Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive

Severstal wins tax incentive to upgrade mill

6/22
State and local governments are providing nearly $50 million in tax breaks to keep Russian steel producer Severstal Group operating at the former Rouge Steel site in Dearborn indefinitely. The steel mill receives raw materials by Great Lakes vessels, mainly those sailing in the Interlake Fleet.

Michigan Governor's office said Tuesday that a deal had been reached with Severstal to invest up to $250 million to upgrade its Dearborn steel mill.

The Severstal Group is the 18th-largest steel company in the world and employs approximately 150,000 people worldwide. To establish its first presence in the North American market, the company completed its acquisition of Rouge Steel in April 2004 for $285.5 million.

The MEDC approved a single business tax credit valued at more than $28.7 million over 20 years to retain Severstal in Dearborn. The City of Dearborn approved a 50% abatement of the company's new real and personal property taxes for 12 years, valued at approximately $19 million.

Vadim Makhov, chairman of Severstal North America, said Severstal's investments in its Dearborn steelmaking facilities will focus on maintaining and modernizing the company's primary steelmaking operations, installing new pollution control equipment and modernizing the company's cold rolling and finishing equipment.

Reported by: The Detroit News

A milestone for the Soo Locks

6/22
A century and a half ago, Great Britain was the world's superpower, leading the world in steel production. But within a few years, the United States passed Great Britain in steel production, paving the way for America's debut as the new superpower.

That happened partly because the Soo Locks, which opened in 1855, provided a passageway for the vast iron ore deposits in the Upper Peninsula to U.S. steel mills.

This summer is the 150th birthday of the Soo Locks, and celebrations are planned in Sault St. Marie throughout the season, starting Friday. Ships powered first by sail and later by steam and diesel have traveled through the locks. Now, the queens of the Great Lakes are the gargantuan 1,000-footers that tower six to eight stories above the locks, ships so long that if their bows touched the bottom of the lake in most spots, their sterns would stick up hundreds of feet into the air.

The ships are so large, their sides often get scraped as they squeeze out of the locks. "They only have 2 1/2 feet on each side when they go in and out," said Steve Welch, who volunteered with the City of Sault St. Marie to cochair the 150th anniversary celebration. "It's like a hand-and-glove sort of thing. They'll rub against the sides somewhat when they go out."

Each year, ships make 7,000 passages through the locks; 4,000 passages are by freighters hauling cargo up and down the lakes, said John Wellington, harbormaster in Sault Ste. Marie and a resident of the area for more than 45 years.

The St. Marys River is the only water connection between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes. There is a section of the river -- the St. Marys Rapids -- where the water falls about 21 feet from the level of Lake Superior to the level of the lower lakes.

Cargo coming down from Lake Superior had to be off-loaded at the rapids, loaded onto trains, transported to boats on the lower lakes, and then loaded again. It wasn't efficient or economical, but it was the only way to do it.

Enter the Soo Locks.
The first locks were built in the late 1700s. Those were burned during the War of 1812. Meanwhile, the Lake Superior region was surveyed in the 1830s and 1840s, unveiling the vast timberlands where iron and copper were discovered.

"It was the rich resources they found up in that Lake Superior region that necessitated transport of those materials down to factories," Welch said. After an attempt to build them in the early 1850s failed, one politician compared building locks in such a remote area to building a "path to the moon." In 1853, the American Co., a private firm, set about building a single lock. When the lock -- called the State Lock -- was completed in two years, the company was awarded substantial mining land in the UP.

The first cargo ship to enter the new lock was the Columbia, carrying 132 tons of iron ore out of Lake Superior. It led off a flood of cargo traffic that hasn't abated. Today, more than 100 million tons of freight passes through annually, including ships carrying iron ore, grain, lumber and the low sulfur coal that drives electric power plants, including those lighting the Detroit area.

The economy dipped in the 1970s when Kincheloe Air Force Base closed, taking with it about half the population of Sault Ste. Marie. Today, business largely is based on Lake Superior State University, Indian casinos -- and the tourists attracted to the locks. "When I was a kid, we could walk right up to the locks," said Walter Kinney Jr., owner of Antlers Restaurant, a popular Sault Ste. Marie hangout. "There were no fences. ...You could walk across the gates to the other lock."

Today, the public can see the locks from certain places, but people can't walk up to them.

Bud Mansfield is a third-generation Sault Ste. Marie resident who worked on the construction of the locks during World War II. He remembers when they were considered a primary enemy target in those days, and the military members stationed there roughly equaled the civilian population.

Mansfield and his wife have lived in their riverfront house, 1 1/2 miles from the locks, for more than 50 years. Every morning, they go to their big picture window to see the ships.

"We watch every single boat going by" on their way to the locks, Mansfield said. "There is something about the huge freighters that's like a magnet."

Reported by: Detroit Free Press

Today in Great Lakes History - June 22

On 22 June 1959, BAYPORT (steel propeller tug, 72 foot, 65 gross tons, built in 1914, at Cleveland, Ohio, formerly named FAIRPORT) had the steamer CAPT C D SECORD in tow when she was hooked by her own tow cable, capsized and sank at Collingwood, Ontario. Three lives were lost. The tug was later raised and converted from steam to diesel.

On 22 June 1909, W P THEW (wooden propeller freighter, 133 foot, 207 gross tons, built in 1884, at Lorain, Ohio) was in ballast, creeping through the fog off Alpena, Michigan on Lake Huron when she was rammed by the WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE (steel propeller freighter, 532 foot, 6634 gross tons, built in 1908, at Ecorse, Michigan). After the collision, the LIVINGSTONE drifted away and lost track of the THEW. The THEW sank in 80 feet of water. Fortunately the steamer MARY C ELPHICKE answered the distress whistle and picked up the THEW’s crew from the lifeboat. No lives were lost.

The a.) WILLIAM R ROESCH (Hull#901) was launched and christened at Lorain, Ohio by American Ship Building Co., on June 22, 1973, for the Union Commerce Bank, Ohio (Trustee) and managed by the Kinsman Marine Transit Co., Cleveland, Ohio. Renamed b.) DAVID Z NORTON in 1995.

June 22, 1957 - W.L. Mercereau, known as the "Father of the Fleet", died. Mercereau developed the Pere Marquette fleet of car ferries into the "largest in the world".

On 22 June 1853, CHALLENGE (wooden propeller freighter, 198 foot, 665 tons, built in 1853, at Newport, Michigan) was bound from Chicago for Buffalo with barreled pork and oats on one of her first trips. However, her boiler exploded off Cheboygan, Michigan. She burned and sank. Five died. The schooner NORTH STAR heard the blast ten miles away and came to the rescue of the rest of the passengers and crew.

On 22 June 1875, the Port Huron Times reported that "the Northern Transportation Company's fleet of 20 propellers, which have been idle all the season owing to difficulties between the Central Vermont and the Ogdensburg & Champlain Railroad Companies, have passed from the control of the Central Vermont Railroad Company and will commence regular trips as soon as they can be fitted out."

Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. Marine Historical Society of Detroit. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history

Today in Great Lakes History: June 19

On 19 June 1889, NORTH STAR (steel propeller freighter, 299 foot, 2476 gross tons, built in 1889 at Cleveland, Ohio) collided with CHARLES J SHEFFIELD (steel propeller freighter, 260 foot, 1699 gross tons, built in 1887 at Cleveland, Ohio) about sixty miles west of Whitefish Point on Lake Superior in heavy fog.  The NORTH STAR kept her bow in the SHEFFIELD’s side after the impact, giving the crew time to board.  The SHEFFIELD then sank in 8 minutes.  The courts found both vessels to be equally at fault after years of litigation.  

On 19 June 1889, CHARLES J SHEFFIELD (steel propeller passenger-package freight steamer, 259 foot, 1700 gross tons, built in 1886, at Cleveland, Ohio) was rammed broadside in heavy fog by the NORTH STAR (steel propeller freighter, 299 foot, 2476 gross tons, built in 1889, at Cleveland, Ohio) in Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior.  The NORTH STAR kept her bow in the hole until the SHEFFIELD’s crew clambered aboard.  When she backed away, the SHEFFIELD sank in 8 minutes.  Her loss was valued at $160,000.  

In 1954, the GEORGE M HUMPHREY (Hull#871) (named for President Eisenhower's Secretary of Treasury) was launched at Lorain, Ohio by American Shipbuilding Co, for National Steel Co., M.A. Hanna, mgr.  

In 1978, the ALGOBAY (Hull#215) was launched at Collingwood by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd. for Algoma Central Railway.  

On 19 June 1836, DELAWARE (wooden passenger/package freight side wheeler, 105 foot, 178 tons, built in 1833, at Huron, Ohio) was carrying general merchandise and passengers in a storm on Lake Michigan when she was thrown ashore off Niles, Illinois. She broke in two and was wrecked. No lives were lost.  

On 19 June 1900, the wooden schooner THOMAS L HOWLAND was raised and towed to Buffalo, New York for repairs. She had been sunk by the ice off Windmill Point in the Detroit River early in the season.  

At 5:30 p.m., on 19 June 1872, the wooden package freight/passenger propeller MONTANA (236 foot, 1535 gross tons) was finally afloat at Port Huron, Michigan. She was successfully launched at the Port Huron Dry Dock Company on Saturday, 15 June, but she got stuck in the mud. The tugs VULCAN, PRINDEVILLE, BROCKWAY and BURNSIDE were all employed to free her and the MONTANA's engines were also going. It took four days of pulling, hoisting and dredging to free her. The effort to get her free and afloat cost Alexander Muir, her builder, over $3,000 (in 1872 dollars). She lasted until 1914, when she burned near Alpena, Michigan.  

Data from: Jody Aho, Joe Barr, David 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
 

Today in Great Lakes History: June 18

During a moonlight charter on 18 June 1936, the TASHMOO (steel side-wheel excursion steamer, 308 foot, 1344 gross tons, built in 1900, at Wyandotte, Michigan) struck a boulder in the Sugar Island channel in the Detroit River. The vessel docked at Amherstburg, Ontario where her passengers disembarked as the vessel settled to the bottom in 14 feet of water.  Although the damage was not fatal, the salvage crew botched the job.  The TASHMOO had one end raised too quickly and her keel broke.  This ended this well-loved vessel’s too short career.  

The Soo Locks opened for their first season on 18 June 1855.  The first vessel through the locks was the steamer ILLINOIS of 1853.  

In 1949, the WILFRED SYKES (Hull#866) was launched at American Shipbuilding Co., Lorain, Ohio, for Inland Steel Co. At the time she was the largest and most powerful vessel on the lakes. The SYKES was also the first boat to have a poop deck.  

In 1964, the bulk freighter SAGUENAY (Hull#647) was launched at Lauzon, Quebec by Davie Ship Building Ltd, for Canada Steamship Lines.

In 1968, the ALGOCEN (Hull#191) was launched at Collingwood, Ontario by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd, for Algoma Central Railway.

On 18 June 1869, a little less than a week after being launched, Capt. Luce sailed the schooner DAVID A WELLS on her maiden voyage from Port Huron for Menominee, Michigan.

On 18 June 1858, the steamship CANADA left the Lakes via the St. Lawrence rapids since she was too large for the existing locks. She had been built by Louis Shickluna at the Niagara Drydock Company in 1853, at a cost of $63,000. She was sold for ocean service after the Depression of 1857. Her hull was rebuilt and she was renamed MISSISSIPPI. She foundered in a gale in the South Atlantic on 12 August 1862.

The venerable side-wheel passenger ferry TRILLIUM (Hull#94) was launched June 18, 1910, at Toronto, Ontario by Polson Iron Works., for the Toronto Ferry Co.

Data from: Gerry O., 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

Captain Mike Nicholls Master of the Diamond Jack

6/17
Captain Mike Nicholls, longtime employee of Gaelic Tugboat Company and photographer for Boatnerd.com has been assigned as regular Captain on the Diamond Jack.  The Diamond Jack sails regular two hour tours from Bishop Park in Wyandotte at 1:00 and 3:30 pm Friday through Sunday each week.  Mike is also a retired Service Parts Operations salaried employee from General Motors and main summer ship traffic observer at Grassy Island on the Detroit River.

Captain Nicholls replaces Captain Roger Break who served as the Master of the Diamond Jack for five years who elected to retire this year.  Captain Break was a lifelong boater and retired 747 pilot at Northwest Airlines.

Diamond Jack's River Tours is pleased to have Captain Nicholls with his vast knowledge of the Detroit River as Master of the Diamond Jack.  His background will continue the perfect safety record of the Diamond Jack fleet.

For more information on Diamond Jack's River Tours, visit www.diamondjack.com

Reported by Bill Hoey
 

Port Reports

6/17
Saginaw River:
Reported by Todd Shorkey
Thursday on the Saginaw River saw the tug Anglian Lady and barge PML 2105 outbound from the Triple Clean dock in Essexville during the morning hours.  Inbound Thursday morning was the tug Rebecca Lynn and her tank barge.  The pair called on the Bit-Mat dock in Bay City to unload and were expected outbound early Friday.

Duluth / Superior:
Reported by Al Miller
Friday dawned clear, warm and busy in the Twin Ports. Five vessels were at work around the waterfront at 7 a.m. Canadian Transport was loading coal at Midwest Energy Terminal, Quebecois was unloading cement at St. Lawrence Cement, Oglebay Norton was fueling at the Murphy Oil terminal before proceeding to the DMIR ore dock, Prinsenborg was loading at the General Mills elevator in Superior, and Cedarglen was loading at CHS elevator in Superior. CHS is, by far, the busiest elevator in port this season. Waiting for Cedarglen to clear was the saltie Amanda, anchored out on the lake.

Toronto:
Reported by Charlie Gibbons
The schooner Marie Clarisse departed early Thursday. Stephen B. Roman was back in port, unloaded and departed Thursday evening.
 

Today in Great Lakes History: June 17

On 17 June 1878, the Canadian schooner JAME SCOTT of Port Burwell capsized and sank in Lake Erie.  The captain’s wife, their child and two seamen were drowned.

The wooden schooner MONTEREY which stranded on Sleeping Bear Point on Lake Michigan in early December 1890, was released on 17 June 1891.

The SCOTT MISENER (Hull#11) was christened on June 17, 1951, for Colonial Steamships Ltd. She was the first vessel built at Port Weller Drydocks Ltd..  Renamed b.) JOHN E F MISENER in 1954.  She was scrapped at Cartagena, Columbia in 1986.

The PATERSON of 1954, collided with the steamer EDMUND W MUDGE in 1957, in fog on the St. Clair River opposite Marine City, Michigan.

The WILLIAM A IRVIN was towed to the Duluth Convention Center on June 17, 1986, by the tugs SIOUX and DAKOTA to be on station as a museum ship at the new $3 million convention facility.

June 17, 1998 - The tug/barge PERE MARQUETTE 41/UNDAUNTED arrived Ludington, Michigan from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin after the remainder of the conversion there.

The propeller OWEN SOUND was launched at Collingwood, Ontario on 17 June 1875. She measured 900 tons and could carry 30,000 bushels of grain.

Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history.
 

Press Release: Mittal Steel Company conveys lake vessels

6/16
Mittal Steel has disposed of its bareboat charter interests in two lake vessels that provide raw materials to its steel works in Burns Harbor, Ind. The vessels were chartered by International Steel Group, which was acquired by the global steelmaker, Mittal Steel Co., on April 15.

Mittal Steel has made these arrangements:

M/V Burns Harbor -- Ownership has been transferred to American Steamship Co. from a vessel trust. The 1,000-foot-long vessel can hold more than 72,000 tons of bulk cargo, water levels permitting. A trust had operated the vessel through an agreement with a financial institution.

M/V Stewart J. Cort -- ISG operated the ship under a "bareboat charter" agreement, which now has been assigned to a subsidiary of The Interlake Steamship Co. The 1,000-foot-long Cort has capacity for more than 58,000 tons of bulk cargo in its hold. A consortium of financial institutions owns the vessel.

Mittal Steel also has entered into long-term agreements with American Steamship Co. and a subsidiary of Interlake Steamship Co. to time-charter the Burns Harbor and the Cort for the transport of iron ore on the Great Lakes.

The U.S. Maritime Administration has confirmed that such arrangements are in accordance with the statutes and regulations administered by the agency

Press release source: Mittal Steel Company
 

Port Reports

6/16
Saginaw River:
Reported by Todd Shorkey
On Tuesday, the Algoway continued the Algoma Central Marine salt convoy to the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee.  She unloaded salt there during the day and was outbound for the lake Tuesday evening after a short delay in which she waited out a storm by sitting in the Sixth Street Turning Basin.

Also inbound late Tuesday was the Walter J. McCarthy, Jr.  She called on the Consumers Energy dock to unload coal.  The McCarthy did not depart until Wednesday afternoon when she backed out of the river to turn out in the Saginaw Bay at Light 12.

Outbound just ahead of the Walter J. McCarthy was the tug Donald C. Hannah and her tank barge.  The pair had unloaded overnight at the Dow Chemical dock in Bangor Township.

Inbound late Wednesday afternoon was the tug Anglian Lady and her barge PML 2105 .  The pair called on the Triple Clean Liquifuels dock in Essexville to unload.  They are expecting to be outbound Thursday morning.

Marquette:
Reported by Rod Burdick
Marquette's two harbors were busy Wednesday evening, June 15.  After Michipicoten departed the Upper Harbor early in the afternoon, three vessels arrived between 5 and 6 p.m..  First, Great Lakes Trader arrived at the Lower Harbor to discharge stone at the Shiras Dock.  Tug Joyce L. VanEnkevort was detached from the barge during the unloading process.  At the Upper Harbor, Charles M. Beeghly and fleetmate Lee A. Tregurtha arrived together with Beeghly taking the south side of the ore dock to unload coal and Tregurtha taking the north side to load taconite.

Toronto:
Reported by Charlie Gibbons
Tuesday's cement boat arrivals were Wednesday's departures. Also departing Wednesday was the Canadian Ranger which had been in port for a while. She departed Redpath Sugar dock around 2 p.m., and a couple of hours later Malyovitza hauled anchor and was escorted into the Redpath slip by McKeil's harbor tugs.

 

Today in Great Lakes History: June 16

The steamer UNIQUE (wooden propeller passenger/package freight steamer, 163 foot, 381 gross tons) was built by Alexander Anderson at Marine City, Michigan.  She was launched stern first at 3:00 p.m. on 16 June 1894.  There was quite a crowd assembled to watch the launch.  While waiting for the launch, Engineer Merrill of the steamer MARY composed the following verse:
“The new steamer Unique
Made a beautiful suique
On a direction oblique
Into a big crique,
So to spique.”
The vessel was painted a bright yellow up to the promenade deck with white cabins and upper works.  In 1901, she left the upper Lakes and was chartered for the Thousand Islands cruise trade.  Later that year, she was sold to Philadelphia buyers for Delaware River service. Her upper cabins were removed in 1904, when she was rebuilt as a yacht.  She lasted until 20 November 1915, when she burned to a total loss in New York harbor.

On 16 June 1891, Alexander Mc Dougall himself took his brand-new whaleback steamer JOSEPH L COLBY (steel propeller whaleback freighter, 265 foot, 1245 gross tons, built in 1890, at W. Superior, Wisconsin) down the St. Lawrence River to the sea.  The double hulled COLBY left Prescott, Ontario at 3:00 p.m., drawing six feet nine inches aft and five feet six inches forward and started on her wild ride through the rapids.  The whaleback freighter plowed through the Galops , Iroquois , Long Sault, Coteau, Cedar, Split Rock and Cascade Rapids. She grated the bottom a number of times and had a number of close calls.  Captain Mc Dougall stood immobile throughout the trip but great beads of perspiration broke out on his forehead. When the vessel finally made it through the Cascades and was safe on Lake St. Louis, the French Canadian pilot left and the crew let out shouts of joy with the whistle blowing. The COLBY was the first screw steamer to attempt running the rapids.

On 16 June 1892, GENERAL BURNSIDE (3-mast wooden schooner, 138 foot, 308 gross tons, built in 1862, at Wolfe Island, Ontario) foundered in a powerful northwest gale on Lake Erie near Southeast Shoal Light.  Her crew was rescued by the tug GREGORY.

On 16 June 1905, at 2:00 a.m., a fire was discovered around the smoke stack of the North Shore Navigation Company’s CITY OF COLLINGWOOD (wooden propeller passenger-package freight steamer, 213 foot, 1387 gross tons, built in 1893, at Owen Sound, Ontario) burned at the Grand Trunk Railway docks at Collingwood, Ontario and was destroyed along with the dock and nearby sheds.  Four died, but most of crew jumped overboard.  Captain Wright had gone to his home on Pine St. about an hour before and was preparing for bed when he heard four whistles sounded by the steamer BRITTANIC which was laying alongside. He ran to the dock, went aboard and woke the 1st mate J. D. Montgomery and a wheelsman. They had to jump to the dock to escape the flames. James Meade, Lyman Finch, A. McClellan, and another unidentified crewmember who had just joined the vessel at the Soo were all sleeping in the forecastle and lost their lives.

In 1967, the FEUX FOLLETS (Hull#188) was launched at Collingwood, Ontario by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd., for Papachristidis Co. Ltd. She was the last steam powered lake ship. Renamed in 1972, she sails today as the b.) CANADIAN LEADER

Upbound in the Welland Canal on June 16, 1963, loaded with iron ore for Chicago, U.S. Steel's BENJAMIN FAIRLESS suffered bow damage in collision with Canadian steamer RALPH S MISENER.

In 1918, the WILLIAM P SNYDER JR was in collision with the steamer GEORGE W PERKINS in Duluth Harbor resulting in damage of $5,000 to both vessels.

On 16 June 1861, ANDOVER (2-mast wooden schooner, 98 foot, 190 tons, built in 1844 at Black River, Ohio) was carrying lumber in a storm and ground on Pointe aux Barques reef on Lake Huron. Though not thought to be seriously damaged, she resisted all efforts by the tug ZOUAVE to release her. She was finally stripped and abandoned.

On 16 June 1887, CHAMPLAIN (wooden propeller passenger/package freight vessel, 135 foot, 438 gross tons, built in 1870, at Cleveland, Ohio) was carrying passengers, merchandise and horses on Lake Michigan when an engine room lamp exploded. The fire spread so quickly that the pumps could not be started. She headed for Fisherman's Island, Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, but struck a bar and sank a mile short of the beach. 22 of the 57 persons aboard died, most from drowning. Although initially declared a total loss, the hull was towed into Harbor Springs, Michigan, then taken to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and rebuilt as CITY OF CHARLEVOIX. She was also lengthened to 165 foot. She lasted until 1924, when she burned at her lay-up dock in Manistee, Michigan. At that time, she was named KANSAS.

Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II, the Fr. Dowling Collection 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.

 

Postal Service celebrates Soo Locks 150th with stamp

6/15
To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Soo Locks in 2005, the U.S. Postal Service will be offering a special Soo Locks Pictorial Cancellation Stamp to any outgoing letters and post cards on Engineers Day, June 24, at the Soo Locks.

The Pictorial Cancellation Stamp service will take place at the Marine Post Office inside the Davis Building at the Soo Locks from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 24. Individuals can bring any stamped envelope and have it cancelled with this special pictorial stamp. They may then leave the envelope to be mailed or take it home as a souvenir or collectors item.

In addition, the U.S. Post Office will have a special commemorative cachet available for purchase from designer Blair McNamara. This cachet consists of specialized envelopes featuring an aerial view of the Locks, as well as special text acknowledging the anniversary.

Rex T. Marsh, designer of the Pictorial Cancellation Stamp, will also have commemorative post cards and cachets available for purchase just outside the entrance gate to the Soo Locks Park. Marsh highlighted a historic theme on his commemorative postcard, which features an oil painting of the 1905 Soo Locks celebration.

Reported by the Soo Evening News
 

McGuinty to break coal plant promise

6/15
The Ontario government will admit today it will not meet its promise to close all four remaining coal-burning electricity-generating plants by the end of 2007, allowing the mammoth Nanticoke plant to continue to operate past that date.

Energy Minister Dwight Duncan has scheduled a news conference in Toronto today to announce "a major clean-air initiative" and sources in the energy industry say he will provide a timetable for closing coal plants in Thunder Bay, Atikokan and Lambton, near Sarnia. He will also detail the future of these sites and whether they can contribute electricity to Ontario's grid with another fuel.

However, these same sources say Mr. Duncan will simply outline the options for Nanticoke and that he will admit the plant will not be completely shut down by Dec. 31, 2007. Premier Dalton McGuinty's government, which has already been criticized over falling short of commitments over taxes and the deficit, promised during the 2003 election to close all coal-fired plants by the end of 2007. The Nanticoke plant is the largest single source of air pollution in the province.

The Liberals promised in the 2003 election campaign to close all five of Ontario's coal plants by the end of 2007 because their pollution was a public-health problem.

The first plant, Lakeview, near Toronto, was shut down at the end of April. But closing the remaining four plants presents problems for the government if it wants to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity to industry and homeowners.

Jack Gibbons, chairman of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, is participating in today's news conference at the Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre along with Dr. Anna Day, a respirologist at the hospital, and Dr. Greg Flynn, president of the Ontario Medical Association.

The OMA yesterday released a report that says air pollution is expected to kill 5,800 people prematurely in Ontario this year and that this toll could spike to 10,000 a year in the next two decades if the province does not take drastic measures to curb it.

Dr. Gibbons, who has campaigned for the shutdown of the coal plants, would not confirm the details of Mr. Duncan's announcement. "But I think you can assume that if I've agreed to participate in the press conference then I'm happy," he said.

The five coal plants provided 7,557 megawatts of electricity or about 25 per cent of the province's electrical capacity. The 1,138-MW Lakeview plant, old and rundown, was rarely used in the later years and so its shutdown was not a great loss.

However, replacing the power generated at the remaining four plants is more difficult.

The Thunder Bay and Atikokan plants contribute just 525 MW of electricity but they are essential to the economic health of northwestern Ontario, especially in the beleaguered forest industry. In addition, the two plants do not contribute to pollution in heavily populated Southern Ontario because of prevailing wind patterns.

Mr. Duncan earlier announced plans to offset some of the power lost by closing the 1,974-MW Lambton plant. Two new Sarnia-area gas plants would create 1,575 MW.

The shutdown of the Nanticoke plant on Lake Erie is proving the toughest nut to crack. The eight units at the plant pump out 3,920 MW of electricity.

It would be difficult to convert the station to natural gas because it is far from gas transmission lines. But simply shutting it down and opening plants elsewhere would also pose problems. First, the plant employs about 600 people and pays $2.75-million a year in taxes. Second, it would take time and money to duplicate the lines out of Nanticoke at another location.

Reported by Murray Campbell, Globe and Mail
 

Vermilion Nautical Mart

6/15
The 3rd Annual Nautical Mart at the Inland Seas Maritime Museum in Vermilion, OH will be held on Saturday, June 25 at 10 a.m.  Six dealers will be selling artifacts, photos, books, postcards and other material relating to Great Lakes shipping.  In addition, the museum will be selling a number of duplicate Great Lakes reference  books and magazines, as well as a large number of Great Lakes ship photos, duplicates of those in the museum's collection.  If you have questions please email ahart43791@aol.com.

Reported by Al Hart
 

Obituary: David F. Buchanan

6/15
David F. Buchanan, former Manager of Industrial Relations for Pittsburg Steamship Division, U.S. Steel Corporation at both Cleveland and Duluth offices passed away on June 4, 2005 at Mentor, Ohio where he resided with his daughter Mary Ellen. After retiring from Pittsburg Steamship Dave returned to Cleveland and served as a consultant for Lake Carrier Association from which he retired in 1985.

Surviving are three daughters and a son, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Dave was a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio thereafter earned his law degree from Case Western Reserve University.

A Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 18, 2005 at Beachland Presbyterian Church, 18100 Canterbury Road, Cleveland, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

Reported by William D. Carle
 

Today in Great Lakes History: June 15

GRECIAN (steel propeller freighter, 296 foot, 2348 gross tons, built in 1891 at Cleveland, Ohio) was being towed by the steamer SIR HENRY BESSEMER from Detour to Detroit.  The GRECIAN had sunk on 07 June 1906 when she struck a rock and she was being towed with a temporary patch over the hole.  The patch did not hold and on 15 June 1906, the GRECIAN sank off Alpena, Michigan.  The crew abandoned ship and they were picked up by the BESSEMER.

At midnight, on Saturday, 15 June 1901, OMAR D CONGER (wooden propeller ferry, 92 foot, 199 gross tons, built in 1882, at Port Huron, Michigan) burned at her dock on the Black River in Port Huron, Michigan.  Her upper works were destroyed, but she was repaired and put back in service.  She lasted until 1922, when her boiler exploded, killing four people and destroying the vessel.

On June 15, 1943, the D M CLEMSON collided with and sank the GEORGE M HUMPHREY in the Straits of Mackinac. Both of these 600-footers recovered for long careers. The D M CLEMSON was sold for scrap in 1980. The GEORGE M HUMPHREY was recovered over a year later, renamed the CAPTAIN JOHN ROEN, later converted to a self-unloader, and finished her career as the CONSUMERS POWER at the end of the 1985, season before being scrapped in 1988.

In 1989, the ROGER M KYES was rechristened b.) ADAM E CORNELIUS by American Steamship Co..

The wooden 180 foot schooner JOHN A FRANCOMB was launched at West Bay City, Michigan on 15 June 1889. She was built by F. W. Wheeler & Co. (Hull #61). She lasted until she was abandoned at Bay City in 1934.

GRECIAN (steel propeller freighter, 296 foot, 2348 gross tons, built in 1891, at Cleveland, Ohio by Globe Iron Works (Hull#40) had struck a rock near Detour, Michigan on 7 June 1906, but made dock at Detour before settling on bottom.. After her cargo was removed, she was raised, and while in towed by her fleet mate SIR HENRY BESSEMER, bound for Detroit Shipbuilding Co. in Wyandotte, Michigan for repairs, relying on air pressure in her sealed holds kept her afloat. However, on 15 June 1906, her holds began to fill with water and she sank in Lake Huron off Thunder Bay. Her crew was rescued by SIR HENRY BESSEMER.

Data from: Jody Aho, 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.
 
 

Kinsman Independent renamed Voyageur Independent

6/14
The Kinsman Independent is being given new life in Hamilton. It is currently receiving a new GE Marine diesel engine, 2 new Cat generators, a new gearbox, propeller and propeller shaft. Reports indicate she will be ready to sail in mid-August under her new name Voyageur Independent. Of note, there has been no stated intention of converting the vessel to a self-unloader.

Reported by Justin Olsen

 

Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum schedules annual Induction of Honorees

6/14
The Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum in Rogers City, Michigan has announced the annual induction of honorees which will be held on August 19 and 20, 2005.

On Friday, the events will begin with a free tour of the Calcite Quarry at 1:30 PM. The Michigan Limestone Operation is one of the world's largest limestone quarries.

Friday evening at 7:00 PM, there will be panel discussion on "Lake Storms and Lake Tragedies", at the Rogers City Senior Citizen Center. Cost is $5.00. The panel will be composed of Frank Mays, only remaining survivor of the Carl D. Bradley; Dave Erickson, a survivor of the Cedarville  sinking; Warren Toussaint who was the medical officer on the USCG Sundew at the time of the Bradley sinking; Dennis Hale the sole survivor of the Daniel J. Morrell. The panel will be moderated by Cory Adkins from Channel 9/10.

On Saturday, the induction of candidates luncheon will be held at St. Ignatius School, 545 S. Third Street in Rogers City at 11:00 AM. Doors will open at 10:00 AM and the guest speaker will be Warren Toussaint, USCG retired. Cost for the luncheon is $12.00.

The public is invited to attend all events and reservations should be made in advance by calling museum director Ed Brklacich at 989-734-0706 or via e-mail at lor@i2k.net

Reported by Dave Wobser

 

Port Reports

6/14
Saginaw River:
Reported by Todd Shorkey
After a quiet day Saturday, the traffic on the Saginaw River increased on Sunday with a number of passages.  First in was the American Republic carrying a split load.  She lightered at Bay Aggregates in Bay City before finishing up at Saginaw Asphalt in Carrollton.  The Republic waited on her outbound trip at the Burroughs dock for the upbound Agawa Canyon to clear before continuing for the lake.  Agawa Canyon called on the Sargent dock in Zilwaukee to unload yet another load of salt. 

The tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort and barge Great Lakes Trader were inbound early Monday morning with a split load.  The pair lightered at the Sargent dock in Essexville before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw.  Also inbound Monday morning was the CSL Tadoussac who called on the Essroc dock in Essexville to unload Clinker.

The American Republic was outbound early Monday morning.  The Agawa Canyon, Joyce L./Great Lakes Trader, and CSL Tadoussac were expected to be outbound later on Monday.

Marquette:
Reported by Lee Rowe
Monday was a busy day at Marquette's ore dock.  The Mesabi Miner brought coal, the Herbert C. Jackson loaded ore and left, and was replaced at the dock by the Pathfinder/Dorothy Ann.  The Michipicoten also came in for a load of ore.

Sturgeon Bay:
Reported by Wendell Wilke
The Cuyahoga departed Bay Ship Building at 3:30pm Tuesday, 6/14. She was towed stern first from the yard out past Sherwood Point by Selvick's Jimmy L., where she headed for Green Bay, WI and unloading.

Toronto:
Reported by Charlie Gibbons
It was a busy day in the "Big Smoke" harbor on Monday. The schooner Empire Sandy returned to port from her Welland Canal and Niagara River cruises, in the wee hours of the morning. Algoma's Capt. Henry Jackman came in quite early with a load of salt and after discharging it, departed in ballast around 9 p.m. for Meldrum Bay.

In midafternoon the salty Malyovitza arrived and went to anchor in the inner harbor to await a berth at the Redpath sugar dock. McKeil's tug Glenevis took the pilot off. Canadian Ranger is still unloading at Redpath. She stopped last week and cleared the dock so that the salty Cinnamon could unload her cargo. Then the Ranger returned to finish unloading her cargo.

The two local cement ships Stephen B. Roman and English River both returned to port last night, the Roman coming in around 8 p.m. and the River around 10 p.m.

Sunday saw the arrival of two new vessels in port. The schooner Marie-Clarisse, built in 1924 in Shelburne, N.S. has not been in Toronto since 1984's tall Ship Rendezvous. She is berthed at Pier 4. The new CCG Cape Storm came in briefly and after dropping off passengers at Bay Street, she departed again. Cape Storm is based at Port Weller and replaces CGR 100.

James Norris was in port Saturday with a load of salt. She cleared for Colborne, Ontario on Sunday morning to load cement. Monday she was back up the lake unloading her cement cargo at Clarkson

 

Today in Great Lakes History: June 14

The ROGER BLOUGH departed the shipyard in ballast on her maiden voyage for U.S. Steel Corp. the night of June 14, 1972, for Two Harbors, Minnesota to load 41,608 gross tons of taconite ore pellets. She was nearly a year late because of a fire in her engine room.

On June 14, 1988, the CONSUMERS POWER, with her former fleet mate JOHN T HUTCHINSON, departed Lauzon, Quebec in tow of the Panamanian tug/supply ship OMEGA 809, bound for a scrap yard in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

The steamer PRINCESS was sold to Little and Fitzgerald on 14 June 1873. She was built in 1858, at Algonac, Michigan by Z. Pangborn.

The wooden scow TINKER was launched at Leighton & Dunford's yard in Port Huron, Michigan on 14 June 1876.

June 13
On 13 June 2003, after completing her conversion from American to Canadian registry, Lower Lakes Towing’s newly acquired MICHIPICOTEN departed the Government dock at Sarnia, Ontario.  First she went to the Shell Oil dock in Corunna, Ontario to fuel, then she departed for Marquette, Michigan to load ore for Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

On 13 June 1902, METROPOLIS (wooden side-wheel steamer, 168 foot, 425 tons, built in 1868, at Detroit, Michigan) caught fire and burned to a total loss at her dock in Toledo, Ohio.  She was only used occasionally for excursions and spent most of her time tied up to the dock.

On June 13, 1983, the JOHN B AIRD began its maiden voyage for Algoma Central Railway, a load of coal from Thunder Bay to Nanticoke, Ontario.

The IRVING S OLDS carried a record 17,817 gross tons of iron ore on June 13, 1943, from Lake Superior and transported a total of 736,800 short tons of various bulk cargoes the next year.

On the morning of June 13, 1905, running downbound on Lake Superior, the heavily laden SYLVANIA encountered heavy fog as she approached the Soo. Confused whistle signals resulted in the SYLVANIA glancing off the Pittsburgh Steamship Co., steamer SIR HENRY BESSEMER which sustained a 175 foot port side gash from the SYLVANIA's anchor. The BESSEMER required $40,000 in repairs and the SYLVANIA's damage totaled $10,000 which included a new anchor and shell plating which was completed at the Craig Shipbuilding Co., Toledo, Ohio.

June 13, 1930 - Shortly after leaving Menominee, Mchigan, fireman Walter O'Leary of the ANN ARBOR NO 7 became ill. The carferry proceeded at full speed to the nearest doctor at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where surgery was performed to remove gall stones.

June 13, 1974 - The b.) CITY OF GREEN BAY, formerly a.) WABASH was sold to Marine Salvage Company to be scrapped.  She was scrapped at Castellon, Spain in 1974.

On 13 June 1903, CHARLES H DAVIS (wooden propeller bulk freighter, 145 foot, 391 gross tons, built in 1881, at Saginaw, Michigan) was carrying limestone on Lake Erie off Cleveland when she developed a leak which quickly got worse and admitted water faster than her pumps capacity. She sank near the Cleveland breakwater. She was an unusual vessel, reportedly built of pine and pointed at both ends with her planking set diagonally.

Data from: Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II, The Marine Historical Society of Detroit and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed.
 

News Photo Gallery Updated

6/12

News Photo Gallery updated. 
 

Public Photo Gallery Updated

6/12

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

Today in Great Lakes History: June 12

On 12 June 1898, SAKIE SHEPHERD (wooden propeller freighter, 100 foot, 189 gross tons, built in 1883 at Huron, Ohio) burned while at the dock in Courtright, Ontario.  The fire was discovered at 1:00 a.m. and the crew just had time to escape.  The schooner YOUNG AMERICA also caught fire and had damage done to her stern.  The SHEPHERD was towed to Detroit where she was rebuilt and lasted until 1903, when she sank in Lake Huron.

On 12 June 1900, the UNIQUE (wooden propeller, 163 foot, 381 gross tons, built in 1894 at Marine City, Michigan) was sold at public auction at St. Clair, Michigan to satisfy a mortgage.  W. J. Laidlaw of Ogdensburg, New York purchased her for $20,000 for the Rapid Transit Co. to run between Ogdensburg and Kingston, Ontario.  In 1904, her upper cabins were removed and she was rebuilt as a yacht.  She lasted until 1915 when she burned in New York City harbor.

"STUBBY", The bow and stern sections of the STEWART J CORT welded together, passed Port Colborne, Ontario on June 12, 1970, bound for Erie, Pennsylvania under her own power. STUBBY's bow and stern sections were later separated at Erie Marine, Inc., a Div. of Litton, and joined to the 816 foot hull mid-body.

The NANTICOKE (Hull#218) departed Collingwood, Ontario in 1980, beginning her maiden voyage for Canada Steamship Lines Ltd..

In 1959, the BENSON FORD of 1924, ran aground in the Amherstburg Channel on her upbound trip with coal for the Rouge Plant. After five days of lightering and with tug assistance, she was freed. Damage amounted to 41 bottom plates which took 30 days to repair.

On 12 June 1832, the wooden schooner GUERRIER was sailing from Oswego, New York for Detroit when she capsized in a squall off Bar Point on Lake Erie. Captain Pember and the crew and most of the passengers made it to the Canadian shore, but one family was trapped in the cabin. The husband was able to keep his head above water in the upside down cabin, but through the night, one by one, his four children and then his wife slipped from his grasp and perished. The following day, Capt. Stanard took his steamer NIAGARA to the wreck and rescued the man.

On 12 June 1900, the steel tow barge BRYN MAWR (Hull#41) was launched at South Chicago, Illinois by the Chicago Ship Building Co. for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company.

The wooden propeller freighter MILWAUKEE (264 foot, 1770 gross tons) was launched at Quayle & Sons yard in Cleveland, Ohio on 12 June 1879, for the Western Transportation Company of Buffalo, New York. She had supporting arches above decks. In 1902, she was renamed YONKERS and rebuilt as a barge in 1911. She lasted until 1917-1918 when she stranded, then burned.

June 11
TASHMOO (steel side-wheel excursion steamer, 308 foot, 1344 gross tons, built in 1900, at Wyandotte, Michigan) entered regular service for the White Star Line at Detroit, Michigan on 11 June 1900.

On 11 June 1903, HORACE H BADGER (wooden 3-mast schooner, 129 foot, 263 gross tons, built in 1867, at Conneaut, Ohio as a 2-mast schooner, formerly KATE GILLETT) was carrying coal in a storm on Lake Erie.  She was driven onto the breakwater at Cleveland, Ohio and broke up in the storm waves.  The crew of seven was rescued by the Life Saving Service.  This vessel had been wrecked twice before; once at Cross Village, Michigan in 1895, and again near Alpena, Michigan in 1896. 

The ATLANTIC SUPERIOR (Hull#222) was float launched at Thunder Bay, Ontario by Port Arthur Ship Building Co. Ltd.. in 1982, for Federal Commerce & Navigation Ltd., Montreal, Quebec (Canada Steamship Lines Ltd., mgr.), built for the Caribbean trade.

The MESABI MINER was christened at Duluth, Minnesota in 1977, she became the fourth thousand-foot bulk carrier on the Great Lakes and Interlake Steamship Co.’s second.

CARL D BRADLEY (Hull#718) cleared Lorain, Ohio in her gray and white livery in 1917, on her maiden voyage light bound for Calcite, Michigan to load limestone. She was the first Great Lakes commercial ship equipped with both Morse code telegraphy as well as ship-to-shore radio in 1922, which was standard on only 20 vessels by 1924.   Renamed b.) JOHN G MUNSON in 1927, c.) IRVIN L CLYMER in 1951. She was scrapped at Duluth, Minnesota in 1994-5.

On June 11, 1936, the EDWARD J BERWIND collided with the AYCLIFFE HALL 16 miles West of Long Point on Lake Erie. The Hall Corp. steamer went to the bottom and was not salvaged.

June 11, 1981 - The BADGER steamed out of Ludington en route to Milwaukee under an MDOT subsidy that was approved earlier in March.

The propeller E B HALE was launched at Cleveland, Ohio at the yard of Quayle & Sons on 11 June 1874. Her length was 217 foot keel, 227 foot overall. She was owned by Capt. Bradley, Mr. Thomas Quayle and Mr. Loomis and she cost $100,000.

The wooden rabbit J S RUBY was launched at Fair Haven, Michigan on 11 June 1881. Her dimensions were 106 feet 6 inches x 21 feet x 7 feet. She was towed to Port Huron for the installation of her boiler and engine that were built by the Phoenix Iron Works. She lasted until burned to a total loss off Stag Island in the St. Clair River on November 9, 1891.

Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history.

 

State considers ballast-water measures

6/10
Gov. Jim Doyle says Wisconsin will review measures in other states that aim to crack down on ships that discharge potentially harmful ballast water in the Great Lakes. Doyle told about 50 people at the city's marina (Port Washington, WI) Wednesday the federal government has done little to protect the lakes from the plants and fish that hitch rides across the ocean before being dumped.

The governor wants the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to examine the work of Michigan and New York and see if Wisconsin regulators should take action against oceangoing ships that dump ballast water containing invasive species such as zebra mussels. That tiny mollusk, first discovered in the Great Lakes in 1988, clogs intake pipes and filters water so well that it has spawned massive weed growth in some areas.

"I am frustrated by the lack of leadership and the lack of action by the federal government," Doyle said. Doyle said Wisconsin could require a ship to meet specific standards and perhaps post a bond to cover damage the ship might cause.

However, Helen A. Brohl, executive director of the U.S. Great Lakes Shipping Association, said considerable research has shown that practices now used by ships are removing or treating all water that could contain invasive organisms. She said Congress will pass a ballast-water protection bill this year, and such regulation should come from Washington rather than the states.

 Reported by the Duluth News Tribune / Associated Press

Senate bill addresses cutter

6/10
The U.S. Senate is now considering legislation to turn the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw over to city and county officials for eventual use as a museum ship. U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, the Michigan contingent in that chamber, introduced the measure in the Senate on Thursday.

A similar bill is under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives. If the bills are passed by the House and Senate, the ship will be turned over to officials of the city of Cheboygan and Cheboygan County, and then will be transferred to Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum, Inc., a group that has formed to preserve the cutter after its decommissioning in 2006.

"For decades the Mackinaw has been a familiar sign of spring as she opened the shipping season, and she has been a goodwill ambassador to many communities throughout the Great Lakes," said Stabenow, a Democrat out of Lansing. "I am pleased to assist in all the efforts to make Cheboygan the permanent port of call for the Big Mac. This ship will serve as a great symbol of our dynamic Great Lakes heritage. It should be a great local attraction, encourage tourism, build jobs and aid the local economy."

Levin, a Detroit Democrat, said the ship should remain in Cheboygan, which has been its home since 1944. "The Mackinaw icebreaker is an historic ship that has served the Great Lakes well for many years, and it will continue to play an important role as a Great Lakes museum," Levin said. "Although the operational costs of the Mackinaw icebreaker have rendered it inefficient for its original purpose, it has many years of use in its future as a reminder of the rich history of our lakes."

The bill outlines conditions under which the conveyance would occur, listing several points for the recipient who would agree, identical to the House version of the bill:

1. To use the vessel for purposes of a museum.

2. Not to use the vessel for commercial transportation purposes.

3. To make the vessel available to the U.S. government if needed for use by the commandant in time of war or a national emergency.

4. To hold the U.S. government harmless for any claims arising from exposure to hazardous materials, including asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, after conveyance of the vessel.

5. The recipient has funds available that will be committed to operate and maintain the vessel conveyed in good working condition in the form of cash, liquid assets, or a written loan commitment in an amount of at least $700,000.

6. The recipient agrees to any other conditions the commandant considers appropriate.

Both the city and county have signed off on an agreement to accept the ship should the government offer it to them, and to subsequently turn it over to the museum group. The House measure, introduced by U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, whose district includes Cheboygan County, has proceeded through mark-up.

"Ours has gone through committee and is in the Coast Guard reauthorization bill," said Stupak on Thursday. "It helps to have the language in the Senate. It will help push the bill through. It shows we are all working on the same page. They can take my language, get their bill passed and get it done." Stupak said he hopes to have work completed on the reauthorization bill by July 4. "The Coast Guard reauthorization bill is not very controversial. Last year it passed no problem," said Stupak. "This year there is extra money in the Coast Guard budget for the great needs of Homeland Security," he continued. "I hope this will sail through once everyone gets to take a look at it. I am very hopeful. Everyone is working hard to get the budget done."

If approved by the two chambers, the bills will go into conference committee where differences will be hammered out and a compromise bill will come out and be sent to President Bush for signature.

 Reported by Rich Adams, Cheboygan Tribune

Convention center is emerging from ferry

6/10
A team of volunteers is working to convert a 101-year-old former cross-lake car ferry into a seasonal attraction featuring a museum and convention center. Bill Petersen and Steve Bowyer spent the winter standing on the ice alongside the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper, chipping layers of lead-based paint off the ship before applying a special gray epoxy paint.

About 65 percent of the ship's starboard side has been painted so far, and volunteers are preparing to move a barge so the bow and stern can be repainted. "I've been doing this for seven years, so I must enjoy it," Petersen, a retired boiler inspector for Consumers Energy, told the Muskegon Chronicle for a recent story. "Actually, working on the ice made our jobs easier catching the old paint. But we're glad it's spring."  Volunteers hope to have most of the ship's starboard side done by the end of the summer.

Restoring the 361-foot-long ship has been a huge task. The clipper still has its original 3,000-horsepower quadruple expansion steam-driven engine, one of only seven built for the Great Lakes passenger trade. And its all-steel superstructure and fireproof construction was a marvel in the 1940s.

The ship sailed as the Juniata for 31 years before it was mothballed in 1937 because of its fire-prone wooden superstructure. The ship was converted to the Milwaukee Clipper in 1940 and linked Muskegon and Milwaukee until it was retired in 1970.

 Reported by The Detroit News / Associated Press

Oceangoing ships will need Michigan permit by 2007

6/10
Oceangoing ships will need a state permit to enter Michigan ports starting in 2007 under a law aimed at protecting the Great Lakes from exotic aquatic species. Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Monday that she had signed legislation to require that oceangoing ships prove they will not discharge ballast water or are equipped to treat it. A vessel takes in thousands of gallons of ballast water to stabilize the ship when traveling without cargo.

"Requiring ships to prove they pose no threat to our health and safety will help protect our people, our environment and our economy," Granholm said in a news release. The Democratic governor signed the law Thursday.

The law also authorizes Michigan to form a coalition with the Great Lakes region's other states to deal with aquatic invaders such as the zebra mussel, sea lamprey 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.

The species often have no natural predators in their new environment and can crowd out native species, cause environmental damage or bring new diseases and parasites. 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.

Under the law, ships will have to apply for a permit from the state Department of Environmental Quality. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $25,000 per day.

The bills were sponsored by Rep. David Palsrok, R-Manistee, and Sen. Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township.

Reported by the South Bend Tribune / Associated Press

Extended dry spell reflected in lake level forecast

6/10
A rainfall deficit of roughly six inches across northern Michigan and the Eastern Upper Peninsula so far in 2005 is slowly finding a reflection in Upper Great Lakes water levels. A run of late-spring thunderstorms may bring rainfall closer to the historic average but a Corps of Engineers official last week said hydrologists have already dialed back their forecasts for a recovery in lake levels.

Carl Woodruff, hydrologist with the Corps' Detroit District, said late last week that forecasters have shaved two to three inches from summer lake level peaks because of continuing dry conditions. He said even heavy rains through the spring and summer may have little effect on Upper Great Lakes water levels, mainly because the ground is so dry. He said dry soils tend to soak up even copious amounts of rainfall, sending relatively little downstream to the Lakes.

At the start of June, monthly comparisons of Great Lakes water levels were beginning to reflect several months of lighter than normal rainfall. As of June 1, Lake Superior stood at three inches below its long-term average and just an inch higher than the same time last June. The early-June level on Lake Superior showed a slowing in the Big Lake's gradual rise from near-record lows in 2001. The slowing rise came despite a relatively wet May around the Lake Superior watershed, during which rainfall was 120 percent of the average, Woodruff said. He accounted for the apparent disparity between higher rainfall and lower overall water supply to the Big Lake with the dry soil observation.

To the south, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan had no disparity last month. The watershed feeding the two lakes received less than half its average May rainfall as near-drought conditions continue throughout the two lakes' watershed. At the start of June, the Corps reported Lakes Michigan and Huron were running about 13 inches below their long-term average after gaining on the norm through several months late in 2004 and early 2005. The two lakes rose just one inch in May compared to an average May rise of three inches.

While lake levels are beginning to reflect rainfall or lack of it, Woodruff said experts do not expect the lakes to bottom out if rainfall does not improve. He said hydrologists recently adjusted the normal summer peak in Michigan-Huron water levels about two inches lower than forecast in April. The two lakes usually reach their highest levels of the year in early July.

"We don't expect a severe drought, but you never know," Woodruff said of the forecaster's conundrum. Though Lake Huron and Michigan have fallen roughly half-way to their recent low point - 23-24 inches below their long-term average - Woodruff said officials do not expect a repeat even if the light rainfall pattern persists through early summer. A similar prospect appears for Lake Superior, which usually peaks in August or September.

Woodruff said if dry conditions continue to prevail across the Upper Lakes region, runoff water supply will be negligible and the only replenishment the lakes can expect from rain is from precipitation on the lakes themselves. With thunderstorm potential in the weather forecast for several days this week, the rains have some considerable ground to make up throughout the region. Year-to-date deficits prevail across the north, even though respective Great Lakes watersheds are much larger.

A report early last week showed Sault Ste. Marie and Traverse City running very nearly six inches below average for the year and several other locations across northern lower Michigan in excess of five inches beneath their averages for the time of year.

Whatever may be in the precipitation cards for the balance of the summer, Woodruff said a collapse of water levels to those seen in 2001 and 2002 is not likely in 2005. Compared to datum, or the low-water minimum for shipping channels across the Great Lakes, Lake Superior was still five inches above the chart minimum in May and Lakes Michigan-Huron were eight inches above datum.

At the height of the early-century water level drop, lake levels on all three of the Upper Lakes fell below datum for months at a time. As recently as February and March 2004, the Upper Lakes slipped below datum again, only to recover by some 12 inches later.

Summarizing the Corps' expectations for the balance of summer on the Upper Lakes, Woodruff said, "Water levels are a little lower than last year but a lot higher than 2003.

Reported by Jack Storey, The Evening News

Interest In Metro Machine Building, Erie, PA

6/10
It looks like the Metro Machine building on Erie’s bay front may not be empty for long. Action News 24 has learned that three companies are looking at leasing the property. Two of the companies interested in the property are from the upper great lakes area. The third is a local concern.

Metro’s Erie facility is a 44 acre shipyard located on the sheltered waters of the Presque Isle Bay in Erie, PA. It has the longest U.S. dry dock on the Great Lakes and can accommodate ships up to 1250 feet in length with a maximum beam of 114 feet. The facility has over 200,000 square feet of production space, enabling raw material coming into the facility to be totally processed in an environmentally controlled production setting. There are 4,000 feet of pier space at the shipyard with full dockside services. The shipyard has excellent access to rail and U.S. interstate highway transportation.

Reported by Hugh W. Gillett

Port Reports

6/10
Goderich:
Reported by Dale Baechler
The Algomarine was waiting in line for her turn on Sunday behind the two Upper Lakes ships. The Algorail came into port on Tuesday morning. Both were loading at the Sifto Salt dock. The tug Mark Hanna/ Barge E63 entered the new harbour on Tuesday to discharge a load of liquid calcium. The Agawa Canyon came in for a load of salt on Wednesday afternoon. The Algosteel arrived early Thursday morning to load at Sifto Salt.

Saginaw River:
Reported by Todd Shorkey
Saturday morning saw the tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort and barge Great Lakes Trader outbound the Saginaw River after finishing her unload at the Saginaw Wirt dock.  She stopped briefly at the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee to allow the upbound tug G.L. Ostrander and barge Integrity to pass before continuing outbound for the lake.  The Ostrander-Integrity called on the LaFarge dock in Carrollton to unload.

Sunday saw the Canadian Transfer inbound with a split load.  She lightered at the Bay Aggregates dock in Bay City before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the GM dock in Saginaw.  The Transfer was outbound Monday morning.

On Tuesday, the tug Joyce L and Great Lakes Trader were back, this time carrying a split load for three different docks.  She lightered first at the Essexville Sand & Stone dock and then continued up to the Burroughs dock in Zilwuakee to unload more.  Once finished there, she went farther upriver and completed her unload at the GM dock in Saginaw.  The pair was outbound Tuesday afternoon.  The Walter J. McCarthy, Jr.  was also inbound Tuesday, calling on the Consumers Energy dock to unload coal.  She backed from the dock out into the Saginaw Bay before turning and heading for the lake Tuesday evening.

Marquette:
Reported by Lee Rowe
The Herbert C. Jackson and Reserve loaded ore at Marquette on Thursday.  The Lee A. Tregurtha is expected Friday morning, along with the Michipicoten.  Other ships in the line-up include the Armco, Saginaw, Pathfinder, and a return of the Michipicoten.

Sturgeon Bay:
Reported by Wendell Wilke
Burns Harbor arrived Bay Ship Building Wednesday morning; Cuyahoga remains d/s in a loaded condition while repairs are underway. She arrived at the yard June 2; on the floating dry dock are the USCGC Biscayne Bay and barge Great Lakes, while in the small graving dock remains the tug Michigan; in the large graving dock are the barges Georgia (Moran) u.c. and the Energy 11103. The Georgia now supports the name on her bow while the Energy 11103 is fully painted with the name evident on both bow and stern. Her ownership has been changed from Hornbeck Offshore to the Manitowoc Marine Group during the later stages of her building.

Alpena:
Reported by Ben & Chanda McClain
The J.A.W Iglehart arrived at Lafarge on a windy, but beautiful Monday afternoon. It took on cement for Detroit, and departed by 7pm. Fleemate Alpena was waiting out in the bay for the Iglehart to pass by so it could head into port. The Alpena was at the loading dock by 9pm.  The G.L Ostrander was at Lafarge on Sunday taking on cargo, and is expected to deliver it to Chicago. The Kaye E. Barker was loading at Stoneport on Monday. The Joseph H. Thompson is on schedule for Tuesday.

Toronto:
Reported by Charlie Gibbons
The salty Cinnamon arrived at Redpath Sugar dock Tuesday morning, assisted into place by McKeil's harbor tugs. Canadian Ranger departed the Redpath Sugar dock just after noon.

Empire Sandy does a Welland Canal visit Saturday to pick up passengers for a Niagara River day cruise and an evening lake sail, and on Sunday she transits the Welland Canal to above Lock 3 and returns to Port Weller. Information is available at http://niagarac.on.ca/studying/programs/conted/tall_ship_cruises.htm

Canadian Ranger returned to Toronto early Wednesday morning (after leaving around noon Tuesday) and she went to Pier 35 west - the lay-up wall. Stephen B. Roman came into port in mid-afternoon. Cinnamon continued unloading at Redpath.

Milwaukee:
Reported by David Fasules
The Manistee arrived Milwaukee with a load of salt around 5:30pm Thursday. While she visited Milwaukee several times last season still carrying the Richard Reiss name and colors, this is thought to be her first visit sporting Grand River Navigation colors and her new name.

 

Information Search Page etc.

6/10
Please note that there has been a change in the address of the Information Search Page.  Click "Information Search" on the Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping home page for access to the new location.

In addition to the server problem, I've had computer problems with my laptop the past 2 days being unable to do any internet updates amongst other issues.  With thanks for the valuable and able assistance of our Chief Boatnerd, I'm back on course.  Sorry folks!

Obituary: Jeff Martin

6/10
Bay City, Michigan, Mr. Jeffrey Bryan Martin, born November 24, 1943, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday evening, June 7, 2005, at his home at the age of 61. Jeff retired from GM Powertrain, Bay City in November 2004 after 41 years. Jeff was happiest when he was on his boat fishing or watching the freighters come and go; he was quite the boatnerd. Jeff was 2nd VP of the International Ship Master's Association, Lodge 5 Bay City, and a member of the Saginaw River Marine Historical Society. He also loved to spend time in the Upper Peninsula camping. Survivors include his loving wife of 27 years, Maureen Rogner Martin; his son Nicholas L. Martin and his wife Kimberly; his sisters Jean (Jim) Anderson, and Ginger (Mike) Hurley; his sister-in-law Sheila Casey; his brother-in-law E.J. (Linda) Rogner; and a special sister-in-law Roselyn Steffey; plus many special nieces and nephews, and wonderful friends. Jeff will be sadly missed by his best friend in the world, Brandy, and his granddoggy Maggie. Jeff was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ed and Lois Martin; and his sister, Carla Roth. In accordance with Jeff's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 10, 2005 at the Stapish Cederberg Funeral Home West with Mrs. Rita Narlock officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 6:30 p.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, or the Humane Society. Stapish-Cederberg Funeral Home, West 805 E. South Union, Bay City.

Reported by the Bay City Times, submitted by Wade P. Streeter

Today in Great Lakes History: June 10

On 10 June 1891, the tug AMERICAN EAGLE (wooden propeller tug, 46 gross tons, built in 1865 at Buffalo, New York) collided with the tug ALVA B (wooden propeller tug, 73 foot, 83 gross tons, built in 1890 at Buffalo, New York) which was not in motion, about 2.5 miles west of the Cleveland breakwater.  The ALVA B hooked up a line and started towing the AMERICAN EAGLE in, but she sank a half mile from the harbor entrance.

On 10 June 1891, the CHARLES W WETMORE (steel propeller whaleback freighter, 265 foot, 1399 gross tons) left the shipyard at West Superior, Wisconsin on her maiden voyage, bound for Liverpool, England with a cargo of grain. During her trip to the Atlantic Ocean, she shot the St. Lawrence River rapids. In Liverpool, she loaded machinery for Puget Sound.  She only lasted until September 1892, when she stranded one mile north of Coos Bay, Oregon in fog.  Bad weather stopped salvage attempts and the vessel was abandoned.

Bethlehem's LEWIS WILSON FOY, loaded her first cargo June 10, 1978, at Burlington Northern #5, Superior, Wisconsin with 57,952 tons of Hibbing taconite pellets for Burns Harbor, Indiana. Renamed b.) OGLEBAY NORTON in 1991.

In 1892, the keel for the ANN ARBOR NO 1 (Hull#55) was laid at Toledo, Ohio by Craig Shipbuilding Co..

The ANN ARBOR NO 4 was sold to the Michigan State Ferries in 1937 and renamed CITY OF CHEBOYGAN.

On 10 June 1877, while lying at her dock at Detroit, the wooden side-wheeler R N RICE burned. The damage was estimated at $30,000. After this fire, she was rebuilt as a barge.

The propeller MONTGOMERY burned in the early morning hours of 10 June 1878. The fire started while she was laying at the dock in Point Edward, Ontario. The carferry INTERNATIONAL towed her out into the St. Clair River and cast her off to drift. Fortunately there were no injuries. She finally was beached opposite Batchelor's Mill on the Canadian side by the tugs CRUSADER and J H MARTIN. At 10:00 a.m., she was still burning. The MONTGOMERY was a steam barge of 1,104 tons, built in 1856, and owned by Capt. John Pridgeon. She was fully loaded with 29,000 bushels of corn, 320 barrels of flour, 540 barrels of corn meal, 200 bags of timothy seed and 111 bales of broom corn, besides other freight. The local papers claimed that the spectacle presented by the burning vessel as she drifted down the river was "grand and beautiful". The light was so brilliant that the entire city of Port Huron was illuminated and many people came out to watch. The following day, the wreck was towed to the American side of the river just below Avery's Mill. Whatever was left of her cargo was taken off and sold. Her engines and boiler were so badly warped and twisted from the intense heat that they were worthless except as scrap.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineer dredge MARKHAM (Hull#904) was launched in 1959, at Avondale, Louisiana by Avondale Marine Ways Inc.

June 9
TASHMOO (steel side-wheel excursion steamer, 308 foot, 1344 gross tons, built in 1900, at Wyandotte, Michigan) hosted Admiral George Dewey on her inaugural trip from Cleveland, Ohio to Detroit, Michigan on 09 June 1900.  Admiral Dewey had just returned from his conquest of the Philippines during the Spanish American War and was a national hero.  TASHMOO entered regular service for the White Star Line two days later.

The Lubeck, Germany built, 305 foot Greek freighter CASTALIA of 1953, struck the north tower pier of the Mackinac Bridge at 7:00 p.m. on 09 June 1968, in dense fog.  The bridge was not damaged and the ship took on water, but was able to proceed to Chicago without assistance.

LIGHTSHIP 103 was delivered to the 12th District Headquarters at Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 9, 1921, to begin her Great Lakes career.

June 9, 1983, ALGOWEST loaded a record 1,047,758 bushels of wheat at Thunder Bay, Ontario.

ROGER BLOUGH began sea trials in 1972.

June 9, 1911, The ANN ARBOR NO 1 was raised by Smith Wrecking Company of Muskegon after being considered a menace to navigation by the Coast Guard (she had been sunk by the south breakwater at Frankfort, Michigan after burning on March 8th). She was taken to Muskegon, and repaired sufficiently to become a sand scow for the Love Construction Company. The cost of raising her was $8,000.

On 9 June 1884, ANNAPEE (2-mast wooden scow-schooner, 71 foot, 118 gross tons, built in 1867, at Ahnapee (Wolf River), Wisconsin) was bound from Torch Lake, Michigan for Milwaukee with a load of railroad ties and cordwood when she stranded in fog on North Point in Lake Michigan, 2 1/2 miles from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Later a strong wind blew her into the rocks and she broke up. No lives were lost and part of her cargo was saved.

On 9 June 1882, the LIZZIE A LAW (wooden schooner, 196 foot, 747 gross tons, built in 1875, at Port Huron, Michigan) collided with the R B HAYES (wooden schooner, 147 foot, 668 gross tons, built in 1877, at Gibraltar, Michigan) near the foot of Lake Huron. Although the LAW suffered severe damage, she completed her trip to Buffalo and was repaired there. The LAW lasted until 1908, when she was lost in a storm.

June 8
On 08 June 1854, J YOUNG SCAMMON (2-mast wooden brig, built in 1845, at Chicago, Illinois) was sheltering from a storm at S. Manitou Island on Lake Michigan when she dragged her anchors, stranded and broke in three pieces.  She was driven in so close to the shore that the crew was able to use a broken spar to climb to the beach.  No lives lost.

On 08 June 1897, RITA MC DONALD (wooden propeller tug, 72 foot, 69 gross tons) was launched by J. Davidson (Hull #84) at West Bay City, Michigan.  She lasted until 1920, when she was abandoned in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1978, the a.) LEWIS WILSON FOY was christened for the Bethlehem Steel Co., Cleveland, Ohio. Renamed b.) OGLEBAY NORTON in 1991.

In 1938, the GOVERNOR MILLER (Hull#810) a sister ship to the WILLIAM A IRVIN, began her maiden voyage, leaving Lorain, Ohio. The GOVERNOR MILLER was only the 2nd Great Lakes vessel to be powered by a steam turbine with a direct drive to the propeller shaft via reduction gear.

In 1976 - The Superior Midwest Energy Terminal loaded its first cargo of low-sulfur coal. The JOHN J BOLAND of 1953, took the honors as the first vessel to load at this dock.  She was sold Canadian and renamed b.) SAGINAW in 1999.

On this date in 1977, the HARRY L ALLEN was the first freighter to load at Burlington Northern's Dock #5 in Superior, Wisconsin.

On 8 June 1847, CHESAPEAKE (wooden side-wheeler, 172 foot, 412 tons, built in 1838 at Maumee, Ohio) was fully laden and had 97 aboard when she rammed the schooner JOHN F PORTER on a dark night off Conneaut, Ohio. As she started to sink, she was run to shore in an effort to save her, but she sank a mile short of the beach. Lake Erie was fairly calm and the crew and passengers tried to get to shore in boats and makeshift rafts. Most made it and many were also picked up by the steamer HARRISON. Estimates of the number of dead vary from 7 to 13.

The wooden side-wheel tug and upriver packet TRAFFIC (75 foot, 50 tons, built in 1853, at St. Clair, Michigan) sank near Sebewaing, Michigan on 8 June 1868. She was recovered and repaired, but only lasted a little longer than a year since she burned in Saginaw in October 1869.

Data from: Jody L. 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.
 

Server Outage

6/07
We experienced a major problem with the ageing Boatnerd server Monday night affecting Vessel Passage and Discussion Boards. The site has been restored with the exception of the Search page, we hope to have that online Wednesday night. The Public Gallery and Live Scanner should be restored Wednesday night or Thursday.

Harbour Queen christened at Hamilton

6/07
Hamiltonians watched as a princess was transformed into a Queen along the waterfront last week. The excursion vessel Hamilton Harbour Queen was christened at Pier 8 as about 100 people looked on. Then the nearly 50-year-old ship took her maiden voyage around the harbour.

The Hamilton Waterfront Trust purchased the vessel, constructed in 1956, last year. The ship, formerly the Harbour Princess, had been running tours in Port Dover. The trust spent about $600,000 to purchase the 96-foot-long, 22-foot-wide,two-level ship and renovate it.

The ship had worked as a tug in the Northwest Territories soon after being constructed. In 1988 it was converted to a passenger tour boat for use on the Great Lakes. The ship, which can accommodate 200 passengers, and 140 people during a meal, is available for tours, cruises, weddings and other events.

The ship offers a number of cruises that range in price from a $20 plus tax sightseeing cruise for an adult, to lunch cruises at $35 plus tax, to $55 plus tax for an adult for a dinner cruise.

The Hamilton Harbour Queen will be berthed at Pier 8 near the Canadian Marine Discovery Centre which was officially opened nearly a year ago. Hamiltonians also celebrated the unveiling of the HMCS Haida, which is berthed near the discovery centre.

Reported by the Hamilton Spectator
 

Andy LaBorde Memorial Bench, Sault Ste. Marie

6/07
A bench at Sault Ste. Marie's Mission Point is going to honor the late boat watcher Andy LaBorde.  The ceremony will take place a 2:00 PM at Mission Point on June 24, 2005, Engineer's Day. Everyone is invited.  Please bring pictures, memorabilia and stories honoring Andy.  However, due to the updating of the park, the actual bench will not be present.  That will not become a reality until 2006.  What will happen at 2:00 PM is a remembrance of Andy and a time to reflect on what he meant to us.  Anyone wishing to contribute to the cost of the bench and the plaque may send contributions to Andy Severson, 22712 DeTour Street, St. Clair Shores, MI 48082 before June 20.  Funds in excess of the cost of the bench and plaque will be given to the family of Andy LaBorde.  We hope that you will join us in this event and also participate in the bench funding as you feel appropriate.

Reported by Judy Abbott

Port Reports

6/07
Marquette & Munising:
Reported by Rod Burdick
Algoma Central Marine's Algoisle made her first ever visit to Marquette on June 4 loading taconite for Hamilton.  She had a slow 12 hour load.  As Algoisle was preparing to depart the Upper Harbor, Herbert C. Jackson rounded the Upper Harbor Light en route to the ore dock. Algoisle was the third Canadian bulker to load ore in Marquette this season.  She followed visits by Cedarglen and Canadian Miner.  Algoisle's visit was also the first by an Algoma vessel to Marquette since Lower Lakes Towing took over ore shipments to Algoma Steel at the Soo.

Oglebay Norton's Armco delivered Munising's second coal cargo of 2005 on June 4.  Munising normally receives only four coal cargoes a year.  American Mariner unloaded the first coal cargo of 2005 in late April

Goderich:
Reported by Dale Baechler
On a very warm weekend in Goderich, it was Upper Lakes Shipping taking centre stage at the Sifto Salt dock. On Saturday it was the John D. Leitch loading and on Sunday the Canadian Navigator took her spot under the loading spout.

Saginaw River:
Reported by Todd Shorkey
Five vessels transited the Saginaw River over the course of Thursday & Friday.  Inbound Thursday morning was the CSL Tadoussac calling on the Essroc dock in Essexville.  She completed her unload and then waited for the inbound tug Rebecca Lynn to make the Bit-Mat dock before backing out of the river and turning at Light 12 to head for the lake. The Rebecca Lynn and her tank barge called on the Bit-Mat dock in Bay City to unload. She unloaded overnight and was outbound early Friday morning for the lake. The Algoway was also inbound on Thursday.  She traveled upriver to the Sargent dock to unload.  Algoway was outbound early Friday morning after making her fourth trip to the Saginaw River in the last nine days.

Friday morning saw the tug Invincible and barge McKee Sons lightering at the Bay City Wirt dock.  The pair then continued upriver to finish unloading at the Wirt dock in Saginaw.  They were outbound Friday evening. Also in on Friday was the tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort and barge Great Lakes Trader.  They passed the outbound McKee Sons at the Consumers Energy dock before going up to the Wirt Dock in Bay City to lighter.  The pair then continued upriver to the Saginaw Wirt dock to finish unloading.  They were expected to be outbound Saturday morning.
 

Today in Great Lakes History: June 7

On 07 June 1890, EMILY P. WEED (steel propeller freighter, 300 foot, 2362 gross tons) was launched by F. W. Wheeler (Hull #69) at W. Bay City, Michigan for the Hollister Transportation Co.  She lasted until 02 September 1905, when she stranded on Sand Island Reef, Apostle Islands on Lake Superior and broke in two.

On 07 June 1862, MORNING STAR (wooden side-wheel steamer, 248 foot, 1265 gross tons) was launched by A. A. Turner at Trenton, Michigan.  She only lasted until 1868 when she sank in Lake Erie in a collision with the bark COURTLAND.

In 1958, the EDMUND FITZGERALD (Hull#301) was launched at River Rouge, Michigan by Great Lakes Engineering Works for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Columbia Transportation Div., mgr.

In 1977, the WILLIAM A IRVIN ran into the side of the Rock Cut after a power failure on board. The vessel received only slight damage. (For a more detailed account, read Jody Aho's book "The Steamer William A. Irvin: Queen of the Silver Stackers").

Also on June 7, 1977, the MESABI MINER (Hull#906) departed LOrain, Ohio on her maiden voyage to load ore at Duluth, Minnesota.

On June 7, 1991, the b.) ALPENA, the former a.) LEON FRASER) began her maiden voyage as a cement carrier, departing Superior, Wisconsin, for her namesake port. Fraser Shipyards, who performed the conversion, took out a full-page ad in the Superior Evening Telegram proclaiming "INLAND LAKES MANAGEMENT, YOUR SHIP IS READY" and a picture of the vessel.

On 7 June 1859, COLUMBIA (2-mast wooden brig, 92 foot, 177 gross tons, built in 1842 at Sandusky, Ohio) broke up in a storm near Sherwood Point, Green Bay (Death's Door). She was famous for bringing the first load of copper ore from the Keweenaw Peninsula to through the Soo. She also brought the first locomotive to Marquette.

The METEOR (wooden steam barge, 201 foot, 729 gross tons, built in 1863, at Cleveland, Ohio) burned at Buckley's dock at the foot of 2nd Street in Detroit, Michigan on 7 June 1873. The fire supposedly started in her hold at 1:30 AM and was not discovered until it was too late. The ship burned to the waterline and sank. Some docks and warehouses also burned in this catastrophe. The wreck was raised in early September 1875, and towed to the foot of Belle Isle where the machinery and hull were sold at the U.S. Marshall's sale on 24 April 1876. Although originally thought to be the end of this vessel, the hull was purchased by Stephen B. Grummond of Detroit for $480. It was rebuilt as the schooner-barge NELSON BLOOM in 1882 and lasted until abandoned in 1925.

June 6

On 06 June 1891, BAY CITY (wooden propeller freighter, 152 foot, 372 gross tons, built in 1867, at Marine City, Michigan) burned to a total loss while being repaired at the foot of Rivard Street in River Rouge, Michigan.  She was loaded with 300,000 feet of white pine lumber at the time.  Her watchman reported the fire during the night and firemen thought they had it out, but it re-awakened and the vessel burned to a total loss.  This ship had previously burned 20 years before on 10 April 1871, when she was on her first trip of the season after being rebuilt over the winter.  Then she caught fire and burned nearly to the waterline but was rebuilt again and lasted until this last fire in 1891.

On 06 June 1979, while carrying corn on Lake Superior, CARTIERCLIFFE HALL (steel propeller bulk freighter, 730 foot, 18531 gross tons, built in 1960, in Germany as a.) RUHR ORE) caught fire 10 miles north of Copper Harbor, Michigan.  Her crew abandoned ship in two life rafts and one lifeboat.  Six died in this tragedy while five were injured; four (including Captain Raymond Boudreault) were injured seriously enough to be flown to the University of Michigan Burn Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  U. S. Steel’s THOMAS W LAMONT rescued 17 at 4:52 a.m. while CSL’s LOUIS R DESMARAIS rescued two more.  The CARTIERCLIFFE HALL was towed to Thunder Bay by the tug PENNSYLVANIA the following day.

On 06 June 1917, ISABELLA J BOYCE (wooden propeller sandsucker, 138 foot, 368 gross tons, built in 1889, at Manitowoc, Wisconsin as a freighter) grounded on Middle Bass Island in Lake Erie and then was destroyed by fire.  No lives were lost.

In 1944, the C-4 bulk carrier a.) MARINE ROBIN  participated in the D-Day invasion at Normandy.  In 1952, after conversion into a bulk freighter she began service in the lakes for M.A. Hanna Co., as b.) JOSEPH H THOMPSON.  She serves today as a tug barge combination created from the sections of the original vessel.

The E B BARBER (Hull#111) of the Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co., entered service on June 6, 1953, for Algoma Central Railway Ltd.

In 1953, the ARMCO (Hull#870) began her maiden voyage from Lorain, Ohio for the Columbia Transportation Div., bound for Superior, Wisconsin to load iron ore.

On June 6, 1959, the ADAM E CORNELIUS (Hull#) 424) began her maiden voyage for the American Steamship Co., from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. This was the last Great Lakes vessel constructed with telescoping hatch covers.   Sold Canadian and converted to a barge she was  renamed b.) CAPT EDMUND V SMITH in 1988, and c.) SEA BARGE ONE in 1991 and d.) SARAH SPENCER in 1996.  Currently in service being pushed by the tug JANE ANN IV.

POINTE NOIRE was in collision with Cleveland Tanker's SATURN on June 6, 1977, near Fighting Island in the Detroit River.

On 6 June 1869, ASA COVELL (wooden propeller tug, 20 gross tons, built in 1852 at Buffalo, New York) was towing the brig IROQUOIS up the Cuyahoga River at Cleveland when her boiler exploded and she sank. Her captain was killed when the pilothouse was blown into the river.

On 6 June 1883, HERCULES (wooden schooner-barge, 139 foot, 195 tons, built in 1867, at Algonac, Michigan) was upbound in the south bend of the St. Clair River near Algonac, Michigan when the CLARION (iron propeller package freighter, 240 foot, 1711 gross tons, built in 1881, at Wyandotte, Michigan) overtook her and collided with her in broad daylight. HERCULES drifted to the bank, capsized and sank. No lives were lost.

June 5

On 05 June 1884, the wooden 3-mast 139 foot schooner GUIDING STAR, which went ashore 12 miles north of Milwaukee on 06 November 1883, was finally abandoned when all efforts to release her had failed.  About two-thirds of her cargo of coal was salvaged.

On 05 June 1888, the wreck of the tug FRANK MOFFAT was removed from the St. Clair River at Sombra, Ontario  by the Canadian Government.  The tug was wrecked when her boiler exploded in November 1885.

In 1972, the ROGER BLOUGH (Hull#900) was christened at Lorain, Ohio by American Ship Building Co. for U.S. Steel Corp.

Also in 1972, the PARKER EVANS was in collision with the upbound Erie Sand steamer SIDNEY E SMITH JR. just below the Blue Water Bridge, at Port Huron, Michigan. The SMITH sank in twenty minutes with no loss of life. The EVANS, with bow damage, proceeded to Port Weller Dry Docks for extensive repairs. As a result of this accident, on October 4, 1972, alternate one-way traffic between the Black River Buoy and Buoys One and Two in Lake Huron was agreed upon by the shipping companies. Also a call-in system was initiated to monitor traffic between the Detroit River Light and Buoys Seven and Eight in Lake Huron by the newly established Sarnia Traffic.

On June 5, 1979, the b.) CARTIERCLIFFE HALL  caught fire on Lake Superior off the Keweenaw Peninsula just before 4:00 a.m. Six crewmembers died in the fire, and the U.S. Steel bulk freighter THOMAS W LAMONT was able to rescue the others from the CARTIERCLIFFE HALL. The THOMAS W LAMONT was cited for “exemplary service” by the U.S. Coast Guard for her role in the rescue of seventeen crew members from the burning CARTIERCLIFFE HALL on Lake Superior. She was later renamed c.) WINNIPEG in 1988 and d.) ALGONTARIO in 1994.  She is currently in service for Algoma Central.

June 5, 1947, the Pere Marquette Railway was acquired by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.

LIGHTSHIP 103, (HURON) had her keel laid June 5, 1918, at Morris Heights, New York by Consolidated Shipbuilding Corp. In 1971, the lightship was acquired by the City of Port Huron for use as a museum.

On 5 June 1864, COL A B WILLIAMS (2 mast wooden schooner, 110 foot, 150 tons, built in 1856, at Big Sodus, New York) was carrying coal on Lake Huron when she collided with the big ore-laden bark TWILIGHT. The WILLIAMS sank in 85 feet of water, 3 miles below Port Sanilac. Her crew was rescued by the TWILIGHT.

Shortly before midnight, Sunday, 5 June 1870, the WABASH and EMPIRE STATE collided in Lake Huron about 10 miles above Fort Gratiot Light. The WABASH sank and the EMPIRE STATE was damaged. The steamer JAY GOULD took the passengers off both vessels.

June 4

On 04 June 1872, while carrying wooden barrel staves from Bay City, Michigan to Buffalo, New York, the bark AMERICAN GIANT encountered rough weather off Port Stanley, Ontario on Lake Erie.  Heavy seas carried off her deck cargo of 25,000 staves and the vessel became water-logged.  As the crew considered abandoning, the steamer MENDOTA saw their plight and took the GIANT in tow for Buffalo where they arrived the following day.  For days afterward, other vessels reported the litter of barrel staves floating in the middle of Lake Erie.

At 2:00 AM, 04 June 1891, in heavy fog, the NORTHERN QUEEN (steel propeller freighter, 299 foot, 2476 gross tons, built in 1889, at Cleveland, Ohio) struck the schooner FAYETTE BROWN (wooden schooner, 178 foot, 553 gross tons, built in 1868, at Cleveland, Ohio) about ten miles off Dummy Light on Lake Erie.  The BROWN which was loaded with stone blocks quickly sank in over sixty feet of water. One of the schooner’s crewmen climbed aboard the QUEEN while the others barely had time to scramble up the schooner’s masts. Accounts of the accident differ.  The schooner’s skipper claimed that the NORTHERN QUEEN continued on her journey while the schooner’s crew clung to the masts while the skipper of the NORTHERN QUEEN claimed that he tried to find survivors, but lost the wreck in the fog and reluctantly continued on his journey, figuring that there were no survivors.  Nevertheless, about an hour after the disaster, the steamer ROBERT MILLS (wooden propeller freighter, 256 foot, 1790 gross tons, built in 1888, at Buffalo, New York) came along, heard the cries of the unfortunate seamen clinging to the masts and rescued them.  No lives were lost.

On 04 June 1881, the OGEMAW (wooden propeller freighter, 167 foot, 624 gross tons) was launched at Simon Langell’s yard in St. Clair, Michigan for Mr. Wood & Company of Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1947, the 525-foot Canada Steamship Lines bulk freighter EMPEROR stranded on Canoe Rocks on Lake Superior and sank with a loss of 12 lives.

CLIFFS VICTORY sailed on her maiden voyage in ballast from South Chicago, Illinois in 1951

On June 4, 1968 the keel for the a.) OTTERCLIFFE HALL (Hull#667) was laid at Lauzon, Quebec by Davie Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., for the Hall Corporation of Canada. Renamed b.) ROYALTON in 1983, c.) OTTERCLIFFE HALL in 1985, d.) PETER MISENER in 1988 and e.) CANADIAN TRADER in 1994. She arrived at Alang, India for scrapping on January 7, 2005.

The EDGAR B SPEER (Hull#908) was christened on June 4th 1980, at Lorain, Ohio for the Connecticut Bank & Trust Co., Hartford, Connecticut, managed by the Great Lakes Fleet of the United States Steel Corp., Duluth, Minnesota.

In 1988, the IRVING S OLDS departed Duluth under tow of tug SALVAGE MONARCH, headed for overseas scrapping. She was scrapped by Sing Cheng Yung Iron & Steel Co., in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, scrapping began on November 24, 1988.

June 4, 1940 - Oiler George Riemersma (age 50) died of a heart attack while at work on the PERE MARQUETTE 21.

June 4, 1942 - John A. Clancey, 58, general manager of the Grand Trunk Western Railway and president of the Grand Trunk Milwaukee Carferry Co. died suddenly of a heart attack while at his desk in Detroit.

The Port Huron Times reported that "The new trim and tidy tug, the P L JOHNSON, built for Capt. Sol Rummage, passed up last night with her first tow. She is of medium size and wears the national colors on her smokestack for which some of the boys call her a floating barber shop."

On 4 June 1859, GENERAL HOUSTON (2-mast wooden schooner, 83 foot, 123 tons, built in 1844, at French Creek, New York) was bound from Port Huron for Buffalo with a load of lumber. During a terrific gale, she missed the mouth of the Grand River near Fairport, Ohio and went on the pier where she broke up. Fortunately no lives were lost. The lighthouse keeper on the pier where she broke up later refused to light the lantern while the wreck was in place for fear of drawing other vessels into it. The U. S. Government quickly contracted to remove the hulk from the channel, but a month later, a storm did the job for free, obliterating the wreck so completely that it was reported to have just "disappeared."

June 4th, 2001, marks the 100th anniversary of the famous race between the TASHMOO and the CITY OF ERIE, an exciting race that included many thousands of dollars in wagers, great advance publicity, and the use of many other boats to watch the action along the way. The drama was such that carrier pigeons were released at various times to take the latest updates to waiting newspaper reporters. The CITY OF ERIE won the race in a very close match, and the story has been retold in several books about the Great Lakes.

Data from: Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II, The Marine Historical Society of Detroit 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.
 

Fast ferry relaunch delayed again

6/03
The long-awaited relaunch of a 90 km/h car ferry that zipped across Lake Ontario for just 11 weeks last year has been postponed for at least a few more days. The new Canadian operator had set a relaunch date of June 17 - exactly one year after the giant catamaran's maiden voyage to Toronto. But a software problem in a jet-propulsion system will mean yet another delay ranging from several days to as much as two weeks, officials said Thursday.

The vessel has been undergoing inspections and repairs in Canada for two weeks. It was scheduled to return to Rochester this week but now looks likely to return this weekend instead.

Operator Bay Ferries Ltd. expects to offer daily roundtrip crossings to Toronto for at least 10 months each year, with a possible winter break in January and February. The city of Rochester bought the ferry for $32 million US at an auction in February. It is contributing $1.3 million toward a $2.8 million engine overhaul that scrubbed the ship's original relaunch date of May 30.

The Australian-built ferry has had its share of setbacks. The inaugural run in spring 2004 was postponed for two months. The ship sideswiped a pier while docking in New York City near the end of its round-the-world voyage, then had to undergo $1 million in engine repairs.

The five-storey-tall ferry, which can load 774 passengers and 220 cars, sailed for 80 days before its private owner, Canadian American Transportation Systems, abruptly suspended twice-a-day crossings last Sept. 7 with $1.7 million in debt.

The ferry will cross the lake in about 2 1/2 hours. The 275-kilometre road trip to Toronto usually takes three to four hours.

Reported by the National Post / Canadian Press
 

Great Lakes limestone trade steady in May

6/03
Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes topped 5.1 million net tons in May, a solid increase of 4.3 percent compared to a year ago, but a significant gain – 13.4 percent – over the month’s 5-year average. On a year-todate basis, the trade is slightly ahead of its 2004 pace, but up more than 18 percent in relation to the 5-year average for the January-May timeframe. The notable upturn compared to the 5-year averages reflects 1) the depressed condition of the steel industry that impacted demand for fluxstone during the years 2000-2003; and 2) pared back orders for aggregate from a sluggish construction industry during that period.

Reported by Glen G. Nekvasil, Lake Carriers' Association
 

News Photo Gallery Updated

6/03

News Photo Gallery updated. 
 

News Photo Gallery Notice

6/03
Please be advised that due to the large volume of photos being submitted for inclusion in this gallery and the time constraints involved in handling each submission, only selected photos will be used.  This page will continue to generally be used only for photos related to recent news or port/area reports and will only be released once or twice each week as time permits.  We appreciate your continued support as well as the time and effort involved with each submission and trust everybody will understand.  For guidelines on submitting photos to the news gallery, click here.

Timely postings of 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.

The Boatnerd Team
 

Public Photo Gallery Updated

6/03

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

Today in Great Lakes History: June 3

On 03 June 1882, the schooner C BELL was launched at the yard of Mason, Corning & Company in East Saginaw, Michigan.  Her dimensions were 185 foot x 30 foot x 11 foot and she cost $20,000.

The JOHN B AIRD was christened in 1983, at Thunder Bay for Algoma Central Marine, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

After successfully completing her sea trials on June 3, 1951, the CLIFFS VICTORY entered service for Cleveland Cliffs Steamship Co., a little under six months from the time she was purchased from the U.S.M.C.

The PATERSON (Hull#113) of the Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., entered service for N.M. Paterson & Sons Ltd., on June 3, 1954, by carrying 440,000 bushels of wheat from Port Arthur, Ontario. She was scrapped at Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1985.

On 3 June 1870, T F PARK (wooden side-wheeler, 170 foot, 450 tons, built in 1851 at Chatham, Ontario) caught fire and burned to the waterline at the dock near the Detroit & Milwaukee Grain Elevator at Detroit, Michigan. The hull was later removed after being struck by several vessels.

On 3 June 1875, the iron carferry HURON (238 foot, 1052 gross tons) was launched at Point Edward, Ontario for the Grand Trunk Railway. Miss Jessie S. Hughes of Toronto christened the vessel with a bottle of wine. The hull's iron plates were manufactured in Scotland and shipped to Point Edward where they were assembled. Work began on 12 August 1874. Her engine and boiler were built by Mr. Wilson at Dundas, Ontario. This vessel ran between Windsor and Detroit for over a century.  Her hull is still in existence, submerged in the old Great Lakes Engineering Works slip in River Rouge, Michigan.

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.
 

Southdown Challenger name change

6/02
On May 28 the Southdown Challenger received part of her new name. The new St. Marys Challenger appears on both sides of the bow. The Challenger part was reused with the St. Marys section being new. The stern has letters too narrow for the stencils from the bow and a new set is being made to complete the job before she sails the middle of June.

Reported by Bill Bedell
 

Judge rules for states on ships' ballast water

6/02
A federal judge has granted motions for Great Lakes states to intervene in a lawsuit over whether ships without a permit can dump ballast water containing nonnative species.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco last week granted motions by Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania to intervene in a case against the Environmental Protection Agency. In March, Illston ordered the EPA to repeal regulations exempting ship operators from having to obtain such permits. The states sought to intervene so they can become more involved in determining a proper remedy, which will affect how the federal government adopts ballast-water discharge regulations.

"The judge clearly realized that a real-world remedy is needed urgently to protect our greatest natural resource," Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox said in a statement.

In 1999, the Ocean Conservancy and four other environmental groups petitioned the EPA to repeal the ballast-water exemption. They claimed the Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants, including biological materials -- such as invasive species -- into U.S. waters without a permit. The EPA denied the petition and the conservation groups filed a lawsuit in federal court in San Francisco in 2003.

Invasive species are known to cause significant economic and environmental damage. Marine species such as mollusks often are inadvertently transported in the ballast water of ships and discharged at ports far from their origins.

The zebra mussel was found in the Great Lakes in 1988 after apparently being carried in a trans-Atlantic ship's ballast water, which was emptied in the lakes. It caused millions of dollars in damage and since then has clogged water pipes, ships and docks.

A bill on Gov. Jennifer Granholm's desk would require that oceangoing ships get a permit to enter Michigan ports starting in 2007. Ships couldn't discharge aquatic nuisance species. They would have to treat any ballast water before releasing it.

Reported by the Duluth News Tribune / Associated Press
 

Tug Boats - Start Your Engines
International Tug Boat Race set for June 25

6/02
The normally sedate Detroit River comes alive with roaring diesels and blaring air horns June 25 when tug boats of all sizes race for glory and trophies in the 29th annual International Tug Boat Race.

The race begins at 1 p.m. at the Ambassador Bridge and runs to the finish line off Windsor's Dieppe Park. Trophies are awarded to the first tug to finish the race as well as to each tug that finishes first in its horsepower class.

It is the most unusual tug race anywhere. As many as 30 tugs of all sizes race in a mad dash for the finish line. Tugs ranging in length from 45 to 140 feet compete at the same time, all muscling for the best position. Some of the larger tugs are actual working tugs with more than 2,000 horsepower. The Detroit River boils as the tugs create a huge wake.

The race features tugs from all over the region -- from tugs based in Detroit to others that arrive from Lake Huron ports just to participate in this great tradition.

Tug boat racing on the Detroit River dates back to the 1950's and was originally a loosely organized event. For many years the event was discontinued until 1976 when the International Freedom Festival started the tradition once again. In 2003 the International Freedom Festival declared bankruptcy and the future of the race was in limbo. Local Detroit tug man Brian Williams, with the help of numerous companies, individuals and the Detroit and Windsor Port Authorities was able to organize the event, keeping the long standing tradition alive.

Spectators can watch the race from anywhere along its route. Among the top viewing spots is at the finish line at Windsor's Dieppe Park. Tugs dock in Windsor for the awards ceremony.

The race has the support of W. Steven Olinek, Deputy Director, Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, and William Marshall, Windsor Harbour Master / Windsor Port Authority.

“The fact is, we’re in favor and support anything that heightens the profile of the river, our maritime heritage and the historic importance of maritime industry in the Port of Detroit,” said Olinek. “The tug boat race does that very eloquently. Our goal is to keep it going and make it bigger and better every year if we can.”

Marshall said he sees the event as “an opportunity to draw the public to the waterfront and an opportunity to foster an international bond."

"For working tugs, the race provides an opportunity to involve family and friends in what they do for a living," he added.

Brian Williams, who owns the Detroit-based tug Acushnet, said there are few things more exciting than watching powerful tug boats racing at full throttle.

“I love tug boat racing,” said Williams. “I’ve been doing it myself for five years. My father has been doing it since the ‘70s.”

He said it’s just as exciting to watch from shore as it is to participate aboard a tug.
“How many tug boats do you ever see in one spot?,” he asked. “There’s no kid out there – and people in general – who doesn’t think a tug is cool. Twenty or so tugs running at full speed is something you don’t see very often.
“When you are on the tug, you’ve got a 3,000-horsepower engine screaming under you. There’s the thrill of actually being on a tug boat, and the waves. It’s a good time,” he said.

A family friendly event, this year’s race coincides with World’s Finest Shows Carnival held on Windsor’s waterfront near the finish line.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, to learn more about the race please visit www.TugRace.com
 

News Photo Gallery Notice

6/02
Please be advised that due to the large volume of photos being submitted for inclusion in this gallery and the time constraints involved in handling each submission, only selected photos will be used.  This page will continue to generally be used only for photos related to recent news or port/area reports and will only be released once or twice each week as time permits.  We appreciate your continued support as well as the time and effort involved with each submission and trust everybody will understand.  For guidelines on submitting photos to the news gallery, click here.

Timely postings of 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.

The Boatnerd Team
 

Port Reports

6/02
Saginaw River:
Reported by Todd Shorkey
Wednesday saw two outbound vessels on the Saginaw River.  First, the Algoway was outbound from the Saginaw Rock Products dock in Saginaw after unloading overnight. She passed through Bay City around 7am.  Following the Algoway was the Manistee.  She had taken the Saginaw Rock dock after the Algoway departed and unloaded there Wednesday morning.  Manistee was outbound through Bay City around 12:30pm.

Goderich:
Reported by Dale Baechler
The Saginaw arrived Wednesday morning to unload at the elevators and the Algoway came in the evening to take on a load of salt.

Sturgeon Bay:
Reported by Wendell Wilke
At Bay Ship Building were the following: the tug Michigan in the small graving dock, the barge Great Lakes on the floating dry dock and the Cuyahoga arrived mid-morn and was dockside to the channel. Also in the yard remain the car ferry Eyrrabbi (Washington Island Ferry Lines) and the former car ferry Voyageur of Washington Island Ferry Lines, now owned by Shoreline Marine, Chicago.

Marquette:
Reported by Lee Rowe
The Middletown took a dusty load of ore on Thursday.  An unusual visit from the Algoisle is expected Saturday morning.
 

Today in Great Lakes History: June 2

On 02 June 1958, the Liberian-flagged freighter MOUNT DELPHI sank enroute to Karachi, Pakistan.  She was built by the British American Shipbuilding Company at Welland, Ontario during the final years of World War I.  She had 12 different owners during her career and had been seized by Vichy interests at Casablanca, Morocco in 1940 and then by the Italian government in 1942.

 On 02 June 1893, CORSICAN (wooden schooner, 112 foot, 210 gross tons, built in 1862, at Olcott, New York) was carrying coal from Cleveland, Ohio to St. Ignace, Michigan on a foggy night on Lake Huron.  She collided with the iron steamer CORSICA and sank quickly off Thunder Bay Island.  All six onboard went down with her.  The wounded CORSICA was beached near Ossineke, Michigan and was later patched and proceeded to Ashtabula, Ohio.

In 1973, the SYLVANIA, downbound light in fog, collided with the FRANK PURNELL just north of the Detroit River Light at 0523 hours. The SYLVANIA suffered minor bow damage and went to Toledo for repairs.

On 2 June 1855, J W BLAKE (wooden scow-schooner, 68 foot, 33 tons, built in 1853 at Dover, Ohio) was carrying lumber in a storm four miles off Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin when she capsized. Her crew escaped in her yawl, but it was a very close call for one who was asleep below decks when she capsized. The vessel was later recovered and put back in service.

June 2, 1988 - The CITY OF MIDLAND 41 took on 17 truck loads of lake trout, which were planted off Beaver Island.

On 2 June 1882, INDUSTRY (wooden schooner, 63 foot, 30 tons, built in 1847, at Michigan City, Indiana) capsized and sank just a half mile from South Haven, Michigan. The three crewmen clung to the wreck for a while as rescue attempts were made from shore, but they all perished. The wreck later drifted to the beach about five miles south of town and went to pieces.

June 1

On 01 June 1903, ISAAC L ELLWOOD (steel propeller Freighter, 478 foot, 5085 gross tons, built in 1900, at W. Bay City, Michigan) broke the record for ore when she carried a cargo of 8579 tons of ore out of Duluth harbor.  This broke the record held by JOHN SMEATON (steel barge, 458 foot, 5049 gross tons, built in 1899, at Superior, Wisconsin) which was 8571 tons of ore.

The ASA CHILDS (wooden scow schooner, 125 foot, 204 gross tons, built in 1866, at Mentor, Ohio) was carrying lumber in a storm on Lake Michigan when she was driven ashore at Highland Park just north of Chicago, Illinois on 01 June 1879, and was a total loss.  The crew escaped in the lifeboat.

On 01 June 1914, the St. Joseph-Chicago Steamship Company bought the EASTLAND (steel propeller passenger steamer, 265 foot, 1961 gross tons, built in 1903 at Port Huron, Michigan) from the Eastland Navigation Company for $150,000.

In 1943, the IRVING S OLDS collided with the 524 foot steamer CHARLES O JENKINS in heavy fog 28 miles northeast of Cleveland on Lake Erie and was holed eight feet above the water line. The OLDS was able to help the badly damaged JENKINS back to Cleveland by lashing the two vessels together. After a grueling seven hours the JENKINS was beached in the outer harbor to prevent her from sinking. The OLDS was repaired in time to carry a new record of 17,817 gross tons of iron ore on June 13, 1943.

In 1952, the steamer J L MAUTHE (Hull#298) was launched at Great Lakes Engineering Works, River Rouge, Michigan for the Interlake Steamship Co..

The WHITEFISH BAY, loaded with 950,000 bushels of spring wheat, was honored as she carried the billionth metric ton of cargo through the Eisenhower Lock in 1983.

On June 1, 1907 Great Lakes Engineering Works launched the bulk steamer a.) WILPEN (Hull#28) at Ecorse, Michigan for the Shenango Steamship Co., a subsidiary of Shenango Furnace Co., Cleveland, Ohio. Renamed b.) DAVID P THOMPSON in 1926 and converted to a self-unloader in 1957, at Superior, Wisconsin.  She was renamed c.) JOSEPH S YOUNG in 1969,  and scrapped at La Spezia, Italy in 1979.

The H LEE WHITE departed Sturgeon Bay in ballast on her maiden voyage for the American Steamship Co., on June 1, 1974, to load iron ore at Escanaba, Michigan for Indiana Harbor.

June 1, 1902 - While northbound for Manistque, Michigan, the ANN ARBOR NO 1 went aground in a heavy fog about noon on South Manitou Island, but was able to free herself and to proceed undamaged.

June 1, 1938 - The PERE MARQUETTE 21, under the command of Captain Arthur Altschwager, was released from a sand bar in the outer harbor (Manitowoc) at 1:06 p.m today after being aground for six hours. Her sister ship, the PERE MARQUETTE 22, commanded by J.F. Johnson, freed the ferry after taking a line and pulling the big ship back off the bar.

June, 1958, The ANN ARBOR NO 6 was taken out of service for extensive refitting. she was renamed b.) ARTHUR K ATKINSON.

On 1 June 1887, LUCINDA VAN VALKENBURG (wooden schooner, 129 foot , 302 gross tons, built in 1862 at Tonawanda, New York) collided with the iron steamer LEHIGH in fog and sank near Thunder Bay Island on Lake Huron. The crew was safely taken aboard the LEHIGH and brought to Port Huron.

On 1 June 1892, the steel bulk freighter CHOCTAW was launched at the Cleveland Shipbuilding Company (Hull #17) in Cleveland, Ohio for the Lake Superior Iron Company. Her dimensions were 207 feet x 38 feet x 18 feet and she had a triple expansion steam engine 17 feet, 29 inches, 47 inches x 36 inch stroke. She was built as "monitor" type vessel based on whaleback design with all her cabins aft. She lasted until sunk in a collision in 1915.

Data from: Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II, The Marine Historical Society of Detroit 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.