Historic Keewatin on the move

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: The tow is due at the Bluewater Bridge between 10-11 a.m.

The tug Molly M1 towed the retired passenger/museum ship Keewatin out of Port McNicoll, ON, on Monday around 5 p.m. The tow was making 5.7 knots at 9 p.m. The tug Manitou will assist from Port Huron to the lower Detroit River. Vigilant 1 will assist through the Welland Canal. The tow is bound for the Heddle Marine shipyard at Hamilton, ON. After drydocking, the Keewatin will be towed to her hew home at the Maritime Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston, ON.

Janey Anderson

Kaye E. Barker freed from sand bar at Muskegon

Muskegon, MI – At approximately 10 a.m. Monday, the M/V Kaye E. Barker grounded just off the Muskegon outer breakwall as it approached the harbor at a slow speed. There were attempts to free the vessel with tugs, including Meredith Ashton. Eventually a barge was dispatched to lighter some of the cargo. She was released Monday evening and was inbound to unload. Algoma Buffalo, which had been waiting outside of the harbor for the Barker to get underway, was inbound at 8:15 p.m.

The Barker was loaded with approximately 25,408 net tons of stone from Meldrum Bay, ON, according to Interlake Steamship Co., which owns the vessel. The lake bottom was surveyed, and it was confirmed that there was sand around the vessel.

MacArthur Lock now open for the season

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – The MacArthur Lock at the Soo Locks officially opened for the navigation season Monday. The first ship through was the Great Republic.

The 79-year-old MacArthur Lock is 800 feet long by 80 feet wide and can accommodate vessels smaller than 730 feet long and 76 feet wide.

While down for winter maintenance, Corps of Engineers Soo Locks crews completed tainter valve repairs, installed encoders, replaced fender timbers on the piers and performed inspections and preventative maintenance on electrical and mechanical systems.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District

Keewatin tow to leave Port McNicoll Monday

UPDATE: The tow departed about 5 p.m. Monday.

The tug Molly M1 is expected to tow the retired passenger/museum ship Keewatin out of Port McNicoll, ON, on Monday afternoon. The tug Manitou will assist from Port Huron to the lower Detroit River. Vigilant 1 will assist through the Welland Canal. The tow is bound for the Heddle Marine shipyard at St. Catharines, ON. After drydocking, the Keewatin will be towed to her hew home at the Maritime Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston, ON.

Janey Anderson

Kaye E. Barker runs aground at Muskegon

UPDATE: The Barker was freed Monday evening and was inbound to unload. Algoma Buffalo, which had been waiting outside of the harbor for the Barker to get underway, was inbound at 8:15 p.m.

Muskegon, MI – At approximately 10 a.m. Monday, the M/V Kaye E. Barker grounded just off the Muskegon outer breakwall as it approached the harbor at a slow speed.

The vessel is loaded with approximately 25,408 net tons of stone from Meldrum Bay, ON, according to Interlake Steamship Co., which owns the vessel.

The lake bottom has been surveyed, and it has been confirmed that there is sand around the vessel. No injuries have been reported. There has been no pollution or any harm to the environment. Additionally, there does not appear to be any damage to the vessel.

Interlake is working with its internal response team to free the vessel, however efforts Monday afternoon were unsuccessful. If this news sounds familiar, it might be because the Barker ran around in just about same place almost exactly a year ago.

2 Upper Peninsula lighthouses slated for restoration program

UPPER PENINSULA — The State of Michigan lays claim to many trophies. To name a few:
#1 producer of tart cherries
Longest freshwater coastline (3,200 miles)
The state with the only authentic, operating Dutch windmill
Second most agriculturally diverse state in the nation, after California

And, of course, Michigan has the most lighthouses of any state in the nation, with 120 lighthouses dotting the shoreline.

But these lighthouses are exposed to extreme natural elements every year, according to Martha MacFarlane-Faes, deputy state historic preservation officer at the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

“These icons on our shorelines require constant maintenance and attention,” she said. “Our lighthouse preservation grants help repair and restore these beacons, so they can connect us with our maritime heritage for years to come.”

To ensure the lighthouses receive the care they need, SHPO directed $106,000 in Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program (MLAP) grant funding to the Rock of Ages Lighthouse and the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, both located in the U.P.

The Rock of Ages Lighthouse is located on a small rock island three miles off the coast of Isle Royale, near Windigo. The 117-foot lighthouse was built in 1908 and is composed of steel, concrete and brick, with a black base and lantern. After the Rock of Ages Reef (the rock outcropping upon which the lighthouse sits) claimed two large ships — the Cumberland in 1877 and the Henry Chisholm in 1898 — Congress approved the construction of the lighthouse in 1905. An engineering feat of the time, the lighthouse is one of the tallest and most powerful beacons on the Great Lakes.

The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse is located in Eagle Harbor, on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Originally built as a wooden structure in 1851 and rebuilt into its present-day brick structure in 1871, this lighthouse has been critical to guiding mariners on Lake Superior across the northern edge of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The Keweenaw County Historical Society, which owns the lighthouse, will use an MLAP grant of $60,000 and a match amount of $39,000 to rehabilitate the lighthouse tower. Proposed work projects include replacing deteriorated brick, selective repointing of the tower, repairing damaged plaster on the tower interior, diverting water drainage issues on the roof and walls, and repairing the deck and lantern room.

Beyond their cultural and historical contributions, Michigan lighthouses serve an important economic function. Many of them are still operating, and the structures assist mariners in navigating the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. Further, the lighthouses are significant attractions for travelers, tourists and Michigan residents who want to learn the history of the structures and the unique stories each lighthouse can tell.

Read more and view images at this link: https://www.sooeveningnews.com/story/news/history/2023/04/22/2-upper-peninsula-lighthouses-slated-for-restoration-program/70135269007/?fbclid=IwAR2Q8VTRcv3XdNOVOXkbQA-JDyrM_Dh2D5xQtnSq74I2cXS6-ORROtiJr8s

Update On Molly M1 – Keewatin Tow

Tug Molly M1 expected ETA in Port McNicoll, ON, is 10 am Sunday (23rd). The crew will spend Sunday setting up the tow while waiting for pilot ladders to arrive Monday. All dead ship tows in Canada require a pilot. There will be 4 pilot changes from Port McNicoll to Heddle shipyards in St. Catherines. (Port McNicoll to Port Huron – change in Port Huron, Detroit, Port Colborne and Lock 7). Weather window is favorable on Lake Huron and Erie if they leave first light Tuesday morning. So as of now departure with the Keewatin in tow is Tuesday (25th) morning.

Janey Anderson

Frontenac opens 2023 season at Midland

Midland, ON – The CSL motor vessel Frontenac was the first ship of the season to call the Port of Midland Friday morning, earning the prestigious Top Hat for the classic laker. Congratulations Captain Brandon Durant, Chief Engineer Olivier Lapointe and the entire crew.

With the pandemic waning, Milwaukee saw a big increase in cruise ship activity in 2022.

Milwaukee, WI – With the COVID-19 pandemic waning, Milwaukee saw a big increase in cruise ship activity in 2022, according to a new city report. More cruise vessels traveled to or from Milwaukee last year than any other year in recent history, said Port Milwaukee’s latest annual report.

That resulted in 33 visits from eight Great Lakes cruise ships visiting Milwaukee from May through October − carrying 13,611 passengers, the report said. That compares to 3,000 passengers in 2019. Those vessels included the 665-foot Viking Octantis. It’s the largest cruise ship to ever dock in the city.

Along with Viking, cruise lines that sail on the Great Lakes with stops in Milwaukee include Ponant, Plantours and Pearl Seas. In 2020 Pearl signed a deal with Port Milwaukee to make it a turnaround location for ships through at least 2030.

Read the full story here: https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/real-estate/commercial/2023/04/19/milwaukee-saw-a-big-increase-in-cruise-ship-activity-in-2022/70130473007/

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

New Neebish Island ferry out of service

Neebish Island, MI – A post on the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority web site Friday reported the Neebish Islander III ferry as shut down “due to a mechanical issue. Right now we are preparing for a lengthly shutdown.” It is unknown what the issue is. The previous ferry, Neebish Islander II, which has been laid up since last fall when the new ferry was delivered, will be put back into service.

Molly M1 bound for Hamilton

McKeil Marine Tug  MOLLY M1 has departed Hamilton (April 20) with her destination – Port McNicoll, Ontario to prepare the tow of the S.S. KEEWATIN 1907 Steamship. ETA is the 24th.

All goes well, they will depart Port McNicoll in about a week for Heddle Drydock in St.Catharines, ON. prior to heading to her forever home at the Maritime Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston, On.

Janey Anderson

Michigan History in the Making: The Legacy of the Great Lakes Maritime Industry in the Tri-Cities

Join us for a presentation on the Great Lakes Shipping Industry that explores local connections and contributions to the maritime industry, built upon the foundations of shipping in Michigan. This is an extra special presentation, as we have TWO speakers!

Jon Brosseit – Muskegon Community College History Professor, Jon Brosseit, will present examples of how shipping in the Great Lakes is integral to Michigan history, leading into modern-day shipping.

Samuel Hankinson – Port Development Coordinator at the Port of Monroe, Samuel Hankinson, will highlight past maritime activities in the Tri-Cities, pictures of the current era of Great Lakes shipping he profiles in the Grand Haven Tribune’s Ship’s Log column, and an industry perspective on the future of Great Lakes shipping.
Program will be held in Program Room A.

Registration encouraged but not required.

To learn more about this event, click this link: https://www.loutitlibrary.org/calendar/#/events/2PMaX0kJVQ/instances/7xK3PiNKsv/

Mark your calendars for Soo Boatnerd Picnic and Freighter-Chasing Cruise

Join us for the Annual Boatnerd Picnic and Freighter-Chasing Cruise on the St. Marys River during the annual Engineers’ Day weekend at Sault Ste. Marie June 29-30. Find details on both events here: https://www.boatnerd.com/boatnerd-soo-gathering-june-29-30-2023/

Algoma Discovery back in service after fire

Algoma Discovery departed Port Colborne, ON, for Two Harbors, MN, last Tuesday. On Feb. 27 she suffered an engine room fire, which observers feared would doom the 36-year-old Croatian-built Algoma Central Corp. bulk carrier. Launched as Malinska, she later sailed as Daviken before being brought into Great Lakes and Seaway service when Algoma purchased her in 2008.

Janey Anderson

Giant Great Lakes cruise ship to be joined by twin this spring

DETROIT – The giant Viking Octantis cruise ship will be joined in the Great Lakes this spring by its identical twin, the Viking Polaris.

The 665-foot Viking Octantis first entered the Great Lakes during the 2022 cruising season, making its first Michigan port of call on May 3, 2022, in Detroit. It was the largest cruise ship even to sail the Great Lakes.

Its twin, the Viking Polaris, will make its first Michigan port of call on Tuesday, May 30, in Detroit. The stop is part of the eight-day Niagara & Great Lakes cruise, which starts $5,995 per person. The ship is also expected to stop at Alpena and Mackinac Island throughout the 2023 cruising season.

Read the full article: https://www.mlive.com/news/2023/04/giant-great-lakes-cruise-ship-to-be-joined-by-twin-this-spring.html?utm_campaign=mlivedotcom_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR00fS3kMUJH45frQS29v9h9udSteebwcW2cZG_9sFVE4eSYFy14mK1-H44

MLive

Tug William C. Gaynor has close call in USS Cleveland launch

Video footage on YouTube shows the launch of the USS Cleveland at Marinette, WI, Saturday. Unofficial reports indicate the naval vessel did hit the tug and it is fortunate no one was killed. Watch the launch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2vTlIRwbKA

Fireboat Cotter to the rescue along the Buffalo waterfront

The oldest working fireboat in the world was put to the test Saturday as the Edward M. Cotter responded to a brush fire along Gallagher Beach.

Buffalo Fire equipment on land was unable to reach the flames at the base of a break wall and the Cotter was dispatched to pour water on the flames.

Upon arrival, the Cotter was able to successfully douse the fire without further incident.

The Edward M. Cotter recently was celebrated on its 123rd anniversary of service in Buffalo.

NewsBreak

Michigan History in the Making: The Legacy of the Great Lakes Maritime Industry in the Tri-Cities

Join us for a presentation on the Great Lakes Shipping Industry that explores local connections and contributions to the maritime industry, built upon the foundations of shipping in Michigan. This is an extra special presentation, as we have TWO speakers!

Jon Brosseit – Muskegon Community College History Professor, Jon Brosseit, will present examples of how shipping in the Great Lakes is integral to Michigan history, leading into modern-day shipping.

Samuel Hankinson – Port Development Coordinator at the Port of Monroe, Samuel Hankinson, will highlight past maritime activities in the Tri-Cities, pictures of the current era of Great Lakes shipping he profiles in the Grand Haven Tribune’s Ship’s Log column, and an industry perspective on the future of Great Lakes shipping.
Program will be held in Program Room A.

Registration encouraged but not required.

To learn more about this event, click this link: https://www.loutitlibrary.org/calendar/#/events/2PMaX0kJVQ/instances/7xK3PiNKsv/

Fincantieri Marinette Marine launches last Freedom-class littoral combat ship

The end of an era Saturday, at Fincantieri Marinette Marine.

The final littoral combat ship built at the shipyard was launched and christened.

It was the last planned side-launch of a ship at the marine.

The future USS Cleveland (LCS 31), a Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, is the 16th and final Freedom-variant LCS.

Robyn Modly, wife of former Acting Secretary of the Navy and Cleveland native, Thomas Modly, christened the ship.

“A side launch, like you saw behind you, is the way that human beings have been launching ships literally for millennia, it was the first way a large vessel could be launched… but for the building of a modern warship that leaves quite a bit to be desired,” says Fincantieri CEO, Mark Vandroff.

Fincantieri is now working on a new launch for the frigates, which are the next generation of ships following the littoral combat ships.

“We are very pleased that the Navy chose us to build the frigate I think those are great ships, the one they chose for us is based on a frigate designed for various European Navy’s,” says Vandroff.

And in doing so, they are working on constructing a new launch.

“The shiplift that you can see behind me is under construction, we are making great progress on it, I expect to have it done and certified before the end of 2023,” says Vandroff.

The first frigate is expected to be launched and christened in 2025, and completely finished in 2026.

Although it is in the water, the future USS Cleveland is not quite finished.

“As the ship is launched, production completion is about 85% so we’ve got more work to do and we have to go to test and trials,” says Program Director at Lockheed Martin, Chris Minster.

Vandroff says it was truly all hands on deck to get the future USS Cleveland in the water.

“It was a million hours of effort…I’ve got roughly 1,400 if you count both blue collar and white collar employees who come here everyday,” says Vandroff.

And Marinette Marine needs even more employees for the frigate.

It has already added 200 employees, and is looking for another 200.

FOX 11

HELP WANTED: Interlake Logistics

We are looking for a Chief Engineer to join our Tug/Barge Company that operates on the Great Lakes. Join our fleet and work a rotating schedule of 28 days on the vessel and 28 days off!

Interlake Logistics Solutions

Please see graphic below for more information

Former Boblo Island Detroit Detroit dock building being torn down

DETROIT– The end has finally come for the Detroit Harbor Terminal, better known to many as the former Boblo Island Detroit dock. The Moroun family is currently tearing down the long-vacant warehouse.

It was designed by Albert Kahn and was made of reinforced concrete to support the weight of stored cargo coming off freighters. It was the largest warehouse on the Great Lakes when it opened March 15, 1926.

The Boblo boats stopped docking there in 1991, and the building was abandoned in the early 2000s.

HistoricDetroit.org

Navy to christen USS Cleveland, a new Freedom-class combat ship, Saturday

The USS Cleveland, a Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship, will be launched and christened in Marinette, Wisconsin on Saturday morning, according to a press release from the U.S. Navy.

Cleveland is the 16th and final Freedom-variant LCS and the fourth ship to be named in honor of the city. The last ships to be named the USS Cleveland include:

World War I cruiser
World War II light cruiser
Vietnam-era amphibious transport dock (decommissioned in 2011)

Austin Davis, Senior Police Advisor for the City of Cleveland, will give remarks before the ceremony. Additionally, Robyn Modly, wife of former Acting Secretary of the Navy and a Cleveland native, Thomas Modly, will break the bottle to christen the ship.

“This christening is a significant milestone for the future USS Cleveland, the ship’s sponsor Mrs. Robyn Modly, and the prospective crew,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “LCS 31 will be another step closer to joining our fleet, sailing the open seas, continuing to defend our nation, and representing the strong connection our Navy has with the city of Cleveland.”

The USS Cleveland is the last planned side-launch of a ship at the Fincantieri Marinette.

Michigan History in the Making: The Legacy of the Great Lakes Maritime Industry in the Tri-Cities

Join us for a presentation on the Great Lakes Shipping Industry that explores local connections and contributions to the maritime industry, built upon the foundations of shipping in Michigan. This is an extra special presentation, as we have TWO speakers!

Jon Brosseit – Muskegon Community College History Professor, Jon Brosseit, will present examples of how shipping in the Great Lakes is integral to Michigan history, leading into modern-day shipping.

Samuel Hankinson – Port Development Coordinator at the Port of Monroe, Samuel Hankinson, will highlight past maritime activities in the Tri-Cities, pictures of the current era of Great Lakes shipping he profiles in the Grand Haven Tribune’s Ship’s Log column, and an industry perspective on the future of Great Lakes shipping.
Program will be held in Program Room A.

Registration encouraged but not required.

To learn more about this event, click this link: https://www.loutitlibrary.org/calendar/#/events/2PMaX0kJVQ/instances/7xK3PiNKsv/

Mark your calendars for Soo Boatnerd Picnic and Freighter-Chasing Cruise

Join us for the Annual Boatnerd Picnic and Freighter-Chasing Cruise on the St. Marys River during the annual Engineers’ Day weekend at Sault Ste. Marie June 29-30. Find details on both events here: https://www.boatnerd.com/boatnerd-soo-gathering-june-29-30-2023/

Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade More than Doubles in March

CLEVELAND – Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 1.3 million tons in March, more than double their volume of a year ago. Loadings also topped the month’s 5-year average by 10.6 percent.

Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 3.7 million tons, an increase of 53.5 percent compared to 2022. Iron ore shipments are 17.4 percent above their 5-year average for the first three months of the year.

Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually that are the foundation of American industry, infrastructure, and power: iron ore, stone, coal, cement, and other dry bulk materials such as grain, salt, and sand.  More information is available at www.lcaships.com.

LCA

Detroit expects record-breaking Great Lakes cruise season in 2023

A record number of cruises are expected to dock in Detroit this year as part of a growing Great Lakes cruise industry.

Last year, there were a record 52 cruise ships that docked in Detroit, and according to Cruise the Great Lakes and the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, there will be 67 cruise ships docking during the season.

Mark Schrupp, with the Port of Detroit, said the cruise ship season will kick off in May with the first ship docking in Detroit on May 1 – the Viking Octantis.

David Lorenz, the vice president of Travel Michigan, said Cruise the Great Lakes met in Montreal earlier this year to look at the ships that planned to sail the Great Lakes this year. According to Lorenz, they have all the ships they had last year, and a new ship – the Hanseatic Inspiration.

The ships have a variety of routes on the Great Lakes with stops in Michigan including Detroit, Mackinac Island, Muskegon, Sault Ste. Marie and more.

When they stop in Detroit, the team from Visit Detroit works with the Port Authority to provide a welcome for passengers on the dock.

Passengers from the cruises have a variety of options to explore metro Detroit while they’re in the area, with locations like The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, the Motown Museum and more.

“Most people from all around the U.S., places like Texas and California, they’ve heard about places like Michigan, but they might not know the real story about pure Michigan and the rest of the Great Lakes region. So when they come here, they get this two-nation destination experience pretty unique,” Lorenz said. “They get to see that people in our region are really friendly and they see this freshwater experience, which not many cruisers around the world really get to see.”

The cruise industry doesn’t just benefit Michigan and Detroit – it also helps other cities along the Great Lakes like Cleveland and Milwaukee.

According to the Port of Detroit, the cruise ships will continue to dock in the city throughout the summer and last until mid-October.

In all, there will be nine cruises in May, nine in June, 12 in July, 15 in August, 17 in September and five in October. That doesn’t include the dinner cruises along the river that use the Port of Detroit.

According to Lorenz, the future of cruising on the Great Lakes is bright, and he thinks the initial visit to Detroit will bring people back.

He also said they’re hoping to lure some ships to start and stop their journeys in Detroit in the future.

“I think what you’re going to find is that the Port of Detroit is going to continue to make accommodations so that they can lure additional ships, including some of these bigger ships like the Hanseatic Inspiration,” he said. “You’re going to be able to see more and more ships here. And I tell you, we’re going to all benefit from that initial visit because people are going to be able to see Detroit.”

WXYZ news

3 Ships Sunk, 28 Lives Lost on November 18th, 1914

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) along with Marine Sonic Technology, is thrilled to announce the discovery of two vessels that sank in Lake Superior on November 18th, 1914.

November 18th, 1914, the Steamship C.F. Curtis was towing the schooner barges Selden E. Marvin and Annie M. Peterson from Baraga, Michigan (Lake Superior) to Tonawanda, New York, all with a load of lumber. The three ships soon found themselves battling through howling winds, snow squalls and punishing waves. Sadly, the Curtis, Marvin, and Peterson were never seen again. Not one person from the trio survived, 28 lives were lost that day.

In 2021 GLSHS located 9 lost vessels including the C.F. Curtis. This discovery was a huge highlight for the team that summer. This ship that went missing over 100 years ago, was only a piece of the puzzle though…what about the Marvin and the Peterson? One year later in the summer of 2022, after a lot of work and a hint of luck, the crew in the Shipwreck Society’s research vessel, David Boyd, came across another shipwreck within a few miles of the Curtis. After putting the organization’s ROV on the wreck it soon became apparent that the Marvin had been located!

Finding the Curtis and the Marvin are significant historic discoveries in American history as they were all part of the Hines Lumber industry, one of the biggest lumber companies of that era. On November 18th, 1914, they lost almost one quarter of their fleet in one horrific storm.

When the GLSHS first saw the name Selden E. Marvin is an event that can never be reproduced. The raw emotion and joy of a new find is intense, and we had cameras rolling capturing our excitement!

“It was a career highlight to have witnessed the discovery of the Marvin” GLSHS board member and maritime historian, Ric Mixter, said “as it not only solved a chapter in the nation’s darkest day in lumber history, but also showcased a team of historians who have dedicated their lives towards making sure these stories aren’t forgotten.”

“The combined losses of the C.F. Curtis, Selden E. Marvin and Annie M. Peterson have comprised one of the more tragic stories of shipwreck on the Great Lakes and certainly became one of the Lake Superior’s enduring mysteries. Executive Director, Bruce Lynn, of the GLSHS said, “To locate the Curtis and Marvin in a space of two years has been amazing…now we just have to find the Peterson!”

The GLSHS is searching for the Peterson!

“It’s one of our goals to find the Peterson, Director of Marine Operations for the GLSHS, Darryl Ertel said, “it would be great to know where all 3 wrecks are lying on the bottom of Superior, and finally be able to tell the stories of the Curtis, Marvin and Peterson.”

This moment of maritime history and discovery will be showcased in the video we have on our website www.shipwreckmuseum.com and other streaming sites.

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum