St. Marys Challenger pilothouse moved to National Museum
Toledo, Ohio – The pilothouse of the former Great Lakes freighter St. Marys Challenger, which was converted to a barge in 2014, was moved Thursday from storage to its permanent home on the grounds of the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
In November 2013, St. Marys Challenger reached the end of her working life as a self-propelled vessel. She steamed to the Bay Shipbuilding Co. in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, to be cut down to an articulated lake barge pushed by a dedicated tugboat. The vessel’s pilothouse was conserved and, in spring 2015, was donated to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
In an ironic twist, as the pilothouse was being moved to the museum, the barge St. Marys Challenger was passing by, pushed by the tug Prentiss Brown. The old pilothouse was moved via deck barge by Capt. Joe Cioletti on the tug George Gradel, whose services were donated by the Geo Gradel Co.
Beaver Island ferry captain retires after 46 years
Beaver Island, MI – After 46 years, Mike Green took his final voyage as senior captain of the Beaver Island Boat Company on Dec. 20.
Family and friends rode with him on the Emerald Isle Ferry for the 32-mile journey across Lake Michigan from Charlevoix to Beaver Island.
Mother Nature gave the captain a send-off of her own that day, raising wind gusts up to 35 knots and sending 8-12 foot waves crashing on the ferry’s bow (adding an occasional 16-footer for good measure), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
On board, ferry passengers less sea-worthy felt their stomachs lurch. Those more prepared said they were thankful they remembered to take a motion sickness pill before boarding.
Green, who has never experienced sea sickness, was unphased by the rocking boat. He commanded the vessel through the winds from the wheel house on the boat’s top deck.
Comenting on the waves, as those standing near him struggled to maintain balance, he said, “It’s going to be a little rough. But I’ve seen worse.” Adding, with a smile, “My wife and a couple grandkids are on board so I have to make it the best ride I can.”
Read more and view images here:
