Alpena Steams Into Her 84th Season

CLEVELAND, OH – The steamer Alpena departed Cleveland for her namesake port on Thursday to load cement, thus beginning her 84th season of sailing. She arrived at Detroit in thge evening and will lay there for weather. The vessel, a favorite of boatwatchers, was built by Great Lakes Engineering Works, Rouge River, MI, and was launched Feb. 28, 1942 as the Leon Fraser for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. She and many other smaller ships became surplus tonnage after the advent of the 1,000-footers and so was laid up at Lorain, OH, in 1982. Shortened 120 feet in 1990 by Fraser Shipyards, she reentered service in shortly thereafter as the self-unloading cement carrier Alpena for Inland Lakes Transportation, Inc. (Lafarge), Alpena, MI (now Inland Lakes Management, managed by Andie Inc. ( a subsidiary of Mainstay Maritime).

 National Museum of the Great Lakes
Offers Spring Lecture Series

TOLEDO, OH – The National Museum of the Great Lakes has announced its spring programming. Coming up soon is the Spring Lecture Series, featuring three engaging speakers; the Lil’ Scupper’s Kids Club, featuring new community partnerships; and a special Sensory Friendly Weekend in partnership with Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Check out the press releases in the gallery below for all the details.

The 2025-2026 winter layup list, now being updated as vessels resume operations for the new shipping season, can be found at  https://www.boatnerd.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026