Cleveland, Ohio – Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.8 million tons in June, an increase of 17.8 percent from a year ago. This June’s loadings were above the month’s 5-year average by 1.7 percent.
Loadings out of U.S. quarries totaled 2.7 million tons, an increase of 7.6 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 1.1 million tons, an increase of 52.2 percent.
Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at nearly 10 million tons, an increase of 10.8 percent compared to 2020. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries increased 4.3 percent from a year ago. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 2.4 million tons, an increase of 36.8 percent.
Lake Carriers’ Association
Ottawa invests $420M to transition Algoma Steel into electric arc technology
Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Algoma Steel’s goal to become Canada’s “greenest” flat-rolled steel producer resonates with Ottawa and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the tune of a $420-million federal investment in the Sault Ste. Marie steel sheet producer.
Trudeau was in Sault Ste Marie on July 5, accompanied by Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François Phillippe Champagne, to announce funding to help Algoma transition into electric arc furnace (EAF) steel production.
The breakdown in funding includes $200 million from the Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) and $220 million from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The funding will be spread over four years.
Seguing into electric arc technology has the potential to cut Algoma’s carbon emission by 70- per cent, according to a company news release, making the project the lowest-cost-per-tonne of of greenhouse gas reduction in Canada.
“Having a commitment of this magnitude from the Government of Canada shows leadership towards a net-zero, climate-resilient Canada, and is so very important as we look to make our proposed transformation to EAF steelmaking a reality,” said Algoma CEO Michael McQuade in a statement.
McQuade took Trudeau on a tour to show him the company’s new No. 2 Ladle Metallurgy Furnace, commissioned last February, that’s considered “another significant milestone in Algoma Steel’s transformation journey.”
Switching to electric arc furnaces will eventually phase out coal-fired steelmaking at the plant.
The move to electric arc furnaces by Algoma, falls in line with the Trudeau government’s legislative move under Bill C-12 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 through rolling five-year emission targets. The bill received Royal Asset last month.
A news release from Sault MP Terry Sheehan said this money will create 500 construction and subcontracting jobs for the project. Seventy-five employees at Algoma, an employer of 2,600, will be trained for jobs in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.
In a statement, Sheehan called his government’s funding “the single largest” in the city’s history.
“This historic investment will anchor Algoma Steel in the community for years to come, continuing to provide good middle-class jobs, while being a part of the solution for Canada to meet its climate goals.”
Northern Ontario Business
Captain Henry Jackman update
Algoma Central’s newest vessel, Captain Henry Jackman, was upbound in Soo Harbor Thursday evening. She is headed to Thunder Bay.
Lake Erie history comes to Copley Township
Copley, OH — When the first crew of Lake Erie freighter Canopus took to the water more than a century ago, it is unlikely any of them could have predicted the retirement home of the ship’s pilothouse would be the front entrance of a synthetic lumber business in Copley Township.
Yet this is precisely where the Canopus pilothouse found itself June 17, after Bill and Eve Gribble, owners of PlasTEAK Inc., rescued the 15,000-pound piece of local maritime history at a June 4 auction.
The Canopus pilothouse auction came in the wake of the April demolition of the iconic 112-year-old Wakefield Mansion in Vermillion. The mansion housed The Inland Seas Maritime Museum and, for the past 60 years, the Canopus pilothouse.
“We saw that the museum had been torn down and found out there had been an auction for the pilothouse,” Bill Gribble said. “I thought, man, I wish I had known about that. Then our friends told us there had only been one $4,000 bidder, with a $10,000 reserve.”
“I just think it is a really cool thing. It is beautiful inside and still has the old oak wood and this 1,000-watt spotlight that could probably burn a hole in something,” he said.
Gribble said he has no intention of flipping his new purchase anytime soon either, no matter how high the bidder. “After the auction was all over, I did have a guy from Detroit offer me a lot more money for it,” he said. “But how do you get another one? It’s not like you can go down to the used pilothouse dealer.”
Gribble said he hopes to install the pilothouse at the entrance of the PlasTEAK building within the next three months.
Twin Ports says farewell to the US Coast Guard cutter Alder
On a windy Wednesday morning, July 7, 2021, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Alder make its final trip under Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge as it set sail for Baltimore, Maryland. She departed at 10:30 with a Masters Salute.
Alder arrived in the Twin Ports in October 2004, replacing the Sundew, which was decommissioned in 2004. The Alder will make its final trip through the Great Lakes to Baltimore, Maryland, for a year of maintenance before it is transferred to San Francisco, its new homeport. Another 225-foot buoy tender, the USCG Spar, will replace the Alder in spring 2022.
Algoma Central’s newest vessel, Captain Henry Jackman, was upbound past Detroit on her maiden voyage at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. She is headed to Thunder Bay.
Water levels rise in lakes Superior, St. Clair, Erie with help from June rainfall
Detroit, MI – Water levels rose in June in three of the Great Lakes due in part to seasonal conditions and to the record rainfall parts of Michigan received last weekend.
Lakes Superior rose about 2 inches from its May mean level to 602.20 feet; Lake St. Clair rose about 2 inches to 576.18 feet and Lake Erie rose about 1 inch to 573.20 feet, according to preliminary data from the Detroit District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Lakes Michigan-Huron declined 1 inch to 580.48 feet, and Lake Ontario remained near its May level, declining less than an inch to 245.11 feet, the corps said.
The lakes dropped between 6 inches and 17 inches in places in May compared with a year earlier, creating more usable public and private beach areas in Michigan just in time for the summer swimming, sunning and boating season.
Theodore Two tugboat coming through Eisenhower Lock July 8
Massena, NY – The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation is announcing that the iconic THEODORE TOO tugboat is expected to arrive at Eisenhower Lock in Massena, NY, tomorrow, July 8, between 8:30-9:00 a.m. The Seaway’s Eisenhower Lock Visitors’ Center will open early, at 8:30 a.m., to allow the public to view the tug’s transit through the lock.
The Center is located off Route 37 in Massena, NY. Turn right at the traffic light at the St. Lawrence Centre Mall entrance if approaching westbound or left if heading eastbound. The Visitors’ Center entrance is 1.5 miles on the right. Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the Center.
Vessels with a Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway connection reported as a casualty or sold for demolition, taken from July 2021 issue of Marine News – Journal of the World Ship Society
Casualties: None reported Demolitions:
ALGOMA ENTERPRISE (7726677; Canada) (Canadian Enterprise-12) – 23,395 / 1979 – bulk carrier self-discharging laker – By Algoma Central Corp (ACC) Canada, to International Marine Salvage Canada and arrived Port Colborne 10.01.2021 – commenced demolition 10.01.2021
AMAL NEPTUNE (8116843; Tanzania (Zanzibar) (Myra-12, Eltsen-10, Michail Junior-05, Able Winner-04, Evangelica-03, Maritsa-00, Able Ensign-99, Gigi I-97, Hanako-96, Cargo Express-94, Larix-91 – 1st seaway transit 1983) – 3,898 / 1981 – general cargo ship by undisclosed interests, to Gohilwad Shipbreakers, India and arrived Alang 03.01.2000 – commenced demolition 03.01.2000
Straits of Mackinac, MI – A ferry crew went on a rescue mission Tuesday morning after a fast-moving storm created a problem for some boaters.
The Star Line Mackinac Island ferry Cadillac’s crew heard the call for a boater in distress around 10:30 a.m. According to a passenger on board, the ferry was on its way from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace and towed the boat to safety. A person on the island also caught the rescue on camera after noticing the ferry was going off course.
Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry posted more about the incident on its Facebook page Monday evening.
“Kudos to Captain Kris and crew of Star Line’s Hydro-Jet ferry, the Cadillac. This morning, they rescued a sailboat and her crew. The sailboat was caught in a morning storm, where she lost her sails and power. Adrift and in distress, the sailboat was about to crash against the rocks of the break wall, which protects the Mackinac Island harbor. The captain and crew heard the distress call while on the normal ferry run and aborted their trip to assist the vessel. They were able to throw her a line and tow her to back to safety at our dock #1, which is the main dock on Mackinac Island. Thank you Captain Kris and crew for all of the training you have done to effectively execute a successful rescue!
UPDATE: Traffic began moving again about 2 p.m. with the Thunder Bay. The Poe Lock was down Tuesday morning due to electrical issues with one of the gates. Downbound Thunder Bay and Hon James L. Oberstar moored at the upper wall. Upbound Cinnamon tied on the lower pier. Edwin H. Gott and CSL St-Laurent were anchored at Nine Mile as of 2 p.m.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder prepares to leave Duluth-Superior port Wednesday
Duluth, MN – Final preparations are taking place aboard a beloved Duluth ship ahead of its final journey across the Great Lakes. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder is preparing to leave the Duluth-Superior port Wednesday after nearly two decades of service.
A small ceremony was held for the ship on Monday, with a visit from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, who thanked the crew for their hard work and advocated for the importance of the shipping industry in the Northland. “You cannot have strong commerce and a strong economy in Northern Minnesota without a strong port and without the ice breaking,” Klobuchar said.
The Alder has been breaking ice and serving as an aid to navigation on Lake Superior for almost 17 years. Now, it is being sent to Baltimore for a year of maintenance and repair, followed by a new assignment in San Francisco.
“They are taking it for a mid-life overhaul to update a lot of systems on the ship and make those that were or were not there a little bit better by redesigning a few things,” Joel Wright, Commanding Officer for the Alder said. Once maintenance is complete, the hope is that the Alder will continue serving as an aid to navigation in warmer waters.
“In San Francisco, there is not very much ice, so she will not be ice breaking out there,” Wright said. “She will be conducting aids to navigation in San Francisco and on the West Coast when she’s out there in hopefully one year though.”
The Alder will be replaced by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Spar in late February or early March of 2022. That ship is named after the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, better known as ‘the Spars.’
“She will be the new member of the Great Lakes Fleet—servicing Lake Superior, the Duluth harbor and the rest of the Great Lakes for her aids to navigation and ice breaking mission,” Wright said.
The U.S. Coast Guard was not able to provide the exact time the Alder will depart Duluth on Wednesday, but they did say it would be in the morning.
Exhibit: Jim Hoffman: The Photographic Life of Toledo’s Original Boatnerd
Toledoan Jim Hoffman had a lifelong love affair with Great Lakes Boats. Considered a legend among fellow Boatnerds, his photographs are instantly recognizable by most Great Lakes shipping photographers. On November 7, 2020, Jim passed away leaving a vast collection of images. In memory of his legacy and passion for Great Lakes vessels, we invite you to walk alongside his life’s passion and relive his photographic memories in our first temporary exhibit of 2021 – Jim Hoffman: The Photographic Life of Toledo’s Original Boatnerd, running July 16 – September 6.
Exhibit admission is free for members and included with any museum admission purchase. The temporary exhibit will be open during regular museum hours—from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday thru Saturday and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. Individuals can purchase same-day tickets at the door or online in advance at
Changing of the guard: PRT Capt. Bob Thibaudeau retires
When Capt. Bob Thibaudeau ties up the Paul R Tregurtha at St. Clair, MI, on Sunday it will mark the end of a distinguished 42-year career sailing for the Interlake Steamship Co. Wor has leaked out around the Great Lakes, and Capt. Bob has been greeted with well-wishers during his final trip. Stellar shiphandling and his affable and engaging personality has earned him somewhat of a rock-star following among freighter fans on the lakes.
A graduate of Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Bob joined Interlake in 1979 alongside three other graduates all of whom became captains in the fleet. His first boat was the M/V Lee A. Tregurtha after becoming a captain in 1994. He says the best parts about being a merchant mariner is “knowing that you are hauling cargoes that affect millions of lives and we make a difference.”
He was born in suburban Detroit, and later moved with his family to East Grand Rapids. Interlake hired him right out of the Academy. He worked his way up through the officer ranks and has at one time or another piloted each of Interlake’s working ships. His other responsibilities as captain include managing the crew of 23, planning out schedules, projects and maintenance, and sometimes acting as sheriff and counselor, de-escalating any on-board issues.
He has twin stepsons, who also work on Great Lakes freighters. He beams a little bit when talking about them. One reason is that he thinks they made the right choice. “I wanted to be a captain,” he says. “It worked out great for me.”
Duluth, MN – Days before the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder sails out of Duluth for the last time, the vessel and its unit said goodbye to its old commander and welcomed a new one.
In a change-of-command ceremony at the Coast Guard station on Park Point, Lt. Cmdr. Joel Wright relieved Lt. Cmdr. Justin Erdman in front of family, friends and about three-dozen “Coasties.”
“You hear a lot about sea stories working in the Coast Guard,” Erdman said, retiring after 28 years and assignments across seven different vessels. “The best part of sea stories is the people you share them with.” The change-of-command ceremony is a formal event conducted throughout military branches, representative of continuity of command without interruption.
Wright will be in command Wednesday, when Alder sails out of the Great Lakes for the last time after more than 16 years stationed in Duluth. Alder is bound for a year of repair and maintenance in Baltimore followed by a new assignment in San Francisco.
Wright will then return to Duluth in command of the USCG Cutter Spar, a similar 225-foot buoy tender with ice-breaking capabilities.
Historic lake freighter Anderson visits Grand Haven for the first time
Grand Haven, MI – On Tuesday night, the steamship Arthur M. Anderson visited Grand Haven for the first time in its storied 69-year career. It arrived in port at sunset, blasting two master salutes on the way in. The vessel offloaded a load of stone at the Verplank dock in Ferrysburg and was outbound early Wednesday morning.
There are few vessels sailing the Great Lakes with as much historical significance as the Arthur M. Anderson. Not only is it one of the last operating steamships on the Great Lakes, but it was the last vessel to have visual, radio, and radar contact with the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.
The Anderson was built for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company, which was a division of the United States Steel Corporation. The vessel’s namesake, Mr. Arthur Marvin Anderson, was a director of United States Steel Corporation and a member of its finance committee. He was also vice-chairman of J.P. Morgan & Company. The Anderson originally measured 647 feet long, 70 feet wide, and 36 feet deep. Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wisconsin lengthened the vessel 120 feet in 1975 and would later convert it to a self-unloader during the winter of 1982. It currently measures 767 feet long, 70 feet wide, and 36 feet deep.
On November 10th, 1975, the Arthur M. Anderson and Edmund Fitzgerald were sailing in close proximity battling an intense gale on Lake Superior. The Fitzgerald had taken on water and lost their radars. The vessels were closing in on the shelter of Whitefish Bay when the bridge crew of the Anderson saw the lights of the Fitzgerald disappear into a snow squall and disappear off their radar.
The Anderson reported the Fitzgerald missing to the Coast Guard and attempted to search for the ship. After safely reaching Whitefish Bay, the Anderson was contacted by the Coast Guard to go back out and conduct another search.
The bond between Great Lakes sailors was on full display that night as the crews of the Anderson and other vessels put their own safety aside to search for their fellow mariners.
Ultimately, there were no signs of survivors. The Anderson sighted a piece of a lifeboat, and later a damaged lifeboat. The latter was recovered and can be found onboard the museum ship Valley Camp in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, immortalized in song by Gordon Lightfoot, is the most well-known shipwreck in Great Lakes History. The Arthur M. Anderson and its crew will never be forgotten for the role they played that fateful November night.
If you want to learn more about the Edmund Fitzgerald, there is no shortage of information on the subject. I would recommend the books S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald: Requiem for the Toledo Express by Raymond Ramsay and Mighty Fitz: The Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Michael Schumaker. Additionally, there are radio recordings between Captain Bernie Cooper of the Anderson and the Coast Guard from the night the Fitz sank on Youtube.
Other traffic we had over the past week was Lower Lakes Towing’s motor vessel Michipicoten at Meekhof’s D&M on Harbor Island. The Michipicoten came in Sunday afternoon with a load of stone and departed later that night with assistance from the Great Lakes Towing tug Cleveland, which came in from Chicago.
Milwaukee, WI – It has been a while since we have reported to the group at large. Things were quiet for a while but there have now been a number of developments that we feel it important to get out information for you all. On the Denis Sullivan:
The boat was moved to the south dock at Discovery World in May. A couple of the volunteers were there and helped with resetting the lines. She is now secure at the south dock.
Peter Little, a professional shipwright, is now on board working on the projects he has been contracted for. These are repairs to the chain locker, the fore peak, the windlass, and the deck. He has been contracted for 6 weeks to complete the work. Former plans for completion of any work are now TBD due to the delays. Peter reports that the Sullivan is structurally sound and overall, in good shape.
This past Monday, the engines were restarted after the winter. Representatives from Cummins Marine were present and inspected the engine room and engines before start-up and found there was no evidence of water levels getting above the engines themselves. As a precaution they are going to take oil samples to ensure there is no water present in the oil early next week. They also started the generator, and all equipment ran well under the supervision of Cummins professionals. Discovery World wants the engines working to avoid another situation like that which occurred during the initial move from the river. If any further moves become necessary, they want to be able to do it with the engines in play. The plan is to regularly start the engines and run them up to high revolutions, at least once a month.
To facilitate any needed repositioning moves, DW is seeking a relief crew to help with any needed moves. We believe a relief captain has been identified and they are in conversation with the Coast Guard to determine what level of crew proficiency is needed to move the boat legally. They are also searching for other people to form this crew, potentially a professional mate, and 3-4 deckhands (dependent on Coast Guard requirements).
Other projects are to be determined. |Discovery World is seeking Coast Guard and insurance company guidance on what role volunteers can play. More information to come on this topic as the plan becomes more solid.
Discovery World:
Dirk Debbink, a board member and retired Vice Admiral, USN has taken on the role of leading the marine committee. He has taken a hands-on role in the care of the Sullivan and has been directly involved in all decisions and actions post move from the river.
DW will be sending out information on volunteer needs in the near future. There will be an online registration and new this year will be asking for specific skills, experiences, and abilities that volunteers have in order to more effectively contact appropriate individuals as projects come up. The Friends are working with the DW volunteer coordinator to develop the form and information needed.
We have been told that the search for the new captain is desired to begin this month, with the hire as soon as possible. There is also a potential for hiring a mate and skeleton crew as financial situation allows.The Friends:
The Friends are working with DW to create a social media campaign using the FB pages of the Friends and DW to increase awareness and interest in the Sullivan and volunteering. The project is scheduled to begin as soon as possible and posted on both the FB pages simultaneously. The plan is to have posts that review the Sullivan history, Volunteer profiles, little known facts and trivia, and updates on the boat to start.
DW is looking at potential projects for the volunteers to be involved in. First step is to find experienced professionals to supervise any work crews, and work with the insurance company and Coast Guard to ensure things are done correctly and there is coverage for all involved in the work and the Sullivan.
The Friends have also officially been offered a position on the Marine committee to attend meetings and have a voice in the care and upkeep of the Denis Sullivan.
So, that is the update as we know it.
If you have questions, please respond and let us know and we will do our best to get an answer. Understand though that a lot of plans, etc. are evolving as the work begins and continues under Peter Little. Now that things are opening up, we are looking for your feedback on the best way to keep you in the loop.
Please let us know if you want to have Zoom meetings, or if emails and Facebook posts are sufficient to keep you informed. Thanks for your continued interest and be ready to respond to needs for help as we move forward.
Tom Martens
Friends of the Denis Sullivan
Tickets on sale for Sturgeon Bay shipyard tours
Sturgeon Bay, WI – Make plans to be awed by the freighters at Bay Shipbuilding, Fincantieri Group during the annual Sturgeon Bay Rotary Shipyard Tours, scheduled for Saturday, September 11. This is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Rotary Club of Sturgeon Bay.
Sturgeon Bat, WI – The shell of the superstructure of the 639-foot new build, the M/V Mark W. Barker, has been set in place.
The four-deck structure will house the accommodations including: the galley; the mess, lounge, state rooms for the crews; officers’ state rooms; and exercise facilities. It will also contain a meeting room, owner’s accommodation, owner’s lounge and fire equipment locker. The top deck will be the pilothouse, the hub for navigation and shiphandling.
The first Great Lakes bulk carrier built on the Great Lakes in more than 35 years, the Mark W. Barker is being constructed along the freshwater shores of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
