Carrollton.  The Busch initially stated that she was going down as far as Bay City Wirt Dock before going back upriver, but after a lengthy delay at Lafayette Bridge due to a stuck locking pin, she was seen at Pier 7 Marina in Bay City deploying an oil boom

John Spence upbound at the Essroc Terminal in Essexville
Another view
Stern view at Triple Cleen
Tug Gregory J. Busch

Reported by: Todd Shorkey

James R. Barker Sails from Sturgeon Bay

 

03/18

The season’s first 1,000-footer out of Sturgeon Bay, the James R. Barker of the Interlake fleet, departed the PBI dock Wednesday morning through the ship canal to Lake Michigan, bound for Escanaba and her first load of the season.

Before the Barker got underway, the Edward L. Ryerson, which was rafted on the Barker’s outboard side, had to be moved. The Ryerson was eventually tied back at the PBI dock, although she will soon be towed to a dock at Bay Shipbuilding to free up the PBI dock area for development.

Barker heads away from her dock.
Passing through the ship canal.
Tugs secure Edward L. Ryerson at the PBI dock.

Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle

Redevelopment May be Ahead for Buffalo Harbor

03/18

A group of 30 national development firm representatives toured the Buffalo Outer Harbor area on the morning of March 18. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, city, county, and state are preparing to bid out redevelopment of about 120 acres of land on the site of the former Port of Buffalo. This area includes Seaway Piers and the adjacent dry bulk storage apron extending south toward the Bell Slip and Port Terminal buildings.  Local skeptics site 50 years worth of plans for the area have never been built but this time officials hope to get the ball rolling and start the project within a year.

Looking east at the Seaway piers and former dry bulk open storage area at the old Port of Buffalo.

Reported by: Brian Wroblewski

Open House Will Show Off New GLMA Facility

03/18

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City will host an open house on April 2 from 3-7 p.m. This event is in coordination with the grand opening of the new school’s new Maritime Campus facility. The new building and the training ship State of Michigan will be open to the public. All are welcome to attend and learn more about Michigan's Maritime College. Cadets and staff will be on hand to answer questions regarding the program and requirements for admission.

Reported by: GLMA

No Changes Yet in Proposed Soo Locks Security Plan

03/18

A second meeting was held Wednesday in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Soo Locks Administration Building to discuss proposed changes in a new security plan that were unveiled to the public three weeks ago. The two parts of the proposal that drew the most opposition at that time were plans to install a seven-foot, wrought iron fence to replace the present chain-link fence along the MacArthur Lock, and to enclose all the viewing stands with Plexiglas.

Wednesday’s meeting was called a the direction of USACE Detroit District Commander Lt. Col. Thomas Magness, who was concerned about the lack of public input prior to design of the project. Feedback from the prior meeting indicated a considerable amount of resentment to the plans by local tourism, merchandising and Visitor’s Center officials. Many boatwatchers also expressed their displeasure through this website.

Project engineer John Niemiec explained that no changes had been made to the plans since the meeting three weeks earlier, news which was not well recieved by those attending. However, Lee Robinson, from the Huntington Alabama USACE Security Group, said it is not too late to make changes that would accomplish the same level of security and be more “visitor friendly.”

The group eventually reached a consensus that moving the security perimeter from the wall of the MacArthur Lock to the present park perimeter and increasing inspection and screening of persons entering the park would accomplish the same purpose. It was also proposed that an addition to the height of the present fence along the lock wall would prevent throwing things over the fence, but would not restrict the viewing and photographing opportunities.

The question of Plexiglas enclosures for the viewing stands will be reviewed to see if a different type of material would provide security without creating photo restrictions and a greenhouse effect on hot summer days.

Sheri Davie from Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s Marquette office was present at the meeting and said that both Sen. Stabenow and Sen. Carl Levin have already received complaints about the Corps’ proposed plans. Both senators have indicated an interest the project.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Robinson and Niemiec expressed the opinion that the input received from this meeting would be reviewed within a month, and any changes would be transmitted to all the interested parties, however those present at the meeting were not overly optimistic that any changes would be made to the Corps proposal. Construction is expected to start in 3-4 weeks and be completed in August.

The following is provided should you chose to express an opinion:

E-Mail:
Sen. Debbie Stabenow – Stabenow.senate.gov/email.htm
Sen. Carl Levin – Levin.senate.gov/contact/index.htm   

E-Mail may also be addressed to:
Thomas.H.Magness.LTC@usace.army.mil

By U.S. Mail:
Ms. Sheri Davie
Regional Manager
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow
1901 West Ridge, Suite 7
Marquette, MI 49855

Reported by: Dave Wobser

Interest in Oglebay Vessels Reported Strong

03/18

As the vessels operated by Oglebay Norton Marine Services ready for their 150^th – and possibly last – season under the O-N banner, interest is high from parties wishing to obtain all or part of the fleet.

According to an article in the March 13 Cleveland Plain Dealer, a former O-N chief executive and the son of a former CEO are looking to buy the vessels and hire a former fleet president to run the business.

American Steamship Co. has also indicated an interest in leasing the boats and has been working with the union that represents officers aboard the fleet’s boats.

A group of O-N sailors is also trying to buy the vessels and other property in a employee stock ownership plan. If successful, the group would like to Stuart Theis, former president of the Marine Division, at the helm.

Tom Green, president and CEO of Oglebay from 1992-1997 and chairman from 1992 -1998, also said he is assembling an investor group that includes Renold Thompson Jr., whose late father, Renold “Renny” Thompson, ran Oglebay from 1982-1992.

“We just want to keep it in Cleveland if we can,” Green told the newspaper. “We think that's where it belongs.” Green also said his group is not interested in keeping the current O-N fleet alliance with American Steamship Co.

Finally, persistent waterfront reports indicate that Canada Steamship Lines may be  interested in acquiring at least two of the O-N steamers, while Grand River Navigation would also like to add another vessel to its fleet. Grand River already purchased the idle Richard Reiss from O-N earlier this year.

Oglebay filed Feb. 23 for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Any purchase now needs the blessing of a bankruptcy judge in Delaware. It is not known yet when a decision on the fleet’s assets will be made.

Reported by: Dave Wobser

Tug John Purves to Become Museum Display

03/17

The 1919-built tug John Purves has been donated by Andrie Inc. to the Door County Marine Museum. The 150-foot vessel was towed to Sturgeon Bay in November and is currently moored at a dock near the museum. She will eventually be restored to the colors of the Sturgeon Bay-based Roen Salvage Co., for which she operated for most of her career, and opened to the public as a DCMM exhibit, according to Mari-Times, the group’s newsletter.

John Purves at Sturgeon Bay recently.

Reported by: Door County Maritime Museum

Sundew Tackles Duluth-Superior Ice

03/16

The USCGC Sundew left her mooring at the Duluth Coast Guard station at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning. After backing out of her slip and across the harbor into the main shipping channel, she headed up the St. Louis River to break the ice around the Midwest Energy and DM&IR docks.  After that, she cut a track between the Duluth and Superior entrance. It took a while to get the first track cut. There were a number of times the Sundew had to back and ram to get through, but once the first track was cut she quickly ran back and forth further breaking up the ice. Once the ice in the harbor was sufficiently broken, the Sundew left through the Superior piers and headed out onto Lake Superior.  She only spent a brief moment on Lake Superior before heading to the Duluth piers. At 2:45 p.m., she was safely tied up and done for the day.

Sundew coming down the main shipping channel.
Up the river passing the Paul R. Tregurtha.
Coming back down the river.
Entering the Duluth shipping canal.

 Reported by: Brian Peterson

Saltie Marinette Sold For Scrap

03/16

One of the lakes’ most frequent saltwater visitors, the 1967-built Marinette, has been reported sold for scrapping in India. Her last trip into lakes was in December 2003 when she called at Green Bay and Toledo.

Reported by: Chris Frankowiak

Photos from 2002: Roger LeLievre
Marinette bow view.
Marinette stern.

Roman Loads First Cargo at Picton

03/16

The Stephen B. Roman departed Toronto for its first trip of the season Monday, loading cement at Picton for Rochester. The English River is expected to begin service shortly.

Reported by: Art Church

Shipmasters Group Visits Sarnia Traffic

03/16

Last Saturday, members of Port Huron Shipmasters Lodge #2 and members of Detroit ISMA Lodge 7 were given the opportunity to tour the Sarnia Traffic/Great Lakes Ice Breaking Center in Sarnia, Ont.

Click here to view

Reported by: Frank Frisk:

Quebec Harbor Report

03/16

Groupe Desgagnes’newly-acquired Camilla Desgagnes arrived in Quebec Harbor March 12 from St. Johns, Nfld.
Camilla Desgagnes, stern view.
Fantom, a bulk carrier flagged in Panama, loading wheat for a foreign port.
Humber Arm, Bermuda flag, loading newsprint on Feb. 28 for Cornerbrook, Nfld.

Reported by: Frederick Frechette