Federal Nakagawa Toledo’s First Saltie
Federal Nakagawa and tug New York at Toledo. [Capt. Paul C. LaMarre III)
Capt. Paul C. LaMarre III
Noteworthy Passages
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Edgar B. Speer Moved Into BayShip Graving Dock
STURGEON BAY, WI – The Edgar B. Speer was moved into the large graving dock at Bayship on March 24. She is being repowered with new MAN 6L48/60CR diesels (19,310 bhp). Her old engine has already been removed. Tug Samuel De Champlain arrived at BayShip and is on Berth 15.
Edgar B. Speer’s old engine has been removed. [Via Facebook]
Two Harbors, Silver Bay Seasons Open
Two American Steamship Company (Mainstay Maritime) 1,000-footers departed the Twin Ports to open the season at Two Harbors and Silver Bay. Last evening it was MV Indiana Harbor heading out after fueling for Two Harbors and then Wednesday morning fleetmate Burns Harbor headed for Silver Bay, also after fueling.
David Schauer
Burns Harbor departing the Twin Ports. [Gus Schauer]
Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder Open Lorain For Season
The first boat to the port of Lorain, OH, was Interlake Steamship’s articulated tug and barge Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder. She arrived with stone from the quarry in Marblehead and backed down the Black River to the Amrize dock where she unloaded. Once empty, she left for a return to Amrize in Marblehead.
Bill Kloss
Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder arriving at Lorain Tuesday. [Bill Kloss]
Saginaw, Pierson’s Stack Markings Removed At Sarnia
The Saginaw and Robert S. Pierson’s Saginaw’s stack markings were recently removed at Sarnia, likely reflecting the recent sale of Lower Lakes Towing to Algoma Central. On March 19, no work was visibly occurring on either the Saginaw or Robert S. Pierson. There was lots of work happening on the Kaminisiqua.
Jamie Kerwin, Marc Dease
Robert S. Pierson’s stack heralds being removed at Sarna. [Marc Dease
Saginaw and Robert S. Pierson stacks in late February 2026. [Roger LeLievre]
Jackson Returns to Ecorse After Mechanical Issues in Livingstone Channel
Herbert C. Jackson, which left winter layup at Ecorse, MI (near Detroit) Tuesday headed for Sandusky to load coal, instead tied up at Monroe, MI, that same day, escorted by two Great Lakes Towing Co. tugs. Late Thursday she left Monroe, headed back to Ecorse. Although there has been no official announcement, waterfront reports indicate the Jackson had mechanical issues while downbound in the narrow Livingstone Channel.
Herbert C. Jackson on the St. Marys River in 2025. [Roger LeLievre]
Whitefish Bay Back In Business After Bow Repairs
Whitefish Bay, which had laid up at Sarnia in late January after suffering bow damage docking at Windsor, was on her way to Chicago, presumably with salt, on Friday. Frontenac, which took over her salt cargo commitments, has gone back into a short layup at Port Colborne.
Via AIS
Whitefish Bay bow damage. [Unknown Photographer – Via Facebook]
An Early Grain Load For Harvest Spirit
SARNIA, ON – Harvest Spirit was loading grain Thursday at Sarnia, the first such cargo loaded at that port this shipping season. According to AIS, the cargo is detained for Baie Comeau.
Patti Kingswood
Harvest Spirit at Sarnia March 19. [Patti Kingswood]
J.W. Westcott Co. Marks Spring WIth Relaunch of Pilot Boat
In what is clearly a sign of spring, Detroit’s J.W. Westcott Co. has launched its pilot boat M.S. Westcott for the season. The boat is available for scheduled pilot and crew changes through April 8 when 24-hour mail service returns. The office remains open two days a week with limited hours until April 8.
Neil Schultheiss
Pilot boat M.S. Westcott was relaunched for the season March 19. [James Sharp]
Frontenac Arrives Back At Port Colborne After Winter Salt Runs
The Frontenac is back at Port Colborne for a short lay up before heading back out again for the new season. They were previously at Wharf 17 in Port Colborne before they fitted back out in late January to replace the Whitefish Bay, which suffered bow damage while it was docking in Windsor.
Frontenac prepares to dock behind the Algoma Niagara on Thursday. [Bill Salton via Facebook]
