Rudderless Robert S. Pierson heads to Superior

After sitting at anchor in Goulais Bay, above the Soo Locks on the Canadian side, for several days, the Robert S. Pierson hove anchor Saturday headed for Superior, WI, and most likely to Fraser Shipyards. According to AIS, the Purvis Marine tug Avenger IV accompanied her, or may have her in tow.

Owner Rand Logistics/Lower Lakes Towing has not released any official information, although waterfront reports in the Soo indicated Pierson’s rudder fell off. She had departed Algoma Steel for Two Harbors on October 13 when the incident occurred near Gros Cap.

Gales of November  8-9

A great slate of presentations this year. Also a form to order a raffle ticket for a ride on the Edwin H. Gott. Help support Duluth’s Maritime Museum 

Bottom of Form

[David Schauer]

National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”

Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.

Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite

Gales of November  8-9

A great slate of presentations this year. Also a form to order a raffle ticket for a ride on the Edwin H. Gott. Help support Duluth’s Maritime Museum 

Bottom of Form

[David Schauer]

National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”

Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.

Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite

Great Lakes’ water levels dropping, but still just about average

Autumn in Michigan not only means falling leaves; it also marks the start of the seasonal drop in water levels on the Great Lakes.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in a report issued late last week, said that by the second week in November, it expects water levels to drop 5-6 inches on lakes Erie and Ontario and 2-3 inches on lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron. New estimates are due to be released in the coming days.

According to the agency, water levels tend to drop in fall and early winter “due to an increase in evaporation as temperatures decline and cold air moves over the relatively warm lake waters.”

Low water levels can create access issues for certain boats.  Recreational boating, for example, may be difficult because some vessels are not suited for lower water levels.

According to Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments — a joint project of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University — high or low water levels can impact fisheries, commercial shipping, hydropower generation, recreational boating, shoreline flooding and coastal erosion.

“The variability of Great Lakes water levels is necessary for the continued health of the Lakes but can create challenges for waterfront communities and homeowners,” the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy explains on its website.

Historical perspective

Water levels in the Great Lakes have declined in recent years, but experts say it’s not as bad as it seems. Precipitation is the main determinant of water levels in the Great Lakes. This year, the state experienced drier-than-normal conditions due to a lack of rainfall, causing abnormally dry and even drought conditions in some parts of the state.

But lake levels don’t just depend on rainfall totals in a specific area. Many of the rivers and streams across the state that feed into the lakes also impact lake levels.

“The more areas that have drainage channels into the lakes, the more those areas are below average or in drought conditions, generally, the greater tendency for those lake levels to slowly decline over long periods of time,” said Kevin Kacan, meteorologist of the National Weather Service’s Detroit office.

While low precipitation has had a slight impact on water levels in the Great Lakes, long-term data show that the current lake levels are just about average.

“While the levels have dropped significantly in the last four or five years, they’re not quite to a place where we would call them low yet,” said Keith Kompoltowicz chief of hydraulics for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit district. “They’re near average, and that’s just simply because it’s been so dry, especially recently.”

The water levels in the Great Lakes are just about the same as they were this time last year, except for Lake Superior, where the average water level is down compared to last year.

As of Oct. 11, the average water level was about:

    601 feet for Lake Superior

    579 feet for lakes Michigan and Huron

    572 feet for Lake Erie

    245 feet for Lake Ontario.

Water levels in the Great Lakes dropped to record lows beginning in 2012 and 2013. However, the levels began to quickly increase in 2022 and are now starting to average out.

“This stretch of weather that we’ve had across the Great Lakes, with the exception of a couple of rainy days here and there, has been just remarkable with tons of sun,” Kompoltowicz said. “Very dry conditions have allowed the lakes to decline because of the lack of water being put into the system and that’s a natural thing.”

Typically, the lakes reach low levels during the winter but will rise again once the snow melts and spring rain occurs. But when there are consecutive dry seasons, water levels will decline to below-average levels.

“If we see a very healthy snowpack on the ground in the Great Lakes followed by a very wet spring that would lead us to believe that levels might increase from where they were a year ago,” Kompoltowicz said. “But if we continue these very dry conditions with very minimal snow, very minimal spring rains next year, then levels would continue to maybe even dip a little bit further and fall below average.”

Bridge Michigan

Gales of November  8-9

A great slate of presentations this year. Also a form to order a raffle ticket for a ride on the Edwin H. Gott. Help support Duluth’s Maritime Museum 

Bottom of Form

[David Schauer]

National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”

Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.

Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite

End of an Era: Historic SS United States Transferred to New Owners

Mike Schuler

The iconic SS United States is set to embark on its final journey – not across the Atlantic, but towards a new life as the world’s largest artificial reef.

On Saturday, October 12, 2024, the SS United States Conservancy formally transferred the title of the historic ocean liner to Okaloosa County, Florida, marking a significant turning point in the ship’s storied legacy.

This $10.1 million project represents a innovative solution for preserving the vessel, which has been docked in Philadelphia since 1996.

The transfer of ownership comes after a protracted legal dispute with the pier operator and offers a “more dignified option” compared to the alternative of scrapping. A court-ordered mediation between the SS United States Conservancy and Penn Warehousing resulted in a settlement agreement, ending over two years of litigation. The confidential settlement, awaiting final court disposition, led to limited financial liability for the Conservancy. Despite the judge rejecting Penn Warehousing’s claims for doubled rent, the settlement maintains the court’s original ruling that the SS United States must promptly vacate its pier.

The SS United States Conservancy evaluated numerous proposals to purchase and relocate the ship, but none met its due diligence requirements or timing constraints. A promising five-year collaboration with a New York developer for a mixed-use destination fell through due to difficulties securing a pier location and lack of government support.

With no viable options to preserve the SS United States and facing the binding court order, the Conservancy had to make a difficult decision: scrap America’s Flagship or transform her into an artificial reef with an accompanying land-based museum. It chose the latter as the “most dignified path.”

“Converting the world’s fastest ship into the world’s largest artificial reef will write a new chapter for the SS United States as a world-class destination,” said Susan Gibbs, President of the SS United States Conservancy.

The SS United States, launched in 1951, holds a special place in maritime history. It still holds the transatlantic speed record and has a rich history of transporting presidents, celebrities, and immigrants. During the Cold War, it was designed as a convertible troop carrier capable of transporting 14,000 troops 10,000 miles without refueling.

“This accomplishment confirms our commitment to remain good stewards of the environment, while also enhancing our community’s status as a premier diving and fishing destination,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission projects an impressive 13,800% return on investment for artificial reefs in the Florida Panhandle, underscoring the project’s economic potential.

The process will involve extensive environmental remediation, expected to take over a year, followed by six months to a year for deployment. While the exact location off Destin-Fort Walton Beach is yet to be determined, it will be accessible to divers of various skill levels.

As part of the project, a state-of-the-art land-based museum will be constructed to honor and recognize the history of “America’s Flagship” and ensure that the ship continues to inspire and educate future generations about its significant role in American maritime history.

The next steps involve moving the ship to Norfolk, Virginia, in the coming weeks for necessary preparations before its final deployment as an artificial reef.

Once submerged, the nearly 1,000-foot-long vessel will become a thriving habitat for marine life and a world-class attraction for divers and anglers.

Gales of November  8-9

A great slate of presentations this year. Also a form to order a raffle ticket for a ride on the Edwin H. Gott. Help support Duluth’s Maritime Museum 

Bottom of Form

[David Schauer]

National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”

Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.

Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite

National Museum of the Great Lakes Partners with Victory Cruise
Lines for LakeLorian Program, Announces Shore Excursions in Toledo

Toledo, OH –  The National Museum of the Great Lakes has announced a new partnership with Victory Cruise Lines – the LakeLorian program and Toledo shore excursions ­– set to debut in the 2025 cruise season.

The program features museum-trained LakeLorians who will guide Victory’s guests through the history, science, and significance of the Great Lakes. As these storytellers lead discussions, give lectures, and host one-on-one sessions across Victory I and Victory II vessels, passengers will gain unique insight into each port visited and experience the region’s distinctive past through engaging discussions.

“The Victory Cruise Lines team has long been a valued supporter of the National Museum of the Great Lakes, and we are thrilled to reignite this partnership,” said Kate Fineske, Executive Director of the National Museum of the Great Lakes. “Victory’s fleet will serve as floating extensions of our museum, delivering dynamic programming to travelers and creating a unique learning experience both on the waters of the Great Lakes and at the museum in Toledo. We look forward to sharing the science and stories of these extraordinary lakes.”

Additionally, in partnership with Destination Toledo, every sailing will feature an excursion to the National Museum of the Great Lakes. Guests will enjoy unique, behind-the-scenes access to Great Lakes experiences, content, and artifacts.

“We are excited to be a part of the launch of a new industry in Toledo through our partnership with the museum and Victory Cruise Lines,” said Lance Woodworth, President & CEO of Destination Toledo. “With the unique experiences offered by Victory Cruise Lines and the National Museum of the Great Lakes, cruise passengers will have a brand new and exclusive opportunity to take a deep dive into Great Lakes stories here in Toledo.”

Victory Cruise Lines is dedicated to offering exclusive, all-inclusive, small ship cruising experiences throughout the Great Lakes and Canadian coasts. This partnership solidifies Victory Cruise Lines’ commitment to not only showcasing the beautiful landscapes of the Great Lakes but also enriching its passengers’ understanding of the region. As John Waggoner, chairman and founder of Victory Cruise Lines, noted, “Our guests seek more than just a visit to ports – they crave an in-depth understanding of the Great Lakes. Working with the National Museum of the Great Lakes adds depth to the guest experience and allows us to celebrate this extraordinary region.”

Victory Cruise Lines’ 2025 season kicks off with a special New England & Canada Reunion Cruise, setting sail from Portland to Toronto on April 16, 2025, and offering guests a unique journey through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Canadian Maritimes. With a lineup of 36 Great Lakes voyages and a commitment to all-inclusive coastal cruising, Victory Cruise Lines hopes to deliver unforgettable experiences that touch all five Great Lakes. You can find out more at VictoryCruiseLines.com.

National Museum of the Great Lakes

St. Lawrence Seaway Closing Dates Announced

See the press release in the photo gallery.

SS Badger, the last operating coal-fired passenger steamship in the US, is an icon of Lake Michigan car ferries.

SS Badger is a historic vessel that encapsulates the relationship between Lake Michigan’s communities and the economic, cultural and historical landscape of the region.

Serena Stuettgen Special to Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

When you think of travel on Lake Michigan, you likely think of the S.S. Badger. It has been an iconic mode of transportation connecting communities and enhancing travel experiences for decades.

As the last operating coal-fired passenger steamship in the United States, the S.S. Badger carries a rich history that reflects the evolution of car ferries in the Great Lakes region.

This history began in 1875 when the Flint and Pere Marquette Railway launched the 175-foot steamer John Sherman to transport grain, freight and passengers between Ludington, Michigan, and Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

By 1892, the Ann Arbor Railroad expanded to create cross-lake services with the 260-foot wooden hull Ann Arbor 1, proving the viability of shipping cargo-filled railroad cars across Lake Michigan.

This success inspired the Flint and Pere Marquette Railway to develop its own fleet, resulting in the launch of the steel-hulled Pere Marquette in 1896. This vessel set design standards for many subsequent ferries because of its impressive performance.

More maritime history:Great Lakes freighter, launched in Manitowoc in 1953, transports enough barley in each load to make 40 million bottles of beer

The Lake Michigan fleet of car ferries expanded and adapted to economic conditions, thriving particularly during World War I when traffic increased. In 1918, the U.S. Railroad Administration formed the Lake Michigan Car Ferry Association to enhance efficiency by managing 11 vessels from the Ann Arbor, GrandTrunk and Pere Marquette railroads. This collaboration lasted until 1920, when the management of these ferries was returned to private ownership.

The 1920s brought prosperity to the car ferry industry, with new vessels ordered, though the Great Depression led to a decline in traffic and the retirement of older ships. In 1931, the City of Flint 32 set a world record at that time by completing 1,010 crossings of Lake Michigan.

In the early 1950s, the Ludington-based fleet received its final major additions with the S.S. Spartan and S.S. Badger, both hailed as the largest and most luxurious Great Lakes car ferries at that time. The S.S. Badger was constructed in 1952 by the Christy Corporation in Sturgeon Bay. Its inaugural voyage took place March 21, 1953, marking the beginning of a new era in regional transportation. The peak year for the service was 1955, with the ferries carrying more than 205,000 passengers and 204,460 freight cars in nearly 7,000 crossings.

However, by 1975, economic pressures led the C&O Railroad, which had acquired the Pere Marquette Railway, to abandon the car ferry business. The last operational voyage of the S.S. Badger occurred on Nov. 16, 1990.

However, that was not the end for S.S. Badger. In 1991, Charles Conrad from Ludington purchased the S.S. Badger and its sister ships, aiming to revive the ferry service. Conrad, whose father had worked for the Pere Marquette Railway, had a lifelong passion for the ferries and was dedicated to preserving their legacy.

What’s it like to ride the Badger? Ride aboard SS Badger is a throwback to a bygone era. Here’s the experience.

The S.S. Badger made its return debut in Ludington in May 1992, marking the revival of a long-standing tradition of car ferry service on Lake Michigan.

The S.S. Badger is more than just a mode of transportation; it is a historic vessel that encapsulates the relationship between Lake Michigan’s communities and the economic, cultural and historical landscape of the region. As it continues to operate, the S.S. Badger serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of maritime travel.

Serena Stuettgen is collections and archives manager at Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc.

Gales of November  8-9

A great slate of presentations this year. Also a form to order a raffle ticket for a ride on the Edwin H. Gott. Help support Duluth’s Maritime Museum 

Bottom of Form

[David Schauer]

National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”

Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.

Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite

Gales of November  8-9

A great slate of presentations this year. Also a form to order a raffle ticket for a ride on the Edwin H. Gott. Help support Duluth’s Maritime Museum 

Bottom of Form

[David Schauer]

National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”

Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.

Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite

Gales of November  8-9

A great slate of presentations this year. Also a form to order a raffle ticket for a ride on the Edwin H. Gott. Help support Duluth’s Maritime Museum 

Bottom of Form

[David Schauer]

National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”

Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.

Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite

Sturgeon Bay firm wins $5.2 million Coast Guard contract to build its largest boat hoist

STURGEON BAY, WI – The U.S. Coast Guard awarded a $5.2 million contract to a Sturgeon Bay-based business to build a new boat hoist for the federal agency.

Marine Travelift, which specializes in manufacturing boat hoists and other boat handling equipment, won the competitive bid to build a 620-ton mobile boat hoist for the Coast Guard. It would have the largest lift capacity of any such unit any U.S. federal agency ever has acquired and will be used to support maintenance and repairs of the Coast Guard fleet.

The announcement of the contract came in a press release from the office of U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, who said in the announcement the Coast Guard followed regulations in the federal Build America, Buy America Act, which requires all iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials used in federal infrastructure projects are produced in the U.S., when awarding the contract to Marine Travelift.

The release said the hoist will support an estimated 50 to 60 jobs. A spokesperson from Baldwin’s office said those jobs are at Marine Travelift, its sister metal fabrication company ExactTech and 19 other firms across Northeast and Central Wisconsin that will fabricate or supply parts for the hoist, ranging from the engine and pumps to pins and tires. Other Sturgeon Bay companies involved with the project are Hi Tec Fabrication for fabricated parts (along with Olson Fabrication in Algoma), the local Fastenal center for hardware, Key Industrial for tube blocks and Maple Street Sign Co. for decals.

Green Bay Press Gazette

Gales of November  8-9

A great slate of presentations this year. Also a form to order a raffle ticket for a ride on the Edwin H. Gott. Help support Duluth’s Maritime Museum 

Bottom of Form

[David Schauer]

National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”

Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.

Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite

Iron, steel, petroleum continues to drive tonnage through St. Lawrence Seaway

The St. Lawrence Seaway announced its September performance figures, with 23.6 million mt (metric tons) of cargo shipped since the beginning of the navigation season.

While overall tonnage is slightly down compared to last year, iron, steel, petroleum and potash demonstrate positive trends that underscore the seaway’s role in North American supply chains, with indications of a strong finish for grain this season also expected.

“As we enter the fall, a busy time for grain harvests, we are ready to support our partners with the immediate capacity to accommodate increased traffic,” said Jim Athanasiou, president and CEO of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. “The St. Lawrence Seaway is committed to providing a reliable and sustainable link in the supply chain, ensuring the movement of diverse commodities that contribute to the growth of our economies.”

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System serves as a key transportation corridor, facilitating the flow of essential commodities, such as grain and potash, critical for North American and global economies. This robust system supports over 241,000 jobs and numerous industries while prioritizing sustainability and efficiency in marine shipping.

“September’s tonnage report re-affirms that the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system is a dependable shipping corridor enabling U.S. growers, producers and manufacturers to reach the world economy and keep costs low,” said Adam Tindall-Schlicht, administrator, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. “With a busy few months remaining in the 2024 season, we’re confident that Great Lakes ports are ready to finish the year strong.”

Cargos that showed increases compared to the same period in 2023 include:

Grain: 6.2 million mt of Canadian and U.S. grain, up by 251,000 mt or 4.2 per cent

Potash: 1.1 million mt up by 200,000 mt or 21 per cent (used primarily as an agricultural fertilizer)

Petroleum products: 2.2 million mt, up by 487,000 mt or 28.8 per cent

Iron and steel: 1.5 million mt up by 313,000 mt or 26 per cent

Inside Logistics

1921 Duluth-built Canal vessel Day Peckinpaugh for sale

Day Peckinpaugh, the last working freighter on the Erie Canal when she was retired in 1994, she has been offered for sale by the State of New York after several years of failed preservation attempts.

Built narrow and low to clear bridges and canal locks, she saw service on the Great Lakes and in World War II before ending her career as q self-unloading dry cement hauler.

The 259-foot-long Day Peckinpaugh was built by the McDougall-Duluth Shipyard in Duluth, MN, the first boat specially designed and built for New York State Barge Canal, the successor to the famed Erie Canal. The ship was originally named ILI 101 after the ship’s first owner, the Interwaterways Lines Inc. of New York City. The ship was the first specifically designed to ply the open waters of the Great Lakes as well as the narrow locks and shallow waterways of the barge canal. Day Peckinpaugh is also the last surviving ship from a fleet of more than 100 of her type that once carried freight from the upper Midwest to the port of New York City.

During World War II, by then named Richard J. Barnes, was drafted into the US Merchant Marine to carry coal and refuel cargo ships along the east coast of the United States. During her Merchant Marine service Richard J. Barnes was attacked by a German U-boat which fired a torpedo at her; the torpedo was thought to have passed under the ship due to her shallow seven-foot draft.

In 1958, the ship was sold to Erie Navigation and retrofitted to carry sand and gravel. The ship was again renamed, becoming Day Peckinpaugh, in honor of the man of the same name, brother of the New York Yankees player and manager, Roger Peckinpaugh.

The ship was converted to a self-unloading dry cement hauler in 1961 and used to carry cement from Oswego to Rome, New York. until her retirement in 1994. Day Peckinpaugh was the last self-propelled regularly scheduled commercial hauler on the barge canal.

In 2005, Day Peckinpaugh was saved from the scrap yard by a partnership of museums and canal preservation societies with a goat to restore and convert her into a floating classroom and museum to highlight the history and heritage of the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes. In late 2011 the New York State Department of Education received a $191,000 grant to outfit the vessel for that purpose with restoration scheduled for completion in 2012.

On March 8, 2010, Guy J. Pucci, a 35-year-old ex-state employee was arrested after almost completely sinking the ship while she was docked at Lock 2 of the Barge Canal undergoing restoration. The ship sustained extensive damage due to the flooding, and repairs were estimated to be in excess of $10,000. As of 2018, it was considered a possible candidate for sinking as a reef due to maintenance costs.

For information on the sale, go here: https://www.govdeals.com/asset/3335/23762

Read more about the vessel here: http://www.tug44.org/canal.corp.boats/day-peckinpaugh/

Marine Mart planned for Oct. 12

The Great Lakes Maritime Institute will host its 43rd annual Marine Mart Oct, 12 in St. Clair Shores, MI. See the flier in the photo gallery for details.

National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”

Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.

Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite

Marine Mart planned for Oct. 12

The Great Lakes Maritime Institute will host its 43rd annual Marine Mart Oct, 12 in St. Clair Shores, MI. See the flier in the photo gallery for details.

National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”

Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.

Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite