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Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive

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* Report News


Norris Returns to Service

07/31
The James Norris departed Port Weller Dry Docks on Sunday afternoon, headed downbound. She was assisted by tug Progress during departure. The Norris entered the dry dock on July 8 for her 5-year survey and reported bottom shell replacement.

Reported by: Jimmy Sprunt




Wisconsin returning artifacts taken from wrecks

07/31
Wisconsin state underwater archaeologists are returning artifacts previously scavenged by scuba divers from shipwrecks.

Archaeologists with the Wisconsin Historical Society last month returned a boiler to the Pretoria, one of the largest wooden ships that sailed the Great Lakes. The 7-ton boiler was salvaged in 1963 from the schooner-barge that sank in the Apostle Islands during a storm in 1905.

"In the '60s and '70s, these wrecks were really wide open for looting,'' said state underwater archaeologist Jeff Gray, who coordinated the Pretoria expedition.

The Pretoria’s boiler was the first artifact to be returned to a wreck. The state also is considering returning several anchors and other large artifacts that were removed decades ago.

Wisconsin law prohibits anyone from taking items from shipwrecks owned by the state. While laws have been on the books since the early 1960s, they were considerably strengthened in the late 1980s.

When artifacts are taken from wrecks, it makes the shipwreck less appealing for divers exploring the ship and often damages or destroys the items because they're not carefully preserved.

Now that people are beginning to return shipwreck artifacts, state archaeologists will try to place the big items back with their ships and find museums to handle smaller items like tools, children's toys, plates and timbers, Gray said.

Aside from seeking the return of shipwreck artifacts, Gray is also attempting to get two more Wisconsin wrecks listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Fleetwing, a three-masted schooner that sank in the waters off Door County, and the Rosinco, a 95-foot luxury yacht located about 10 miles off Kenosha. State officials expect to learn soon whether the two wrecks will be added to the list.

Reported by: Al Miller




Cruise Ship Returns

07/31
The new Cape May Light returned to the area over weekend on second trip to Buffalo. The new vessel may not be seen next year as her owners are planning to use her on the east coast and possibly trips to Central America. The new Cape Cod Light will be used on the lakes next season. Delta Queen Costal Tours plans to run a full season on the Great Lakes next year, with 17 cruises in 2002 including four that explore Lake Superior.

The Cape May Light was launched in May is designed to be similar to the Fall River Line vessels that plied the East Coast in the 19th Century. The 300-foot ship can carry 224 passengers in 113 cabins, nine or 10 of which are outside staterooms. Each state room is individually climatic controlled and equipped with a TV-VCR satellite service along with ship-to-shore radio.

Pictures taken July 10 by Keith Giles
Passing Brockville.
Close up of bow.
Another close up.
Stern view.

Reported by: Jimmy Sprunt




Twin Ports Report

07/31
Traffic was sparse in Duluth-Superior on Monday. During the morning, the only vessels in port were barge Sarah Spencer and tug, discharging barley at Cargill B2 in Duluth; Black Swan, loading grain at the Peavey elevator in Superior; and Presque Isle, making a rare call this season to unload stone at the DMIR ore dock. Once it's empty, the vessel was to shift across the bay to load coal at Midwest Energy Terminal.

The rest of the week is expected to be much busier. Tuesday traffic includes Mesabi Miner loading coal for Presque Isle; Reserve, arriving with stone; Canadian Prospector arriving with cement; and salties Alaska Rainbow and Rubin Lark arriving for grain.

Several vessels have become regulars at the DMIR ore docks in Duluth this season. Joe Block has made several recent trips. It's due in again on Aug. 1 to unload stone and then load pellets. Mesabi Miner, CSL Tadoussac, Buckeye and Oglebay Norton, all regular or semi-regular callers this season, are all due at the dock this week.

Reported by: Al Miller




Thunder Bay Update

07/31
Boat traffic picked up over the weekend in the Port of Thunder Bay. The Canadian Enterprise loaded at Thunder Bay Terminals and departed early Sunday morning without any new problems. The Canadian Voyager departed Saskatchewan 7a late Sunday evening. The Sandra Mary remains tied up at Keefer Terminal and the Algontario continues her long term lay-up at Pascol Engineering.

Sunday morning saw the arrival of two classic lake vessels. The Mapleglen docked at Cargill Elevator around noon and the Quebecois tied up at Agricore in the afternoon. The Mapleglen is now sporting a CSL flag on either side of her name on the front cabins, whereas last week she just had one. The Mapleglen Moved over to Mission Terminal dock shortly after midnight and then over to United Grain Growers "M" house early Monday morning. By Monday afternoon she was tied up at Saskatchewan Pool 7a. The Quebecois arrived from Hamilton in ballast to load grain at several different Elevators in Port. After Agricore she moved to United Grain Growers "A" house late Sunday night and then around 3:00 p.m. Monday she was tied up at Richardson Elevator to top up her load. After topping up her load she headed out the North Entrance and down the Lake.

Early Monday afternoon the Radium Yellowknife arrived back in Port and tied up at the Northern Woods dock. The W.N. Twolan was waiting for her barge McAllister 132 to be loaded at Great West Timber dock.

Sunday evening saw the arrival of the Saltie BBC Japan. She arrived through the South Entrance and did a 180-degree turn in front of the Keefer Terminal dock. She then backed up to the dock and tied up. She is carrying Windmill parts that are destined for Pincher Creek Alberta just west of Lethbridge. The Parts were made in Demark and each Windmill is priced at around $1.5 million.

Monday afternoon the Algoma Tanker Algonova made another appearance. She has made several trips this season to Petro-Can up the Mission River to deliver Gas and Diesel Fuels. She docked there at around 4:00 p.m. to unload more fuel.

An announcement was made Monday that Agricore and United Grain Growers would merge into one Company that would be called Agricore United. This merger is reported to possibly result in the closure of one Elevator in the Port of Thunder Bay. The restructuring of the companies will result in Job Loss that will hopefully be lessened by early retirement and retraining. The changes will take place in November this year.

Reported by: Rob Farrow and Ron Konkol




Burton in Escanaba

07/31
The Courtney Burton arrived at the Escanaba ore docks Monday evening. The Burton will load a cargo of taconite for Indiana Harbor.

Burton loading.
Close up of pilot house.

Reported by:




Saginaw River News

07/31
The Paul H. Townsend entered the Saginaw River on Sunday with a load of cement for the Lafarge Terminal in Saginaw. After unloading her cargo, the Townsend was downbound passing the Lafayette Bridge Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. She had checked back to a crawl around Cass Ave. due to Lafayette Bridge being closed to downbound traffic between the hours of 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. for the morning traffic rush. The Townsend also intermingled with the tall ship departures following the Pride of Baltimore II and being followed by the Mist of Avalon and True North.

The Tall Ship departure started early Monday morning with the Norfolk Rebel, St. Lawrence II, and Grand Nellie downbound passing Independence Bridge at 6:30 a.m. Pride of Baltimore II, Mist of Avalon, and True North were downbound around 9:30am, and the Cape Rose at 10:00. The Bluenose II was next at 10:30, followed by the Madeline around noon and the Concordia at 3:00 p.m.

Also in the river was the Tug Donald C. Hannah and her tanker barge. They departed the Triple Clean Liquifuels Dock in Essexville and headed for the lake at 7:00 a.m. after the first group of departing tall ships passed.

The Sam Laud was upbound in the Saginaw giving a security call passing the Front Range at 2:00 p.m. The Laud indicated that she was headed to "Saginaw". No specific dock was given. The Buffalo was also upbound, headed to the Bay Aggregates Dock in Bay City. She was unloading there Monday evening.

The Agawa Canyon was outbound from Saginaw late on Sunday afternoon and was passing through Bay City at 6:00 p.m.

Pictures by Todd Shorkey
Mist of Avalon.
True North.
Cape Rose.
Bluenose II.
Donald C. Hannah downbound at Essroc.
Another View.
Grand Nellie in the morning fog.
St. Lawrence in the fog.
St. Lawrence and Norfolk Rebel in the early fog.
Pride of Baltimore followed by the Paul Townsend.
Close up.
Paul H. Townsend leading a group of tall ships downbound.
Close up.

Reported by: Stephen Hause, Lon Morgan and Todd Shorkey




Toledo Update

07/31
The Canadian Progress was loading grain at the ADM/Countrymark Elevator and was expected to depart Monday afternoon with the tug Susan Hoey assisting her downriver through the bridges. The Lake Superior was loading grain at the Anderson's "E" Elevator. The next scheduled grain boat will be the Algocen possibly due in on Tuesday or Wednesday. The salt water vessel Goviken was unloading cargo at the T.W.I. Dock. The USCGC Neah Bay was tied up at the riverfront dock of the Shipyard.

The Arthur M. Anderson arrived at the CSX Docks to load coal with a 3:00 p.m. starting time. The Algosteel and John J. Boland were due at the CSX Dock later Monday evening.

The dredging project in the Maumee River near the coal docks had stopped on Monday for an unknow length of time. The tug Muskegon is tied up by the CSX Stone Dock, while the dredge Buxton II is tied up in the Toledo Edison power canal north of the Torco Dock. However all of their underwater piping and related equipment are still in place along the ship channel.

The next scheduled coal boats due in at the CSX Docks will be the Arthur M. Anderson late Tuesday evening, followed by the Canadian Olympic and CSL Niagara on Thursday. The next scheduled ore boats due in at the Torco Dock will be the Middletown on Wednesday morning, followed by the Reserve and Armco on Saturday morning.

Reserve as a straight deck bulk carrier inbound Maumee Bay on a stormy day with a load of ore pellets bound for the C.&O. Ore Docks.
Silver Bay under tow of the tug Pennsylvania headed upbound for the Midstates Elevator to load a grain cargo. She has been just sold to the Canadian Fleet Soo River Company and upon delivery will be renamed Judith M. Pierson.

Reported by: Jim Hoffman




Straits of Mackinaw

07/31
A couple of very interesting vessels are located in Kewaunee Wisconsin. The historic former army tug Ludington which took part in the Normandy invasion is open for those who wish to walk through. Also the former State of Michigan Straits ferry, The Straits of Mackinac that was replaced by the Mackinac Bridge in 1956. Her former crew bought her from the State about 1958 and began a Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island ferry service. She passed U.S. Coast Guard inspection in 1959 with no requirements. The remains of The Straits of Mackinac is tied up in a swamp near the North end of town.

Straits of Mackinac at Kewaunee July 26, 2001.
Straits of Mackinac in service at Mackinac Island in 1961. Interior view.

Reported by: Bill Hoey Sr.




Today in Great Lakes History - July 31

Sea trials took place for the JAMES R. BARKER this day in 1976. She was to become Interlake's first 1000 footer and the flag ship of the fleet for Moore McCormack Leasing, Inc. (Interlake Steamship Co., Cleveland, Ohio, mgr.). She was built at a cost of more than $43 million under Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970. She was the third thousand footer to sail on the Lakes and the first built entirely on the Lakes.

On July 31, 1974 as the Liberian vessel ARTADI approached the dock at Trois Rivières, Que. where she damaged the docked GORDON C. LEITCH's stern.

The CEDARBRANCH (2) was damaged and sunk by an explosion on July 31, 1965 several miles below Montreal, Que. resulting in a loss of one life.

On 31 July 1849, ACORN (wooden schooner, 84', 125 t, built in 1842 at Black River, Ohio) was struck amidships by the propeller TROY near West Sister Island in Lake Erie. She sank quickly, but no lives were lost since all hands made it to the TROY.

On 31 July 1850, AMERICA (wooden side-wheeler, 240', 1083 t, built in 1847 at Port Huron, MI) suffered a boiler or steam pipe explosion while sailing on Lake Erie. The explosion immediately killed nine persons and scalded others who died later. The vessel was repaired and sailed for three more seasons.

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

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




Buckeye Rescues Fishermen

07/30
The steamer Buckeye was in route from Ashtabula Ohio to the Detroit River Light Saturday when a watchman spotted a small fishing boat about a mile ahead of their position. As the Buckeye drew closer the crew could see that the small craft had two people in it and they were taking on water, their boat was filled with water up to the gunwale. The captain blew the emergency signal on the ships whistle and proceeded to slow the vessel down to assist the small craft. The crew notified the Coast Guard station in Toledo and informed them that we were proceeding to offer assistance to the two fishermen in the small boat.

Once close to the small craft the crew threw heaving lines to bring them up along the ship and have them get aboard. The crew of the Buckeye quickly responded, everyone who was not on watch was on deck assisting in the rescue efforts, the two fishermen were safely brought on board by 6:55 p.m. They offered the fishermen dry clothes and warm blankets and then gave them a good meal.

The Canadian Coast Guard sent the vessel SORA from Amherstburg to pick up the small craft. They were alongside by 7:45 p.m. and towed the waterlogged boat to safe haven as the Buckeye proceeded to Sterling Fuel. The two fishermen departed the vessel at the J. W. Westcott mail boat in Detroit. The crew of the Buckeye responded quickly and thanks to them the two fishermen are back on dry land and their Bass Boat is still floating.

This was the second rescue for an Oglebay Norton vessel this month. On July 7, fleet mate David Z. Norton rescued two stranded jet skiers in Lake Huron.

Line is thrown to the sinking boat.
Fishermen are brought along side.

Reported by: Cadet Peter M. Tormala




Republic Returns to Service

07/30
The American Republic departed her lay-up berth in Toledo at the old Lakefront Ore Dock around 6:00 p.m. Sunday and is now out sailing. The Republic entered lay-up in late June joining fleet mates American Mariner and Adam E. Cornelius. The ailing steel industry is to blame for the vessels unusual mid-season lay-up.

Mariner and Republic at their lay-up dock earlier in the month.

Reported by: Jim Hoffman




Frantz Departs

07/30
The Joseph H. Frantz departed the Bay Ship drydock in Sturgeon Bay, Wi Saturday evening. She was assisted to Sherwood Point by Selvick tug where she ballasted down and headed upbound on Green Bay, repairs complete.

The Frantz arrived on July 23 for dry docking. The vessel was reported to be damaged on a trip into Holland, Mi. She was reported to be holed in the number 2 and 3 side tanks.

Reported by: Vic Delarwelle




Potential buyer for Viking I

07/30
Another buyer has surfaced for the former ferry Viking I that has been docked in Erie since 1996, according to reports in the Erie Times-News. The buyer is interested in restoring both car and tractor-trailer ferry service between Erie and Port Stanley Ont.

The owner of the ship, Contessa Cruise Lines has called the offer to buy the vessel at $110,000 "insane", talks have not broken off yet. Contessa wants $2 million for the vessel. Jack Gordon of Inland Ocean Lines said that if the Viking could be purchased for the offered price Inland could afford to refurbish the vessel that is expected to cost around $9 million dollars. Metro Machine in Erie would do the repairs which could take 6 months to a year to complete.

Three other potential buyers are interested in the Viking, all three are from Michigan. The Viking I must soon be moved, as the Lansdowne which is a floating restaurant is going to be renovated by Specialty Restaurants and will soon be moved to the wall where the Viking is residing.

Viking I and Lansdowne in Erie. Jeff Thoreson
Close up. Jeff Thoreson

Reported by: Jeff Benson




Tall Ship Race Update

07/30
This afternoon six of the tall ships that had participated in Bay City's port festival during the weekend were gathered five miles southeast of the Tawas Point lighthouse. They were awaiting the 3:30 p.m. starting gun for the final leg of the Tall Ships Challenge® 2001 Race Series.

Noted Race Director Steve Baker, "The Bay City to Straits of Mackinac race covers 121 nautical miles and should take the ships between 30 and 40 hours to complete. The finish point is near Cheboygan."

After three races, the competitors now know that the tall ships to beat are the Grand Nellie and Highlander Sea in the Youth Sail Training Division and the Pride of Baltimore II in the Cruising Division. Out of US Virgin Islands, the Grand Nellie's all-girl all-stars under captain and mate Jeff and Ellen Troeltzsch had taken no prisoners in the earlier races.

Results of the third race from Port Huron to Bay City were announced Sunday night at the Mariner's Ball in Veterans Memorial Park. In the Cruising Division, the Pride of Baltimore II and Concordia took first and second places. In the Youth Sail Training Division Grand Nellie and Highlander Sea took first and second place honors.

Perhaps the biggest winner on Lake Huron in the last several days has been Bay City. Ecstatic organizers said that the turnout for the event far exceeded their expectations. Over 300,000 people came to see the tall ships on display during the three-day festival.

Click here for more updates




New Shoal in Superior

07/30
Heavy spring rains are being blamed for formation of a shoal off the mouth of the Nemadji River in Superior Harbor.

The shoal, located in the front channel that links Superior Entry with the rest of the Superior and Duluth harbor, was formed by heavy red clay that was washed into the river that meanders through extreme northwestern Wisconsin. It has significantly reduced the channel's depth at the river mouth, making it difficult for loaded vessels down the channel.

According to the Duluth News Tribune, the shoal prevented two loaded vessels from leaving port earlier in July when the disabled Canadian Olympic blocked the Duluth front channel. Vessels without cargo apparently can still pass over the shoal.

The Corps of Engineers plans to dredge the area to remove the shoal.

Reported by: Al Miller




Shipwreck A.A. Parker Located in Lake Superior

07/30
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society at Whitefish Point, MI announced Wednesday that it had located the long sought wreck of the steamer A.A. Parker off Grand Marias, Michigan in Lake Superior this past June. The Society, using its research vessel, David Boyd, had been searching the area off Grand Marias for the past two years using the society's side scanning sonar in hopes of locating the Parker.

Considered one of Lake Superior's most "findable" shipwrecks, the Parker had been the subject of several searches by Great Lakes wreck hunters in recent years.

The Parker foundered four miles off Grand Marais on September 19, 1903 in a severe storm. All crew were rescued by the crew of the Grand Marais Lifesaving Station, but the vessel and her cargo of iron ore plunged to the bottom in deep water.

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society has been working with the Michigan Bureau of History to document and conserve the site before releasing its location. The Society has done a preliminary survey with its Remote Operated Vehicle revealing numerous artifacts. The vessel now lies in large pieces on the bottom, evidence of her violent end.

Artifacts filmed so far include the Parker's large steam engine, brass engine plate and gauges, anchors, the ship's bell and many dishes.

Still images of the wreck and an account of the loss may be accessed at: www.shipwreckmuseum.com
Video of the wreck site may be accessed with the Real Player by clicking here

Reported by: Brendon Baillod




Coast Guard Festival

07/30
The parade of ships for this year's Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Mi is due to begin today at 1:00 P.M. Vessels scheduled to visit Grand Haven this year include the Biscayne Bay, Katmai Bay, Bramble, and the Mackinaw. Ship tours begin Monday night and run throughout the week.

Click here for more information.

Reported by: David Swain




Marquette Update

07/30
June's Report: For the second month in a row, shipping in and out of Marquette took a sharp dive downward. For the year, shipping in and out of both harbors is down by at least 29% compared to last year. Last year through the month of June, 159 vessels visited both harbors compared to 113 vessels this far this year. For the month of June, shipping in and out of both harbors is down by 54% (27 visits) compared to last June (59 visits).

For the lower harbor, shipping for the month of June is down by 44% (5 visits ) compared to the same month last year (9 visits) and down by 41% (16 visits) for the shipping year compared to the same period last year (27 visits). During the month of June, the John J. Boland lead all vessels with 3 visits followed by the St. Clair and the H. Lee White with one visit each. All vessels were American vessels with American Steamship leading all visits for the year with 81% followed by U.S.C.G. with 10 % , Oglebay Norton with 5% and Lakes Research with 5%.

For the upper harbor, shipping for the month of June is down by 56% (22 visits) compared to the same month last year (50 visits) and down by 27% (97 visits) for the shipping year compared to the same period last year (132 visits). For the month of June, the Lee A. Tregurtha, Kaye E. Barker, and the Algomarine lead all vessel visits with 4 visits each. The James R. Barker, Mesabi Miner, and Charles M. Beeghly each had two visits while John J. Boland, H. Lee White, and Algosteel each had one visit. So far this season, the Lee A. Tregurtha and the Algomarine are leading all vessel visits with 14 each followed by the Kaye E. Barker with 8 visits this season. American vessels are leading the way so far this year with 65% of the visits while the Canadians have 35% of the visits. How ever, Algoma is the leading shipping company thus far this season with 29% of the visits followed closely by Lakes Shipping Company with 22%, Interlake with 19%, American Steamship with 14%, Oglebay Norton with 5%, Upper Lakes Group and Upper Lakes Barge each with 4% and Canadian Steamship with 1%.

Most of this down turn can be directed at the foreign steel dumping into the U.S. And as a result of this steel dumping both mines took a mandatory 6 week shutdown during the month. At this time July's figure are slightly better but still down from last year's numbers.

Reported by: Art Pickering.




Detroit Traffic

07/30
Below are images traffic on the Detroit River Sunday.

Capt Henry Jackman upbound at Grassy Island bound for Goderich.
Stern view.
Cuyahoga upbound at Grassy Island with a load of slag for Grand Haven.
Stern view.
Another view.
Armco downbound at Grassy Island.
Stern view.

Reported by: Mike Nicholls




Toledo Update

07/30
The Cartierdoc, and Mantadoc finished loading there grain cargoes and departed on Saturday evening. The Canadian Progress was at the ADM/Countrymark Elevator loading grain and is expected to depart sometime on Monday afternoon. Sunday the Algoway was working her way upriver with the tug Susan Hoey on the stern assisting her. They are bound for the Kuhlman Dock to unload cargo. The salt water vessel Lake Ontario with the "G" tugs Louisiana (bow) and the Illinois (stern) were headed upriver bound for Andersons "E" Elevator. Both of these tows were occurring around 6:00 p.m.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Neah Bay arrived at Toledo Shipyard. It is unknown how long she will be in port. The tug James A. Hannah with her barge was loading cargo at the Sun Oil Dock. The dredge Buxton II with her equipment and tug Muskegon were dredging the ship channel near the CSX Coal Docks. The Armco was due in at the Torco Dock around 1130 p.m. Sunday evening.

The next scheduled coal boats due in at the CSX Docks will be the Arthur M. Anderson Algosteel, and John J. Boland on Monday, followed by a return visit of the Arthur M. Anderson on Tuesday evening. The next scheduled ore boats due in at the Torco Dock will be the Middletown on Wednesday morning, followed by the Reserve and Armco on Saturday morning.

Classic views of Toledo Shipping
J.N. Mcwatters inbound Maumee Bay with an ore cargo bound for the Lakefront Ore Dock.
Blanche Hindman loading grain at the Midstates Elevator. Hindman has just purchased her from the National Steel Fleet. She formerly sailed as Matthew Andrews. This was her first trip under her new name.
Ernest R. Breech loading coal at the C.&O. #3 Dock.

Reported by: Jim Hoffman




Toronto Report

07/30
Canadian Provider came in Saturday night and went to Pier 35 - the lay-up berth. Stephen B. Roman departed the Essroc dock at about the same time.

Saturday was windy and several minor mishaps kept the Metro Marine Unit busy. The charter boat Jubilee Queen was hit by a small sailboat; the tall ship Kajama suffered a broken propeller shaft coupler and had to be towed back into port by the tug Patricia D., with police assistance; and a boater fell overboard from his Zodiac in Humber Bay and required rescuing. His Zodiac running around wildly until it went up on the rocks near Ontario Place.

Reported by: Gerry O.




Aerial Views

07/30:
Pilot and photographer Don Coles was flying over the Bay City Saturday and sent in the pictures below. All photographs are available for purchase. Don's company, Great Lakes Aerial Photos, is available for hire for any aerial photography need.

Tall ship Apple Dore in Saginaw Bay.
Tall ships docked on the Saginaw River.
Another view.
Tall ships docked.
Close up.
Lake Superior unloading in Detroit.
Southdown Conquest unloading up river.




Cruise the Seaway this fall

07/30
Looking for an unusual cruise? Jim Barker’s got just the ticket. Barker, through his new venture, Coastal Expeditions, is offering a 12-day cruise from Warren, R.I., up the Hudson River, through the Erie Canal and down the St. Lawrence Seaway, ending up in Quebec City aboard the American Canadian Caribbean Line’s M/V Grande Caribe.

The cruise, which begins from Providence, R.I., is from September 3-15. Passengers may elect to complete the entire 12-day trip, or choose one leg of the cruise. The first four days of the trip includes passage on the Hudson River past New York City and the Erie Canal, with visits to West Point and Cooperstown (home of the Baseball Hall of Fame). After stopping at Oswego, N.Y. on Lake Ontario, the second leg includes a stop at the Wooden Boat Museum in Clayton, N.Y. and the beautiful scenery of the 1,000 Islands area. Winery visits and golf outings are also on the itinerary, with the trip winding up at Quebec City.

Click here for more information.




Weekly Updates

07/30
The weekly updates have been loaded. Click here for the latest information.




Today in Great Lakes History - July 30

July 30, 1996, a portion of a coal cargo aboard the H. M. Griffith caught on fire while the vessel was approaching Whitefish Point. The burning cargo was dumped into Lake Superior after the vessel's unloading boom was swung outward.

The "News Page" on this site was "Launched" reporting the coal fire aboard the Griffith.

The GORDON C. LEITCH (1) was launched July 30, 1952 for the Upper Lakes & St. Lawrence Transportation Co. Ltd., Toronto, Ont.

The Ice Breaker ALEXANDER HENRY entered service July 30, 1959.

On 30 July 1871, the 162' bark HARVEY BISSELL was carrying lumber from Toledo to Tonawanda, NY. When she was on the western end of Lake Erie, she sprang a leak. Although the crew worked the hand powered pumps constantly, the water kept gaining at a rate of about a foot an hour. The tug KATE WILLIAMS took her in tow, intending to get her to Detroit to be repaired, but this proved impossible. So the BISSELL was towed close to Point Pelee and allowed to sink in 14 feet of water. The WILLIAMS then left for Detroit to get steam pumps and other salvage equipment. On returning, they pumped out the BISSELL, refloated and repaired her. She lasted until 1905.

On 30 July 1872, the Port Huron Dry Dock launched SANDY, a lighter. Her dimensions were 75' x 20' x 5'.

On 30 July 1873, George Hardison of Detroit announced the beginning of a new shipyard in Port Huron, Michigan. It would be located above the 7th Street Bridge on the Black River on land owned by J. P. Haynes, accessible by River Street. Within 30 days of this announcement, the new yard had orders for two canalers three-and-aft rig for delivery in the Spring of 1874. Their dimensions were to be 146' overall, 139' keel, 26' beam and 11'6" depth.

On 30 July 1866, CITY OF BUFFALO (wooden propeller, 340', 2026 t, built in 1857 at Buffalo as a side-wheeler) was unloading 72,000 bushels of wheat at the Sturgis Elevator at Buffalo, NY when arsonists set fire to the complex. The fire destroyed the wharf, the elevator, several businesses and the ship. The arsonists were caught. Incidentally, the CITY OF BUFFALO was converted from a passenger side-wheeler to a propeller freighter during the winter of 1863-64. After the conversion, she was dubbed "the slowest steam-craft on the Lakes".

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

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




Great Lakes Trader Tries Manistee

07/29
The barge Great Lakes Trader and tug Joyce L. Van Enkevort made a test run into Manistee Saturday. The duo was light and was attempting to see if they could make it through the Manistee River, which would make future trips possible. The vessel made it all the way to the US-31 Bridge where it was unable to make the turn into the channel through the railroad bridge. The test run was ruled a failure and the combo then backed up all the way out the river past the piers. Manistee will never see the duo carry cargo through the river. She then turned around in the lake and proceeded upbound on Lake Michigan.

The Capt. Ralph Tucker left Manistee around 11:00 a.m. Saturday and the Buffalo arrived that morning bound for Morton salt with a load of coal. Thus making it the first three-ship day for Manistee in many years.

Reported by: Chris Franckowiak




New Cutter Launched

07/29
The new U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sycamore hit the water Saturday about 10:52 a.m. CT. The cutter was launched at Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wi during a heavy rain storm.

The Sycamore is a Juniper Class 225 foot Seagoing buoy tender with icebreaking capabilities. These ships are a new class of cutter that have been built to replace the Balsam class tenders. In addition to maintaining navigational aids, these multi role ships are key in oil spill recovery and ice breaking operations. They have a crew of 40, a maximum speed of 15 knots and can remain underway for 45 days.

On the Ways.
Crowd on hand to watch.
Entering the water.
A wall of water is sent across the river.

Reported by: Eric and Sandy Chapman




Mine Workers Face Layoff

07/29
About 250 employees of the Tilden Mine will be laid off today because of a 20 foot crack in on of the mine's two pelletizing kilns. The layoff is expected to last about six weeks, according to a Cleveland Cliffs spokesman.

The crack was discovered Thursday. The kilns are used to turn iron ore into pellets at temperatures of about 2,400 degrees. The mine was shut down in 1998 for about six weeks for a similar problem. Laid off workers will be able to draw unemployment checks during this period.

Reported by: Jim Grill




Customs office, ferry Back in Service after Bomb Threat

07/29
A Customs office and ferry service that links Walpole Island in the St. Clair River with Michigan are operating again after being closed Friday because of a bomb threat. The same Customs office was the target of gunshots last week. Two Walpole Island residents have been charged in connection with the incident.

Reported by: Bill Blair




Duluth-Superior News

07/29
The General Mills elevator in Superior has had a busy week with Wagenborg ships. The Vlistborg spent Tuesday and Wednesday loading sugar beet pulp pellets there. It departed the elevator Wednesday evening, only to be replaced by fleet mate Kasteelborg a few hours later. The Kasteelborg spent Thursday and Friday loading the same cargo. Sugar beet pulp pellets, a byproduct of the process of refining sugar from sugar beets, are brought to the Twin Ports from North Dakota's Red River valley for shipment to Europe, where they are used as livestock feed.

On Thursday and Friday the Antigua-flagged Westkap followed the route made by the Cyprus-flagged Marilis T. earlier in the week. Both vessels loaded bentonite clay at Hallett #6, the far western terminus of the St. Lawrence Seaway, before taking on grain at AGP in Duluth.

The Canadian Olympic finished its repairs after two weeks in the Fraser Shipyard's #2 drydock on Friday. The Kasteelborg, Canadian Olympic, and Westkap all departed through the Duluth Entry on Friday evening, spaced about 45 minutes apart. Because of all the activity at the Duluth Entry, the inbound Bahamas-flagged Black Swan used the Superior Entry to arrive port, headed for the Peavey elevator in Superior.

The Buckeye and Paul R. Tregurtha were both in port Saturday morning, the Buckeye loading taconite pellets at DM&IR, and the Tregurtha loading coal at SMET. Both ships were loaded and outbound within an hour of each other through the Duluth Entry on Saturday afternoon, joining the George A. Stinson on Lake Superior, which had departed Superior a few minutes earlier from BNSF. Those departures left the Sarah Spencer / Jane Ann IV and the John G. Munson in port. The Spencer was discharging Canadian barley at the Cargill B2 elevator in Duluth, while the Munson was undergoing repairs at the Reiss dock in Duluth after unloading limestone. The Stewart J. Cort was also scheduled to arrive Superior in the evening hours, replacing the Stinson at BNSF #5.

Sunday is shaping up to be a busy day in the Twin Ports, with four thousand-footers (Columbia Star, Oglebay Norton, Mesabi Miner, Indiana Harbor) scheduled to load coal at SMET, and the Halifax loading taconite pellets at DM&IR.

Reported by: Eric Holst




Thunder Bay Report

07/29
The weather here in Port remained cool as it has been for the past several days and the Upper Lakes Group Inc. boats seemed to be the order of the day on Saturday.

The Canadian Enterprise left Pascol Engineering Drydock Saturday afternoon and headed out the North Entrance and then went to anchor. A short time later she lifted her anchor and proceeded towards Thunder Cape heading out past the Welcome islands. By late Saturday night she was reported tied up at Thunder Bay Terminals. Her short jaunt out onto the lake was presumably to test equipment and make sure that everything was ship shape after her stint in drydock.

The Canadian Leader departed United Grain Growers "A" house early Saturday afternoon and proceeded down the lake, While the Canadian Voyager arrived in Port and tied up at Cargil Elevator. By 1am Sunday she had moved over to United Grain Growers "A" house to continue loading.

The Canadian Olympic arrived early Saturday morning from Superior, Wisconsin where she had been having repairs done. She docked at Thunder Bay Terminals to load and by 2:30pm was outbound past the South Entrance and heading down the lake.

Another early Saturday Morning arrival was the Tug W.N. Twolan with her empty lumber barge McAllister132. They docked at their regular Great West Timber dock. The tug Sandra Mary remained at Keefer Terminals today although there was no sign of the Dredge John Holden.

Classic pictures in Thunder Bay
Saskatoon/Fernie - in Kam River Feb. 4, 1934 .
Nipigon on truck moving from Lk. Nipigon to Lk. Superior April 10, 1972.
Another view.
Champlain - dockside at Silver Islet summer 1927.
Kam River Boats taken Kam River winter 1933-1934. Elmbay built 1919 in France, Stranded near Barra Grande and abandoned January 22, 1967; Pinebay built 1919 in France, deposition unknown, last registry 1957 Brazil; Ashbay built 1919 in France, shelled and sunk by German submarine, September 28, 1942 in Brazil. 16 lives lost.

Reported by: Rob Farrow




Calumet in Grand Haven

07/29
On Friday the Calumet arrived just after sun set to load in port. She went up the Grand River to load sand at Construction Aggregates.

Pictures by Mark and Sherry Winchester
Calumet arriving.
Wilfred Sykes on a recent trip into port.

Reported by: Mark and Sherry Winchester and David Swain




Mapleglen Locks Through

07/29
The Mapleglen was upbound through the Soo Locks Saturday. She now has the CSL banners on each side of the pilot house.

Images from the Soo Lock Live Cam
Approaching the Mac Lock.
Close up.
Stern view.

Reported by: Rod Burdick




Toledo Update

07/29
The Algomarine was at the CSX Docks Saturday waiting to load coal. The Mantadoc was at Anderson's "E" Elevator loading grain. The Cartierdoc was at Anderson's "K" Elevator loading grain. The American Mariner and Adam E. Cornelius remain in long term lay-up at their respective dock sites. The American Republic is fitting out and should be sailing any day now.

The dredge Buxton II and related dredging equipment with there tug Muskegon are dredging the ship channel near the CSX Coal Docks. The next scheduled coal boats due in at the CSX Docks will be the Arthur M. Anderson, John J. Boland, and Algosteel on Monday followed by a return visit of the Arthur M. Anderson on Tuesday.

The next scheduled ore boats due in at the Torco Dock will be the Armco on Sunday evening, followed by the Middletown on Wednesday morning. There was an unidentified saltie at the T.W.I. Dock, she departed the dock in the mid afternoon.

Classic views of Toledo Shipping
J. Burton Ayers tow outbound Maumee Bay on Aug. 1995. The tug Shannon is handling the bow and tug Patricia Hoey on the stern. The tow is headed for Sarnia, Ontario where she will be renamed Cuyahoga and sail for the LLT Fleet.
Close up of the Ayers.
Stern view.

Reported by: Jim Hoffman




Lake Erie Update

07/29
Conneaut and Ashtabula were busy Saturday morning. In Conneaut, the Wolverine was loading coal for Manistee and was to depart around 2:00 p.m. The Reserve was loading in Ashtabula for Superior and was supposed to leave around 3:00 p.m., clearing dock space in Ashtabula for the Rt. Hon Paul J Martin, or an Algoma vessel believed to be the Algobay. Both were anchored within site of the harbor, waiting for the Reserve.

Algoma vessel at anchor.
Reserve.
Another view.
The Wolverine in Conneaut.

Reported by: Jeff Thoreson




Iglehart in Buffalo

07/29
The J.A.W. Iglehart made another appearance in Buffalo on Friday. She brought a load of cement into the Lafarge dock on the creek, departing on Saturday.

Reported by: Dan Sweeley




Hamilton Update

07/29
From Burlington Piers on Saturday, two tankers could be seen at the Bronte Piers. One being a Desgagnes vessel and the other, an ocean going vessel.

The Federal Welland was in Hamilton at Pier 14 unloading steel products. Moored across on the north side of Pier 12 was the McKeil Marine tug Salvor with unidentified barge.

Reported by: Patricia Burgon




Oakglen in Owen Sound

07/29
On Saturday the Oakglen arrived in Owen Sound to deliver a load of grain. The Oakglen still carries the P&H masthead marker but her stack is CSL red, white and black. The white goes three quarters of the way across the stack and then drops at right angles to the deck. The black does the same and wraps around the rear of the stack. No other CSL markings next to name were.

Reported by: Peter Bowers




Port Huron Traffic

07/29
Below are images of traffic passing Port Huron.

Emerald Star downbound.
John J. Boland.
Roger Blough upbound.

Reported by: Clayton Sharrard




Detroit Traffic

07/29
Below are images traffic on the Detroit River Saturday.

Tanker Saturn upbound at Grassy Island bound for the Marathon Asphalt Dock in the Rouge River. The tug John Spence and barge Mc Asphalt 401 are tied up at Morterm waiting for the Saturn to arrive and load before they will get the dock.
Stern view.
Tug Karen Andrie and barge A397 upbound at Grassy Island for the Rouge River.
Close up of tug.
Stern view of tow.
Yacht Blue Moon (Cayman Islands) upbound at Grassy Island. The Blue Moon had a pilot aboard.
Another view.
Stern view.
Lake Superior (Marshall Islands) at Ojibway Anchorage, she is scheduled to depart on Sunday at noon for Toledo.
Stern view.
Tug James A Hannah upbound above the Rouge heading for Sterling Fuel Dock.
Stern view.
Algorail upbound off Zug Island.
Stern view.
The notch of the Hannah 5101 at Fordson Island Marathon Dock.
Maumee preparing to unload salt in the Rouge River.
Stern view.

Reported by: Mike Nicholls




Clarkson News

07/29
At 1:00 p.m. Friday the tanker Alioth had completed the discharge of her cargo. She was in ballast and ready to leave her berth. Due to a stiff southeast wind an unidentified tug had been called to assist with the departure by holding the tanker off of the pier face as she started to move out into the lake.

At St. Lawrence Cement, the Canadian Prospector was in the early stages of discharging a cargo of limestone into the hopper.

Reported by: Bryan Ridley




Today in Great Lakes History - July 29

The OTTERCLIFFE HALL cleared Lauzon July 29, 1969 on her maiden voyage as the last "straight deck" Great Lakes bulk freighter built with a pilot house forward.

While at the Manitowoc Ship Building Co. for general repairs and engine overhaul, the CITY OF SAGINAW caught fire on July 29, 1971 and destroyed her upper deck and forward section. Damages were estimated from $450,000 to $750,000 and were not repaired. The CITY OF SAGINAW 31 was sold to Marine Salvage Ltd., Port Colborne, Ont. for scrap.

On July 29, 1974 the W.W. HOLLOWAY grounded in Lake St. Clair off the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club running downbound with stone. Lightering into the J.F. SCHOELKOPF,JR. was necessary before she was freed by four tugs on July 31st.

ENDERS M. VOORHEES departed River Rouge on her maiden voyage July 29, 1942 bound for Duluth, MN to load iron ore. She was the second of five "Supers" for the Pittsburgh fleet to enter service.

July 29, 1974 - The "PERE MARQUETTE 21" was towed to Milwaukee on July 29, 1974 and reduced to a barge.

July 29, 1971 - A fire broke out on the City of Saginaw 31, destroying her cabin deck and rendering her useless for further use. The blaze was caused by an acetylene torch, and caused over $1 million in damage.

The steam barge MARY ROBERTSON burned near Mackinac on 29 July 1872. Her crew escaped to a schooner-barge they were towing.

The MATERIAL SERVICE foundered in a heavy summer gale in 1936 off the South Chicago lighthouse. She was a canal motor barge not designed for open-lake use.

The side-wheel river steamer DOMINION burned to the water's edge at her dock in the Thames River near Chatham, Ontario on 29 July 1875. She was built in 1867 at Wallaceburg, Ontario.

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

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




Olympic Departs

07/28
Canadian Olympic departed Fraser Shipyards in Superior on Friday and sailed during the day. The vessel had been in drydock for more than a week undergoing repairs to its propeller and shaft, which were damaged when the stern anchor became entangled in them.

Pictures taken July 12 after the incident happened
Canadian Olympic in Duluth harbor. Al Miller
A close up view of the vessel's stern with the work tug Maxine Thompson nearby and the absorbent boom visible. Al Miller
A worker can be seen aboard a work float near the stern of Canadian Olympic. Al Miller
Up close showing the anchor chain hanging from the stern. Kent Rengo
Olympic is moved towards the Duluth Port Terminal before dry docking. Kent Rengo

Reported by: Al Miller




Finally, some good news about Lake Superior water levels

07/28
Higher lake levels and strong demand for coal are helping to boost overall maritime commerce in Duluth-Superior, local port officials reported.

Shipments through June totaled 12.7 million metric tons, a 5 percent increase over the same period last season, according to the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.

Normal winter snowfall and an unusually wet spring have raised the level of Lake Superior above 602 feet above sea level for the first time in two years. Rainfall during April, for instance, was four times higher than normal. As a result, vessels loading in the Twin Ports have been able to add 13 inches of draft since the season began, with each inch representing about 270 additional tons of cargo.

Leading the growth in shipments was Midwest Energy Terminal, which loaded 5.4 million metric tons, a 6-percent increase over the previous year. The dock loaded 39 cargoes this season compared to 34 the previous year. Because of the higher water level, 1,000-footers were able to load cargoes averaging 64,000 tons compared to 62,000 tons last season.

Iron ore shipments through the DMIR and BNSF docks rose 4.2 percent. That means a total of 5.2 million metric tons of pellets shipments this season compared to 4.9 million metric tons last season.

Not all the news from the Twin Ports was good, however. Grain shipments fell slightly to 900,540 metric tons because of a flat grain market. Among the leading causes is the U.S. dollar’s strength against European currencies, port officials said.

However, many other Lake Superior ports did not share Duluth-Superior’s good fortunes in June.

Across the lakes, ore shipments on U.S.-flag boats fell 11 percent through June because of weakness in the North American steel industry, the Lake Carriers’ Association reported.

Much of the decrease resulted from the shutdown of LTV Steel Mining Co. in Hoyt Lakes, Minn., which shipped pellets through Taconite Harbor. Overall, tonnage fell 35 percent at Minnesota’s North Shore iron ore ports

In Michigan, ore shipments from Escanaba fell 21 percent while Marquette recorded a 27 percent decline. The downturn reflected reduced production at the Empire and Tilden mines, according to the American Iron Ore Association.

Reported by: Al Miller




Tall Ships in Bay City

07/28
Friday tall ships continued to arrive in Bay City, 15 tall ships were expected in the port for this weekend's celebration.

The tall ships will be open for touring over the weekend. Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sunday noon - 5:00 p.m. They will then depart Monday after 1:00 p.m. heading for Muskegon, MI.

For more information on the events visit: www.tallshipcelebration.com

Pictures by Todd Shorkey
Tall ships on the West Side of the river.
St. Lawrence, Amara Zee and Madeline.
U.S.C.G. watching over the Saginaw River.
47-foot Motor Life Boat passing the tall ships.

Reported by: Stephen Hause, Lon Morgan and Todd Shorkey




Tall Ship Race

07/28
The Port Huron to Bay City Tall Ships Challenge® race began on Wednesday with Grand Nellie and Highlander Sea bowsprit to bowsprit. Following the race, the ships are participating in the Tall Ship Celebration in Bay City, Michigan, July 26-30. Thereafter, the next race will be the Bay City to the Straits of Mackinac competitive event. The US Coast Guard has designated the race series as a "Marine Event of National Significance."

Click here for more news and information

Reported by: Roger Tottman




Thunder Bay News

07/28
Traffic in the Port of Thunder Bay was light again Friday with one arrival and three departures. The Sandra Mary and Dredge John Holden are tied up at Keefer Terminals and the Canadian Enterprise is still in the Pascol Engineering Drydock.

Early Friday morning the Tug Radium Yellowknife and her three lumber barges headed out of Port and up the lake to Superior, Wisconsin for another lumber run.

The Canadian Leader was also on the move early Friday morning but she was arriving in Port. She docked at Richardson Elevator and by 2:30pm had moved over to United Grain Growers "A" house to continue loading.

The Saltie Federal Oshima finished up loading at Agricore and departed the Port downbound at around 4:00 p.m. Friday. She could be see rounding the Welcome Islands at the same time that the Tug Jane Ann IV and barge Sarah Spencer were backing out of Saskatchewan Pool 7b. Her move was over to the freshly vacated slip at Agricore. By late Friday night she had also departed Port and was apparently heading to Duluth to unload Barley at the Cargil B1 dock where she was due Sunday morning.

Reported by: Rob Farrow and Ron Konkol




Detroit Traffic

07/28
Below are images traffic on the Detroit River Friday.

Mantadoc downbound at Grassy Island Friday morning.
Stern view.
Tug Wyoming downbound to her dock in River Rouge after assisting the Halifax out of the Rouge River.
Halifax upbound after departing the Rouge River. She kept to the American side to allow the Herbert C Jackson to turn into the Rouge.
Stern view.
Tug Stormont upbound from her dock at Morterm to Detroit to begin her ferry service across the Detroit River with the barge Lac St Jean.
Stern view.
Barge Crow which has been dredging at the lower end of Zug Island.
Herbert C Jackson downbound about to turn into the Rouge River.
tug Pioneerland upbound from Nicholson's with the crew of the barge Crow to begin Friday's work day.
Algosoo loading at Ojibway Salt Dock.
barge Hannah 5101 and tug James A Hannah at Nicholson Terminal & Dock.
tug James A Hannah.

Reported by: Mike Nicholls




Buffalo Naval Park

07/28
The New York State Development Agency has announced that the USS Croaker should be back together with her other Naval Park residents USS Little Rock and USS The Sullivans in their new basin by this time next year. The entire ship relocation project has been on hold since the state decided to change the look and feel of the Inner Harbor (Erie Canal) redevelopment. The state is now planning a more historic theme and has backed away from their more modern plans for the area. Naval Park officials have been complaining of low attendance due to the completely torn up parking lot, and the absence of the Croaker. She was moved last spring to allow construction and dredging of the new basin and has yet to return.

Construction on the new park.
View from above.

Reported by: Brian Wroblewski




Close look at the CSL Laurentien

07/28
Last Sunday, while transiting Lake St. Clair, the Tall Ship Mist of Avalon came very close to the CSL Laurentien. Those in the area report hearing a loud noise that sounded like the Tall Ship struck the freighter. The Mist of Avalon was sailing close to the freighter and appeared to get sucked into its side as it passed by.

Along side the Laurentien.
Crew on the Laurentien look on helplessly.
Backing down.
Avalon crew members look for damage, none is apparent.

Reported by: Michael Schrage




Spencer in Buffalo

07/28
Last Sunday the tug Jane Ann IV and barge Sarah Spencer made a trip to Buffalo with a cargo of grain. The tug and barge were assisted by two G tugs for a tight trip through the river. Below are images of the outbound tow.

The images start at the ADM Standard Elevator as the tugs make up their lines, proceeding into the turn under the Ohio St. Bridge, just below the dock, then through the bridge, just missing the abutments and then again downriver at the DL&W Train Terminal and finally as the tugs worked her in close past the destroyer USS The Sullivans.

Making up the lines.
Through the bridge.
Tight fit.
Using the bow thruster on the barge.
Looking down the bow.
Through the bridge.
Another view.
Past The Sullivans.

Reported by: Brian Wroblewski




Le Levant owners ordered to repay

07/28
European Commission announced recently that French state aid to support the construction of the Le Levant cruise ship is incompatible with the common market and must be repaid by the owners of the ship. The commission does not believe the aid will contribute to the development of the French colony of Saint-Pierre-et- Miquelon, off Canada, and does not comply with development aid rules, it said.

"The commission has concluded that the vessel - which only rarely calls to the port of St Pierre - will not contribute in any significant way to the development of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon," it said. "Based on calculations made by France as to the economic impact of the ship's and its passengers' visits, on the one hand, and on the actual cruise schedules so far, on the other hand, the aid appears to be seven times higher than the economic benefits to the islands," it said.

A commission source said the $30.5m vessel, which carries 95 passengers, spends most of its time in the Caribbean. Investors will have to pay back the aid representing 34% of the value and not the ship's operator Compagnie des Iles du Levant, he said. The vessel was built in the Alstom Le Roux naval shipyard and financed under a scheme where investors can deduct their investment from their taxable income, he said.

Reported by: Al Jackman




Port Huron Web Cam

07/28
Michigan marine artist and author Jim Clary of Cap'n Jim's Gallery in Port Huron, MI announced Friday the operational debut of the Maritime River Camera.

The state of the art camera, mounted near the mouth of the Black River (the most eastern point in Michigan), in Port Huron is now transmitting live images of ship traffic via wireless microwave to a 42-inch plasma monitor at the gallery. The camera features pan tilt capability along with a 22-power zoom the control of which can be operated from the gallery.

Clary states that images will soon be captured and uploaded to his web site. The long-range plan is to further transmit the River Cam images to cable TV.




Port Huron Traffic

07/28
Below are images of traffic passing Port Huron Friday.

Algoway downbound.
Buffalo upbound.
Roger Blough.
Close up.
St. Clair upbound.
Stern view.

Reported by: Clayton Sharrard




Beeghly in Chicago

07/28
Below are images from a visit by the Charles M. Beeghly to Chicago last month.

Inbound the Calumet River.
Beneath the rail road bridge.

Reported by: John Kuehl




Today in Great Lakes History - July 28

ALGOWEST passed Detroit, Mich. downbound on July 28, 1982, she had departed on her maiden voyage July 26 from Thunder Bay, Ont. to Quebec City with a 27,308 tonne load of barley.

b) ADAM E. CORNELIUS was christened July 28, 1973 at AmShip by Mrs. Roger Kyes as the a) ROGER M. KYES

COASTAL CANADA was launched July 28, 1952

The JOHN T. HUTCHINSON was delivered on July 28th to the Buckeye Steamship Co. (Hutchinson & Co., mgr.), Cleveland. The JOHN T. HUTCHINSON was part of a government program designed to upgrade and increase the capacity of the U.S. Great Lakes fleet during World War II. In order to help finance the building of new ships, the U.S.M.C. authorized a program that would allow existing fleets to obtain new boats by trading in their older boats to the Government for credit. The JOHN T. HUTCHINSON was the ninth Maritimer and fourth of the six L6-S-Al types delivered. "L6" meant the vessel was built for the Great Lakes and was 600 to 699 feet in length. The "S" stood for steam power and "Al" identified specific design features.

On 28 July 1854, BOSTON (wooden propeller, 134', 259 t, built in 1847 at Ohio City, Ohio) was bound from Chicago for Ogdensburg, NY with pork, corn, whiskey and produce. On Lake Ontario, about 20 miles off Oak Orchard, NY, she collided with the bark PLYMOUTH and sank in about 20 minutes. No lives were lost. The crew and passengers made it to shore in three lifeboats. The boat that the captain was in sailed 50 miles to Charlotte, NY.

One hundred years ago, on 28 July 1900, the freighter PRINCETON was launched at Lorain, Ohio for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company.

On 28 July 1862, CONVOY (2-mast wooden schooner, 130', 367 t, built in 1855 at Buffalo) was sailing down bound on a dark night on Lake Erie with 18,000 bushels of wheat when she collided with the empty bark SAM WARD and sank quickly in 12 fathoms of water. Her wreck drifted along the bottom and during the shipping season several vessels collided with her.

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

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




Dredging Could Change Traffic

07/27
The Calumet has been a very frequent visitor to Grand Haven this season but that may soon change. MCM is scheduled to begin dredging soon in Benton Harbor, the destination of the vessel as it carries sand from Grand Haven. The deeper harbor there may mean the McKee Sons, with its deeper draft, will take over at least some of these sand runs.

Reported by: David Swain




Canadian Enterprise Re-enters Drydock

07/27
After spending Wednesday night and the better part of Thursday anchored off the North Entrance to Thunder Bay, the Canadian Enterprise lifted her anchor and proceeded back into Pascol Engineering's Drydock. She was again assisted by the tugs Peninsula and George Carleton. This is her third trip into Drydock this month. Pascol Engineering confirmed that she was having problems with her Stern Tube. It is unknown how long she will be in drydock this time.

Canadian Enterprise in drydock at Pascol Engineering last week.
Enterprise pulled out of the harbor at that time.

Reported by: Rob Farrow




Repairs Continue

07/27
At Port Weller Dry Docks in St. Catharines, fleet mate Canadian Transport continues to undergo repairs after it suffered an engine room fire at Nanticoke in June.

The vessel was towed to Port Weller and the remaining cargo was unloaded into the Canadian Progress, below are images of the transfer.

Progress along side the Transport.
View from onboard the Progress.

Reported by: Roger Tottman




Tall Ships in Saginaw

07/27
The fleet of tall ships continued to arrive in Bay City Thursday, 15 tall ships are expected in the port for this weekend's celebration.

The tall ships will be open for touring over the weekend. Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sunday noon - 5:00 p.m. They will then depart Monday after 1:00 p.m. heading for Muskegon, MI.

For more information on the events visit: www.tallshipcelebration.com

Pictures by Todd Shorkey
Bay City's own Appledore IV with Pride of Baltimore II and Concordia.
Bluenose II and Concordia.
U.S.C.G. and Norfolk Rebel assisting Bluenose II.
HMS Tecumseth docking behind True North.
Concordia at Wenona Park.
Norfolk Rebel passing Concordia.
U.S.C.G. assisting Pride of Baltimore II to the dock.

Reported by: Stephen Hause, Lon Morgan and Todd Shorkey




Twin Ports Report

07/27
Most of the ore ports on western Lake Superior were busy Thursday. Burns Harbor was due into BNSF in Superior, Edgar B. Speer was at the DMIR in Two Harbors and Armco was scheduled for Silver Bay. DMIR in Duluth is scheduled to load James R. Barker today. The Stinson, Cort, Halifax and Buckeye are due in the next couple days to load at either Duluth or Superior.

Fred R. White Jr. is becoming familiar with all the stone docks in the Twin Ports. The vessel has made several recent trips to the CLM dock in Superior. On July 25 the vessel was unloading stone at the Northland Constructors dock located between the Cargill and AGP elevators in Duluth. After that, the vessel loaded taconite pellets at DMIR in Duluth.

The saltie Westkap was loading bentonite at the Hallett 6 dock, the second saltie to load that cargo in the past couple weeks. Westkap was scheduled to finish its load with grain from the AGP elevator. Kasteelborg, which is normally a quick load at only 440 feet, on Thursday spent its fourth day at the General Mills elevator in Superior. No word on the reason for the slow loading.

It'll be just like the "old" days if Presque Isle's schedule holds up. The vessel is due to unload stone July 29 at the DMIR ore dock, then move across the bay to load coal at Midwest Energy Terminal. Several years ago, the PI was a fairly frequent caller at the DMIR's stone hopper, and it took occasional cargoes of coal to Nanticoke, which is its scheduled destination this time.

Reported by: Al Miller




Thunder Bay Update

07/27
The tug Jane Ann IV and barge Sarah Spencer arrived in Port Thursday at 2:30 p.m. and entered the North Entrance just ahead of the Canadian Enterprise. The tug/barge combo docked at United Grain Growers "A" house. Her last Port of call was Buffalo, NY and she arrived in port in ballast. Around 4:30 p.m. Jane Ann IV moved out of her notch and went over to Keefer Terminals. She returned at 6:00 p.m. and reconnected to the Spencer then backed out of the slip around 8:00 p.m. and proceeded over to Saskatchewan Pool 7b to continue loading.

The Federal Oshima continued to load at Agricore while the Sandra Mary with Dredge John Holden remain tied up at Keefer Terminals. The Radium Yellowknife is still docked at Northern Woods old ore dock.

Traffic has slowed in port and has shown a summer trend of, a week of fairly steady traffic followed by a week of light traffic.

Pictures taken over the past few years
Tour boat Grampa Woo, what's left of her from the salvage of Passage Island on July 5, 1998.
Port Arthur Ship Building days before it was torn down. (Halifax is seen on the right) April 27, 1993.
Pan Voyager anchored outside break wall May 5, 2000.
Shawinagan at the Marina dock summer 1997.
Manitoulin at Saskatchewan Pool 7a May 5, 2000.
Tadoussac at United Grain Growers "M" house November 2000.

Reported by: Rob Farrow and Ron Konkol




Hamilton News

07/27
Thursday the Canadian Prospector was unloading iron ore at Dofasco. At Pier 12, the Lykes Energizer was moored with no unloading activity to be seen. Across at Pier 14 the Goviken was unloading steel products.

From the Burlington Piers Thursday evening, two tankers could be seen at the Oakville/Bronte Piers. One being a Desgagnes tanker and the other unknown.

Reported by: Patricia Burgon




Bethlehem to Close Division

07/27
Bethlehem Steel has announced the closing of the Coke Division at Lackawanna, NY. The entire Coke Oven operation at the North end of the plant will be shut down by September with a loss of about 350 jobs. This is the last section of the original basic steel making plant on the West side of Rt. 5 along the lakefront still in operation. The Galvanizing Division will remain in operation for the time being, employing approximately 450 people in the Galvanizing Mills and Cold Strip operations across Rt. 5 in Lackawanna.

All raw materials are shipped in by rail from Burns Harbor. Bethlehem's old 13" Bar mill, now owned by Republic Technologies continues to operate, although the company is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.

Bethlehem is also trying to sell their ownership of the South Buffalo Railroad. This 100 year old short line serves Bethlehem Steel, the Ford Stamping Plant, and the Gateway Metroport Terminal along the Lackawanna Ship Canal.

Coke Ovens on the North End of the Bethlehem Steel Plant in Lackawanna. Another view. Night view.

Reported by: Brian Wroblewski




Today in Great Lakes History - July 27

On 27 July 1884, ALBERTA (steel propeller passenger/package freight vessel, 264', 2282 gt, built in 1883 in Scotland) collided in fog ) 6 miles NNW of Whitefish Point on Lake Superior with the JOHN M. OSBORNE (wooden propeller "steam barge", 178 ft., 891g , built in 1882 at Marine City. The OSBORNE had two barges in tow at the time. ALBERTA stayed in the gash until most of OSBORNE's crew scrambled aboard, then pulled out and the OSBORNE sank. ALBERTA sank in shallow water, 3 1/2 miles from shore. 3 or 4 lives were lost from the OSBORNE, one from ALBERTA in brave rescue attempt while trying to get the crewmen off the OSBORNE. This was ALBERTA's first year of service. She was recovered and repaired soon afterward. She was the sister of the ill fated ALGOMA which was lost in her first year of service. The wreck of the OSBORNE was located in 1984, 100 years after this incident.

One hundred years ago, on 27 July 1900, the steel freighter RENSSELAER was launched in Cleveland, Ohio for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company.

On 27 July 1884, JOHN M. OSBORNE (wooden propeller steam barge, 178', 891 gt, built in 1882 at Marine City, MI) was carrying iron ore from Marquette to Ashtabula with two barges in tow when she was run into by the steel propeller passenger steamer ALBERTA (264', 2282 gt, built in 1883 at Scotland) in heavy fog off Whitefish Point on Lake Superior. The ALBERTA stayed in the gash while most of the OSBORNE's crew scrambled aboard. 4 or 5 lives were lost from the OSBORNE and one from the ALBERTA. The OSBORNE then sank and the ALBERTA made it to shallow water before she too sank. ALBERTA was recovered and put back in service. The wreck of the OSBORNE was located in 1984, 100 years after the accident.

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

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




Republic to Return to Service

07/26
The American Republic is scheduled to return to service departing her unusual mid season lay-up early next week. Crews are expected to begin fit out of the vessel on Sunday. While this return to service is good news for the Republic, her fleet mates American Mariner and Adam E. Cornelius will remain in lay-up because of weak demand in the steel industry.

Reported by: Kathy, Jim Hoffman and J. Huffy




Algoway visits Marinette

07/26
The Algoway arrived at Marinette Fuel & Dock Co. late Wednesday morning with a load of salt. This is the latest arrival for the first load of salt at MF&D Co. in recent years; usually a salt boat is one of the first into port after the ice melts. The vessel departed in a stiff crosswind blowing against her. It took some time to get the stern away from the dock so that it could back out into Green Bay about 3:30 p.m.

Algoway unloads salt at Marinette Fuel & Dock Co. in Marinette, WI.
Close-up.
The Algoway docked behind the William H. Donner.
"Algoma Central" on her unloading boom.
Backing out of the Menominee River.
Passing the North Pier Lighthouse in Menominee River.
The boom of the Algoway appears to belong to the William H. Donner.

Reported by: Dick Lund




Kozoil in Erie

07/26
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tug Kozoil was in Erie Wednesday, presumably waiting out 3 to 5 foot waves on Lake Erie.

Kozoil at dock.

Reported by: Jeff Thoreson




Thunder Bay Update

07/26
Wednesday the Sandra Mary and dredge John Holden were still at Keefer Terminals and the Radium Yellowknife was docked at Northern Woods while the finishing touches are added to her lumber barges.

At 4:45 p.m. the saltie Federal Fuji backed out of Agricore and proceeded through the South Entrance. She is loaded with 18,483 metric tons of Cannary Seed, Canola Seed and Flax bound for Montreal. At the same time the Fuji was moving the saltie Federal Oshima announced that she was lifting her anchor and would proceed through the South Entrance and take her place in the Agricore slip once the Fuji had left. The Federal Fuji exited the break wall and passed the Federal Oshima on her Starboard side and blew a one long and two short salute. This was answered by the Oshima also with a one long and two short blast on her horn.

The Canadian Enterprise moved out of Pascol Engineering's drydock Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. and headed out the North Entrance where she then dropped her anchor.

Three departures, one arrival and a few dock sifts kept the port fairly busy on Tuesday. The Federal Oshima arrived in port at 11:30 a.m. and dropped anchor just outside the South Entrance. She is in ballast from her last port of Toronto.

The Algoville finished loading early Tuesday and headed out the North Entrance and down the lake. Her destination is the Port of Montreal.

The Oakglen moved over to Richardson Elevator at around 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, to top up her load. By 4:00 p.m. she was heading out the North Entrance with 21,346 metric tons of wheat.

The last departure of the day was the saltie Daviken. She had moved over to Saskatchewan Pool 7b early Tuesday morning and by 8:00 p.m. was heading out onto the Lake. She is loaded with 9,889 metric tons of Potash and 11,982 metric tons of Peas. She was possibly heading to Duluth before heading down the lake to Montreal.

The Federal Fuji made a couple of moves Tuesday, the first was to Saskatchewan Pool 7a around noon and then again to Agricore in the early evening.

Tuesday the Sandra Mary and John Holden remain at Keefer Terminal and the Radium Yellowknife was still docked at Northern Woods. The Canadian Enterprise was still in the drydock at Pascol Engineering.



Reported by: Rob Farrow and Ron Konkol




Saginaw News

07/26
The David Z. Norton entered the Saginaw River early Wednesday morning with a split load for the Bay City and Saginaw Wirt Docks. After lightering at Bay City Wirt, she proceeded upriver to finish at the Saginaw Dock. The Norton was outbound for the lake Wednesday night passing through Downtown Bay City around 7:00 p.m.

The tanker Gemini was outbound from the Ashland-Marathon dock in Bay City at 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday.

The Sam Laud entered the river at about 11:00 a.m. and unloaded at the Bay Aggregates dock in downtown Bay City. The Laud went up to the airport turning basin after unloading late in the afternoon and was outbound through downtown Bay City at 6 p.m., followed an hour later by the Norton.

While passing through Bay City the crew of the David Z. Norton were able to view a few of the tall ships that arrived in Bay City early. The Saint Paul arrived Tuesday night, while the Amara Zee, Cape Rose and Madeline arrived Wednesday. 15 tall ships are expected in the port for this weekend's Tall Ships Celebration. The remainder of the sailing vessels are scheduled to arrive in Bay City this Thursday afternoon.

The tall ships will muster at the mouth of the Saginaw River Thursday morning and then parade upriver to downtown Bay City, in groups of three, during the afternoon. The procession is expected to last from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The tall ships will be open for touring over the weekend. Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sunday noon - 5:00 p.m. They will then depart Monday after 1:00 p.m. heading for Muskegon, MI.

For more information on the events visit: www.tallshipcelebration.com

Pictures by Todd Shorkey
Saint Paul.
At the dock.
View from across the river.
Close up.

Reported by: Stephen Hause, Lon Morgan and Todd Shorkey




Port Huron Traffic

07/26
Below are images of traffic passing Port Huron Wednesday.

Algoville downbound.
Capt. Ralph Tucker downbound below the Blue Water Bridges.
Tall ship Larinda upbound for Bay City.
Tug Rebecca Lynn pushing a barge upbound.

Reported by: Clayton Sharrard




Toledo Report

07/26
The H. Lee White was loading coal at the CSX Dock and departed Wednesday morning, the Algosteel brought in a load of stone at the CSX stone dock and was waiting to follow the White to load coal. There was an Andrie tug/barge unit at the T.W.I. Dock.

The dredge Buxton II and related equipment with the tug Muskegon were dredging in the ship channel near the Coal Docks. The American Mariner, American Republic and Adam E. Cornelius remain in long term lay-up at their respective docks. The next scheduled coal boats due in at the CSX Docks will be the CSL Niagara due in late Wednesday to follow the Algosteel (waiting for transit coal) followed by the Buffalo on Thursday evening. The next scheduled ore boats due in at the Torco Dock will be the Reserve on Thursday evening, followed by the Armco on Sunday evening.

Classic views of Toledo Shipping
William A. Irvin loading coal at C.&O #3 Dock. Today the Irvin is a museum ship in Duluth.
Edward B. Greene being converted to a self unloader at the American Shipbuilding Company yard. Today she sails as the Kaye E. Barker.
Birchglen at Midstates Elevator. She has just finished loading a grain cargo and is waiting for the Conrail railroad bridge to open.

Reported by: Jim Hoffman




Seaway Traffic

07/26
Below are images of traffic passing Brockville, Ontario and the Iroquois Lock on Wednesday.
Alioth stern view below Iroquois Lock about 8:40 a.m. Peter Carter
Close up. Keith Giles
BBC Japan below the Iroquois Lock Peter Carter
Stern view. Peter Carter
In the lock. Peter Carter
Tall ship Bel Espoir II. Peter Carter
Another view. Keith Giles
Jean Parisien . Keith Giles
Close up. Keith Giles

Reported by: Peter Carter and Keith Giles




Weekly Updates

07/26
It has been a rough week at my real job, the regular weekly updates will be updated on Sunday night.




Today in Great Lakes History - July 26

The ALGOWEST sailed on her maiden voyage in1982 from Thunder Bay, Ont. to Quebec City with a 27,308 tonne load of barley.

On July 26, 1943 the BRUCE HUDSON caught fire while loading gasoline at East Chicago, IL and four persons lost their lives.

The CONALLISON departed Windsor, Ont. on her first trip for Johnstone on July 26, 1981.

WILLIAM A. McGONAGLE (2) sailed light on her maiden voyage from the shipyard on July 26, 1916 to Duluth, MN to load iron ore.

On 26 July 1877, CUMBERLAND (wooden side-wheeler, 205', 629 gc, built in 1871 at Port Robinson, Ontario) struck bottom at the Rock of Ages Reef off Isle Royale in good weather and sank in relatively shallow water. Later she was broken up by waves and her wreckage washed up on shore on what is now known as "Cumberland Point."

On 26July 1885, ISLE ROYALE (wooden propeller passenger/package freight vessel, 92', 92 gt, built in 1879) sprang a leak near Susick Island near Isle Royale on Lake Superior. She sank but her passengers and crew made it to the island. She was owned by Cooley, Lavague & Company of Duluth. She was originally built as the barge AGNES.

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

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




Middletown Visits Twin Ports

07/25
Early rising Twin Ports boat watchers got a treat Tuesday when the loaded and outbound Reserve passed the inbound and light Middletown about a mile off the Duluth ship canal. Middletown, which has been a rare caller in Duluth-Superior in recent years, was making another trip to the DMIR ore dock in West Duluth. Reserve made a first-time-ever maneuver Monday when it docked at the Cargill B1 grain elevator so it could extend its boom across the slip to unload stone onto a dock used by a construction company. The dock hasn't received a cargo in recent memory -- probably not since it was a coal dock decades ago.

Also making a rare move Monday was the saltie Vlistborg, which docked at the General Mills elevator in Superior to load grain. The "borg" vessels are frequent callers at the General Mills elevators in Duluth and Superior.

Midwest Energy Terminal on Tuesday was finishing off its busy schedule from the past few days by loading Oglebay Norton. The dock crew was due to get a brief breather before handling Canadian Navigator, Mesabi Miner and Canadian Enterprise, all due to load Wednesday.

Reported by: Al Miller




Tregurtha Rescues Fishermen

07/25
The Paul R. Tregurtha came to the rescue of three fishermen on Saturday. The trio were returning from a fishing trip to Isle Royale and became lost in the fog, missing the shore when it ran out of gas. A mayday call went out and search and rescue crews were dispatched to search for the boat.

About midnight the Tregurtha found the boat northeast of Stannard Rock, about 65 miles north of Marquette and about 30 miles east of its reported position. The 1000-foot Tregurtha took the boat in tow to Manitou Island where the Coast Guard picked up the tow and took the boat to Eagle Harbor. None of the fisherman were injured.

Reported by: Jim Grill




Calumet in Grand Haven

07/25
The Calumet finished loading sand about noon on Tuesday and proceeded to back out of the Grand River. Many boat fans and vacationers watched her as she back out between the pier heads around 1:00 p.m. By 1:15 p.m. she was starting to swing around towards the lake heading to her next destination.

Reported by: Dale Rosema




New Cutter Ready for Launch

07/25
Marinette Marine is preparing to launch the USCG Cutter Sycamore (WLB209) on Saturday. The launch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. The Sycamore was "walked out" of the assembly building on July 20. To move the ship approximately 1200 feet to the launch area took about 14 hours. The Sycamore is 225-foot Juniper "B" Class seagoing buoy tender. The new ship is named in honor of retired buoy tenders and represents the Coast Guard's replacement of its fleet of World War II vintage 180-foot seagoing buoy tenders.

Ready for launch.
Stern view.
USCG Aspen undergoing fitout
Aspen (in the water) and the Sycamore on the ways.

Reported by: Dick Lund




Manistee Looking Up

07/25
While the general outlook for the maritime industry on the Great Lakes frequently seems grim, the industry has seen a significant upsurge at Manistee; in the first six months of this year 47 commercial vessels came to Manistee versus 52 for the entire year 2000. A significant portion of the increase comes from General Chemical who recently purchased and rebuilt a calcium chloride plant. They have entered into a contract with McKeil Marine for transportation of product that is expected to include at least 70 outbound cargoes per year. The Capt. Ralph Tucker, the Ocean Hauler/Doug McKeil, and the Salty Dog 1/Evans McKeil are engaged in this trade.

Additional traffic will be generated by approximately ten coal shipments to the paper mill of Packaging Corporation of America who recently converted their boilers to again burn coal. In fact their first cargo has already arrived coming in on the Fred R. White, Jr., on July 13.

Still to anticipate in the future is the recent announcement that the Cape May vessels have included Manistee as a port of call they in 2002; the Niagara Prince is already a regular visitor. All this in a community which set out a decade ago to capitalize on its maritime heritage and look to its future by capitalizing on its nine miles of industrial waterfront.

Pictures by Jim Lindholm
Ocean Hauler and tug Doug Mckeil unloading at General Chemical in Manistee Lake July 25.
Close up.

Reported by: Steve Harold




Arcadia Update

07/25
Tuesday morning the cruise ship was passing through the Iroquois Lock as it heads off the lakes.

On Sunday the vessel had trouble approaching Lock 7, the suction from her propellers caused the starboard propeller to touch the underwater portion of the approach wall. The vessel was inspected by commercial divers and cleared to continue her trip by inspectors from the Seaway and Transport Canada. She will under go another inspection by a Classification Surveyor once in Montreal.

Pictures by Peter Carter
Arcadia below the Iroquois lock Tuesday morning.
Stern view.





Car Driven off Dock

07/25
About 3:00 a.m. Tuesday morning a mate on the Mississagi reported to Sarnia Traffic that a car with multiple occupants drove into the Detroit River from an empty lot just ahead of where they were unloading at Lafarge in Windsor. No one appeared to exit the vehicle, or be aware of it entering the river.

Reported by: Wade P. Streeter




Saginaw News

07/25
The Agawa Canyon was outbound from Saginaw shortly after 10:00 a.m. Tuesday. The vessel had entered the river late Monday evening and called at the Buena Vista and GM docks at Saginaw.

The tanker Gemini arrived at the Ashland Marathon Dock in Bay City at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon with a load of gasoline. They reported about 18 hours needed to unload.

The Saginaw was outbound from Saginaw about 5:30 a.m. The vessel had visited the Wirt Sand & Stone Dock in Essexville, the Wirt Stone Dock in Saginaw and the Valley Asphalt Dock in Saginaw.

Picture by Stephen Hause
Agawa Canyon outbound Tuesday morning.

Reported by: Stephen Hause, Lon Morgan and Todd Shorkey




Detroit Traffic

07/25
Below are images traffic on the Detroit River Tuesday evening.

Barge A410 and tug Rebecca Lynn upbound at Fighting Island North Light.
Stern view.
Mississagi loading at Ojibway Salt.
H Lee White downbound after departing the Rouge River.
Stern view.
Red Witch downbound off the old Rouge River bound for Toledo.
Stern view.
Mississagi upbound after departing Ojibway Salt with a cargo for Parry Sound.
Stern view.
Barge Inland 2401 & tug Frank Palladino Jr. downbound off the old Rouge River.
Close up of the Frank Palladino Jr.
Algowood passing Inland 2401 & Frank Palladino Jr. off Zug Island.
Algowood upbound at Zug Island.
J W Westcott II downbound to service the Algowood.

Reported by: Mike Nicholls




Toledo Report

07/25
Tuesday the Armco was loading coal at the CSX Dock and departed that morning. The tug Rebecca Lynn with her barge was at the B-P Dock and departed in the afternoon. The dredge Buxton II and related equipment with the tug Muskegon were dredging the ship channel off the CSX Coal Docks. The American Mariner, American Republic and Adam E. Cornelius remain in long term lay-up in port.

The next scheduled coal boats due in at the CSX Docks will be the H. Lee White, and Algosteel on Tuesday followed by the CSL Niagara late Wednesday evening. The next scheduled ore boats due in at the Torco Dock will be the Reserve on Thursday evening followed by the Armco on Sunday evening.

Classic views of Toledo Shipping
Meaford with the tug Tennessee heading upbound from the Cherry Street Bridge for the grain elevators to load grain. She was later sold to the Soo River Fleet and sailed for a very short time as Pierson Independent.
Senator Of Canada upbound under tow of two "G" tugs passing through the Cherry Street Bridge bound for the grain elevators to load grain.
William R. Roesch in Kinsman colors loading coal at the C.&O. #3 Dock. She now sails as the David Z. Norton for the Oglebay Norton Fleet.

Reported by: Jim Hoffman




Aerial Views

07/25:
Pilot and photographer Don Coles was flying over the Detroit River Sunday and sent in the pictures below. All photographs are available for purchase. Don's company, Great Lakes Aerial Photos, is available for hire for any aerial photography need.

Mississagi loading in Windsor.
Norma B. in the Detroit River at the Wyandotte water intake.




Today in Great Lakes History - July 25

The bow section of the ROGER BLOUGH was floated into the new Lorain dry dock on July 25, 1970 and was joined with the 421 foot stern section. The launch of the completed hull was scheduled for July, 1971 but a fire broke out in the engine room on June 24, 1971 killing four yard workers and extensively damaging her Pielstick diesel engines. Extensive repairs, which included replacement of both engines, delayed the launch for nearly a year.

The CANADA MARQUIS (c) FEDERAL MACKENZIE) was upbound at Detroit, Mich. on July 25, 1983 on her maiden voyage.

July 25, 1983 - A wedding was held aboard the Badger during the sailing of "Love Boat II". Chris Gebhart and Pat Sroka of Ludington were married by Rev John Christensen.

The wooden lumber tug CYGNET, which worked on the Shiawassee and Bad Rivers and Lake Huron, was destroyed when her boiler exploded in "Blow-up Bayou" on the Shiawassee River.

The wooden bulk freighter D. C. WHITNEY was launched at Langell's shipyard in St. Clair, Michigan on 25 July 1882. Her dimensions were 229' x 40' x15', 1090 gross tons.

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

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




Arcadia at Anchor

07/24
Monday morning the Greek cruise ship Arcadia was anchored in Lake Ontario off Port Weller waiting for a pilot. The Arcadia is heading off the lakes after plans for a full season of Great Lakes cruising failed. The ships owners, Attika Shipping, reports that they are owed over one million dollars from Great Lakes Cruises, the company that chartered the vessel. Great Lakes Cruises was expected to file for bankruptcy. The Arcadia may be heading for a charter in the Caribbean.

Reported by: Jimmy Sprunt and Al Jackman




Frantz in for Repairs

07/24
Early Monday morning the Joseph H. Frantz gave a security call for entering the Sturgeon Bay ship canal from Lake Michigan. The ship contacted Bay Ship Building in Sturgeon Bay requesting that the 1000-foot Graving dock be readied for her arrival.

The Frantz entered the Bay from Lake Michigan and proceeded to Berth #15 at Bay Ship to wait while the graving dock was being prepared and flooded for the ship to enter.

The reason for the dry docking is reported damage to the vessel that occurred on her trip into Holland, Mi over the weekend. She was reported to be holed in the number 2 and 3 side tanks. Repairs are expected to take four to five days to complete.

Frantz inbound.
Passing the Ryerson.
Passing through the Michigan Street Bridge.
Arriving at Bay Ship.
Tugs assist the Frantz to dock.
Crew members set out the lines.

Reported by: Vic DeLarwelle




No Improvement In U.S.-Flag Carriage In June

07/24
U.S.-Flag shipping on the Great Lakes continued its season-long slump in June. Shipments of dry-bulk cargos in U.S.-Flag vessels totaled 11.7 million net tons, a decrease of 6 percent compared to a year ago. Since the resumption of shipping in mid-February, loadings stand at 39.8 million tons, a decrease of 7.8 percent.

The iron ore trade continued to account for most of the decrease. June cargos in U.S.-Flag vessels totaled 5.2 million tons, down more than 14 percent from a year ago. For the season, the ore trade in U.S. bottoms stands at 18.7 million tons, a decrease of 11.7 percent. The downturn in iron ore cargos is a direct reflection of the continued weakness in domestic steel production. Through June, American steel mills had produced 53 million tons of steel, a decrease of roughly 9 million tons compared to the same point in 2000. The production of one ton of steel requires 1.3 tons of iron ore, 1/2 ton of fluxstone and a quantity of met coal, so each ton of foreign steel that displaces domestic production has a significant impact on U.S.-Flag Great Lakes shipping.

The coal trade registered a slight increase in June - 125,000 tons - but even that increase is misleading. With demand for iron ore sluggish, some vessels were diverted to the coal trade.

Although stone cargos basically held even in June, the season-to-date total of 8,967,186 net tons represents a decrease of 5.7 percent compared to last year. Less demand for fluxstone from steel mills and a less-than-robust construction industry account for the decrease.

A number of U.S.-Flag lakers remain idled because of weak demand. Two mid-sized vessels have never sailed this season and three self-unloaders returned to lay-up status shortly after beginning their season. A pair of tug/barge units have likewise been idled from time to time.

Reported by: Lake Carriers' Association




Mapleglen in the Welland

07/24
The Mapleglen was passing through the Welland Canal Sunday sporting the Canada Steamship Lines paint scheme on its stack and the CSL flag on her bow. The Mapleglen and fleet mate Oakglen were sold to Canada Steamship Lines on July 9.

Mapleglen underway.
Departing Lock 7.
Upbound from Lock 7.
Stern view.
Passing the city of Welland.

Reported by: Jim Winsor




Tug Sold

07/24
The fine old Detroit based tug Birmco, built in Ecorse in 1914 has been sold. Robert Williams and his son Brian have owned the tug for about fifteen years and was often the winner or its class in the annual tugboat race on the Detroit River. Most of her life was spent as a dredge tender for the Dunbar and Sullivan Dredging Company, and sold by them about 1970 to the late Dan Lyons who used her in his dock construction business.

The Birmco will now be based at Monroe Michigan in the marine construction business. The Williams' have replaced the Birmco with the Acushnet, a larger and more powerful tug.

Brian Williams and the crew of the Birmco have removed the famous baseball cap from the pilot house of the Birmco.
Birmco after the Detroit River tugboat race in June.
Acushnet. Mike Nicholls

Reported by: Bill Hoey Sr.




Crew member Evacuated

07/24
The Traverse City Record Eagle newspaper reported that a crewman, Fred Jeffery, with a serious illness was airlifted off the Roger Blough on Thursday. A helicopter from air station Traverse City removed Jeffery from the vessel and transported him to a Traverse City hospital. The Blough was about seven miles off Frankfort when the crewman was transferred.

Reported by: Steve Harold




Thunder Bay Report

07/24
Monday was a hot day in Thunder Bay with the temperature hovering around 90 degrees. Boat traffic in the port remains steady. The groups negotiating the possible sale of Thunder Bay T