U.S. House approves authorization for replacement Soo Lock

9/14 - Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House voted Thursday to approve legislation including authorization for $922.4 million to build a large replacement lock at the Upper Peninsula's Soo Locks. The water-infrastructure bill, which passed on a voice vote, next heads to the U.S. Senate, where its passage and the president's signature would be the first concrete step in decades toward building the new lock.

Lawmakers said funding will still need to be appropriated next spending cycle.

"This modernization project is long — as in decades — overdue," said Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, whose district includes the locks. "We’ve accomplished more in the first 18 months of this session than was done in the last 18 years."

The progress is due in part to a study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released this summer that recommended a 1,200-foot-long lock to mirror the 49-year-old Poe Lock at Sault Ste. Marie. The Army Corps provided an economic analysis that will allow the project to compete for construction funding, estimating the cost at $922 million at next year's pricing level, or $1 billion over the seven-year to 10-year construction period.

The Poe is the only one of the four aging locks operated by the Army Corps in the Soo is big enough to handle the largest freighters that carry 89 percent of the cargo through the corridor.

An unexpected outage of the Poe could cause a bottleneck with a rippling disruption through the supply chain for steel production and, thus, manufacturing across the country.

Republican Rep. Paul Mitchell said he helped push for the project's inclusion in the authorization bill as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "It’s an issue nationally in terms of the economy and national defense,” said Mitchell of Dryden. “Turns out it was authorized in 1986, and there’s been studies and discussion but nothing got done.”

He noted the findings of a 2015 Department of Homeland Security report that found no alternative transportation mode exists for getting iron ore from Minnesota mines to steel mills on the lower Great Lakes. The same study concluded the Poe Lock is a weak link in the North American industrial economy, and an unplanned, six-month closure could plunge the U.S. economy into recession, costing up to 11 million jobs.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, who worked to include authorization in the Senate version of the bill, applauded Thursday's House vote. She and Bergman had co-sponsored a bill last year with the objective of authorizing the lock.

"The locks are vital to commerce in Michigan and our national defense," Stabenow said in a statement. "This is a significant step toward finally getting this done.”

Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, pledged to work with his colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to fund the Soo Locks upgrade. "Today's legislation makes it crystal clear: President Trump, Republicans, and Democrats support a new lock in the Soo," he said.

The Detroit News

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Algoma Transport departed Duluth at 00:47 Thursday morning with coal from Midwest Energy, and American Mariner left port at 17:04 after loading grain at General Mills. Juno was tied up at Gavilon loading wheat. In Superior, Stewart J. Cort loaded ore at BN throughout the day before departing at 17:13 for Burns Harbor.

Two Harbors, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Roger Blough departed Two Harbors on Sept. 12th at 23:54. As of 19:30 on the 13th she doesn't have an updated AIS. Arriving Two Harbors on Sept. 13th was the Joyce L. VanEnkevort/Great Lakes Trader at 09:05. She departed on the 13th at 17:28. As of 19:30 on the 13th she doesn't have an updated AIS. Arriving Two Harbors on the 13th was the James R. Barker at 13:32. She went to North of #2 lay-by. She then shifted from 17:56 to 18:21 to the shiploader. Due Two Harbors on Sept. 14th are the Algoma Harvester, her first trip after undergoing repairs for several weeks at Port Weller, and the Baie St. Paul.

Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the departure of the Algoma Discovery on Sept. 13th at 09:23 for Quebec City. Arriving Silver Bay on Sept. 13th was the H. Lee White at 09:28. She had been running checked down off Silver Bay until the departure of the Algoma Discovery. As of 19:30 she was still at the loading dock. Due Silver Bay on Sept. 14th is the Mesabi Miner. The John D. Leitch had been at the dock on the 12th, but departed for Thunder Bay and repairs. She was having issues with her boom and is currently undergoing repairs in Thunder Bay. The Clyde S. VanEnKevort/Erie Trader is, as of 19:30 on the 13th, unloading limestone in Marquette. Possibility she could be in the mix to load pellets on the North Shore if she doesn't load in Marquette

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Thursday September 13th: 7:14 John D Leitch arrived from Silver Bay and went to Keefer Terminal. 18:00 the saltie Irma arrived at Superior Elevator to load grain. 20:42 Federal Danube departed Richardson Main Terminal for Montreal. Expected for Friday: Tecumseh, due at 17:00.

St. Marys River
Upbound traffic on a slow Thursday included Algoma Harvester in the morning and Baie St. Paul in the evening. Tecumseh was inbound DeTour as night fell, followed a few hours later by Paul R. Tregurtha. Downbound traffic included Edgar B. Speer and Michipicoten. CSL Tadoussac was rounding Whitefish Point at 9 p.m.

Lake Michigan Ports
John J. Boland was headed for Green Bay on Thursday night. Wilfred Sykes arrived at BayShip Wednesday night for a boiler check, plus some routine maintenance. She will be at BayShip for about 7 to 10 days. Federal Mackinac was at Burns Harbor. American Spirit and Algoma Niagara were at Indiana Harbor.

Goderich, Ont. – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Sault was loading salt on Thursday. Algoma Compass cleared Wednesday downbound with salt for Sandusky.

Toledo, Ohio
Alpena was unloading cement Thursday night. Radcliffe R. Latimer remained in port. Saltie Rodopi departed with a destination of Tunisia.

Lake Erie
Tug Manitou was headed back to Port Huron Thursday after delivering the long-idle tug Robin Lynn to the Marine Recycling Corp. scrapyard in Port Colborne.

St. Lawrence Seaway system need upgrades, according to government report

9/14 - Ogdensburg, N.Y. – A new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office has found that shipping along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway system does not live up to its potential, and that traffic along the international waterway has dropped off significantly since 1980.

The GAO report, issued to members of Congress, found that the tons of cargo moved by both Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway traffic have declined since 1980 by 32 and 48 percent, respectively.

Great Lakes traffic is generally defined as U.S. flagged ships that move cargo exclusively between Great Lakes ports. The ships are often referred to simply as “lakers.” Seaway traffic, on the other hand, is comprised mostly of foreign flagged ships that move goods to and from international destinations, according to officials.

The most recent government report on shipping along the international waterway was issued on Sept. 5. The GAO investigation was launched to look at efforts to modernize the Great Lakes- Seaway system. The report examines how Great Lakes-Seaway shipping trends have changed since 1980 and what factors have shaped those trends.

In compiling the report, government officials solicited the opinions of approximately 24 so-called stakeholders in the shipping industry, asking how modern challenges and aging infrastructure are affecting the nearly 60-year-old waterway.

They also spoke to Army Corps of Engineers and Seaway Corp. officials regarding progress on lock infrastructure renewal efforts and what the agencies are doing to measure the results performance of the improvements.

Trends that have influenced the downward spiral in commodities traversing the seaway system include a shift away from traditional cargo hauls of iron ore and coal and growth in the commodities being transported in shipping containers.

The seaway system is also antiquated in design, according to officials, in that the locks that allow ships to traverse the waterway are in some cases too narrow to accommodate the more modern and larger Great Lakes oceangoing vessels used today.

Since 1959, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway navigation system has provided an important transportation route to the manufacturing and agricultural heartland of North America, according to the report. The system extends 2,300 miles from Duluth, Minn., to the Atlantic Ocean and serves more than 100 ports in eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, officials said.

In 2007, a joint U.S.-Canadian study found that the Great Lakes-Seaway system was operating at about half of its potential capacity and could absorb additional traffic. “Further, in 2016 the Congressional Research Service reported that U.S. domestic cargo volume within the Great Lakes was about half that of the 1950s and 1960s,” the report stated.

The 2007 study also led to U.S. asset renewal plans to improve the system’s lock infrastructure condition — at the time, the first coordinated effort to assess and improve the system’s infrastructure in its 50-year existence. But despite lagging shipping numbers, the waterway still has potential, according to officials.

“Now over a decade after the 2007 report and almost 60 years since the opening of the system, the Great Lakes-Seaway’s potential as America’s ‘fourth coast’ remains, as it provides direct access to a region that is home to 107 million people, including major cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and Toronto,” the study said.

Watertown Daily Times

Canadian ports navigate through global trade challenges

9/14 - When 2018 began, Canadian port officials were much encouraged by rising cargo trends thanks to firm demand in bulk and general cargo in global trade with Europe, China-led Asia and the United States, by far Canada’s leading commercial partner. But the overall outlook rapidly became seriously complicated when the Trump Administration ignited trade wars on “national security” grounds” with Canada, the European Union (EU), Mexico and China.

As this issue of the American Journal of Transportation was going to press, Canada and the United States had resumed tense negotiations in Washington on Sept. 5 to amend the North American Free Trade Agreement soon after President Trump had announced a separate deal with Mexico and threatened to impose punitive tariffs on auto imports from Canada if Canada did not accept his proposals. The talks were expected to continue, with Prime Minister Trudeau insisting on the retention of a dispute resolution mechanism -qualified a “red line” - while showing some flexibility in its supply management system to allow greater access to US dairy farmers.

Beginning on June 1, the Washington administration imposed import taxes of 25 percent on Canadian steel and 10 percent on Canadian aluminum – tariffs also applied to the EU. Canada reluctantly applied counter-measures on July 1, including tariffs on steel, aluminum and various other products. At this early stage, the ripple effect appears much more substantial on Canadian metals manufacturers dependent on selling products in the United States than on Canadian ports.

The Great Lakes were off to strong start in 2018.

Following an excellent year in 2017, the Port of Hamilton got off to a good start in the early months of the 2018 season, declared Ian Hamilton, president and CEO.

“Now with three grain terminals running at full capacity, exports of Ontario grain were lined up and ready to go from day one,” he said, pointing out that more than half a million metric tons of Ontario grain were exported overseas by mid-June. “With the continued growth in agri-food, we expect to have a great year in 2018.”

Last year saw Hamilton record its highest volume since 2014 at 9.9 million tons. More stability at port-adjacent steel company Stelco sparked a rebound in coal tonnages (up 21 percent in 2017 over 2016).

“The port’s overall cargo mix continues to rebalance, with agricultural commodities now making up 23 percent of the total cargo compared with 12.5 percent in 2010,” Mr. Hamilton said. “This agri-food growth has been driven by an influx of private sector investment in the port – to the tune of $200 million in recent years.”

For the Port of Thunder Bay on the tip of Lake Superior, the early months of the 2018 Seaway season featured a brisk opening on the heels of a full-year total of 8.8 million tons in 2017.

For example, commodity shipments of grain, coal and potash in May were consistent, with over 1.0 million tons of bulk cargo being loaded for outbound shipment. Thunder Bay is the primary Seaway export port for Western Canadian bulk commodities. The port’s project cargo activity remains in full swing.

At Windsor, the third largest Canadian port on the Great Lakes, there’s a new CEO at the helm: Steven Salmons, who formerly worked with the City of Windsor. Within 12 to 18 months, he sees total traffic attaining 6 million tons compared with the current 5.1 million tons. “We are anticipating some expansion in aggregates, steel and construction supplies with the start-up of the Howe Bridge construction.”

Read more at this link: https://www.ajot.com/premium/ajot-canadian-ports-navigate-through-global-trade-challenges

September 14, 1963, the BENJAMIN F. FAIRLESS, Captain Earl C. Bauman, received a National Safety Council Award of Merit for operating 1,001,248 consecutive man-hours without a lost time accident. This accomplishment required 15 years, 600 round trips, and 1,200 passages through the Soo locks.

Captain Albert Edgar Goodrich died on September 14,1885, at the age of 59, at his residence in Chicago. He was a pioneer steamboat man and founded the Goodrich Transportation Company, famous for its passenger/package freight steamers on Lake Michigan.

The J. J. SULLIVAN (Hull#439) was launched September 14, 1907, at Cleveland, Ohio, by American Ship Building Co. for the Superior Steamship Co. (Hutchinson & Co., mgr.). Renamed b.) CLARENCE B. RANDALL in 1963. She was scrapped at Windsor, Ontario in 1988.

On September 14, 1871, R. J. CARNEY (wooden barge, 150 foot, 397 gross tons) was launched at Saginaw, Michigan.

The 203-foot wooden schooner KATE WINSLOW was launched at J. Davidson's yard in East Saginaw, Michigan, on 14 September 1872.

The steamer ASIA sank in a storm off Byng Inlet on Georgian Bay September 14, 1882. Over 100 people lost their lives with only two people, a man and a woman, rescued. ASIA was built in St. Catharines, Ontario, in 1873, and was bound from Collingwood, Ontario, to the French River and Canadian Sault.

1960: The Bahamas registered vessel ITHAKA stranded 10 miles east of Chhurchill, Manitoba, after the rudder broke and the anchors failed to hold in a storm. The ship had served on the Great Lakes for Hall as a) FRANK A. AUGSBURY and e) LAWRENCECLIFFE HALL (i), for Canada Steamship Lines as b) GRANBY and for Federal Commerce & Navigation as f) FEDERAL PIONEER.

1965: FORT WILLIAM, which recently entered service as a package freight carrier for Canada Steamship Lines, capsized at Pier 65 in Montreal. There was an ensuing fire when part of the cargo of powdered carbide formed an explosive gas and five were killed. The vessel was refloated on November 22, 1965, repaired, and still sails the lakes a b) STEPHEN B. ROMAN.

1970: The barge AFT, the forward part of the former STEEL KING (ii), arrrived at Ramey's Bend, Port Colborne, under tow of the tug HERBERT A. for dismantling. The barge had been part of a tandem tow with the dipper dredge KING COAL but the latter broke loose in a Lake Erie storm and sank.

1998: The Cypriot-registered STRANGE ATTRACTOR first came through the Seaway in 1989 as a) LANTAU TRADER. It returned under the new name in 1996 and lost power on this date in 1998 while leaving the Upper Beauharnois Lock and had to be towed to the tie up wall by OCEAN GOLF and SALVAGE MONARCH. The ship was soon able to resume the voyage and continued Great Lakes trading through 2003. It arrived for scrapping at Aliaga, Turkey, as d) ORIENT FUZHOU on August 7, 2009.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Clive Reddin, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, James Neumiller, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Duluth bets on a new wave of cruise ships

9/11 - Duluth, Minn. – Passengers are cruising Alaska’s icy coast in record numbers. Cruise ships have been making more waves in the rivers of Europe. Even the outer Great Lakes are drawing more and more luxury vessels.

With the cruising industry booming across the globe, officials in Duluth are betting that someday soon their ships will come in, too.

In hopes of establishing the Lake Superior port city as a destination for passenger ships, the city and local agencies are investing in port infrastructure while tourism leaders are promoting the area’s natural beauty, history and culture to cruise lines. “It’s definitely an industry that’s in expansion mode,” said Anna Tanski, president and chief executive at Visit Duluth, the city’s tourism arm.

“Lake Superior is now sort of at the forefront of being the new and fresh itinerary to develop. … For us, it just opens up a whole new market that we’re very excited about.”

Cruise line operators and promoters say they believe interest in Great Lakes voyages will surge in the years ahead as high-earning baby boomers look for new, unusual travel experiences. Lake Superior’s history and wilderness will make it a hot destination, they contend.

Next August, one such ship will make two stops in Duluth. Cruise companies are planning for several more stops in 2020, though many are still in the preliminary stages. Duluth tourism leaders have an ultimate goal of 20 visits a season, trusting that once a few cruises are filled and deemed a success, others will follow.

“The Great Lakes is on the verge of an opportunity that is mind boggling,” said Bruce Nierenberg, chairman and founder of Victory Cruise Lines, which will add Lake Superior to a couple of its Great Lakes itineraries starting next summer. “Lake Superior for us is going to be, I believe, one of our real gems.”

Others in the industry agree that Great Lakes cruising might soon have its moment.

“There is a hunger for something different,” said Colleen McDaniel, senior executive editor at Cruise Critic, a website that assesses cruises all over the world. “Duluth is a special city … I think that a lot of people would love to visit by cruise ship.”

While Duluth, which sits at the westernmost point of the Great Lakes, hasn’t seen a cruise ship in its harbor for five years, it’s no stranger to luxury ship passengers. About a century ago, the city welcomed thousands of passengers over two decades, some from opulent vessels commissioned by railroad executive James J. Hill. A postwar boom in car ownership, superhighways and jets was later blamed for killing the popularity of cruising on the Great Lakes.

Trips on Lake Superior have been especially scarce, though Duluth saw a few cruise ship stops in the mid-1990s and some in the first decade of the 2000s. Like those of years past, today’s luxury ships sliding under the Duluth Lift Bridge will be relatively small because they must be able to pass through existing locks.

Nierenberg’s Miami-based Victory Cruise Line has launched its Victory I and Victory II ships, approximately 300-foot vessels each holding about 200 passengers and nearly 85 crew members. Unlike the behemoth megaships that float in the tropics and hold thousands of people, Great Lakes cruises are designed to offer more intimate experiences for well-traveled passengers who want to go places where big ships can’t, Nierenberg and others explained.

“They love authentic. They love real,” Nierenberg said of the target clientele. “They like uncrowded.”

The Victory ships feature fine dining and onboard enrichment such as lectures about each port from historians and naturalists. The price tag for an 11-day cruise between Detroit and Thunder Bay ranges from about $6,000 to more than $10,000.

Shipmakers continue to build new cruise ships, but only about 60 ships in the world will be sized for the Great Lakes, said Stephen Burnett, executive director of the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition.

It’s unclear how many could end up in Lake Superior in 2020 and beyond. Duluth is listed as a June 12, 2020, stop for a ship called Hanseatic Inspiration. Officials expect more will follow.

Jeanne Psychas, passenger service representative for the Great Lakes Cruise Co., which acts as a booking agent for many ship operators, said most recent passengers on Great Lakes cruises have hailed from Florida, Texas, California and the West. But operators hope to draw interest from all over the world.

Industry watchers say Duluth’s goal of 20 cruise stops a year is plausible. If that happens, it could mean a boost for the local economy. A conservative estimate projects that passengers disembarking from Great Lakes luxury ships would spend about $200 each — an estimated $40,000 per day, said Tanski of Visit Duluth.

What passengers would do in and around Duluth would be up to the tour companies, Tanski said. It could include taking history tours to browsing art galleries to watching birds on Hawk Ridge.

They could go deep inside mines on the Iron Range or bicycle, kayak, hike or fish along the North Shore. Passengers would still have time to explore shops, restaurants and art galleries in the city, operators said.

Duluth has been identified as one of four passenger ports of clearance in the Great Lakes. Others are Cleveland, Detroit and Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

A key step in getting cruise traffic will be establishing a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility at a cruise terminal where customs agents can clear passengers coming from a foreign port. To get a facility, Duluth must first establish an information technology connection.

The Duluth Economic Development Authority, the local port authority and the City Council have dedicated $85,000 to make that happen.

In the end, officials hope a new wave of cruise traffic will bring more attention to Duluth and help build its reputation around the country and the world. “It’s what it does beyond just the immediate economic impact,” Tanski said of the expanded promotion. “It’s exposure to an entirely new market and demographic.”

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
The only vessel traffic through the Duluth entry on Monday was American Century, which departed at 11:05 with coal from Midwest Energy. In Superior, John G. Munson departed at 01:56 with iron ore pellets from Burlington Northern. Lee A. Tregurtha arrived from anchor at 02:12, loaded, and was outbound at 08:50. Burns Harbor was next, arriving at 09:40 to load at BN. Her estimated departure time was 03:00 Tuesday. At anchor was Michipicoten, waiting to load ore, and CSL Tadoussac was expected to join her around 22:00 Monday night.

Two Harbors, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Baie Comeau departed Two Harbors on Sept. 10th at approx. 01:21 for Quebec City. Edwin H. Gott arrived Two Harbors at approx. 03:19 on Sept. 10th after stopping off Two Harbors on Sept. 9th at 21:45. She departed Two Harbors on the 10th at 19:35 for Gary. Due Two Harbors on the 10th is the Joseph L. Block. After departing Duluth on the 9th she went to the south shore and anchored off the Brule River State Forest at 21:56. She got underway on Sept. 10th and should arrive Two Harbors around 20:15. Due Two Harbors on Sept. 11th is the Edgar B. Speer.

Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the arrival of the American Spirit on Sept. 9th at 22:00. She departed Silver Bay on Sept. 10th at 15:58. As of 19:45 on the 10th she didn’t have an updated AIS. Due Silver Bay on Sept. 11th is the John D. Leitch.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Monday September 10th: 9:17 Algoma Guardian arrived at Richardson Current River Terminal to load grain.

St. Marys River
Downbound traffic included Algoma Buffalo early, followed by Hon. James L. Oberstar, Paul R. Tregurtha, Manitoulin, Walter J. McCarthy Jr., Kaye E. Barker and American Integrity. Upbounders included John D. Leitch, American Mariner, Cuyahoga (to Essar) and, late, Algoma Transport.

Port Inland, Mich.
Calumet was loading stone Monday night.

Green Bay, Wis.
Alpena departed for her namesake port on Monday. The tug Albert / barge Margaret were approaching in the late evening.

Southern Lake Michigan
Federal Mackinac was at Burns Harbor Monday evening. Philip R. Clarke was unloading at Gary. Wilfred Sykes was unloading at Indiana Harbor.

Northern Lake Huron
Monday, September 10th, Alpena: 14:46 Samuel de Champlain arrived to load cement products and at 20:21 departed for Milwaukee. Calcite: 5:54 John J Boland departed for Buffington. Bruce Mines: Radcliffe R Latimer departed and is southbound on Lake Huron. Meldrum Bay: Algoma Sault departed for Windsor. Frontenac arrived to load.

Toledo, Ohio
Tanker Algowood remained at Ironhead Marine on Monday undergoing her five-year. Federal Shimanto was loading grain. Algoma Enterprise and Victory/James L. Kuber were also in port.

Cleveland, Ohio
James R. Barker was unloading Monday night. Cement carrier NACC Argonaut was due.

Welland Canal and regional report - Monday Sep 10 – Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
Arrivals - Sep 8 - Algowood at 0515

Port Colborne anchorage:
Arrivals - Sep 9 - Federal Mayumi (Mhl) at 0901(for Ashtabula) and Federal Kushiro (Mhl at 1848 - Departure - Sep 9 - Federal Kushiro (Mhl) at 2206 for Montreal - Sep 10 - tug Michigan & barge Great Lakes at 0624 for Sheboygan

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Sep 8 - NACC Quebec (ex Tenace-16) eta 2118 (to anchorage) - Sep 9 - Algoma Niagara at 1524, NACC Argonaut (ex NACC Toronto-18, Arklow Wave-16) at 1845 and Harbour Feature (Por) at 2056 (to the anchorage) - Sep 10 - Harbour Feature (Por) at 0726 from the anchorage, Algocanada at 1304, Patras (Mlt) (ex Gan-Sword-10) at 1347, CSL Niagara at 1448, and Victory I (Bhs) (ex Saint Laurent-16, Sea Voyager-15, Cape May Light-09) eta 2009. Downbound - Sep 9 - Federal Kushiro (Mhl) at 2225 - Sep 10 - Federal Dart (Mhl) at 0810, G3 Marquis at 1125, Whitefish Bay at 1255, CSL Welland at 1821, CSL St. Laurent at 2010 and Isolda (Cyp) eta 2150

Wellland Canal docks:
Docked - Aug 22 - Algoma Harvester in south dock of former PWDD facility

Port Weller anchorage:
Anchored - Sep 8 - NACC Quebec at 2133 - Sep 9 - Harbour Feature (Por) at 2200 - Departure - Sep 10 - Harbour Feature (Por) at 0715 for the canal

Hamilton:
Arrivals - none - Anchored - Sep 8 - Federal Yukon (Mhl) at 0748 from Picton - Docked - Aug 29 - CCGS Martha L Black (icebreaker) at 0618 - Sep 6 - Florence Spirit at 1608 - Sep 8 - Chestnut (Cyp) at 0636 - Sep 9 - Federal Margaree (Mhl) at 0433, Harbour Pioneer (Por) at 1735, Algoma Spirit eta 2247 - Departures - Sep 10 - Algoma Compass at 0153, Chembulk Kobe (Mhlk) at 1257 for Valleyfield

Bronte:
Arrival - Sep 9 - Mia Desgagnes at 1854 (anchored off dock for weather)

Clarkson:
Arrival - Sep 8 - Robert S Pierson at 1312 (anchored off dock for weather)

Toronto:
Arrivals - none Docked - Sep 8 - Cape (Lbr) (ex Heloise-15) at 0930 (Redpath Sugar) - Sep 9 - NACC Alicudi (Mlt) (ex Sider Alicudi-18) at 0633 and Victory I (Bhs) (ex Saint Laurent-16, Sea Voyager-15, Cape May Light-09) at 1905 - Departure - Sep 10 - Victory I (Bhs) (ex Saint Laurent-16, Sea Voyager-15, Cape May Light-09) at 1838 for the canal

Oshawa:
Arrival - Sep 5 - Senja (Mlt) at 1627 from Port Weller anchorage

September 11, 1969, the Bethlehem steamer LEHIGH, Captain Loren A. Falk, delivered the first cargo to the new Bethlehem Steel mill at Burns Harbor, Indiana. The cargo consisted of 15,700 tons of taconite pellets loaded at Taconite Harbor, Minnesota.

On 11 September 1883, EXPLORER (2-mast wooden schooner, 48 foot, 33 gross tons, built in 1866, at Chatham, Ontario) struck rocks and went down on Stokes Bay on the outside of the Bruce Peninsula. Her crew was visible from shore clinging to the wreck until the vessel broke up. All five were lost.

The GEORGE M. HUMPHREY, of 1927, was patched and refloated on September 11, 1944. She had sunk in 80 feet of water after a collision with the steamer D.M. CLEMSON, of 1916, off Old Point Light, on June 15, 1943. On May 6, 1944, the barges MAITLAND NO. 1 and HILDA were employed as pontoons for the salvage operation positioned over the sunken hull. Cables were attached to the HUMPHREY's hull and to the barges. The hull was raised through a series of lifts, which allowed it to be brought into shallower water. Partial buoyancy was provided by the HUMPHREY's ballast tanks, which were pumped out to about 25 percent of capacity. The HUMPHREY was patched and refloated on September 11, 1944. She was taken to the Manitowoc Ship Building Co. first for an estimate of repairs, which totaled $469,400, and then was towed to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin for reconditioning which was completed at a reported cost of $437,000. Captain John Roen's Roen Transportation Co. assumed ownership on September 18, 1944, and the next year the ship was renamed b.) CAPTAIN JOHN ROEN. She re-entered service on May 1, 1945, chartered to the Pioneer Steamship Co. on a commission basis. Renamed c.) ADAM E. CORNELIUS in 1948, and d.) CONSUMERS POWER in 1958. She was scrapped at Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 1988.

September 11, 2001, the former Bob-Lo boat STE. CLAIRE was towed from Detroit to Toledo by Gaelic's tug SHANNON. In August 2005, she was taken to Belanger Park in River Rouge and in the spring of 2006 she was returned to Nicholson's Slip in Ecorse by Gaelic's tugs PATRICIA HOEY and CAROLYN HOEY.

Carrying cargoes off the lakes, CANADA MARQUIS departed Halifax bound for Philadelphia with a cargo of grain. HON. PAUL MARTIN departed Halifax the same day on her way to Tampa with a load of gypsum.

HORACE JOHNSON sailed on her maiden voyage light from Lorain, Ohio, on September 11, 1929, bound for Two Harbors, Minnesota to load iron ore.

On 11 September 1895, S.P. AMES (2 mast wooden schooner, 61 foot, 43 gross tons) was driven ashore at Pointe aux Barques, Michigan, in a storm. She was quickly stripped before she went to pieces. She had been built in 1879, at Montrose, Michigan, in farm country, well inland, on the Flint River by Mr. Seth Ames. He wanted to use her to return to sea, but he died the day before her hull was launched.

On 11 September 1876, the schooner HARVEST HOME sank on Lake Michigan while bound from Chicago for Cleveland with a load of scrap iron. She was about 26 miles off Grand Haven, Michigan. The crew was taken off by the schooner GRACIE M. FILER just as the boat was going down.

1942: H.M.C.S. CHARLOTTETOWN, a Canadian naval corvette built at Kingston, ON in 1941, was torpedoed and sunk by U-517 on the St. Lawrence near Cap Chat, QC. Nine of the 64 on board were lost. 1946:

The former Hall freighter LUCIUS W. ROBINSON, heading for new service in the Far East as b) HAI LIN, ran into a typhoon on the Pacific during its delivery voyage but was unscathed.

1961: The retired PERSEUS, under tow for scrapping overseas, broke loose of the tug ENGLISHMAN, and was abandoned in rough seas near the Azores. It was later found drifting and taken in tow only to sink on September 21.

1968: GRINDEFJELL, a pre-Seaway and Seaway-era visitor for the Norwegian Fjell Line from 1953 to 1965, put into Mozambique as b) LENRO after fire had broken out in a cargo hold. The flames spread and, at one time the hull glowed red hot. The ship was gutted, later capsized and was abandoned as a total loss. The vessel was enroute from Assab, Ethiopia, to Rotterdam, with a cargo of bagged niger seed expellers and had to take the long way around due to the Suez Canal being closed. The hull was either scrapped or scuttled.

1987: An arson fire gutted the bridge and top deck of the laid up former C.S.L. package freighter FORT YORK at Sarnia. There had been another suspicious fire three weeks earlier that had been extinguished.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Jody L. Aho James Neumiller, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Survey says Boatnerd stays

9/10 - Almost 3,000 users responded to our recent survey. The results will be used to determine the future direction of Boatnerd.

We had mostly positive results and will continue the site. On the question “Would You Like to See Boatnerd Continue?,” 99.4 percent of the respondents said yes. More than 55 percent said they visit the site daily and 18 percent said they visited it multiple times daily.

The majority of respondents said they visit the site as much as they ever did, 27 percent said they visited it more. Nearly 90 percent identified as hobbyists, while the rest were commercial users.

The News Page was the most popular part of the site, followed by Vessel Passages, the photo galleries and the AIS system.

Just over half said they would not be interested Boatnerd News Photo Gallery Group on Facebook. Almost 70 percent would be willing to contribute to an annual donation drive to support the site. Nearly 90 percent said they would be fine seeing relevant advertising on the site in order to support it.

For now all features will continue unless there are cost issues or usage falls. We will try to bring back the heavily requesed News Photo Gallery based on volunteers being able to help process and post pictures and the ability to use the technology.

For support, we will hold a fundraising event this fall where we will ask users to contribute. Long term there was positive feed back for advertising and we will announce that when we have the technology in place to properly show ads.

How you can help:
With the new technology we will be updating the site and asking for volunteers to help create and maintain content. Please e-mail moderator@boatnerd.net if you are interested in volunteering and can use Wordpress or Photoshop.

AIS/Vessel Passage:
We has stronger than expected support for our system, especially with commercial users. We would also like to expand the AIS receivers to better fill some of the gaps in the system. If you have an existing system (HAMS) or are sharing with a service like Marinetraffic.com you can share your data with us. Or if you would like to host a receiver please e-mail moderator@boatnerd.net. Note to ports and commercial operators: We can add your location that you can embed a map or passage listing, for example http://ais.boatnerd.com/passage

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Lee A. Tregurtha arrived Duluth at 07:45 Sunday morning with limestone to discharge at Graymont. Joseph L. Block, which had arrived on Saturday night, spent Sunday unloading limestone at CN. She departed at 19:52 with a destination of Two Harbors listed. At the Superior entry, Burns Harbor arrived at 00:27 Sunday to take a delay at Lakehead Pipeline, and fleetmate American Century was inbound at 12:20. She tied up at Elevator M, and is waiting to load coal at Midwest Energy. Lee A. Tregurtha departed from Graymont via the Superior entry at 17:45, and anchored outside the harbor to wait her turn to load at BN. Burns Harbor was outbound at 19:23 and joined the Tregurtha at anchor. The BN dock saw the departure of Walter J. McCarthy Jr. at 11:10 with iron ore pellets, after which John G. Munson shifted to the dock and began loading. She was due to depart at 20:00 Sunday.

Two Harbors, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Algoma Buffalo departed Two Harbors at approx. 00:26 on Sept. 9th for Hamilton. American Integrity arrived Two Harbors on the Sept. 9th at 01:09 for South of #2. She departed on the 9th at 13:38 for Zug Island. Arriving off Two Harbors on the 9th was the Baie Comeau at approx. 02:15. She got underway at 13:33 on September 9th and arrived the piers at 14:13. As of 19:30 she was still loading at South of #2. Due Two Harbors on Sept. 9th is the Joseph L. Block, which as of 19:30, was outbound Duluth from the CN ore dock after unloading stone. Also due on Sept. 9th is the Edwin H. Gott, due at approx. 21:00. There is no inbound traffic scheduled for Two Harbors on Sept. 10th.

Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Due Northshore Mining in Silver Bay on Sept. 9th is the American Spirit at approx. 22:00. Tentatively due Silver Bay on Sept. 10th is the John D. Leitch, but as of 19:30 on the 9th, she was unloading in Fisher Harbor, Ont. She probably will arrive Silver Bay on the 11th.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Sunday September 9th: 18:47 Manitoulin departed Richardson Main Terminal for Hamilton. Expected for Monday: Algoma Guardian due at 3:00.

St. Marys River
Downbound traffic Sunday included Mississagi, Philip R. Clarke, Presque Isle, Tecumseh, Spruceglen and, late, Indiana Harbor. Upbounders included Algoma Guardian and CSL Tadoussac.

Green Bay, Wis.
At 6 p.m., Great Republic entered port with high fusion coal for Georgia Pacific. The cement carrier Alpena was also in port on Sunday.

Milwaukee, Wis.
Algoma Innovator arrived with salt mid-evening Sunday. Calumet was also in port.

Southern Lake Michigan
CSL Assiniboine, Federal Mackinac and Irma were at Burns Harbor Sunday night. Roger Blough was unloading at Gary.

Northern Lake Huron
Sunday, Calcite: 14:20 John J Boland arrived to load limestone. Bruce Mines: 20:29 Radcliffe R. Latimer arrived to load trap rock. McGregor Bay: 12:10 John D. Leitch arrived at Fisher Harbor to unload salt and departed at 21:30.

Welland Canal and regional report for Sunday 9 – Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
Arrivals - Sep 8 - Algowood at 0515

Port Colborne anchorage:
Arrivals - Sep 8 - tug Michigan & barge Great Lakes at 1953 from Nanticoke dock - Sep 9 - Federal Mayumi (Mhl) at 0901(for Ashtabula) and Federal Kushiro (Mhl at 1848 - Departure - Sep 8 - Isa (Cyp) at 2225 for Ashtabula - Sep 9 - Federal Kushiro (Mhl) at 2130 approx. for Montreal

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Sep 8 - Federal Mayumi (Mhl) at 2055 and NACC Quebec (ex Tenace-16) eta 2118 (to anchorage) - Sep 9 - Algoma Niagara at 1524, NACC Argonaut (ex NACC Toronto-18, Arklow Wave-16) at 1845 and Harbour Feature (Por) at 2105 to the anchorage - Downbound - Sep 8 - Ojibway at 1946, Algoma Compass at 2058 and Thunder Bay at 2315 - Sep 9 - Victory I (Bhs) (ex Saint Laurent-16, Sea Voyager-15, Cape May Light-09) at 0758, Algoma Spirit at 1032, Beatrix (Nld) at 1146, Federal Oshima (Mhl) at 1217 and Federal Kushiro (Mhl) at 1848 to the anchorage

Wellland Canal docks:
Docked - Aug 22 - Algoma Harvester in south dock of former PWDD facility

Port Weller anchorage:
Anchored - Sep 8 - NACC Quebec at 2133 - Sep 9 - Harbour Feature (Por) eta 2120 - Departure - Sep 7 - Sten Moster (Gib) at 0953 eastbound

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Sep 9 - Chembulk Kobe (Mhl) at 0149, Federal Margaree (Mhl) at 0433, Algoma Compass at 1032, Harbour Pioneer (Por) at 1735, Algoma Spirit eta 2232 - Anchored - Sep 8 - Federal Yukon (Mhl) at 0748 from Picton - Docked - Aug 29 - CCGS Martha L Black (icebreaker) at 0618 - Sep 6 - Florence Spirit at 1608 - Sep 8 - Chestnut (Cyp) at 0636 - Departure - Sep 9 - Vitosha (Mlt) at 1801 for Ireland

Bronte:
Arrival - Sep 9 - Mia Desgagnes at 1854 (anchored off dock for weather)

Clarkson:
Arrival - Sep 8 - Robert S Pierson at 1312 (anchored off dock for weather)

Toronto:
Arrival - Sep 9 - NACC Alicudi (Mlt) (ex Sider Alicudi-18) at 0633 and Victory I (Bhs) (ex Saint Laurent-16, Sea Voyager-15, Cape May Light-09) at - 1905 Docked - Sep 8 - Cape (Lbr) (ex Heloise-15) at 0930 (Redpath Sugar) - Departures - Sep 9 - McKeil Spirit at 0443 eastbound

Oshawa:
Arrival - Sep 5 - Senja (Mlt) at 1627 from Port Weller anchorage

September 10, 1952, the forebody and afterbody of the future JOSEPH H. THOMPSON arrived at the American Shipbuilding yard in South Chicago. The two sections were delivered to the lakes via the Mississippi River and Chicago Ship Canal. The afterbody departed Baltimore, Maryland on August 2 and the forebody departed Pascagoula, Mississippi on August 21.

On 10 September 1884, the 137-foot steam barge HENRY HOWARD was sailing up bound with the schooner-barge GEORGE WORTHINGTON in tow when she caught fire near Harsens Island at the mouth of the St. Clair River. The fire broke out near the HOWARD's engine room and spread rapidly. The vessel was beached on the island but the WORTHINGTON ran against her and was thus scorched. No lives were lost. The HOWARD was valued at $5,000, but only insured for $3,000 by her owners, B. Hoose and Julia Miner.

The whaleback tanker METEOR was towed from Manitowoc, Wisconsin by the tug JOHN ROEN IV to Superior, Wisconsin on September 10, 1972.

The KINSMAN ENTERPRISE turned 75 years old on September 10, 2002. When she entered service as a.) HARRY COULBY, on this date in 1927, the 631-foot bulk freighter was the third largest on the Great Lakes.

While up bound in the Welland Canal on September 9, 1986, it was noted that the port anchor of the J. W. MC GIFFIN was missing, her chain was almost touching the water. Rebuilt with a new cargo hold section by Port Weller Drydocks, Ltd., in 1999, renamed b.) CSL NIAGARA.

On 10 September 1909, COLUMBUS (wooden propeller bulk freighter, 136 foot, 439 gross tons, built in 1874, as the tug JOHN OWEN) burned to a total loss at her dock at Gargantua, Ontario, in Lake Superior. She was cut loose and allowed to drift out into the bay where she sank. The top of her engine reportedly still shows above the water.

September 10, 1979 - The SPARTAN was laid up. She remains in Ludington, Michigan.

The barge N. MILLS was launched at P. Lester's yard in Marysville, Michigan on 10 September 1870. Her dimensions were 164 feet x 30 feet x 12 feet.

1910: PERE MARQUETTE 18, inbound for Milwaukee with 29 rail cars, began leaking and sank 30 miles off Sheboygan, Wis. There were 33 survivors but 29 were lost including the captain. 1918: The barge SANTIAGO, under tow of the small bulk carrier JOHN F. MORROW, sank in Lake Huron off Pointe aux Barques without loss of life. 1940: A.E. AMES was once part of Canada Steamship Lines. The vessel was sold for saltwater service about 1917 and was lost, via enemy action, as c) GINETTE LEBORGNE on this date in 1940 when it struck a mine on the Mediterranean, west of Sardinia, while returning demobilized troops from North Africa to France.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Jody L. Aho, James Neumiller, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Tug arrived to tow former laker Manitoba to scrap

9/7 - The deep-sea tug Ocean Delta (IMO 7235707), built in 1973 and registered in Panama, arrived in Montreal at Section 56 North on Wednesday to tow the retired laker Nito, now of Panamanian registry, to Aliaga, Turkey, for scrap.

Nito was the former Lower Lakes Towing Ltd. vessel Manitoba, which had its registry closed on July 31. At about that same time, the vessel's name was shortened to Nito.

Nito has an interesting history. She was built in 1967 at Collingwood Shipyards in Collingwood, Ont. for the first of four different owners, the N.M. Paterson & Sons Ltd. It carried the name Mantadoc for them from 1967 until 2002 when Paterson sold three of its vessels to Canada Steamship Lines, with the Mantadoc being one of them. The ship sat idle in Montreal for most of 2002 before it was reactivated, renamed Teakglen, and loaded a grain storage cargo from Quebec City to be taken to Goderich, Ont., in September of that year. That was her only trip under that name.

From 2002 until 2005 the ship was used as a grain storage hull before being sold to its third owner, Voyageur Maritime Trading Inc. in 2005. It left Sarnia in late July 2005 and departed in early September for Thunder Bay where it was repainted and renamed Maritime Trader. It carried that name for its owners from 2005 until 2011 when it was acquired by its fourth and final owner, Lower Lakes Towing Ltd. in 2011. At that time the ship was renamed the Manitoba.

As the Manitoba, the vessel last operated during the 2015/16 shipping season arriving in Hamilton, Ont., to unload a grain cargo and layup on December 30, 2015. The ship departed from Hamilton under its owner power on April 16, 2016 and sailed to Montreal where it arrived for layup on April 17, 2016 and never sailed again.

Manitoba is one of the last traditional-style lakers built at Collingwood with the fore and aft cabin design. The Manitoba also had a close sistership, the Vandoc (ex-Sir Denys Lowson), which was scrapped in 2002 at Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Denny Dushane

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
James R. Barker arrived Duluth at 09:54 Thursday morning to fuel at Husky Energy before departing at 13:15 for Silver Bay to load. Manitoulin was outbound with iron ore pellets from CN at 17:30. Paul R. Tregurtha was due at 21:45 to load ore, and her fleetmate Herbert C. Jackson was expected just before midnight with limestone. In port Thursday was Isolda, taking on wheat at Gavilon. In Superior, Algoma Spirit departed at 09:15 with ore from BN, and Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin arrived at 15:15 to load. She was expected to depart early Friday morning.

Two Harbors, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
CSL St-Laurent arrived Two Harbors on September 5th at 22:20 for South of #2. She departed on September 6th at 11:37 for Quebec City. Arriving off Two Harbors on the 6th was the Joyce L. VanEnkevort/Great Lakes Trader at 11:25. Upon the departure of the CSL St-Laurent she made her approach to the piers, but stopped at approx. 11:50 and didn't get underway until 12:55 and arrived at 13:04. As of 19:30 she was still loading. Arriving off Two Harbors on the 6th was the Whitefish Bay. She stopped at 16:35. Due Two Harbors on Sept. 7th is the Presque Isle.

Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
There was no scheduled traffic for Northshore Mining in Silver Bay, but the James R. Barker arrived Duluth for the fuel dock on the morning of Sept. 6th, departed early in the afternoon, and arrived Silver Bay at 17:16. There is no traffic scheduled for Silver Bay on September 7th, but the Herbert C. Jackson is due the Twin Ports on the 7th and could head to Silver Bay after discharging her limestone cargo. Also, the Philip R. Clarke is due the Twin Ports with limestone on the 7th and could end up in Two Harbors to load BFT after her discharge is complete. Update on two boats. The Algoma Compass is headed for Hamilton and the John J. Boland is heading for Cleveland.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Wednesday September 5th: 18:31 Ojibway departed Richardson Main Terminal for Sorel. 18:46 Federal Kushiro departed Superior Elevator for Goderich. 21:53 G3 Marquis arrived at Superior Elevator to load grain. Thursday September 6th: 8:22 CSL Welland arrived at Viterra A to load grain. 20:39 Federal Oshima departed Richardson Current River Terminal for Sorel. Expected for Friday: The saltie Cinnamon due at 16:00.

Welland Canal and regional report - Thursday Sep 6 – Barry Andersen

Long Point bay anchorage:
Anchored - (correction) Sep 3 - Sten Moster (Gib) at 1842 - Departed Sep 5 - at 2204 for Nanticoke dock

Nanticoke:
Arrivals - Sep 6 - Thunder Bay at 0609, Michipicoten at 0818 - Docked - Sep 5 - Sten Moster (Sgp) at 2234 - Departure - Sep 5 - Patras (Mlt) (ex Gan-Sword-10) at 2128 eastbound for Sorel-Tracy - Sep 6 - Baie Comeau at 0416 westbound and Algoma Hansa at 2110 westbound

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Sep 5 - Federal Shimanto (Mhl) at 1741 and Federal Mackinac (Mhl) at 2200 - Sep 6 - Radcliffe R Latimer at 0159, MTM Antwerp (Sgp) (ex Fairchem Stallion-13) at 1237, tug Everlast & barge Norman McLeod at 1725, Rodopi (Mlt) at 1847, tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement at 1917 - Downbound - Sep 4 - tug Sharon M I & barge Huron Spirit at 1145 (stopped wharf 16 to unload) - Sep 6 - Cedarglen at 0056, Algowood at 0519, Algoma Strongfield at 0450, Algoma Discovery at 0710, Baie St Paul at 1021, Kaministiqua at 1229, tug Leo A McArthur & barge John J Carrick at 1251, USEPA Lake Guardian at 1648, USEPA Lake Guardian at 1648 and Federal Weser (Mhl) at 1951

Wellland Canal docks:
Docked - Aug 22 - Algoma Harvester in south dock of former PWDD facility - Sep 4 - tug Sharon M I & barge Huron Spirit (stopped wharf 16 at 1218)

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Sep 6 - Florence Spirit at 1608 and Algowood eta 2330 - Docked - Aug 29 - CCGS Martha L Black (icebreaker) at 0618 - Sep 4 - Algoma Enterprise at 0211 and Algoma Guardian at 2128 - Sep 5 - Algoma Sault at 1929 and Vitosha (Mlt) at 1956 from Oshawa - Departure - Sep 6 - Algoma Enterprise at 0300 for the canal

Clarkson:
Arrival - Sep 6 - Robert S Pierson at 0655 - Docked - Sep 2 - NACC Quebec at 2053 from Oshawa - Departure - Sep 5 - Robert S Pierson at 0545 eastbound

Mississauga:
Docked - Aug 31 - Adfines Sea (Mlt) (ex Osttank Norway-12) at 1934

Toronto:
Arrivals - Aug 26 - Rodopi (Mlt) at 1327 - Docked - Sep 3 - Juno (Bhs) at 0532 and NACC Argonaut at 1427 - Sep 4 - NACC Alicudi (Mlt) (ex Sider Alicudi-18) at 1340 - Departure - Sep 6 - Rodopi (Mlt) at 1546 for Toledo

Oshawa:
Arrival - Sep 5 - Senja (Mlt) at 1627 from Port Weller anchorage

National Museum hosts maritime history conference this weekend

9/7 - Toledo, Ohio – Museum professionals and historians from around the Great Lakes will gather in Toledo Sept. 6 - 8. Four lectures on Great Lakes maritime history will be held on Saturday in addition to the Saturday evening dinner which features a presentation by Dr. David Bush entitled “The Role of Lake Erie at the Johnson’s Island Civil War Military Prison: View from the Bottom of a Latrine.” For more information call 419-214-5000, extension 0, or visit www.inlandseas.org

Free concert celebrates Detroit’s Rich Maritime History

9/7 - Detroit, Mich. – Detroit’s role in maritime history has been largely forgotten. It was there that French priests first came ashore after discovering that all of the Great Lakes were connected. That opened a major transportation corridor to treasures – first fur and then copper and ore. It was there in Detroit that wooden schooners and eventually the largest steel ships in the world were built. Hulls launched there fought wars and were lost in unforgiving gales.

On Sept. 15th the most famous of Detroit’s maritime stories will be told in a free concert sponsored by the Wayne County Community College District in Taylor, Mich. Prechter Arts Center will host 300 years of maritime stories told with a massive video screen, captivating storyteller and a musical sound track by guitarist/vocalist Dan Hall. From the sinking of Le Griffon to the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald, each story will include rare interviews, archive footage and new details that are sure to be of interest to all.

Ric Mixter, a diver that has visited over 150 shipwrecks around the lakes and oceans, hosts STORM. He’s been on expeditions to three of the lake’s largest: The Carl D Bradley (Lake Michigan), the James Reed (Lake Erie) and the Edmund Fitzgerald (Lake Superior) where he spent nearly an hour and a half visiting the wreck. He has studied the ship for over 25 years, recording interviews including shipyard workers (Fitz was built in River Rouge by the Great Lakes Engineering Works), he has also talked with investigators from the Coast Guard, Canadian search crews, and every dive team to visit the wreck including Cousteau.

STORM also features Detroit’s most famous shipwreck, the Montrose. The ship collided with a barge and sank below the Ambassador Bridge in July of 1962. It took several months to raise the vessel and Ric will share a strange connection between the shipwreck’s cargo and Jimmy Hoffa.

Dan Hall was featured on PBS this month with a documentary about lighthouses. Ric Mixter is the president of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association in addition to a board member for the Association for Great Lakes Maritime History and a board member with the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, which operates the famous shipwreck museum at Whitefish Point.

STORM is Sept 15 at 7 pm. Tickets are free but must be obtained prior to the show through the college at https://thestorm.brownpapertickets.com

Video Teaser: https://youtu.be/QOLakrafzHI

Obituary: Captain Wayne Bratton

9/7 - Captain Wayne Bratton died on August 31 at age 84. He sailed for Gartland Steamship Co, (Sullivan Bros. and Hennepin) and for Cleveland Cliffs on the Michigan, Edward B. Greene and others. He was Manager of Operations for Marine Fueling Inc., past president of The International Shipmasters Association’s Cleveland Lodge No. 4, advisor to the MAST Board, a long-time member of the board of directors of The Great Lakes Historical Society, and advisor to Sea Scout Ship 600.

He was instrumental in bringing the steamer William G. Mather to Cleveland's North Coast Harbor as a museum. He was an active, popular figure on the Cleveland waterfront – knowledgeable about marine history, a great story-teller with a wry sense of humor, and always willing to answer questions and help with marine projects. He was also a marine consultant, known informally as the "Mayor of the Cuyahoga River." Captain Bratton operated the harbor/river cruise boat Holiday, narrating tours for Trident Marine for many years.

Visitation will be on Friday, Sept. 7, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Craciun Berry Funeral Home, 7200 Detroit Ave. Cleveland, Ohio. A church service will be on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. at Grace Church, 2503 Broadview Rd., Old Brooklyn, Ohio.

Greg Rudnick

CADILLAC of 1943 was laid up on September 7, 1981, for the last time at Toledo, Ohio. She was later transferred to a West coast marine operation in preparation for conversion for a proposed container ship for service between Chicago, Detroit and Quebec City. However these plans never materialized. On September 7, 1921, the D. G. KERR pulled up to the ore dock at Two Harbors, Minnesota to load exactly 12,507 gross tons of iron ore in the record-breaking time of 16 and a half minutes. This was accomplished through the cooperation of the dock superintendent, the dock employees concerned, the ship's captain and crew and the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. as a means of "showing up" the competition. Her time of arrival and departure to and from the dock took only 19 minutes. For comparison, a good average loading time at that time was about three hours and 45 minutes.

On September 7, 1975, on the St. Marys River loaded with iron ore pellets, WILLIAM G. MATHER, forced out of the channel by a saltwater vessel, struck bottom. Upon proceeding further onto Lake Huron it was discovered that her pumps were unable to cope with incoming water caused by the damage. She was beached at Frying Pan Island (De Tour, Michigan) in 19 feet of water when it became evident they couldn't make dock.

On 7 September 1883, LAURA BELL (wooden schooner, 138 foot, 269 gross tons, built in 1870, at Toledo, Ohio) was carrying coal from Cleveland, Ohio to Marquette, Michigan when she stranded off Shot Point, east of Marquette in Lake Superior. Her crew spent 3 days in her rigging and all but one was rescued by a tug from Marquette.

September 7, 1916 - The PERE MARQUETTE 3 ran aground 10 miles north of Milwaukee.

September 7, 1996 - The American Society of Mechanical Engineers designated the propulsion system of the BADGER a mechanical engineering landmark.

The launch of the 188-foot wooden schooner ELIZABETH A. NICHOLSON was set for 4 p.m., on 7 September 1872, at E. Fitzgerald's shipyard in Port Huron, Michigan. Just before 4 p.m., a telegram was received at the shipyard from Capt. Nicholson, the owner of the new vessel, which read, "Wait a while. We are coming." The launch was delayed until another dispatch was received which said to go ahead anyway. The boat Capt. Nicholson was on had broken down. The launch went well. The vessel was painted deep green with her name in gilt. All present cheered the sight, but there was no party afterwards. All of the food and beverages for the celebration were with Capt. Nicholson on the disabled vessel.

On 07 September 1883, the COLORADO (wooden schooner-barge, 118 foot, built in 1866, at Fairport, Ohio) was in tow of the steamer DON M. DICKINSON along with the schooner-barge N. P. GOODELL in a gale on Lake Huron. As the gale worsened, the string of vessels went to shelter in the harbor at Sand Beach (now Harbor Beach), Michigan. The COLORADO broke loose as they entered the harbor. Deckhand Abbot Way jumped on to the breakwater with a line to secure the COLORADO, but the line broke as soon as it went taut. It broke three times and the barge drifted out into the gale, stranding Mr. Way on the breakwater with six-foot waves washing over it. He managed to get to the harbor light at the end of the breakwater and climbed up above the waves where he was stranded for two hours until the crew of the Lifesaving Station got to him. COLORADO beached herself with no loss of life. She was later recovered and lasted until 1902 when she was abandoned.

1901: WAWATAM ran aground on Gratiot Beach above Port Huron with the whaleback barge #102 in tow.

1929: CHARLES C. WEST went aground on Gull Rock Reef damaging both frames and plates. The repair bill topped $46,000.

1942: OAKTON of the Gulf & Lake Navigation Co. was torpedoed and sunk in the St. Lawrence by U-517 about 15 miles west of Cape Gaspe. It was struck amidships on the port side and went down stern first without any loss of life except the ship's St. Bernard dog. The ship had a load of coal on board from Sandusky, Ohio, to Cornerbrook, NF when hit. Two other Greek ships, MOUNT TAYGETUS and MOUNT PINDUS were struck in the same attack with the loss of 6 lives.

1956: The former Canada Steamship Lines freighter WINONA stranded on a sand bank at Aparii, Philippines, island of Luzon, as b) EDDIE while enroute to Japan with a cargo of logs. The ship broke in two and was a total loss.

1965: AMARYLLIS was driven ashore about 1.5 miles north of Palm Beach Inlet, Florida, during Hurricane Betsy. The crew lived on board for another 4 months keeping up steam in hope of being refloated but the ship was eventually abandoned as a total loss. The vessel, enroute from Manchester, England, to Baton Rouge, LA in ballast, visited the Great Lakes in 1959. The hull became increasingly unpopular with local residents and, in 1975, a gravel road was built to the ship to truck the scrapped steel away. The remains were later floated off and sunk off West Palm Beach as an artificial reef.

1979: INDIANA HARBOR loaded a record 61,649 tons of iron ore at Two Harbors.

1997: NORTH ISLANDS, a Cypriot flag SD14, came through the Seaway in 1994 and loaded peas at Thunder Bay for Cuba. The vessel went aground near San Antonio, Chile, after losing her propeller. The ship broke in two, but all 30 on board were rescued by a helicopter from the Chilean Navy.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Tin Stackers - The History of the Pittsburgh Steamship Company, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships. We Remember series

U.S. ports, including some in Wisconsin, feeling effects of Trump tariffs

9/5 - The Associated Press is reporting that retaliatory tariffs from China and other countries will affect $27 billion in United States exports, but while some Wisconsin ports are seeing the impacts of tariffs, others aren't.

President Donald Trump announced tariffs of up to 25 percent on steel and aluminum in March. Those tariffs went into full effect in June. The European Union responded with its own 25 percent tariffs on U.S. products like corn.

Adam Schlicht, Port of Milwaukee director, said now they're seeing more corn storage.

"We're already seeing the Canadian corn market respond to the need in Western Europe because under the current tariff regime, customers including some that work at Port Milwaukee, just aren't exporting corn right now," said Schlicht.

CHS Inc., which provides grains and energy resources to customers worldwide, expects to see more utilization of their storage capacity to store farmers' crops as a result of tariffs, according to John Griffith, the company's senior vice president of global grain marketing and renewable fuels.

"I think it's safe to assume that more of the storage space at harvest will get filled up with the entire harvest of all crops this year," he said. "CHS's space availability would be included in that statement."

Griffith said the tariffs have changed the flow of grain to international markets.

"The Port of Duluth-Superior could ship soybeans to Europe, for example, this harvest season, which would be a very unusual move," he said. "But that's because the beans aren't flowing ... to China."

China placed a retaliatory tariff of 25 percent on U.S. soybean imports in early July. Around 774,000 tons of grain and byproducts moved through the Twin Ports in 2017, which is down from around 1.1 million tons in 2016.

Jason Serck, Superior port and planning director, said earlier this month that port officials are still gauging the impacts of tariffs.

"Sometimes, it takes a while for these to kind of adjust and we may not see that until next year or the year after because these economic swings just don't happen overnight," said Serck. "Hopefully, these numbers will go up. I think the latest report just came out that we're above last year on some of our exports out of here so that’s a good thing."

Iron ore exports in the Twin Ports, as of July this year, were up slightly over the same time last year, and domestic shipments were higher as well.

But in Milwaukee, Schlicht said he's worried about steel imports. He said last year was one of the best they've had with around 180,000 metric tons of steel imported.

"My anxiety comes in in 2019," he said. "What will these tariffs and just the proposal of tariffs — even if they're not fully enacted — mean for existing trade relationships and trade patterns coming into the Great Lakes, including the Port of Milwaukee?"

However, Dean Haen, director of the Port of Green Bay, said they don't generally handle cargo that's currently affected by tariffs. "Current commodities that we're moving in and out through the port are not impacted by any tariffs that are being placed on foreign goods," said Haen.

Haen said they handle mostly coal, cement and limestone.

From the West Coast to the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico, at least 10 percent of imports at many ports could be hit by new tariffs if Trump's proposals take full effect, according to an exclusive analysis of government data by The Associated Press.

Ports and ground terminals in nearly every state handle goods that are now or will likely soon be covered by import tariffs. And port officials fear this could mean a slowdown in shipping that would have ripple effects on truckers and others whose jobs depend on trade.

Since March, the U.S. has applied new tariffs of up to 25 percent on nearly $85 billion worth of steel and aluminum and various Chinese products, mostly goods used in manufacturing.

Wisconsin Public Radio, Associated Press

Ship recycling company expects work to keep coming

9/5 - Port Colborne. Ont. – With five vessels currently awaiting or undergoing recycling, Marine Recycling Corp. founder Wayne Elliott doesn't see work coming to an end at any time soon in Port Colborne.

"We believe there's work in Canada for us for the next 20 years and beyond," said Elliott in an interview during a tour of the facility on the east pier at the entrance of the Welland Canal. "We're pretty busy."

The five vessels at the yard include the cement carrier Paul H. Townsend, formerly part of the Inland Lakes Management fleet; the cement carrier English River, formerly part of the Lafarge Ltd. fleet; the medium-sized self-unloading bulk carriers Algorail and Algoway, formerly part of Algoma Central Corp.'s fleet; and the Princess of Acadia, a roll-on/roll-off passenger and motor vehicle ferry that travelled between Digby, N.S. and Saint John, N.B.

In addition to Port Colborne, the company's yard in Sydney, N.S. is busy with recycling vessels as well. "We're currently focused on warships there … still working some of those and looking at other government bids. We're good and busy."

Elliott's start in the ship recycling business began when he started working summers with his father. "My dad started with another family in Hamilton in 1959. I learned how to run a crane and use a torch."

In 1983, father and son teamed up and started their own company, carrying out ship conversion work for Upper Lakes Shipping in Hamilton first. "We came to Port Colborne and started ship breaking … Upper Lakes was our partner at the time. We went on until 1990 when at that point we had cleaned up all of the surplus ships available."

For that seven-year period work was carried out on the east pier of the Welland Canal. "We went dormant until 1993, and then started up again and have been going ever since."

From 1994 to 1997 recycling work was carried out at a yard off the Grand River in Port Maitland, and from 1997 on the company has been operating in Port Colborne. "We worked on two submarines and a naval destroyer at Port Maitland."

Elliot said the Port Colborne yard will continue to be busy with at least 12 lakers he knows of slated for recycling, which would take them to the next round of lakers down the road. "We're here to stay in the lakes and on the East Coast and look forward to another generation of work."

In addition to lakers and naval vessels, Elliott said a new stream of marine recycling through the federal government's abandoned and wrecked vessel program could one day help the company.

"We've heard different numbers … there could be 2,000 abandoned vessels in Canada, mostly pleasure craft, sailboats, wooden boats, plastic boats. Many are sunk or tied to a dock and abandoned."

Figuring out how to deal with and recycle those vessels is something Marine Recycling Corp. is consulting with federal agencies like Transport Canada, Public Works, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. "Department of Fisheries and the Coast Guard have their own vessels that need to be retired and recycled … vessels beyond their ideal date of service."

Elliott said in talks with the federal government, the company has been encouraged to set up on Canada's West Coast and is exploring its options and potential locations.

"There hasn't been a ship recycling company out there for the last 25 years. There are a lot of ships out there, ferries and other vessels and there are no options for recycling them."

He said there's no way to justify an ocean tow across the Pacific to recycling yards in Asia, and added Canada has decided its own vessels won't leave the country to be recycled.

Elliott said Chinese yards will stop taking foreign vessels and that many of those yards took a big hit like Marine Recycling did when the scrap market crashed in 2015 reaching an all-time 50 year low.

"The Chinese will only do Chinese-flagged vessels now," he said, adding many of yards there were doing things right when it came to safety and the environment.

Elliott said taking apart and recycling a ship is not easy and there are many precautions around safety and the environment that come into play.

Work on the Princess of Acadia in terms of asbestos abatement will cost the company at least $1 million.

"It's one of the largest asbestos abatement jobs we've ever hard. We knew that at bid time though. We do a thorough inspection of the vessels. The single biggest thing in our experience in terms of both the time it takes and the cost is asbestos, it always has been. "We're really an environmental company," he said.

In addition to asbestos, Marine Recycling crews have to be aware of and properly remove and dispose of things PCBs, oils, fuel, chemicals, grease, and paint. Samples and testing programs are carried out so the company knows what it is dealing with inside a vessel.

Having vessels docked along the canal makes it easier for crews to get on board and remove everything that needs to be before a ship is ever cut apart.

In places like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, vessels are broken on the shore with the vessel still in the water and the stern, where many potential contaminants are located, the last piece to be recycled, said Elliott. "Alongside the docks here we can deal with the pollutants first."

As to why companies, including Canadian ones, will sell their vessels for scrap overseas to scrapyards in countries like Turkey, it comes down to money. "They can pay more and absorb the ocean tow, which I find surprising."

The rules in terms of both safety and the environment are lax as compared to Canada, as are the wages, he added. "We can never compete with the low wages and conditions of those yards. We can't change our standards or cut back when it comes to safety and the environment … it's against our company culture."

Elliott said safety is taken very seriously at both recycling yards, it comes first.

"We can't have our people injured. Our guys are very conscious and aware of what they are doing. One day there may be a stairway heading down (inside a ship) and the next it might be gone."

The most serious incident involving an employee and injury in Port Colborne took place in 2004. A chain anchor moved and trapped the 21-year-old man inside. It took Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services and firefighters from Buffalo Fire Department's heavy rescue company five hours to free the man, who ended up with a broken lower leg and foot.

Elliott said every precaution is taken when employees are dealing with the removal of various contaminants, as well. "We remove things that our guys could snag and rip their environmental suits on during asbestos removal."

He said that's why people may not see much in the way of progress when a vessel is brought in to Port Colborne.

Read more and view a photo gallery at this link: https://www.wellandtribune.ca/news-story/8876972-ship-recycling-company-expects-work-to-keep-coming

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Erie Trader arrived Duluth at 16:30 Tuesday afternoon with limestone to discharge at Hallett #5. The pair was expected to shift to CN later in the evening to load ore. Isolda was due around 20:45 Tuesday night to load wheat at Gavilon. Also in port was Beatrix, loading wheat at CHS 2. In Superior, Stewart J. Cort arrived at 08:15 Tuesday to load iron ore pellets at BN. She was due to depart around 18:30, but as of 19:30 she hadn't yet left the dock. Roger Blough and Algoma Spirit were both expected later Tuesday evening, but both will likely drop anchor outside the harbor to wait for the Cort's departure.

Two Harbors, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Edwin H. Gott arrived Two Harbors on Sept. 3rd at approx. 03:12. The Gott departed on the 3rd at 13:20 for Gary. Arriving off Two Harbors on the 4th was the Edgar B. Speer at 13:20. She arrived at 13:45 after the Gott's departure. The Speer was showing a destination of Conneaut. Also arriving off Two Harbors on the 4th was the Algoma Compass. She stopped off Two Harbors at 17:45. Due Two Harbors on September 5th is the CSL St-Laurent.

Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the arrival of the John J. Boland on the 4th at 12:39. As of 19:30 she was still at the loading dock. There is no scheduled traffic for Silver Bay on the 5th. An update on the American Spirit: She is heading for Zug Island. Also, the Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader is scheduled to load at the CN ore docks in Duluth after she unloads her limestone cargo.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Tuesday September 4th: 14:48 Ojibway arrived at Richardson Main Terminal to load grain. 14:58 Federal Kushiro weighed anchor after 2 days in the harbor and proceeded to Superior Elevator to load grain. 19:36 Tecumseh departed G3 and shifted over to Keefer Terminal. Expected for Wednesday: G3 Marquis due at 19:00.

St. Marys River
Downbound traffic on a rainy Tuesday included Algoma Strongfield, Thunder Bay, Algoma Discovery, Michipicoten, Kaministiqua, Baie St. Paul, Lee A. Tregurtha, H. Lee White, Kaye E Barker and, late, American Spirit. Upbounders included Saginaw, Hon. James L. Oberstar, CSL St-Laurent and, late, G3 Marquis.

Northern Lake Huron
Monday, Calcite 22:31 American Mariner departed and was south bound Lake Huron. Tuesday, Alpena: GL Ostrander arrived to load cement products. Stoneport: After taking on a partial load Herbert C Jackson departed to Meldrum Bay. Philip R Clarke arrived to load. Meldrum Bay: Cuyahoga arrived to load and once finished departed for Holland. Frontenac arrived and went to anchor and when Cuyahoga departed proceeded to the Lafarge dock to load. Herbert C Jackson arrived and went to anchor. McGregor Bay: 6:39 Samuel De Champlain arrived at the Lafarge Whitefish Terminal to unload cement products and at 18:08 departed for Alpena.

Owen Sound, Ont. – Paul Martin
Cuyahoga arrived in Owen Sound early Labor Day and unloaded grain at the main elevator on the west harbor wall. This is the 2nd visit of the shipping season for the ship.

Welland Canal and regional report - Tuesday Sep 4 – Barry Andersen

Long Point bay anchorage:
Anchored - Aug 3 - Sten Moster (Gib) at 1842 - Departure - Sep 4 - Patras (Mlt) (ex Gan-Sword-10) at 1426 for Nanticoke dock

Nanticoke:
Arrivals - Sep 4 - Patras (Mlt) (ex Gan-Sword-10) at 1439 - Departures - Sep 4 - CSL Assiniboine at 0316 westbound and Algosea at 1359 for the canal

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Sep 3 - John D Leitch at 1650 - Sep 4 - Morgenstond I (Nld) (ex Clipper Athena-13, Kent Sunrise-12, Beluga Locomotion-09) at 0007, Algoma Innovator at 0128, Damia Desgagnes at 0614, Bro Agnes (Sgp) at 0705, Spruceglen at 1342 and Algoma Transport eta at 2030

Downbound - Sep 3 - CSL Niagara at 1531, Tim S Dool at 1623 and Algoma Buffalo at 1947 - Sep 4 - Federal Alster (Mhl) at 0516, Algoma Guardian at 0623, Algoma Equinox at 0825, tug Sharon M I & barge Huron Spirit at 1145 (stopping wharf 16 to unload), Algosea at 1812 and tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement at 2004 and Algoma Sault eta 2320

Wellland Canal docks:
Docked - Aug 22 - Algoma Harvester in south dock of former PWDD facility - Sep 4 - tug Sharon M I & barge Huron Spirit (stopped wharf 16 at 1218)

Port Weller anchorage:
Anchored - Sep 2 - Senja ( Mlt) (ex Seona-17, Hagen-16) at 1207

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Sep 4 - Algoma Enterprise at 0211 from out in the lake, Algoma Buffalo at 1346 and Algoma Guardian eta 2115 - Docked - Aug 29 - CCGS Martha L Black at 0618 - Sep 3 - Algoma Enterprise at 0659 - Departures - Sep 3 - Algoma Innovator at 1727 for the canal - Sep 4 - Algoma Enterprise at 0211 for hold clean-up

Bronte:
Arrival - Sep 3 - Mia Desgagnes at 1231 - Departure - Sep 4 - Mia Desgagnes at 1841 eastbound

Clarkson:
Arrival - Aug 4 - Robert S Pierson eta 2048 - Docked - Sep 2 - NACC Quebec at 2053 from Oshawa -

Mississauga:
Docked - Aug 31 - Adfines Sea (Mlt) (ex Osttank Norway-12) at 1934

Toronto:
Arrivals - Aug 26 - Rodopi (Mlt) at 1327 - Sep 3 - Juno (Bhs) at 0532 and NACC Argonaut at 1427 - Sep 4 - NACC Alicudi (Mlt) (ex Sider Alicudi-18) at 1340 Oshawa:
Arrivals - Aug 30 - Vitosha (Mlt) at 0818 - Sep 1 - NACC Quebec at 0631 - Departure - Sep 2 - NACC Quebec at 1709 for Clarkson

Oswego, N.Y. – Ned Goebricher
On Tuesday M/V Grande Caribe transited the NYS barge canal for Lake Ontario.

On 05 September 1898, the MONTGOMERY (wooden schooner-barge, 204 foot, 709 tons, built in 1856, at Newport [Marine City], Michigan as a passenger/package freight steamer) sank in 21 feet of water on Lake St. Clair after colliding with the whaleback barge 137 (steel barge, 345 foot, 2,480 gross tons, built in 1896, at W. Superior, Wisconsin) which was being towed by the ALEXANDER McDOUGALL (steel propeller semi-whaleback freighter, 413 foot, 3,686 gross tons, built in 1898, at West Superior, Wisconsin). The MONTGOMERY was raised and repaired. She lasted another two years before breaking up in a storm in 1901.

CHI-CHEEMAUN completed her sea trials on September 5, 1974, and then cleared the Collingwood shipyard on September 26th.

BENJAMIN F. FAIRLESS cleared Lorain on her maiden voyage September 5, 1942 for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co.

J. P. MORGAN, JR. returned to service September 5, 1948, after repairs suffered in an accident in June.

NEW QUEDOC arrived at McLouth Steel, Trenton, Michigan, on her maiden voyage September 5, 1960, with a load of Labrador iron ore. Renamed b.) QUEDOC in 1963. QUEDOC was scrapped at Curacao Island, Lesser Antilles in 1985.

The WYANDOTTE of 1916, a.) CONNEAUT, was towed down the Welland Canal on September 5- 6, 1973, on her way to the cutter’s torch at Santander, Spain.

On 5 September 1905, ABERCORN (wooden propeller 'rabbit', 126 foot, 261 gross tons, built in 1873, at Marine City, Michigan) burned at the dock at Goderich, Ontario, while unloading coal. She reportedly caught fire from the explosion of a signal lamp.

The schooner CALEDONIA, wrecked the previous autumn near the Fishing Islands on Lake Huron, was raised and arrived in Port Huron, Michigan, on September 5, 1882, under tow to be rebuilt.

1896: The Canadian passenger ship BALTIC, built in 1867 as FRANCES SMITH, burned at the dock in Collingwood. The hull drifted to shallow water and remained there for several years.

1964: A. & J. MID-AMERICA, a Seaway caller in 1963, was driven ashore at Lantau Island near Hong Kong by typhoon Ruby. The vessel was refloated October 5 but came ashore again days later during typhoon Dot on October 13. Refloated October 21, the vessel returned to service and was scrapped as e) UNION TIGER at Inchon, South Korea, after arriving in April 1968.

1964: The former HEMSEFJELL, a pre-Seaway trader, was also blown aground at Hong Kong as d) PROSPERITY during typhoon Ruby but released on October 5. It was scrapped in Thailand during 1972.

1964: The three-year old bulk carrier LEECLIFFE HALL sank in the St. Lawrence, 65 miles below Quebec City, following a collision with the APOLLONIA. Efforts to beach the ship failed and three lives were lost. The hull was dynamited as a hazard to navigation in 1966. The latter, a Greek freighter, had been a Seaway trader in 1964 and was repaired at Levis, QC. The ship was scrapped at Shanghai, China, as c) MAYFAIR after arriving on May 3, 1985.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Jody L. Aho, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

American Victory scrap tow arrived in Turkey

9/4 - The tug VB Hispania, towing the former American Victory reached Aliaga, Turkey, Monday at 2:01 EDT.

Homeless Norgoma has nowhere else to go

9/4 - Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. – As of midnight Aug. 31, the lady is a tramp. M.S. Norgoma is no longer welcome at Roberta Bondar Marina, finally banished from the prominent city-owned berth she's occupied for more than four decades.

The former steamer is now officially homeless, but there's no indication the Norgoma will be going anywhere soon. It's one thing to serve an eviction notice, but getting your hippie-era love child to actually move out can be considerably more complicated than that.

Built in Collingwood in 1950, the Norgoma has been a fixture on the Sault waterfront since 1975, just as Canada's version of the hippie love-generation movement was winding down and the 364-foot Chi-Cheemaun had replaced the 185-foot Norgoma on the Tobermory-to-South Baymouth passenger ferry route.

Exasperated by the vessel's deteriorating condition, Mayor Christian Provenzano declared one year ago: "That boat has to go." In April of this year, Provenzano got his wish, with City Council voting to end the museum ship’s berthing rights at Roberta Bondar Marina effective Aug. 31.

But the St. Mary's River Marine Heritage Centre, which has owned the Norgoma since 1981, is continuing to fight to keep its ship in the Sault. Earlier this month, the centre's board launched an online petition aimed at getting City Council to reconsider its April decision.

The issue is expected to come back to City Council on Sept. 10 with an updated report to be presented by Tom Vair, the city's deputy chief administrative officer for community development and enterprise services.

It's not known what Vair will recommend, but any reconsideration of council's original decision must be moved by a councillor who voted in April with the prevailing side, and seconded by a member who either voted on the prevailing side or was absent then.

As of 9 p.m. Aug. 31, the online petition to save the Norgoma had more than 780 signatures, with more than 400 additional hard-copy signatories.

Louis Muio, president of the St Mary's River Marine Heritage Centre says he wants to present the petition to City Council on Sept. 10, together with a strategic plan for the ship prepared by Sean Meades at the NORDIK Institute. Muio's group met on Aug. 17 with city officials and asked to be allowed to keep the Norgoma at Roberta Bondar Marina until the end of next summer.

"We're having a difficult time finding a space to moor the Norgoma," Muio tells SooToday.

Parks Canada, Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre and the S.S. Valley Camp site in the Michigan Soo have all said they're unable to accommodate the Norgoma, even for just the winter.

Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority is expected consider a request from Muio at its September meeting.

The city wants the Norgoma out of Roberta Bondar Marina this fall so it can replace the deteriorating wooden docks there. "We can't get the Norgoma out of there until they move the docks," Muio told us. City staff have advised that the docks can't be moved until Sept. 11, so they've informally agreed to allow the Norgoma to stay until Sept. 15, Muio said.

Read more and view a photo gallery at this link: https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/unwelcome-as-of-midnight-tonight-norgoma-has-nowhere-else-to-go-788585

Soo Today

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
On Labor Day in Duluth, American Century arrived at 05:15 to load coal at Midwest Energy. Beatrix arrived from anchor at 17:11, and headed to CHS 2 for a load of wheat. The Century was outbound at 18:51. In Superior, Thunder Bay finished loading and departed from BN at 04:33, and CSL Tadoussac arrived at 15:05 to load ore. She was expected to depart early Tuesday morning.

Two Harbors, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Two Harbors saw the departure of the Algoma Discovery on Sept. 3rd at approx. 06:45 for Hamilton. American Spirit arrived Two Harbors on September 2nd at 21:17 for North of #2 lay-by. Upon the departure of the Algoma Discovery the American Spirit shifted from 06:50 to 07:24 to South of #2 shiploader. The American Spirit departed on Sept. 3rd at approx. 17:32. As of 19:30 on the 3rd she wasn't showing an unload destination. Due Two Harbors on September 4th are the Edwin H. Gott, Edgar B. Speer, and the Algoma Compass.

Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the arrival of the H. Lee White on September 3rd at 00:27. She departed on September 3rd at 10:31 for Cleveland. Due Silver Bay on September 4th is the John J. Boland. The Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader is due in the Twin Ports on September 4th to unload limestone. Possibly she could end up in Silver Bay after she discharges her cargo.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Monday September 3rd: 1:13 Federal Kushiro arrived and went to anchor. 14:19 Kaministiqua departed Richardson Main Terminal downbound. 14:27 Algoma Strongfield departed Superior Elevator for Baie Comeau. 16:35 Baie St Paul departed Viterra A for Bécancour. Expected for Tuesday: Ojibway due at 10:00.

St. Marys River
Upbound traffic on Labor Day included Algoma Compass, Ojibway, Roger Blough, Isolda, Algoma Spirit and Manitoulin. Downbounders included James L. Kuber/tug Victory, Walter J. McCarthy Jr., Burns Harbor, Algonova, Cedarglen and, late Baie Comeau, American Integrity and Algowood.

Northern Lake Huron
Monday, Alpena: 1:44 The cement carrier Alpena arrived and after loading departed at 6:53 for Green Bay. 13:39 Samuel De Champlain arrived and after loading departed at 18:27 for McGregor Bay. Calcite: 3:42 American Mariner arrived to load limestone. 11:06 John G Munson departed for Burns Harbor. Drummond Island: Sam Laud departed for Fairport. Meldrum Bay: Capt. Henry Jackman arrived and after loading dolomite departed for Windsor. Owen Sound: 6:14 Cuyahoga arrived to unload grain and departed at 17:55 for Meldrum Bay. Midland: 17:48 Frontenac departed for Meldrum Bay.

Welland Canal and regional report for Monday Sept. 3 – Barry Andersen

Long Point bay anchorage:
Anchored - Sep 2 - Patras (Mlt) (ex Gan-Sword-10) at 1248 - Aug 3 - Sten Moster (Gib) at 1842

Nanticoke:
Arrivals - Sep 3 - CSL Assiniboine at 1104 - Docked - Sep 1 - Algosea at 1952 - Sep 2 - Algocanada at 0635

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Sep 2 - G3 Marquis at 2225 - Sep 3 - CSL Welland at 0005, John D Leitch at 1650, Morgenstond I (Nld) (ex Clipper Athena-13, Kent Sunrise-12, Beluga Locomotion-09) eta 2300 and Algoma Innovator eta 2359 - Downbound - Sep 2 - Algoma Enterprise at 1427, Federal Clyde (Mhl) at 2007 - Sep 3 - tug Spartan & barge Spartan II at 0020, Algocanada at 1459, CSL Niagara at 1531, Tim S Dool at 1623 and Algoma Buffalo at 1947

Wellland Canal docks:
Docked - Aug 22 - Algoma Harvester in south dock of former PWDD facility

Port Weller anchorage:
Anchored - Sep 2 - Senja ( Mlt) (ex Seona-17, Hagen-16) at 1207

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Sep 2 - G3 Marquis at 0059 and John D Leitch at 1233 - Sep 3 - Algoma Enterprise at 0659 and Algoma Innovator at 0937 - Docked - Aug 29 - CCGS Martha L Black at 0618 - Departures - Sep 2 - G3 Marquis at 2008 - Sep 3 - John D Leitch at 1447

Bronte:
Arrival - Sep 3 - Mia Desgagnes at 1231 - Docked - Sep 1 - Duzgit Endeavour (Tur) at 0028 - Departure - Sep 2 - Duzgit Endeavour (Tur) at 1052

Clarkson:
Arrival - Sep 2 - Robert S Pierson at 0206 - Departed - Sep 3 - at 2038 eastbound

Mississauga:
Docked - Aug 31 - Adfines Sea (Mlt) (ex Osttank Norway-12) at 1934

Toronto:
Arrivals - Aug 26 - Rodopi (Mlt) at 1327 - Sep 3 - Juno (Bhs) at 0532 and NACC Argonaut at 1427

Oshawa:
Arrivals - Aug 30 - Vitosha (Mlt) at 0818 - Sep 2 - Algoma Innovator at 2034 - Departure - Sep 3 - Algoma Innovator at 0440 for Hamilton

Rochester, N.Y. – Tom Brewer
Arrival: McKeil Spirit at 15:30 Monday at Lehigh Cement.

Mother is the only survivor after a family of five's kayak capsizes on Lake Superior

9/4 - Apostle Islands, Wisconsin – A family's vacation on Lake Superior took a tragic turn when a kayak capsized, killing the father and three young children and leaving the mother as the sole survivor.

Cari Mews, 29, and Erik Fryman, 39, took their children on an end-of-the-summer trip to visit the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin. The family of five from Loyal, Wis., vacationed in the area last year and looked forward to visiting again, Bobi Jo Mews, Cari's sister, told CNN affiliate WCCO.

"They loved to go camping together and they took their kids everywhere and explored the world," she told the TV station.

They were kayaking from Madeline Island to Michigan Island on Thursday afternoon when the wind and waves started picking up and caused water to get into the kayak, U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Alan Haraf told CNN. The family's 13 ½-foot craft tipped over and all five, each wearing a life jacket, fell into the open water, Haraf said.

Cari Mews was able to use her cell phone, which was stored in a water-proof bag, to text her sister.

"I got a text message that said '911,' and then immediately following, 'Michigan Island.' I knew that they were going kayaking that day. ... I just knew I had to call the police to see if they could go look for them," Bobi Jo Mews told WCCO.

The text message did not reach Cari Mews' sister until about five hours later because there was no cell service in the area, according to Haraf.

After the sister contacted authorities, a half-dozen agencies mobilized to aid in rescue efforts in search of the family. The Coast Guard issued an emergency broadcast to all boats in the area asking them to divert to where the kayak had capsized.

USGS Research Vessel KIYI was the first boat to arrive on the scene. Around 10 p.m. CT, crews aboard the vessel spotted a small light coming from the water near Michigan Island. It was from Cari Mews, who had been submerged in 60-degree water for nearly six hours.

"She was holding what was possibly a cell phone light," Haraf told CNN. "She was exhausted and was suffering from hypothermia."

While attempting to swim to Michigan Island, Mews became separated from her husband and their children, ages 3, 6 and 9, in the choppy waters of Lake Superior, according to the Ashland County Sheriff's Office, which aided in the rescue. "It was shortly after (midnight) when a Coast Guard crew located the bodies of the father, the little boy and one of the little girls," Haraf told CNN.

Thunderstorms in the area hampered rescue efforts until Friday morning. At that time, the body of the 9-year-old daughter was located on the shore of Michigan Island by the National Park Service.

"Even with all the required safety equipment and all the right training, anything can happen when you get out on the lake," the Coast Guard's Justin Sickler told WCCO.

CNN

Manitou Island Transit hopes to keep tradition going

9/4 - Manitou Island Transit has been a family business since 1917. Every 10 years their contract is up for renewal with the National Park Service. “Our family started running this in 1917,” says Megan Munoz, co-owner of Manitou Island Transit.

“It’s important to us because my great grandfather lived out on North Manitou and my grandfather went to school there so it’s all a part of our family heritage,” says Munoz.

It’s a family heritage that’s been ferrying more than 10,000 people to the islands each year. The self-described once in a lifetime experience once again faces an uncertain future, with its renewal up this year.

“It’s what we’ve known and educated people about our whole lives teaching people the history, cultural history and natural history on the island,” says Michael Grosvenor, co-owner of Manitou Island Transit.

They will be sitting down with the National Park Service in the next month to discuss renewing the contract,

The hope is the family’s ferries continue running into century number two. “It would be heartbreaking to us (if it didn’t) because so much of our family heritage is involved in the islands,” says Munoz.

The family says they’ve always had a great relationship with the National Park Service and that the renewal is standard every 10 years.

9 & 10 News

Obituary: Capt. Wayne Bratton

9/4 - Well-known Cleveland area mariner Capt. Wayne Bratton passed away Sunday morning. He had a long and colorful Great Lakes career and most recently was owner and operator of the Cleveland passenger vessel Holiday. He served as president of Cleveland International Shipmasters’ Association Lodge #4 for several years.

Visitation will be on Friday, Sept. 7, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Craciun Berry Funeral Home, 7200 Detroit Ave. Cleveland, Ohio. A church service will be on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. at Grace Church, 2503 Broadview Rd., Old Brooklyn, Ohio.

On September 4, 1876, CITY OF PORT HURON, a wooden steam barge, sank a few miles off shore near Lexington, Michigan, at about noon. She was heavily loaded with iron ore and sprang a leak at about 11 o'clock. Most of the crew managed to get on top of the cabin while two were in the forward rigging as she went down in 6 fathoms of water. The heavy seas washed over those on the cabin. Captain George Davis and two others floated ashore on wreckage while a fish boat picked up the five others. No lives were lost.

1921: The former laker RANDOLPH S. WARNER was cut in two to leave the Great Lakes during World War One. It was rebuilt with the pilothouse amidships and sank on this date about 40 miles off the Bosporus after reportedly striking an unrecovered mine.

1926: HARSEN, loaded with a cargo of sand, capsized and sank in a storm 3 miles northeast of the Pelee Passage Light in Lake Erie. The wooden-hulled vessel was a total loss.

1961: IMPERIAL HAMILTON caught fire while loading ethyl gasoline at Sarnia and sustained considerable damage. Six on board were injured.

1963: The Egyptian freighter SALAH ELDIN, a former Victory ship, caught fire in the crew quarters in Hamilton but the blaze was extinguished before it reached the cargo hold. The vessel almost capsized due to the weight of water but it remained upright. Two crew were injured and the Chief Steward died. The ship was towed out by GRAEME STEWART and JAMES BATTLE on November 22, 1963, for Quebec City and sold as is, where it became d) MERCANTILE VICTORY after a refit at Houston, Texas. Another fire on April 23, 1964, this time in the engine room on the Red Sea shortly after re-entering service in March 1964, led to an eventual resale to Spanish shipbreakers. The vessel arrived at Castellon for dismantling on May 10, 1965.

1967: The tugs MICHAEL McALLISTER and AMERICA towed the retired passenger ship NORTH AMERICAN through the Welland Canal enroute to a new career as a training ship for the S.I.U. at Piney Point, MD.

1972: NORSE CORAL was new when it entered the Seaway in 1962 and returned as b) TOTEM STAR in 1963. The ship opened the Seaway season on April 8, 1964, and returned to our shores as c) SILVERBEACH in 1965. It sustained heavy damage off Victoria, BC while inbound from Hong Kong to Vancouver on this date due to a collision with the C.E. DANT. The two ships were locked together. They were towed to Victoria the next day and then separated September 6. The damage was repaired and the former lakes trader survived until scrapping at Xingang, China, in 1986.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Jody L. Aho, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.