Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive

Stahl Continues

04/30
Tuesday afternoon the tug Roger Stahl passed upbound at the Soo Locks enroute to Superior, Wisconsin for the tow of the Michipicoten to Sarnia. The Roger Stahl made a quick stop at the Soo Warehouse and then proceeded to lock upbound in the MacArthur Lock.

The Stahl cleared the locks upbound around 4 p.m. and is expected in Duluth Wednesday evening. The Michipicoten tow is expected to depart on Friday.

Tuesday crews were hard at work in Fraser Shipyards preparing the Michipicoten for departure. Work included a fresh coat of Lower Lakes Towing gray paint on the hull.

Roger Stahl at the Soo Locks by Scott Best
Lower approach to the lock.
In the MacArthur Lock.
Passing.
Stern view.

Work on the Michipicoten by Glenn Blaszkiewicz
New paint.
Another view.

Reported by: Scott Best and Glenn Blaszkiewicz

Barge Grounds in Manistee

04/30
The tank barge E-63, pushed by the tug Mark Hannah, spent most of Monday stuck in Manistee harbor. According to local media the barge grounded about 8:30 a.m. while attempting to leave Manistee with a load of brine destined for Ludington. The barge was drawing 16 to 17 feet at the time.

The barge was later pulled free about 9:30 p.m. with assistance from another tug.

Reported by: Tom Hynes

Pellet Terminal Move

04/30
The tug Ohio and barge Milwaukee delivered their first load to the new location of the pellet terminal Monday evening. By Tuesday morning they were loading again in Lorain for shipment to the CBT dock on Whiskey Island. It is expected to take 3-4 loads to move all of the equipment from Lorain to Cleveland.

Equipment after being offloaded.
Another view.
New conveyor system under construction.

Reported by:

Atlantic Superior Arrives

04/30
The Atlantic Superior arrived under the Duluth Aerial Bridge about 1:10 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. A crowd was on hand to welcome the Superior, on her first trip since returning from East Coast service.

Instead of going directly to DM & IR, she tied up at the Port Terminal.

Reported by: J. A. Baumhofer

Wooden Shoes for PM41

04/30
On April 13 the barge Pere Marquette 41 and tug Undaunted opened the 2003 season at Holland, MI. The barge was loaded with stone from Port Inland for the Brewer dock.

Captain Tom Dawes received the Honorary Wooden Shoes in a small ceremony Thursday, April 24 while loading pig iron at the Padnos dock. They were loading for Algoma Steel in the Soo.

The Undaunted and Pere Marquette 41 was also the first vessel into Holland for 2002 with a load of stone from Cedarville to the Brewer dock. No wooden Shoes were awarded that year.

Reported by: Bob Vande Vusse

Twin Ports Report

04/30
Two seldom-seen Canadian visitors were scheduled called at the Twin Ports on Tuesday. Nanticoke was due at the BNSF ore dock in Superior and Atlantic Superior was expected to load at the DMIR dock. Other Canadian callers included CSL Niagara loading at DMIR and Algolake due to load at Midwest Energy Terminal.

Also in port was the Kaye E. Barker, unloading stone at the CLM dock in Superior, Mesabi Miner, loading at BNSF, and the saltie Kapitonas A. Lucka, loading at the Cenex Harvest States elevator.

Today's traffic is scheduled to include Isolda arriving at AGP elevator in Superior. That would be AGP's first ship of the season, and possible the season's first grain cargo to be shipped from any elevator other than Harvest States. Also due at the port terminal today is the Fairload.

The saga of the Twin Ports ice jam appears to be over. Westerly winds on Sunday night blew the slowly shrinking mess to the Wisconsin shore. Inside the harbor, the wind nicely cleared the General Mills, Cargill and Lafarge slips and shepherded the ice into shallow water behind Park Point. Both Duluth and Superior entrances are now wide open.

Kaye E. Barker at Cutler Stone in Superior. Glenn Blaszkiewicz

Reported by: Al Miller

Marquette News

04/30
The American Mariner arrived at the Marquette ore dock Tuesday morning and left with her load just after 8 pm. The Reserve is due early Wednesday morning. On Thursday the Kaye Barker will be bringing a load of coal to the Shiras Steam Plant, then will transfer to the upper harbor to take on ore. The John J. Boland is on the schedule for Friday.

American Mariner loading.
Bow view.

Reported by: Lee Rowe

Saginaw Update

04/30
A trio of vessels called on the Saginaw River Tuesday morning, all unloading within view of each other. First in Was the CSL Tadoussac, who called at the Essroc Terminal in Essexville to unload clinker. This is the Tadoussac's third visit to the dock this season.

Next in was the McKee Sons - Invincible. The pair eased past the Tadoussac to lighter at the Sargent Dock in Essexville before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Saginaw Rock Products Dock. The McKee Sons was headed for the Sixth Street Turning Basin shortly before 11pm to turn and head outbound.

The Sam Laud was the final inbound vessel. She entered the Bay Aggregates Dock stern first to unload. The Laud departed the dock and was outbound during the afternoon.

Also transiting the river Tuesday was the Tug Gregory J. Busch and Barge STC 2004. The pair were outbound from Carrollton early in the afternoon.

Pictures by Todd Shorkey
CSL Tadoussac at Essroc.
Mckee Sons-Invincible passing the Tadoussac.
Mckee Sons head on.
Mckee Sons working toward the Sargent Dock.
Stern view.
Sam Laud pouring on the power.
Laud close up.
Sam Laud backing into the Bay Aggregates slip next to the Tadoussac.
Sam Laud seen under the boom of the McKee Sons.
Laud, McKee Sons and Tadoussac.

Reported by: Stephen Hause, Todd Shorkey and Lon Morgan

Cleveland Update

04/30
Cleveland was busy with stone and cement shipments on Tuesday. The Federal Hunter continued to offload at Dock 24 and may depart Tuesday evening.

The barge St. Marys II and tug Sea Eagle were unloading throughout the day at the Blue Circle dock on the river. The Alpena arrived off Cleveland about 4 p.m. and was assisted into the Lafarge dock by the G tug California.

The Kellstone barge and Palladino tug arrived about 4:30 p.m. and waited at Dock 20 for river traffic to clear before proceeding to its normal dock.

The Mississagi unloaded a partial cargo of stone at Dock 20 Tuesday morning and then continued upriver to the Cuyahoga Road Products dock to complete its unload. When the Mississagi departed Dock 20 at 10 a.m. the Maumee was entering the outer piers to take its place.

he Maumee unloaded stone at Dock 20 throughout the day and departed at 4 p.m. The Mississagi was downbound on the Cuyahoga at 5 p.m. with G tug assistance.

Mississagi entering the River.
Mississagi with Maumee in the background.
Mississagi under the Detroit Superior bridge.
Close up under the bridge.
Alpena slipping into the Lafarge terminal.
Casting off the tow line.
Tug California.
Tug Nancy Anne heading back to the water treatment plant.
Sam Laud close up.

Reported by: Rex Cassidy

Toronto News

04/30
The saltie Federal Polaris finished unloading late Monday and departed during the night. Her spot at the Redpath Sugar dock was taken over by the arrival Tuesday afternoon of the Polish saltie Warta.

Some additional McNally Construction Inc. equipment arrived in port Tuesday afternoon from the Welland Canal and was berthed at Pier 35 with the other McNally equipment involved in the deep-water cooling project.

The C & C Marine tug Patricia D. brought the crane barge Pitts Carillon over from Ontario Place to the Turning Basin Tuesday afternoon. The crane barge was involved in dredging the "Haida Channel" at Ontario Place last year. The Carillon remained at Ontario Place during the winter and its return to port must mean that the "Haida Channel" has been refilled.

Reported by: Gerry O.

St. Lawrence Seaway & River News

04/30
Expected to arrive in Montreal Wednesday is the navy ship HMCS Halifax . Her last port of call was Halifax and after the stop in Montreal she will head for Port Weller.

Entering the Seaway Tuesday afternoon for the first time under her current name was the Orna bound for Côte Ste. Catherine from Contrecoeur. The vessel is on charter to Canadian Forest Navigation (Canfornav) according to her funnel markings. Below St. Lambert lock, she slowed down to allow her fleet mate Milo to clear the lock. Both vessels were built in Japan in 1984 and are sister ships. The Orna is likely the first foreign-flag vessel to visit Côte Ste. Catherine during the 2003 season. She recently acquired the name Orna and the name was almost painted out on her bow, starboard side.

More new ships are expected to Great Lakes ports in less than a week. The chemical tanker Panam Flota will go to Clarkson, Thekla to Cleveland and Jana to Oshawa. Thekla and Jana are sister ships built in The Netherlands and are general cargo ships.

Reported by: René Beauchamp

Spar Jade in the Welland Canal

04/30
The following images were taken Tuesday morning onboard the Spar Jade in the Welland Canal. She was upbound from Hamilton enroute to load soybeans in Goderich for a thirty plus day voyage to Japan.

While the world sleeps the ships keep moving.
Passing under the Garden City Skyway and through the Homer Bridge.
Raising in Lock 3.
Under the Glendale Avenue Bridge.
Entering the flight locks.
The Bridge.
View from the Monkey's Island.
Raising in Lock 4.
Port Bridge Wing.
Name Board.
Entering Lock 5.
After raising just under 50 feet the line handlers look pretty small!
Preparing to enter Lock 7 with the vessel's Master Capt. Ajay Kumar looking on.
Safely in Lock 7.
Continuing her voyage to Goderich.

Reported by: Capt. Alain M. Gindroz

Today in Great Lakes History - April 30

The IRVIN L. CLYMER returned to service April 30, 1988 after a two season lay-up.

HOWARD HINDMAN (2) grounded heavily when her steering cable parted at Little Rapids Cut in the St. Marys River, April 30, 1969. Due to the extensive damage, she was sold later in May of that year to Marine Salvage Ltd., Port Colborne, Ont. for scrap.

The RED WING (2) tow arrived at Kaohsiung, Taiwan on April 30, 1987 for dismantling.

The steel-hulled bulk carrier SHENANGO was launched on April 30, 1909.

On 30 April 1842, the side-wheeler COMMODORE BARRIE collided with the schooner CANADA about 10 miles off Long Point in Lake Ontario. The COMMODORE BARRIE became disabled and then sank about an hour and a half later. Her passengers and crew were rescued by the CANADA.

On 30 April 1878, ST. LAWRENCE (2-mast wooden schooner, 93', 111 t, built in 1842 at Clayton, NY) was carrying timber when she caught fire from the boiling over of a pot of pitch which was being melted on the galley stove. The vessel was well out on Lake Michigan off Milwaukee. The fire spread so rapidly that the crew had no time to haul in canvas, so when they abandoned her, she was sailing at full speed. The lifeboat capsized as soon as it hit the water, drowning the captain and a passenger. The ST. LAWRENCE sailed off ablaze and was seen no more. The rest of the crew was later rescued by the schooner GRANADA.

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

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

Roger Stahl departs for Superior

04/29
Gaelic's big tug Roger Stahl departed about 10 a.m. from the Gaelic yard on the Rouge River in Detroit. The tug is bound for Superior, Wisconsin to pick up the Michipicoten.

Captain John Wellington, chief engineer Jim Storen and their crews checked all the tugs equipment and gear, the big EMD GM diesels came to life, lines let go and headed out to another heavy tow.

The Michipicoten (ex Elton Hoyt II), will be picked up at Frasier shipyard in Superior and towed to Sarnia Ontario to be reflagged Canadian.

The tow is expected to depart Duluth on Friday.

AB Bobby Frederickson cleaning the pilot house windows to prepare the Stahl for departure.
Captain John Wellington gives the order to cast off the lines.
The tug Roger Stahl outbound the Rouge River at the Fort Street Bridge with the Stars and Stripes flying high.

Reported by: Bill Hoey

Barging of Lorain Pellet Terminal

04/29
Monday morning the Great Lakes Towing tug Ohio and barge Milwaukee were in Lorain preparing to move the first of the large components from the Lorain Pellet Terminal to the Cleveland Bulk Terminal.

The cargo loaded on Monday is the largest part of the ship loader, which takes up almost the entire length of the 172-foot long barge.

Great Lakes Towing is managing the barge portion of the move for the company Tetra Tech, who is the prime contractor on the project. Loading was completed Monday afternoon and the tug and barge departed. They arrived in Cleveland Monday night and were expected to head back to Lorain for another trip Tuesday morning.

Ohio and barge Milwaukee arriving at 8:00 a.m. Monday morning, under the command of Captain Brian Rogers.
Docked for loading.
Components loaded.
Loading continues.

Reported by: Jerry Popiel

Frantz Update

04/29
Monday morning the Joseph H. Frantz remained low in the Toledo Shiprepair drydock and appears that she may be in drydock for several more days.

Crews were working on the stack of the vessel, installing the silver "S"' on each side of the stack. There stack is still the painted with the yellow band but will likely be painted over to the green color. Her hull is painted in a darker reddish brown color scheme. Her name remains "Joseph H. Frantz" in freshly painted white color letter on the bow and stern of the vessel.

Reported by: Jim Hoffman

Unusual Traffic at the Soo

04/29
Traffic at the Soo Locks Monday was highlighted by a number or rare or unusual vessels. Several CSL vessels were in the river all day, starting with the CSL Niagara and Atlantic Superior upbound. The CSL Laurentien and Atlantic Erie were downbound Monday. Other unusual traffic included; Capt Henry Jackman upbound for Thunder Bay to load potash and the Wilfred Sykes downbound with a load of ore from Marquette.

Wilfred Sykes entering the Mac Lock.
Stern view below the lock.
Capt. Henry Jackman upbound Mac Lock.
Atlantic Superior approaching the Poe Lock.
Stern view entering the lock.
Spar Opal downbound below the Mac Lock.
Spar Opal and Algolake pass at West Pier.
Tug Missouri after assisting the Spar Opal.

Reported by: Scott Best

Saginaw News

04/29
The Pathfinder-Dorothy Ann made her first visit of the season to the Saginaw River on Monday unloading at the Bay Aggregates Dock. The pair arrived during the early morning hours and was outbound during the afternoon. This was the first cargo of the season for the Bay Agg. Dock.

Todd Shorkey
Dorothy Ann-Pathfinder downbound from Bay Aggregates.
Stern view.
Dorothy Ann close up.

Reported by: Stephen Hause, Todd Shorkey and Lon Morgan

Goderich Update

04/29
The Algosteel loaded salt on Thursday, departing for Milwaukee. On Friday, the Canadian Navigator was helped into position at the salt mine by the tugs, and watched by the many fishermen out on a lovely afternoon. The Algorail was in port on Sunday, loading salt for Chicago.

Reported by: Lisa Stuparyk

Detroit Traffic

04/29
tug James A Hannah & barge Hannah 5101 loading asphalt at the Marathon Dock in the Rouge River.
Close up of tug.
tug Karen Andrie and barge A 397 tied up at Zug Island waiting for the Hannah 5101 and James A Hannah to finish loading at Marathon.
James R Barker turning into Zug Island Ore Dock.
Stern view.
Tankerman extraordinaire Bob Seech busy tankering the barge Allied Chemical No. 2 at the MMT Dock in the Rouge River.
tug Roger Stahl departing the Rouge River for the upper Lakes.
Passing.
Stern view.
Faust Marine Corp. tug Cormorant outbound the Rouge River to pick up a barge.
tug Patricia Hoey pushing the barge Allied Chemical No 12 from the MMT Dock in the Rouge River to the Allied Chemical Dock in the old Rouge River.
James R Barker unloading at Zug Island.
barge Allied Chemical No 12 at her dock in the old Rouge River.
H Lee White unloading coal on Zug Island in the Rouge Shortcut Canal.
Stern view.
Faust tug Cormorant and barge inbound the Rouge River.

Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Cleveland Update

04/29
Sunday fleet mates the Fred R. White Jr., Reserve, Earl W. Oglebay and David Z. Norton were all in Cleveland. The White was fitting out to go to Cedarville and finally off the ISG shuttle.

In port Monday was the tug Frank Palladino and barge Kellstone, Southdown Challenger and the Federal Hunter at the port docks.

Reported by: Bill Kloss

Welland Canal Traffic

04/29
Below are images taken Monday by Bill Bird.
Griffon at anchor at Port Robinson at the entrance to the old channel of the canal (discontinued after the bypass was built).
Workboat used to service buoys.
Quebecois upbound at Port Robinson.
Entering the Welland bypass.
Stephen B. Roman approaching Lock 1.
Birchglen passing through Homer Bridge downbound.
Birchglen clear of Bridge on her way to Lock 2.
Algowood upbound clear of Lock 1.
Algowood approaching Lock 2.

Below are images taken Sunday by Eric Holmes.
CSL Tadoussac upbound at Lock 7.
Another view.
Vancouverborg downbound at Lock 4 & 3.
Chios Pride leaving Lock 3 .

Hamilton Update

04/29
The Spar Jade, which had been in Hamilton since April 24, transited the Burlington Ship Canal at 6:30 p.m. heading for the Welland Canal.

The tug John Spence and barge McAsphalt 401 were moored at Pier 23 and had almost finished their unloading. The Navitas Prelude was moored at Pier 12.

Reported by: Patricia Burgon

Toronto Update

04/29
The cement carrier English River came into port early Monday and unloaded its cargo; departing around 10 p.m. The ferry Thomas Rennie went into service Monday for the first time this season. The smaller ferry William Inglis was taken out of service for maintenance.

Reported by: Gerry O.

Monday at Clarkson

04/29
Monday morning the Vega Desgagnes was at the Petro Canada dock. She arrived overnight Sunday with cargo from the Seaway. As of late Monday afternoon she was still discharging.

Reported by: Bryan Ridley

Federal Hudson on the Seaway

04/29
Monday afternoon the Federal Hudson was upbound passing Brockville.

Upbound.
Close up.

Reported by: Keith Giles

St. Lawrence River Traffic at Verchères

04/29
Hickory WLB-212 off Varennes, April 24.
Orna, Lanoraie Anchorage, waiting for a berth at Contrecoeur, April 25.
Orna at Lanoraie Anchorage, April 25.
Cabot downbound from Montréal passing anchored Orna April 25.
Mate Zalka downbound from Montréal, April 26.
Federal Oshima downbound from Montréal, April 27.
Stern view.
Algoway upbound for Seaway, April 27.
Cast Progress downbound from Montréal, April 27.
Federal Hudson upbound to Montréal, April 27.
Stern view.
Enchanter assisted by Ocean Jupiter docking at Contrecoeur no.2, April 28.
Kaptan Burhanettin Isim, Turkish flag RORO upbound for Montréal berth 66, April 28.

Reported by: Marc Piché

Active and Laid-up Boats in Manistee and Ludington

04/29
On Sunday the Captain Ralph Tucker was in Manistee as was the tug Mark Hannah with a barge that appeared to be the E-63. Ludington had no commercial traffic in port but it appears that several fish tugs are active.

City of Milwaukee in Manistee.
Stern View.
Unidentified fish tug in Ludington.
Manistee harbor looking south. Martin Marietta on left, PCA paper mill on right. Ralph Tucker was docked just out of view to left.
Mark Hannah and barge from a distance.
Another distant view.
Captain Ralph Tucker at General Chemical dock.
Spartan awaiting its fate in Ludington.

Reported by: Tom Hynes

Lake Superior on Lake Erie

04/29
The following images were taken onboard Fednav's Lake Superior on a voyage from Detroit Pilot Station to Lock 7 on April 27 and 28. Lake Superior is bound for Ghent, Belgium with a cargo of grain loaded in Thunder Bay. This efficient carrier was built in 1981 at the Cockerill Yards at Hoboken, Belgium and was originally named Federal Thames until 1995.

She is one of four sisters built at the same yard all measuring 222,48m x 23,13m (729' 11" x 75" 10") and is registered at Majuro in the Marshall Islands.

Lake Superior and her sisters Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and Lake Michigan are a regular sight on the Great Lakes having traded here for over twenty years since their commissioning.

Interestingly, on Sunday morning the saltwater vessel Lake Superior met the lake vessel Atlantic Superior on Lake St. Clair.

Atlantic Superior upbound on the Detroit River as seen from Windsor.
Livingston Channel viewed through the sun screen on a bright spring day.
Philip R Clarke upbound at South East Shoal.
Engine and Bow Thruster console. Combinator on full ahead as we enter open waters.
Twelve hours to Port Colborne.
Bridge deck.
No doubt about her former identity.
Fednav logo on the funnel.
Conference Room.
Another view.
Sparkling hallway. The crew takes great pride in keeping this vessel ship-shape.
This sign is displayed at every door through out the ship.
Poop Deck. Southdown Challenger can be seen on the horizon.
Prommenade Deck and lifeboat.
Main Deck.
Another view.
Forecastle.
Anchor chain.
Port Colborne dead ahead 148 nautical miles away.
Full sea speed.
Lifering.
Setting sun behind the Marshall Islands flag.
Another day draws to and end for the good ship Lake Superior.
We reach Port Colborne and another day begins..
Entering the Welland Canal.
Lake Superior's finest! Chief Officer Gregorz Banasik (left) and Capt. Miroslaw Kosmala (right).
Capt. Kosmala proudly showing off his vessel in the current issue of Know Your Ships.
Departing Lock 8.
Closing up astern.
Passing by the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Griffon and the Cuyahoga at Wharf 12.
Cuyahoga loading stone.
Birds eye view.
Time to enjoy a Polish breakfast.
Chief Officer and AB.
Under Bridge 11 at Allanburg.
Through the old Guard Gate area approaching Lock 7.
Algomarine secured at the Tin Shed waiting for traffic to clear.

Reported by: Capt. Alain M. Gindroz

Today in Great Lakes History - April 29

On April 29, 1975, the Sam Laud entered service.

Launched this date in 1976 was the a) SOODOC (2)

On April 29, 1977 while inbound at Lorain, the IRVING S. OLDS hit a bridge on the Black River which extensively damaged her bow, tying up traffic for several hours.

A fender boom fell on the GEORGE M. HUMPHREY's pilot house in the Poe Lock at the Soo in 1971.

On 29 April 1865, L.D. COWAN (wooden schooner, 165 t, built in 1848 at Erie, PA) was driven ashore near Pointe aux Barques, MI in a storm and wrecked.

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

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

Seaway hoping for a better grain crop

04/28
Canadian port and maritime officials are joining prairie farmers in praying for a good grain crop this year.

"If we had to weather a third bad year in a row, it would be a real disaster," said Dennis Johnson, chief executive officer of the Thunder Bay Port Authority. "I can't even comprehend the result."

Port operators, grain handling companies, elevator workers, vessel owners, sailors, marine suppliers and St. Lawrence Seaway employees all have a financial stake in how much grain is moved by water to domestic buyers and overseas customers. Reduced grain shipments also mean fewer vessels available to backhaul iron ore to steel mills in Ontario and the United States, which means higher shipping rates for steel manufacturers.

No one knows how this year's crop will turn out and what the demand for shipping will be in autumn, but one thing is certain: not much grain will move during the first few months of the 2003 navigation season.

If the board's projections for the rest of the crop year are correct, and if shipments of other grains continue at a similar pace, total eastbound shipments for the 2002-03 crop year will end up at 2.9 million to 3.4 million tonnes. That would make the current crop year the worst in the 50-year history of the Seaway system. The previous low was 5.2 million tonnes in 1988-89, following the 1988 drought.

Shipments have averaged 6.4 million tonnes annually over the past five years.

Back in Thunder Bay's heyday in the early 1980s, annual shipments out of the port routinely exceeded 15 million tonnes. However, changes in world grain demand during the past decades, in particular the loss of the former Soviet Union market and reduced sales to Europe, resulted in a shift in Canada's export program to the West Coast.

Grain companies have closed Thunder Bay terminals over the past decade, and the number of full-time grain workers at the port has dropped accordingly, from a high of 1,500 to 350 last year.

Poor prairie crops in the last couple of years have only added to the port's woes.

"We still have huge overcapacity," said Johnson. "We've got all these terminals here and I don't see how they can sustain themselves if we have another bad year."

Reported by: William Blair

Frantz in Dry Dock

04/28
Sunday morning the Joseph H. Frantz remained in the Toledo Shiprepair Dry Dock. The dock remained empty of water indicating that the Frantz would remain through the weekend and could stay for several more days.

Reported by: Jim Hoffman

Marquette Update

04/28
The Herbert Jackson arrived in Marquette on Sunday and took a load of ore. The Wilfred Sykes was expected late Sunday night. The John J. Boland is due early Monday morning, the American Mariner on Tuesday, and the Reserve possibly on Wednesday.

Reported by: Lee Rowe

News from Menominee

04/28
On Friday evening, the new Palmer Johnson-built yacht, Milk and Honey, arrived in Menominee for fit-out. She is currently docked at the K&K Warehouse Dock directly behind the Viking I. It is not known at this time who will do the fit-out work on her, or where the actual work will be done.

On Saturday afternoon, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mobile Bay and her barge arrived in the bay off Menominee to do maintenance on the channel marker buoys. All three channel marker buoys are now in place.

Bow view of Milk and Honey.
Stern view.
Another view.
The old (Viking I) and the new (Milk & Honey) together at K&K .
Mobile Bay in the bay of Green Bay off Menominee replacing buoys.

Reported by: Dick Lund

Wreck in Milwaukee

04/28
Low water levels this spring have exposed additional sections of a local wreck in Milwaukee. Located on the Kinnickinnic River, the wooden tug Edward E. Gillen sits in the mud across from the Gillen Company headquarters.

The 73' long tug was built in Sturgeon Bay, WI in 1928 and removed from documentation as "dismantled' in April 1964.

Resting in the mud.
Gillen dock in the background.
Stern showing the rudder post.
On board looking towards the bow.
Wooden construction shown at the bow.
Looking down river towards the Cemex Cement silos.

Reported by: Andy LaBorde

Conquest in Grand Haven

04/28
The Southdown Conquest came into Grand Haven, Mich. mid afternoon Sunday. It was viewed by many people walking the Boardwalk on a fine Spring Day.

Reported by: Don Geske

Alpena News

04/28
The J.A.W Iglehart came into port Sunday evening. It loaded cement for Heron Bay, ON. This will be its first trip up to Lake Superior for the season. Waiting for the departure of the Iglehart was the Steamer Alpena. It arrived at the loading dock around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.

The Jacklyn M barge Integrity is due into port on Monday afternoon.

Reported by: Ben & Chanda McClain

Saginaw Report

04/28
The Frontenac departed the Essroc Terminal early Saturday morning after unloading clinker. She backed out to Light 12 of the Entrance Channel before turning around and proceeding out to the lake.

Checking back to wait for the Frontenac to make her turn was the inbound Algorail. The Algorail continued upriver to the Sargent Dock in Zilwaukee to unload. She was outbound Saturday evening passing through Downtown Bay City around 6:30 p.m.

Pictures by Todd Shorkey
Algorail downbound at Liberty Bridge.
Another view.
Stern view.

Reported by: Stephen Hause, Todd Shorkey and Lon Morgan

Beeghly Departs the Rouge

04/28
Sunday morning the Charles M. Beeghly finished unloading at Rouge Steel in Detroit and departed.

Departing Rouge Steel.
Lining up for the Dix Ave. Bridge.
Outbound for the Detroit River.

Reported by: Wade Streeter

Island Gem Loads

04/28
Sunday the saltie Island Gem, flying the flag of Greece, was loading coils of steel at the former McLouth Steel dock in Ecorse, MI. This is the second cargo loaded at the site for export.

Reported by: Marv Hoffmeyer

Calumet Unloads

04/28
Calumet delivered stone to Osborne in Fairport, OH Thursday evening. Following normal procedure she lightered first at the Osborne North Dock. The Calumet then moved upstream to the south dock, on the turning basin, to finish the unload at the concrete plant.

Lightering at the North dock .
Close up.
Moving upstream to finish the unload, bow thruster operating .
Lining up at the South dock on the turning basin - steam from the steering engine as the boom comes out .
Swinging out the boom.

Reported by: Dave Merchant and Greg Stephens

Erie Update

04/28
The Philip R. Clarke became the first salt boat of 2003 into Erie on Sunday. The Clarke arrived at about 3 a.m. with salt from Fairport Harbor. The vessel turned in the harbor to tie up at the Mounfort Terminal, and unloaded in about 6 hours. The Clarke was outbound from Erie at about 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

An hour before the Clarke departed, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bramble left after replacing buoys in Erie Harbor.

The J.S. St. John arrived in Erie early Sunday morning. This is the shortest time the St. John has spent in drydock over the past three years. Sunday morning the vessel was tied up at the Old Ore Dock and appeared to be getting ready to go out and dredge Lake Erie.

Clarke at the Mounfort Terminal, 8 a.m. Sunday.
Unloading.
Bramble Outbound at 8:15.
Away from dock at 9:20.
Departing.
Close Up.
Stern View.
Clarke passes the fishermen enjoying a beautiful Sunday morning.
J.S. St. John at the Old Ore Dock.
Day Peckinpaugh laid up across from the St. John.

Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Welland Canal Update

04/28
Sunday the carferry Jiimaan was moved from the dry dock at Port Weller Dry Docks and placed at the fit out wall.

Pictures taken Friday by Jeff Thoreson
Algowood upbound below Lock 3. In ballast for a Lake Erie port.
Sea Eagle II/St. Mary's Cement II downbound below Lock 3. In ballast bound for Bowmanville to load.
Passing the Algowood.
Algowood slides along the North Wall of Lock 3.
Looking Down the Deck.
St. Mary's Cement downbound above Lock 3.
Tug Sea Eagle II.
Stern view of the Sea Eagle II/St. Mary's Cement II.
CSL Niagara upbound above Lock 1. Cargo of Iron Ore for Toledo.
CSL Niagara stern view.
Atlantic Huron in Port Weller.
Atlantic Superior tied up at Wharf 2, the Port Weller Sand Dock. Destined for Duluth to load for Nanticoke.
View from across the canal.
Crew Members on the bow.
Stern View of the Tarnowska.

Reported by: Jimmy Sprunt and Jeff Thoreson

Toronto Report

04/28
Saturday the Algomarine arrived with a cargo of salt. She unloaded and departed before midnight.

Reported by: Gerry O.

Kingston News

04/28
The Kinston area was busy Sunday as there were several ships at anchor until noon when the American Narrows were reopened to navigation after closing due to fog. The Rixta Oldendorf, Cedarglen, Federal St. Laurent and Jo Spirit were all at anchor eastbound.

The CCGS Simcoe was in Kingston Sunday night to work on aids in the Upper and Lower Gap areas. The tanker Saturn went to Oswego that afternoon and the English River departed Bath with cement for Toronto.

Reported by: Ron Walsh

Work aboard the Samuel Risley

04/28
Photos taken from the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley as she was working buoys in Thunder Bay and transiting from Thunder Bay to Parry Sound, Ontario. April 24 and 25.

The light at the entrance to the Mission river, Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Lifting the SP barge off the deck.
Preparing to place the SP barge in the water.
The SP barge on the way to repositioning some buoys.
Deacon working on his Steering Testimonial.
Helena Oldendorff in Whitefish Bay.
CSL Laurentien upbound at light 26.
Another view of CSL Laurentien.
Presque Isle downbound toward the Poe lock.
Island Gem at Algoma.
Makeevka upbound from the MacArthur lock.
Another view of the Makeevka.
A train waiting for the ships to pass so the bridge can be lowered.
Missouri in the Poe upbound to meet the Helena Oldendorff.
“Detroit Angie” and a friend at the Soo locks.
One of the linesmen at the MacArthur lock.
Curious onlookers.
More curious onlookers.
USCGC Buckthorn at the bottom of the Rock Cut.
Another view of the Buckthorn loading.
Roger Blough upbound at Lime Island.
Another view of the Roger Blough.

April 26 in Parry Sound. The Risley arrived in Parry Sound early in the morning to load stores, lube oil and buoys. Because of the extreme ice conditions this year the buoy programs (ATON) are lagging.
The supplier loads food into a basket for us.
A basket of grub comes over the rail.
Guiding the food basket into the Stores hatch.
Grub goes here. Waaay down in the bowels of the ship – pardon the pun.
A load of buoys on deck ready for the first trip of the spring.
New style, self-contained buoy lamps. Lantern, solar panels, batteries all-in-one.
The new lamps aren’t small but they are compact compared to the old system.
Even smaller, self-contained lamps. These are for very small buoys.
Less than a foot high.
Old style lamps are still in use. This is about 2 feet high and does not contain battery or solar panel..
Buoys on the dock waiting for the next trip..

Reported by: Paul Beesley

New Tolls, New Security for Mackinaw Bridge

04/28
The Mackinac Bridge Authority is gearing up for a season of improvements that will extend the life of the Mackinac Bridge with an $8 million painting contract and implementation of a new, additional $1 million security system. The new security system includes more cameras, motion detectors and alarms strategically placed throughout the structure to deter potential intruders from gaining access.

"The bridge is almost 50 years old. After all these years, the layers of paint need to be removed and reapplied to preserve the integrity of the structure," said MBA Administrator Bob Sweeney. "We want Michigan's prominent landmark to be around for another 50 years."

The painting project, scheduled to begin in May, will last throughout the season and is part of a series of painting contracts totaling $75 million over the next several years. The current contract includes extensive paint removal and repainting of the bridge.

"As for the new security system, it'll enable us to see many different areas of the bridge,” said Sweeney. "We'll be able to monitor activities around the clock from more vantage points."

Effective May 1, 2003, a new toll structure will help pay for the needed improvements:
$1.25 per axle for passenger vehicles;
$1.50 per vehicle for commuters;
$2.00 per axle for motor homes; and
$3.00 per axle for all other vehicles (including trucks and buses).

The Bridge Authority voted in December to give commuters a 40 percent discount per crossing. Commuter cards or tokens can be purchased in $36 increments. More information is available from the MBA at (906) 643-7600.

Reported by: Dave Helwig

Weekly Updates

04/28
The weekly updates have been uploaded.
Click here to view

Today in Great Lakes History - April 28

The 660 ft. forward section of the a) LEWIS WILSON FOY (b) OGLEBAY NORTON) was launched April 28,1977.

LAKE WABUSH (b) CAPT. HENRY JACKMAN) was christened and launched April 28, 1981

On April 28, 1971 while upbound from Sorel, Que. for Muskegon, MI with a load of pig iron, LACHINEDOC (2) struck Rock Shoal off Little Round Island in the St. Lawrence River and was beached.

On April 28, 1906 the J. PIERPONT MORGAN was launched.

April 28, 1897 - The F&PM (Flint & Pere Marquette) Steamer No. 1, bound from Milwaukee for Chicago ran ashore just north of Evanston. She released herself after a few hours.

The barge LITTLE JAKE was launched on 28 April 1875 at East Saginaw, MI. She was owned by William R. Burt & Co. Her dimensions were 132' x 29' x 9'.

On 28 April 1877, the steam barge C. S. BALDWIN went ashore on the reef at North Point on Lake Huron during a blinding snow storm. The barge was heavily loaded with iron ore and sank in a short time. The crew was saved by the Lifesaving Service from Thunder Bay Station and by the efforts of the small tug FARRAR.

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

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

Frantz in Dry Dock

04/27
Saturday morning the Joseph H. Frantz remained in drydock at Toledo Shiprepair. She was sitting low in the empty dry dock; the dry docking was originally scheduled for one day. It is possible that crews found an area of the hull that needed repair before she could sail or crews could be completing paint work.

The stack remains in the Oglebay Norton scheme. It will likely be Monday before she comes off the drydock.

Reported by: Jim Hoffman

Students and teachers evacuated from an icebound coastal freighter

04/27
Two Canadian Coast Guard helicopters from the CCGS Martha L Black are air lifting today 44 students and their four teachers from the ice jammed Nordic Express (210 feet Long -G.T. 1,748 tons-twin screws-engines-6,000 hp) a coastal passenger-freighter owned and operated by the Group Desgagnes.

The students from a Quebec City private school, Le Petit Seminaire de Québec had boarded the ship in Rimouski Qué. on April 14 on what was to be an educational eight days excursion to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. After an uneventful passage along the Quebec North-Shore, the Nordic Express became stranded on April 19 in hard rafted ice 25 km off the tiny village of Blanc- Sablonc QC near the western entrance of the straits of Belle-Isle approximately 700 miles east of Quebec City near the northern tip of Newfoundland.

Two Canadian Coast-Guard icebreakers, the CCGS Terry Fox and Martha L Black attempted all week to free the coastal freighter and to escort it to open water without success due mainly to the worse ice conditions recorded in thirty years and due to unfavourable prevailing winds from an easterly direction pushing in winter ice from the ''Straits'' then southerly winds jamming the ice to the north shore.

The decision to evacuate the stranded passengers was taken by the Groupe Desgagnes seeing that no improvements in the ice conditions were foreseen for the next days.

It was therefore decided that the Martha L Black was to come alongside the Nordic Express and off lift the students and their teachers by helicopter to the village of Vieux-Fort nearby Blanc-Sablonc. There, a chartered aircraft will fly the group to the Jean Lesage Airport in Quebec City later Saturday and in time to resume schooling on Monday morning.

Reported by: Frederick Frechette

Michipicoten Dry Docking

04/27
Worked continued on the Michipicoten at Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wi. Her hull has been painted red, it is believed that this paint is a primer.

Michipicoten in dry dock.
Wide view.
Close up of bow.
John Sherwin in long term lay-up.
Canadian Progress departing through the Duluth Ship Canal.
Stern view.

Reported by: Glenn Blaszkiewicz

St. John Heads Home

04/27
The J.S. St. John was upbound in the Welland Canal Saturday from Heddle's docking at Hamilton. She was heading up under her own power. The tug Vigilant 1 followed the St. John upbound about an hour later.

Reported by: Jimmy Sprunt

More Updates

04/27
I ran out of time tonight, please check back tomorrow for more news and more pictures.

Today in Great Lakes History - April 27

On April 27, 1993 the WOLVERINE (4) ran aground on Surveyors Reef near Port Dolomite near Cedarville, MI and damaged her hull.

The ASHCROFT, upbound on Lake Erie in fog, collided with Interlake's steamer JAMES H. REED on April 27, 1944. The REED, fully loaded with ore, quickly sank off Port Burwell, Ont. with a loss of twelve lives. The ASHCROFT suffered extensive bow damage below the water line and was taken to Ashtabula, OH for repairs.

On April 27, 1973 the bow section of the SIDNEY E. SMITH, JR. was towed to Sarnia by the Malcolm tugs TABOGA and BARBARA ANN. The two sections of the hull were scuttled and land-filled to form a dock facing.

The WILLIAM P. SNYDER, JR. left Ecorse light on her maiden voyage April 27, 1912 for Duluth, MN to load iron ore.

On April 27, 1978 the TROISDOC (3) was downbound with corn for Cardinal, Ont. when she hit the upper end of the tie-up wall above Lock 2.

On April 27, 1980, after loading pellets in Duluth, the ENDERS M. VOORHEES stopped at the Seaway Dock to load a large wooden stairway (three sections) on deck which was taken to the AmShip yard at Lorain. It was used for an open house on the newly built EDWIN H. GOTT in 1979.

On April 27, 1953, the Reserve entered service.

On April 27, 1984, the Charles M. Beeghly struck the breakwall while departing Superior on her first trip since the 1981 season. The vessel returned to Fraser Shipyards in Superior for repairs.

On 27 April 1876, the Port Huron Times reported, "The steam barge MARY MILLS arrived up this morning and looks 'flaming'. Her owner said he did not care what color she was painted so long as it was bright red, and she has therefore come out in that color."

On 27 April 1877, the 40' 2-mast wooden schooner VELOCIPEDE left Racine, WI for Muskegon, MI in fair weather, but a severe squall blew in and it developed into a big storm. The little schooner was found capsized and broken in two off Kenosha, WI with her crew of 2 or 3 lost.

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

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

Frantz Dry Docking

04/26
The Joseph H. Frantz remained in the Toledo Shiprepair drydock Friday morning. Her hull was being repainted in a darker reddish brown color. She no longer has the Oglebay Norton buff color painted on the bow and stern areas.

Her name remains "Joseph H. Frantz" painted in white letters on the bow yet. The name stands out against the dark reddish brown hull color scheme. The stack is still painted in the Oglebay color scheme but this may change within the next several days.

Friday morning the Frantz was sitting low in the drydock which meant she would likely remain there for most of the day Friday.

In the dry dock Thursday. Mike Nicholls

Reported by: Jim Hoffman

Operation Taconite Concludes for Season

04/26
The Coast Guard's ice breaking "Operation Taconite" ended for another year at midnight Friday. The icebreaking duties covered by Operation Taconite each winter include escort and aid vessels transiting the ice from Lake Superior to the Straights of Mackinaw.

At midnight check points changed to summer operation. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Morrow Bay was downbound from the Soo on Thursday, The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley was downbound near Detour Friday.

Reported by: Scott Best

Officials ease security demands for Horne Ferry

04/26
Canadian and U.S. officials have backed off strict border security demands that would have put a 205-year-old Wolfe Island ferry service out of business.

Last week, ferry owner Bruce Horne told The Kingston Whig-Standard that his Wolfe Island-Cape Vincent ferry would go out of business if forced to abide by new Transport Canada security measures. The ferry carries 11 percent of the Kingston area's visitors from the United States.

Earlier this week, however, a ministry official phoned Horne to give him some good news.

“He said, based on national and international profile, they repealed the new enhanced enforcement measures and that’s pretty well all he said,” said Horne. “It would never have happened if the press hadn’t got in on it.”

He turned to the media after it appeared local politicians weren’t going to be able to sway federal bureaucrats.

On March 21, Transport Canada published new security measures that would have drained the coffers of small border ferry operators. To comply, they would have had to verify the identity of U.S.-bound passengers even though U.S. customs officers already do inbound security checks. Operators also would have had to ensure police officers patrolled their terminals at regular intervals while ferries were in operation.

Reported by: Ron Walsh

Manitowoc museum opens new wing today

04/26
Up to 3,000 people are expected to tour the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc when the museum holds its grand reopening today.

The museum began a $6 million project in 2001 to expand the riverfront museum. Exterior work was finished last fall but interior work was still being completed this week.

Doors open at 9 a.m., but the real festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a historic aircraft flyover of a T-34 and a B-17, a presentation of colors by the U.S. Naval Reserve Color Guard from Green Bay, and many speakers, including Two Rivers City Manager Greg Buckley, Manitowoc Mayor Kevin Crawford, Adm. Hank McKinney of the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation and Jim Ruffolo, the museum board president.

Mishicot native and U.S. Navy submariner Capt. Brian Wegner will participate in discussions on his duties, including naval nuclear power and submarine officer training that culminated in three nuclear submarine commanding officer tours.

The opening festivities will take place in front of the museum, effectively shutting to traffic the area from Seventh Street to Buffalo Street.

Before construction, about 60,000 people came through the museum annually. The museum estimates about 80,000 to 90,000 people now would make the trek to the facility.

Reported by: Jim Freed

Students remain stranded on icebound boat

04/26
Gusting winds frustrated efforts Thursday to free a boat carrying a group of Quebec high school students from thick ice in the St. Lawrence River.

"There's been no change," said Marie Gagnon, a spokeswoman for the Coast Guard in Quebec City. Rescuers "worked all day for basically nothing. When the wind is blowing it pushes the ice together. We don't expect progress today or tomorrow. But winds are expected to drop Saturday."

Forty-four Grade 10 students from Quebec City's Petit Seminaire were scheduled to return home Sunday from their annual field trip along the river. But their ship, the Nordic Express, has been caught in ice near Blanc Sablon in northeastern Quebec near Labrador since Saturday.

Reported by: Mary Helms

Milk and Honey Tow

04/26
The Palmer Johnson built yacht Milk and Honey was lowered to the water by 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The fish tug Leloand Lafond connected a tow line on the yacht and towed her to Menominee, Mi. solo. The tow arrived during night hours and then the Leloand Lafond returned to her dock in Algoma, Wi. about 6a.m. Friday. Crew members were Andy LaFond, Sr., Andy LaFond, Jr. and Darrell Jorgenson, all of Algoma.

Reported by: Wendell Wilke

Marquette Update

04/26
The GreatLakesTrader/Joyce VanEnkevort and Saginaw loaded ore in Marquette on Friday. No ships are expected on Saturday, but Sunday should see the Wilfred Sykes, followed very late by the Herbert C. Jackson. The John Boland is expected on Monday. The Kaye E. Barker will be bringing a load to the Shiras Steam Plant later in the month, and the James R. Barker will bring coal to the Presque Isle plant in early May.

Picture by: Lee Rowe
Saginaw loading.
Another view.
Bow view.
Great Lakes Trader.
Trader and Saginaw's bow.
Biw view at the dock.

Reported by: Lee Rowe and Art Pickering

Alpena in Milwaukee

04/26
The Alpena arrived in Milwaukee Friday morning and departed in the late afternoon bound for St. Joe, MI.

Alpena.
Stern view.

Reported by: Andy LaBorde

Saginaw River Update

04/26
The Frontenac made her first visit of the season to the Saginaw River on Friday, stopping at the Essroc Terminal in Essexville to unload clinker. She is expected to be outbound sometime early Saturday morning.

The tenative schedule for the coming week calls for the McKee Sons to unload coal at Saginaw Rock on Sunday, the Pathfinder/Dorothy Ann to unload aggregate at the Burroughs Dock on Wednesday, and the J.A.W. Iglehart to unload cement at Lafarge on Thursday.

Pictures by Todd Shorkey
Frontenac unloading at the Essroc Terminal in Essexville.
Another view.
View from Smith Park.

Reported by: Stephen Hause, Todd Shorkey and Lon Morgan

Rouge River Traffic

04/26
Below are images of traffic taken Friday on the Rouge River in Detroit.

Tug Maine, Mc Asphalt 401 & John Spence downbound approaching the Fort Street Bridge.
Close up.
Tug Maine.
Stern view.
Close up of tug.
Stern view.
Roger Stahl at the Gaelic Tugboat Co. Dock.
Tug Carolyn Hoey.
Stern view.
Rouge Steel Co. Switcher.
Kaye E Barker arriving at Rouge Steel with a load of pellets.

Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Busy Day in Ashtabula

04/26
Thursday was a busy evening for the Port of Ashtabula. The David Z. Norton and the Spruceglen were unloading at Pinney Dock. As soon as the Norton departed, its place was taken by the Algorail.

Reported by: Jeff Miller

Erie Report

04/26
Erie's fourth visitor of the year arrived on Friday. The Adam E. Cornelius arrived about 4 p.m. inbound with stone for the Mounfort Terminal. The vessel turned in the bay and docked bow out.

An hour behind the Cornelius was the Coast Guard Cutter Bramble arriving to replace winter buoys in Erie. The Bramble took on supplies at the Coast Guard station before tying up at the west side of Erie's public dock.

Bramble at the Public Dock.
Cornelius unloads.
Another view.

Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Toronto Update

04/26
The venerable Royal Canadian Yacht Club tender Hiawatha, now in its 108th season, began its service to the island Friday. The Soderholm tug Diver III and barge Y & F No. 1 departed port Friday afternoon.

During the past couple of days, the winter tarps were removed from the ferries Sam McBride and Trillium. A prankster or two untied the cruise vessel Wayward Princess during the night, and shifted it around the knuckle from its dock, then retied it.

The Queen City Yacht Club has had to press its tender Algonquin Queen back into service. The tender was retired last fall, but delays in the delivery of the new Algonquin Queen II from Newfoundland have forced the club to redocument the elderly vessel.

Federal Polaris remains at Redpath Sugar dock unloading. The charter vessel Pioneer Queen remains in slings under the atlas crane.

The Seaflight 2000 cross-lake hydrofoils Seaflight 1 and Seaflight 2 have been refloated at Pier 51. A frequent Toronto harbor visitor, the "Party Barge" Island Sauvage is being advertised for sale.

Reported by: Gerry O.

Dobrush on the Canal

04/26
The following images were taken Friday April 25 onboard the Dobrush from Lock 7 to Port Colborne. The vessel is in ballast destined for Thunder Bay to load grain for Morocco.

Dobrush was built in Shanghai, China in 1982 and is one of several sisters known as the Chinese Seaway Class. Two of her sisters include the regular callers Pintail and Peonia. She measures 196.47m x 23.00m (644' 07" x 75'06"). Dobrush flys the flag of the Ukraine and is registered at Mariuopol. This fine and sturdy vessel has visited the Great Lakes for two decades now originally as World Goodwill until 1985.

Dobrush in Lock 7.
Accommodation block.
The bridge.
Meeting the Pineglen.
Second Officer Aleksander Pastushenko from Mariuopol, Ukraine.
Nameboard.
Meeting the downbound Algocape.
Stern view.
Ship's name spelled phonetically and with International Code of Signal Flags.
Comeaudoc as seen from the bridge wing.
Another sad view.
As seen from the pilot boat. Going, going....almost gone.

Reported by: Alain Gindroz

Spring Fitout at the Dossin Museum

04/26
Saturday, April 26 the Dossin Great Lakes Museum will host the Annual ‘Spring Fit Out’ meeting. The event will offer tours of the Sea Scout vessel the Gray Fox, a demonstration of the upcoming Live Web Cam and the chance to tour the museum.

Captain Frank Riley

04/26
Captain Riley Frank Ward Sr. of Farragut, Tn. died Sunday April 20, 2003. captain ward was born February 16, 1943 in Marion County Alabama to Thamon Lee Ward Sr. and Sarah Grey May Ward. He was a resident of Winfield, Alabama until his graduation from high school in 1961. Upon graduation from school, he signed on board the Edward L. Ryerson as a deck hand and according to Captain Mike Opack, of Duluth, the smile on his face did not fade for a long time. He rose through the ranks of the Inland Steel Fleet to become permanent master of the Joseph L. Block in 1980. He retired from the Block in 1997 as senior captain. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Inland Lakes Management Fleet and was involved with every part of the fleet operation including sailing as master of the Alpena, the flag ship of the fleet.

Captain Ward was a mentor to many young men coming up through the ranks and was always there to assist them and their families. Over the many years of his career, he deeply affected the lives of countless mariners and ordinary people. His caring advise helped many families through difficult times. He had a disarming quality that made anyone feel as ease in his presence. He had an intense pride in his family, his work and his garden and would tell anyone that he met about them.

In addition to his parents, his brother Thamon Lee Ward Jr. preceeded him in death.

Survivors include his wife Mrs. Carol Faye Mcdill Ward of Farragut; son Riley Frank Ward Jr. of Farragut; two step sons Michael (Sandra) Flamini of Knoxville and Charles Flamini of Chicago; 8 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildred; sister Judy (Gene) Saundri of Iron River, Mi. and Naples, Fl; brother Thomas Binito Ward of Dunwoody, Ga; and sister-in-law Patricia Hogan Ward of Mariette, Ga.

Funeral services were held Friday at the Miles Funeral Home in Winfield, Alabama. James Wyers was the officiating minister. The eulogy was given by his ship mates. burial was at Winfield City Cemetery.

Reported by: Jerry Lawson

Sidney E. Smith Jr.

04/26
Erie, Pa. businessman Sidney E. Smith Jr., former President and later owner of The Erie Sand & Gravel Company, died Tuesday in Buffalo after a long illness. He was 77.

Mr. Smith served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and was assigned throughout the Pacific Theater. After the war he earned a Great Lakes Master's License for unlimited tonnage, was appointed to the Great Lakes Commission, and served as President of Erie Sand & Gravel Company. As a company employee he had two vessels named after him, with the second vessel named Sidney E. Smith Jr. being involved in a tragedy. On June 4, 1972, while upbound near Port Huron, Michigan with a load of coal from Toledo, the Sidney E. Smith Jr. was rammed by the Parker Evans and sank within minutes. No crewmen were injured, but Mr. Smith lost his namesake vessel.

He purchased Erie Sand & Gravel in 1985, and under his leadership the company expanded it's horizons, and achieved great success, most of which Mr. Smith deserves the credit for. Among the accomplishments under Mr. Smith's ownership were the purchase of the Richard Reiss from American Steamship Company in 1992, and moving the corporate offices from the foot of Sassafras Street to their present location at the former Codan Terminal in late 1993. The Codan Terminal was later renamed the Mounfort Terminal.

Despite his busy schedule, Mr. Smith always had time to watch the Reiss dock in Erie, and was known for taking the ship's officers out to dinner after the Reiss laid up at the end of each season so they all could celebrate another season of safe, efficient sailing.

Mr. Smith retired as President and CEO of Erie Sand & Gravel in 2000, turning leadership of the company to his son, Sidney E. "Sandy" Smith III. The company was sold to Oglebay Norton in 2002, and Sandy Smith remains as Erie Sand's general manager and as a vice president at Oglebay Norton. Sidney E. Smith Jr. is also survived by a daughter, Jill Page Smith, and three grandchildren.

Away from Erie Sand & Gravel, Mr. Smith was president of the Erie Humane Society and also of the University Club of Erie. As a member of the Propeller Club in Buffalo, he received the Man of the Year award. He was also a member of the Lake Carriers Association.

A service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Burton Funeral Home, 602 W. 10th Street in Erie. Memorials may be made to the Erie Humane Society, 418 W. 38th Street, Erie, Pa., 16508; St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 1070 W. Dutch Road, Fairview PA 16415, or the charity of the donor's choice.

With the passing of Sidney E. Smith Jr., the Great Lakes community has lost another of the truly great gentlemen involved with the industry.

Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Today in Great Lakes History - April 26

ALGOWEST was launched April 26, 1982.

Sea trials were conducted April 26, 1984 on Lake Ontario for the CANADIAN RANGER.

An unfortunate incident happened on the SEWELL AVERY as four crew members were injured, one critically, when a lifeboat winch housing exploded shortly after a lifeboat drill in 1978.

CANADOC was launched April 26, 1961.

BENSON FORD (1) was launched in 1924.

In 1982, carferry service from Frankfort, MI ended forever when railroad service to that port was discontinued and the remaining boats (Arthur K. Atkinson, Viking, and City of Milwaukee) were laid up. City of Milwaukee is being preserved as a museum ship by the Society for the Preservation of the City of Milwaukee

On 26 April 1902, M.P. BARKLOW (wooden schooner, 104', 122 gt, built in 1871 at Perry, OH), loaded with salt, was anchored off S. Bass Island in Lake Erie to ride out a gale. Nevertheless she foundered and four lives were lost, the skipper, his wife, their son and one crewman.

On 26 April 1926, THOMAS GAWN (2-mast wooden schooner-barge, 171', 550 gt, built in 1872 at Lorain, OH as a 3-mast schooner) sprang a leak and sank at River Rouge, MI in the Detroit River. The wreck was removed the following month and abandoned. She had a 54 year career.

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.

Pellet Terminal Deadline

04/25
Officials with the company tearing down the Former Lorain Pellet Terminal say they are not sure if they can finish the work by the city's deadline, and could be charged with a $7000 fine for each day they're late according to the Chronicle Telegram .

Tera Tech CR Inc. is removing equipment at the former terminal and is to move it to Whiskey Island on Cleveland's lakefront. The city of Lorain purchased the 20 acre site last year intending to redevelop it.

The city has set a dead line of May 1 for the terminal to be moved.

Reported by: Ned Gang

Atlantic Superior Upbound

04/25
The Atlantic Superior continued upbound on Thursday. About 1:30 p.m. the Superior was departing the Iroquois Lock.

She is due in Duluth early next week to load a cargo of taconite at DMIR. That cargo is destined for Nanticoke's Stelco plant.

Superior upbound.
Another view.
Passing.
"Atlantic" on the bow.
Close up of accommodations block.
Passing.
Stern view.

Reported by: Jeff Thompson

Port of Indiana's first saltie loads export steel

04/25
The Port of Indiana opened its international shipping season Wednesday with a welcome change -- the saltie Milo arriving to load the region’s first shipment of export steel in two years.

The Milo loaded 17,500 metric tons of hot-rolled steel coils for shipment to Belgium. The coils were made at International Steel Group's mill in East Chicago, Indiana. The vessel was scheduled to depart Thursday night.

In 2002 no steel coils were exported from Burns Harbor. Officials say as many as four export cargoes could be shipped this season.

For years, American steel producers have complained about foreign countries dumping steel into the United States, causing the American steel industry to suffer. But on Wednesday, local and state officials were thrilled to export the coils.

“It’s a great occasion that we’re exporting steel,’’ said Ken Massengill, chairman of the Indiana Port Commission. “I don’t care where it goes as long as it’s made in America.’’

Ian Hirt, general manager of marine terminals located at the port, said one reason steel exports are expected to increase is because the U.S. dollar has weakened. “The dollar is down and our steel is more attractive overseas,’’ Hirt said. He said steel exports occur in cycles and when the value of the dollar weakens the amount of steel shipped across the seas often increases.

He also credits ISG’s philosophy for operating with lower costs and says it puts the company in a better position to sell products globally.

“It brings a lot of jobs to Northwest Indiana. It’s just a great time to be here,’’ Massengill said.

Richard J. Morris, vice president and general manager of ISG’s Indiana Harbor plant, said the company continues to look for opportunities to export its steel coils but said the industry’s market conditions play an important role.

“We recognize that it’s a global market,’’ he said. 'Wherever the deals are, that’s where we’re going to be. We’ll continue to take advantage of some exports. The key is to be in a position to do it effectively.’’

Reported by: Ron Jackson

Oshima Departs

04/25
The Federal Oshima departed the old McLouth Steel Dock in Trenton, Mi about 10 a.m. Thursday. She was assisted by two Great Lakes Towing tugs.

After nearly two weeks of loading processed coil steel it is reported to be heading to China.

Reported by: Robert Burns

Twin Ports Report

04/25
Major docks in the Twin Ports are starting to see a steady stream of vessels.

Around the harbor Thursday, Paul R. Tregurtha was loading coal at Midwest Energy Terminal, tug W.N. Twolan was at Hallett 8 in Superior with a barge of lumber from Thunder Bay, Lee A. Tregurtha was due at BNSF ore dock and Armco was due to unload stone at the CLM dock in Superior.

After some gaps in its schedule caused by ice delays, Midwest Energy Terminal once again has a full schedule. Indiana Harbor is due there today, to be followed by Canadian Progress on Saturday, and Canadian Transport, Canadian Enterprise, Walter J. McCarthy Jr. and Columbia Star on Sunday, and Kaye E. Barker due to load Monday for Marquette.

The DMIR dock in Duluth is solidly booked through the end of the month, with many of the vessels being Canadian. Arthur M. Anderson is due today with stone; CSL Laurentien is due Saturday; Atlantic Erie and Frontenac are due Sunday; Cason J. Callaway is expected Monday with stone; Atlantic Superior and CSL Niagara are both due Tuesday; and H. Lee White is scheduled to make a rare appearance on April 30.

In Two Harbors, the Joe Block, Oglebay Norton and St. Clair are again becoming regulars this season. The Block loaded Thursday, Oglebay Norton is due there today, and St. Clair is expected Sunday.

Over the past couple days, the ice field off the Twin Ports has again spread across the mouth of the Duluth ship canal. By Thursday it was about half a mile wide. However, there was no wind pressure on it and vessels seemed to be passing through it without hindrance. Armco steamed through it late Thursday afternoon with no apparent difficulty, followed by Paul R. Tregurtha a short time later.

Reported by: Al Miller

Marquette Update

04/25
The H. Lee White completed unloading her stone cargo and moved to the ore dock in the upper harbor Thursday afternoon. The Charles M. Beeghly brought in a load of coal, and will then take on ore.

The Middletown, expected on Friday, cancelled. The Great Lakes Trader and Saginaw will both be in on Friday, with the Herbert Jackson and Wilfred Sykes expected on Saturday.

Reported by: Lee Rowe

Green Bay Update

04/25
The Rebecca Lynn departed Green Bay Thursday morning about 6 a.m. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mobile Bay was working in the channel putting in the summer Aids to Navigation. The American Republic arrived in Green Bay just after 10 a.m. with coal from Sandusky for Georgia Pacific.

Pere Marquette 41 at the Fox River Dock.
Night shot unloading.
Rebecca Lynn/ A410 tied up at Koch Materials.
Close Up.
Integrity at Lafarge.
American Republic arrives Green Bay.
Stern shot.

Reported by: Jason Leino

Sturgeon Bay Update

04/25
The latest yacht built by Palmer Johnson at Sturgeon Bay is the Milk and Honey. The 112-foot yacht remained on a section of the dry dock waiting to be launched. Standing by were Selvick's tug Escort II and the yard's tug Bayship.

The fish tug Lelond Lafond (LaFond Fisheries, Andy LaFond, Sr.), of Algoma, WI. was called by the owner of the yacht Milk and Honey to come up and tow the new yacht to Marinette/Menominee for fitout. The Lelond Lafond departed Algoma at 2 p.m. and arrived at the shipyard around 4 p.m. to take the tow. With the yacht still up on the blocks, the Lafond went dockside waiting.

Reported by: Wendell Wilke

Mariner Moved

04/25
The Canadian Mariner was pulled from her berth Wednesday afternoon in Toronto and rafted alongside Canadian Provider. The two ships are now just around the knuckle from Canadian Venture and Seaway Queen.

Reported by: Bill Bird

Alpena Update

04/25
The J.A.W Iglehart came into port Wednesday evening to load cement at Lafarge. It is headed for South Chicago.

The Steamer Alpena arrived in port early Thursday morning to take on cement. It departed by 7am and is bound for Milwaukee.

The Jacklyn M barge Integrity was also expected in on Thursday.

Reported by: Ben & Chanda McClain

Hamilton Update

04/25
Thursday evening the salties Spar Jade and the Federal Hunter were at anchor in Hamilton Harbor. They were at anchor for most of the day. Another saltie, the Dobrush was at Pier 23 likely unloading steel products.

Thursday morning exhaust was seen coming from the Montrealais, but there was no activity seen that evening and the pilot house windows are still papered over.

From the Burlington Piers a Rigel Shipping tanker was seen moored at the Bronte Piers. A CCG vessel E.P. Le Quebecois is in drydock at Heddles Marine.

Reported by: Patricia Burgon

Cliffs reports strong first quarter, bright outlook

04/25
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. posted a profit in the first quarter of 2003 and says it expects its taconite mines to operate at capacity for the rest of the year.

Record sales of taconite pellets helped Cliffs earn a net income of $2.2 million in the first quarter. That was a significant improvement over the $8.9 million loss reported in the first quarter last year.

Cliffs sold a record 3.4 million tons of taconite pellets in the first quarter. Sales to the new International Steel Group Inc., which bought the assets of LTV Steel and on Tuesday acquired bankrupt Bethlehem Steel Corp., accounted for about two-thirds of sales.

Company officials said they expect pellet sales to remain strong this year.

"We continue to expect that our mines will operate at capacity levels and avoid the idle costs that severely penalized our financial results in 2001 and 2002," said John S. Brinzo, chairman and chief executive officer. "While we have significant cost challenges due to higher energy costs, we are confident that we will continue to be profitable and rebuild our balance sheet in 2003."

In Minnesota, Cliffs owns and manages Northshore Mining Co. in Babbitt and Silver Bay and holds part ownership and is manager at Hibbing Taconite Co. In Upper Michigan, Cliffs manages and holds ownership in the Tilden and Empire mines. The company also manages and owns part of the Wabush mine in Newfoundland.

Pellet production at Hibbing Taconite increased to 2 million tons from 1.3 million tons in 2002; Northshore Mining Co. was up to 1.2 million tons from 800,000 tons; and the Empire, which was idled in the first quarter last year, produced 1.5 million tons. Tilden's production of 1.6 million tons was the same as last year while Wabush increased to 1 million tons from 900,000 tons during the first quarter last year.

ISG's acquisition of Bethlehem Steel Corp, the majority owner of Hibbing Taconite, could further strengthen pellet production there. Although Hibbing Taconite is rated to produce 8 million tons of taconite pellets per year, workers and managers at the plant hope to produce 8.3 million tons this year. Hibbing Taconite ships its pellets through the BNSF ore dock in Superior, Wis.

Northshore Mining Co. is forecast to produce 4.8 million tons, the highest level since Cliffs' took ownership in 1994. The taconite plant and its shipping dock are located in Silver Bay, Minn.

Reported by: Al Miller

Quebec students stranded on icebound ship

04/25
Forty-four Quebec high school students on a field trip remained stranded aboard their tour ship, which is stuck in a field of ice in the St. Lawrence River, the Canadian Press reported.

The 10th-grade students from Quebec City's Petit Seminaire were scheduled to return home Sunday after a field trip along the river aboard the Nordic Express. But their ship got stuck Saturday in ice floes near Blanc-Sablon in northeastern Quebec. The vessel remained there Wednesday while a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker struggled to free it.

The ship captain said the students were doing fine.

"The morale on board is still very good," Capt. Stephane Anctil said. "We can last as long as we have food and water."

Anctil said the Nordic Express still had two or three days' worth of supplies. A Coast Guard official said more food would be brought to the boat if the rescue effort drags on.

An uncommonly thick ice jam formed over the last several weeks, with winds from the St. Lawrence Gulf blowing the glacial masses into one concentrated area.

"The ice conditions are extraordinary and the Nordic Express is having tremendous difficulty navigating through them," a Coast Guard official said.

The Canadian Coast Guard sent one of its heaviest icebreakers - the Halifax-based CCGS Terry Fox - to clear a path for the smaller vessel late last week. But the rescue effort has stalled since Saturday, with floes constantly clotting behind the escort vehicle and blocking the path set for the Nordic Express.

Reported by: Gary Stark

Egyptian ship quarantined at Halifax for anthrax check

04/25
The Egyptian ship Wadi Alarab will be quarantined at Halifax because a crewman reportedly died of anthrax.

The saltie was supposed to deliver a load of bauxite to the Alcan aluminum plant in Saguenay, Quebec, but it was diverted to Brazil earlier in the week to drop off the body of the first mate for medical examination.

An initial autopsy indicated the man may have died of anthrax, a bacterial disease carried by certain animals that affects the skin and lungs. Brazilian authorities will perform a second autopsy to confirm the results.

Officials from Health Canada, the RCMP and Transport Canada were warned about the ship Wednesday. They will place the vessel under quarantine about eight kilometers off shore. The ship will then undergo a full decontamination process.

Reported by: Bill Bird

St. Lawrence River Traffic at Verchères

04/25
Hickory WLB-212 exiting Seaway, April 24.
Broadside view.
Spruceglen (ex-Fraser) upbound for Seaway off Varennes, April 21.
Ispat Kirti, about do dock at Contrecoeur, April 21.
Spruceglen, first trip on St. Lawrence, upbound off Contrecoeur April 21.
Spruceglen passing Ispat Kirti off Contrecoeur dock, April 21.
Sidsel Knutsen downbound from Montréal off Contrecoeur, April 21.
Algomarine, a rare caller in our parts, upbound for Seaway, April 21.
Marion Green, downbound from Montréal, April 18.

Reported by: Marc Piché

Hickory and Vancouver

04/25
The Hickory was exiting the Seaway at Montreal, around 10 a.m. Thursday.

USCGC Hickory exiting the Seaway at Montreal.
name board on the starboard side, with the bell behind the wheelhouse, call letter flags on the mast.
stern quarter view of the USCGC Hickory with the Olympic Stadium in the foreground.
MOL Initiative at her dock in Vancouver.
Potash waiting for a ship.
An unnamed vessel waiting for the MOL Initiative to finish docking.

Reported by: Kent Malo

Today in Great Lakes History - April 25

The b) PAUL R. TREGURTHA was christened April 25, 1981 as the a) WILLIAM J. DE LANCEY.

On April 25, 1973 the self-unloading boom on the TADOUSSAC (2) collapsed while she was at Sandusky, OH.

In 1925 the Ann Arbor 4 was back in service after running aground on February 13th off Kewaunee, WI.

In 1973 it was announced that the City of Saginaw 31 would be scrapped after a fire which destroyed her cabin deck in 1971.

ENERCHEM LAKER was launched April 25, 1958 as a) ROCKCLIFFE HALL (2).

BENJAMIN F. FAIRLESS was launched April 25, 1942.

WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE was launched April 25, 1908.

The PERCIVAL ROBERTS, JR. sailed light on her maiden voyage April 25, 1913 from Lorain to load ore at Two Harbors, MN.

On April 25, 1954, the T.R. McLagan (now Oakglen) entered service. At 714'6", she took the title for longest vessel on the Great Lakes from the Joseph H. Thompson, beating the Thompson by three inches. The Thompson had held the honor since November 4, 1952.

METEOR (2) was launched in 1896 as a) FRANK ROCKEFELLER.

On April 25, 1949, GRAINMOTOR collided with the abutment of the railroad bridge above Lock 2 of the Lachine Canal.

The wooden schooner OTTAWA was launched on 25 April 1874 at Grand Haven, MI. She was owned by Capt. William R. Loutill and could carry 180,000 feet of lumber.

T. S. CHRISTIE (wooden propeller, 160', 533 gt) was launched at F. W. Wheeler's yard (hull #22) in W. Bay City, MI on 25 April 1885. She was built for the Bay City & Cleveland Transportation Company at a cost of $45,000. Originally built as a double deck vessel, she was cut down to a single decker at Chicago in 1902.

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

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

Frantz Moved to Dry Dock

04/24
Joseph H. Frantz was towed stern first from her lay up slip at the former Hocking Valley Coal Dock to the Toledo Shipyard Wednesday. The "G" tugs Illinois and Idaho provided the propulsion for the half mile trip down stream..

In a little more than an hour the Joe was safely inside the dry dock. The Frantz was pulled into the dry dock by the ship yard winches as there was no air or steam power on the boat to run the deck winches. She is expected to be on the blocks for only one day for a bottom inspection.

Painter scrapping the pilothouse windows.
New white forward cabins.
Backing out of Hocking Valley slip.
Backing down the Maumee River.
In mid trip.
Stern next to Buffalo laid up near the ship yard.
Safely in the dry dock.

Reported by: Dave Wobser

Atlantic Superior Heads for Duluth

04/24
The Atlantic Superior entered the Seaway on her first trip into the lakes since she left the lakes to sail as the M.H. Baker III. The vessel was upbound in the St. Lawrence Seaway at Cap St. Michel at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday. The Superior has been reflagged Canadian and is now going to trade on the Great Lakes. She is the last of CSL's vessels that have traded on the ocean over the past decade to return to the Lakes. Over the past seven years both the Atlantic Erie and Atlantic Huron have come back from ocean trading.

The Atlantic Superior is due in Duluth early next week to load a cargo of taconite at DMIR. That cargo is destined for Nanticoke's Stelco plant.

Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Jackson Departs

04/24
The Herbert C. Jackson departed Buffalo late Wednesday afternoon with the tug New Jersey at her stern. The Jackson arrived Tuesday and unloaded over night at the ADM Standard Elevator.

Unloading.
Departing with the tug New Jersey.
Close up.

Reported by: Brian Wroblewski

Marquette Update

04/24
The Mississagi and Kaye Barker completed their loads at Marquette's LS & I ore dock on Wednesday, and were replaced by the Saginaw and the H. Lee White. The Charles Beeghly is expected in on Thursday, the Lee A. Tregurtha was cancelled for Thursday. Friday should see the Great Lakes Trader in the morning, and the Middletown in the late evening.

The Lee A. Tregurtha pulled into the Marquette ore dock on Wednesday, then received changed orders and left without taking any ore to go to the head of the lake.

The H. Lee White had difficulty unloading her cargo of stone and her arrival at the ore dock will be delayed because of the sticky load.

Saginaw loading.
Bow view.
Loading chutes.
H. Lee White loading.
Close up.
Stone trickles off.

Reported by: Lee Rowe