Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive

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News Photo Gallery Updated

4/30

News Photo Gallery updated. 

Note:  This page will generally be used only for photos related to recent news or port/area reports.  Photos of your visits to the various ship watching locations, trips etc. can now be posted in your own albums created in the Public Gallery.  Just click on the Public Photo Gallery link and follow the instructions.
 

 


Public Photo Gallery Updated

4/30

New albums in the Shipping, Lighthouses, Model Building and Post Cards/Collectables/Artwork Galleries
Public Photo Gallery
 

 


Bill calls for ocean vessel permits

4/29
Oceangoing ships would need a permit to enter Michigan ports starting in 2007 under legislation approved Wednesday by the state Senate. The bill, approved on a 38-0 vote, is aimed at reducing the threat of invasive species in the Great Lakes. Ships couldn't discharge aquatic nuisance species. They would have to treat any ballast water before releasing it.

The legislation, which heads to the House, also would authorize Michigan to form a coalition with the Great Lakes region's other states to deal with aquatic invaders. Supporters say states must join together to act because the federal government has been slow and ineffective. "We must eradicate these foreign species from the Great Lakes ecosystem before they destroy it," said Sen. Patty Birkholz, a Republican from Allegan County's Saugatuck Township and the bill's sponsor.

Scientists have counted more than 160 exotic species in the Great Lakes region, including the sea lamprey, zebra mussel and round goby. A new invasive species, typically imported from Europe or Asia, is discovered in the Great Lakes at the rate of one every eight months. Ship ballast is widely believed to be a leading contributor to the problem. Species are scooped up when a freighter takes on water, then discharged in the Great Lakes when a ship must get heavier or lighter for porting operations.

Permit applicants would have to show their vessels don't discharge aquatic nuisance species, or have the technology to treat ballast water in hopes of eliminating them.

Zebra mussels clog pipes at power plants, raising utility costs. They also may be responsible for killing off tiny organisms eaten by native species such as yellow perch and whitefish, leaving them underfed and under-populated.

The legislation has the endorsement of Gov. Jennifer Granholm's administration.

Reported by the Associated Press / Detroit Free Press
 

 


Frantz scrap tow update

4/29
The Frantz tow never made it out of Buffalo on Thursday morning due to high wind. They are going to try again on Friday morning. The tugs Ecosse and the Seahound are rafted together and tied to the dock in front of the Frantz for the night. Wind was blowing up enough to send waves crashing over the Outer Harbor Sea Wall.

Morning update:
The Frantz tow departed Buffalo for Port Colborne early this morning (Friday).

Reported by Brian Wroblewski
 

Original Story - 4/28
The veteran laker Joseph H. Frantz is apparently headed for the scrap heap. Tugs are scheduled to tow the vessel from her lay-up berth at Buffalo, NY, to Port Colborne, Ont. sometime Thursday morning.

The tugs Ecosse and Seahound are expected to perform the tow, which will end for now at Wharf 16 in Port Colborne. It is unknown at present if the vessel will be scrapped in Port Colborne, or continue at a later date to an overseas scrap yard.

For the past two seasons the 618-foot Frantz has been under charter from Oglebay Norton Marine Services to Great Lakes Associates (Kinsman), which used her mostly in the grain trade. However the Frantz, built in 1925, is in need of a five-year hull and machinery inspection and reports indicate she needs more work than can be financially justified on such an old vessel.

Please send any tow photos or sightings to news@boatnerd.net

Reported by Brian Wroblewski, Jason Leslie
 

 


Reborn service to and from Toronto sports a new identity

4/29
Ending months of speculation, Bay Ferries Ltd. announced Wednesday that Rochester's high-speed ferry would resume service to Toronto on June 17 with a new nickname and logo. The Breeze — which hasn't run since September — will be reborn as "The Cat" and feature a logo of a leaping feline.

Bay Ferries Vice President Donald Cormier and city leaders revealed the much-anticipated date and nickname during a news conference at City Hall. But they stopped short of releasing ticket prices or a schedule for the city-owned vessel, saying those details would be made public within the next couple of weeks.

Officials originally had pushed to resume the service by Memorial Day weekend, hoping to capture holiday traffic, but they determined that there was too much work to be done to start so soon. "We hope this positive announcement will launch the beginning of a new era," said Mayor William A. Johnson Jr.

The Spirit of Ontario — the ship's official name — has been idle at the Port of Rochester since the previous operator discontinued daily service, citing financial problems. The city bought the vessel at a federal foreclosure auction in February for $32 million and hired Bay Ferries to run the service — seen by many as an opportunity to improve Rochester's national profile and boost local tourism.

Tickets are to go on sale about 30 days before the vessel resumes service. Cormier said one-way ticket prices would be comparable with those of last year, when they were $28 for a walk-on passenger and $40 for a vehicle with an additional $20 charge per person. The prices will be higher in peak season and lower at other times, he added. The company also is working on package deals and a special all-inclusive fare for a vehicle and up to six passengers.

The ship will run seven days a week at least until Dec. 31, when the company will evaluate whether to shut down for January and February or keep it going in those winter months. The June 17 date should be familiar to ferry observers. It's the same date the ship made its maiden passenger voyage across Lake Ontario last year. Cormier said it's a mere coincidence.

The nickname The Cat and the logo also may be familiar. They are used on Bay Ferries' high-speed vessel that runs seasonally between Maine and Nova Scotia. That ship can carry up to 900 passengers and 240 cars and is promoted as the fastest car ferry in North America. "There's a lot of equity in that brand," Cormier said.

But the nickname also is similar to Canadian American Transportation Systems (CATS), the company that failed last year to keep the ferry going and built some ill will in the community. The Cat's positive brand name and the potential for synergy between the vessels outweigh those concerns, officials said. "A successful launch will go a long way to override any negative image," said Benjamin Douglas, president of the city-run Rochester Ferry Co. and a city councilman.

There's still plenty of work to do before the vessel sails again, though. The ship must head to Hamilton, Ontario, in May for repairs and an inspection. The company is still hiring workers. The crew must be trained. The ship will be re-registered as a U.S.-flagged vessel. And numerous other inspections need to be made and permits must be obtained.

Wednesday's announcement was greeted with enthusiasm from both politicians who have worked on relaunching the service and regular folks who have followed the lengthy ferry saga. Toronto Mayor David Miller is looking forward to the return of the ferry and its potential to improve the Canadian city's waterfront, said spokeswoman Andrea Addario.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said, "This announcement vindicates all of the work we've done at the federal level to support getting the ferry up and running again. I'm glad we have nailed down a timeline, and now we're all looking forward to June 17."

Hector Velez, 46, of Rochester said he wants to be one of the first passengers on the vessel because he missed out on a chance to ride it last year. "It's history, and you want to be part of positive history," he said. "I still firmly believe that this will be a plus for the entire community."

While he's excited about the ship returning, Doug Barton, 43, of Rochester warned people to keep the project in perspective. "As long as we don't put all of our hopes and dreams on this boat and consider that it's just a part of an overall effort to revitalize the area, then I'm very excited about it," he said. "But if we make it out to be our great white hope, that's too great an expectation."

Reported by Rick Armon, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
 

 


Port Reports

4/29
Sault Ste. Marie:
Reported by Jon Paul Michaels:
Heavy fog covered the harbor and locks area Wednesday morning but it didn’t stop cargo from moving. The Burns Harbor was down the Poe at 7:00am. The USCGC Buckthorn left Base Soo at 8:00am and headed up the MacArthur to load buoys on the west pier. They departed at 9:00am and continued up river to place navigation aids. The Edgar Speer passed up the Poe at 8:00am and met fleet mate Roger Blough down at Point Louise. The Canadian Transport came up at 9:00am reporting to Soo Traffic that the fog was encountered first at 6 mile point and became more dense as they approached the Soo. The Oglebay Norton reported outbound at Detour at 9:10am.The tug Jane Ann IV and barge Sarah Spencer finished unloading at Algoma Steel at 9:30am and headed up river for Whitefish Bay and a load at Marquette. The saltie Goviken was the next ship down at 9:45am followed by the Algoway at 10:15am. The Paul Tregurtha called in at Mission Point at 10:30am and reported that visibility was improving in the area east of the locks. Noon time found the Canadian Enterprise up the MacArthur as the Herbert C Jackson was upbound loaded going into Algoma Steel at 1:30pm sliding in next to the Michipicoten as they finished unloading stone at the dock. The Manistee reported to Soo Traffic that they had finished loading at Drummond Island Stone Dock and would be turning down river and out at Detour at 1:30pm. The Michipicoten departed Algoma Steel at 2:30pm headed up to Marquette. The Atlantic Huron was down the Poe at 4:30pm and met the upbound Algoville at 6 mile Point. Pineglen was down the locks at 7:30pm as the Presque Isle and Nanticoke were coming up. The Herbert C Jackson informed Soo Traffic that they estimated they unloading would be finished by 10:30pm and that they would be departing upbound to Marquette.

Goderich:
Reported by Dale Baechler
The Algosoo departed the Sifto Salt dock Thursday morning and the Agawa Canyon arrived in the early afternoon for a load. The 2005 season is shaping up to be a busy one for the Goderich harbor.
 

 


Public Photo Gallery Updated

4/29

New albums in the Shipping, Lighthouses, Model Building and Post Cards/Collectables/Artwork Galleries
Public Photo Gallery
 

 


Frantz scrap tow set for Thursday

4/28
The veteran laker Joseph H. Frantz is apparently headed for the scrap heap. Tugs are scheduled to tow the vessel from her lay-up berth at Buffalo, NY, to Port Colborne, Ont. sometime Thursday morning.

The tugs Ecosse and Seahound are expected to perform the tow, which will end for now at Wharf 16 in Port Colborne. It is unknown at present if the vessel will be scrapped in Port Colborne, or continue at a later date to an overseas scrap yard.

For the past two seasons the 618-foot Frantz has been under charter from Oglebay Norton Marine Services to Great Lakes Associates (Kinsman), which used her mostly in the grain trade. However the Frantz, built in 1925, is in need of a five-year hull and machinery inspection and reports indicate she needs more work than can be financially justified on such an old vessel.

Please send any tow photos or sightings to news@boatnerd.net

Reported by Brian Wroblewski, Jason Leslie
 

 


Ottawa boosts marine security

4/28
The federal government is bolstering security along Canada's waterways and maritime borders with a new multi-agency policing centre, more patrol vessels, and increased screening and tracking measures at Canadian ports.

Details of the $300-million plan, promised in the recent federal budget, were outlined today at a southern Ontario marine centre by several Liberal MPs, including Roy Cullen, parliamentary secretary to Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan. "This funding for marine security allows us to address a key element of the National Security Policy and helps fulfill our commitment to work with the United States on collective security issues at our borders," Cullen said on behalf of McLellan.

The five-year plan includes expanding the use of radiation detection equipment to screen marine containers entering Canadian ports. Four new patrol vessels will also be added, to be jointly crewed by the RCMP and the Canadian Coast Guard. It will also enhance automatic identification system equipment for tracking vessels on the Upper Great Lakes and improve immigration screening of crews and passengers on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system.

The Navy's Halifax-class patrol frigates will also be upgraded to carry RCMP emergency response boats.

Reported by the Toronto Star / Canadian Press
 

 


Passport proposal scrapped

4/28
The Bush administration signaled Monday that it is withdrawing its plan to require passports for those motoring across the northern border by 2008. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the government is "seeking alternatives" to the passport edict announced by his department and the State Department on April 5.

The original announcement that passports would be required for land crossings drew strong protests from businesses and institutions that depend on casual travel. For a family of four, passports would cost almost $300 and require months to obtain. Since at least the 1920s, all that has been needed to cross the border was a driver's license or a declaration of citizenship or residence.

Great Lakes bridge and tunnel operators said the passport mandate would virtually end spur-of-the-moment business and recreational trips between the United States and Canada. Schumer, who met with Chertoff and agency aides at Grand Central Station, said Chertoff wanted the public to know that the change in course "was consistent with President Bush's wishes."

Bush on April 14 indicated the department's announcement surprised him and said he wanted the plan reviewed. An official notice containing the proposed rule was to have been published last week. However, the rule, proposed by the Homeland Security and State departments, is still under review in the president's Office of Management and Budget.

There was no discussion, Schumer said, about withdrawing the passport edict for those traveling from the United States to the Caribbean as of 2006 or those flying between the United States and Canada and Mexico, as of 2007.

Spokesmen for Homeland Security on Monday confirmed they are "seeking alternatives" to passports but said that was their plan all along. Homeland Security "is not declaring that a passport will be the sole means of identification" for land border crossings, said department spokesman Jarrod Agen. "Passports will still be accepted" by border security officials, he said.

Christiana Halsey, spokeswoman for Customs and Border Protection, said passports "are always the preferred document," no matter how the review turns out. The era of terrorism begun by the attack on the World Trade Center requires stronger means of identification than a driver's license, she said. "There always needs to be a balance between security and facility," she said, "now that there is a need to better secure this country."

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport, who demanded weeks ago that the passport mandate be scrapped, said she is heartened at the government's change of course. Sen. Hillary Rodman Clinton, D-N.Y., said she is "gratified" Chertoff acknowledged that the passport requirement "is not the ideal solution."

Reported by Douglas Turner, Buffalo News
 

 


Steelmakers report strong results

4/28
Two steelmakers that own Iron Range taconite plants recorded strong first-quarter financial results to kick-start what's expected to be one of the domestic steel industry's finest years of profitability.

U.S. Steel (NYSE: X) on Tuesday reported a first-quarter net income of $455 million, up sharply from $58 million in the first quarter of 2004. Mittal Steel Co. N.V. (NYSE: MT) recorded a first-quarter net income of $1.1 billion, doubling its net income of $529 million in the first quarter of 2004.

U.S. Steel owns and operates Minntac Mine in Mountain Iron and Keewatin Taconite. Mittal, which earlier this month merged with International Steel Group, is 62.3 percent owner of Hibbing Taconite Co. Bolstered by a restructured, more efficient industry and improved steel prices, domestic steel producers expect the remainder of the year to be robust.

"With a strong first quarter behind us, we anticipate another very profitable year with significant contributions from all of our business segments," John Surma, U.S. Steel president and CEO, said in a news release. Mittal shipped 10.4 million tons of steel during the first quarter compared to 10.1 million tons in the first quarter of 2004.

However, U.S. Steel shipments declined to about 5.1 million tons compared to about 5.6 million tons a year ago. Shipments of U.S. Steel flat-rolled products slipped to 3.5 million tons from 4.1 million tons in the first quarter of 2004, though flat-rolled net sales were $335 million in 2005 compared to $113 million in 2004. U.S. Steel's domestic iron ore production declined 230,000 tons during the first quarter from a little more than 5.6 million tons in 2004 to nearly 5.4 million tons this year. Iron ore shipments also declined, from 4 million tons last year to about 3.4 million tons in 2005.

Because Minnesota winters have a negative effect on iron ore production, U.S. Steel officials say they expect second-quarter results for other business segments to improve as iron ore production picks up. Minntac Mine and Keewatin Taconite are forecast to produce about 20 million tons of taconite pellets in 2005. Ispat Inland Mining Co., owned by Mittal, should produce about 2.9 million tons.

AK Steel (NYSE: AKS) also reported quarterly results Tuesday. The company's net income of $59.2 million declined from $165.4 million during the comparable 2004 period. A year ago, AK included an after-tax gain of $174.9 million on the sale of a noncore asset.

Reported by Lee Bloomquist, Duluth News Tribune
 

 


Ferry to start up Friday, June 17

4/28
Bay Ferries Ltd., a Canadian company hired to run high-speed ferry service to Toronto for the City of Rochester, announced this afternoon that the ferry would resume service on Friday, June 17. Specific ticket prices have not yet been revealed, but the company indicated at a news conference in City Hall that rates would be comparable to last year's. Ticket packages also were promised. Bay Ferries indicated that reservations would be taken 30 days prior to launch, beginning in a few weeks.

Mayor William A. Johnson said he expected to be able to offer free tours of the ship in both Rochester and Toronto around the time of startup. The boat will be repainted, officials said, and the nickname will be changed from "The Breeze" to "The Cat."

The ferry, which is capable of carrying up to 774 passengers and 238 cars, began service to much fanfare last June. But after three months, the private operator shut it down because of financial problems. The city bought the ship for $32 million at a federal foreclosure auction in February.

Benjamin Douglas, president of the Rochester Ferry Co. board and a city council member, signed the final deal to hire Bay Ferries on Monday night. The board agreed in March to hire the company. Bay Ferries, which operates three ferry routes in eastern Canada and Maine, has been working on the project since March.

Reported by Rick Armon & Joseph Spector, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
 

 


Public Photo Gallery Updated

4/28

New albums in the Shipping, Lighthouses, Model Building and Post Cards/Collectables/Artwork Galleries
Public Photo Gallery
 

 


Detroit Princess riverboat transformation

4/27
The long awaited arrival of the party boat Detroit Princess is due to take place soon. It has undergone a transformation from a successful casino into Detroit's newest attraction. It has been a tumultuous journey from Orange, Texas to Detroit. 7,000 miles, 4 hurricanes, some broken windows and a very tired crew finally got the boat to Toledo last fall. Here it underwent the out of water dry dock inspection and repairs. Our core crew has had the winter to get to know the boat and is now itching to take the first cruise up the Detroit River. Hiring for the 200 + jobs is taking place this week - from the bartenders and dishwashers to the Engineers and other Captains. Over the past few weeks over 60,000 pounds of supplies have been delivered to the boat. Ovens, silverware, glassware, bar supplies, linens, salt and pepper shakers, dry goods, turkeys, shrimp  etc.

Negotiations with the City are nearing an end with the arrival of the boat in downtown soon there after. We hope everyone comes down to welcome her to her new home.  It's been a long journey, and we appreciate all the support and enthusiasm Detroit has shown so far.   This year looks to be an incredible season!!

Feel free to check out more information on http://www.detroitprincess.com

Reported by Chris Clarke

Detroit Princess transformation photos.
 

 


Coast Guard searches for downed pilot

4/27
Coast Guard boat and helicopter rescue crews with the help of the Milwaukee Police Department and Fire Department boat crews are conducting extensive searches of the waters off of Cudahy, WI for a pilot who crashed landed in Lake Michigan five miles from shore.

The Coast Guard received notification from Police 911 Dispatch of a cell phone call for help that was received just before midnight central time on Monday.  The pilot called for help while treading water after his plane reportedly ran out of fuel and crashed into Lake Michigan.

The Coast Guard immediately launched its small boats from Station Milwaukee and a HH-65 Helicopter from Air Station Traverse City, MI. The plane is reportedly a Piper Archer, a single engine air plane that the pilot was flying from Michigan. The Coast Guard's three rescue boats and the helicopter have received assistance in the search from two Milwaukee Police Department rescue boats and a Milwaukee Fire Department Boat.

The search continued Tuesday after sunrise with the help of a HH-65 Helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Detroit and a Canada Coast Guard C-130 rescue plane. The Lake Michigan water temperature is 46 degrees with three foot seas in the search area.


Follow-up: Coast Guard suspends search for missing pilot

The Coast Guard suspended the search for Jonathan Leber at 3:47 p.m. Tuesday after conducting 13 searches covering more than 1390 square miles.The search was conducted by Coast Guard boat and helicopter rescue crews with the help of the Canadian Coast Guard, the Milwaukee Police Department and Fire Department.

Jonathan Leber is a twenty-year-old resident of Springfield, VA.  He currently resides in Water town, WI. where he attends the Maranatha Baptist Bible College. He was reportedly flying a Piper Archer, a single engine aircraft across Lake Michigan when he ran out of fuel and crash-landed into the lake five miles from shore just off of Cudahy, WI.

The Coast Guard received notification from Milwaukee Sheriff 911 Dispatch of a cell phone call for help that was received just before midnight central time.  While floating in the water he called the 911 to report his condition, that call along with notification from the Federal Aviation Administration sparked the immediate search and rescue effort.

The Coast Guard launched its small boats from Station Milwaukee and a HH-65 Helicopter from Air Station Traverse City, MI.  The search continued after sunrise with the help of a HH-65 Helicopter from Air Station Detroit and a Canadian Coast Guard C-130 rescue plane. The Coast Guard's three rescue boats and the helicopters have received assistance in the search from two Milwaukee Police Department rescue boats and a Milwaukee Fire Department Boat.The Lake Michigan water temperature is 43 degrees with three foot seas in the search area.

Reported by the U.S. Coast Guard
 

 


Community struggles with fate of ore docks

4/27
The Two Harbors ore docks may not be elegant, but they are historic -- and some consider them to be in danger. The industrial complex at Agate Bay in Two Harbors is among sites on a list -- to be released in May -- compiled by the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota.

Each year the organization lists the 10 most-endangered historic properties in Minnesota. There were about 30 nominations this year, Alliance Chairman Roger Randall said. Agate Bay and the three ore docks that jut into Lake Superior were chosen because of their unique contribution to the country's industrial heritage, according to the Alliance.

"The docks helped move the ore for the steel that built America," said Charlene Roise, a principal of the historical consultant company Hess, Roise and Co. of Minneapolis. She helped nominate Agate Bay for this year's list. Historical properties "aren't just pretty houses and churches," Roise said.

The list is designed to generate discussion about which properties are worth preserving, Randall said. When the old St. Louis County Jail in Duluth made the list in 2004, it caught the attention of an East Coast law enforcement official who has been making inquiries about buying and renovating the building, Duluth Preservation Alliance board member Deb Kellner said. "The list works," Kellner said. "People from across the country can see what's going on, and otherwise they wouldn't even know these properties are endangered."

Agate Bay remains a working harbor. Two of the three ore docks are in use, though the land surrounding the bay is in transition. The Department of Natural Resources recently purchased 27 acres on Agate Bay from Twin Cities developer Sam Cave to build a safe harbor and marina. Cave owns other acreage in Agate Bay and plans a nearby condominium development.

"When you start introducing residential uses to the bay, that comes in conflict with the past industrial uses," Roise said. "It's important for people to stop and think about what that means."

In 1884, the Duluth and Iron Range Railway began laying tracks toward what would become Two Harbors to begin hauling iron ore from the Iron Range to the Lake Superior harbor, according to the Cultural Landscape Foundation, based in Washington, D.C. Soon after, the ore docks came into use. The oldest surviving dock in Agate Bay is Dock #6. The dock is 952 feet long and could hold 43,246 tons of ore. It was built in the early 1900s, the first of its type to be built of concrete and steel instead of wood. Dock #2 was remodeled in the late 1970s to move taconite pellets, rather than raw ore. The brick roundhouse and nearby shops were abandoned in the early 1960s.

The Alliance typically generates new listings each year to keep things fresh and public interest high, Randall said. But that doesn't mean that past listings, such as the St. Louis County Jail, are necessarily out of danger.

"I think the roundhouse is historic and should be saved," Cave said. "And the ore docks themselves are still a working business. I wish (the Alliance) luck in preserving them."

In the end, it may be Cave and Two Harbors city officials who decide the fate of the town's industrial waterfront. Many people in Two Harbors have a love-hate relationship with the railroad company and the harbor activities, Roise said. "You can't freeze history," Roise said. "But when things change in certain ways, it can change the character of a place. It can start erasing history."

Reported by Janna Goerdt, Duluth News Tribune
 

 


Researchers to study Lake Erie's central basin this summer and next

4/26
Scientists will take a sweeping look at Lake Erie starting in May in what is being called one of the largest research projects ever on the Great Lakes. The story was reported in Monday's Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The two-year international project, led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will focus on the lake's food chain, which starts at the microscopic level and goes up to predator fish, such as walleye, bass and burbot. As many as 10 research ships will concentrate on the lake's central basin,
an area from Huron to Erie, Pa., that has seen fluctuating levels of phosphorus and lower levels of oxygen over the last decade.

Researchers will try to understand why low oxygen levels recur in the central basin and whether they affect fish and other aquatic creatures. Researchers will measure phosphorus and other physical and biological characteristics of Lake Erie from May through October to help understand how they affect lower oxygen levels.

Phosphorus in fresh water serves as a nutrient. It washes off from yards and farm fields where it is used as a fertilizer and winds up in the lake. Phosphorus also is discharged into the lake from sewage treatment plants. Research over the past few years shows the leading culprits for the phosphorus change are zebra and quagga mussels, exotic invaders from Ukraine and Asia that have arrived in ship ballast water since 1988. The fingernail-size clams filter microscopic organisms out of the water and expel vast amounts of phosphorus, which is then concentrated along the shoreline and lake bottom.

The higher phosphorus levels are causing more algae to grow. Of particular concern is microcystis, a blue-green algae that is inedible and, in the right conditions, can release toxins that can affect fish and other aquatic life, Knight said.

When phosphorus is abundant, the "bad" blue-green algae out-competes the "good" green algae, which is at the base of the lake's food chain and is eaten by free-floating microscopic animals in the water, Knight said. When the "bad" algae dies, it sinks to the bottom, rots and uses up oxygen. That was the problem in the 1960s when the lake looked like pea soup and was considered dead.

Reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer
 

 


Southdown Challenger fit-out to begin in mid-May

4/26
The 99-year-old cement carrier Southdown Challenger will be  moving over to the old grain elevator dock in Milwaukee (near the Heavy Lift Dock) shortly and the crew will be reporting back for fit-out on May 16. The Challenger should be moving again by the beginning of June.

The news comes amid concerns that because of Cemex's sale to St. Mary's Cement recently the veteran steamer would not run this year. No mention has been made of a name change; the barge Cemex Conquest had the "Cemex" part of her name painted out earlier this year as she is out simply as "Conquest."

Reported by Kevin Rogers
 

 


Canada to bolster marine security

4/26
The Canadian government is bolstering security along Canada's waterways and maritime borders, it is reported here Friday. Details of the 300-million-dollar plan, promised in the recent federal budget, were outlined Friday at a southern Ontario marine centre by several members of Parliament, including Roy Cullen, parliamentary secretary to Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan. "This funding for marine security allows us to address a key element of the National Security Policy and helps fulfil our commitment to work with the United States on collective security issues at our borders," Cullen said.

The five-year plan includes expanding the use of radiation detection equipment to screen marine containers entering Canadian ports. Four new patrol vessels will also be added to improve immigration screening of crews and passengers on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system. The Navy's Halifax-class patrol frigates will also be upgraded to carry police emergency response boats, according to Cullen.

Reported by Fred Waterer
 

 


Port Reports

4/26
Toledo, OH:
Reported by Jim Hoffman
The salt water vessel Dobrush was at the Midwest Terminal Dock unloading cargo. The salt water vessel Irma was at Andersons "K" Elevator loading grain. The tug Anglian Lady with her barge was at the B-P Dock loading cargo.

At the Shipyard, the tug Frank Pallidino is in the small drydock, the riverboat Detroit Princess is in the small slip north of the yard while the Courtney Burton remains at the old Interlake Iron Dock just north of the yard.

The next coal boats due into the CSX Docks will be the Herbert C. Jackson, Saginaw, and Middletown on Tuesday, followed by the CSL Niagara on Thursday. The next scheduled ore boats due into the Torco Dock will be the Nanticoke on Tuesday, followed by the Frontenac on Wednesday. The Capt. Henry Jackman is due into the Midwest Terminal Stone Dock on Tuesday. The H. Lee White remains at the CSX# one dock undergoing repairs, while the Buckeye remains in lay-up at the Lakefront Docks.

Toronto, ON:
Reported by Charlie Gibbons
The salty Irma got under way on Friday morning for the Welland Canal. Stephen B. Roman came out of her temporary lay-in and went to Picton for cement - she returned to port Sunday morning. The city Works Dept. tug Ned Hanlan (2) was refloated at the Keating Channel on Friday and returned to service over the weekend.

Saginaw River:
Reported by Todd Shorkey
The Canadian Transfer was inbound the Saginaw River passing the pump out station Monday afternoon around 1:30.  She unloaded at the NorthStar Dock in Essexville then turned from the dock and was outbound passing the front range light at 9:30pm. The tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort & barge Great Lakes Trader were inbound Monday evening passing the front range around 7pm.  They lightered at the Wirt Stone Dock in Bay City, and then departed for the Wirt Dock in Saginaw to finish unloading around 10pm.

Marquette, MI:
Reported by Lee Rowe
The Pathfinder made a trip to the upper harbor ore dock Monday while the Wolverine went to the lower harbor Shiras Power Plant dock.

Sault Ste. Marie:
Reported by Jon Paul Michaels
Monday started off with a mix of rain and snow and very little traffic on the St. Marys River. The saltie Viken was down the MacArthur at 8:00am and later the Armco passed down the Poe at 9:30am. The USCGC Buckthorn spent most of the day working buoys in the lower river from Munuscong Bay to Lime Island and The Pipe Islands. The Calypso was down the locks before noon and the vessel traffic started to pick up as the Columbia Star locked up at 12:30. The Algonorth locked down with grain at 1:30pm as the Walter J McCarthy locked up. The CSL Tadoussac was down at 3:30 as the Michipicoten went in to Algoma Steel to unload. The Stewart J Cort locked down at 4:30pm and met the upbound Lee A Tregurtha at 9 mile Point. The Algonova reported down at Point Louise at 5:00pm. The James R Barker came down at 9:00pm and was followed by the Michipicoten which was done unloading at Algoma and was headed light to Cedarville for a load of stone.

(From Friday) With the new shipping season almost a month old, traffic in the St. Marys River is beginning to balance out after the initial rush to get stockpiles replenished. The Indiana Harbor was down the Poe lock at 5:00 am and the next vessel to lock through wasn’t until the CSL Tadoussac passed up at 9:00 am. The tug Avenger IV and the barge PML 9000 departed Sault Ontario with a load of coiled steel and passed down at Mission Point at 7:45am. The USCGC Buckthorn continued working buoys and is now concentrating on the upper river around Point Iroquois. The Algonorth was upbound through the MacArthur Lock at 10:30am and the Armco was up the Poe at noon. The Stewart J. Cort passed through the Poe at 6:00pm.

Buffalo, NY:
Reported by Brian Wroblewski
I have some interesting information to pass on about the S.Park Ave. Lift Bridge. An inside source says that work has been delayed by a union strike. Improvements involve complete replacement of all lifting equipment, new roadway approaches, and a rebuilt bridge deck. The bridge is going to be left in the raised position for the summer and down for the winter. Eventually the city is planning on automating all of their bridges and operating them from a control center without tenders on site at each location. 

The Herbert C Jackson was unloading grain at the ADM Standard Elevator at 8:00 Sunday morning. She looked to be about 1/3 unloaded so she must have come in last night. I would assume she will head out this evening.

Alpena, MI:
Reported by Ben & Chanda McClain
The Cuyahoga brought a load of sand to the Alpena Oil Dock in the Thunder Bay River around 1am in the morning  on Thursday. The U.S. Coast Guard vessel Acacia was observed heading into Lafarge on Thursday evening and has been tied up there throughout the weekend. Also in port is the Durocher tug Valerie B, which is tied up in the river near the 2nd Ave bridge. The Alpena is waiting out the weather in Milwaukee and the Integrity is doing likewise in South Chicago. The Great Lakes Trader remained tied up at the Stoneport dock to wait out the storm.
 

 


Announcement

4/26
Ride alongside the tall ship Red Witch as she sails into Chicago, her new homeport

Lakeshore Sail Charters LLC proudly announces that on May 15, 2005, the schooner Red Witch will arrive in Chicago, making her the only wooden tall ship to have residence there. We invite the press to ride in the designated boat next to Red Witch as she makes her way past the lighthouse, the ceremonial water cannons of the fire boat, and into Burnham Harbor, next to the Museum Campus.

Red Witch is a 77-foot Gaff rig topsail schooner whose designer was John G. Alden, long considered to be one of the world’s greatest naval architects and classic yacht designers. Her dramatic bright crimson hull is constructed from mahogany over cypress frames, with a Douglas fir deck.  Named after the epic sea story Wake of the Red Witch, by Garland Roark, the spacious salon is decorated with original posters and pictures from the 1949 film, starring John Wayne and Gail Russell.

Built in 1986 specifically for charter passenger travel, Red Witch has enjoyed a long pedigree of charter sailing, beginning in Hawaii and San Diego, moving to the Great Lakes about ten years ago. She has also been a registered exhibition tall ship, and was a participant in the 2003 Chicago Tall Ship Festival, as well as the State of Ohio Bicentennial celebration in 2003, where she was awarded flagship status. Red Witch is a member of the American Sail Training Association (ASTA), and has been used as an educational platform for traditional rig sailing and maritime history. In Chicago, she will be conveniently docked in Burnham Harbor, adjacent to Museum Campus, McCormick Convention Center, and Soldier Field.

The Schooner Red Witch will be available to the public for charter events such as day sails, evening cruises, fireworks cruises, and other Chicago special events, as well as private parties and corporate events. Passengers will enjoy the comfort of Red Witch as the two cabin tops are at chair height and provide comfortable seating. Wide decks and safety rails allow for easy movement. The weight of the vessel, along with the steadying effect of the wind in the sails, ensures a comfortable relaxing motion, soothing to sailors and non-sailors alike. She is fully inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and licensed to carry up to 49 passengers.

Lakeshore Sail Charters LLC, a Chicago-based, female-owned company, was founded in 2003 by Dr. Karen Randall. Call Dr. Randall or Captain Bruce to make reservations for the press boat at 708-769-4220 or send an e-mail to redwitch@lakeshoresail.com.  To visit our website go to www.lakeshoresail.com.

Reported by Bruce Randall

Red Witch starboard side view.
 

 


Public Photo Gallery Updated

4/26

New albums in the Shipping, Lighthouses, Model Building and Post Cards/Collectables/Artwork Galleries
Public Photo Gallery
 

 


Today in Great Lakes History

4/26
On 26 April 1859, the wooden schooner A SCOTT was carrying limestone blocks for a large Presbyterian church being built at Vermilion, Ohio.  The vessel was driven ashore near Vermilion by a gale and was quickly pounded to pieces.  Her insurance had expired about ten days earlier.  No lives were lost.

ALGOWEST (Hull#226) by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd., was launched April 26, 1982.  Renamed PETER R CRESSWELL in 2001.

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.

Paterson’s CANADOC (Hull#627) by Davie Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., was launched April 26, 1961.

BENSON FORD (Hull#245) by Great Lakes Engineering Works was launched in 1924.

In 1982, carferry service from Frankfort, Michigan 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 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 foot, 122 gross tons, built in 1871 at Perry, Ohio), loaded with salt, was anchored off South 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 foot, 550 gross tons, built in 1872 at Lorain, Ohio as a 3-mast schooner) sprang a leak and sank at River Rouge, Michigan in the Detroit River. The wreck was removed the following month and abandoned. She had a 54 year career.

4/25
On 25 April 1888, JESSIE MAGGIE (wooden schooner, 63 foot, 49 gross tons) was re-registered as a 2-masted schooner.  She was built on a farm in Kilmanagh, Michigan in 1887, as a 3-masted schooner and she was launched near Sebewaing, Michigan.  It took 16 spans of oxen to haul her over frozen ground to the launch site. She lasted until 1904.

Interlake Steamship’s WILLIAM J DE LANCEY (Hull#909) of American Ship Building Co., was christened April 25, 1981.  Renamed b.) PAUL R. TREGURTHA in 1990.

On April 25, 1973, the self-unloading boom on CSL’s TADOUSSAC of 1969,  collapsed while she was at Sandusky, Ohio.

In 1925 the ANN ARBOR 4 was back in service after running aground on February 13th off Kewaunee, Wisconsin.

In 1973, it was announced that the CITY OF SAGINAW 31, would be scrapped after a fire which destroyed her cabin deck in 1971.

Hall Corp. of Canada’s bulk canaller a.) ROCKCLIFFE HALL (Hull#615) by Davie Shipbuilding & Repair Ltd., was launched April 25, 1958. Converted to a tanker in 1972, renamed b.) ISLAND TRANSPORT, and c.) ENERCHEM LAKER in 1987.

Pittsburgh Steamship Co.’s BENJAMIN F FAIRLESS (Hull#824) by American Ship Building Co., was launched April 25, 1942.

Mutual Steamship Co.’s WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE (Hull#41) by Great Lakes Engineering Works,  was launched April 25, 1908.  Renamed b.) S B WAY in 1936 and c.) CRISPIN OGLEBAY in 1948.  She was scrapped at Santander, Spain in 1974.

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

On April 25, 1954, the T R MC LAGAN (now OAKGLEN) entered service. At 714 feet 6 inches, 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.

Whaleback a.) FRANK ROCKEFELLER (Hull#136) by the American Steel Barge Co., was launched in 1896, for the American Steel barge Co., Pickands, Mather & Co., mgr.  Converted to a sand dredge and renamed b.) SOUTH PARK in 1927 and converted to a tanker and renamed.c.) METEOR in 1945. 

On April 25, 1949, CSL’s 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, Michigan. She was owned by Capt. William R. Loutill and could carry 180,000 feet of lumber.

T S CHRISTIE (wooden propeller, 160 foot, 533 gross tons) was launched at F. W. Wheeler's yard (Hull #22) in W. Bay City, Michigan 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.

4/24
On 24 April 1872, the 3-mast wooden schooner JENNIE GRAHAM was sailing up Lake Huron to pick up a load of lumber.  She was light and at full sail when a sudden squall caused her to capsize.  Two crew members were trapped below decks and died.  Captain Duncan Graham was washed away and drowned.  The remaining seven crew members clung to the overturned hull for about an hour and then the vessel unexpectedly turned upwards and lay on one side.  The crew was then able to cut away a lifeboat and get in it.  They were later picked up by the schooner SWEEPSTAKES.  The GRAHAM was salvaged and taken to Port Huron for repairs.

The ONTADOC sailed from Collingwood, Ontario on her maiden voyage on April 24, 1975, for Sault Ste. Marie, Onario. to load steel for Duluth, Minnesota. Renamed b) MELISSA DESGAGNES in 1990.

Pittsburgh Steamship Co.’s D M CLEMSON (Hull#716) of the American Ship Building Co., departed Lorain on her maiden voyage April 24, 1917, to load iron ore at Duluth, Minnesota.

The B F JONES left Quebec on April 24, 1973, in tandem with her former fleet mate EDWARD S KENDRICK towed by the Polish tug KORAL heading for scrapping in Spain.

The wooden schooner WELLAND CANAL was launched at Russell Armington's shipyard at St. Catharines, Ontario. She was the first ship built at St. Catharines and the first to navigate the Welland Canal when it opened between St. Catharine's and Lake Ontario on 10 May 1828.

Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Steve Haverty, 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.
 

 


18-foot Coast Guard boat sinks

4/23
Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team Duluth’s 18-foot workboat sank in the Spirit Lake Region of the St. Louis River at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20.

The crew of the workboat was setting navigational buoys along the St. Louis River when they noticed that the boat was taking on water. The crew turned the boat back towards shore when, despite the efforts of the four-person crew, the boat sank. The four Coast Guardsmen swam to a local marina where they reported the incident. All four crewmembers were wearing cold weather survival suits and made it out of the water without injuries.

The 18-foot boat is resting in seven feet of water and is not impeding navigation of the waterway. The Coast Guard is working with a local salvage company to raise the boat.  Work was halted for the night to continue Thursday at 8 a.m.

The cause of the sinking is unknown at this time.

Reported by the U.S. Coast Guard
 

 


News Photo Gallery Updated

4/23

News Photo Gallery updated. 

Note:  This page will generally be used only for photos related to recent news or port/area reports.  Photos of your visits to the various ship watching locations, trips etc. can now be posted in your own albums created in the Public Gallery.  Just click on the Public Photo Gallery link and follow the instructions.
 

 


Public Photo Gallery Updated

4/23

New albums in the Shipping, Lighthouses, Model Building and Post Cards/Collectables/Artwork Galleries
Public Photo Gallery
 

 


Today in Great Lakes History

4/23
On 23 April 1883, STEPHEN S BATES (wooden schooner, 97 foot, 139 tons, built in 1856 at Manitowoc, Wisconsin) was bound from Horne’s Pier, Wisconsin with posts and hardware for Chicago when she was driven into the shallows just north of Grosse Point, Illinois by a storm and broke up.  No lives were lost.

In 1953, the PERE MARQUETTE 22 was cut in half, then pulled apart and lengthened by 40 feet, as part of a major refit at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Also during this refit, her triple expansion engines were replaced with Skinner Unaflows, and her double stacks were replaced with a single, tapered stack. The refit was completed August 28, 1953.

On April 23, 1966, the JOSEPH S WOOD was towed to the Ford Rouge complex at Dearborn, Michigan by her new owners, the Ford Motor Company, she was renamed c.) JOHN DYKSTRA.

Canada Steamship Lines FORT YORK was commissioned April 23, 1958.

On April 23, 1980, the ARTHUR B HOMER's bow thruster failed while maneuvering through ice at Taconite Harbor, Minnesota, resulting in a grounding which damaged her bow and one ballast tank.

The a.) GRIFFIN (Hull#12) by the Cleveland Ship Building Co. was launched April 23, 1891, for the Lake Superior Iron Mining Co.  Renamed b.) JOSEPH S SCOBELL in 1938 and scrapped at Rameys Bend, Ontario in 1971.

On April 23, 1972, PAUL H CARNAHAN arrived at the Burlington Northern Docks at Superior, Wisconsin to load 22,402 gross tons of iron ore bound for Detroit, opening the 1972 shipping season at Superior.

On 23 April 1859, at about midnight, the schooner S BUTTLES was fighting a severe gale. She was carrying staves from Port Burwell, Ontario to Clayton, New York and sprung a leak while battling the gale. While manning the pumps, one man was washed overboard, but his shipmates quickly rescued him. Capt. Alexander Pollock beached the vessel to save her about 10 miles east of the Genesee River.

On 23 April 1882, GALLATIN (2-mast wooden schooner, 138 foot, 422 tons, built in 1863 at Oswego, New York) was carrying pig iron from St. Ignace, Michigan to Erie, Pennsylvania when she sprang a leak in a storm on Lake Erie. She struck bottom on Chickanolee Reef and foundered in shallow water at Point Pelee. Her crew was saved from the rigging by the fishing sloop LIZZIE

4/22
On 22 April 1872, Capt. L. R. Boynton brought the wooden propeller WENONA into Thunder Bay to unload passengers and freight at Alpena, Michigan.  The 15 inch thick ice stopped him a mile from the harbor.  The passengers got off and walked across the ice to town.  Later, because of the novelty of it, a couple hundred people from Alpena walked out to see the steamer.  In the evening, Capt. Boynton steamed back to Detroit without unloading any of the cargo.

American Steamship Co.’s, ST.CLAIR (Hull#714) was christened April 22, 1976, at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin by Bay Shipbuilding Corp..

The CHICAGO TRIBUNE of 1930, laid up for the last time at Toronto on April 22, 1986.

CSL’s HOCHELAGA of 1949, lost her self-unloading boom during a windstorm at Windsor, Ontario. on April 22, 1980. As a consequence she made ten trips hauling grain as a "straight decker".

CHARLES M WHITE was commissioned April 22, 1952, at South Chicago, Illinois. She was soon recognized as one of the fastest ships on the Great Lakes because of her ability to reach speeds in excess of 17 knots (19.6 mph).

On 22 April 1871, the 210 foot, 4 mast wooden schooner JAMES COUCH was launched at Port Huron, Michigan. She was named for a prominent Chicago businessman of the times.

On 22 April 1872, EVA M CONE (wooden schooner, 25 tons, built in 1859 at Oconto, Wisconsin) was carrying lumber from Port Washington to Milwaukee on an early-season run when she struck on ice floe, capsized and sank just outside of Milwaukee harbor. Her crew made it to safety in her lifeboat.

4/21
On 21 April 1863, SEABIRD (wooden side-wheel steamer, 638 tons, built in 1859, at Newport [Marine City], Michigan) was purchased by Capt. A. E. Goodrich from Capt. E. Ward for $36,000.  She served primarily on the Lake Michigan west-shore and Lake Superior routes until she burned in 1868.

The EDWIN H GOTT cleared Two Harbors, Minnesota, with her first cargo, 59,375 tons of iron ore, on April 21, 1979, bound for Gary, Indiana.

Interstate Steamship’s a.) WILLIS L KING (Hull#79) by the Great Lakes Engineering Works, departed on her maiden voyage with a load of coal from Toledo, Ohio on April 21, 1911 bound for Superior, Wisconsin. Renamed b) C L AUSTIN in 1952 and was scrapped at Ashtabula, Ohio in 1985.

On April 21, 1988, P & H Shipping Ltd.’s, d.) BIRCHGLEN, a.) WILLIAM MC LAUGHLIN, was towed off the Great Lakes by the tugs ELMORE M MISNER and ATOMIC bound for Sydney Nova Scotia to be scrapped. 

Panda Steamship Co., G.A. Tomlinson, mgr.’s a.) WILLIAM H WARNER (Hull#784) by American Ship building Co., was launched April 21, 1923.  Renamed b.) THE INTERNATIONAL in 1934, c.) MAXINE in 1977, d.) J F VAUGHAN in 1981 and e.) OAKGLEN in 1983.  Scrapped at Aliaga, Turkey in 1989.

Pittsburgh Steamship Co’s, HOMER D WILLIAMS (Hull#720) by American Ship Building Co., Lorain, Ohio, was launched in 1917.

April 21, 1998 - The PERE MARQUETTE 41 (former CITY OF MIDLAND 41) was towed to Sturgeon Bay from Muskegon for the remainder of the conversion. She was towed by the tugs MARY PAGE HANNAH and the CARL WILLIAM SELVICK.

On 21 April 1868, GERTRUDE (2-mast wooden schooner, 137 foot, 268 tons, built in 1855 at Cleveland, Ohio) was carrying corn from Chicago to Buffalo when she was cut by the ice four miles west of Mackinaw City and sank in deep water. Her crew made it to shore in the yawl.

4/20
On 20 April 1851, the COMET (wooden side-wheel steamer, 174 foot, 337 gross tons, built in 1848, at Portsmouth [Kingston], Ontario) had her boiler explode as she was departing Oswego, New York.  8 crew members were killed.  The vessel was later raised, rebuilt in Montreal, and put back in service as the MAYFLOWER.  She last until 1861, when she sank in Lake Ontario when she collided with the schooner EXCHANGE.

On April 20, 1960, Bethlehem Steel’s ARTHUR B HOMER (Hull#303)  entered service. She was the last vessel built by the Great Lakes Engineering Works.  She was scrapped at Port Colborne, Ontario in 1986.

The 3-mast schooner CAMDEN was launched at Cleveland, Ohio on 20 April 1872.

Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Steve Haverty, 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.
 

 


Man fined $10K for hoax call to Coast Guard

4/22
A federal judge in Detroit last week ordered a North Carolina man to pay $10,000 in restitution for making a false distress call to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Bradley Paul Taylor, formerly of Rochester Hill, Mich., was sentenced to two years probation and four months house confinement after pleading guilty in January to making a false district call. Taylor admitted, through his guilty plea, that on the night of June 1, 2003, he contacted the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 stating his vessel was taking on water in Lake St. Clair.  Rescue boats from Coast Guard Stations Belle Isle and St. Clair Shores and a helicopter from the Coast Guard air station at Selfridge responded to the distress call.  Taylor was actually on board a vessel docked at a Detroit area marina.

"False distress calls not only cost taxpayers money and place Coast Guard members at increased personal risk, but more importantly, they divert limited resources from mariners who are in actual distress," stated Capt. Paul Preusse, chief of operations for the Ninth Coast Guard District in Cleveland.

Reported by the U.S. Coast Guard
 

 


Port Reports

4/22
Saginaw, MI:
Reported by Todd Shorkey
The tug Invincible & barge McKee Sons was outbound the Saginaw River Thursday morning after unloading overnight at the Saginaw Rock Products dock. Inbound early Thursday morning was the tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort & barge Great Lakes Trader.  It is not known what dock they unloaded at. They were outbound from the Sixth Street turning basin Thursday afternoon headed for the lake. The CSL Tadoussac was also an overnight arrival, calling on the Essroc Terminal in Essexville to unload clinker.  She finished her unload by late Thursday morning and was backing out of the river to turn around at Light 12 of the entrance channel out in Saginaw Bay.

Reported by Gordy Garris:
The Saginaw River was busy with up to 4 vessels that could be seen on the banks of the river all day Thursday. The McKee Son/Invincible were outbound the Saginaw River early Thursday morning after unloading overnight at the Saginaw Rock Products dock. The McKee Sons headed outbound for the lake, expected to load at Stoneport. The American Republic was also outbound the Saginaw River early Thursday morning after unloading overnight at the Bay Aggrate dock in Essexville. The tug Joyce L. VanEnkvort and the barge Great Lakes Trader were inbound the Saginaw River early Thursday morning. The pair continued upriver to unload at the Burroughs dock in Saginaw. The pair were passing outbound at the I-75 bridge in Zilwaukee just after 12pm, headed outbound for the lake. The Canadian Transfer was inbound the Saginaw River early Thursday evening with a load of Potash from Thunder Bay for the North Star dock in Essexville. The Transfer is expected to be outbound the Saginaw River early Friday morning.

Buffalo:
Reported by Brian Wroblewski

The Rebecca Lynn and her barge were gone by the morning. The Canadian Enterprise departed the Lackawanna Ship Canal at 9AM bound for Ashtabula. She had just unloaded what seemed to be a large pile of salt at the South end of the Gateway Metroport Terminal.
 

 


New study takes aim at saltwater vessel ballast water

4/21
Oceangoing freighters which are supposed to be clean before entering the Great Lakes carry billions of foreign organisms into the freshwater seas each year, including saltwater algae, invertebrates and potentially deadly bacteria.

According to a five-year study by the University of Michigan and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, freighters that enter the lakes via the St. Lawrence Seaway with no "ballast on board" – so called No-BOB vessels – routinely carry thousands of viable organisms in muddy water that sloshes around in empty ballast tanks. Those organisms can escape when ships take on and unload ballast water while in Great Lakes harbors.

Researchers also found that two-thirds of the 42 ships sampled carried potentially deadly organisms in ballast water tanks that were supposed to be empty and clean, including cholera and cryptosporidium. In 1993, cryptosporidium from an unknown source contaminated Milwaukee's drinking water system, killing more than 100 people and making 400,000 others ill.

The study's authors said immediate action is needed to stem the flow of exotic organisms and pathogens entering the lakes in freighters' ballast tanks. One possible remedy: Requiring all transcontinental freighters to completely empty and refill ballast tanks with salt water before entering the Great Lakes.

"These findings clearly indicate a need for development of either ship management or ... treatment processes that ensure that fresh or brackish (mildly salty) water residuals from offshore are not co-mingled with freshwater ballast discharged within the Great Lakes," according to the 285-page study, reported this week in the Muskegon Chronicle.

Presently, ships heading for the Great Lakes are required to exchange any ballast water at sea and report their ballast-water load at a station in Montreal. But most freighters headed for the seaway are loaded with cargo and carry no ballast; nearly 90 percent enter the lakes as "no-BOBs."

The federal government in 1993 required ships entering the Great Lakes to exchange ballast water offshore. But those rules failed to regulate No-BOBs, ships that reported no ballast water on board when entering the St. Lawrence Seaway, which links the lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. No-BOBs often add and release ballast water at Great Lakes ports after unloading cargo, a process that allows microscopic organisms lingering in ballast tanks to escape.

A federal judge recently ruled that ships can no longer discharge ballast water containing exotic species in the United States without obtaining a discharge permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA officials have not yet decided whether to implement the judge's rule or appeal the ruling to a higher court.

Michigan lawmakers also are considering legislation that would require shipping companies to obtain a ballast water discharge permit to operate at the state's Great Lakes ports.

Shipping industry officials have said international rules are needed to stop the movement of species from one continent to another via freighters' ballast water.

Reported by The Muskegon Chronicle

 

 


Bay Ship Building announces barge contract

4/21
Bay Shipbuilding Co. Monday opened up a big Christmas present it has held under wraps since last Dec. 23: a contract to build another sophisticated barge The barge is being built for American Transport Leasing, which will use the vessel to distribute manufactured cement to 15 ports on the Great Lakes. The vessel will be equipped with computer-controlled unloading equipment and may be reconfigured, eventually, to discharge cement by means of a conveyor or pumps.

The contract actually was signed Dec. 23, 2004, said Patrick J. O’Hern, vice president of Bay Ship. Publicity restrictions by the customer delayed the formal announcement about the contract from then until now, he added. Prior to the news being released, however, Bay Ship began planning, engineering and purchasing material for the project, O’Hern said. Enough preliminary work has been done to begin fabrication of the barge, which measure 460 feet by 70 feet, in May. The shipyard is scheduled to complete the vessel in the next 12 months and deliver it to the customer in May 2006, O’Hern said.


The cement barge contract, plus three other pending projects has employment at Bay Ship up to 725 as of mid-April, O’Hern said. About 75 to 100 more workers in various trades – steel workers, welders, painters, pipe fitters and electricians – will be needed to complete all the work scheduled at the yard, he added. “The ‘Help Wanted’ sign is still out at the front gate,” O’Hern said.


In addition to the new barge, Bay Ship crews are working on three petroleum barges which will be delivered later this year. The barges will be used to haul petroleum products on the U.S. coasts. Two 372-foot barges are being built for Hornbeck Offshore Services of Covington, La., and one of slightly larger size for Moran Towing Corp. of Greenwich, Conn.


The cement barge will be similar to Integrity, a state-of-the-art cement-hauling barge completed in 1996 for the LaFarge Co. of Southfield, Mich. The 460-foot long Integrity was the first commercial vessel to be built on the Great Lakes since the bottom fell out of shipbuilding in 1986. The barge was mated to the tug Jacklyn M (now named G.L. Ostrander).


In the same manner, the newly contracted barge will be powered by a tug. While Bay Ship does not have a contract to build the tug-mate, O’Hern said the shipyard has a team inspecting a tug that can be remodeled to do the job. Bay Ship will be competing with other shipyards in a bidding process to get the remodeling work, he added.

Reported by Joe Knaapen, Advocate news editor
 

 


Army Corps cutting back on dredging

4/21
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will end dredging and maintenance of harbors with annual commerce of less than a million tons if President George Bush's funding proposal stands. The president has proposed cutting a half billion dollars from the corps' current $4.71 billion budget, leaving $4.21 billion for 2006 operations. The plan still needs congressional approval.

If the plan became permanent, it could have a dramatic effect on smaller harbors and inlets across the Great Lakes and along the Mississippi River. Two commercial harbors in the Upper Peninsula - Ontonagon and Menominee - would be affected.

"I would presume, after a while (small harbors) would become unusable to commercial marine traffic," said Wayne Schloop, the corps' chief of operations for Detroit. Schloop said the corps is trying to work within "what we refer to as performance-based budgeting."

"(Under this plan) any harbor that's below a million tons does not get dredged," he said.

Currently one ship is capable of entering the Ontonagon River from Lake Superior to deliver coal to a 60-megawatt power plant and Smurfit-Stone Container, the cardboard box company that is the county's top employer. "We get our coal in by ship. There used to be tracks, but those were removed," said the corporation's general manager, Chris Broome. Broome said the lost of coal deliveries by ship would hurt the mill's viability. "We're already at a disadvantage with shipping costs, higher than any other mill in our company," he said.

The community is also in the middle of a $24 million state and federal project to move a U.S. Highway 45 bridge upriver to allow more ships into the harbor.

The river dumps sediment into the small harbor; roughly 200,000 to 300,000 tons of product are unloaded at the dock annually. Shipping over land could force an estimated 100-plus-percent increase in freight charges for these and other businesses in the county, which has little else but a state park for major employment.

"For sure it would drive up the cost of transportation," said local Economic Development Corporation Director Dorothy Bussiere. "It does have the potential to close down businesses."

Reported by Pete Mackin, The Mining Journal
 

 


Major win for steel, mining: Tariffs live on

4/21
Tariffs should be kept on some steel imports for five years, a U.S. trade panel voted Thursday, a victory for the industry that wants to maintain the protection as it struggles to rebound from bankruptcies. The Commerce Department had determined that lifting the tariffs would result in more imports from Brazil, Japan and Russia, and the U.S. International Trade Commission voted 4-2 that those imports would harm the U.S. industry. That was the key finding that guaranteed the continuation of the tariffs.

Dale Hemmila, spokesman for Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., championed the ITC's decision. "The bottom line for us is that we're pleased to see this ruling," he said. "It will have a positive effect on our customers, and certainly that's a good thing for us. These types of laws are really the only defense the U.S. has against unfair trade. It's good to see them upheld by the trade commission."

CCI is the largest producer of iron ore pellets in North America. The company operates six iron ore mines located in the Upper Peninsula, Minnesota, and Eastern Canada, including the Empire Mine at Palmer and the Tilden Mine at National Mine.

The duties were implemented in 1999 to prevent a flood of low-priced hot-rolled steel from the three foreign markets. The three countries dumped about 7 million tons of hot-rolled steel in 1998, trade officials said, part of an unprecedented surge into the American market. A second wave of steel imports from 11 other countries led to additional tariffs in 2002, which President Bush lifted in late 2003.

"This decision is a victory for our steel industry. It will help protect the livelihood of our steelworkers, their families and their communities,'' said Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, said in a press release that he had submitted testimony to the ITC in March, asking it to retain antidumping and countervailing duty orders for hot-rolled steel. "I am pleased with the decision made by the ITC to continue antidumping and countervailing duty orders. This will do much more than help U.S. steel and iron ore industries. This outcome is essential to a strong domestic manufacturing sector and national defense at a time when our economy is fragile and our nation is at war," Stupak said.

Automakers, suppliers and domestic manufacturers that use steel said the tariffs were causing higher prices and harming their ability to stay competitive. Ford Motor Co. said in a statement that the decision "seriously impacts steel consuming manufacturers as well as our entire economy.'' The automaker predicted that the United States "will continue to see constrained supplies of steel and prices that are artificially high.''

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., said the ruling was unfair and could lead to suppliers shifting their business overseas in order to remain competitive. A trade panel of the House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to hold hearings on the issue soon, he said. "This decision is the wrong decision, at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons,'' Rogers said.

Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Township, said: "Steel companies are making record profits, and the U.S. is an island of high steel prices. If the ITC won't end the duties now, when will they ever?''

The U.S. steel industry has rebounded and reorganized since the tariffs were first ordered and the sector turned a profit in 2004 for the first time in years.

International Steel Group was formed after the merging of several bankrupt steel companies, including LTV and Weirton, while U.S. Steel and Nucor each acquired other companies.

Reported by Scott Swanson, The Mining Journal & the Associated Press
 

 


Port Reports

4/21
Toledo, OH:
Reported by Jim Hoffman
On Wednesday, the Sam Laud was loading coal at the CSX Docks. The Algosteel was unloading ore at the Torco Ore Dock. The salt water vessel Dobrush was at the Midwest Terminal Dock unloading cargo. The tug/barge combo Michigan/Great Lakes was at the B-P Dock. The tug Karen Andrie with her barge was working her way outbound the Maumee River while the Mississagi was working her inbound the Maumee River bound for one of the Anderson Elevator complexes to load a grain cargo. The Canadian Ranger was at the ADM/Countrymark Elevator loading grain. The H. Lee White remains at the CSX #1 Dock for repairs.

At the Shipyard the tug Cheraw remained in the large drydock while the tug Frank Pallidino Jr. remained in the small drydock. The riverboat Detroit Princess
remains tied up in the small slip by the yard, while the Courtney Burton remains tied up at the old Interlake Dock just north of the yard. The Buckeye remains in lay-up at the Lakefront Docks. The former railroad carfloats Roanoke, Windsor, and Pere Marquette 10  remain in lay-up at the CSX Docks  "Frog Pond" area.

The next scheduled coal boats due into the CSX Docks will be the John J. Boland on Thursday, the Catherine Desgagnes and Reserve on Friday, the Arthur M. Anderson on Saturday, the Herbert C. Jackson on Monday, the Nanticoke on Tuesday, followed by the Lee A. Tregurtha and Saginaw on Wednesday. The next scheduled ore boats due into the Torco Dock will be the Atlantic Erie on Thursday, the Nanticoke on Monday, followed by the Frontenac on Thursday. The next scheduled stone boat due into the Midwest Terminal Stone Dock will be the Algorail on Thursday.

Saginaw, MI:
Reported by Todd Shorkey
Wednesday saw the tug Invincible & barge McKee Sons inbound with a split load.  The pair lightered at the Sargent dock in Essexville before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Saginaw Rock dock. Also inbound was the American Republic who called on the Bay Aggregates dock around 12:30 in the afternoon. Both were expected to be outbound Wednesday night. 

Sault Ste. Marie:
Reported by Jon Paul Michaels

Wednesday started off rainy and cool but that didn’t dampen the early morning activity on the St. Marys River. The Columbia Star passed down the Poe Lock at 6:00am with the Cason J. Calloway following at 7:30am. As the Calloway checked down to take on supplies from the Ojibway the Algomarine met them upbound on their way to the MacArthur Lock. After locking up the Algomarine went to the Algoma Export Dock to take on a load of slag. It was expected to take 24 hours to complete the loading. The Michipicoten left Algoma Steel and reported up at Light 26 at 7:30am and met the downbound Burns Harbor above Point Louise.

The USCGC Buckthorn departed Base Soo at 8:30am and continued working buoys in the West Neebish Channel and Munuscong Channel. The big saltie Bluewing was down the Poe at 10:00 as the rain and mist dissipated and the skies began to clear. The Joseph L. Block came up the Poe at 11:30 followed and hour later by the saltie Daviken in the MacArthur. As the Daviken reached the upper pool the John D. Leitch was entering the Poe downbound. The Tug Dorothy Ann/Barge Pathfinder took the Daviken’s place in the MacArthur and was down at 1:30pm. The saltie Jana took the lowered Mac up at 2:00pm and the Edwin H. Gott was up the Poe at 2:30 headed for Two Harbors. Ship traffic hit a lull till the American Mariner came up the Poe at 5:30pm loaded with coal for Munising.

Marquette, MI:
Reported by Lee Rowe
The Mesabi Miner brought coal to Marquette's WE Power Plant on Tuesday while the Charles M. Beeghly took on ore.

Alpena, MI:
Reported by Ben & Chanda McClain
The Wolverine arrived in the bay around 6:30pm on Wednesday. Out on the horizon was the Alpena, the Wolverine waited outside the channel to Lafarge until the Alpena passed to enter port first. The Wolverine followed behind and tied up at the coal dock before 9pm to unload its cargo. The G.L Ostrander/barge Integrity is expected to be in port to load on Thursday.

The Arthur M. Anderson was due at Stoneport late on Wednesday night, followed by the John G. Munson and McKee Sons on Thursday.
 

 


McKeil and Manistee go their separate ways

4/20
After a nearly 10 year relationship, McKeil Marine and the port of Manistee have gone their separate ways.  Tuesday morning, around 7:00 am the tug Evans McKeil took up a bow line to the barge Salty Dog #1, which had been serving as a dock extension at the General Chemical facility which closed a few months ago.  The tug Lac Como, which had laid up in Manistee over the winter took up a stern line, and the trio headed outbound through the Manistee river.  The group cleared the Manistee pier heads around 9:00 am, heading upbound for Windsor.  The Evans McKeil and Salty Dog #1, captained by Capt. Wilf Seymour was the first of the McKeil vessels to visit Manistee several years ago.  This departure ends Manistee and McKeil Marine's ties, which have spanned four tank barges, seven tugboats, and one powered tanker.  Manistee's shipping traffic will be comprised of only dry bulk vessels henceforth.

Reported by Chris Franckowiak
 

 


Fire reported on Hornbeck barge

4/20
From Monday's Eagle Herald, a fire was reported aboard the Hornbeck barge under construction at Marinette Marine Co. According to the report, the Marinette Fire Department responded to a fire on the barge at 12:29 Saturday afternoon. Firefighters reported that some plastic sheeting on the bottom of the barge was melted in the fire. Crews were on the scene for about an hour and a half. The Hornbeck barge was towed to Marinette in late 2004 from Toledo Ohio where construction began.

Reported by Scott Best
 

 


Port Reports

4/20
Toronto, ON:
Reported by Charlie Gibbons
The tour boat Northern Spirit 1 was out for it's annual coast guard inspection Tuesday morning. Stephen B. Roman is still in port. She came in late Friday and is on a temporary hiatus as the Essroc cement silos are full, as is the storage barge Metis. The Lafarge cement ship English River was in and out over the weekend, as was Cuyahoga on her second visit of the season, dumping rock on the dock. The Canadian Ranger departed her fit out berth and headed for the Welland Canal late Monday.  After Kapitan Georgi Georgiev departed Redpath Sugar dock Friday morning, the salty Irma was assisted into the slip by McKiel's harbor tugs. Unloading of Irma continued Tuesday.

The tug Wendy B. enjoyed an overnight cruise Saturday with the soon to be previous owner and friends. She will depart shortly with the new owner for a new life on the Potomac River. A picture of Wendy B.'s haul out at the Atlas crane was featured in the "Toronto Star" Saturday issue.

The charter and tour boats are gearing up for the  season. The schooner Empire Sandy bent her sails Saturday. The tour boats Harbour Star and Miss Kim Simpson are already running and the charter vessels Yankee Lady II, Kajama, River Gambler and Showboat Royal Grace have already seen service. The tour and charter boat industries, and the tourism industry in general has been struggling in recent years. Hopefully this will be a better season .  

All of the yacht clubs have their workboats and tenders in service as the yachting crowd preps for another season. Not many sailboats on the water as yet, but the fine spring weather will have them out soon. The water taxis have also resumed service.

At the ferry docks, all the winter tarps have been removed from the ferries, with the exception of the side-wheel steamer Trillium. The ferry Wm. Inglis entered service on Friday as the spring schedule kicked in.

The Port Authority derrick barge T.H.C. 50 was loaded with channel markers today, and will begin placing them shortly. Also in the Keating Channel, construction continues on the new charter vessel Yankee Lady IV. At Toronto Drydock, the tour boat Wayward Princess is still undergoing a sprucing up. The McNally Construction Inc. tug Bagotville and spud barge McNally Olympic are still working at the Redpath dock damaged by Canadian Provider last fall. The latter vessel is the only one left in winter lay-up here. Algobay is still here, but she hasn't turned a wheel since 2002 and her fate remains questionable. At Harbourfront, the Soderholm tug Diver III and barge Y & F No. 1 are still working on the new finger dock construction project.

Saginaw, MI:
Reported by Todd Shorkey
The tug Joe Thompson & barge Joseph H. Thompson were inbound the Saginaw River late Tuesday evening carrying a split load.  The pair stopped at the Sargent dock in Essexville to lighter before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw.  They were expected to be outbound Wednesday morning. The US Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock continues to work Aids to Navigation in the Saginaw Bay.
 

 


Fish tug "Jackie John" sinks off Ludington

4/20
The 36' Commercial trap net tug "Jackie John" sank off Ludington MI last weak in rough seas when it's bilge pumps failed. The two man crew was rescued by the Ludington Coast Guard after placing a distress call and a brief wait in the water. The Ludington Daily News reports that they were ok.

For more info, see http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news.php?story_id=26972

 

 


Vintage fish tug to join museum collection

4/20
The 1929 wooden fish tug Jane has been donated to the Northeastern Maritime Historical Foundation and will be bound for their collection based on Lake Superior.  Built by Sturgeon Bay Boat Works, the 40-foot tug is powered by  a  D-318 Caterpillar diesel.  In 1960 the tug had its hull plated with steel  and  is in excellent condition today.
 
The Foundation is looking for  volunteers with confident mechanical and  navigational abilities to deliver the vessel from Washington Island, WI to the Soo.  This needs to happen anytime during the month of May.  The tug is in fine  running condition.  The trip would likely take 3 days, running day light only.  
  
Interested parties are encouraged to contact the Foundation at:  TugMuseum@aol.com

Tug Jane idling at her dock 2 weeks ago.
Stern view.
 

 


Announcement

4/20
David G. Brown speaking Sat. April 23rd in Cleveland
David G. Brown, author of "White Hurricane: a Great Lakes November gale and America's deadliest maritime disaster," will be discussing this book and the terrible 1913 blizzard, at a luncheon on Saturday, April 23rd, at 1:00 p.m. at the Flat Iron Cafe, in Cleveland's "Flats."  (corner of Center and Merwin streets, near the historic red Center St. Swing Bridge). 

For more information and reservation call Bill Barrow, at (216) 687-6998, or email w.barrow@csuohio.edu.
 

 


News Photo Gallery Updated

4/20

News Photo Gallery updated. 

Note:  This page will generally be used only for photos related to recent news or port/area reports.  Photos of your visits to the various ship watching locations, trips etc. can now be posted in your own albums created in the Public Gallery.  Just click on the Public Photo Gallery link and follow the instructions.
 

 


Port Reports

4/19
Duluth - Superior:
Reported by Al Miller
The heavy-lift saltie Bavaria was in port to deliver a cargo of wind turbines, including several giant windmill blades. The blades were stored at the Duluth port terminal over the weekend, dwarfing the semi-trucks that were moving them.

On April 17, Armco was unloading stone at the CLM dock in Superior. Late in the afternoon, John J. Boland arrived with stone for the Reiss Inland dock. It was followed by BBC Ontario, which docked at Harvest States gallery to load grain. Also in port was the small saltie Katja, with steel coils for the Duluth port terminal. Arriving overnight was Paul R. Tregurtha for Midwest Energy Terminal

Saginaw River:
Reported by Todd Shorkey
The tug Joe Thompson & Barge Joseph H. Thompson were inbound the Saginaw River early Sunday evening with a split load.  The pair stopped to lighter at the Wirt dock in Bay City before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Wirt dock in Saginaw.  The Thompson is expected to be outbound Monday morning.

Also in the area is the US Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock who is working aids to navigation.  The Hollyhock tied up at the Consumers Energy dock in Essexville for the night Sunday.

Sault Ste. Marie:
Reported by Jon Paul Michaels
Monday started with a flurry of activity as the Lee Tregurtha started things off locking down the Poe at 7:30am as the Canadian Olympic came up the MacArthur. Next up was the Herbert C. Jackson followed by the Reserve at 8:00am. The Algocape was upbound at Mission Point at 7:45am and met the loaded saltie tanker Lake Maya downbound above the locks. The USCGC Buckthorn continued working the West Neebish Channel and also in the vicinity of Mud Lake, repositioning buoys and replacing winter markers. The Roger Blough was up the Poe at 11:20am headed for Two Harbors and later the St. Clair was up at 2:00pm.

The Federal Kivalina came down the locks at 2:30 loaded with grain and met the Federal Mackinac at 9 Mile Point. Close behind the Federal Mackinac was the Oglebay Norton which passed Mission Point at 5:00pm.The Presque Isle was down the Poe at 6:45pm and the Michipicoten came down loaded from Marquette going into Algoma Steel. The tug Dorothy Ann and barge Pathfinder were upbound at the locks at 9:25pm.

Manistee:
Reported by Chris Franckowiak
On a hazy Sunday afternoon the newly named Manistee paid a visit to her namesake port.  The vessel arrived at 4 PM from South Chicago Illinois' KCBX dock with a load of Western coal for the Tondu Cogeneration Plant.  The trip was no different from any of her previous visits as the Reiss, no extra whistle salutes, no house or signal flags flying, and no fanfare, it was simply another delivery to Manistee with a new name.  The vessel made 6 visits to Manistee last year, and it can be assumed that the Manistee will be a familiar sight in Manistee throughout the year.  The Manistee was expected to depart around 2 AM Monday morning upbound for Port Inland Michigan, due there at noon Monday where she will load limestone.  Lower Lakes Transportation has dominated the Port of Manistee's traffic so far this year, with one visit by the Mckee Sons, 2 by the Calumet, and one by the Manistee

Sarnia - Port Huron:
Reported by Jeff Gushman
Alpena was down Saturday morning followed by the Hollyhock, American Republic and Canadian Transport. The Peter R. Cresswell was upbound around noon. Other downbound traffic included the Edgar B. Speer and Fred R. White Jr. Upbound traffic included the Columbia Star, John D. Leitch and Evans McKeil up at Marysville. Hollyhock later departed her moorings and left upbound to the Saginaw Bay. The Canadian Olympic was unloading at Lambton Power in Courtright.

Marinette - Menominee:
Reported by Scott Best
The Calypso arrived as the first foreign arrival of the season for Marinette and Menominee Saturday afternoon. The Calypso has a cargo of Brazilian pig iron for Marinette Fuel & Dock. The Selvick tugs Jimmy L and William C Selvick assisted her into port. Unloading began later Saturday afternoon after inspections by the USCG and local law enforcement. Tenative departure is set for Wednesday April 20 when the Calypso will sail to Duluth to load grain.

Alpena:
Reported by Ben & Chanda McClain
The Steamer Alpena arrived at Lafarge around 6:30pm on Friday. It tied up in the slip under the silos to load cement and was expected to depart before 11pm. The J.A.W Iglehart is in temporary lay-up in Detroit for about two weeks, due to slow business. The G.L Ostrander/ barge Integrity is headed for Green Bay, WI and St. Joseph, MI. Earlier in the week on Monday, the Buffalo brought a load of coal into Lafarge. On Thursday afternoon the Fred R. White Jr unloaded another cargo of coal there.

The Wilfred Sykes had to wait out strong east winds before coming in to load at Stoneport on Tuesday evening. The Joseph H. Thompson loaded after the Sykes on Wednesday morning. Thursday saw the Arthur M. Anderson and on Friday the Pathfinder was taking on stone with the McKee Sons waiting nearby.

Marquette:
Reported by Lee Rowe
The Michipicoten took on ore and left on a very windy Friday.  The Charles M. Beeghly arrived Saturday with coal for the WE Power plant and then took on ore.  The Michipicoten was expected to return late Saturday along with the Lee A. Tregurtha.

The Lee A. Tregurtha loaded ore in Marquette on a beautiful Sunday.
 

 


Tug Lake Superior returns to Duluth

4/19
The 1943 vintage 114-foot "LT." Army tug Lake Superior returned to Duluth Sunday morning, towed in by Zenith's tug Seneca.  After an attempt to sell the tug failed, the City of Duluth decided to return the vessel to its berth behind the museum vessel William A. Irving. After a long slow trip, from Howard's Pocket, through extremely thick fog, the pair arrived at the Minnesota Slip draw bridge around 10 am.  The excursion boat Vista Star backed out of the slip, to give the tugs more room to fit through the tight squeeze. 
 

 


Cleveland bridge to be moved

4/19
The West 3rd St. bridge over the Cuyahoga River is to be replaced this year. Reports indicate that the old span will be moved by barge from its present location to the Old River Bed sometime between midnight on May 3 and 6:00 pm on May 6. 

Reported by Al Hart
 

 


DeTour Reef Light Listed on Historic Places

4/19
The Director of the National Park Service has announced that the DeTour Reef Light Station at the mouth of the St. Marys River has been officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 21, 2005.

Established under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the NRHP is the nation's list of cultural resource properties of national significance worthy of preservation. Listing on the National Register honors a historic place by recognizing its importance to its community, State and the Nation. 

Built in 1931, and standing a mile off-shore in northern Lake Huron, the station has recently been the subject of a $1,000,000+ restoration and renovation project. A group of local citizens formed the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society (DRLPS) as a non-profit corporation in 1998, with the goal of preserving and restoring the station.

To learn more about the organization, the lighthouse, and public tour programs, please visit www.DRLPS.com, email drlps@starband.net or call 906-493-6609.
 

 


Announcements

4/19
Steamship William G. Mather Museum presents “Hulett Unloaders” on April 20
The Steamship William G. Mather Museum’s third and final program of its 2005 spring Landlubber series will feature the Hulett ore unloaders that were formerly located at Cleveland’s Bulk Terminal at Whiskey Island.  Named after the Clevelander who invented them in 1898, the Huletts revolutionized the unloading process for Great Lakes shipping and were part of Cleveland’s working lakefront.  John A. Burke, Trustee Emeritus of the Great Lakes Historical Society, will narrate a video p