Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive

Soo Locks Figures Reflect Shipping Slump

07/31
A slow shipping season is being reported so far this season, according to a story in Wednesday's Sault Ste. Marie Evening News. Tonnage continued to lag well behind 2002 into the last few days of July, according to figures kept by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Contrasted with the same time last year, overall cargo tonnage passed through the locks was down 11 percent.

Locks officials said most of the tonnage decline can be attributed to Canadian and foreign-flag shipping. While U.S.-flag tonnage was running about four percent behind last year at this time, tonnage in Canadian vessels trading into Lake Superior was down 27 percent. Saltwater-vessel tonnage was off 37 percent compared to last season. U.S. tonnage was up by 4 1/2 percent in May, compared to last year, but has slipped since.

The trend shown by locks figures generally agree with the pattern Lakes-wide.

Approximately  31 million tons of cargo moved through the locks so far this shipping season, compared to a 35 million-ton figure accumulated by this time in 2002.

As of Monday, 17 million tons of ore passed downbound through the Locks, compared to eight million tons of western coal. Stone accounted for 1.7 million tons and wheat registered 2.8 million tons. Iron ore tonnage at the locks is down about two million tons from last year. Wheat cargos are down about 800,000 tons.

Reported by: Frank Frisk, Roger LeLievre

Quedoc Moved to Final Resting Place

07/31
Reports from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., indicate the retired bulk carrier Quedoc has been moved into position so scrapping can begin. She now occupies the same berth near Algoma Steel that saw the demise of  her former fleetmate Vandoc last summer and fall. It is not immediately known when the move from the dock face to the adjacent slip was made, or when actual cutting will begin. Quedoc, formerly owned by N.M. Paterson and Sons, was built in 1965 for the Halco interests at Beavercliffe Hall. She last sailed in 1991 and was laid up at Thunder Bay for more than a decade. It has been hoped that current owner Purvis Marine could find work for the handsome vessel, but evidently her age and years of inactivity worked against her.

Quedoc (side view) alongside barge Chief Wawatam
Quedoc (bow view)
Quedoc with Algorail in the foreground, at the Algoma Export dock.

Reported by: Capt. John Chomniak

Cornelius a Repeat Customer in Saginaw

07/31

Adam E. Cornelius returned to the Saginaw River on Wednesday for its second visit within three days. The Cornelius arrived about 9 a.m. and lightered at Bay Aggregates before continuing up to the GM dock in Saginaw to finish unloading. The vessel was outbound from Saginaw at 9 p.m. The tug Rebecca Lynn and her barge passed the front range just before 11 p.m. this evening. They are heading for the Bit-Mat Dock in Bay City.

Reported by: Stephen Hause & Lon Morgan

Marquette Report

07/31
Kaye Barker loaded taconite early at Marquette on Wednesday and left. Michipicoten began a load, but had a delay because of strong thunderstorms that went through the area.  The H. Lee White brought a load of stone to the lower harbor and will move to the ore dock for a load on Thursday.  The McKee Sons cancelled her expected trip to Marquette on Thursday.

Friday should see Michipicoten, Herbert Jackson, and John J.Boland, all in early.

Reported by: Lee Rowe

Alpena, Stoneport Report

07/31
The Sam Laud was in port on Wednesday evening unloading coal at Lafarge. J.A.W Iglehart also arrived around 9:30pm on Wednesday to load cement. The Iglehart has been busy delivering to ports on the lower lakes.

The Jacklyn M barge Integrity is expected at Lafarge early Thursday morning but will likely have to wait in the bay until the Iglehart is finished loading and the Laud departs the coal dock.

The Paul H. Townsend is still tied up at the old dock but is scheduled to leave lay-up on Friday.

The Alpena is on its way back from Green Bay and is due in Thursday evening.

At Stoneport on Wednesday the Buffalo was taking on cargo. The Pere Marquette and McKee Sons are on the list for loading on Thursday.
 

Reported by: Ben & Chandra McClain

Stellanova Heads for Duluth with Heavy Equipment

07/31
The Dutch vessel Stellanova, the final of four ships bringing in gigantic pieces of equipment manufactured in Spain and Italy and destined for Canada, is scheduled to arrive at approximately 8 a.m. Friday in  Duluth.

Lake Superior Warehousing Co., Inc., will assist with offloading the 121 lengthy and weighty pieces at Duluth’s Clure Public Marine Terminal.  Destined for the Syncrude UE-1 oil sands project near Ft. McMurray, Alberta, the equipment includes several pressure cylinders manufactured in Spain and Italy that measure up to 165 feet (50.3 meters) long and weigh as much as 260 metric tons.  Sixteen eight-axle railcars will be supplied by TTX Corp., Chicago, Ill., and Kasgro Rail Corp., Ramsey, Ind., to move the majority of the equipment.

“This is the first time that we have moved pressure vessels of this length via rail to the site,” said Ed Clarke, logistics manager for Syncrude UE-1. “Special railcars are required to handle excessive tail swing caused by the length of the equipment, and the route used for this shipment will differ from the Cass Lake, Minn., conduit used for previous shipments.  This time the cargo will travel through Staples and Detroit Lakes, Minn., then through Fargo and Grand Forks, N.D., through Crookston and then on to Noyes, Minn.,” he said.

Jumbo, a Rotterdam heavy-lift shipping company, arranged for arrival of the equipment via four ships outfitted with deck cranes capable of handling heavy loads.

The first shipment arrived in port Aug. 3, 2002, aboard Jumbo’s vessel Fairload.  It consisted of 10 pressure cylinders manufactured in Spain measuring up to 147 feet (44.8 meters) long and weighing as much as 131 metric tons that required four eight-axle railcars.

The second shipment of equipment (manufactured in Italy) arrived Nov. 8, 2002, aboard the Jumbo Vision.  Transfer of this equipment marked a record-setting rail shipment that included seven 520-ton pieces requiring 14 12-axle railcars, and two 200-ton pieces requiring two eight-axle railcars.  The largest pieces measured approximately 80 feet (24.4 meters) long.

The third shipment of equipment (manufactured in Spain and Italy) arrived April 30, 2003, once again aboard the Fairload.  It included five 95-ton pieces that moved by truck, and 44 more pieces weighing between 20 and 160 tons and ranging in length from 40 to 155 feet (12.2 to 47.2 meters) that moved via the multi-axle railcars.

Reported by: Lisa Marciniak

Detroit River Traffic

07/31
Photos from Wednesday
Algomarine downbound the Detroit River with the Patricia Hoey on the  stern, preparing to turn into the Rouge River.
Algomarine & Patricia Hoey.
Patricia Hoey clearing the entrance buoy to begin pulling the Algomarine into the Rouge River stern first.
Patricia Hoey pushing the Algomarine to the Osborne Dock. The Conrail Bridge is in the background.
Another view .
The Rouge Short Cut Entrance.
Another view
Quebecois downbound at Grassy Island.
Quebecois (stern view)

Photos from Tuesday
Halifax unloading at Blue Circle Cement in the Rouge River, showing the Conrail Bridge and the reflection of the bow.
Halifax (full view)
Halifax under tow
Detroit Fireboat Curtis Randolph inbound the Rouge River approaching the Jefferson  Street Bridge.  They informed Sarnia Traffic they were going for a "power wash," whatever that is.
Randolph (stern View)
Joseph H. Thompson backing through the Jefferson Street Bridge.
Joseph H. Thompson & Jr. loading salt at the Haridon Dock in the Rouge River.
Stern view
Joseph H. Thompson Jr.

Reported by: Mike Nichols

Gordon C. Leitch Pays Owen Sound a Visit

07/31
The Gordon C. Leitch arrived in Owen Sound Wednesday  morning to load grain at Great Lakes Elevators. These noontime shots show the Leitch from the east side of the harbor, docked at Great Lakes Elevators. The vessel is not a usual visitor to Owen Sound.

Bow-on shot
Details of the new loading leg at GLE.

Reported by: David Shearman, Mike Bannon and Wayne Brown

Midwest Energy Terminal, Two Harbors Busy; DMIR Dock Slows Down

07/31
Columbia Star was backing into the Midwest Energy Terminal berth about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. In the Duluth harbor anchorage area, John B. Aird was at anchor waiting for the berth after the Star.

Midwest Energy Terminal is scheduled to be busy for the next several days, but the status of the scheduled Interlake boats may be in question. Paul R. Tregurtha and Oglebay Norton were scheduled for Friday; Canadian Transport and James R. Barker for Saturday and Mesabi Miner for Sunday.

The Two Harbors ore dock is booked pretty solid for the coming week, including rare visits by American Mariner and Reserve scheduled for Aug. 31. After that the schedule is Edgar B. Speer on Aug. 1; Edwin H. Gott and Joe Block on Aug. 2; Presque Isle and St. Clair on Aug. 3; Roger Blough and Cason J. Callaway on Aug. 4; and the Speer again on Aug. 7.

Unfortunately, the DMIR dock in Duluth isn't nearly as busy. Atlantic Erie was there Wednesday; Joe Block is set for Aug. 1, apparently to unload stone; CSL Niagara is due Aug. 5; and Mesabi Miner on Aug. 12.
 

Reported by: Al Miller

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 Rivičres, 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

Interlake Vessels Convene Near DeTour

07/30

Three vessels of the Interlake fleet - Paul R. Tregurtha, Charles M. Beeghly and Lee A. Tregurtha - were anchored off DeTour Village in northern Lake Huron Tuesday, and other units of the fleet were expected to join the assembled vessels sometime today. Interlake, which owns a shoreside retreat near the old DeTour coal dock, often uses these waters  for an annual company meeting, a gathering that has taken on added interest this year due to contract negotiations involving Interlake officers. The pilot boat Linda Jean has been busy running between the ships and shore.

In addition, the saltwater vessels Frida and John G. Lemos were anchored in the vicinity Tuesday waiting for pilots, making the waters off DeTour resemble a small city aglow with lights. Frida has now departed and the Lemos is expected to continue her voyage to the upper lakes shortly.

Paul R. Tregurtha anchored Tuesday
Charles M. Beeghly (left) and Lee A. Tregurtha at anchor

 

Photo by: Ric Mixter

Tuesday Busy in Milwaukee

0730
The Mary E. Hannah with an asphalt barge spent Tuesday unloading in Milwaukee. The second vessel of the day was the Canadian Transfer. They were making her second appearance in Milwaukee Tuesday with a cargo of salt. Just before their early afternoon departure the Jacklyn M and barge Integrity arrived. With the Transfer partially blocking the LaFarge dock, Captain Dave Wellington maneuvered the tug and barge into the dock just south of  the Transfer and waited for them to depart. Meanwhile the Saginaw was entering the breakwall and heading for the Nidera elevator to load grain. Shortly after the Saginaw turned in the mooring basin the Transfer departed, allowing the Jacklyn M to slide into position at their dock. Later in the evening the Agawa Canyon arrived with yet another load of salt.

Photos by Tom Winsor
Canadian Transfer turning
Saginaw passing Canadian Transfer
Integrity waiting to dock
Jacklyn M

Photos by: Andy LaBorde
Three boats in one photo (Integrity (left), Agawa Canyon and Saginaw)
Agawa Canyon up close
Integrity with Agawa Canyon's bow at left
Mary E. Hannah
 

Reported by: Andy Laborde

Joe Block Makes Rare Trip to Manitowoc

07/30
Central Marine Logistics' Joseph L. Block arrived at Manitowoc Tuesday afternoon to unload at the Reiss dock. She loaded the cargo in South Chicago. From Manitowoc, the Block is expected to pick up stone at Port Inland for Duluth, then head to Two Harbors to load taconite for Indiana Harbor.

Reported by: Brian Jaeschke

Terrorism Response Exercise Thursday in Duluth

07/29
The Port of Duluth-Superior’s Readiness Committee and the Minnesota National Guard’s 55^th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (55^th WMD CST) will be participating in a terrorism response exercise July 31, the according to the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.

The training and familiarity exercise will begin at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday at the Port Authority-owned Clure Public Marine Terminal, and will last until 3:30 p.m. that day. Citizens should be aware that the exercise could include National Guard equipment, vehicles and aircraft, as well as personnel in protective suits.  The exercise is designed to enhance cooperation for all state, county and federal agencies involved in responding to a terrorist incident.

 The Port of Duluth-Superior Readiness Committee includes numerous local military and public agencies involved in providing security during a hazardous situation.  Exercise participants will include 55^th WMD CST team members, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, Terminal operator Lake Superior Warehousing Co., Inc., the U.S. Coast Guard and the Great Lakes Towing Company.

The 55^th WMD CST is composed of 22 full-time Active Guard members from the Minnesota Army and Air National Guard.  It supports civil authorities responding to weapons of mass destruction situations by providing rapid assessment and expert technical advice on WMD response operations, and helping to identify and support the arrival of follow-on state and federal military response assets.

Reported by: Lisa Marciniak

News from Nanticoke

07/30
Tuesday was a busy day in Nanticoke. The Gemini loaded diesel oil at Ontario Hydro and departed at about 9:30 p.m. bound for Cleveland, after which the Algoeast took her place at the dock. The Canadian Progress was inbound with coal at 6 p.m., and Edwin H. Gott remained anchored waiting to unload ore at Stelco.

Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Fueling Barge Bound for Montreal

07/30
Group Ocean's tug Advantage was expected to leave Montreal at noon Tuesday bound for Hamilton to pick up the fueling barge Orca, the former Imperial Lachine, which is now owned by Shell Oil in Montreal. She will be used to fuel ships in Montreal and vicinity. Imperial Lachine was built in 1963 at Port Weller Dry Dock St. Catharines, Ont. She was sold last year to the McKeil interests and briefly renamed Josee M.

Reported by: Kent Malo

McKee Sons Loads at Marquette

07/30
McKee Sons made her first visit to Marquette on Monday, and took a long time to get loaded.  She'll return again on Tuesday night, hopefully with a quicker turn-around.  She is also scheduled for a return on Thursday.  Kaye E. Barker and Michipicoten are both expected on Wednesday.

Reported by: Lee Rowe

Toronto Update

07/30
Toronto today: English River came in around noon, but an unusual visitor later in the afternoon was John Spence with the barge McAsphalt 401 into the Turning basin. The salty Milin Kamak continues unloading at Redpath Sugar dock.

The tug Carrol C. I is bringing another mile long length of 5 foot diameter pipe for the deep-water cooling project from Picton to Toronto, and it should arrive during the night.

The schooner Empire Sandy departs Toronto at noon Wednesday for Port Weller, and will do an evening charter from there before proceeding up the Welland Canal on Thursday to participate in Port Colborne's Canal Days.
 

Reported by: Seth Brundle

Sleepy Day on Saginaw River

07/30
The Tug Gregory J. Busch and Barge STC2004 were inbound the Saginaw River during the early afternoon on Tuesday.  They continued upriver to their dock in Carrollton.

Reported by: Todd Shorkey

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.

This "News Page" on this site was "launched" in 1996 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

Coast Guard Festival Continues; Two Other Celebrations Coming Up

07/29
The annual U.S. Coast Guard Festival continues through Sunday in Grand Haven, Mich. Tour the ships of the United States Coast Guard, including the icebreaker Mackinaw, scheduled for decommissioning in 2006, at this annual community festival. Other vessels scheduled public tours are the 140-foot icebreaking tug Biscayne Bay and 100-foot bouy tender Buckthorn.

Due to heightened security concerns, additional safety measures will be in effect this year, according to an article in the Holland Sentinel. Visitors aboard the cutters will not be allowed to bring purses, backpacks, coolers or bags of any type. In addition, there will be no open house this year, and all visitors will be escorted by Coast Guard personnel while aboard a ship. For information on the Coast Guard Festival: (616) 846-5940. www.ghcgfest.org

The Door County Marine Museum in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., is hosting a Classic and Wooden Boat Show Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2 & 3. Dozens of hand-made and restored classic and wooden boats will be on display. Information: www.dcmm.org. (920) 743-5958.

Port Colborne, Ont., on the Welland Canal, is observing its annual Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival Aug. 2-5. Vessels on hand and offering excursions include the tall ship Empire Sandy, the vintage, wood-burning S.S. Pumper (normally based at Niagara-on-the-Lake) and the cruise boat Harbour Princess, in from Port Dalhousie. The U.S. Brig Niagara and an unidentified fireboat are also expected to be in attendance and open for public tours. Information: (905) 835-2901, ext. 112.

Mackinaw at the 2001 Coast Guard Festival
Biscayne Bay dressed for 2001 open house
S.S. Pumper at Niagara-on-the Lake

Reported by: Dean J. Frazer, Wally Wallace and Roger LeLievre

Scan Polaris Loads Argentina-bound Reactor in Erie

07/29
The heavy lift ship Scan Polaris became the first saltie to visit Erie in 2003 on Monday, arriving at about 1 p.m. to pick up heavy equipment at the Mounfort Terminal. Polaris pulled in and docked at the Mounfort Terminal instead of turning around as most vessels do.

The captain of the Polaris, along with the pilot on board, put on an amazing show of the Polaris' manueverability while inbound. At the head of the channel the vessel turned sharply left toward the south pier and straightened out, continuing inbound.

The Polaris is in Erie to pick up a reactor from Oil City, Pa, about 60 miles southeast of Erie. The reactor is destined for Argentina, where it will be
reassembled.

In other port news, the Gretchen B and barge were dredging inside the Coast Guard station on Monday. The barge unloads the material that is dredged off of the bottom at Erie Sand and Gravel, where it is then disposed of.

Polaris turns left toward the South Pier
Between the piers
Stern View
Reactor on the Mounfort Terminal dock Friday

Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Good Day for Shipwatchers at the Soo

07/29
The cruise ship Grande Mariner visited the Soo Monday and locked through to Gros Cap before turning back to the Soo Harbor to tie at the Carbide Dock for the afternoon. Upbound traffic included the Michipicoten, Algolake, Roger Blough, John B. Aird, Atlantic Erie. Downbound  was Canadian Progress Edgar B. Speer, John G. Munson, Stewart J. Cort, Grand Mariner, Oglebay Norton, St Clair. At anchor in the lower river Frida, Lemos, Lee A. Tregurtha and Charles M Beeghly. 
 

Reported by: Jerry Masson

Traffic Monday in Welland Canal

07/29

Algocape downbound at Allanburg

Algocape clear of Bridge 11

Gordon C. Leitch at Port Robinson

Leitch at Mile 13, entering Welland bypass.

Frontenac downbound clearing Lock 7

Nantucket Clipper approaching Homer Bridge

Reported by: Bill Bird

Busy Day Monday in Saginaw

07/29
The Saginaw River was busy with commercial shipping traffic on Monday morning as four freighters made the outbound passage from Saginaw.

Wilfred Sykes was outbound during the night after unloading Sunday evening at the Wirt Stone Dock. Before making the transit out to the Saginaw
Bay, however, the Sykes waited for two inbound vessels, Adam E. Cornelius and Joseph H. Thompson to reach their docks.

The Cornelius unloaded during the night at the GM dock in Saginaw while the Thompson delivered cargo to the Burrough's dock near the I-75 Bridge at Zilwaukee.

Cornelius was outbound from Saginaw late in the morning, followed by the Alpena, which had arrived Sunday at the LaFarge terminal. Once both vessels had passed, the Thompson departed its dock and followed after turning.
 

Reported by: Stephen Hause

Damaged Containership Pulled Free in Europe

07/29
Salvagers have finally succeeded in pulling the containership Pelican I, grounded since July 20 after a collision with the Maersk Bahrain, off the riverbanks in the western Scheldt River near Antwerp, on the border of Belgium and The Netherlands. This successful attempt came after the vessel's cargo of containers was offloaded. First the  floating crane Matador 3 lifted the stern of the ship, then several tugs pulled the Pelican I back to open water. The estimated power of all tugs together was 30,000 h.p. The tow, which is proceeding very slowly and in consideration of low and high tides, is bound for the Dutch port of Flushing. After the collision, which reportedly happened after the vessel experienced a power failure, Pelican I was purposely grounded in order to prevent her from sinking in the busy waterway. Pictures are being posted because of the high degree of interest in this operation shown around the Great Lakes and Seaway.

Tugs attempt to pull Pelican free
Another try
View as cargo is lightered

Maersk Bahrain

Reported by: Chris Rombouts. Photos courtesy: Frans Doomen

Anderson, Halifax in the Rouge

07/29
On Monday afternoon the Arthur M Anderson was unloading at a dock just below the Conrail Bridge.  The Halifax with two tugs had to wait an hour between the Jefferson Street and Short Cut Bridges before passing the Anderson.  The Halifax was bound for the Blue Circle Cement Dock just above the Conrail Bridge.

Arthur M Anderson unloading
Another view.|
Anderson (stern view)
Halifax
Halifax (stern view)
Wyoming assisting the Halifax.

Reported by: Mike Nichols

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

USCG Katmai Bay to Embark on Lower Lakes Tour

07/28
The U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking tug Katmai Bay is scheduled to depart her Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., home base Tuesday for a five-week cruise to lower lakes destinations, according to a story in the Sault Ste. Marie Evening News. Her trip will take her to Buffalo, Chicago, Muskegon and points in between. The 140-footer is scheduled to participate in various homeland security activities while on the lower lakes, according to her new commander, Lt. Eric Hoememmann. Katmai Bay is scheduled to take part in the Buffalo Water Festival Aug. 2-3, then head to Muskegon for the Aug. 8 arrival of several tall ships. She'll also take part in the Chicago Air and Water Show, serving as offshore visual reference for the Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force's elite aerial demonstration team, at Navy Pier Aug. 13-17.

Katmai Bay breaks ice
Underway

After her duties in Chicago, Katmai Bay will conduct patrol work and training exercises before heading north again in early September.

Reported by: B. Barnes

Traffic Flows on Detroit River

07/28
Recent images of vessel traffic on the Detroit River..

Sunday, July 27
Mississagi
Mississagi (stern view)
Roger Blough
Blough and Mississagi

Saturday, July 26
Fred R. White Jr.

Friday, July 25
Columbia Star
Columbia Star (stern view)

Thursday, July 24
John B. Aird
Canadian-flag tall ship Caledonia
Gordon C. Leitch
Leitch (stern view)
Barge Salty Dog
McKeil tug Jerry Newberry, with Salty Dog
Arthur M. Anderson
Anderson (stern view)

Wednesday, July 23
G-tug Ohio on Wednesday, paired with the barge Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Ohio (bow view)
Ohio (stern view)

Tuesday, July 22
Nantucket Clipper under way

Reported by: Mike Nichols

 

Coal Cargos Help Keep Duluth Busy

07/28
Sunday saw a trio of vessels in port at Duluth. St. Clair was loading coal at Midwest Energy, Montrealias was unloading at St. Lawrence Cement, and Ziemia Tarnowska was loading grain at Harvest States. Today's expected arrivals include Kaye E. Barker and Indiana Harbor to load coal, and Presque Isle to take on taconite at DM&IR.

Reported by: Al Miller

Tugs Rule Rouge River Sunday

07/28
Detroit's Rouge River was bustling with tug activity Sunday afternoon. Andrie Inc.'s tug Barbara Andrie and her barge, A-397, were discharging cargo at the Michigan Marine Terminal dock, while Hannah Marine's James A. Hannah and barge Hannah 5101 were unloading at the Trumbull Asphalt dock The Great Lakes Towing Co. tugs Wyoming and Maine were outbound around 5 p.m. after helping the Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin upriver. Finally, Ferriss Marine's tug Magnetic was busy moving barges at the Harridon Terminal dock in preparation for the arrival Tuesday of the Joseph H. Thompson to load a cargo of salt bound for Duluth.

Barge A-397
Karen Andrie
Maine
Wyoming
Wyoming, with James A. Hannah in background
James A. Hannah
Magnetic keeps barge in place while it is made fast

Canadian Transport, downbound in the Detroit River, as seen from Magnetic's wheelhouse

Reported by: Roger LeLievre

 

Green Bay Plays Host to American Republic

07/28
The American Republic visited Green Bay Saturday to deliver coal to Georgia Pacific. She was upbound in the river at 11:30 a.m., unloaded and left  at 9:20 p.m.

American Republic
Another view

Reported by: Steve Giese

 

Welland Canal News

07/28
The St. Catharines Standard reports the recently refurbished HMCS Haida will be moved from Port Weller Drydock around Aug. 15 and placed at the fit-out wall. Opening ceremonies for the World War II veteran turned  museum ship are planned at Hamilton Harbor on Aug.. 30. In other Welland Canal news, the small training vessel Greyfox was in the canal over weekend, heading downbound for Fort Niagara Saturday and back up the canal Sunday. Also expected to arrive in the next day or so is Stellanova. This was the vessel that had the head-on collision with Canadian Prospector last year. Stellanova is bound for Duluth.

Reported by: Jimmy Sprunt

 

Saginaw News

07/28
The steamer Alpena arrived at the LaFarge Cement terminal in Saginaw on Sunday afternoon and is expected to depart on Monday. Wilfred Sykes arrived at the Wirt Stone Dock in Saginaw early Sunday evening after lightering early in the day at Essexville Sand and Stone. Adam E. Cornelius was inbound at the Front Range at about 9 p.m. Sunday on its way to the GM dock in Saginaw.

This is the second visit by both the Sykes and the Cornelius to Saginaw  within three days.

Reported by: Lon Morgan and Stephen Hause

Lee A. Tregurtha on Rouge River

07/28
Photos, taken last Friday, show  Lee A. Tregurtha passing through the Zug Island Connecting Railroad Bridge on the River Rouge Shortcut Canal and heading out into the Detroit River.

Lee A. Tregurtha
Bow passing
Stern shot, entering the Detroit River

Reported by: Don Hilliker

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.

In 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

Traffic Continues Unabated in the Welland Canal

07/27
Saturday was another busy day in the Welland Canal, with numerous vessels in the system heading in both directions. A new visitor to the waterway was the five-month-old Frida upbound for Sault Ste Marie from Veracruz, Mexico. Below are various images of Saturday’s action.

Malyovitza downbound at the Homer Dock bound for Italy.
Newcomer Aramis departing Lock 4 East.
John G. Lemos also bound for Sault Ste. Marie. She is the former Tropic Confidence, Centa Dan & Cinchona.
John D. Leitch departing Lock 7.
Clear of the lock chamber.
One up…one down.
Frida approaching Lock 7.
Overhead view of the covered forecastle.
Entering the lock chamber.
In a little further.
One of two cranes that can lift 80 tons each!
Accomodation.
Almost in position.
Approaching Bridge 11.
Meeting the Sea Eagle II above Port Robinson.
Heading for Bowmanville for another load of cement.
On the long level headed for Lock 8.

MEMORIES – 1977 M/V ONTADOC: (Clockwise from top left) 1, Discharging sulphur for the local paper plant in Botwood Newfoundland. 2, Fleetmate Lawrendoc laid-up at Cardinal, Ontario as seen from the Monkey’s Island of the Ontadoc. 3, Loaded with Gypsum from Little Narrows, Cape Breton Island and steaming towards Hamilton on a calm afternoon. 4, Eastbound on a choppy Lake Erie. 

Reported by: Capt. Alain M. Gindroz

Soo Locks Activity

07/27
Here are some recent images from the Soo Locks area, taken by John Chomniak, captain of the Lock Tours Canada flagship Chief Shingwauk.

Algocape waiting to enter Poe Lock
Algocen downbound for the Mac
Algocen under the Wisconsin Central and International bridges
Algosoo upbound below the locks
Algowood below the bridges
Frontenac at the Rock Pile in Soo Harbor
Gordon C. Leitch as the Mac Lock gates swing open
Leitch upbound at Mission Point
Halifax loading slag at the Algoma Export dock
Herbert C. Jackson, downbound out of the locks
Jackson, stern view
Jackson, upbound for another load
H. Lee White in Soo Harbor
Isadora
Isadora, stern view
John J. Boland above the locks
Boland, stern view
Lee A. Tregurtha unloading at Algoma Steel
Tregururtha, bow view
Mesabi Miner
Michipicoten backing in to Algoma Steel
Roger Blough downbound
Close-up of Blough's unloading boom
Saginaw unloads coal at Algoma
Stewart J. Cort in the locks area
Saltie Tecam Sea gets an assist from tug Missouri
New USCG Fir pays a visit July 15
Yancanuck loading steel coils
Ziemia Tarnowska bow view
Ziemia Tarnowska upbound
Edgar B. Speer downbound
CSL Laurentien upbound below the locks
Chief Shingwauk departs the historic Canadian lock

Reported by: John Chomniak

Fred R. White at Green Bay

07/27
Fred R. White Jr. came to Green Bay on the Wednesday the 23rd to deliver coal to Georgia Pacific.  By 7 p.m. the vessel had made it up the river and executed the very sharp turn into the slip.  Before the mooring cables were even tightened, the unloading boom was swung over the side.

Lewis G. Harriman is still being used as a storage hull, and is not being kept up very well. S.T. Crapo is also tied up in Green Bay and is used for storage.  It, however, has been wonderfully maintained (if the exterior is any indication of its condition).

Green Bay is also home to a couple of abandoned tugs.  Both of them have been burned by vandals in years past so there is not much left.  Since the lake level is down, they can be seen more easily.

Fred R. White, wide view
Using the bowthruster
Aft cabins

Reported by: Steve Giese

Thunder Bay Activity

07/27
On Saturday, Federal Yoshino shifted to Sask. Pool 7A. Quebecois arrived and tied up Agricore United "A," later shifting to Richardson's Elevator
Tug W. N. Twolan with the barge McAlllister 132 arrived and berthed at  Northern Wood Products.

Detroit River Traffic Saturday

07/27
Philip R Clarke downbound at Grassy Island.
Clarke (stern view)
U.S.C.G.C. Fir downbound at Grassy Island
Fir (stern view)

Reported by: Mike Nichols

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.

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

S.S. City of Milwaukee Museum Ship Gets $1.3 Million Loan

07/26
The retired Lake Michigan train and passenger ferry City of Milwaukee, moored at Manistee, Mich., has received the funding that will eventually allow the historic steamer to be moved to a permanent location.

On Wednesday, the S.S. City of Milwaukee – National Historic Landmark Corporation received a $1.3 million U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Loan. Funds are immediately being allocated for the continuing care of the City of Milwaukee, development of a maritime museum and acquisition of 1,100 feet of waterfront property, including the Moonlite Motel and Marina on Manistee Lake.

Richard Taber, Marketing Director with the 600-member non-profit corporation, said the site for the vessel will "provide for development of a significant heritage and tourism resource… We will also begin to realize our place as a significant Great Lakes attraction and powerful cultural and economic resource for northwest Michigan."

The new site is located on Manistee Lake just north of historic downtown Manistee, on U.S. 31, the major highway through the “Victorian Port City.” Initial visitation is projected at 30,000 and should rise to nearly 100,000 as improvements are made. The new site at present boasts 46 marina slips and 22 RV spots in addition to a 25-room motel.

Site development will include dredging, sheet piling and mooring bollards for securing the boat. An original 170-ton railroad ferry-loading apron will also be incorporated into the site. The apron will improve access to the ship, provide a historically authentic setting and help illustrate how a railroad connection to the ship was made.

The existing Moonlite Marina will be redesigned around the ship, creating a total of 56 slips up to 50 feet in length, providing accommodating dockage for seasonal and transient boaters. Recreational boaters traveling the Great Lakes can enjoy the new opportunity of mooring alongside the historic vessel and enjoying its shipboard amenities.  Other historic watercraft and attraction vessels will be invited to exhibit at the marina, creating a significant waterfront visitor attraction. The motel, with its courtyard and picnic beach front, will provide improved year-round lodging that is handicap accessible, all of which will compliment lodging facilities aboard the ship.

The City of Milwaukee represents the unique and colorful history of railroads and steamships, the people who served them and the communities they linked. The vessel, launched in 1931, is the last unaltered traditional Great Lakes ferry remaining to give tribute to this remarkable history. The ship is open for public tours Wed. – Sun 12-5 p.m.

This summer the ship will undergo further restoration and be re-painted in its original 1931 colors to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Grand Trunk Railroad Lake Michigan ferries. Site work will begin at the Moonlite Motel as soon as permits are secured. The project is anticipated to provide many quality jobs for the Manistee area. The ship (at its existing Ninth St. Location) and marina & motel (at 111 Arthur St.) will remain open during the transition. The S.S. City of Milwaukee – National Historic Landmark is a federal 501-C3 non-profit membership corporation. Donations to the organization are tax deductible. Information can be gained by phoning 231-398-0328, or visiting www.carferry.com

Sign proclaims vessel’s status
Photo of the City of Milwaukee on her maiden voyage
View from air of vessel’s new home
Artist's conception

Reported by: Richard Taber

Erie Visit a First for Calumet

07/26
Lower Lakes Towing's veteran Calumet made its first-ever visit to Erie, Pa., this week. The vessel arrived at 11 p.m. Thursday to unload stone, and it backed into the Old Ore Dock. The Calumet loaded at Marblehead, and this is believed to be the cargo that was scheduled to go to Cleveland. She departed at 7 a.m. on a beautiful Friday morning.

After sunrise.
Boom is swung in.
Outbound.
Another view
Close up of bow
Stern view
J.S. St. John. The crane took a scoop of water and rinsed off the St. John's deck.

Reported by: Jeff Thoreson

Sykes Among Saginaw River Passages

07/26
The Tug Rebecca Lynn and her barge departed the Bit-Mat Dock in Bay City Friday morning after unloading there overnight.  She was followed by the Tug James A. Hannah, which unloaded at the Triple Clean Dock in Essexville.  

The Wilfred Sykes was inbound Friday night, lightering at the Essexville Sand and Stone Dock before continuing upriver around 10 p.m. for the Saginaw Wirt Dock to finish.  The Sykes is expected to be outbound by Saturday afternoon.

Following behind the Sykes was the Adam E. Cornelius.  The Cornelius was passing the Front Range around 8:15 p.m.  Her security call indicated she was headed upriver to unload at the Buena Vista Dock.  The Adam E. Cornelius is expected to be outbound by Saturday afternoon.

Cornelius inbound
Cornelius (stern view)
Wilfred Sykes passing Consumer's Energy
Sykes (stern view)

Reported by: Todd Shorkey

Adimon in Marinette

07/26
Early Friday morning the Greek saltie Adimon picked up anchor off Menominee to proceed to Marinette Fuel & Dock to unload a cargo of pig iron. The Adimon was assisted by the Selvick tugs Jacquelyn Nicole, and Carla Anne Selvick. The original plan was for the Adimon to be brought in stern first. When the tow was nearly abeam of the Donner, the plan was changed to bow first. The tugs took the Adimon back out beyond the bouys and turned her around to comply with the new orders. It was about 5:30 a.m. when the tow first began. It was nearly 9:30 a.m. by the time she was safely tied up alongside the William H Donner.

Close up of name. Note the old name Hercegovonia
Docked along the Donner unloading
Another view
Stern view
Close up of stern
Stern view from across the river

Reported by: Dick Lund & Scott Best

Marquette Hosts H. Lee White, Michipicoten

07/26
The H. Lee White brought a load of stone to the Shiras Steam Plant dock on Friday, then moved to the upper harbor to join Michipicoten and take on a load of ore on a sometimes stormy evening. Kaye E. Barker and Lee A. Tregurtha will be in on Saturday to load.  The "Art on the Rocks" art show, at Presque Isle on Saturday, should bring some pedestrian traffic to the area.

The H. Lee White finishing unloading stone at the lower harbor.
H. Lee White ready to load ore.
Michipicoten bow, waiting to load.  Notice the list.
Michipicoten loading after a storm had passed

Reported by: Lee Rowe

Flurry of Traffic at Welland Canal

07/26
On Thursday the Welland Canal was busy and almost reminiscent of years gone by with a strong showing of varied traffic.  The following vessels transited or were secured in the Canal: Arizona Dream, English River, Aramis, Isadora, Ziemia Cieszynska, CSL Niagara, James Norris, Algoeast, Algosar, Pineglen, Algocen, CSL Tadoussac, Tugs Vigilant I with Seahound and barge, Yankcanuck discharging gypsum at Port Colborne, Olympic Miracle at Wharf 6 in Thorold, and finally the Port Weller Drydocks were kept busy with the CCGS Griffon, HMCS Halifax and HMCS Haida. Below are various images taken Wednesday and Thursday.

Stolt Aspiration approaching Bridge 11 in fog.
Coming out of the fog above Bridge 10.
James Norris upbound in ballast below Lock 1.
Norris' Classic looking stern.
Norris stern view taken from the Port Weller Pilot Boat.
Algosar inbound at CIP 15 (Port Weller).
Secured on the approach wall below Lock 1 allowing fleetmate Algoeast to pass by.
Algoeast passing by slowly.
Raising in Lock 1.
Preparing to cast off from Lock 5.
Lock gates opening.
Another downpour but at least it’s still partly sunny at the same time!
Waiting for the Pineglen to clear Lock 7.
Double rainbow.
Pineglen and rainbow.
Pineglen entering Lock 6 East of the flight locks.

MEMORIES – 1980: Menihek Lake loading wheat in Thunder Bay for Baie Comeau.  Paterson can be seen warping on the corner manouevering into Pool 1. Sadly, both vessels have long since left the Great Lakes shipping scene. The relatively young 1959 built Menihek Lake was towed overseas in August of 1985 for scrapping in Spain. In 1984/85 Paterson met her fate with the cutters in her own  homeport of Thunder Bay, ironically where she had been built only 31 years earlier. Two fine vessels that left us far too early.

Reported by: Capt. Alain Gindroz

Canadian Transfer a Rare Milwaukee Visitor

07/26
Canadian Transfer paid a rare visit to Milwaukee July 23. The vessel arrived just before noon with a cargo of salt.

Great Lakes Towing tugs received a fresh coat of paint this summer. Not to be outdone, the Port of Milwaukee's work boat, the Harbor Seagull, is also sporting a fresh paint job.

The Gillen Company began dredging the inner mooring basin this week to a depth of 28 feet. Prior to dredging they reinforced the sheet piling dock wall.

Canadian Transfer enters the inner mooring basin
Harbor Seagull's new paint job
Dredging the harbor.
No guessing where this picture was taken

Reported by: Andy LaBorde

Salt load brings Mississagi to Parry Sound

07/26
Mississagi paid a visit to Parry Sound, Ont., on Wednesday to unload a cargo of salt.

Mississagi unloading.
Another view, with tour boat Chippewa astern. (Apparently the funnel in Mississagi is not used. Exhaust comes from the pipe stack just aft of the funnel).
Mississagi clears narrows at Parry Sound.
Mississagi increases speed.

Reported by: Paul Beesley

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