Duluth Shipping News

The Herbert C. Jackson brings coal to Duluth

May 17, 2013 · 3 comments

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The Herbert C. Jackson arrived in Duluth on May 17, 2013 with eastern coal to discharge at Hallett #5. She will then cross the St. Louis River and load western coal at Midwest Energy Resources to take to Presque Isle, in Marquette, Michigan.

The Captain on the Herbert C. Jackson, to the Coast Guard on channel 22A, around 2 am on May 12th 2013

Captain: Herbert C. Jackson on 22A

CG: Herbert C Jackson Coast Guard sector Detroit, go ahead.

Captain: I just want to report that while trying to transit through Jefferson Street Bridge, the Jefferson Street Bridge closed on me and I hit the bridge.

Listen to the whole Radio transmission between the Jackson and the Coast Guard right after the Jackson collided with the Jefferson Street Bridge in Detroit. It is rare to hear the Captain of a boat minutes after an accident. He will tell you what happened in the early morning of May 12, 2013.

New boss in town

May 17, 2013 · 1 comment

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When the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge goes up for the arrival of the Philip R. Clarke this morning (May 17, 2013), Dave Campbell (right) will be in charge and Ryan Beamer (left) will be home working on the next chapter in his life. It is an historic day and where better to read about it than at Zenith City Online.

Joe Block here with limestone

May 15, 2013 · 0 comments

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She brought limestone for the CN dock in West Duluth. When she completes discharging that cargo, she will move to the CN dock in Two Harbors to load iron ore pellets.

Everything but the 261

May 12, 2013 · 7 comments

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Went out today to take some pictures of the 261 departing Duluth for the Twin Cities. Evidently, I didn’t get the memo, the locomotive was in West Duluth. When I saw the front car above, I thought maybe the 261 was in the back of the train, but the last car, just below, was the NSRX 186 800040. Ship names sound a lot better. I think the 261 locomotive joined the train in West Duluth, but remember, I did not get the memo.

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I picked up this information about the car just above here: http://261.com/261-roster/-Designed by famed industrial designer Brooks Stevens and built by the Milwaukee Road in 1948 in its own shops for service on the Minneapolis-Chicago “Hiawatha.”
-Retired in 1970 and donated to Brooks Stevens.
-Rebuilt 1984, Operated until 1990.
-Acquired by the Friends of the 261 in 1998 and returned to service.

Engine 261 comes to Duluth

May 11, 2013

Above the 261 arrives Duluth. Judy Eakman Collins took this video this morning (May 11, 2013) as the train was going thru Cedar, Minnesota on her way to Duluth Heritage video of the 261 Duluth News Tribune article about the 261

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Miedwie arrives Duluth to load grain

May 9, 2013

The Polish operated Miedwie got an assist through the harbor from the Great Lakes tugs Minnesota (bow) and North Dakota (stern) as she moved over to CHS 1 in Superior.

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Two colorful salt water ships at the end of a nice spring day

May 7, 2013

Above, the BBC Florida waits at anchor to come in to load grain at Peavey/Gavilon in Superior. Below, the HHL Mississippi departs under the Lift Bridge after loading grain at CHS 2 in Superior. This was our first spring like day (May 7, 2013). We had two colorful salt water boats here to celebrate the [...]

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Tregurtha whistles to the crowd

May 6, 2013

Listen to her boat whistle as the Paul R. Tregurtha departed Duluth today (May 6, 2013). The Captain has a unique way of doing it and the Bridge usually follows the boat’s lead, as it did today.

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We are getting ready for you

April 26, 2013

The S.S. William A. Irvin was launched in November 21, 1937. She hauled bulk materials from Lake Superior to US Steel’s mills in Gary, Conneaut and Lorain. She went into extended layup in 1978 until she was rescued, 8 years later, to become a major tourist attraction in Duluth. Operated by the DECC (Duluth Entertainment [...]

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Great Lakes Trader here for iron ore pellets

April 23, 2013

The Great Lakes Trader came under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge early this afternoon, April 23, 2013. She is here to load iron ore pellets at the CN dock in West Duluth

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As I saw the port on April 13, 2013

April 18, 2013

For 18 years, I have been watching the East wind blow ice into the funnel at the western end of Lake Superior known as Duluth. My office is next to the Lift Bridge. So I know. Or rather, even now, I still don’t know. A week ago, I thought I knew Lake Superior was clear [...]

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The ice is bad now; check out the fun in 2003

April 15, 2013

March, 2003 seemed like the beginning of a normal Duluth spring, just like this past spring also seemed pretty normal. Above, the Sundew broke away from her winter moorings on March 12th, 2003. Below, the Mackinaw arrived on the 20th. Above, the Frontenac arrived on March 29, the first boat to transit the entire Seaway [...]

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Still moving, very slowly

April 15, 2013

Note: this post is in chronological order, earliest pictures first With help from the Great Lakes tug North Carolina, the CSL Tadoussac departed Duluth this morning (April 15, 2013) around 8:25. Next, the North Carolina was off to help the Indiana Harbor. A little later, the Birchglen arrived and slowly made her way under [...]

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Waiting

April 13, 2013

Click picture above to see boat names better

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Where did this come from?

April 12, 2013

4:45: the Tregurtha called the tug North Carolina in for the day. It appears that all boats will wait until morning when they hope the Alder will be able to open up a wider track. The Paul R. Tregurtha asked the tug North Carolina to check the ice between the piers. The tug is able [...]

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Storm outside, not so bad inside

April 11, 2013

Outside the harbor, with winds gusting as high as “unable to open my car door, almost,” Duluth waits for the snow to come; within the hour as this picture was taken at 10am on April 11, 2013. The Mesabi Miner came under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge this morning at 2:23. She arrived at the [...]

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Back home again

April 7, 2013

On March 11, 2013, the Alder broke away from the ice around her dock and began her task of clearing the shipping channels in the Duluth Superior harbor, as well as breaking ice and working buoys in other parts of the Great Lakes. Today, April 7, 2013, almost a month later, she came back home. [...]

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Tregurtha back for 2nd trip

April 4, 2013

She came under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge around 12:30 on April 4, 2013. Here for more on the Paul R. Tregurtha

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Party on the Federal Hunter

April 1, 2013

The Port Authority organizes a party, usually in early April, when the first salt water vessel comes to town. I went to the welcome the Federal Hunter to the Twin ports party today (April 1, 2013) to show a little of what being on a ship like the Federal Hunter is like. It is about [...]

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Federal Hunter is first salt water ship in 2013

March 30, 2013

She came in at 58 minutes after midnight on March 30, 2013.

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Federal Hunter will be here; first salt water ship of the season

March 29, 2013

The Federal Hunter will make her 10th trip to the Twin Ports today (March 29, 2013) or tomorrow, marking the earliest date in a new season a salt water vessel has arrived in the Twin Ports. She will break the record the LT Argosy set when she arrived here on April 1, 1995. The Federal [...]

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Watch the Mackinaw azipods in action

March 25, 2013

The Mackinaw has a unique method to break open large ice fields

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Indiana Harbor comes in for fuel

March 23, 2013

After spending the winter at Lakehead Pipeline in Superior, the Indiana Harbor departed using the Superior entry and came around to use the Duluth entry to come in for fuel (March 23, 2013, Saturday around 1 pm. She will depart later today for Two Harbors to load her first cargo of the year, iron ore [...]

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Mesabi Miner first to depart

March 20, 2013

The Mesabi Miner departed Duluth this morning (March 20, 2013) at 9:30 am, on her way to Marquette to discharge a cargo of coal. She will return here Saturday to load iron ore pellets. She was the first departure of the season for Duluth Superior, she will be the first arrival in Marquette and she [...]

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Mackinaw breaks ice in Duluth

March 17, 2013

The US Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw left her moorings at the DECC at 9 am this morning (March 17, 2013) to break ice in the Duluth Superior harbor. She returned to the DECC around 11:30, dropped some folks off, and then went under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge on her way to Whitefish Point at [...]

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Mackinaw arrives Duluth

March 16, 2013

Above, the Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw arrived Duluth on Saturday afternoon, March 16, 2013. Watch my wet video of the launch of the Mackinaw in April, 2005 The Duluth Shipping News has 18 pages about the Mackinaw here

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Go along with the Alder

March 14, 2013

On March 13th, 2013, the US Coast Guard cutter Alder made her second ice breaking trip of the new season. She retraced some of the tracks she broke out on Monday and went under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge to open a track to the end of the ice pack, about 5 1/2 miles out.

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Alder goes out in the lake

March 13, 2013

The Coast Guard cutter Alder covered all the bases today (March 13, 2013), first going under the Lift Bridge and to the edge of the ice sheet, about 5 1/2 miles out. The ship made quick work of the ice, easily breaking open a track and then coming back in to break up more ice [...]

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Alder opens 2013 season

March 11, 2013

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Spring has sprung

March 11, 2013

… and the Alder didn’t seem to have any trouble breaking the ice around her this morning (March 11, 2013) when she pulled away from her moorings, the first vessel to move in the port this new season.

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Winter in Duluth: Is it fun?

March 7, 2013

Click to see new video looking back at the winter (spring?) of 2007 More ice breaking videos: March 9, 2011; watch the Alder break ice in Duluth January 9, 2008: Alder out breaking ice as last boats come in for layup January 6, 2008: The ice breaker Biscayne Bay in DuluthNote: the Biscayne Bay will [...]

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Bridge from web cam in window

February 18, 2013

http://duluthshippingnews.com/dsntv/

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Getting ready for the Munson

January 25, 2013

The Alder returned to the Twin Ports early Friday morning (January 25, 2013) and went right to work clearing the path for the John G. Munson to take when she comes in, later today, to move to Fraser Shipyards for winter layup. Below, at 12:15 in the afternoon, the Munson finally came in (below) and [...]

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The Munson is almost home

January 24, 2013

The John G. Munson arrived off the Duluth piers early this morning (January 24, 2013) and dropped her anchor. Her expected arrival date has changed several times over the last weeks and again over the last several days. Ice and cold weather have added some complications to a mid-January cargo run inside the Soo Locks. [...]

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Roger Blough comes home for the winter

January 16, 2013

The Roger Blough came under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge (right) at 11:52 this morning (January 16, 2013). She then moved over to the Port Terminal dock (below) before going to Fraser Shipyards for winter layup. Last year, she stayed at the Port Terminal for winter layup. In between winter vacations, she was here for [...]

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Coming home for the winter

January 12, 2013

The John J. Boland was greeted by a cold but hearty group when she came in for winter layup on Saturday afternoon, January 12, 2013 (temperature was 17 degrees F with the wind at 16 mph). Just below, the American Century came in at 7:56, Friday night, January 11, 2013. By Saturday morning she [...]

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Winter Layup, Duluth Superior, 2013

January 9, 2013

Vessel Location Arrived Notes Mesabi Miner Midwest Energy Resources January 8, 2013 Made 40 trips to Twin Ports this season American Century Port Terminal January 11, 2013 She made 31 trips to the Twin Ports this season American Spirit Elevator M January 12, 2013 She made 8 trips to Twin Ports this season [...]

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Mesabi Miner first in for winter layup

January 9, 2013

The Mesabi Miner came under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge last night (January 8, 2013) at 11:51. She is the first boat to arrive for winter layup. Before taking her place at the Midwest Energy Resources coal dock for the winter, she stopped off at the Holcim Dock in Duluth for some minor repairs. (Above and [...]

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Nick gets two, three times, in Two Harbors

January 1, 2013

Nick Stenstrup took the three pictures below, the first this past December and the two below that last July. He tells us what he saw below. On December 22, 2012, the Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. loaded iron ore pellets at the CN conveyor dock in Two Harbors while the John J. Boland waited on the [...]

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Bentleyville says Goodbye for another year

December 28, 2012

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Great Republic stops in Duluth

December 26, 2012

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Here and hiding

December 21, 2012

Above, the Baie St. Paul made her first entrance into the Duluth port around 8:30 on Friday night, December 21, 2012. Below, you don’t suppose the Baie St. Paul is hiding behind her fleet mate Atlantic Erie, do you. Both are at anchor off the Duluth piers, waiting to load iron ore pellets at [...]

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Paul R stops for fuel before loading coal

December 18, 2012

The Paul R. Tregurtha arrived Duluth in the early afternoon of December 18, 2012. She is here to load 64,000 tons of coal at Midwest Energy Resources in Superior. Before going there, she stopped by the Calumet fuel dock (above) to load fuel.

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Merry Christmas Federal Sakura

December 18, 2012

The last saltwater ship of the season, the Federal Sakura, arrived last night (December 17, 2012) at 7:56. She was of course greeted by the annual Bentleyville Christmas light display in Canal Park.

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Hermann Schoening here

December 13, 2012

The Hermann Schoening arrived Duluth on December 13, 2012 (below) to load grain at CHS2 in Superior. It was her first trip to the Twin Ports.

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Indiana Harbor goes out with coal

December 11, 2012

The Indiana Harbor departed Duluth in the late afternoon of December 11, 2012 to carry 64,000 tons of coal from Midwest Energy Resources in Superior to their parent company, Detroit Edison.

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Federal Yukina here for flax

December 4, 2012

After stopping in Hamilton, Windsor, Milwaukee and Burns Harbor, the Federal Yukina came to Duluth to load flax. She is seen here doing that at CHS 2 in Superior. Later today (December 4, 2012), she will leave here for Thunder Bay to load canola oil before departing the Great Lakes for Europe. She was built [...]

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Quiet now, but not in 2001

November 22, 2012

The CSL Tadoussac came under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge this morning (Thanksgiving, 2012) and is seen above moving up the Duluth harbor on her way to the CN dock in West Duluth to load iron ore pellets. It is pretty peaceful this morning; we may have some snow this afternoon, but 11 years ago, [...]

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Tregurtha gets another cargo of coal

November 20, 2012

The Paul R. Tregurtha departed Duluth at 1:07 in the afternoon of November 20th, 2012 (above). This was her 34th trip to the Twin Ports this season, almost always loading coal at Midwest Energy Resources in Superior and taking that cargo to Midwest’s parent company, Detroit Edison, for use in electrical generation power plants. Last year [...]

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Marietje Deborah departs Duluth

November 13, 2012

The Marietje Deborah lights up the place no matter what time of day she is traveling.

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Blue Light Special in Duluth

November 11, 2012

The Marietje Deborah arrived from the anchorage on Sunday afternoon, November 11, 2012. A sister ship, the Marietje Marsilla, was here in June. Captain H.J. Danser was on that vessel and told us this one would be here later. Captain Danser is part owner,with Wagenborg Shipping, of both ships plus 3 others. All are named [...]

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Vlieborg ends maiden voyage in Duluth

November 10, 2012

The brand new Vlieborg arrived Duluth this morning (November 10, 2012) and is seen here slowly backing into her berth at General Mills in Duluth around 9 am. Weather was bad; big wind, thunder and lightning, and drizzle. Not a great picture but I wanted to celebrate the completion of her maiden voyage in Duluth. [...]

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Well done

November 7, 2012

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Tecumseh turns the corner

November 4, 2012

Holly Jorgenson took this picture on Sunday, November 4, 2012 while the Tecumseh was rounding the corner and about to dock at CHS 2 in Superior.

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Copenhagen loading grain at CHS 2

November 2, 2012

Holly Jorgenson took this picture on November 2, 2012 while the Copenhagen was loading grain in Superior.

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Aerial Bridge down on Wednesday for 6 hours

October 30, 2012

The Aerial Lift Bridge will be closed to vessel traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 to allow workers to replace an electrical switching assembly. The unit will be installed to ensure operation of a backup diesel generator in case normal power is lost. (from the City of Duluth)

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Seldom seen Algorail, seen!

October 28, 2012

The Canadian flagged Algorail departed with iron ore pellets today (October 28, 2012) after her second trip here of the season. She was here once last year, no trips in 2010 and 2 in 2009.

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Looking through the Aerial Bridge at night

October 25, 2012

Last night, Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at about 10:15, I saw two ships at anchor as I looked through the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge. I think the Atlantic Erie is to the left, and the Pochard to the right. The Atlantic Erie is waiting to load coal at Midwest Energy; the Pochard is waiting to [...]

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Last day of summer in Duluth

October 21, 2012

October 21st marks the end of summer in Duluth and happily, some attractions wait ‘til now to close up shop for winter. This afternoon, the Vista Star will take her last cruise of the season. Today is also the last day to take a popular Wheel Fun Rental out for a spin. The Johnson family [...]

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Salt in, salt out

October 18, 2012

The Algoma Navigator came under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge Wednesday afternoon, October 17, 2012 at 2:37. When I went to bed, she was down at the North American Salt Company (formerly known as Cutler-Magner) dock discharging salt. When I looked out my window this morning, the Navigator was gone but a good looking pile [...]

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Picasso, Monet, Gauguin, Matisse and Newhams

October 16, 2012

Empty spaces on the wall mark the spot were works of art by Picasso, Monet, Gauguin, Matisse and Newhams were stolen. At right, the empty space where Henri Matisse’s painting “Reading Girl in White and Yellow” was hanging at the Kunsthal museum in Rotterdam, Netherlands before it was stolen on Tuesday. At left, the empty [...]

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American Century departs Duluth

October 14, 2012

The American Century arrived Duluth on Saturday afternoon, October 13, 2012. It was her 22nd trip to the Twin Ports this season. She was here 35 times last season. After loading iron ore pellets at the CN dock in West Duluth, she departed under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge (above) around 1 pm on Sunday.

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Blough here for 6th trip this year

October 10, 2012

The Roger Blough arrived Duluth on October 9, 2012 to load iron ore pellets. She left to discharge that cargo in Conneaut on Wednesday afternoon, October 10th (above). It was her first trip here since July 4th of this season; her 6th trip here this year. She was in Duluth 11 times last season. [...]

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Visiting the Paul R while she loads fuel

October 4, 2012

The Paul R. Tregurtha arrived Duluth 5 minutes after noon (above) on October 3rd, 2012, making her 4th trip here since she went aground in August and then to the shipyard at Bay Shipbuilding for repairs. I visited with Captain Tim Dayton while they were fueling at the Calumet Fuel dock at the port terminal. [...]

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Happy Fall from the Lubie, and Carole Lent

September 30, 2012

Carole Lent was kind enough to share this picture of the Polish ship, Lubie while she was loading grain at the Peavey elevator in Superior.

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My phone says Hi

September 29, 2012

Nice day for a walk on Skyline Drive (September 29, 2012)

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I need a chair! Oh, there’s a chair

September 21, 2012

Duluth has long been known as a national hotspot for new parking technology. But as these pictures show, we have too many people waiting to use the new technology and not enough who want to enjoy the even newer parking spots set up downtown today (September 21, 2012). These two ideas need to be combined [...]

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Going in passes going out

September 18, 2012

Holly was unable to get us a good photograph of an ocean going vessel actually in the Ocean (she did send me some bad ones though) so I had to settle for these two salt water vessels dancing in the Duluth harbor. At left, the Aggersborg had just come in from the anchorage and was [...]

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The Paul R. Tregurtha is back in town

September 17, 2012

After repairs were completed at Bay Shipbuilding after she went aground in mid-August and new paint job was applied, the Paul R. Tregurtha arrived back in Duluth at 3:30 on Monday afternoon, September 17th, 2012. As usual, it is nice to say, she will load coal at Midwest Energy Resources in Superior for Detroit Edison [...]

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Holly and Doug arrive Welland: meet Julie

September 13, 2012

Holly and Doug went south and into Canada, arriving at the Welland Canal where Julie, culinary and hospitality expert supreme from many, many Canadian vessels, met them and showed them around. When she was in Duluth, Julie always fed me on the boat so I was happy to hear that Holly and Doug took Julie [...]

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HollyTV, live at the Soo, almost

September 10, 2012

Note: Holly’s most recent pictures will appear at the top of this post so start at the bottom of this post if you are one of those people who like to see things in order I am getting exhausted posting all these pictures here while Holly is at the Soo, probably sitting on a nice [...]

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FedNav ships passing in the day

September 5, 2012

The Federal Power came in from the anchorage to take the place of the Federal Katsura loading wheat at CHS in Superior (Tuesday afternoon, September 4, 2012). The Federal Katsura will take her cargo to Italy. When the Federal Power finishes, she will carry wheat to Germany.

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Three boats: two cargos – wheat & cement

September 4, 2012

On Tuesday, September 4th, at 4 in the afternoon, the Alpena was about to enter the Duluth ship canal on her 7th trip to the Duluth Superior this season, carrying as usual, a cargo of cement. Just beyond her, the Federal Power has been at anchor for some days while she is waiting to [...]

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Last, for this season, daily summer edition

September 3, 2012

Today, Labor Day, 2012, is the last issue I publish of this season’s daily Duluth Shipping News so I thought I would share it with the world. It is a two page paper. Both pages are pre-printed before the season (116,000 pages, both sides, in color, by ProPrint) with a nice big hole in the [...]

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Holly gets American Courage

August 31, 2012

Holly Jorgenson took some time out from being a Great Grandmother to get this picture of the American Courage as she came into port on Thursday morning, August 30, 2012 at 9:00. It was her 3rd trip to the Duluth Superior this season (the boat’s third, not the Grandmother’s), the first two were in July. [...]

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Fishing OK, walking around not so much

August 26, 2012

It was a good day for fishing in Duluth on Sunday, August 26, 2012. Not so good if you wanted to walk by the fishing boats or get from the boat to your car. To the surprise of many, including the fishing boat operators that I talked to, no one told them a race would [...]

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Boats backwards and forward in Duluth today

August 19, 2012

It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood; lots of people, sun and even a little excitement. The Vista Queen is not trying to beat the Algolake into the Duluth ship canal. The Algolake had just cleared the canal after departing in reverse. That sometimes happens when a boat is discharging salt at the North [...]

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Barrels Back?

August 17, 2012

According to a report at Wisconsin Public Radio printed in the Duluth News Tribune this morning (Friday, August 17, 2012), the Defense Department/Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa barrel retrieval from Lake Superior project is completed. I took these pictures on Tuesday, August 14th as the tug Champion/barge Kokosing came under the Aerial [...]

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Tregurtha aground, now free

August 16, 2012

Here is a picture taken yesterday (August 15, 2012) by Gregory Garten of the Paul R. Tregurtha, hard aground Wednesday night, completely blocking the downbound St. Mary’s River channel just above the Rock Cut. The vessel is aground at its bow and stern, and the ship spans the width of the narrow shipping channel. Early [...]

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Garganey waits at anchor in Duluth

August 14, 2012

Sunrise on August 14, 2012 found the Hong Kong flagged Garganey at anchor off the Duluth piers. She is named after the duck of the same name. The duck can be found in Europe and Asia in the summer; in winter, they fly down to South Africa and India. In August, 2008 and again today, [...]

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ROV – Remote Operated Vehicle

August 7, 2012

Right along with the Mars walking, picture-taking Curiosity, the Lake Superior barrel retrieval project has its own remote camera, although it operates on the bottom of Lake Superior, a hard place to do business but nothing like going to Mars to do it. The picture at the left is an enlargement of the previously published [...]

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Barrels coming up from Lake Superior

August 6, 2012

Between 1958 and 1962, some 1,500 or so 55-gallon barrels were dumped into Lake Superior by the Department of Defense in three locations roughly 4 miles east of Duluth. For years, there has been much controversy and speculation regarding the safety of the barrels and their contents. The Department of Defense believes they are filled [...]

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Cruise ship Yorktown arrives Duluth

July 31, 2012

The cruise ship Yorktown arrived in Duluth at 5:56 on Wednesday morning, August 1st, 2012, ending a 11 day cruise that started in Detroit on July 21st. The ship has about 95 passengers in her 69 cabins, all facing the water. The itinerary: Detroit, Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, Manitoulin Island, Sault Ste. Marie, Charlevoix, Mackinac [...]

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Watch tug Wilfred M. Cohen in Duluth

July 27, 2012

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Michipicoten makes a wide turn in Duluth

July 25, 2012

Not sure what happened but you can watch what happened complements of Dennis O’Hara; the Michipicoten appeared to make a wide turn as she was departing the port, then was able to back away (above), correct her position and went under the Lift Bridge without further incident. I took this top picture at the back [...]

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Listen to the Duluth Central Bell Tower

July 21, 2012

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Atlanticborg departs with wind turbine blades

July 18, 2012

The Atlanticborg arrived Duluth on July 8, 2012 with a cargo of wind turbine blades loaded in Denmark. After discharge here, the blades will go by truck to a Minnesota Power wind farm in North Dakota. She then moved out to the anchorage off the Duluth piers for a few days, coming back in on [...]

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Traffic jam on Helberg Drive

July 16, 2012

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Two E___borg ships in Duluth; where is the Duluthborg

July 14, 2012

The Ebroborg is coming into the Duluth ship canal on July 14, 2012 while the Atlanticborg waits at anchor.

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Containers first, then blades

July 8, 2012

The Atlanticborg arrived under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge this morning (Sunday, July 8, 2012) at 2:59. Workers at Lake Superior Warehousing Company began to discharge her at 8 am.

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Atlanticborg coming our way with blades

July 7, 2012

Kent Malo took this photo of the Atlanticborg on her way to Duluth from a Cessna 172 at 1500 feet. She will be here early Sunday morning with a cargo of wind turbine blades loaded in Denmark. After discharge here, they will be taken to a Minnesota Power wind farm in North Dakota. When discharge [...]

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4th of July Fireworks in Duluth

July 3, 2012

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Thanks to Dennis O’Hara

July 1, 2012

Late last evening at 20:45, as the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge was lifting for the 1000 foot American Integrity, the bridge lost power and the alert crew of the Integrity made a go-around and re-entered once the power was restored. Had the crew and Bridge Operator not done a superb job in dealing with this [...]

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Next stop: Brazil

June 30, 2012

The Alamosborg departed Duluth late Friday afternoon, June 29, 2012

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Blades to Brazil

June 28, 2012

The Alamosborg is now (June 28, 2012) at the Port Terminal loading 60 wind turbine blades. She was here a week ago to discharge wind turbine parts she brought into port. After that, she left the Port Terminal dock to go to the anchorage and wait for the Flinterstar to complete discharging her cargo of [...]

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Flinterstar brings wind turbine blades

June 25, 2012

After waiting at anchor for a few days, the Flinterstar came into port on Sunday evening, June 24, 2012. On Monday morning, she was at the Port Terminal dock discharging her cargo of wind turbine blades and nacelles.

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Active at the Port Terminal

June 23, 2012

On Friday, June 22, 2012, the HHL Amazon (left) was discharging wind turbine nacelles and the Edgar B. Speer was in for some repairs. Over by the gantry cranes (unseen at right), the Alamosborg was discharging wind turbine parts. Work at the Port Terminal was halted for one day by the flood; 3 feet of [...]

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Alamosborg waits for the rains to stop

June 20, 2012

Rains came to Duluth; the ships are still on the water but the workers stayed home, as the Mayor asked. The Alamosborg is at the Port Terminal, waiting for better weather tomorrow, and some folks back to help her discharge her wind turbine pieces.

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The morning after (the marathon)

June 17, 2012

In the beginning, the Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin (left) and the Perelik shared the lake with a small boat and the South Pier Light. Then the fishing boats went out … … the early runners appeared on the scene … and finally, the walkers arrived

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Kara Goucher heads for home …

June 16, 2012

… her home town; a big crowd greets her as she runs for first place in the U.S. Half Marathon Championships in Duluth on Saturday morning, June 16, 2012. She will represent the US in the Olympic Marathon in London later this summer. Official time: 1 hour, 9 minutes, 34 seconds

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The Marietje Marsilla departs Duluth

June 12, 2012

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Watch Marietje Marsilla come into Duluth

June 9, 2012

Watch the Duluth Pilot boat take the pilot out to the Marietje Marsilla in the anchorage just off the Duluth piers, and then come in with us, as we go with the ship under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge and move up the Duluth harbor to the Port Terminal

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Marietje Marsilla arrives Duluth on 1st visit

June 8, 2012

After two days at anchor off the Duluth piers, the Marietje Marsilla came into port, happily with me aboard. Above, we are approaching the ship in the local pilot boat, the Sea Bear. Below, we are approaching the Duluth ship canal before turning up the Duluth harbor to the Port Terminal to begin loading wood [...]

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Queen Elizabeth II

June 3, 2012

Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating the 60th anniversary of her reign in England. Today, on the royal barge, she led a seven-mile long flotilla of 1,000 boats on the River Thames. Top left, London Bridge is raised for the flotilla. Bottom left, the Royal Barge has just cleared the bridge. The Queen is dressed in [...]

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Dick Bibby turns 90

June 2, 2012

Dick Bibby is 90 years old today. He has never stopped making friends anywhere he goes, and after 90 years, that is a lot of friends. We had a party for him on Friday. Bill Saarinen’s father was a captain on many boats including the Ernest T. Weir, a Hanna boat where Bibby was the [...]

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Such a beautiful day in Duluth

May 31, 2012

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HHL Congo brings blades to Duluth

May 28, 2012

The HHL Congo arrived in Duluth on May 19, 2012 (below) with a cargo of wind turbine blades. She was assisted by the Heritage Marine tug Nels J. Launched in 2011 as the Beluga Fealty, this was the HHL Congo’s first trip to Duluth Superior. Above, one of the blades is lifted from the ship’s [...]

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Americaborg brings wind turbine parts

May 28, 2012

The Americaborg came into port on May 15, 2012 with wind turbine pieces built in Denmark by Siemens Wind Power. Above, a nacelle has just been discharged from her cargo hold and deposited on ‘Big Red’ for the short trip to the other end of the Port Terminal. After all wind turbine pieces had been [...]

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Pro Print runs off 100,000 Duluth Shipping News sheets

May 22, 2012

… now I will fill in the blanks for the next 100 days, starting Friday. That’s press man Duc Vo making a last check on color and supreme sales person and advisor Jeanne Carson next to him. I thank them both and Pro Print for their help and for a great job. Now bring on [...]

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More from the bear

May 16, 2012

Gary Hopp sent this note and the 2 pictures here taken by Buzzy Winter who works for him at Great Northern Services, Inc. That silly bear was napping in a tree behind our house on Park Point from about 9am to 10am before making his assault on the South Pier. He eventually went to the [...]

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Our new bear cam

May 15, 2012

…caught this bear walking along the South Pier this morning (May 15, 2012) Click to enlarge. Below, the bear climbed down from the pier, on its way to the beach. I first heard about it when the Chief Bridge operator, Ryan Beamer made an announcement on the bridge public address system. And you think you [...]

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Ebroborg makes a quick trip to Duluth

May 12, 2012

The Dutch flagged Ebroborg came into town on Friday (May 11, 2012) to get bentonite clay at Hallett Dock #5. She left with her cargo on Saturday morning (above).

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Japan to Duluth and now to Alberta

May 8, 2012

Last night (Monday, May 7, 2012), one of the three large pieces discharged from the Clipper Gemini was slowly moved into place to become part of the train being built to leave for Alberta later today. All three pieces, each on three separate cars, will be connected to make the train.

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Discharging the Clipper Gemini

May 6, 2012

The first of 3 turbine/generator components was discharged from the Clipper Gemini on Sunday morning, May 6, 2012. Click any image above to see a larger version.

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Clipper Gemini arrives in Duluth

May 5, 2012

Weather delayed the arrival of the Clipper Gemini in Duluth until late afternoon on Saturday, May 5th, 2012. We waited for her but her crew waited a lot longer. For her maiden voyage that ended here in Duluth today, she was loaded in and left Kobe, Japan, on Feb. 23, 2012. En route to Duluth, [...]

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Virginiaborg getting beet pulp pellets

May 1, 2012

Anders Gilbertson and his daughter Andrea took this picture of the Virginiaborg on April 30, 2012 while she was loading beet pulp pellets at the General Mills terminal in Duluth. Notice the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge in the background on right side. Thanks to both of you. As of today (Tuesday, May 1), she is [...]

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The Buffalo, in and out in a day

April 30, 2012

The Buffalo arrived in Duluth this morning (April 30, 2012) with a cargo of limestone she loaded in Calcite, Michigan around April 28th. After discharging that, she departed the Twin Ports light (above) for Silver Bay to load iron ore pellets for the Cleveland Bulk Terminal at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River.

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Spring is here: the Vista Star has arrived

April 24, 2012

The Vista Star spent the winter in dry dock in Washburn, Wisconsin but she arrived in Duluth on April 24th to spend the summer with us. Since we last saw the Star, she has been purchased by Justin & Sarah Steinbach. This was a special trip under the Lift Bridge for them; new owners with [...]

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Hon. James L. Oberstar comes to town

April 22, 2012

On May 24, 2011, the Interlake Steamship Company renamed the M/V Charles M. Beeghly the Hon. James L. Oberstar, the recently retired United States Congressman from the State of Minnesota.

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No snow but lots of water

April 16, 2012

I keep hearing on the radio that we are getting lots of snow, but I can’t find it. Lake Superior, however, rarely disappoints. Throw in some rocks and a lighthouse, and you can get a nice picture

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First trip here for H. Lee White

April 11, 2012

The US flagged H. Lee White came into port on Tuesday afternoon, April 10, 2012, to load iron ore pellets at the CN dock for Quebec. She departed (above) on Wednesday afternoon, giving her parting salute as she left.

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Watch and listen as the Arubaborg opens the salt water season in Duluth

April 6, 2012

The Dutch flagged Arubaborg opened the salt water season in Duluth Minnesota. Watch her come into port. After passing under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge on Friday afternoon, April 6, 2012 (see video above), then going back out to the anchorage and then in again on Sunday night, she was finally at the dock at [...]

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Arubaborg: First saltwater ship of 2012

April 6, 2012

Arrived: April 6, 2012 at 12:38 pm The 469-foot Arubaborg was the first saltwater ship to arrive in port in 2012, coming under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge at 12:43 pm on April 6, 2012. She began her voyage in Europe, stopping in Sault Ste. Marie to discharge steel pipe en route to the Twin [...]

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Algoma Quebecois

April 6, 2012

Algoma Quebecois with the James R. Barker and the Arubaborg just behind

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Lee A. Tregurtha arrived Duluth for pellets

April 4, 2012

The Lee A. Tregurtha arrived Duluth today (April 4, 2012) for her 2nd visit to the Twin Ports in 2012. She will be loading iron ore pellets at the CN dock in West Duluth. Listen to her boat whistle as she came under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge.

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Cort visits her many friends in Duluth

April 2, 2012

The Stewart J. Cort made a rare appearance at the Duluth piers today, April 2, 2012 (above and just below). For more information and pictures about the Cort, click here.

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The Paul R. Tregurtha makes first trip of the season to Duluth

March 28, 2012

The Paul R. Tregurtha arrived Duluth on March 25th, 2012 for her first cargo of the season, loading coal as she usually does for Detroit Edison, her usual destination for many years. This video picks her up while she approached the Duluth piers and then moves over to the Calumet fuel dock at the Port Terminal [...]

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The Lee A. Tregurtha arrives Duluth to start her season

March 27, 2012

The Lee A. Tregurtha came to Duluth Superior 16 times last season. You will see her in this video arriving under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge on her first trip of the 2012 season when she came in on March 24th, 2012. The other Tregurtha, the Paul R. Tregurtha, arrived 2 hours later. The Paul [...]

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Roger Blough leaves Duluth with iron ore pellets for Conneaut.

March 25, 2012

The Roger Blough departed the port of Duluth Minnesota on Saturday, March 24th, 2012 with iron ore pellets for Conneaut, Ohio. She passed by the Canadian flagged Michipicoten on her way out to Lake Superior. She arrived in port for winter layup on January 14th.

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American Spirit leaves winter layup

March 23, 2012

She battled a thick fog but the American Sprit had no trouble getting through the Duluth Harbor, under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge and out to Lake Superior on her way to load iron ore pellets in Two Harbors

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Mesabi Miner comes back for more coal

March 19, 2012

The Mesabi Miner came in this morning (March 19, 2012) at 9:15 in the morning, a little earlier than expected, probably making up for the delays she had departing. In each case she was the first of the year, to depart and arrive. Later today, she will be the 2nd boat to depart this season [...]

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Mesabi Miner leaving? Later today, probably

March 16, 2012

After loading coal at Midwest Energy Resources on Thursday, the Mesabi Miner moved over to the Holcim Cement Dock (formerly St. Lawrence Cement) for maintenance work on the self unloading boom. She is expected to depart later today (March 16, 3012) for Marquette, Michigan. The picture above was taken this morning at 7:11; below 18 [...]

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Mesabi Miner had ice in 2008

March 12, 2012

…not this year; click below to see the way it used to be (the old days) Go here for latest information: www.duluthboats.com

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Boland, Munson in Duluth Superior Port for winter layup

March 10, 2012

The John J. Boland and the John G. Munson in winter layup at Fraser Shipyards on Superior. The Boland arrived on January 5th, 2012; the Munson on January 16th. Both are expected out for the new season; perhaps in late March, or April.

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Still water in Duluth harbor

March 2, 2012

Three views of the Duluth harbor this morning, Friday, March 2, 2012. Top, a crane barge, owned by Duluth Timber, sank in her Railroad Street slip yesterday. The Coast Guard is investigating any potential spills or other hazards that might be involved. Just off the slip, the Coast Guard cutter Alder was sitting still in [...]

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Edwin H. Gott at Port Terminal for winter layup

March 1, 2012

The Edwin H. Gott was the last freighter to come home for winter layup, coming under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge at 7:45 am on January 18, 2012

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Mesabi Miner at Midwest Energy for layup

February 28, 2012

There are 11 Great Lakes freighters in Duluth Superior this winter. Three have been here for extended layup, 8 came in January and are expected to depart sometime in March or April for the upcoming season. The first to leave will most likely be the Mesabi Miner, seen here at winter layup at Midwest Energy [...]

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The month of February: the early years

February 21, 2012

This is the first of several (many?) videos of around 10-15 minutes long I will be creating that use the pictures and information I have collected for a particular month over a number of years. I got started on this when I was looking up pictures from Februarys of long ago to see if any [...]

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That was then …

February 19, 2012

and this is now: For immediate release: Sunday, February 19th, 2012 Duluth, MN. —U.S. Coast Guard Station Duluth is issuing a warning that the unusually warm temperatures observed this year have greatly increased the possibility of weakened ice. “Ice conditions are deteriorating rapidly, major wet cracks and ice breaks have been recognized the last few [...]

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American Century here for winter layup

February 17, 2012

The American Century (formerly the Columbia Star) came into port for winter layup on January 10th, 2012. She is at Elevator M in Superior. As always, she was a frequent visitor to the Twin Ports, making 35 visits last year, one less than the year before.

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McCarthy at Ogdensburg Pier in Superior

February 13, 2012

The Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. arrived in Duluth on January 12, 2012 for winter layup at the Ogdensburg Pier of Enbridge Energy in Superior. It was only her 13th visit to the Twin Ports this season; in past years, she was here 30 to 40 times a year to load coal, usually for Detroit Edison. [...]

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Edwin H. Gott, last to come in for the winter

January 19, 2012

Nice for the boats; winter arrived here within minutes of the Heritage Marine tug Nels J making sure the last boat to come in, the Edwin H. Gott, was secure against the dock at the Port Terminal on Wednesday morning, January 18, 2012. The temperature plunged, down to -31 at my home, and a big [...]

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Mesabi Miner here for the winter

January 17, 2012

The Edwin H. Gott will be the last boat to come in for winter layup. This morning (January 17, 2012), the Mesabi Miner (above) arrived here after delivering her last cargo of the season in Taconite Harbor. She will spend the winter at the Midwest Energy Resources coal dock in Superior. That will make it [...]

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Schnabel car makes it to Pittsburgh

January 14, 2012

The world’s largest rail car is the Schnabel car, or as Bill Bingman, the Schnabelmeister, calls it, the CEBX800. It has spent a large part of its life in Duluth waiting for the few jobs that call for the world’s largest rail car. Engineers are not dumb and they don’t build things that can’t be [...]

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Last trip out for the Gott

January 12, 2012

The Edwin H. Gott arrived in Port on Wednesday evening, January 11, 2012 at 6:50 to load iron ore pellets at the CN dock in West Duluth. She left Duluth around noon today (above) to deliver her cargo to Detroit. She will return in about a week for winter layup in Duluth. Listen as she [...]

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American Spirit arrives Duluth for winter

January 7, 2012

It took her 50 minutes to go from the Duluth piers to her berth at the Port Terminal. Watch 17 minutes of that trip here; not overly exciting, a little slow but what do you expect from 1,000 feet of Great Lakes freighter at the end of a long season. The American Spirit arrived in [...]

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Bye bye CSL Laurentien

January 6, 2012

The video out my window was pretty dark and the ship never blew her whistle but I got this picture while the CSL Laurentien went by my window with her cargo holds filled with CN’s best iron ore pellets.

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Boland in for winter layup

January 5, 2012

This is the 6th time the John J. Boland has come under the Lift Bridge this season. On her 5 previous visits this year, all after September 20, she usually brought limestone in and loaded coal for her departing cargo. On her September 20th trip here, she discharged limestone and then went to Two Harbors [...]

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Duluth Superior winter layup: 2011-12

January 4, 2012

LOCATION (Updated 1/18/12) VESSEL ARRIVAL DATE CARRIER Port Terminal Berth 1 Edwin H. Gott 1/18/12 GLF/ Key Lakes Port Terminal Berth 4 Roger Blough 1/14/12 GLF/ Key Lakes Garfield Berth C American Spirit 1/7/12 American Steamship Co. Midwest Energy Mesabi Miner 1/17/12 Interlake Steamship Fraser Shipyards Edward L. Ryerson 5/18/09 Central Marine Logistics Fraser [...]

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Schnabel-Gott

January 4, 2012

The Edwin H. Gott (background), the most powerful vessel on the Great Lakes, arrived this morning (January 4, 2012) at 7:11. She is here to load fuel and then go over to Burlington Northern to load iron ore pellets. The Schnabel car (foreground) has been in the Twin Ports for several years. She is the [...]

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One Tregurtha out, another in

December 26, 2011

The Paul R. Tregurtha departed Duluth on Monday morning, December 26, 2011 after loading 64,000 tons of coal for her usual destination, the Detroit Edison power plant at St. Clair Michigan. A little over an hour later, the Lee A. Tregurtha (right) came in to get fuel and then load iron ore pellets at the [...]

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Boland leaves for Marquette

December 21, 2011

The John J. Boland came into port around 2 am on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 to load coal at Midwest Energy in Superior. She left around 3:30 in the afternoon (above) for Marquette, Michigan. Listen as she sounded a salute to the bridge, and to those of us greeting her.

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Paul R, the Bridge and Bentleyville

December 18, 2011

At 5:00 Sunday afternoon, December 18, 2011, the lights at Bentleyville were turned on. Half an hour later, the Paul R. Tregurtha came by to say hello on her way out the door with a Christmas present for Detroit Edison, 64,000 tons of coal. If it is bad to get a lump of coal in [...]

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Mackinaw here; maybe Thunder Bay later

December 16, 2011

The Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw has been in the Twin Ports for a couple weeks for bow thruster repairs at the Fraser Shipyards. She is currently (Friday, December 16, 2011) moored at the DECC (above) but is expected to depart in the next couple days to begin another season of ice breaking on the Great [...]

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First ice and a breaker!

December 6, 2011

That is the Coast Guard cutter Biscayne Bay docked behind the DECC. Coincidently (??), the first ice of the season is just in front of her. I am entertaining captions for the picture. She has been here many times to help us fight the ice. Go to the Biscayne Bay page to see more pictures [...]

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Moezelborg discharges propant …

December 4, 2011

… loaded in Ust Luga, a relatively new Russian port, close to St. Petersburg. The Moezelborg arrived in Duluth at 1:57 am on Sunday morning, December 4, 2011.

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The Paul R. brightens a gray day

November 30, 2011

The Paul R. Tregurtha, at 1,013 feet 6 inches long, is the largest boat on the Great Lakes. She is here approaching the Duluth ship canal on her way to the Midwest Energy Resources coal dock to load 64,000 tons of coal for Detroit Edison power plants in Monroe and St. Clair, Michigan. Listen as [...]

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Great Lakes Trader makes it in while the sun still shines

November 29, 2011

The Great Lakes Trader made her first trip to the Twin Ports in September, 2000 and has been to the Twin Ports 127 times since. Today (November 29, 2011) is her 12th visit this season. On this trip, she brought in limestone to discharge before leaving to load iron ore pellets in Silver Bay. Often [...]

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Three toots from the Barker; we got 2 of them

November 27, 2011

The James R. Barker deserves an award for remembering those of us who are standing at the Duluth ship canal when she goes under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, or might be watching her on DSNTV. Today, Sunday, November 27, 2011, she departed around 3 in the afternoon with coal loaded at Midwest Energy Resources [...]

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Duluth Shipping News Interview

November 27, 2011

The Duluth Shipping News has finally hit the big time; we were the subject for an Anne Kunkel Journalism project at UMD recently. Check it out below. Anne is in her third year at the University of Minnesota Duluth with a major in Journalism and minor in Communication. Besides school, she works a full time [...]

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Sam Laud leaving for Silver Bay

November 26, 2011

The Sam Laud departed Duluth on Saturday afternoon, November 26, 2011, after discharging limestone. She is going up to Silver Bay to load iron ore pellets. Listen to her whistle as she approached the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge

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No ice today, just wind and sleet and cold

November 26, 2011

I know the weather is a little bad today but I wasn’t expecting to see the best ice breaker on the Great Lakes in town today (Saturday, November 26, 2011). The Canadian flagged Samuel Risley, usually here only when the ice is very bad, came to get a buoy that the Alder picked up for [...]

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The Cason J. Callaway passes by the Mesabi Miner in the Duluth harbor

November 25, 2011

At 7:15 this morning (November 25, 2011), the Cason J. Calloway (at left) came under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge with limestone as the Mesabi Miner was departing with coal for Detroit Edison.

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We see the Alpena at the Duluth entry!

November 20, 2011

The Alpena made her 8th trip of the season to the Twin Ports on November 20, 2011. Listen to her whistle as she arrived.

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Bentleyville opens!

November 19, 2011

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Isa here for 16th trip

November 16, 2011

The Isa arrived in Duluth this afternoon (November 16, 2011) for her 16th trip here since she came here in August, 1999, on a long trip that started in Japan. The Isa was built in Chiba, Japan. After launch festivities, they left the shipyard for Fukuyama, where they loaded steel slabs and headed out [...]

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The Varnebank, here for her 10th trip

November 11, 2011

The Varnebank departed Duluth today (November 11, 2011) after loading beet pulp pellets that will be used for animal feed in Europe. Listen to her whistle as she left the Twin Ports.

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The Great Republic here with limestone

November 10, 2011

Listen to her whistle as she left under the Lift Bridge on Thursday, November 10, 2011. More on the Great Republic here.

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Leitch leaves salt; takes iron ore pellets

November 9, 2011

Sometimes, I just have to look out my windows and walk to work to find out what is going on, or at least what I think is going on. Take today (Wednesday, November 9, 2011). Or last night first, I looked out my window and saw the pile of salt that the John D. Leitch [...]

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Tufty Here

November 5, 2011

The Tufty came into port this afternoon (Saturday, November 5, 2011).

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Adriaticborg brings more wind turbine parts

November 3, 2011

The Adriaticborg arrived on November 2, 2011 to discharge wind turbine parts loaded in Aarhus, Denmark. She brought 15 hubs, 3 power units and one 20 foot container; the cargo was loaded in Aarhus, Denmark for Siemens. Wind turbine technology keeps advancing. These hubs are bigger than earlier ones and they have to be plugged [...]

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Statue of Liberty revisited

November 2, 2011

It has been pointed out to me that I did not have to fly all the way to New York City to see the Statue of Liberty. Any one want to guess where in Duluth this one is located? Beth Duncan, at the Marine Museum, is not eligible to enter this contest since she told [...]

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Quebecois here with cement

November 1, 2011

The Quebecois is here discharging cement at the Holcim facility, formerly St. Lawrence Cement. Earlier this year, she, along with the entire Upper Lakes Group fleet, was sold to Algoma Central. Her name has been changed to the Algoma Quebecois although she is still sailing under her previous name. Listen to her whistle as she [...]

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American Integrity in Silver Bay

October 31, 2011

Steve Anderson took this picture of the American Integrity at the dock at Silver Bay on October 27, 2011 from a unique angle at a port we don’t see so often on this page. He was nice enough to share it with me so I now share it with you. After making two round trips [...]

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Great Lakes Trader arrives Duluth

October 30, 2011

The tug/barge Great Lakes Trader arrived Duluth on Sunday, October 30th, 2011. Listen to her whistle as she came under the Lift Bridge.

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Gott here for only 2nd time this season

October 30, 2011

The Edwin H. Gott was in Duluth today (October 30, 2011) for only the second time this season. She loaded iron ore pellets at the CN dock in West Duluth and is seen (and heard) here leaving to take her cargo to Conneaut, Ohio. While she often takes iron ore pellets to Conneaut, this season [...]

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Happy Birthday to Statue of Liberty

October 28, 2011

I have a live web cam pointed at the Lift Bridge so we can watch the ships that come and go under it, but there is probably only a ship in the picture 10 to 20 minutes a day. While you can see traffic going over the bridge most all the time, we can already [...]

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Algomarine greets visitors to the ship canal

October 28, 2011

The Algomarine came into port on Friday afternoon, October 28th, 2011. She is here to load iron ore pellets at the CN dock in West Duluth. Listen to her whistle as she came under the Lift Bridge.

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The Buffalo blows her horn

October 28, 2011

Despite her preference for warm weather in the winter and a questionable love of a particular football team, we all love Jill, seen here watching her favorite boat, the Buffalo, go by in August, 2010. The Buffalo passed by my window today (Friday, October 28, 2011) but it was so cold out there that I [...]

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Richelieu arrives to load coal

October 26, 2011

Click to listen to her whistle as she arrived today (October 26, 2011) (Picture above and below). Go here for more information about the Richelieu.

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Great Republic comes home to Duluth

October 26, 2011

The Great Republic came into port today (October 26, 2011) with limestone to discharge at the CN dock and then to load iron ore pellets. Listen here to her arrival this morning. Listen here to her whistle as she arrived today (October 26, 2011)

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Herbert C. Jackson arrives with coal …

October 26, 2011

The Herbert C. Jackson is here to discharge at Hallett Dock #5. She will then move a slip down the St. Louis River to the CN Dock to load iron ore pellets. Listen here to her whistle as she arrived today (October 26, 2011)

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Nice and warm; cold and ice coming

October 22, 2011

The Alder looked like they had a lot of folks on board enjoying the sun when they came into port on Saturday, October 22, 2011. They may have some sunny days from now until the end of the shipping season in mid-January, 2012 but the days won’t be so warm and the blue water will [...]

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Two boats, two whistles: Algolake and Callaway

October 21, 2011

Late afternoon on October 21, 2011, the Algolake departed with iron ore pellets and shortly after she went under, the Cason J. Callaway departed on the same lift. Listen to each salute the bridge: first the Algolake and then the Callaway

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Waves to the American Mariner

October 21, 2011

The American Mariner arrived Duluth on Friday, October 21st around noon. She is loading wheat at General Mills in Superior to take to Buffalo. She follows the path that the Kinsman Independent (now called the Ojibway) used to take for many years, keeping General Mills flour mills filled with wheat so they can make lots [...]

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Presque Isle departs Duluth for Two Harbors

October 20, 2011

After discharging limestone at the CN dock in West Duluth, the Presque Isle departed Duluth and made her turn to Two Harbors where she will load iron ore pellets. Listen to her whistle and the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge response.

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Listen to the Mesabi Miner depart Duluth

October 15, 2011

It was a beautiful Fall day in Duluth (October 15, 2011) when the Mesabi Miner departed the port after loading iron ore pellets at the CN dock in West Duluth. Listen to her whistle and the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge response.

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Medemborg arrives for bentonite

October 14, 2011

The Medemborg arrived Duluth on Friday afternoon, October 14, 2011. This is her 10th visit to the Twin Ports since she was built in 1997, her first visit this season. She was here twice last year. She will be loading bentonite on this trip; in past trips, she has loaded beet pulp pellets and other [...]

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American Courage brings limestone and a nice whistle

October 13, 2011

Listen to her whistle: American Courage coming into port on Thursday, October 13, 2011

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Two toots from the Block

October 11, 2011

The Joseph L. Block came into port on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 with a cargo of limestone to discharge; she will then load iron ore pellets at the CN Dock and depart. Listen to her whistle, twice , first to the bridge while in the ship canal and then to the passing Vista Queen after [...]

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Juno departs Duluth with a whistle salute

October 10, 2011

The Polish Steamship Company’s new build Juno came into port on Monday evening, October 10, 2011. She will be loading grain. Click to listen to it

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The McCarthy whistles a happy tune ….

October 9, 2011

Listen to it as the Walter J. McCarthy Jr. departs Duluth on Sunday afternoon, October 9, 2011 with iron ore pellets.

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Barker makes some noise

October 8, 2011

The James R. Barker departed Duluth around noon on October 8, 2011 with 58,000 tons of coal for Presque Isle, Michigan. She will be back on Tuesday to load more coal, this time for Detroit Edison power plants in Monroe and St. Clair, Michigan. James R. Barker’s whistle as she departs Duluth on October 8, [...]

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Lynx win!

October 8, 2011

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Listen to the American Century arrive …

October 7, 2011

There was a good October crowd to greet the American Century as she came into port to load coal for Detroit Edison on October 7, 2011; 34,000 tons to their St.Clair station and 30,000 to their Monroe station. Captain Mark gave the crowd two whistle salutes; here is the second one; American Century arrives Duluth

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3 boats off the Duluth piers

October 1, 2011

Becca Nelson, foreground, was giving some kayaking tips to Victoria Pfingsten while the Baltic Carrier was sitting at anchor off the Duluth piers. This on October 1, 2011; notice no ice or snow, or falling leaves for that matter, but Becca’s woolen cap is proof enough that it was a bit cold out there.

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The Indiana Harbor leaves Duluth with …

September 30, 2011

… 34,000 tons of coal for St. Clair and 30,000 tons for Essexville. Both deliveries for Detroit Edison. (September 30, 2011). More on the Indiana Harbor

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The Joe Thompson turns into the CN dock

September 29, 2011

The tug-barge Joseph H. Thompson came in the Superior entry last night (September 28, 2011) at 10:32. The barge has a long and interesting history but the tug did the good stuff today. After pushing the barge next to the Graymont Dock to discharge limestone, the tug disengaged from the barge and went over to [...]

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Barker out with coal; Sundew in with some friends having a nice time in the sun

September 24, 2011

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Callaway departed Duluth Sunday night

September 18, 2011

WDIO Video Update; September 19, 2011 ******** Updated Sept 20, 2011 The Indiana Harbor is currently undergoing repairs at the Lakehead Pipeline Dock in Superior and is scheduled to move over to the Midwest Energy Resources coal dock to load coal on Friday, September 23rd. If that happens, she would be departing Friday evening; in [...]

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No crowds for Columbus

September 14, 2011

If you visit the Columbus while she is in town today (September 14, 2011), you will notice she is in a cage. Not sure whether we are being protected from them or are they being protected from us. If the latter, it seems to have worked

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Wind turbine blades on the way

September 8, 2011

We haven’t had any shipments of wind turbine blades in the port for more than a year, but we have had some stored on the ground from past deliveries over at Lake Superior Warehousing Company at the Port Terminal. Today (Thursday, September 8, 2011), the last of those were loaded onto trucks.They will take them [...]

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Michipicoten greets Labor Day visitors to Duluth

September 4, 2011

She is making her 3rd trip to Duluth Superior this season, coming in to load iron ore pellets at the CN dock in West Duluth. (for more on the Michipicoten, click here)

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Mike and Marnie from Thunder Bay

August 31, 2011

Mike Wolowich and his daughter Marnie came down from Thunder Bay to watch the ships come under the Lift Bridge, a trip he has made for many years; Marnie has many memories of great family trips to Duluth to see the ships but those trips don’t go back nearly so far as Mike’s. We took [...]

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Drawsko at anchor

August 28, 2011

The Polish owned and flagged Drawsko is at anchor off the Duluth piers, waiting to come in to load durum wheat for Italy. (Sunday, August 28, 2011)

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Algoma Mariner arrives Duluth

August 21, 2011

For more information about this very interesting boat, CLICK HERE.

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Algoma Mariner on her way to Duluth

August 20, 2011

Denny Dushane sent me these two pictures he took of the Algoma Mariner yesterday (August 19, 2011) while she was passing through Port Huron, Michigan on her way to Duluth. Click here to go to the Duluth Shipping News page on the Algoma Mariner. I am still adding information to it; the story behind this [...]

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Cedarglen cheered by Duluth boatwatchers

August 19, 2011

The Cedarglen, built in West Germany in 1959 as an ocean going ore carrier, arrived in Duluth on August 18, 2011 to load iron ore pellets. Being a sunny day in August, there were a lot of people at the Duluth ship canal to greet her.

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Matt the Electrician comes to Duluth

August 15, 2011

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James R. Barker arrived Duluth on …

August 13, 2011

Saturday morning, August 13, 2011: 8:59 am. More on Barker

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Heritage Marine buys tug #3

August 11, 2011

Heritage Marine has been working with 2 tugs in the Duluth Superior port, the Nels J. and the Edward H. Mike Ojard has just purchased tug number 3. She will be called the Helen H. See notes from the trip to the Twin Ports below, thanks to crew member Paul von Goertz. The picture above [...]

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Stripes first to cross the finish line in Duluth

August 8, 2011

The Trans Superior International Yacht Race, held every other year, is sponsored by the Duluth Yacht Club. Twenty four boats started for Duluth at 1 PM on Saturday from the other end of Lake Superior for the 338 nautical mile race to Duluth. The 66-foot yacht Stripes was first across the finish line. Check out [...]

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Strike is over, probably

August 5, 2011

8/5 – Noon Update – from WDIO in Duluth: Members of the American Maritime Officers union are heading back to work. They had been on strike since Monday, after they and their employer American Steamship Company failed to reach a labor deal. On Friday, workers got the call that they will be returning to work [...]

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Small race, then the big one

August 3, 2011

The first sailboats go under the Lift Bridge on August 3, 2011 for the Duluth Yacht Club Wednesday night races just off the Duluth piers. This Saturday, the club is sponsoring the big race, the Trans Superior International Yacht Race, held every other year. Twenty four boats will start for Duluth at 1 PM this [...]

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Calumet enters harbor-Vista Star watches

July 31, 2011

The Calumet arrived Duluth on July 31, 2011. It was her first visit this year to the Twin Ports. She was here once last year and once the year before.

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Gott and Spirit working off the Duluth piers

July 29, 2011

Took this picture at 4:15 in the afternoon, July 29, 2011. The American Spirit and the Edwin H. Gott are off the Duluth piers, where this shot was taken, The American Spirit is the boat facing left; the Gott faces right. It appears that the American Spirit is discharging cargo into a Gott cargo hold.

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Bringing fish in; getting coal to take out

July 26, 2011

The Mesabi Miner made a surprise visit to the Twin Ports today (July 26, 2011), first for fuel and then over to Midwest Energy to load coal. The fishing boat Opti 1 came in at the same time, hopefully with a cargo of fish

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Music for the Barker on a Saturday evening

July 23, 2011

Mackenzie McGovern, on guitar, and Abby Ham, violin, both of Duluth, were on the job taking care of their buskering duties at the Duluth ship canal on Saturday, July 22, 2011 when the James R. Baker decided to depart the port with 64,000 tons of coal. They gave the thousand footer, and us, a nice [...]

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Ready to set sail

July 16, 2011

Saturday morning, July 16, 2011. A line forms to get on board the Niagara (foreground) as sailors from the ship untie the ropes (bottom-center). The Lynx is moored just behind the Niagara; she will board day-sailors soon after the Niagara departs the dock at the DECC. (click pic for larger version) Above left, the Niagara [...]

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Tall ships Niagara & Pride of Baltimore

July 14, 2011

arrived in Duluth Minnesota on Thursday afternoon, July 14, 2011. They are two of the three tall ships here for the 2011 Duluth Music and Maritime Festival. The Lynx came in yesterday. Just outside the Duluth piers, the Pride of Baltimore follows the Niagara into port. By late afternoon, the Pride was tying up behind [...]

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Stewart J. Cort enters the Duluth harbor…

July 14, 2011

… with a tug assist on her starboard bow. I was quietly doing my weekly radio piece on KUMD when she came by my window. Being very unprofessional, I screamed that I needed to go out and take a picture. I was granted permission, and thus the rare picture of the Cort in Duluth above. [...]

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Lynx is 1st Tall Ship in

July 13, 2011

The Lynx arrives Duluth in July, 2011 at 3:25 in the afternoon. She is a re-creation of a Baltimore Clipper that was used in the War of 1812. These ships were known for their swiftness and maneuverability. They were most effective as blockade runners and offensive weapons of war. (See Video below)

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American Courage makes 4th trip here this season

July 10, 2011

The American Courage was here for the 4th time this season on June 8th, loading iron ore pellets at the CN dock in West Duluth for Zug Island, Michigan. As you can see in the pictures here, she has now been painted with the colors of her new owner, American Steamship. She was originally named [...]

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The Algowood, just a part of the scene

July 7, 2011

The Algowood spent a large part of the day on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at anchor waiting to come in and load iron ore pellets at the CN dock in West Duluth. The Arthur M. Anderson left that dock and went under the Lift Bridge this morning (Thursday, July 7, 2011) at 7:05. The Algowood [...]

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Flying cameras, Yikes!

June 29, 2011

I went down behind the Aquarium last night (June 29, 2011) to take a picture of the salt water vessel Orsula coming into port. With tugs helping out and the sun just sliding over the hill behind me, it seemed like a good thing to do. Then I noticed a cute couple watching the ship [...]

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Flagship Niagara returns to Duluth

June 27, 2011

Flagship Niagara was in Duluth July 16-18, 2011 for the Duluth Music and Maritime Festival. Watch pictures from past visits above.

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Big news–no fog-see boats

June 23, 2011

The Frontenac (center) came under the Lift Bridge at 6:41 this morning (June 23, 2011) and went to the Murphy Fuel Dock to get fuel. The American Integrity (right) came under the Lift Bridge an hour and 6 minutes later. She was waiting for the Frontenac to complete before getting fuel herself and then going [...]

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Grandma’s Marathon, 2011

June 18, 2011

Click pic for slideshow

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State of Michigan arrives in state of Minnesota, Duluth to be exact

June 15, 2011

The State of Michigan, a training boat owned and operated by the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, arrived in port this morning at 7:57. She will be at the dock behind the DECC until Thursday evening. The Academy trains men and women to serve as officers in the Merchant Marine. Located in Traverse City, MI, the [...]

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Tent on the way, pizza here now!

June 13, 2011

This is day one of Grandma’s Marathon week. As of noon today (Monday, June 13, 2011), the Grandma’s Marathon tent is not up but Brad Erickson has his new Vitta Pizza place up and running; it is day one and you can find him and his Neapolitan Style, 97-seconds from his oven to your table, [...]

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Friends, the Sundew and the Rookies play the Icebreaker

June 11, 2011

In the old days, I took a lot of pictures of the US Coast Guard cutter Sundew. That was back when the ice breaker was breaking ice. Then it became a museum and when that didn’t work out, Jeff Foster bought her and does a lot of different things with the boat. I imagine you [...]

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Federal Power, a truck and a big wind turbine blade mold

June 10, 2011

The Federal Power brought wind turbine pieces from Denmark, arriving in Duluth on June 8, 2011. Top left, you see 3 wind turbine molds on the ship’s weather deck. At right, on Thursday, June 9, the Port Terminal’s 2 gantry cranes discharged them onto a special service truck (top right). Below, the truck slowly moved [...]

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Two Canadian boats arrive in Duluth

June 6, 2011

On Sunday night, June 5th, 2011, the Atlantic Erie (above) came under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge and made her turn up the Duluth inner harbor to the Midwest Energy Resources coal dock in Superior. She is loading 30,000 tons of coal for Belledune, New Brunswick, a port on the Atlantic Ocean. She is about [...]

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Federal Yukon here to load grain for Italy

June 5, 2011

The Federal Yukon arrived off the Duluth piers Saturday night, June 4th, 2011 and dropped anchor to wait for morning before coming in. At 7 Sunday morning, she came under the Lift Bridge and was escorted to her dock at CHS in Superior by 2 Great Lakes Towing tugs (above). This is her 8th trip [...]

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Oberstar back for 1st trip after her Duluth Christening

June 4, 2011

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16th season for the Duluth Shipping News

May 28, 2011

I am forced to work hard, like the rest of the world, for only two weeks a year, those being the two before Memorial Day, the traditional start to the summer season here. That is when I sell advertising for the summer edition of the Duluth Shipping News. No fun but happily, I have faithful [...]

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Hon. James L. Oberstar is launched …

May 24, 2011

… by Jean Oberstar, wife of the congressman. Behind her is James R. Barker, Chairman of the board for Interlake and behind him, Congressman Oberstar. Duluth mayor Don Ness sits behind the Oberstars. Before running for mayor, Ness worked for Congressman Oberstar. Duluth Seaway Port Authority Public Relations impresario Adele Yorde chats with the Congressman. [...]

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The Hon. James L. Oberstar makes his …

May 23, 2011

presence felt again in Duluth. The ‘boat’ was pulled to the dock behind the DECC for her re-christening on Tuesday, May 23, 2011

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The Hon. James L. Oberstar arrives in the Twin Ports for her Christening…

May 22, 2011

… and also, by the way, to load some iron ore pellets at the CN Dock in West Duluth after the festivities on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. She arrived through the Superior entry at 7:09 on Sunday morning, May 22, 2011. She is seen above waiting at a Port Terminal dock for the celebration. [...]

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Largest port (by tonnage) on the Great Lakes!

May 12, 2011

There is a reason why I am so tired at the end of the day. I have to keep getting up from my chair to take pictures of all the ship traffic. There was quite a parade this morning. Above, the Algowood was on her way out with a load of iron ore pellets and [...]

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After 3 weeks at anchor off the Duluth piers…

May 9, 2011

The Nogat finally came into port to load grain on Sunday afternoon, May 8, 2011. Above and below, she is assisted by the tug North Dakota as she made her way to the Duluth Storage (formerly Cargill)

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Elton John in Duluth

May 7, 2011

I was going to visit the Algolake last night but they wanted to know about the Elton John concert. Since I am the Duluth Shipping News, I had to help them out so I went to the concert instead and reported back this morning. It was great. On stage above, Elton John is seated at [...]

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… more waiting

May 4, 2011

The Polish owned Nogat (left) was joined by the Canadian Transport last night (May 3, 2011) at anchor off the Duluth piers. The Canadian Transport came in this morning at 2:59 to load iron ore pellets, replacing the Canadian Olympic. She finished at the CN dock and departed under the Aerial Lift Bridge this morning [...]

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Waiting …

May 2, 2011

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Seated, from left, are: Brigadier General Marshall B. “Brad” Webb, Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command; [...]

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Brand new ship, beautiful new morning

April 29, 2011

The tug Nels J. assisted the BBC Oregon to the dock at the CHS grain terminal in Superior early this morning, April 29, 2011. Steve Sydow, the ship’s agent, was waiting for her and took this picture. The ship brought wind turbine parts from Denmark on Sunday; she is at CHS today loading grain and [...]

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First wind turbine shipment of season

April 24, 2011

At the left, on Monday morning, April 25, one of the Port Terminal cranes is pulling one of the 100 power units brought here by the BBC Oregon for Siemens. Power units contain the brains of the wind turbine, calculating the many variables, like the wind, that are checked to make adjustments to the turbine, [...]

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Go out to meet Blacky

April 19, 2011

The ship’s name might have been Blacky but my knuckles were white. Luckily all I had to do was keep out of the water (even when I was looking up at it) and take pictures. You will never see how bad it was. I had two choices, go out on the deck of the Sea [...]

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Running in the spring in Duluth ha ha ha

April 17, 2011

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Federal Leda arrives, 1st salt water ship of 2011 season …

April 11, 2011

She will load about 20,000 tons of durum wheat at CHS in Superior and then depart here to add about 10,000 tons of titanium slag in Sorel, Quebec in the St. Lawrence River. She will then cross the Atlantic and deliver the wheat to Bari, Italy and the slag to Piombino, Italy. The Federal Leda [...]

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Federal Leda: First saltwater ship of 2011

April 11, 2011

Arrived: April 11, 2011 at 7:10 am The Cyprus-flagged Federal Leda was the first saltwater ship of the 2011 season, coming under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge at 7:10 am on April 11, 2011. With an assist from two local tugs (below), she went over to CHS in Superior to load durum wheat. The winner [...]

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The Canadian Olympic knows how to make an entrance!

April 8, 2011

7:10 am on Friday, April 8, 2011

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Foggy April morning in Duluth

April 7, 2011

The snow is gone, most of the ice has vanished; Duluth is the usual April shade of brown. Happily, this morning (Thursday, April 7, 2011), the fog moved in and prettied the place up a bit. Above, the Vista Star and the William A. Irvin survived the winter in good shape; unfortunately the Blue Bridge [...]

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The Snowless blizzard

March 31, 2011

Take a look at our latest variation in weather in Duluth; always something different.

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Post blizzard beauty

March 26, 2011

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Four boats to start, more coming

March 24, 2011

The blizzard with no snow was gone, leaving ice along the shore and Lake Superior calm again. The signal for action in the port. Around 9 this morning, 4 boats entered the ring (the Duluth harbor). Actually, one of them was already there and was the only one still there when the other 3 had [...]

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Barker starts off the new season

March 17, 2011

The James R. Barkerdeparted Duluth on Thursday afternoon, March 17, 2011, with 58,000 tons of coal for Presque Isle, Michigan. As you can see below, she wasted no time making her right turn to Michigan. The video follows the Barker as she appeared in the harbor after going under the Blatnik Bridge and around the [...]

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Watch the CG cutter Alder break the ice in Duluth

March 9, 2011

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Interlake renames Beeghly to MV Hon. James L. Oberstar

March 7, 2011

(from Interlake Steamship Company, March 7, 2010) The Interlake Steamship Company is pleased to announce the renaming of the M/V Charles M. Beeghly in recognition of the Honorable James L. Oberstar, retired United States Congressman from the State of Minnesota. The Vessel will sail from layup this March as the M/V Hon. James L. Oberstar, [...]

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Alder breaks the ice on a new season

March 7, 2011

The US Coast Guard cutter Alder broke away from her dock and seemed to have an easy time moving around the harbor. Here she is passing by the American Century at her winter layup dock at the Port Terminal. Note from the ship: We made it safely through the harbor finding different thicknesses anywhere from [...]

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Alder is ready, the bridge almost

March 6, 2011

It is Sunday, March 6, 2011. The Alder has been at her moorings since mid-January but is due to go back to work in the harbor on Monday morning. The tent is off the south tower of the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge and the scaffolding is coming down. Beneath the steel, there is a brand [...]

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Crew change for the Federal Agno

February 24, 2011

(see comment 6 for explanation on why this is here; I added more information to the story on Feb 28, 2011) Trading crews in Duluth While Duluth is an international port, we don’t have some of the usual things associated with an international port. After all, we are in Minnesota, just north of Iowa. For [...]

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Ice, wind, cold but not much snow

February 21, 2011

It was a cold and windy day on Monday, February 21, 2011, as it was the day before. On Sunday, the tent that was built over the south tower of the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge was torn to shreds by gusts of wind up to 69 mph. The tent was there to protect the bridge [...]

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A big wind opens a door into the Aerial Lift Bridge front (back) door.

February 20, 2011

Click here to see live video of the bridge from our web cam at the Duluth Shipping News web site. Click here to see a short video taken this afternoon (Sunday, February 20, 2011).

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February 17, 2011; bridge still not moving

February 17, 2011

I took this off my web cam that for 10 months of the year is watching the ship traffic come under the bridge. The other two months (as in now), it sits watching the bridge not moving (and we still have folks tuning in). This year, we have the added attraction of the south tower [...]

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The dawn of a new day in Egypt

February 11, 2011

Check out Thomas Friedman’s column in the New York Times yesterday (February 10, 2011), written hours before Hosni Mubarak stepped down from the position he has held on to for 30 years. Antigovernment protesters and Egyptian soldiers during Friday prayers in Tahrir Square from Ben Curtis/Associated Press in NYT Friday, February 11

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CN derailment in West Duluth

February 4, 2011

According to the Duluth News Tribune, these two cars are 2 of 17 cars that derailed on Thursday morning, February 3, 2011, close by the CN Docks in West Duluth. The cars were empty and no one was injured. The picture above was taken Friday morning; they have not yet been moved although equipment to [...]

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The J. A. W. Iglehart never goes away

January 30, 2011

The J. A. W. Iglehart is a very old and beautiful boat that sits in long term layup in Duluth. With regular traffic in short term winter layup, I thought I would add some pictures and information to her page on my web site; she has not moved no matter the season for several years. [...]

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The tent is almost up; let the painting begin

January 26, 2011

The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge is almost dressed up and ready to go … I mean to be painted. The north tower was painted last year. It is hard now to see the south tower but it is the same color as the top span, dark, old metal like. The lower span has been painted [...]

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Munson last boat to arrive for Winter

January 19, 2011

The John G. Munson came into port this morning (January 19, 2011). She is the last of 10 boats that will spend the winter in the Duluth Superior port. She was assisted by the Heritage Marine tug Nels J. The tug is helping the Munson get close to the dock after which the boat will [...]

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News notes for January, 2011 …

January 13, 2011

… as of Wednesday, January 17, 2011 Winter layup in Duluth The Adam E. Cornelius, American Victory and Edward L. Ryerson have been in port for an extended layup. The H. Lee White arrived in port for winter layup on January 4th, 2011. The American Spirit arrived here for layup on January 12, 2011 and [...]

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John G. Munson makes another trip to Duluth

January 13, 2011

– the John G. Munson arriving Duluth on January 12, 2011.

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H. Lee White, first winter layup boat …

January 5, 2011

… arrived on January 4, 2010. She (H. Lee White) is the first of an expected 11 boats that will be in the Twin Ports for winter layup this year. She went straight to Fraser Shipyards where she will spend the layup. (picture courtesy of Mary George)

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First puck dropped at Amsoil

December 31, 2010

The long awaited Amsoil Arena opened Thursday night, December 30, 2010 with a men’s hockey game between the UMD Bulldogs and North Dakota Fighting Sioux. I like the TV on the scoreboard. Just like being at home!

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We get a big hand from …

December 29, 2010

… the American Century (formerly the Columbia Star) as she came into Duluth around noon on December 29th, 2010. The hand inside the hand belongs to John Kernohan, 2nd mate on the boat (inset). They are here to load 64,000 tons of low sulfur coal at Midwest Energy Resources in Superior. Later today, she will [...]

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Your turn

December 26, 2010

Around 7:30 this morning (December 26, 2010), the James R. Barker (left) departed Duluth with 58,000 tons of coal for Minnesota Power at Taconite Harbor. The Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. (right) had spent a good part of Christmas Day waiting at the Murphy Fuel Terminal for the Barker to finish. With the Barker on her [...]

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If this is what they call snow in Alabama

December 25, 2010

what do they call football? I presume that Jill shoveled off 5 or 6 inches of the snow so we could see her beautiful sidewalk.

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Charles M. Beeghly in Duluth

December 23, 2010

The Great Lakes freighter Charles M. Beeghly arrived in Duluth in the afternoon of December 23rd, 2010 to pick up an iron ore pellet cargo. She makes about 6 trips a year to the Twin Ports of Duluth Superior.

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Another visit from the Paul R.

December 23, 2010

The Great Lakes freighter Paul R. Tregurtha arrived in Duluth to load coal on December 21st, 2010. She is here about once a week throughout the shipping season that runs between mid March to mid January. It was a typical grey day in December in Duluth.

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Indiana Harbor into port

December 22, 2010

The Indiana Harbor came into port this morning (December 22, 2010) to load 64,000 tons of coal at Midwest Energy Resources in Superior. She will depart here to deliver the coal to Detroit Edison power plants in St. Clair, Michigan before returning around the 27th to do it again.

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Last salt water ship of the season

December 18, 2010

The Nogat departed the Duluth harbor late in the afternoon of December 17, 2010. She is escaping for the winter and will spend the next two months in warmer parts of the world. She will likely resume working the Great Lakes sometime after April, 2011. The Nogat passed a pile of salt as she left [...]

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Ice is nice

December 15, 2010

On Monday, the American Century came into Duluth with a boat load of ice. The salt water ship Orsula can be seen at anchor waiting to come in to load wheat for Italy. On Tuesday she was in and loading wheat at CHS1 in Superior (just below). Ice is the news of the day as [...]

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Last ships before winter

December 11, 2010

The Heloise waits, on December 10, 2010, to load grain at CHS 1 in Duluth. She is one of the last salt water ships to come to Duluth before the end of the 2010 shipping season.

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Paul R. Tregurtha meets Mesabi Miner

December 8, 2010

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The James R. Barker arrives in Bentleyville.

December 7, 2010

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A sure sign of winter:

December 6, 2010

when the Coast Guard starts Operation Taconite, their effort through out the Great Lakes to keep the shipping channels free of ice. The project started today (Monday, December 6, 2010). In an announcement made today, they said: Initially, only one Coast Guard icebreaker will be assigned to Operation Taconite. Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay, homeported [...]

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Alder departs Duluth

November 29, 2010

The Duluth Coast Guard cutter Alder left today (above, November 29, 2010) to finish up their year’s work on Aids to Navigation before coming back in December to battle the Duluth Superior ice. Aids to Navigation are man-made objects used by mariners to determine their position on the water or to maintain a safe course. [...]

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Bentleyville pictures; comment question

November 27, 2010

Bentleyville, 2010, is a great place to catch the Christmas spirit, to say nothing of taking some interesting pictures with your camera, phone or whatever you have in your pocket. Above, you see a picture I took of the Bentleyville version of Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge with an ore carrier about to go under. I [...]

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Thanks, salt water ships and tugboats …

November 25, 2010

… for making the Twin Ports of Duluth Superior an exciting place to live. Specifically, the Three Rivers, above, top for coming in this afternoon (Thanksgiving, 2010) to load wheat, and thanks to the Orla, above, bottom, for departing for the port of Pasajes, Spain (below) at the same time with some of our mid-western [...]

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The Paul R. Tregurtha in Twin Ports for coal

November 25, 2010

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Birchglen comes to Duluth Minnesota

November 24, 2010

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Two ships at anchor

November 23, 2010

With 7 days left in November, we have 5 salt water ships in Duluth today, two of those at anchor. Above the Orla, framed by the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, is waiting to come in while the Three Rivers is just south of her (below). Four more salt water ships are expected by the end [...]

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Bentleyville opens in Canal Park

November 21, 2010

and will be open free to the public on these days and times Saturday, November 20 through Sunday December 26, 2010 Sunday – Thursday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Friday & Saturday 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm All the lights you see are Bentleyville lights; installed during the last month; those lights not put up [...]

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The Olympic Mentor sat at anchor off the Duluth piers …

November 15, 2010

… between the Calliroë Patronicola (left) and the Rebecca (right) as the week before Thanksgiving began in Duluth Minnesota. The Olympic Mentor is waiting to load barley for Tunisia at both the Gavilon (formerly Peavey) and CHS2 (formerly Harvest States) terminals in the harbor. The Calliroe Patronicola is waiting to load durum wheat for Italy [...]

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The Gales of November, inside and out

November 13, 2010

The LSMMA was holding their annual Gales of November get-together inside the DECC, while a gale of November 13th was blowing just outside the door. Here, with winds as high as 45 mph, the Calliroë Patronicola, on the left, and her sister ship Olympic Mentor, sit quietly off the Duluth piers waiting to come in [...]

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More big stuff; ship to train to Alberta

November 7, 2010

The ocean going heavy lift ship Tracer arrived in Duluth on Friday, November 5th, 2010. She brought equipment that was discharged at Lake Superior Warehousing Company at the Port Terminal directly onto railcars for the trip to the final destination in Lethbridge, Alberta. Included were two very heavy transformers that were discharged onto special [...]

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Mesabi Miner passes by the Island Skipper

November 6, 2010

On Friday afternoon, November 5, 2010, the Mesabi Miner came under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge for the 37th time this season, on her way to load coal at Midwest Energy Resources in Superior. She was coming from Taconite Harbor and at 01:42 this morning (November 6), she departed Duluth for a return trip to [...]

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American Integrity departs Duluth with …

November 3, 2010

… 64,000 tons of coal for Detroit Edison power plants in St. Clair and Monroe, Michigan this morning (November 3, 2010). She (American Integrity) is expected back around November 11 to load more coal. That will be her 27th trip to the Twin Port of Duluth Superior this season.

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Irma here for 17th trip

November 2, 2010

The Irma was launched from a shipyard in Japan on December 10, 1999. Above, she is arriving in Duluth 10 months later. I was so excited to visit the brand new ship that I took a lot of pictures, including this close-up of the ship’s new whistle (inset), complete with a green button to [...]

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After sitting at anchor for a while, …

November 1, 2010

… the Beluga Faculty came in under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge on Saturday evening to begin loading beet pulp pellets at the General Mills dock in Duluth.

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Duluth Shipping News webcam ….

October 24, 2010

… caught the Indiana Harbor departing Duluth late in the afternoon of October 23, 2010. Click here to watch the live action on DSNTV, unless of course there is no boat traffic under the Lift Bridge; then you can watch the cars go over the Bridge

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