10-10 Charlie says the AEC is on her way to Buffalo, prob. show on Sunday, late.
10-10 The Luedtke #16 dredge rig was working in the Buffalo River off the Lake
& Rail Elevator this morning. The tug Kurt Luedtke was shuffling the scows
between the dredge site and the pump out barge on the Outer Harbor. The
discharge crew was reporting some trouble clearing out the scows due to heavy
wooden debris that was slowing down the process at 8:30AM.
10-1 The Adam E Cornelius was Eastbound on the lake through Long Point for
General Mills in Buffalo at 10:13 PM on the night of October 1st. She'll be
docked & unloading by the morning of the 2nd.
10-1 Charlie says the Adam E Cornelius should be here with grain for General
Mills any time now and the American Mariner is also coming with stone for
Lackawanna.
9-30 The Army Corp. tug Cheraw took the derrick boat McCauly up the Buffalo
River to the foot of Smith St. for some quick dredge work on the 29th. They
removed a small amount of debris to allow the police department to retrieve
some abandoned vehicles from the bottom. As far as I know it was the first
time that this particular pair have been up the river and it was also the
first time that the CSX River Bridge was lifted for vessel traffic in a few
months.
Luedtke's dredge equipment showed up last night at the Cargil Pool Elevator
Pier on the Outer Harbor.
9-28 After such a busy day, my mind is boggling with all the info I got while down there. The Captain on the Jackson mentioned 2 more trips with grain but he wasn't sure when. The Captain on the English River said they have a few more trips, but scheduling for the boat was worked out yet and that they were very busy.
Charlie says the Cornelius is also on the way down here with grain. The "Fall Rush" is on, no doubt about it.
Canada Steamship’s HALIFAX was loading coal at the Gateway Metroport Terminal
in Lackawanna on the morning of the 28th.
LaFarge’s ENGLISH RIVER arrived off Buffalo around 9 AM on the 28th and went
to anchor near the Traffic Buoy. The Captain had made an arrangement with the
Captain on the HERBERT C JACKSON to wait until the grain boat departed so they
would have a little bit of an easier time getting through the turn at Ohio St.
The tug WASHINGTON took the JACKSON downriver to the North Entrance at 1PM.
She then helped the JACKSON turn around as the ENGLISH RIVER made her way into
the North Entrance. The two vessels made contact by radio and decided to
pass “on the one whistle”. Once inside the breakwall, the ENGLISH RIVER turned
to Starboard and stuck her nose just inside the Outer Harbor where the
WASHINGTON was waiting. The tug took up the tow line from the cement carrier’s
stern and brought her up the river to the LaFarge dock. While all this action
was happening at the North end of the harbor, there was plenty going on at the
South Entrance. The HALIFAX departed around the time that the ENGLISH RIVER
was inbound for Buffalo at 2PM. As soon as she was clear, the CSL LAURENTIAN
came in with more coal for Gateway. All in all it was a busy day for vessel
passage and I can’t remember the last time that there were three Canadian
commercial ships here at the same time. While down there watching it happen, I
had the idea that this must have been what it was like back in the olden days
and I was really glad to be part of it. Awesome.
9-27 10:AM Paul states that the weather at the harbor is pretty clear so the
English River may be waiting for the Jackson to depart. I don't really know
why since I've seen bigger boats pass the LaFarge dock when the English River
was there but who knows, maybe there's some other reason. It's foggy, misty,
and raining here at home, so I'll take a ride down there later and check it out.
9-28 The English River arrived off Buffalo at 9:30AM and went to anchor near
the Fairway/Traffic Buoy. I don't know exactly why, but it might be related to
the presence of the Herbert C Jackson up the crick, or the fog and misty rain
around the waterfront. He may be waiting for the Jackson to come out this
afternoon so as not to pose a problem to their tow, or for the weather to
improve, or maybe both.
9-27 Paul spotted the Jackson headed up the crick to the Standard Elev. this
afternoon. She'll prob. go out around 3-4 PM on Sunday.
I spotted the Paul Martin backed into the Lackawanna Slip at 8AM this morning.
I took a ride past the Buffalo River and had to laugh when the instinct hit
me to look for my old sight lines to try and spot a boat at the Lake & Rail
Elevator now that it's open for business again. Over the years I have learned
that scanning a quick look around the harbor for ship traffic while driving by
at 55 MPH and dodging traffic is an acquired skill set that many people don't
possess. I haven't had to glance towards the Lake & Rail for about 10 years or
so and I didn't realize how much the tress had grown in all over the city,
limiting the view from the 190 or Rt. 5. Even though there was nothing there
today, in my mind's eye, I could easily see the old Kinsman Independent or
Enterprise up there with both unloading legs in her, glistening in the warm
summer sun, it all seems like yesterday. Those old girls were fun to watch,
but they're gone now, so now I'm eagerly anticipating something different to see.
9-24 Charlie's reports:
Update on boats coming to buffalo:
Thunder Bay Canada
Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin Departed the 23rd with 30,020MT of Coal for Buffalo
Duluth/Superior Schedule
Herbert C. Jackson was to load 23rd at CHS after morning showers
Adam E. Cornelius is due to load 28th Sunday at General Mills [Wheat ] due about 0200hrs
that is all I can find
-charlie
Here's an article from the snews on the Lake & Rail
http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/445959.html
9-22 The Fortitude arrived this morning with the first ever cargo of wheat
delivered by self-unloader for the recently re-opened Lake & Rail Elevator on
the Buffalo River. She is now the largest ship to ever go up past the turn at
Hamburg & South St. and this was also the first cargo for Lake & Rail in
roughly 10 years or so.
I got down there in the early afternoon and got a few half-ass, backlit
shots, but this was the best I could do considering the time of day and the
lack of access to private property. There was a heavy guard presence at the
gate so getting inside the plant for the better light was off limits. She is
due to depart tonight, sometime before mid-night.
9-21 I got this in from Paul,
At 5:55pm the Rebecca Lynn went through the N Entrance pushing her
barge A 410. Her course cut off going near the traffic buoy as she
veered to the west very quickly. Looks like she didn't go to the pull
mode.
9-21 Thanks to Charlie's tip off, I was finally able to get a close up look at
the Rebecca Lynn and her barge A-410 today. At 10AM the barge was still
drawing 10 feet at the stern, but riding much higher at the bow. I'd say from
that time on she probably had another 1/2 of a
day of pumping to get fully unloaded, but that's a guess.
9-21 American Fortitude is on her way down from Owen Sound, I don't know if
they're stopping for fuel or anything, but if it's a straight run here, figure
11AM - 12 Noon arrival Monday and supposedly, the Lake & Rail dock.
9-21 I got this in from Charley today:
On my way down the Niagara section by the old Black rock toll the Rebbecca
Lynn with a loaded barge
was heading down to the locks at about 9-10 am on the 20th.
9-18 The Cornelius departed stern first at around 8PM.
9-18 Here's sighting report from Dan:
The Adam E Cornelius as of 1130am Thursday the 18th was still unloading. The
boom was still attached to the elevator. The crew was "swabbing" the deck as I passed by.
The Army Corp of Engineers tug Cheraw and her barge B0-2979 that I reported on
the 14th as being tied up in Black Rock was out working on the breakwall
towards the southern entrance. They were stacking new stone blocks. The second
barge had a large load of stone. I passed them about 1115am on the 18th.
Dan
9-17 I got a couple of sighting reports today. The Adam E Cornelius arrived for
the General Mills Frontier Elevator around 7AM this morning. The American
Fortitude was towed out of the river at 3:50 AM this morning.
9-16 The American Fortitude arrived with her first ever cargo of wheat for the
ADM Standard Elevator at 9AM this morning.
The Fortitude may go back to Owen Sound again and load for the Lake & Rail on
the next trip, but I'm not sure yet. Also: There was no sign of the Cornelius
today, she had loaded grain a few days ago and may be on the way here.
PS: My personal thanks go out to the guards that the ADM Standard for giving me
stress about taking photos while NOT standing on their property for the second
time now.
9-12 Anyone want to buy an overpriced grain elevator?
http://www.buffalonews.com/businesstoday/localbusiness/story/437238.html
9-12 The boat coming for the Lake & Rail may be the American Fortitude out of
Owen Sound, but I'm not sure yet.
I got this report in today:
Brian,
At approximately 2:15 this afternoon, Lower Lakes Transportation Co's Maumee
chugged on into the inner harbor and up the Buffalo River. -Ken
9-10 No, I'm not asleep, just busy, anyway, I've been able to piece together
the following information from about 20,000 different reports I've been
getting over the past few days but unable to report on up 'till now.
The Rebecca Lynn-A-410 tug-barge was at Noco in Tonawanda on the morning of
the 10th.
The USCGC Alder arrived around 9PM on the 8th for the Visiting Ship's Dock.
She apparently hit something under water on her way in that required repair
and she did not depart until the evening of the 9th. The ship left the dock
and moved into the Inner Harbor Turning Basin, spun around, and departed at
about 6PM. She then passed the inbound EDWARD M COTTER near the Entrance
Channel. She is one of the few ships to still use the turning basin to wind.
The Adam E Cornelius was seen unloading at the General Mills Frontier
Elevator on the 8th. She departed at 6PM on the 9th.
The English River was seen unloading at LaFarge on the 8th. She left some
time that evening.
Thanks to everyone for the excellent reports, I missed the whole thing.
9-15 9PM The mystery Coast Guard Cutter off the North Entrance this afternoon
turned out to be the Samuel Risley. She was sitting on the hook until about
6PM when they pulled up anchor and headed to Port Colburne. On their way out
from Buffalo they passed the inbound Rebecca Lynn towing her barge A-410 for
the North Entrance. The Lynn came inside the Outer Harbor and then switched
out of pulling gear and went into the notch. She then headed down the Black
Rock Canal around 7PM bound for the lock and on to the Marathon Asphalt
Terminal. The captain told the Ferry St. Bridge operator that he would be
coming out either late on the morning of the 6th or possibly in the early
afternoon depending on the weather.
9-5 I spotted the Army Corps tug Cheraw and her derrick barge McCauly tied up
at the Buffalo Port Terminal "A" dock this morning. She also had a scow
nearby, tied up to the old Freezer Queen pier and loaded with a bunch of
driftwood.
There was also a Canadian Coast Guard Cutter sitting in the middle of the
North Entrance Channel pointed out towards the lake, no idea what he was up
to, looked weird to see him out there with no ice around.
The Rebecca Lynn and her barge were on theor way on the South Shore Course
for Buffalo at 2PM.
I found a great web site that shows the new JAK Coupler system being
installed on the tug Karen Andrie at Erie PA, and also a new barge being built
for her in Indiana. The photos are fantastic!
http://www.andrie.com/equipment/index.html
It would seem that the new barge is being built for the Asphalt trade and
should be able to fit into the Black rock Canal. She's got a hundred feet on
the A-397 that the Karen is pushing now, Awesome.
I forgot to mention that the Andrie was headed to Toledo with her barge. I
didn't catch the whole name of the dock but it was the "Something" - Oil Dock.
9-1 Dan spotted the Karen Andrie-A-397 unloading at the Noco Oil Product
Terminal in Tonawanda on the evening of August 31st.
I got down there just in time this morning to see them heading out for the
lake around 10AM. The water was perfect calm and the tug stayed in the notch
right out of the Harbor and up the lake. I also noticed a new articulation
system has been installed in the tug. I have no idea what it's for since their
barges don't seem to have one yet.
I got a chance at redemption for yesterday's blunder with loosing the camera
and missing out on all the Samuel D Champlain pics that went with it. Like
they say, always better to get right back on the horse and try again, so we
went out today and got to see the Andrie.
I would also like to thank the captain on the Samuel D Champlain-Innovation
for blowing 3 quick toots on the whistle for Jr. yesterday, he loved that !
8-31 I got this in from Paul today:
At 1 pm La Farge's Innovation, powered by the Samuel de Champlain
backed herself out of the Creek, did a 270 degree pivot and headed out
the North Entrance. It seems so much easier to swing the bow to
starboard to line up with the N.E. and there is enough room and depth
to do it.
-BW
PS: Jr. took some kick ass shots of it from the DL&W Terminal but,
unfortunately, we accidentally left his digital camera on the dock along the
Union Ship Canal later in the afternoon while fishing and someone must have
come by and picked it up because by the time I got back there to look for it,
it was gone. There's fisherman out there somewhere with about 25 great shots
of the Champ and I bet he's pressing the delete button right now................
8-29 More info just arrived:
The English River is at LaFarge this morning, she appears to be partially
unloaded at this point.
Charles D. Halvorsen
8-28 Got this report in today:
Just noticed a boat (red hull) at gateway. Can't read the name.
-Charles D. Halvorsen
Story on the South Side Lighthouse:
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/423446.html
8-25 I forgot to mention the Jackson departed for Toledo at 10PM on the night
of the 24th.
8-25 I got this in today:
Brian, I saw the tug Karen A. Andrie and her barge A-387 heading southbound
out of the Black Rock Canal and out onto the Lake at approximately 9:30 this
morning, Aug. 25th.
9-24 I got these reports in this afternoon:
At 3:30 pm the Karen Andrie is pushing her barge A-397 thru the North
Entrance heading for the Black Rock Canal.
The Grande Mariner just came in the North Entrance and is docked at the Erie
Basin. I was sailing in and had to change my course due to his course and
fast speed. -Paul
8-23 The Herbert C Jackson should be here overnight or by tomorrow morning for
the ADM Standard Elevator.
08-20 Everybody and their brother (except for me) spotted the American
Fortitude at General Mills and the H. Lee. White at the Gateway Metroport
today. Thanks to everyone for the excellent reports.
I posted some nice shots of Edward L Ryerson from the ditch yesterday:
http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newsthumbs/newsthumbs_681.htm
8-16 The large private yacht ITASCA was tied up at the Visiting Ship’s Dock
near the Erie Basin on the morning of the 16th having just arrived from the
Port Dalhousie anchorage. At first glance she looks to be a similar size and
shape to an off shore supply vessel or a large fishing boat.
The Outer Harbor Greenway Trail opened to the public for the first time
during mid-August. The bike and walking path starts near the seaway Piers and
ends at the Port Terminal as it meanders along the waterfront. The property
required a year long clean up of waste and debris to complete the
transformation from an industrial brownfield to a useable space.
8-14 I noticed a derrick barge tied up at the Army Corps of Engineer's disposal
pond in Lackawanna on the afternoon of the 13th. I'm guessing that Leutdke is
starting to bring in their dredge equipment and they may be starting to work
in the river soon.
The Lake & Rail Elevator construction work seems to be continuing with the
recent addition of dust abatement equipment along the dock.
The new Summer '08 issue of Western New York Heritage magazine has a few nice
air photos showing rare pics of the Erie Canal in Tonawanda and the Buffalo
River with lots of boats, industry & lift bridges.
8-10 The English River departed around 3PM.
8-9 The English River arrived at 10PM on the 9th and was towed up the crick
stern first for LaFarge Cement, breaking a two week Summer Slump.
The link below is regarding a barge wreck on the Niagara River wayyyyy back in 1918.
Lots of people have asked me about this over the years, and finally there's a
on-line story to answer the questions of how it came to be.
http://www.buffalonews.com/102/story/409736.html
8-9 The Summer Slump appears to be on as I have not heard a boat on the radio
in 2 weeks around here........
7-29 The Barbara Andrie-A-390 tug-barge made a rare appearance in Tonawanda
around 8PM yesterday the 28th. The G-tug Washington was down at the Noco Pier
waiting to pic her up for a tow to the Black Rock Lock at 7PM this evening.
7-26 The Rebecca Lynn came through the N Entrance around 5pm on the 24th
heading towards the Black Rock Canal. She departed at 8:25am on the 26th
pushing her barge. -Paul
Charles H spotted the Adam E Cornelius unloading stone at the Gateway
Metroport on the afternoon of the 26th.
7-18 English River is at Lafarge this morning. -Charles H.
Last night around 11:30 I noticed what turned out to be the English
River slowly heading toward the Buffalo River. I determined that it
mwas backing in, but not easily due to darkness and the trees that were
in the way. I eventually was able to spot one of the tugs pulling her
but only after I saw, for only the first time in my 7 summers on the
Basin, the ship come to a complete stop and reverse her way back out!!
Obviously she determined that her course was off line. I could notice
the angle change taking place and then she was pulled in. -Paul
7-15 The Grande Mariner is back on the inside wall of the basin.
7-14 I got these reports today:
The Karen Andrie /A397 departed the North Entrance at 7am. She is still
in the push mode out in the lake. -Paul
Brian, I spotted a blue tug and barge combo at Noco today. From a distance
it looked like the Karen Andrie,but i could not be possitive. -Dave R
7-13 Paul says the American Fortitude left around 11:30PM on the 12th.
For some reason that didn't work, try this:
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/390375.html
7-13 The Fortitude was still unloading and down by the stern at 8PM on the
night of the 12th.
There's a change of command coming up for the Coast Guard Base:
http://buffalo.planetdiscover.com/sp?keywords=change+of+command&aff=
7-12 I heard the American Fortitude give a security call at about 20:30 on the
11th, inbound Buffalo, up the creek to unload at General Mills.
I could see her unloading boom from the 190 as I drove past at about
23:00. -Andy
Last evening around 6:30 I was crossing the Peace Bridge and looking
to the north and saw what looked like a big orange whale in the Niagara
River. -Paul
(Sounds like the William J Moore-McCleary's Spirit on her way out.) -BW
Just some further thoughts on the tug-barge to Noco today:
The Canadian tug-barge combination WILLIAM J MOORE - McCLEARY’s SPIRIT was
on her way down the Black Rock Canal to the Noco Product Terminal at 9:30AM.
The angular lines and bright orange paint job of the two vessels make them
really noticeable, even from a distance. The pair make a combo that is roughly
400 feet long giving them the status of being the largest seen in the Black
Rock Canal-Tonawanda Channel since the Huntley Plant stopped getting coal by
laker a few years ago. As far as I know they were the first Canadian
commercial traffic to Tonawanda in a long time. I believe this was also the
first time that a tug-barge with the Bludworth Articulation System was in the
Niagara River. -BW
-10 I got these reports in today, as far as I know it's the first time for the
Moore-Spirit tug barge.
Brian,
At ~9:30 a.m. this morning, the K-Sea Canada Corp's barge McCleary's Spirit
entered the inner harbor. She was being pushed along by her escort tug,
William J. Moore.
The tug & barged passed us by at the Erie Basin Marina and continued down the canal.
http://www.wellandcanal.ca/shiparc/tugbarge/moorespirit/spirit.htm
Have a good day,
-Ken
Brian, At 3:30 this afternoon i saw the tug William j Moore and barge
McClearys Spirit at NOCO. -Matt
A boat (red hull) is unloading stone at Gateway. It came in late this morning.
-Charles
7-9 Today's Buffalo News had a small article about the dredging of the Buffalo
River. It states that Luedtke Engineering got the contract for $742,000 and
that they are supposed to start in mid-August.
7-8 The Karen Andrie was Eastbound on the lake for Buffalo and passing Long
Point at 11:30PM on the night of the 8th.
I forgot to mention the Alpena was headed out of Buffalo on the 7th for Bath,
Ontario, to load again for Cleveland.
7-7 My sources report the Alpena arriving at 9:30AM this morning for the
LaFarge dock. I was able to hustle down there and catch her departing tonight
between 6 & 7PM. The captain told the tug Washington's captain that the only
reason they were here on this rare trip was because of engine trouble on the
tug-barge Samuel D Champlain-Innovation.
Correction: The English River arrived around 7PM on the evening of July 5th.
She departed at 5PM on the 6th.
7-6 Ken from Detroit states the Alpena is on her way to the Buff. By my
calculations she should arrived here sometime around 7 to 8 AM on the morning
of the 7th. A rare trip indeed, and she never hangs out for long. Probably
going to discharge a partial load of mortar and get out of town quickie
style. -BW
7-6 I pieced this together from about 10 different boat siting reports for my
sources and myself:
The English River arrived around 7PM on the evening of July 6th. She departed
at 5PM on the 7th.
The Maumee arrived for the Sand Supply Landing at 2:30 PM on the 5th. She
departed at 6:15 AM on the 6th.
The Karen Andrie - A-397 tug-barge arrived at 3PM on the 4th. She was
upbound in the Tonawanda Channel at 5PM on the 5th and clear of the harbor by 7PM.
7-5 The Maumee was due with sand for the City Ship Canal this morning.
7-3 The John J Boland just gave a security call for the Gateway Metroport. He's
heading past the Traffic Buoy at 6:05 PM and should be here within the hour.
7-2 The Buffalo News reported a (somewhat) funny story today. It told the tale
of a wannabe stunt driver. In a scene right out of the movie “The Blues
Brothers” a St. Catharine’s, Ont. driver named Phil Boucher decided to try and
jump the Homer Lift Bridge over the Welland Canal on July 1st. After crashing
through the warning gates and accelerating up the Eastbound side of the bridge
he made it about half way across the lift span while it was being raised for a
passing ship. At that point he must have lost his nerve and backed off the
pedal because his car then came to a stop as he bailed out onto the bridge.
The vehicle then rolled backwards and fell off the bottom end of the span into
the canal below. Mr. Boucher was then charged with dangerous operation of a
motor vehicle after the police found him to be uncooperative. Shipping traffic
was then tied up for hours due to the accident. Best to leave the stunt
driving to Jake and Elwood next time. -BW
7-1 Charley & Paul both said they saw the Halifax & the Capt. Henry Jackson
tied up in the Lackawanna Ship Canal this morning. Paul spotted the C.H.J.
departing Westbound on the lake around 11:00AM. When I drove by at 8PM the
Halifax was still there, taking on coal.
6-30 The English River departed LaFarge at 10PM.
6-29 The English River came into Buffalo 11pm on Sunday June 29.
Here's the missing link for the DL&W Terminal article:
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/378690.html
6-27 I got this from Paul today:
The Grande Mariner is coming into port at 7:15am.
Interesting article on the Lake & Rail:
http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/379659.html
The August issue of Trains Magazine has a nice map of the Buffalo area from
1942 showing the relationship between the railroads and the Buffalo waterfront.
There was more talk in the local news media during late June regarding the
possible reuse of the upper floor train shed of the DL&W Terminal along the
Buffalo River. Reports indicate an interest between the NFTA and the Erie
Canal Harbor Development Agency to locate several museums and art galleries
there. The building was built in 1917 as the city’s one and only true “Multi-
mode” transportation center with marine, rail, streetcar, bus, and walk in
service. The NFTA maintains their fleet of subway trains on the lower floor
but the upper level trainshed is empty and sealed up. The original passenger
platforms remain in place with a long open area separated only by the columns
that hold up the roof. This building was the only one of Buffalo’s three large
rail terminals that had trains arrive and depart from the upper level.
Passenger ships once docked alongside this section of the structure for lake
service. The original passenger station was torn down in 1980 to make room for
the electrical lines and interlocking plant of the new Buffalo Metrorail
system coming into the building from Main St.
See link below for the story:
6-26 I got this from Paul regarding the AEC on the 25th of June:
At 5:15pm the AEC backed out the Crick, pivoted her stern into the
outer harbor, brought the bow around and departed.
Dan's B-17 air pics including a boat at the Gateway Metroport in sunny LA:
http://www.railfan.net/railpix/submit/dansyrcher/B-17/
6-24 I heard the Adam E Cornelius give a Security Call while inbound for
General Mills last night at about 10PM. Paul & Dan saw her there this morning
& afternoon (24th).
Jeff says the mystery boat from Gateway (as seen in Dan's B-17 pics) was the
Rt. Hon. Paul J Martin taking on coal for a trip down the ditch to the Hammer.
6-22 The Karen Andrie is just now coming thru the North Entrance pulling
the A-397. She is turning to go into the outer harbor where she will
go to the push mode. The Lake is full of whitecaps; probably too rough
to make the switch on the "outside".
My daughter tells me that a ship left Gateway last night around 9pm.-Paul
Here's an interesting article about a proposal for a Pet-Coke Gasification
plant on the Lackawanna Canal:
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/southernsuburbs/story/371290.html
Kevin had this report today:
The ENGLISH RIVER was towed stern first up to the LaFarge plant on Ganson
St. at 3:30 PM on the 15th.
Tom confirmed the Calumet with stone on the 13th, & also mentioned that she
was in once back in May, making this her 2nd appearance since being re-named.
6-15 The Calumet was probably the boat from the Gateway Metroport on Friday due
to the fact that there's a fresh pile of stone that looked to be just about
her size on the North-East end of their dock and I couldn't think of another
spot that she might have unloaded at since the sand piles off Furhmann Blvd.
still look pretty low at this time.
On a related note, we're just about overdue to get a sand cargo for that
spot. There should be a load coming in at any time.
6-13 I heard the M/V Calumet give a security call while departing Buffalo at
about 6:15PM this evening. I'm not sure if this was the mystery boat from
Lackawanna or not, but as far as I know, this would have been her first trip
to the Buffalo area with her new name.
6-13 There was an unknown black hulled freighter at the Gateway Metroport in
Lackawanna this morning/afternoon.
Here's more info on the Lake & Rail:
http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/06/09/daily32.html?page=1
I almost fell off the couch when I read this one:
‘Lake & Rail’ grain elevator purchased by Minnesota firm : Business : The Buffalo News
or:
http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/369129.html
-BW
5-28 The Karen Andrie was seen departing Buffalo Harbor with her barge behind
her on the wire this evening. She arrived around 10PM on the 27th.
Matt spotted the Adam E Cornelius at the Gateway Metroport on the 27th with
stone out of Calcite.
5-23 The English River came through the North Entrance at 6:45 am, pivoted
around with the assistance of the Washington and went stern-first up
the Crick. I think she spent the night on the hook near the turning
buoy. I don't know when she arrived, but the Grande Mariner is docked in the
Basin, just down from the gas pumps. -Paul
5-22 5-22 Hon. Paul Martin came into the Metroport again today around 1:30-
2:00 - I think she came from the Welland Canal after delivering coal in
Hamilton. Paul Martin departed on the afternoon of 5-23. -Matt
5-20 Paul spotted the Adam E Cornelius at the General Mills Docks around 1AM this morning.
Matt Says I missed about 2 trips of the English River to Lafarge and an
American steamship delivery to Gateway in Lackawanna last week.
-BW
5-19, Well, now I'm not so sure of anything. Paul just told me he saw a boat at
Gateway last week and now I just heard the Rt. Hon. Paul J Martin give a
security call for Lackawanna. I'm not sure if this was what I heard earlier on
the radio, or if the Cornelius is also coming in. It's very confusal.
5-19 What I *think* may be the 1st boat in Buffalo in two weeks may be on her
way in soon. I heard the Seaway Dispatcher talking to someone this afternoon
around 6PM and I'm pretty sure he said the Adam E Cornelius was on her way
through Long Point for Buffalo.
5-5 Two of my guys on the scene spotted the Adam E Cornelius backing down the
crick from General Mills late this morning.
5-2 Dave R spotted the English River unloading at the LaFarge plant this morning.
5-1 Ken reports the Samuel D Champlain-Innovation arriving for LaFarge Cement
this morning around 10AM. This would be the Champ's 3rd trip to Buffalo so far.
Angie from Detroit states that the H. Lee White was my mystery boat from last
night in Lackawanna.
4-30 I heard a boat give a Security Call heading into the Gateway Terminal in
Lackawanna at 6PM this evening and now Charlie has spotted the Pine Glenn on
the Seaway Tracking page showing that she's off Buffalo. The odd thing is that
the map shows the Pine Glenn off the North Entrance, not the South Entrance.
Does anyone know what's going on out there?
4-25 The Adam E Cornelius was unloading at the General Mills Frontier Elevator
at 9AM this morning. It looked as if she had just arrived since the radars
were still turning when I got there. This is the 1st boatload of grain through
the Port Of Buffalo for the year.
The Lansdowne was towed from the Cargil Pool Elevator Pier on the Outer
Harbor to some unseen location off the ISG Steel (Bethlehem) Plant on Thursday
the 24th. There was a nice shot of the G-tug Washington taking her through the
Outer Harbor on the picture page of the Buffalo News on the 25th. I couldn't
see her moored anywhere near the South Entrance so I'd have to guess they took
her around the lake side of the slag piles there and beached her for
scrapping, but I'm not sure.
4 harbor related articles from the snews:
Erie Canal Development http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/330569.html
Black Rock Canal & Times Beach:
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/330571.html
Peace Bridge :
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/330567.html
Ethanol Plant: http://www.buffalonews.com/businesstoday/businessfinance/story/330599.html
The last cruise of the Lansdowne:
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/328953.html
Charlie straightened me out on something from yesterday. He recalled the
Charles West being scrapped here at Advanced Metal. This is now the location
of Gerardo Amer-steel, located at the old Delwood Elevator dock between Cargil
Superior and Marine 'A' on the Buffalo River. I wish I had a shot of that !
4-20 I noticed a large amount of construction equipment all over the Buffalo
Harbor area on the morning of the 20th. Crews are starting to move earth on
the Rt. 5 relocation project, along with new sewer lines near the St. Lawrence
Cement Plant, and there's also major work going on around the Union Ship Canal.
Like they say, there's two seasons in Buffalo, Winter, and Construction Season.
The new $53 million Erie Canal Harbor development is due to open to the
public soon. This area will feature a restored Commercial Slip, Central Wharf,
and Naval Park. Negotiations are currently underway between the city and the
Buffalo Place organization over who will operate and maintain the attractions there.
4-18 I forgot to mention that I heard the New York State Power authority tug
Breaker on Friday the 18th working log string sections of the Niagara River
Ice Boom that afternoon. She was towing them back from the boom installation
area to the NYSPA pier on the Outer Harbor. Negotiations on relocating the
storage site for the boom somewhere else have been canceled for the time being
so it has to go back to it's original location at this time.
I cannot think of another vessel scrapped here in Buffalo in my time so I’m
guessing the last one must have been back in the days of some of the old
shipyards around town, more than likely over 50 years ago. LANSDOWNE is
probably the only paddle wheel steamer to be worked on in Buffalo since the
C&B steamers GREATER BUFFALO and SEEANDBEE were converted to Navy aircraft
carriers at the old City (Seaway) Piers back in WWII by Buffalo Dry Dock Co.
4-18 The Canadian Coast Guard Ice Breaker Griffon arrived off Buffalo Harbor
around 10AM on the morning of April 18th. She proceeded inbound for the South
Entrance Channel and cut a track through the ice in anticipation of the
arrival of the Rt. Hon. Paul J Martin that afternoon. The Griffon poked her
nose inside the Outer Harbor so that the Captain could assess the ice
situation in the reach between the South Entrance and the Lackawanna Slip.
Once satisfied, he turned the ship around and headed back out through the
track he made on the way in so as to flush a clear path for the Martin. The
Griffon then called in to Seaway Long Point to inform the dispatcher that they
were done working in the ice off Buffalo and that they were heading to Port
Colburne to pick up bouys.
The Martin then arrived around 3PM and came straight through the cut made
earlier by the ice breaker. The ship then turned on the left wheel to face up
the Outer Harbor and then she came to a stop off the St. Lawrence Cement
Plant. The Martin then backed her engines and she headed into the Lackawanna
Slip stern first to unload coal.
4-17 Charlie states the Paul J Martin is on her way downbound with coal for
Lackawanna and will probably be the first boat of the year. The Cornelius is
now due to load grain on the 18th.
4-15 Charlie says that the Cornelius is bumped back to the 17th to load grain
for Buffalo now.
The Niagara River Ice Boom is now being removed by the New York State Power
Authority tugs & barges.
Looks like the loading of the Cornelius with grain for Buffalo has been
delayed until the 15th of April.
4-7 Charley may have spotted the first boat of the year so far. He sees the
Cornelius on a list to load wheat for Buffalo on the 8th in Big D.
4-4 Major construction work was underway on the property surrounding the Union
Ship Canal during early April. Excavating equipment was being used to remove
the old building foundations at the North East end of the canal where Shenango
Steel once stood. More digging and soil removal was taking place along the
South side where the Hanna Furnace ore pit was located. A huge new structure
was going in on the North East section of the property near the CSX railroad
tracks while Ship Canal Parkway was being extended out to Tift St.
Here's story on the scrapping of the Landsdowne
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/314214.html
Interesting article about a little known ice breaker from the local area.
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/301240.html
2-29 The New York State Power Authority ice breaker, tug, and barge were
buzzing around the North Entrance on the morning of the 2nd of February. At
10AM I noticed their tug was out near the Niagara River Ice Boom with her
crane barge. Around that time the breaker was running track maintenance
through the ice between the boom area and the Buffalo River. They had made a
nice clean cut down the center of the Entrance Channel from the old
Connecting Terminal Elevator dock out to the Buffalo Intake Crib.
2-3 I caught some TV video a day or two ago that showed what had happened to
the Lansdowne. Apparently the high winds on Wednesday caused the boat to take
on pretty substantial list to Port with the deck edge nearly touching the
surface of the water. I do not know how it happened or what was done to right
the ship afterward.
Here's an article on the city's recent interest in the vessel:
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/266477.html
2-1 1:12 PM I took a ride down to the waterfront to check on the status of the
Landsdowne and see what was happening there. At 10 AM I saw no evidence of any
sort of trouble (partially sunk?) as reported by Ch. 2 News so whatever they
did yesterday to right the ship must have worked out OK.
2-1 A New York State Power Authority icebreaker was due to open a track between
Buffalo harbor and the Niagara River Ice Boom today. Once the channel is cut
the NYSPA will dispatch their tug-barge to begin working on the boom. After
Tuesday morning's storm, seiche, and ice flow it was found that two separate
sections of the boom had parted, requiring repair. Local TV news video of the
aftermath and clean up from the South Buffalo area flooding was shocking to
see. Clips from last night's broadcasts showed streets full of ice chunks and
flopping fish on the pavement hundreds of feet from the river bank.
01-30 Gale force winds caused massive problems in the Buffalo area on the night
of the 29th-to-the-30th. High water levels on the East end of Lake Erie caused
heavy pack ice to overrun the Niagara River Ice Boom and large flows were seen
racing down the upper Niagara River. The Army Corps of Engineers were unable
to determine the extent of the damage to the boom itself, since it remained
partially submerged due to the large volume of ice passing over and high water
levels. The Black Rock Canal became plugged with ice causing water to back up
in Scajaquada Creek, flooding the viaduct under the CSX Niagara Branch bridge
on Niagara St. The Buffalo River then jammed with ice and caused major
flooding throughout the surrounding neighborhoods from the base of the Skyway
Bridge all the way upstream to the Ohio St. Lift Bridge area of the old First Ward.
1-27 Buffalo Harbor, all the connecting channels and even the lake outside the
breakwall seem to be frozen over. The slips and canals all have plate ice
covered by snow while the harbor and lake are a mixture of plate and windrows.
There were no signs of any ship, tug, or ice breaker activity.
My son noticed that the Naval Park's aircraft displays have been moved out of
the old parking lot and are now installed on pedestals on the grounds of the
new facility.
Here's some interesting photos of the missile cruiser USS Little Rock when
she was still in active service with the US Navy.
First shot shows the ship fresh from the builder's yard in her as delivered
condition with 6 inch and 5 inch gun armament.
http://www.usslittlerock.org/CL92%20Ship%20Photo%20File/CL92Venice.jpg
The second shot shows the ship at sea under full steam after being converted
to a missile cruiser & having just fired a couple of her Talos missiles. The
burn marks from the missile booster's ignition can clearly be seen around the
stern missile house and deck. The crew seems to be breaking out the fire hoses
to wash down the stained paint. The missile firing turret has returned to
loading position and the blast doors can be seen immediately behind the
launcher on the sloped face of the lower missile house. For some reason her
missile guidance radars are still raised up into the air, possibly tracking
her birds on the way to an intercept (the Talos could fly out nearly 100 miles
to hit a target)?
http://www.usslittlerock.org/SmlStorePics/BurnedFantail2.jpg
Dan found an interesting article on the Steelwinds project in Lackawanna,
even if it's full of corporate propaganda, it's still got good pics & info:
http://www.powermag.com/powerweb/archive_article.asp?a=52-CS_NY&y=2007&m=December
-BW
There was an unknown Canada Steamship Lines vessel at Gateway Metroport in
Lackawanna on the 11th of January. I could not get a confirmation on what ship
she was but I’m guessing it was the MARTIN again just due to the fact that she
had a similar appearance and that this particular vessel was still running on
Lake Erie at that time. They seemed to be taking coal out of Lackawanna for
Nanticoke, Ontario on a short shuttle run. I’m not sure why they were doing so
this late into the season, especially with the problems that can be
encountered in January with regards to icy waterways and frozen cargo. I do
not remember a time in at least the last 20 years or so that anything was
being transshipped or loaded out of the Buffalo area after December. Though
this vessel traffic was highly unusual, due to a lucky break in the winter
weather for a short time, it seemed like the sailing conditions were not all
that different from what would normally be found during the Fall time period
on the Lower Lakes. The boats in Lackawanna had more problems with frozen
cargo than they did with frozen shipping channels.
1-13 Does anyone know the name of the boat at the Gateway Terminal on the 11th ? Let me know. WLBBLW at AOL dot COM
-BW
1-5 The Paul Martin departed Gateway Metroport in Lackawanna at 7:30PM.
1-4 To satisfy my own curiosity I took a ride down to check out the Martin at
Gateway this morning. At 10 AM she was docked stern first about half way down
on the East pier face of the Bethlehem Slip with her unloading rig swung 90
degrees over the Starboard side, raised high in the air between two fresh coal
piles. Gateway's two portable loading rigs were positioned alongside with one
amidships and the other up forward. The flood lights of the amidships loader
were turned on and the ship was riding slightly high by the bow. It seemed to
me that she must have had some sort of problem either unloading her cargo, or
else the dock was having trouble reloading her at this time. There hasn't been
a bulk carrier sitting in port for such a long amount of time waiting on cargo
operations for a long while. Dimensional loads usually take a few days to
handle but self unloaders are usually in and out of here in half the time
that's passed so far since the Martin's arrival 4 days ago.
Surprisingly there was very little icing over of the harbor at this time.
Only the City Ship Canal was frozen with the remainder of the channels of the
Buffalo River, and Outer Harbor slips remaining ice free.
1-4 The mystery boat at Lackawanna seems to have been the Paul Martin, but I'm
getting some conflicting info on that. One report indicates that she arrived
on 12-31, and another has her still there and unloading coal on 1-3, so it
almost seems like they might have had some sort of trouble with the ship or
with the cargo for her to be in port so long, unless they loaded her with coal
for Nanticoke after she unloaded, which would fit their normal rotation
pattern for Lackawanna, then that would explain why it was taking so long, but
I'm guessing now.
-BW
1-3 I got e-mail today. Anyone know what boat that might have been? -BW
A CSL vessel (red hull white superstructure) is backed into the Gateway terminal unloading what appears to be coal. Cannot read the name.
-Charles H.
4-27
USCG cutter BRAMBLE was backing out of the slip at the Buffalo Base after having spent the afternoon loading the summer buoys.
They then headed out the North Entrance to start pulling the winter markers outside the breakwall off Buffalo.
The tug RUBY with her scow was out at the Disposal Pond in Lackawanna. The Jo Ann was seen at the
Naval Park Basin with a crane barge. The mooring dolphins (pilings) are place and the inner fenders are ready.
Once they finish blasting and dredging the CROAKER & SULLIVANS will be moved.
The McKEE SONS was in on Wednesday with sand for the Buffalo Ship Canal.
4-23
Spruceglen give a security call for clearing Port Colburn Piers around 3PM this afternoon
4-22
The Jackson came in with one tug on the bow at 9:PM tonight. She will unload at the ADM Standard Elevator overnight and possibly depart around Noon on Wednesday.
4-21
The ENGLISH RIVER was seen unloading at the LaFarge plant on the evening of the 21st.
4-20
The Anderson was the first boat into Lackawanna for the 2,003 season. She came in on the morning of the 20th and departed at about 3:30 PM.
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