April 2009

Paul R. Tregurtha working Lake Superior

April 30, 2009 · 0 comments

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The largest boat on the Great Lakes, the Paul R. Tregurtha, has been spending a little time on the local, Lake Superior shuttle. It was expected in this morning after delivering a cargo of coal to the Minnesota Power station in Taconite Harbor. It will load coal today for WE-Energies in Marquette. Then on Sunday, it returns to load coal for Detroit Edison, its usual destination. Above, it is entering the Duluth ship canal on April 13th, 2008, after delivering coal to Detroit Edison. That day, it loaded another cargo of coal for the same destination.
*submitted to the Duluth News Tribune for publication on 04-30-2009

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A ceremony to recognize

April 29, 2009 · 5 comments


A ceremony to recognize the anniversary of a Coast Guard rescue attempt is scheduled for Thursday, at 2 p.m., just outside the Lake Superior Maritime Museum in Canal Park. The ceremony will honor Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Edgar A. Culbertson (left) who lost his life while trying to rescue 3 boys just off the Duluth piers during a April 30, 1967 storm ,

Click here for Coast Guard press release on event:

And for more information, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Culbertson”

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American Mariner here for coal

April 29, 2009 · 0 comments

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The American Mariner came into port late afternoon on Tuesday (above). It was expected to depart very early this morning taking a cargo of coal to WE-Energies in Milwaukee. This is the third trip here this season. Last season, it made 11 visits to the Twin Ports. The Paul R. Tregurtha left here on Tuesday morning with coal for Taconite Harbor. It is discharging that today and will be back on Thursday for more coal, this time for Marquette.
*submitted to the Duluth News Tribune for publication on 04-29-2009

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John G. Munson

April 28, 2009 · 0 comments

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The John G. Munson came into port on Monday afternoon (above) with cargo loaded in Ashtabula. After discharging that, it will move over to the Midwest Energy coal dock to take on a load of coal for Marquette. It was built in 1952 with a self unloader on the deck, unusual for a boat built in the 50′s. It was 666 feet long, making it the largest self unloader on the Great Lakes. Early Monday evening, the Paul R. Tregurtha came into port. At 1,013 feet and 6 inches long, it is now the largest self-unloader on the Great Lakes. The Tregurtha was built in 1981.
*submitted to the Duluth News Tribune for publication on 04-28-2009

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Lee A. Tregurtha still fighting ice

April 27, 2009

Seven boats are expected to arrive in the Twin Ports today. The Lee A. Tregurtha, arriving earlier this morning to load coal, will be the only departure, probably later this morning. The last time the Tregurtha departed Duluth, on April 1st, it got stopped in the ice sheet just off the Duluth piers. The Alder [...]

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Three captains, one boat

April 26, 2009

In June, 2006, Oglebay Norton sold six boats to American Steamship. In many cases, the crews moved with their boats, but jobs were lost in the consolidation. The current economic recession has kept many boats across the Great Lakes in winter layup. That keeps many of their crews at home waiting for a call. American [...]

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Oglebay Norton sold six boats

April 26, 2009

In June, 2006, Oglebay Norton sold six boats to American Steamship. In many cases, the crews moved with their boats, but jobs were lost in the consolidation. The current economic recession has kept many boats across the Great Lakes in winter layup. That keeps many of their crews at home waiting for a call. American [...]

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American Integrity and American Century cross paths

April 25, 2009

Perpendicular is not usually associated with two boats close together but on Friday evening, the American Integrity (left) and the American Century (right) both were planning to get fuel at the Murphy Fuel Dock in Duluth and load coal at Midwest Energy. The American Century arrived first so it was first to the fuel dock [...]

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Why settle for one picture

April 25, 2009

Why settle for one picture when two are better. The American Integrity came into port on her first trip of the season on Saturday afternoon, April 25th, 2009. Obviously something on board was important to them as they strained through the rain to spot something, perhaps someone.

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Canadian Olympic here to load coal

April 24, 2009

After a short time waiting at anchor off the Duluth piers, the Canadian Olympic came in to load coal on Thursday afternoon (above). Like the Capt. Henry Jackman and the John B. Aird before it, the Olympic loaded coal for Ontario Power Generation in Nanticoke. All three boats are Canadian flagged. It will be a [...]

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Persenk here for sugar to take to Mexico

April 22, 2009

The Maltese flagged Persenk loaded a cargo of sugar in Mexico and brought it up to the St. Lawrence Seaway, stopping at Hamilton, Ontario to discharge the sugar before sailing to the Twin Ports. After sitting at anchor for a couple days, it came in on Tuesday afternoon (above) to load durum wheat for Algeria. [...]

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Ryerson departs with iron ore pellets

April 22, 2009

Above, the Edward L. Ryerson departed Duluth late morning with iron ore pellets. Below, earlier in the morning, the James R. Barker eased under the Lift Bridge on her way to Marquette, Michigan with a cargo of coal for WE-Energies. She has about 58,000 tons with her.

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Edward L. Ryerson here for 2nd trip

April 21, 2009

The salt water vessel Persenk arrived and dropped anchor off the Duluth piers on Monday. The Maltese flagged ship was expected to come into port last night to load grain at CHS in Superior. This is only the third trip this ship has made to the Twin Ports since 1996. It was here once in [...]

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Adam E. Cornelius to take wheat to Buffalo

April 20, 2009

The  departed its winter layup berth in Toledo on April 15th and loaded a cargo of limestone for the Twin Ports, coming under the Lift Bridge on Sunday afternoon (above). When it completes discharging that cargo, it will load wheat to take to Buffalo. This is the first trip here this season for the Cornelius. [...]

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American Mariner, twice

April 19, 2009

When a boat comes under the Lift Bridge twice in one day, it usually comes in first and departs later in the day. The American Mariner will first depart the port this morning and then return this evening. It arrived last night (above) to load coal for Silver Bay Power and should leave this morning [...]

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Walter J. McCarthy, Jr.

April 18, 2009

When the day is done, three boats will be taking a cargo of coal loaded today at Midwest Energy Resources to the cities of Belladune, New Brunswick, Silver Bay and St. Clair Michigan. On April 13th, the Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. also departed the port with coal (above) for a Detroit Edison power plant in [...]

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Indiana Harbor departs winter layup

April 17, 2009

This year, the Indiana Harbor came in for winter layup on December 27th. Last year it was in on January 9th. Yesterday, it departed Duluth (above) from its winter layup berth at the Port Terminal. That was later than most of the thousand footers and reflects the slow year that is expected loading both coal [...]

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Fire department to the rescue

April 16, 2009

The Sabrina, the third saltwater ship of the season, came into port to load grain on Monday. While waiting at the Port Terminal for their dock to clear, a crew member working in a cargo hold fell and broke his ankle. The call went out to the Duluth Fire Department. Fire equipment operator Steve Gibson [...]

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Duluth Fire Department visits Mackinaw

April 16, 2009

The Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw arrived in Duluth on Friday morning, coming in the Superior entry and moving down to moorings at the DECC. On Friday afternoon, members of the Duluth Fire Department visited the ship. The two groups share many duties. Like all ships, the Mackinaw is its own fire department when under way. [...]

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Federal Welland an hour behind the Medemborg

April 14, 2009

  The Medemborg crossed the finish line around 10:30 Sunday morning; the Federal Welland arrived an hour later. Above left, the Medemborg enters the Duluth ship canal; at right, the Federal Welland does the same.

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Medemborg is first boat from ocean

April 14, 2009

The Medemborg was the first vessel to arrive in the Twin Ports this season after a full transit of the St. Lawrence Seaway. It came in on Sunday morning and is seen above at the General Mills grain terminal in Duluth on Monday morning. It is expected to depart sometime today with 8,100 metric tons [...]

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Edgar B. Speer arrives early

April 13, 2009

The first and second full-seaway-transit salt-water ships arrived on Sunday morning. The third and fourth will be here today; the Federal Schelde going to Burlington Northern to load iron ore pellets and the Sabrina coming to load grain at CHS. Last night the Edgar B. Speer, originally expected today, arrived in port (above) and crossed [...]

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Atlantic Erie to load coal for Nova Scotia

April 12, 2009

As of Saturday evening, the race for first ship was down to the Federal Welland and the Medemborg. The Medemborg is a Wagenborg ship, usually smaller (441 feet) and faster than the typical salt water ship. The Federal Welland is 629 feet long. Both are expected sometime around noon, today. Last night, the Atlantic Erie [...]

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Medemborg crosses finish line, first saltie of the year.

April 12, 2009

The Medemborg became the first vessel to arrive in the Twin Ports after a full passage of the St. Lawrence Seaway, coming under the Lift Bridge at 10:30 on Sunday morning,  April 12, 2009.

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And then there were 2

April 11, 2009

Saturday afternoon: it looks like the Sabrina will not get here until Monday and the Federal Schelde will also not get to the Burlington Northern dock until Monday. That leaves the Federal Welland and the Medemborg still in the race; both now expected around noon on Sunday. Click the schedule button on the menu at [...]

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Edward L. Ryerson may leave today

April 11, 2009

Sometime this morning, 3 salt water ships will be through the Soo Locks and on their way to the Twin Ports. They will all arrive on Sunday, just about the same time in April that the first saltie has arrived for the last several years. Last year, the Gadwell started us off, arriving on April [...]

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Four ships on their way to the Twin Ports

April 10, 2009

  It has been and probably will be a slow year for shipping in the Twin Ports, and in most ports around the world. We have yet to see a salt water ship this season, but we are about to see 4 of them, all of course coming full steam to win the first ship [...]

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Mesabi Miner leaves with coal for Detroit

April 10, 2009

The Edward L. Ryerson was the first boat to arrive here for winter layup, coming in on November 4th. That early date was one of the first signals that the coming season would likely not be so robust. As an older boat, built in 1960, there was talk that it might not go out this [...]

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Spring is close, maybe

April 9, 2009

With bright sun and melting snow, the Mesabi Miner departed the port today (April 9, 2009) with coal for Detroit Edison. She often spends the winter in the Twin Ports, but this layup, she was in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. This was her second trip to the Twin Ports this year. The Marine Museum’s tug Bayfield [...]

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Paul R. Tregurtha

April 9, 2009

This week, we have had about one thousand foot laker a day. On Tuesday, the Paul R. Tregurtha left with coal and the McCarthy loaded coal and left late that night. Wednesday, the James R. Barker arrived mid afternoon (above) and was expected to depart the port early this morning, leaving the coal dock at [...]

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Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. here for coal

April 8, 2009

The Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. arrived in port on Tuesday morning (above) to pick up its second cargo of the season at Midwest Energy Resources. It had to wait until the Paul R. Tregurtha completed loading its second cargo of coal for the season. Both boats are thousand footers, load coal at Midwest Energy and [...]

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Paul R. Tregurtha’s first arrival of season

April 7, 2009

The Paul R. Tregurtha was here for the first time this season on Saturday evening, loading coal for Taconite Harbor. It will be back today to load coal for Detroit Edison in St. Clair, Michigan. Last year as this year, the Tregurtha spent the winter in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and like last year, the first [...]

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Edgar B. Speer starts the new season

April 6, 2009

When the Mackinaw departs the port at 8 am this morning, we will have no Coast Guard ice breakers in port. (The Biscayne Bay left on Sunday morning.) One hopes that is a sure sign of spring. The weather forecast suggests we will have warmer temperatures and winds from the west for a few days, [...]

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Mackinaw Commander Scott Smith

April 5, 2009

Mackinaw Commander Scott Smith (above, left) hosted a well attended community visit on Saturday afternoon. It was a homecoming of sorts for Smith. From 1995 to 1997, he served as executive officer on the Sundew, then our ice breaker and now a museum easily seen from the pilot house of the Mac. Above, he is [...]

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Fire Department visits the Mackinaw

April 4, 2009

The Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw arrived in Duluth on Friday morning, coming in the Superior entry and moving down to moorings at the DECC. On Friday afternoon, members of the Duluth Fire Department visited the ship. The two groups share many duties. Like all ships, the Mackinaw is its own fire department when under way. [...]

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Moving the Mackinaw along

April 3, 2009

The Mackinaw is propelled through the water by two Finnish azipods at the stern of the ship. An azipod is a propeller mounted on a pod that can be rotated 360 degrees to control the movement and direction of the ship. I took the photo at the right just before the ship was launched. You [...]

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The 'new' Mackinaw arrives in the Twin Ports

April 3, 2009

Friday morning: The Mackinaw, seen below in the Duluth harbor just after arriving around 11 am on Friday morning,  will be hosting public tours on Saturday afternoon from 1 to 3 pm at their berth at the back of the DECC.

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Mackinaw, the 2nd is launched

April 3, 2009

On Wednesday afternoon, the Coast Guard dispatched their new ice breaker Mackinaw to Duluth to help with the ice off the Duluth piers and in the harbor. The west wind blew that away, and the Mackinaw was called back. The Coast Guard now says the Mackinaw will be arriving in Duluth around noon today. This [...]

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There must be an east wind on the way

April 2, 2009

The US Coast Guard ice breaker Mackinaw, the new one, will be arriving in Duluth around noon on Friday for a stay that will be conditioned on the state of the ice in the harbor and out in the Lake. Below, she is seen when she was launched on April 2, 2005. Click here for [...]

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John B. Aird here with sugar

April 2, 2009

The John B. Aird came into port early Wednesday morning with a cargo of salt loaded in Goderich, Ontario and discharged at the Cutler-Magner salt dock in Duluth (above) using the boat’s self-unloader. In the photo, it is extended to the right of the boat while the conveyor on the self-unloader moves the salt out [...]

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Lots of ice, lots of boats

April 2, 2009

Thursday April 2: The Walter J. McCarthy Jr., the Edwin H. Gott and the Edward L. Ryerson were set to depart on Wednesday evening. If they did not make it, they will probably try today.  The Lee A. Tregurtha made it to Two Harbors last night, the Gott should be there some time today. Both [...]

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Lee A. Tregurtha stopped in the ice off the Duluth piers; Alder out to help

April 1, 2009

April 1st, 2009 • Coast Guard, US Boats 7:05 Thursday morning. The Alder is on her way to Lake Michigan to tend buoys and the Alpena is probably getting close to the Soo. Instead of the Mackinaw making her first visit to Duluth the west wind arrived and moved the ice away. The McCarthy left [...]

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Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. helped by Alder

April 1, 2009

Monday was the day the shipping season started; Tuesday was a day when it didn’t move much further along. High winds from the east effected boat traffic as much as it did the rest of us. The Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. was expected to move over to Midwest Energy Resources last night to load coal. [...]

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