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| 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 Victory captain Mark Adamson (above right) brought his boat, formerly the Middletown when owned by Oglebay Norton, into winter layup at Fraser Shipyards on November 11th. The boat is still there but Adamson is now second mate on the American Integrity. Lance Nelson (left) had been Captain on a number of Oglebay Norton boats, including the Wolverine and the Earl W. Oglebay. He is now second mate on the American Integrity. In the middle is Captain Pat Nelson, living proof that seniority is a good thing. He was captain of the Oglebay Norton when it was owned by the company with the same name. He moved with the boat to American Steamship and became the captain on the newly named American Integrity. He still is. He and his crew of captains came into port on Friday night. I caught up with them on the deck of the boat shortly after they docked at the Murphy Fuel Dock. It is the same boat referred to on Saturday that was perpendicularly placed in the inner anchorage on Friday evening. Boats with three captains can do that. Photo taken on April 24, 2009 |
| *submitted to the Duluth News Tribune for publication on 04-26-2009 |
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