Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive

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Lee A. Loads in Marquette
05/31
Friday the Lee A. Tregurtha was loading in Marquette for Rouge Steel in Detroit. This is the Lee A.'s second trip to Marquette since flooding temporarily closed the port to commercial traffic. Her first trip was on Monday.
Also expected Friday was the Saginaw making her a second visit of the week. Other traffic scheduled to arrive this weekend includes: the Reserve, John J. Boland and Herbert C. Jackson.
The Dead River continues its strong flow toward Lake Superior. The amount of debris has decreased significantly but it appears that the river is still carrying a large amount of silt toward the lake. The water around the harbor area is still a muddy color and there are a few muddy slicks reaching out of the upper harbor and moving down into the lower harbor and south shore. City officials are working on bids for repairs to the washed out bridge leading to the ore dock.
The Presque Isle Power Plant remains out of service and it is unknown when the plant will be restarted. Crews removing mud from the turbines and will then inspect for damage. When maintenance is performed it can takes up to two weeks to spin down the turbines. When the mud entered the powerhouse the turbines were shut down in a matter of minutes.
Reported by: Gary Angel and Art Pickering

State of Michigan Visits Cleveland
05/31
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy training ship State of Michigan arrived in Cleveland Friday morning and carefully docked at the Coast Guard base. The State of Michigan was in port open to visitors as part of her Great Lakes tour.
Cleveland was the sixth city on a seven city tour. Next she will visit Sault Ste. Marie on June 1 before returning to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City.
Also in port was the Buffalo arriving about 9:15 a.m. and went to the CBT dock. The Cuyahoga, who had arrived Thursday to load salt, departed at 11:15 a.m. The saltie Sylvia departed at 4 p.m. David Z. Norton and Fred R. White Jr. were at CBT with the Norton lightering and then continuing on to ISG.
The 150- foot yacht Highlander has been in Cleveland for the last few days, owned by businessman Steve Forbes. Also know as a floating palace, the yacht boasts two bars and a wine cellar. Also, the Highlander sports two cigarette boats, two motorcycles, and a helipad, on which a Bell Jet Ranger II may land.
Forbes hosted business and social leaders for lunch to discuss partnerships between Cleveland, the local business community, and Forbes' publishing company.
Reported by: Mike Reindel and Bill Kloss

Alpena Update
05/31
The steamer Alpena arrived in port around 10 a.m. Friday morning. It took on cement bound for Green Bay, WI and departed the Lafarge dock by early afternoon.
The J.A.W Iglehart also came into port Friday evening to load.
The Paul H. Townsend is on a different run, passing through the Welland Canal and heading for Bath, Ont.
The tug Jacklyn M and barge Integrity is delivering to St. Joseph and South Chicago.
Activity at Stoneport on Friday included the tug and barges Great Lakes Trader and Joseph H. Thompson.
Reported by: Ben & Chanda McClain

Goderich Update
05/31
Friday afternoon there were two ships in the Goderich Harbor. The Algomarine was loading salt and the saltie Federal Schelde was at the Goderich Elevator.
Algomarine.
Federal Schelde.
Reported by: Jim Bauer

Marine Mart Next Weekend
05/31
The annual Port Huron Marine Flea Market will be held at the Port Huron Museum on Saturday, June 7, with doors opening at 9 a.m.
This event, sponsored by Lake Huron Lore Marine Society, is held each year on the first Saturday of June. Dealers offer for sale books, ship models, photographs, art work, videos, antiques and more.
For more information call the Museum at (810)982-0891 ext. 16. The Museum is located at 1115 6th Street, Port Huron, MI.
Reported by: Terry Doyon

Today in Great Lakes History - May 31
The CITY OF SAGINAW 31 cleared Manitowoc in 1973 in tow of the tug HELEN M. McALLISTER, this was the first leg of her tow to the cutters torch.
The wooden barge FANNY NEIL was launched at the Muir, Livingstone & Co. yard in Port Huron on 31 May 1870. As was usual in those days, her name was not made public until the streamer bearing her name was unfurled at the launch.
May 31, 1924 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 21 arrived Ludington on her maiden voyage. Captain Charles E. Robertson in command.
The wooden tug MOCKING BIRD was launched at 7:00 PM on 31 May 1873 (12 days late) at the Port Huron Dry Dock Company yard. Her master builder was Alex "Sandy" Stewart. Her dimensions were 123' x 23' x 8.4', 142 gt. The engine (26.5" x 30") was at the Cuyahoga Works in Cleveland at the time of launch, ready to be installed. Although this launch was twelve days late, it still did not go smoothly since MOCKING BIRD got stuck in the river. However, with some assistance from another tug, she was pulled free and was afloat at the dock by midnight. She lasted until abandoned at Marquette, Michigan in 1918.

Data from: Jody Aho, 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

Iron nugget test run successful
05/30
A pilot plant in Silver Bay, Minn., successfully produced a test batch of iron nuggets last weekend and is now working on its first full run of nuggets, the Duluth News Tribune reported.
"We have what we predicted it to be," Larry Lehtinen, Mesabi Nugget president, told the newspaper. "It's gone extremely smooth for a first-time production facility."
Mesabi Nugget's pilot plant is using Mesabi Range taconite to produce nuggets that are 96 percent iron. If commercially viable, the iron nuggets could open new steel industry markets such as mini mills to Minnesota taconite. Taconite pellets, which contain about 65 percent iron, currently can only be used in blast furnaces.
On Wednesday the first iron nuggets were successfully formed in the pilot plant's 13-meter-diameter rotary hearth furnace, cooled and conveyed to a concrete storage pad at Northshore Mining Co. For the rest of this week the plant is scheduled to operate 12 hours a day, producing about 20 tons a day. Beginning next week the plant will run 24 hours a day for 50 days.
The Mesabi Nugget plant uses a process developed by Kobe Steel of Japan to turn taconite concentrate into iron nuggets. In the iron nugget process, taconite from Northshore's mine in Babbitt is ground into concentrate at Silver Bay, mixed with coal and secret ingredients and fired in a gas-fired rotary furnace.
If the plant continues to succeed, Mesabi Nugget officials will try to develop a $90 million, 500,000-ton-per year commercial plant at Northshore Mining. Construction would begin in spring 2005 and be complete in 2006.
Reported by: Al Miller

State of Michigan in Detroit
05/30
At about noon on Thursday the Great Lakes Maritime Academy training ship State of Michigan arrived at Hart Plaza in Detroit for a three hour open house.
The State of Michigan approaches the Hart Plaza dock in Detroit.
Captain Mike Surgerski and crew eases the ship into the berth.
Crew members open the Hart Plaza railing to allow visitors on board.
Main electric panel aboard the diesel electric ship.
Four Cat 398TA main engines driving generators.
Pilot house interior forward.
Pilot house interior starboard aft.
Pilot house interior port side aft.
Deck view.
View over the bow of the GM Global Headquarters in the Ren Cen.
Stern View at the Hart Plaza dock.
Bow View at Hart Plaza.
Reported by: Bill Hoey

Cleveland Update
05/30
The Agawa Canyon arrived Thursday morning, along with an unidentified Lower Lakes Towing vessel. The American Republic departed around 3 p.m. and the Fred White was leaving the CBT Dock on the ISG Steel shuttle trip up the Cuyahoga River.
Reported by: Mike Reindel

Twin Ports Report
05/30
Presque Isle was in Duluth on Thursday to load taconite pellets at DMIR for a rare trip to the new U.S. Steel mill (formerly National Steel) at Ecorse, Mich. GLF said the vessel is due at Ecorse on June 1.
The Joseph H. Frantz was loading at General Mills in Superior. She completed loading and departed about 7:30 p.m. heading for Buffalo.
Also in port Thursday was the Canadian Enterprise loading coal at Midwest Energy Terminal and Mesabi Miner to load at BNSF ore dock. George A. Stinson remained idle at Elevator M. Middletown was expected late in the day to unload stone.
Reported by: Al Miller

Soo Traffic
05/30
Below are images taken on Thursday at the Soo Locks.
Tug Frederick Waiting its turn.
James R. Barker entering the Poe Lock.
CSL Tadoussac departs the locks.
Tadoussac and Barker.
Reported by: Lock Tours Canada Boat Cruises

Lake Erie Update
05/30
The tug Elizabeth, registered in Wareham, MA and belonging to the Wareham Steamship Company, arrived in Erie Thursday evening to fuel at Wolverine Marina. Wolverine Marina is commonly used by pleasure craft and small commercial vessels to fuel or moor overnight.
The Elizabeth is 61.5 feet long and 17.1 feet wide. The tug was built in Mobile, Alabama in 1936 and is diesel powered.
In other news, the Yankcanuck passed Long Point upbound at about 5 p.m. Thursday. Over the past few weeks the Yankcanuck had headed back to Conneaut to load gypsum for Port Colborne, but today reported that it was upbound for Sault Ste. Marie. The vessel is not on the Conneaut vessel schedule at this time, and it is unknown when she will return to the gypsum run.
About 6 p.m. the Roger Blough was inbound for Conneaut heading to the P&C ore dock. The Blough is loaded with about 50,000 tons of taconite pellets from Two Harbors.
Elizabeth inbound to Wolverine Marina.
Stern View.
Turning to dock at Wolverine Marina.
Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Toronto Update
05/30
Two cement carriers were in port on Wednesday. The Stephen B. Roman came in Tuesday night to the Essroc dock, and English River arrived in the afternoon at the Lafarge dock.
The firetug Wm. Lyon Mackenzie responded to a minor fire call at Lafarge on Wednesday afternoon and raced towards the dock, but it was called back before arriving on scene.
The hydrofoil Seaflight II, on which an engineer was killed a short time ago, was hauled from the water by crane at Pier 51 Wednesday morning.
The new QCYC tender Algonquin Queen II was out on trials. It will enter service on June 1st. y
Reported by: Gerry O.

Today in Great Lakes History - May 30
The Columbia Star began her maiden voyage in 1981 from Sturgeon Bay to load iron ore pellets at Silver Bay, MN for Lorain, OH. She was the last of the 1000 footers to enter service and, excluding tug-barge units or conversions, was the last new Great Lakes vessel on the American side.
During the economic depression known as the "Panic of '73", shipbuilding came to a stand still. Orders for new vessels were cancelled and worked was stopped on hulls that were on the ways. On 30 May 1874, the Port Huron Times reported that a recovery from the "Panic of '73" resulted in a surge of shipyard work at Marine City. "Shipyards are getting ready to start business again with full force. Mr. Fin Kenyon has begun building a steam barge for Kenyon Bros. [the PORTER CHAMBERLAIN]; Mr. George King is going to build a steam barge for Mr. Henry Buttironi [the GERMANIA]; Messrs. Hill and Wescott are going to build a side wheel passenger boat for Mr. Eber Ward [the NORTHERNER]; Mr. David Lester will build another steam barge [the CITY OF DULUTH]. There is one barge on the stocks built by Mr. Hill for Mr. Morley, that will soon be ready to launch [the N. K. FAIRBANK]."
At about 1:00 AM on 30 May 1882, the lumber hooker ROCKET, carrying shingles from Manistee to Charlevoix, capsized about four miles abreast of Frankfort, Michigan on Lake Michigan. The tug HALL found the vessel and towed her inside the harbor. The crew were saved, but the vessel was split open and was a total wreck.

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

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

Rare Trip for Townsend
05/29
The Paul H. Townsend made a rare trip into the Rouge River Wednesday evening. The Townsend spent most of the day unloading at the Lafarge Dock on the Detroit River. That evening she depart with a partial load of cement, making the short trip to the Rouge River.
Once off the Rouge she was turn by the tug Vermont and backed into the Old Rouge River Bed to unload at Jefferson Marine Terminal. This is the dock where the Stephen B. Roman unloads. Earlier this year the Townsend's fleet mate Alpena made unloaded at the dock.
Pictures by Mike Nicholls
Paul H Townsend downbound before turning into the Rouge Short Cut.
Bound for the Jefferson Marine Terminal Dock .
Reported by: Mike Nicholls and Wade P. Streeter

New Tug and Barge Upbound
05/29
The new McKeil Marine combination of the tug Tony Mackay and barge KTC 115 transited the Welland Canal on Wednesday. The pair departed Hamilton Wednesday morning and passed upbound for Manistee, Mi. The tug and barge will participate in the Amherstburg, Ont. to Manistee for General Chemical carrying brine. The tug Tony Mackay is the former Point Carroll.
Pictures by Eric Stapleton
Tug and barge in the canal.
Stern view.
Tug Tony Mackay.
Close up of upper pilot house.
Reported by: Jimmy Sprunt and Eric Stapleton

State of Michigan Tour
05/29
The training vessel State of Michigan docked at Port Huron's Seaway Terminal on Wednesday continuing a two week, seven city training and recruitment tour of the Great Lakes.
The State Of Michigan will be docked at Detroit's Hart Plaza on Thursday. The vessel will be open for tours from Noon to 3 p.m. providing an opportunity for the public to inspect the vessel which the academy received in August of 2002.
The 225 foot vessel was formerly the Persistent, which was operated by the U.S. Navy.
For more information about the ship's itinerary, visit: www.nmc.edu/maritime/news/spring-2003-tour.html
Turning off the Port Huron at the Seaway Terminal.
Docked behind the Bramble with the tall ship Highlander Sea astern.
Reported by: Rich Kelly and Paul Jagenow

Ship Repair Company Gets Boost from State
05/29
Pennsylvania's Governor has breathed new life into Erie, Pennsylvania's ship repair industry, which was thought doomed just months ago. A representative from the Governor’s office on Wednesday presented a $1,000,000 check to Metro Machine for repairs to the dry dock gate, which will allow the dry dock to be flooded without flooding the inside of the buildings surrounding the dry dock. Repairs are expected to begin in August.
Over the next year, Governor Rendell is expected to further aid Metro Machine with two million dollars for construction of an overhead crane and a garage door.
This means new jobs for the Erie area, and also that Metro, one of only two dry docks on the Great Lakes capable of handling vessels 1000 feet in length, may now be able to become a player in the ship repair market.
Metro plans to call back forty workers that it had laid off in December.
The last vessels dry-docked in Erie were the Manitoulin, Jean Parisien, and Louis R. Desmarais during the winter of 1996-97. The last vessels to spend the winter in Erie were the James R. Barker and Mesabi Miner during the winter of 2000-2001.
Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Rare Call for Pere Marquette 41
05/29
The barge Pere Marquette 41 and tug Undaunted made a very rare and unusual call to the port of Ironton, Michigan at the old H&D Gravel Dock. She entered Lake Charlevoix about 8 a.m.
Lake Charlevoix has not seen a freighter since her last visit in 1997. Regular callers used to be the Myron C. Taylor and Calcite II when the Wolverine Power Plant was still operational in Advance, Michigan. The plant shut down in late 1996.
Arriving on Lake Charlevoix.
Unloading.
Reported by: Dustin Sadowski

Old-fashioned foghorn to remain in Duluth
05/29
Duluth officials and the owners of an old-fashioned foghorn have mended fences so the foghorn can remain in limited operation at the city's ship canal.
City councilors Tuesday approved a one-year, $5,000 agreement that TOOT Inc. to reinstall any parts the group removed from the foghorn to again make it operational. TOOT stands for "reTurn Our Old Tone."
TOOT restored the horn, installed it at the end of the south pier on the city's ship canal in 1995. But group members became frustrated last month because the city hadn't signed a new contract, so it announced it was removing the foghorn and started taking crucial operating parts.
The foghorn primarily serves as a backup for high-tech global positioning systems on most ships. The U.S. Coast Guard uses a less intrusive electronic whistle when TOOT is turned off from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Reported by: Dan Rogers

Saginaw Update
05/29
The Wilfred Sykes was outbound early Wednesday morning after unloading at the Saginaw Wirt Dock overnight. Earlier on Tuesday, she had lightered at the Bay City Wirt Dock.
The Joseph H. Thompson entered the river Wednesday evening, calling on the Essexville Sand and Stone Dock to lighter. She departed around 11 p.m. and continued upriver to the Bay City Wirt Dock to finish unloading.
Pictures by Todd Shorkey
Wilfred Sykes downbound passing Wheeler's Landing.
Close up at Bay City Wirt.
Stern view.
Reported by: Stephen Hause, Todd Shorkey and Lon Morgan

Detroit Traffic
05/29
Jean Parisien backing into the Rouge Steel Slip with the assistance of tugs Wyoming & Maine.
Tug Maine.
Tug Vermont.
Assiting the Townsend.
Close up.
H Lee White unloading on Zug Island in the Rouge Short Cut Canal.
American Republic downbound off Zug Island.
Stern view.
Earl W Oglebay upbound at Fighting Island North Light.
Stern view.
Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Bronte News
05/29
The Petrolia Desgagnes arrived at the Petro Canada Pier in Bronte, Ont. (Oakville) about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The Hamilton Energy departed Hamilton an hour earlier to make the seven mile trip across Lake Ontario. In Bronte she met the Petrolia Desgagnes for refueling. There is another unknown ship possibly the Jade Star on the other side of the pier.
Reported by: Eric Holmes

Today in Great Lakes History - May 29
ROBERT S. McNAMARA was Launched in 1909 as a) STADACONA (1).

JAMES R. BARKER was Float launched in 1976.

TADOUSSAC (2) Prematurely launched herself on this day in 1969.
May 29, 1905 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 20, while leaving Milwaukee in a heavy fog struck the scow "Hiram R. Bond" of the Milwaukee Sand Gravel Company. The scow sank.
In 1909 the ANN ARBOR NO. 4 capsized at Manistique as a result of an error in loading a heavy load of iron ore.
On 29 May 1889, BAVARIA (3-mast wooden schooner-barge, 145', 376 gt, built in 1873 at Garden Island, Ontario) was carrying squared timber when she broke from the tow of the steamer D. D. CALVIN and began to founder near Long Point in Lake Erie. Her crew abandoned her, but all eight were lost. The abandoned vessel washed ashore with little damage and lasted until 1898 when she was destroyed in a storm.
PLEASURE (wooden passenger ferry, 128', 489 gt) was launched at W. Bay City, MI on 29 May 1894. She was a small but powerful ferry, equipped with a 1600 HP engine. She operated on the Detroit River year round as a ferry and small ice breaker for the Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor Ferry Company. She was broken up at Detroit in 1940.

Data from: Jody Aho, 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

Davis Lock in Use
05/28
The little used Davis Lock at Sault Ste. Marie was pressed into service this week as crews performing dredging at the west approach to the MacArthur Lock.
The Davis Lock is 1,350-feet in length but can only allow shallow draft vessels to pass through it. If needed the MacArthur Lock can be brought back into service but the process takes about two and a half hours as the tug Mohawk, crane barge and dump scowls must be moved.

Reported by: Chris Jackson

Busy Day in Saginaw
05/28
Commercial traffic continued busy Tuesday on the Saginaw River with one vessel departing and four more arriving.
The Maumee was outbound early Tuesday morning after unloading during the night at the Wirt Stone Dock in Saginaw.
Inbound early Tuesday morning was the Canadian Transfer, which stopped first at the Wirt dock in Bay City, then continued up the river late in the morning to the Buena Vista Dock near Saginaw.
As the Transfer departed that dock later in the afternoon, the tug Dorothy Ann and barge Pathfinder were waiting to take its place at the same dock. After unloading part of its cargo at there, the tug and barge moved up to the Valley Asphalt dock in Saginaw early in the evening.
Meanwhile, down the river at the Wirt dock in Bay City, the Wilfred Sykes had been unloading part of its cargo and was waiting for the Transfer to pass. Once the way was clear, about 9 p.m., the Sykes continued up to the Wirt dock in Saginaw to finish unloading.
The Dorothy Ann and Pathfinder had finished unloading at Valley Asphalt and were waiting for the Sykes to arrive before making their outbound passage.
The Mark Hannah was inbound at Light 12 shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Nine commercial vessels have called at docks along the Saginaw River over the last three days. On Monday, the American Republic unloaded at the Bay Aggregates dock while the Karen Andrie was unloading fuel at the Triple Clean Dock. On Sunday morning, the J.A.W. Iglehart was inbound for Lafarge and the Algoway was inbound for the GM dock about an hour later. Both vessels departed later in the day.
The visit was an unusually short one for the Iglehart, which remained at the Lafarge terminal for only two or three hours. Normally, the cement carriers take almost 24 hours to unload.
Pictures by Todd Shorkey
Wilfred Sykes unloading at Bay City Wirt.
Canadian Transfer downbound at Wheeler's Landing.
Canadian Transfer passing the Wilfred Sykes.
Transfer-Sykes another view.
Reported by: Stephen Hause, Todd Shorkey and Lon Morgan

Museum Ship Milwaukee Clipper Open for Season
05/28
The National Historic Landmark Steamer S. S. Milwaukee Clipper, currently undergoing restoration in Muskegon, Mi. has opened for her fourth season open to the public for guided tours of the ship. Visitors to the vessel tour of all the public areas as well as the pilot house. Also aboard the vessel there is a gift shop where souvenirs may be purchased including a video presentation of the history of the ship from her construction in 1905 by American Shipbuilding Company in Cleveland as the Juniata for the well remembered "Anchor Line. The ship also features an on-board museum displaying artifacts and other memorabilia, from her passenger days, and an extensive display of Great Lakes steamboat china from Great Lakes passenger lines such as the Georgian Bay Line, Goodrich Transit Company, D&C Lines, and, of course, the Wisconsin and Michigan Steamship Company. Sadly lacking is china from the "Anchor Line" and Great Lakes Transit Corporation.
Special projects for the Milwaukee Clipper this season include the painting of her hull in her original grey and white color scheme, and restoration of the engine room to allow display of her 1904 Quadruple Expansion steam engine built by the Detroit Shipbuilding Company.
Hours are Thursday through Sunday, from 12 noon until 4PM, and the cost is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 5 through 11. The Milwaukee Clipper is located at 2098 Lakeshore Drive, more commonly referred to as "the Foot of McCracken" or the old "Grand Trunk dock". Visit www.milwaukeeclipper.com for more details.
New color scheme.
Reported by: Chuck Truscott

Twin Ports Report
05/28
Vessels were waiting in line at the BNSF ore dock Tuesday. Nanticoke was loading. It was to be followed by CSL Tadoussac, and then by Stewart J. Cort, which was anchored off shore.
Not loading at BNSF -- or anywhere else at the moment -- was George A. Stinson, which remains at Elevator M in Superior waiting for its future to be ironed out. The Stinson, which hauled taconite pellets out of Superior for National Steel Pellet Co., has been idle for a week since U.S. Steel completed its buyout of National Steel. U.S. Steel did not pick up the Stinson's lease as part of the National purchase.
Western Lake Superior saw several infrequent visitors Tuesday. John J. Boland unloaded at the Berwind dock in Duluth and then proceeded to Two Harbors to load behind the Joe Block. In Silver Bay, the David Z. Norton and the Buffalo both loaded.
Reported by: Al Miller

Alpena Update
05/28
Tuesday was a busy day at Lafarge. The Alpena arrived in the early morning hours to load cement for Milwaukee. It departed by 7 a.m. The Paul H. Townsend came in next to load around 10 a.m. She left by early afternoon bound for Detroit. The Jacklyn M barge Integrity was also in port on Tuesday evening taking on cargo.
At Stoneport on Tuesday the American Republic and Middletown were loading.
Alpena downbound on Monday.
Reported by: Ben & Chanda McClain

Toledo update
05/28
Tuesday the Buckeye was moved from her layup berth at the City Docks and was towed downriver by the "G" tugs Idaho and Illinois to the Torco Ore Dock where she will remain in lay-up.
The move was made to make room for the Tall Ships that are scheduled to arrive in mid July to be able to tie up at the City Docks for Ohio's Bi-centennial celebration.
The tug Jane Ann IV and barge Sarah Spencer were at Andersons "E" Elevator loading grain. The Gemini was at the B-P Dock.
The Atlantic Erie is scheduled to arrive at the Torco Ore Dock on Tuesday evening to unload ore. The next scheduled coal boats due in at the CSX Coal Docks will now be the H. Lee White on Thursday. The Algolake on Saturday, followed by the John B. Aird on Tuesday.
The next scheduled ore boats due into the Torco Ore Dock will be the Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin on Thursday, followed by the Atlantic Huron on Monday. This will be the Atlantic Huron's first visit to Toledo since her rebuild at Port Weller Dry Docks last winter.
Other future vessel arrivals will be the Algorail and Algosteel due in at the Midwest Terminal Stone Docks to unload stone within the next few days.
The Lee A. Tregurtha loading coal at CSX #4 Dock.
Buckeye and Willis B. Boyer at the City Docks last winter.
Reported by: Jim Hoffman

Toronto Report
05/28
The Toronto harbor was empty of visitors Tuesday evening. The saltie Isadora departed that afternoon with the assistance of McKeil's harbor tugs. The Forbe's mega yacht Highlander departed earlier in the day.
Reported by: Gerry O.

Today in Great Lakes History - May 28
THOMAS W. LAMONT departed Toledo on her maiden voyage May 28, 1930 bound for Duluth, MN where she loaded iron ore.
May 28, 1900 -- The PERE MARQUETTE 15 cut down the scow SILVER LAKE, sinking her with the loss of one life.
On 28 May 1860, ARCTIC (wooden side-wheeler, 237', 861 t, built in 1851 at Marine City) drove ashore on the east side of Lighthouse Island in Lake Superior in a dense fog. The passengers and crew were able to make it to shore before a storm arose and pounded the ARCTIC to pieces. The passengers and crew were later picked up by the steamer FOUNTAIN CITY.
The ferry SARNIA made her first trip as a carferry between Port Huron and Sarnia on 27 May 1879. She had burned in January 1879, then was converted to a carferry and served in that capacity during the summer. In September 1879, she was converted to a barge.

Data from: Jody Aho, 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

Minnesota company to produce first batch of iron nuggets
05/27
Over the next few days a Minnesota company's demonstration plant will attempt to produce its first batch of iron nuggets -- a product that could spawn a significant new use for taconite and generate a new cargo for Great Lakes ships.
Mesabi Nugget LLC has built a $30 million demonstration plant in Silver Bay to conduct large-scale tests on a process of turning taconite concentrate into nuggets of 96-percent iron. By comparison, commercial taconite pellets contain about 65 percent iron.
This weekend about 30 employees of Mesabi Nugget will produce direct-reduced iron at the plant. On Monday or Tuesday, the plant's first iron nuggets are expected to roll off a conveyor onto a concrete storage pad near the shore of Lake Superior.
The Mesabi Nugget project is a joint venture of Kobe Steel, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Steel Dynamics Inc., Mesabi Nugget and Minnesota's Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Agency. Mesabi Nugget's demonstration plant is the first of its kind in the world and can produce about 25,000 tons of nuggets a year. It's located in an unused building at Cleveland-Cliffs' Northshore Mining Co.
Development of the iron nugget technology is seen as critical by many industry observers.
Taconite pellets are used by steelmakers with blast furnaces. But only about 38 blast furnaces remain in the United States -- down from 120 in 1979 -- and that number is expected to continue to decline. Iron nuggets, on the other hand, could be used by the growing number of electric arc furnaces in mini-mills.
Because of their higher iron content, nuggets would sell for more than taconite pellets. A ton of iron nuggets would be worth about six times the $35 a ton that taconite pellets now fetch.
If successful, Mesabi Nugget would make a new product from Minnesota taconite concentrate -- the first since taconite pellets replaced natural iron ore in the 1960s and 70s. Success could lead to development of a $90 million, 500,000-ton-a-year commercial iron nugget plant.
Nuggets produced at a commercial plant could be marketed to minimills, foundries and integrated steel producers. The nuggets would be transported by rail and ship, Mesabi Nugget President Larry Lehtinen told the Duluth News Tribune.
If the demonstration plant succeeds, Mesabi Nugget this fall will begin seeking the permits need to build a commercial plant. A 500,000-ton-a-year plant eventually could be expanded to produce about 1 million tons a year.
Reported by: Al Miller

Steam up on the Michipicoten
05/27
On Sunday the Michipicoten had regular amounts of smoke coming from her stack as crews prepare to depart Sarnia. The Michipicoten is expected to depart early this week heading upbound on her first trip sailing for Lower Lakes Towing.
Across the harbor, the Algolake was in at the south end of the North Slip in Sarnia. The stern was ballasted high and it appeared they where working in the area of the shaft seal.
Reported by: Jamie Kerwin

Frantz Departs
05/27
The Joseph H. Frantz departed Buffalo Sunday evening after unloading her first cargo of grain under charter to Great Lakes Associates. She departed about 6 p.m. heading upbound for Superior, Wi.
Reported by: Brian Wroblewski

Quebecois Enters Lay-up
05/27
The Quebecois arrived in Thunder Bay Monday and docked at Pascol Engineering for lay-up. The straight decker is expected to return to service late this summer in time for the fall grain rush.
Reported by: Tom Stewart

Port Weller Dry Docks lands oil rig contract
05/27
Port Weller Dry Docks has landed a $20 million contract to build a giant oil processing unit, and company officials hope the deal will help them gain a foothold in a new line of work.
The contract is a groundbreaking move into the huge offshore oil manufacturing industry, said Ian Falconer, dry docks operations manager
“This is a whole new venture for Port Weller Dry Docks,” he said. “It means more recognition in the offshore industry, which is a tough industry to get into.”
The contract, signed in mid-April, is with Aker Maritime Kiewit Contractors. AMKC is a partnership between Norwegian Aker Maritime (Aker Oil & Gas Technology Canada) and Peter Kiewit Sons Co., headquartered in Omaha, Neb.
AMKC describes itself as a venture to “pursue and execute full … offshore contracts in Eastern Canada.” The Port Weller contract is part of its White Rose project.
The steel module the St. Catharines dry docks will build will eventually resemble a square box about 7.5 meters wide, 22.5 meters long and 16.2 meters high. It will be made of steel beam plates and hollow sections.
The module to be built is one of about 20 to be installed in a Canadian East Coast floating production and storage operation, which resembles a tanker with a production platform on the deck. It will collect oil sucked up from the ocean floor and also do some initial refining.
Port Weller’s engineering department has been on the module project for the last month, with actual production starting next month. The work continues until April 2004. The module will then be taken by barge to Newfoundland.
Falconer is hopeful more offshore oil manufacturing contracts will eventually be signed.
“This opens a lot of doors to work of this type,” he said. “It helps us to upscale our workforce as it’s a higher quality type of work — a lot more inspection and surveillance.
Reported by: Jimmy Sprunt

Saginaw River Update
05/27
The American Republic was inbound during the afternoon on Monday, arriving at the Bay Aggregates Dock to unload. By early evening she had finished and was outbound for the lake.
The Maumee was inbound during the evening, giving a security call passing the Pump-Out Island around 7pm. Her radio traffic indicated she was headed up to the Wirt Stone Dock in Saginaw to unload.
The Tug Karen Andrie and her tank barge were outbound Monday afternoon.
Maumee upbound past the Ashland-Marathon Dock.
Close up view.
Maumee silhouetted by the sunset.
American Republic unloading at the Bay Aggregates Dock.
Another view.
Reported by:

Detroit Traffic
05/27
Joseph H Frantz at Sterling Fuel.
Stern view.
Departing.
Stern view.
Middletown upbound at Grassy Island.
Stern view.
Fred R White Jr downbound at Grassy Island.
Stern view.
Ziemia Gornoslaska (Marshall Islands) downbound at Grassy Island.
Stern view.
Algowood downbound at Grassy Island.
Stern view.
Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Toledo Update
05/27
The tug Jane Ann IV and barge Sarah Spencer was at the Torco Ore Dock unloading ore Monday. The Gemini was at the B-P Dock unloading cargo. The tug Mary E. Hannah with her barge was at the old Interlake Iron Dock. The Philip R. Clarke was unloading salt at the A.R.M.S. Dock, when finished unloading salt she proceeded to the CSX Docks to load coal. The Algosoo was at the Kuhlman Dock unloading cargo, when finished she proceeded to the CSX Docks and will follow the Philip R. Clarke loading coal.
The next scheduled vessels due into the CSX Docks will be the John G. Munson on Wednesday, the H. Lee White on Thursday followed by the Algolake on Saturday. The next scheduled ore boats due in at the Torco Ore Dock will be the Atlantic Erie on Tuesday, followed by the Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin on Wednesday. There are no grain vessels in port at the time of this report.
Classic views of Toledo Shipping
The Carol Lake with the "G" tug Wyoming headed upbound the Maumee River to load grain at one of the elevator complexes.
The George D. Goble loading coal at C&O #3 coal dock.
Reported by: Jim Hoffman

Calumet in Tonawanda
05/27
The Calumet arrived in Tonawanda, NY Monday heading to the power plant in Tonawanda, NY. Loaded with coal, she blew a salute to onlookers at the Harbor Front Marina as she entered the Buffalo Harbor.
Reported by: Tom Miller

Toronto Update
05/27
The saltie Isadora continued unloading Monday at Pier 51. The McNally tug Bagotville was refloated today at Toronto Drydock. The schooner Empire Sandy went on the drydock for hull water blasting and painting. Her new bronze figureheads are scheduled to be mounted while in the drydock
. The Forbe's mega yacht Highlander was out for an evening cruise and then returned to Pier 4 for the night.
Empire Sandy on the Toronto Drydock.
Another view.
Reported by: Gerry O.

Steelworkers approve contract with U.S. Steel
05/27
Steelworkers have ratified a contract with U.S. Steel Corp. that covers 24,000 active workers and 100,000 retirees, including some 3,700 employees at National Steel Corp. plants in Detroit.
The deal between U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers of America includes pay guarantees, millions of dollars in factory upgrades and one of the first industrial union concessions on health care coverage.
Under the agreement, approved 3-to-1, U.S. Steel hopes to "significantly reduce" its more than $100 million annual health care tab by imposing cost-sharing on its employees.
The company plans to reduce its combined work force by almost 6,000 but expects to achieve most of that by trimming management positions and offering early-retirement incentives, company officials said.
Workers from both U.S. Steel and its recent acquisition, National Steel Corp., voted on the plan, the final hurdle between the merging of the two companies. U.S. Steel in April agreed to pay $1.05 billion for National Steel, pending approval from U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Chicago.
Reported by: Greg Kennedy

Diamond Belle Cruise
05/27
During the 13th annual Memorial Day weekend trip to Port Huron aboard the Diamond Belle, these photos were taken.
Canadian Transfer upbound in Lake St. Clair.
Adam E. Cornelius upbound in the Cut off Canal.
Algolake, Canadian Miner & Canadian Transfer.
Canadian Miner.
Capatonas Marcinkus.
Algolake upbound with coal for Lambton powerhouse.
Algolake Boatnerd officers.
Algolake Bow.
Gemini at Sarnia stern.
Gemini bow.
Middletown downbound at Port Huron Cut.
David Z. Norton upbound under the Blue Water Bridge.
Retired Bramble with stripes and numbers painted out.
Reported by: Bill Hoey

Today in Great Lakes History - May 27
CANADIAN PIONEER was launched May 27,1981
NANTICOKE was christened in 1980.
CHARLES DICK was launched in 1922.
The PETER REISS left Duluth, MN May 27, 1910 on her maiden voyage with iron ore for Ashtabula, OH.
HENRY STEINBRENNER (4) was towed from Toledo's Lakefront Dock in 1994 for the scrap yard at Port Maitland, Ont.
The tug SMITH burned near Bay City on 27 May 1872. Her loss was valued at $7,000 but there was no insurance on her.
The ferry SARNIA made her first trip as a carferry between Port Huron and Sarnia on 27 May 1879. She had burned in January 1879, then was converted to a carferry and served in that capacity during the summer. In September, 1879, she was converted to a barge.

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

Ocean Hauler Grounds in Manistee
05/26
Sunday afternoon while departing Manistee, the barge Ocean Hauler drawing 19-feet of water and pushed by the tug Doug McKeil ran aground between the pier heads as she attempted to turn towards the north. After a half-hour attempt to free the barge the tug only managed to pull the barge astern about one hundred feet.
The crew then decided to disconnect from the barge and tie a line to the bow. After about ten minutes she was pulled to deeper water where she safely departed. The Algorail was also in port Sunday, unloading at Sengs dock.
Reported by: Sid Goebel

State of Michigan visits Muskegon
05/26
The training vessel State of Michigan was docked at the NOAA dock (old Coast Guard Station) in Muskegon on Saturday and was open for tours. Cadet Mike Modderman (see image) conducted special engine room tours for some guests. The vessel has diesel-electric propulsion with 4 diesel/generator sets providing power for two electric motors. The tour was well-attended, despite fall-like weather. Her next port of call will be Chicago.
Photos by Andrew Mills
At the dock.
Wide view.
Stern view.
Looking forward.
Stack and mast.
Cadet Mike Modderman leads a tour.
Engine room.
Pilot house.
Reported by: Marc Vander Meulen

New Ferry Christened
05/26
The car ferry Arni J Richter became the newest member of the Washington Island Ferry Line fleet on Saturday. Several hundred Islanders, local and county officials and guests assembled for the christening of the 104-foot all-season car and passenger ferry.
Various remarks and commemorations were made to honor the occasion and the namesake of the vessel, Arni Richter, who reminisced of the days he and his father Carl ran a small freighter and then in 1940 purchased the ferry line. At the time the line consisted of two wooden ferries - the North Shore and the Welcome.
Today the Arni J. Richter becomes the sixth steel vessel, joining the C.G. Richter, Voyageur, Eyrarbakki, Robert Noble and Washington. An earlier steel vessel, the Griffin, acquired in 1950, was sold in 1972 when the C.G. Richter was converted for ice-breaking service.
The school children of the Island celebrated the new arrival by coloring pictures of the Arni J. Richter (grades K-2) and writing essays or poems. These were all on display, and one from each class was presented at the ceremony. Members of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Island Chorus performed a new work by Daniel Hansen, an Island musician and composer.
The culmination of the event was when Arni Richter smashed a bottle of champagne (brought from Iceland) to make the christening official. After that, the newest and oldest (C.G. Richter) boats were open for public viewing.
There is much speculation about the effect of the new boat on the splendid isolation of the Island in the winter. Until now, the C.G. Richter with a capacity of 9 cars had been the only winter link with the mainland. The Arni J. Richter will carry 20 cars. And her improved design may allow more than one round trip per day.
Reported by: Ham Rutledge

Twin Ports Report
05/26
Edwin H. Gott departed Duluth early Sunday with a load of taconite for the DMIR dock. Inside the port, Alpena was unloading cement at Lafarge’s Duluth terminal while Columbia Star loaded coal at Midwest Energy Terminal.
Saturday, the outbound James R. Barker passed the CGC Sundew about a mile off the ship canal and then the stone-laden Reserve a few miles farther out.
The power plant at Nanticoke should be a busy place over the next several days. Canadian Transport loaded coal for the plant on Saturday, following by Columbia Star on Sunday. Paul R. Tregurtha and Canadian Enterprise are both scheduled to load coal for Nanticoke today.
Alpena unloads cement early Sunday in Duluth.
Reported by: Al Miller

Townsend in Green Bay
05/26
The Paul H. Townsend arrived in Green Bay on Sunday and headed upriver to the Lafarge terminal. The Herbert Jackson was also expected Sunday.
After a busy month of April, the month of May has been relatively quiet. New dock wall space is being created at the K&K dock on the Fox River next to the Walnut Street Bridge. This additional dock space is expected to increase the number of salt water vessels calling on the port.
Townsend passing the K&K dock under construction.
Boatwatchers of all ages were out to see the Townsend.
Reported by: Jeff & Ben DuMez

Beeghly in Milwaukee
05/26
Capt. Joe Ruch backed the Charles M. Beeghly into Milwaukee late Saturday afternoon with a load of coal. This was their second trip with coal to Milwaukee this week.
Beeghly in Milwaukee.
Looking aft.
Coal stacked to the top of the hatches.
Reported by: Andy LaBorde

Busy day in Holland
05/26
The Wilfred Sykes arrived at the James DeYoung power plant on Sunday afternoon with a load of western coal. At 8 a.m. the tug Undaunted and barge Pere Marquette 41 arrived. The tug and barge eased past the Sykes to tie up at Brewer's with a mixed load of block mix and agricultural lime from Cedarville.
Reported by: Bob Vande Vusse

Toronto Update
05/26
Toronto received its first salt water delivery of a cargo other than sugar Sunday. The salty Isadora arrived that afternoon and was berthed at Pier 51 with the assistance of McKeil's tugs Glenevis and Atomic.
The McNally tug Bagotville was to have been refloated at the drydock Sunday and the schooner Empire Sandy was to follow it on the drydock. There was a delay in refloating the tug.
The megayacht Highlander remains in port To the south of Toronto Island, the Deep Water Cooling Project is running 24/7 with tugs, barges and dredges coming and going.
Reported by: Gerry O.

Today in Great Lakes History - May 26
In 1979 the FRED R. WHITE, JR. departed the shipyard on her maiden voyage to load iron ore pellets at Escanaba, MI for Cleveland.
The J.A.W. Iglehart began its maiden Great Lakes voyage in 1965.
The Halifax (former Frankcliffe Hall) began its maiden voyage in 1963.
SCOTT MISENER (3) was launched in 1954.
In 1923 the ANN ARBOR NO. 4 was towed to the shipyard in Manitowoc by the ANN ARBOR NO. 5 with the assistance of the tug ARTIC. The NO. 4 was completely overhauled and had all new cabins built on her main deck.
QUEEN OF THE LAKES was launched at the Kirby & Ward yard in Wyandotte, Michigan on 26 May 1872. She was the first iron hulled vessel built in Michigan.
On 26 May 1873, the iron propeller revenue cutter GEO. S. BOUTWELL was launched at Union Iron Works in Buffalo, NY. Her dimensions were 140' x 22' x 17.5', 151 gt. She served out of Savannah, GA (1874-1899) and Newbern, NC (1899-1907).

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

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

Michipicoten Christening
05/25
On Saturday the Michipicoten was christened during a public ceremony in Sarnia. With a large crowd on hand to witness the event, Devon and Pam Bravener christened the ship with the crack of the traditional bottle of champagne.
The champagne bottle shattered against the hull with one swing and the company then generously opened the Michipicoten for tours to all those who had gathered to witness the event. The Michipicoten is the fourth vessel to join the Lower Lakes Towing fleet and the seventh combined with the U.S. affiliate Grand River Navigation Co. An impressive number for a company that is only eight year’s old.
The former Elton Hoyt 2nd was purchased from the Interlake Steamship Co. in April. The 700-foot self unloader was towed from Superior, Wi. to Sarnia, arriving under tow on May 7. Since that time crews have been hard at work fitting the vessel out for service.
Michipicoten is expected to depart Sarnia early this week and sail upbound on her maiden voyage. She will primarily trade between Marquette, Mi. and Algoma Steel in the Soo. Aside from her primary route, she is expected to make occasional trips to the lower lakes.
Michipicoten at the Government Dock.
Flags flying for the event.
Close up.
House flag and customer flags.
Stack painted and logo attached.
Testing the line that will carry the champagne bottle with a bottle of beer.
Too long.
The crowd gathered just before the event starts.
Welcoming remarks by Frank Bravener.
Opening recitation by Arch Deacon Gordon Simmons.
President of Grand River Navigation, Mark Rohn addresses the crowd .
President of Lower Lakes Transportation, Robert Pierson speaking.
President and founder of Lower Lake Towing Scott Bravener delivers his speech.
Officials on stage.
Singing of the national anthems.
Benediciton.
Champagne bottle ready to go.
Devon and Pam Bravener ready to swing the bottle.
Crack!
Michipicoten opened for tours.
View aft.
Mail boat Captain Sam Buchanan delivers the first bag of mail.
Deck view looking aft.
Pilot house.
Interior view.
Michipicoten Captain John Carlson.
Life ring on deck.
Stern view at the dock.
Reception after the christening.
Close up of Paul LaMarre Jr. art work.
Christening program.
Video of the Christening. 700k
More pictures will be added Sunday night
Reported by: N. Schultheiss

Frantz Arrives in Buffalo
05/25
The Frantz arrived this morning with her first grain cargo and she is now the The Joseph H. Frantz arrived in Buffalo Saturday morning with a cargo of grain for the General Mills elevator. This is the first of many grain cargos the Frantz will bring to Buffalo under a five year charter to Great Lakes Associates.
The Frantz is the first American self-unloader to call at General Mills. She dock at the Frontier Elevator dock "A" for some time before starting to unload.
Pictures will be added Sunday night
Reported by: Brian Wroblewski and Jeff Thoreson

Jane Ann IV Departs
05/25
The tug Jane Ann IV departed the Heddle Dry Dock about 2 p.m. Saturday and conducted sea trials in the harbor. She then moved to Pier 26 to reconnect with the barge Sarah Spencer. The pair departed through the Burlington Piers at 4:45 p.m.
The Jane Ann IV arrived in Hamilton last week for rudder repairs.
Reported by: Eric Holmes

Alpena Report
05/24
The Paul H. Townsend arrived in port early Saturday morning to load cement at Lafarge. It departed before 9 a.m. heading for Green Bay, WI.
The Fred R. White Jr. also came into port Saturday afternoon. It delivered a load of coal to Lafarge. After leaving Alpena the Fred White was expected to go to Stoneport.
The Adam E. Cornelius was loading at Stoneport on Saturday until about 5 p.m. Waiting for the dock next was the Kaye E. Barker.
Reported by: Ben & Chanda McClain

Welland Update
05/25
Upbound in the Welland Canal on Friday morning was the off lakes Canadian tug Keewatin and two scows bound for Port Colborne. It is unknown why the tug and barges are heading to Port Colborne.
Reported by: Jimmy Sprunt

Toronto Update
05/25
The saltie Sylvia departed Redpath Sugar Saturday morning. Other than sugar, there has not been another cargo delivered to Toronto from a salt water ship this season.
Saturday evening the Forbes' mega yacht Highlander arrived in port and berthed alongside the harbor police station. The McNally tug Bagotville remains on Toronto Drydock awaiting a new propeller. The Beaver Marine (a McNally subsidiary) tug Mister Joe arrived in port from Belleville last week with pipe for the deep-water cooling project.
The charter boat Pioneer Princess remains under the Atlas crane undergoing inspection and repairs.
Reported by: Gerry O.

More News Updates
05/25
Please check back tomorrow for more news updates and pictures.

Today in Great Lakes History - May 25
On May 25, 1898, the Presque Isle was launched at the Cleveland Shipbuilding Company in Cleveland. The vessel is much better known as the cement carrier E.M. Ford, celebrating her 103rd birthday.
May 25, 1941 -- The former Pere Marquette carferry PERE MARQUETTE 17 was re-christened CITY OF PETOSKEY.
The wooden schooner J. C. DAUN was in her first year of service when she encountered a squall in Lake Erie on 25 May 1847 and she capsized five miles off Conneaut, Ohio. Four of the eleven on board were able to make it to her upturned keel, but one of them died of exposure during the night. In the morning, the schooner UNCLE SAM rescued the three remaining survivors. Later the steamer SARATOGA found the DAUN floating upside down, fully rigged with the bodies of some of the crew still lashed to the rigging. The DAUN was righted a few days later and towed in by the schooner D. SMART.
On 25 May 1854, DETROIT (wooden side-wheeler, 157', 354 t, built in 1846 at Newport, MI) was sailing from Detroit to Chicago with two lumber scows in tow. On Lake Huron, she collided with the bark NUCLEUS in heavy fog and sank. The exact location (15 miles off Pointe aux Barques) was not known until the wreck was discovered in 200' of water on 5 June 1994 by Dave Trotter and his determined divers.

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

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

Stinson idled by National Steel sale
05/24
The George A. Stinson has been idled indefinitely in Superior, Wis., while details of National Steel's sale to U.S. Steel are sorted out.
Noel Bassett, vice president of operations for American Steamship Co., told the Duluth News Tribune that the Stinson's crew tied up the vessel Tuesday at National's request.
"There's nothing mechanically wrong with her, fortunately," he said. "And although the steel industry is in flux, it's not concern over a soft market that resulted in her layup."
Bassett said he believes the layover will be short "while they get some of the details of National's sale worked out."
The Stinson is lying at Superior's Elevator M -- the same dock where the 1,000-footer spent its winter layup. The crew remains on standby, ready to resume operation.
The Stinson is owned by GATX Capital Corp. of San Francisco and managed and operated by American Steamship Co. National had leased the vessel for dedicated service shipping taconite pellets. The vessel has generally loaded National Steel Pellet Co. pellets at the BNSF ore dock in Superior.
Reported by: Al Miller

State of Michigan Stops in Ludington.
05/24
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy training ship State of Michigan began its two-week tour of the Great Lakes Friday when it arrived off Ludington,Mi that morning. The training ship waited off shore as the carferry Badger departed on her daily crossing.
The visit to Ludington was followed by a stop in Muskegon, a short distance down Lake Michigan. State of Michigan will visit Chicago on Sunday followed by Port Huron and Detroit Wednesday and Thursday. A complete itinerary is available on the web at: www.nmc.edu/maritime
Arriving off Ludington.
Badger departs.
Another view.
Reported by: Max Hanley

Saginaw News
05/24
The tug Jacklyn M. and barge Integrity was outbound early Friday morning from the LaFarge cement terminal in Saginaw. The pair had arrived early Thursday morning. It normally takes about 24 hours for the barge to be unloaded.
Once the outbound cement carrier had cleared, the Algoway departed the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee and proceeded up to the Sixth Street turning basin in Saginaw. The vessel was outbound from Saginaw about 7 a.m. Friday. The Algoway had arrived in Bay City late Thursday afternoon and had discharged part of its cargo at the Wirt Stone Dock there before continuing up the river later in the evening.
As the two vessels were outbound from Saginaw, the Mississagi was inbound with a split load for the Wirt docks in Essexville and Bay City. The vessel had completed unloading early Friday afternoon and was outbound about 2 p.m.
Reported by: Stephen Hause, Todd Shorkey and Lon Morgan

Today in Great Lakes History - May 24
In 1980 the M/V BURNS HARBOR was christened for the Wilmington Trust Co., (Bethlehem Steel Co., Mgr.) Wilmington, DE.
The CANADIAN OLYMPIC was launched in 1976
CHICAGO TRADER arrived at Ashtabula, OH on May 24, 1977 for scrapping (scrapping did not begin until May 1, 1978 by Triad Salvage Inc.)
The CLIFFS VICTORY set a record (by 2 minutes) for the fastest time from Sault Ste. Marie to Duluth, in 1953. She logged a time of 17 hours and 50 minutes. The CHARLES M. WHITE had been declared the fastest earlier that year by the Cleveland papers.
ALEXANDER B. MOORE was launched at Bangor, Michigan on 24 May 1873. She was built by Theophilus Boston at a cost of $85,000. She was 247' overall, 223' keel and could carry 70,000 bushels of grain. Although designed as a 4-mast schooner, she was built as a 3-master. The fourth mast was added two years later.
On 24 May 1875, the schooner NINA was bound from Michael's Bay to Goderich, Ontario, when she sprang a leak and went down in mid-lake. Her crew escaped in the yawl, but were adrift on Lake Huron for two days and two nights with only one loaf of bread to divide among themselves.

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

Bramble Decommissioning
05/23
Thursday the U.S. Coast Guard decommissioned the 180-foot cutter Bramble in a ceremony at the Port Huron Marine Terminal.
With a large crowd on hand, include Coast Guard officials and spectators, the flags aboard the Bramble were lowered as taps played, signifying the end of her active career with the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard Cutter Bramble was commissioned in 1944 at a cost of just over $925,000. Its primary responsibility was aids to navigation.
Following World War II, from July to October 1947, the Bramble participated in “Operation Crossroads,” the first test of an atomic bomb’s effect on surface ships, at Bikini Island.
In 1962, the Bramble transferred to Detroit to perform the missions of search and rescue, icebreaking, and law enforcement throughout the Great Lakes, in addition to aids to navigation. After undergoing major renovations in 1975, the Bramble reported to Port Huron, her last homeport as an active vessel.
The cutter's areas of responsibility included eastern Lake Erie, southern Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, while maintaining 187 buoys, one NOAA weather buoy, and three fog signals. During winter months, its capabilities as an icebreaker enable her to escort ships through ice and assist ships in distress.
A new 225-foot cutter will replace Bramble. The Hollyhock is expected to take up station in Port Huron some time in September. It will be stationed at the same dock the Bramble used. This will be extended about 50 feet south to accommodate the Hollyhock's extra length. Coast Guard officials also plan to add a security fence around the pier and crew parking lot.
The Hollyhock will be involved with search and rescue, law enforcement and ice breaking, as well as buoy tending and helping with environmental cleanups.
Last week the U.S. Congress approved a bill transferring the Bramble to the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History. The Bramble will remain in Port Huron as a museum ship.
Bramble at the Port Huron Marine Terminal.
Crew gets ready to depart.
The Colors arrive.
Award they received for buoy recovery for the winter of 2002/2003.
Awards and certification markings.
Taps is played by LTJG Tobias Reid as the Brambles colors are retired.
The American Flag is lowered.
The retiring of colors.
The saltie Agean Sea salutes the Bramble after the Benediction and before departure of final party.
Stern view.
The Denis Sullivan at Port Huron Marine Terminal.
Algolake Down bound after the ceremonies.
Reported by: Andy Severson

Michipicoten Christening
05/23
Lower Lakes Towing will christen the newest edition to their fleet on Saturday, May 24 at 1 p.m. The Michipicoten will be christened at the Government Dock in Sarnia, the public is welcome to view the event from the dock.
The Michipicoten arrived under tow on May 7 and crews have been hard at work fitting the vessel out for service. The Michipicoten's registration was changed from U.S. to Canadian, involving a great deal of upgrade to meet Canadian regulations
Michipicoten is expected to enter service at the end of the month and will primarily trade between Marquette, Mi. and Algoma Steel in the Soo. Aside from her primary route, she is expected to make occasional trips to the lower lakes.
Pictures taken Sunday by Roger LeLievre and N. Schultheiss
Docked in Sarnia.
Fresh coat of paint.
Close up of pilothouse.
Bow view.
Close up of name on bow.
Deck view looking aft.
Pilot house.
Wheel stand in pilot house.
Roomy chart room.
Chadburn.
View aft.
Flags flying.
Freshly painted life rings.
View forward from top of unloading boom.
Engine room.
Controls.
Close up of engine room chadburn.
Steam turbine.
Turbine builder’s plate.
Crew's mess.
Conversion plate.
Name is painted on the stern.
Reported by: Lower Lakes Towing

Virginiaborg Unloads in Menominee
05/23
Early Thursday morning, the Virginiaborg became the sixth ship to unload wood pulp at K&K Warehouse in Menominee. The others were the Vancouverborg, Vlistborg, Kwintebank, Thekla, and Victoriaborg. The Volmeborg is due somewhere around the end of the month.
Unloading at K&K West Dock.
Another view.
Reported by: Dick Lund

Alpena Update
05/23
The J.A.W Iglehart arrived in port around 11 a.m. on Thursday to load cement. It loaded a partial cargo and already had a partial cargo of slag on board.
The Iglehart departed after 2 p.m. bound for Detroit. Waiting at anchor in the bay was the Steamer Alpena. It headed into Lafarge once the Iglehart passed. By 4 p.m. the Alpena was at the silos loading for Superior.
The Jacklyn M. and barge Integrity is expected into port on Friday afternoon after delivering to Saginaw. The Paul H. Townsend is in Muskegon.
At Stoneport the Armco was loading Thursday. It was expected to depart by 9 p.m. heading to Superior, WI. Waiting at anchor was the Phillip R. Clarke, she will be the next to load.
Armco loading.
Close up.
Reported by: Ben & Chanda McClain

Detroit Traffic
05/23

Lee A Tregurtha downbound at Grassy Island.
Stern view.
Edwin H Gott upbound at Grassy Island.
Stern view.
Aegean Sea (Bahamas) downbound at Grassy Island.
Stern view.
Algolake downbound at Grassy Island.
Close up of pilothouse.
Stern view.
Mc Asphalt 401 & John Spence upbound at Grassy Island.
John D Leitch downbound at Fighting Island North Light.
Stern view.
Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Lens Dedication
05/23
The original Fresnel lens from Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City, Michigan is being returned to its home. It has been absent from the lighthouse since 1957. The Coast Guard has placed it on permanent loan to Mackinac State Historic Parks.
The lens will be dedicated at a ceremony at the lighthouse Saturday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m.
Reported by: Jim Belisle

Today in Great Lakes History - May 23
The WILLIAM J. DE LANCEY was re-christened on May 23,1990 as b) PAUL R. TREGURTHA. She is the largest ship on the Great Lakes and also the last Great Lakes ship built at AmShip, Lorain.
H. LEE WHITE completed sea trials on May 23, 1974
The FRED R. WHITE Jr. completed her two day sea trials in 1979.
The steel freighter SONOMA was launched at W. Bay City, Michigan on 23 May 1903. She was 416 feet long, 4539 gross tons. Through her career she had various names: DAVID S. TROXEL (1924), SONOMA (1927) and finally FRED L. HEWITT (1950). She was built for the Tomlinson fleet. She was converted to an automobile carrier in 1928, converted back to a bulk carrier in 1942 and then converted to a barge for grain storage in 1955. She was finally scrapped in 1962 at Steel Co. of Canada Ltd. at Hamilton, Ontario.
On 23 May 1889, the wooden steam barge OSCAR T. FLINT (218', 824 gt) was launched at the Simon Langell & Sons yard in St. Clair, Michigan. She lasted until 25 November 1909, when she burned and sank off Thunder Bay Island in Lake Huron.

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

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

Great Lakes Fleet for sale
05/22
Great Lakes Fleet and several other former U.S. Steel transportation properties may soon be sold by Great Lakes Transportation LLC of Monroeville, Pa.
John Giles, president and CEO of Great Lakes Transportation, told the Duluth News Tribune that the company's owner, Blackstone Capital Partners, has been approached by a prospective buyer. Giles would not identify the interested party.
Employees received letters last week telling them the companies were for sale.
In addition to Great Lakes Fleet, Blackstone also owns the Duluth, Missabie & Iron Range Railway and its ore docks in Duluth and Two Harbors; the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad Co.; and Conneaut Dock Co. All are included under Great Lakes Transportation LLC's corporate umbrella and "are on the table," Giles said.
Blackstone is a New York-based investment banking firm that acquired a majority ownership interest in the businesses in 1988.
Giles told employees he wants them to be aware of the situation.
"There is a lot that I do not know at this time," he wrote. "For instance, I do not know who will come to 'kick the tires.' I suspect we'll see financial buyers (others like Blackstone) and industry buyers (other railroads). I also don't know how long this will take, nor do I know the eventual outcome."
Great Lakes Fleet, originally the Pittsburgh Steamship Company, was formed in 1901 during the creation of U.S. Steel Corp. In 1988 U.S. Steel sold 51 percent of its interest in the companies to Blackstone. The resulting holding company was called Transtar Inc. Then, in 2001, Transtar evolved into Great Lakes Transportation when U.S. Steel sold its remaining interest in the companies to Blackstone and its transportation management team.
Giles said speculation that Blackstone planned to sell Great Lakes Transportation has run rampant for years. On numerous occasions, he has been approached by employees. He has repeatedly quelled rumors of buyouts by Canadian National or Burlington Northern Santa Fe, as well as talk that U.S. Steel planned to repurchase its old transportation network.
Regardless of ownership, Giles remains confident about the future for Great Lakes' railroad and ship operations.
"There's a reason why the USS Great Lakes Fleet is 100 years old and the Bessemer & Lake Erie is 130," Giles said. "To this day, they move products very efficiently. If they didn't, they would have been replaced a long time ago."
Giles said the cargo carried by Great Lakes' trains and ships simply must be moved.
"Minnesota Power needs coal to burn," he observed. "And taconite pellets are worth nothing sitting on the ground at Minntac. Their only value is in places like Gary."
Reported by: Al Miller

Callaway Grounds
05/22
About 4 a.m. Wednesday morning the upbound Cason J. Callaway ran around at the entrance to the St. Clair Cut Off Channel near Light X-32. This area is the turn where the St. Clair Cut Off Channel turns into Lake St. Clair.
Traffic continued to pass in the area and the Callaway was not blocking the channel.
Late Wednesday morning the tugs Wyoming and Maine arrived on scene from Detroit. The Callaway had pumped off her ballast and the tugs quickly pulled the Callaway off the sandy bottom. She departed upbound to St. Clair, Michigan for inspection.
Wednesday night the Callaway resumed her trip upbound for Stone Port, Michigan.

Reported by: Dan McKnight

Mackinaw in Dry Dock
05/22
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw was placed into dry dock for repairs to the rudder and equipment below the waterline. It has been quite some time since the big ice breaker has been to Bay Ship for dry docking.
Mackinaw in dry dock.
Reported by: Carl Grota

Canada’s Largest Tall Ship under Construction
05/22
The largest Tall Ship built in North America during the past 100 years is currently under construction at a Hamilton Shipyard.
Caledonia is owned and operated by Canadian Sailing Expeditions of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The ship will introduce vacationers to the excitement and comfort of Tall Ship expedition cruising. Company President Doug Prothero, a former Ontario entrepreneur with 18 years experience at the Toronto Harbor front is convinced this experience will be attractive to vacationers. He says, “Caledonia offers a unique alternative to contemporary cruise programs, which are often over-crowded with inescapable group-activities in large ports.”
People will be able to see Canada’s newest Tall Ship this summer. In July Caledonia participates in the Great Lakes Tall Ships Challenge taking place in the Great Lakes. As the largest ship in the fleet, Caledonia will be a popular attraction in many ports, including Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit, Chicago, and Toronto. Following the inaugural summer schedule, Caledonia returns to her homeport of Halifax, to be fitted out with cabins and passenger amenities.
The ship has an overall length of 75 meters and will be equipped with 40 cabins, a comfortable lounge, library, and dining salon featuring the finest in gourmet meals.
The 2004 Canadian cruise debut in Atlantic Canada will see Caledonia offer 20 expedition-style cruise itineraries, with port calls in the Atlantic provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. Winter will find Caledonia offering round-trip cruises from St. Lucia with calls on Grenada, St. Vincent, Martinique, and Dominica, and Grenada.
Of the Canadian voyages, Prothero proudly says, “Our passengers will see unique United Nations World Heritage Sites and some of the world’s finest natural experiences such as humpbacked whales and 10,000 year-old icebergs, all within the comfort of modern amenities but with a definite ‘Old World Charm’ found in Tall Ships cruising”.
Vacationers eager to experience an eastern Canadian expedition cruise do not have to wait until 2004. Canadian Sailing Expeditions is offering a voyage schedule for 2003 on the modern Tall Ship, Atlantis. Cruising Atlantic Canada with calls in Newfoundland, Labrador, Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island.
The Atlantis is equipped with 18 ensuite cabins, and comfortable amenities, along with recreational equipment including sea kayaks, mountain bikes, and Zodiacs. The 2003 expedition schedule begins in July and cabins are now booking.
Passengers can expect to learn more about sailing and the region’s rich natural and cultural history through on-board guest lectures and dynamic shore excursions that highlight the majestic adventures of Atlantic Canada.
The launch of Caledonia and the respective domestic cruising program is an accomplishment all Canadians can look towards with pride. It is a means to discover and celebrate Canada’s coastal regions in a new and relaxing manner.
Passengers will enjoy the rugged beauty of an untamed land...the majestic sweep of mountains ancient as time...the breathtaking spectacle of icebergs that originated in Greenland...whales, …authentic Viking sites, and the friendly, curious nature of a people who have always welcomed visitors with a genuine smile. It’s the best in real learning experiences at world-class authentic attractions.
Visit canadiansailingexpeditions.com for more information
Reported by: Scott Sanford

Ziemia Chelminska in Marinette
05/22
Late Friday evening, the Ziemia Chelminska arrived in Marinette. They went to anchor for the night, planning on entering port at first light on Saturday morning. Saturday morning brought heavy fog, and the ship didn't reach Marinette Fuel & Dock until about mid-morning. She is wearing a huge dent in her port side upper bow reportedly from striking the wall at Lock 7 while upbound in the Welland Canal. She is carrying a load of pig iron for Marinette Fuel & Dock. As of Sunday evening, she is still in port unloading.
Photos by Scott Best:
Jimmy L inbound Menominee River in fog.
Carla Anne Selvick inbound.
Ziemia Chelminska inbound.
Inside the piers.
Stern view heading to the dock.
Tugs assist docking along the Donner.

Photos by Dick Lund:
Wide view at Marinette Fuel & Dock.
Another view.
Port side view showing her damaged bow.
Close-up of the damaged area.
Stern View.
Close-up of name and port on stern.
Reported by: Scott Best and Dick Lund

Soo Traffic
05/22
Below are images from last weekend taken at Sault Ste. Marie, Mi.
Arthur M. Anderson approaching Poe Lock on Sunday.
H. Lee White downbound at Mission Point on Sunday.
Algolake upbound at Mission Point Sunday evening.
Cedarglen upbound at Mission Point Sunday evening.
Presque Isle downbound at Mission Point Monday morning.
Columbia Star downbound at Mission Point Monday morning .
Mississagi entering MacArthur Lock on Monday morning.
Stewart J. Cort upbound at Mission Point on Monday.
John D. Leitch upbound at Mission Point on Monday afternoon.
The Leitch's unique forward superstructure.
Frontenac downbound at Mission Point on Monday.
Reported by: Stephen Hause

Duluth Update
05/22
Wednesday the George A. Stinson remained docked at the old Elevator "M" in Superior. There was no sign of work underway. The new Federal Welland was loading grain at Harvest States 1 in Superior. The John G. Munson was unloading stone in West Duluth.
George A. Stinson at Elevator "M".
Federal Welland loading at Harvest States.
Wide view.
Reported by: J.A. Baumhofer

Saginaw Update
05/22

On Sunday the Canadian Transfer was outbound Sunday afternoon after unloading at a Saginaw Dock overnight.
The Joyce L. Van Enkevort - Great Lakes Trader were outbound from the Wirt Dock in Saginaw after delivering a split load. She lightered first at the Essexville Sand and stone dock before continuing upriver to Saginaw. The pair was outbound through Bay City early in the evening.
The Maumee was inbound Sunday night stopping briefly in Essexville to allow the downbound Great Lakes Trader to pass. She then continued upbound to the Sargent Dock in Saginaw to unload.
Pictures by Todd Shorkey
Canadian Transfer downbound at Liberty Bridge.
Another view.
Stern view.
Great Lakes Trader - Joyce L. Van Enkevort downbound at Liberty.
Close up view.
Stern view approaching Wirt Stone Dock.
Maumee upbound nearing Wheeler's Landing.
Another view.
Stern view lining up for Liberty Bridge.
Reported by: Stephen Hause, Todd Shorkey and Lon Morgan

Port Huron Traffic
05/22
Pictures taken on Sunday.
John G. Munson.
John G. Munson passes docked Kapitan Rudnev.
George A. Stinson.
Bramble, to be decommissioned Thursday.
Catherine Desgagnes.
Reported by: Roger LeLievre

Detroit Traffic
05/22
May 21
Armco upbound off the RenCen in Detroit.
Stern view.
H Lee White unloading coal on Zug Island in the Rouge Short Cut Canal.
Another view.
Bow.
Barge Allied Chemical No 12 passing through the Zug Island Swing Bridge in the old Rouge River.
Tug Norma B in the old Rouge River.
Stern view.
Barge 950 tied up at Allied Chemical in the old Rouge River.
Stern view.
Philip R Clarke upbound off Nicholson's passing the Saginaw.
Stern view.
Saginaw proceeding upbound off Nicholson's very slowly toward Sterling Fuels waiting for the Middletown to depart.
With Cuyahoga in the back ground.
Stern view.
Cuyahoga loading salt at the Ojibway salt mine. The cargo is destined for Parry Sound.
Stern view.
Cinnamon (Cyprus) departing Nicholson's bound for Milwaukee assisted by the G Tug Wyoming.
Another view.
Close up.
Tug Wyoming heading back to her dock after assisting the Cinnamon.
Stern view.
Middletown at Sterling Fuels in Windsor.
Stern view.
Pilot boat Huron Maid.
Delivering mail to the Middletown.

May 19
Cinnamon (Cyprus) unloading in Nicholson's Slip.
Stern view.
Sunken Rail barge Detroit in Nicholson's South Slip.
Vega Desgagnes downbound at Grassy Island.
Stern view.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tug Demolen downbound heading into the Wyandotte Channel.
Stern view.
Walter J McCarthy Jr upbound at Grassy Island.
Stern view.

May 18
Portfino Restaurant's Friendship on the drydock at Nicholson's in Ecorse.
Stern view.
Cashin (Hong Kong) unloading at Nicholson's.
Stern view.
Symphony of Fire barge in the slip at Morterm.
George A Stinson unloading at Zug Island.
Stern view.
Algonova downbound at Grassy Island.
Stern view.
Tug Magnetic.

Reported by: Mike Nicholls

Sam Laud in Erie
05/22
The Sam Laud paid her first visit of the year to Erie on Sunday, also becoming the first vessel to unload at the Old Ore Dock. The Laud arrived in Erie at about noon with a cargo of stone. With no room at the Mounfort Terminal, due to a cargo of salt delivered Wednesday by the Philip R. Clarke, the Laud had to use the Old Ore Dock.
The Laud was drawing 23 feet forward and 24 feet aft, too deep to tie up alongside the dock, so the crew had to swing two crewmen off and then use the bow thruster to push away from the dock. The draft alongside the dock is about 21 feet. Due to the location in which the pile was to be located, the Laud came within ten feet of the end of the dock, resting alongside the Day Peckinpaugh.
The Laud departed at about 5:30, giving a five minute security call outbound just seconds after the J.S. St. John gave a ten minute security call leaving the Mounfort Terminal.
Laud inbound.
Stern View.
Turning to the Old Ore Dock.
Coming alongside.
Moving away from the dock.
Approaching the Peckinpaugh.
Alongside the Peckinpaugh.
Close Up of the Bow.
Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Hamilton Traffic
05/22
The Federal Schelde arrived in Hamilton Wednesday about 4 p.m. going to Pier 14. The Hamilton Energy departed at 4:30 p.m. heading to Bronte ( Oakville ) to refuel the waiting Maria Desgagnes.
The Yick Hua was arriving in Hamilton that evening going to Pier 25 to unload fertilizer. She will then heading to Gary Indiana
Pictures taken on Sunday
Algosteel departing Hamilton on Sunday.
Stern view.
Balaban 1 at Pier 25 .
Sarah Spencer at Pier 26 .
Thelka coming out of Lock 3 on the Welland Canal.
Stern view.
Algocen arrives.
Reported by: Eric Holmes

Toronto Update
05/22
The saltie Sylvia arrived in mid afternoon Sunday for Redpath Sugar coming in through the eastern gap, through the weekend sailors and ducks. One of the Toronto tour boats Enterprise 2000 operating in the harbor. With strong crosswinds the McKeil Marine tug Glenevis came out to assist Sylvia.
Sylvia inbound.
Another view.
Glenevis on the bow.
Enterprise 2000.
Reported by: Doug Haytt

Clarkson Report
05/22
There were three vessels in port Wednesday. At Petro Canada, an unidentified Desgagnes tanker was unloading. She was gone by early evening.
At St. Lawrence Cement , the James Norris spent all day unloading limestone. She departed that evening. A short time later the Amelia Desgagnes tied up at the cement dock to load cargo.