Michipicoten Readied for Scrap Tow

SUPERIOR, WI – Preparations are being made at Fraser Shipyards for the scrap tow of the Michipicoten to the Purvis Marine dock north of the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, in the near future. These photos from Thursday show an attachment for a towing line welded to the bow of the laker. The Michipicoten will become feedstock for Algoma Steel’s new electric arc furnaces.

Purvis recently wrapped up scrapping the laker Mississagi.

On June 8, 2024, the Michipicoten suffered hull damage while traveling near Isle Royale in Lake Superior. The ship’s crew reported hearing a loud bang while the vessel was in deep water. The ship began taking on water, and at one point reached a 15-degree list. The crew was able to issue a distress call and start pumps that alleviated the list to five degrees. The distress call was met by the MV Edwin H. Gott, which waited with Michipicoten until the arrival of the U.S. Coast Guard. Michipicoten sailed for Thunder Bay, ON, under her own power with escorts from the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard. While in port, divers inspected the hull and determined the likely cause may have been metal fatigue. Divers discovered a nearly four-meter (13 foot) crack in the hull. The divers placed a temporary patch on the crack.

On June 20, 2024, Michipicoten arrived at Superior from Thunder Bay under her own power, escorted by the tugboat Helen H, bound for Fraser Shipyards for inspection and repair, however Transport Canada never approved her return to service after repairs. In 2026, Michipicoten was acquired by Algoma Central Corp.

David Schauer