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American Integrity sets new Soo Locks record 7/18 - Sault Ste. Marie, MI On July 14th the American Integrity passed downbound with 76,358 net tons of taconite pellets. Her draft was measured at 30 feet. Both numbers are records, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She was bound from Two Harbors to Gary. |
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Port Reports - July 18 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
St. Marys River
S. Chicago, IL
Indiana Harbor, IN
Burns Harbor, IN Northern Lake Huron ports
Bruce Mines:
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Cheboygan:
Port Dolomite:
Drummond Island:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio Port Report – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Wednesday July 17 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo: (Tonawanda)
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 16 - Tecumseh at 1421, Saginaw at 1611 and Manitoulin eta 2130 - Jul 17 - Ebony Ray (Sgp) at 0838, tug Sea Eagle II & St Marys Cement II at 1131, Baie Comeau at 1208. CSL Assiniboine at 1251, Rt Hon Paul J Martin at 1351, Algoscotia at 1540 and Spruceglen at 1904
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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U.S. Navy: Duluth selected as commissioning site for USS Minneapolis – Saint Paul 7/18 - The U.S. Navy announced Wednesday morning that Duluth will be the commissioning site of the USS Minneapolis – Saint Paul. The vessel, which Navy officials say is 389 feet long and can travel 50 mph on the water, is a littoral combat ship (LCS). The ship was christened on Saturday, June 15 in Marinette, Wisconsin, which is also the building site. According to the Navy, only 73 vessels bear the name of a city. The Department of Defense says the last time a vessel was named Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the vessel was a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine, and was de-commissioned after serving from 1984 to 2008. At this time, it is unknown where the vessel will be docked; however, the ship will be commissioned in the next 12 to 16 months. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson says a vessel hasn’t been commissioned by the U.S. Navy in Minnesota for decades. KBJR |
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Superior's iconic lighthouse goes up for auction 7/18 - Superior, WI - Anyone who has ever dreamed of owning a Twin Ports lighthouse now has a chance. The federal Government Services Agency is auctioning off the Superior Entry Light, located at the end of Wisconsin Point, with a starting bid of $10,000. The lighthouse can only be accessed by water or by climbing over the rocks leading to the breakwater on which the lighthouse is built. The facility includes a two-story living quarters, a basement, and a light tower. It was completed in 1913. The breakwater will remain owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the buyer will have to reach a lease agreement with the Corps before closing on the purchase of the lighthouse. Additionally, the navigation light will remain active and the U.S. Coast Guard will retain an access easement to service the light. The GSA's auction website notes that "the condition of the property is not warranted." A recent visit to the site found broken, graffiti-covered plastic on the outside of boarded-up windows, with some window cavities filled with empty beer cans. The auction comes six years after the GSA announced it would make the light available for free to government or nonprofit groups that would use it for educational, recreational, cultural or historic preservation purposes. A report issued in 2014 said the GSA received one expression of interest in the Superior Entry Light, but no deal was ever announced. A decade ago, the GSA sold the Duluth Harbor South Breakwater Inner Light Tower near the Aerial Lift Bridge to a private buyer. Last year, the GSA announced it is looking for a government or nonprofit group to take over the Duluth Harbor South Breakwater Outer Light. The GSA also announced auctions Monday for the Ontonagon Breakwater Light and the The Poe Reef Light, both in Michigan. The auctions are being conducted online at www.realestatesales.gov. The auctions are a result of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, which has seen 139 lighthouses sold or transferred out of federal ownership since 2000. The sales have generated more than $7.5 million. WDIO |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 18
On this day in 1974, Interlake Steamship decommissioned the COLONEL JAMES PICKANDS after 48 years of service due to continuing problems with her boilers and engines. AGAWA CANYON struck an abutment at Welland Canal's Bridge 11, at Allanburg, Ontario, on July 18, 1977, while downbound with salt for Kingston, Ontario, and sustained a 30-foot gash just above the waterline at the port bow. The canal tanker COMET (Hull#705) of the American Ship Building Co., at Lorain, Ohio, entered service on July 18, 1913, for ocean service. Sold Mexican and renamed b.) COMETA in 1928. She returned to the lakes in 1936, renamed c.) COMET for Cleveland Tankers. She was lengthened in 1940. She was scrapped at Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1973. The WILLIAM J. FILBERT was in collision with the KINSMAN INDEPENDENT, of 1907, at the Burlington Northern Dock on July 18, 1970, when the Steel Trust steamer lost control in the current entering the slip. The entire forward superstructure of the b.) JOHN DYKSTRA, a.) BENSON FORD of 1924, including the forecastle deck, was delivered to South Bass Island in Lake Erie on July 18, 1986, on the barge THOR 101 towed by the tug GREGORY J. BUSCH. The superstructure was moved for use as a summer home where it remains. The hull of the DYKSTRA was sold to Marine Salvage, Port Colborne, Ontario and was towed from Cleveland, Ohio, July 10th by the tugs ARGUE MARTIN and GLENBROOK to Ramey's Bend arriving there on July 12, 1986, where she was scrapped. WILLIAM A. REISS was launched July 18, 1925, as a.) JOHN A. TOPPING (Hull#251) at River Rouge, Michigan, by Great Lakes Engineering Works for the Columbia Steamship Co. WILLIAM G. MATHER completed her sea trials on July 18, 1925. On 18 July 1858, ANDROMEDA (2-mast wooden schooner, 112 foot, 568 tons, built in 1848, at Madison Dock, Ohio) was carrying 800 barrels of salt from Oswego to Chicago. She sprang a leak suddenly and foundered 20 miles from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The crew escaped in her boat, many just in their underwear. They arrived at Manitowoc the next day. On 18 July 1872, the schooner D. L. COUCH of Detroit (formerly AVCORN) sank about 10 miles from Long Point on Lake Erie. Two lives were lost. The wooden propeller freigjhter N. K. FAIRBANK (205 foot, 980 gross tons) was launched in Marine City, Michigan by W. B. Morley on 18 July 1874. She was then towed to Detroit, where her engines were installed by William Cowie. She had two direct-acting condensing engines 34 foot x 32 inches on one shaft and her boiler was installed on her main deck. She only lasted until 1895, when she stranded and burned near Port Colborne, Ontario. The remains of the hull were sold to Carter Brothers of Port Colborne and it was rebuilt and enrolled as a new vessel with the name ELIZA H. STRONG. The STRONG lasted until she burned in 1904. 1911: The wooden steamer TAMPA sank in the Detroit River after a collision with the JOHN W. GATES of U.S. Steel. The former was raised and moved to Marine City and then, after being partially dismantled, was sunk in 1915 as a breakwall to halt erosion off the Belle River. 1938: ISLET PRINCE (ii), enroute to Owen Sound for a new service, stopped for the night behind Chantry Island, Southampton, and was struck by lightning. The ship caught fire, but all on board were rescued before the vessel sank the next day. 1954: LAKE GADSDEN was built at Manitowoc, in 1919, and lost near Corrubedo Light, off the coast of Spain, as g) SAN NICOLAS after going aground. The vessel slid back into deep water and sank. 1960: IRISH MAPLE, a Great Lakes visitor beginning in 1966, sank the 479 gross ton DENBIGH COAST in the River Mersey after a collision. IRISH MAPLE remained in service until reaching the scrapyard at Karachi, Pakistan, as c) ANNOOR on October 24, 1981. 1967: NEW YORK NEWS (iii) buckled and sank while loading salt at Pugwash, NS. The ship was raised and towed to Halifax in two sections for repairs. It survives in 2012 as e) WOLF RIVER, but has not operated for years. 1984 PANAGIOTIS S., a Seaway trader beginning in 1975, suffered severe fire damage aft in the Gulf of Aden, while on a voyage from Antwerp, Belgium, to Calcutta, India. The ship was a total loss and, while sold and renamed d) OTIS, it was taken to Gadani Beach, Pakistan, for scrapping. PANAGIOTIS S. had also visited the Great Lakes as a) VIZCAYA in 1972 and EMILIA LOVERDOS in 1975. Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Jody Aho, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Port Reports - July 17 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
Menominee, WI – Scott Best
S. Chicago, IL
Indiana Harbor, IN
Gary, IN
Burns Harbor, IN
Alpena, MI – Ben & Chanda McClain Northern Lake Huron ports
Bruce Mines:
Parry Sound:
McGregor Bay:
Alpena:
Calcite:
Cheboygan:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Marine City – Rod Burdick
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio Port Report – Bill Kloss
Rochester, NY – Tom Brewer Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Tuesday July 16 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 15 - Oakglen at 1319, Florence Spirit at 2239 - Jul 16 - s/v Empire Sandy at 1148, Tecumseh at 1421, Saginaw at 1611 and Manitoulin eta 2130
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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Tickets to Marine Historical Society of Detroit’s Sept. 7 river cruise now available 7/17 - Join members of the Marine Historical Society of Detroit aboard the passenger vessel Diamond Queen (captained by the MHSD's own Mike Nicholls and with MHSD member Ken Borg as narrator) for a three-hour cruise, 1-4 p.m. Sept. 7, on the Detroit River. We will do our best to get up close to freighter traffic and, if conditions are favorable, go up the Rouge River (however the Rouge is not guaranteed). Snacks and refreshments will be available on the boat (coolers not allowed on board), which leaves from the Diamond Jack dock at Stroh River Place (parking lot at the foot of Joseph Campau) Detroit, Michigan. Tickets are $27 ($30 at the dock if space is still available). Buy tickets online at www.BrownPaperTickets.com (put Marine Historical Society in the search box to find our event). Brown Paper accepts both credit cards and PayPal and will mail your tickets direct to you (or, if purchasing close to the date, tickets will be held at the dock). By mail, send a check, payable to the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, to MHSD Cruise, 1020 Iroquois St., Detroit, MI 48214. Late orders will not be mailed; they will be held for you at the dock. We are limiting the number to 100 passengers so there will be plenty of room to move about the boat. Reserve now! Marine Historical Society of Detroit |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 17
On this day in 1902, the JAMES H. HOYT, the first boat with hatches constructed at 12-foot centers, loaded 5,250 tons of iron ore in 30.5 minutes on her maiden voyage. Several days later, the cargo was unloaded at Conneaut in three hours and 52 minutes. On this day in 1961, the C&P dock in Cleveland set a new unloading record when they removed more than 15,000 tons of ore from the holds of the E. G. GRACE in 3 hours and 20 minutes. The ASHCROFT was towed out of Quebec City on July 17, 1969, in tandem with the steamer SIR THOMAS SHAUGHNESSY by the Polish tug JANTAR for scrapping at Castellon, Spain. The BROOKDALE, of 1909, lost her self-unloading boom overboard in the Detroit River during a wind and rainstorm on July 17, 1980, while loading salt at the Canadian Rock Salt Dock at Ojibway, Ontario. The Cleveland Tanker's COMET was towed from Toledo to Ashtabula, Ohio, on July 17, 1973, where she was broken up during the summer and fall of 1973. WILLIAM J. FILBERT was launched in 1907, as a.) WILLIAM M. MILLS (Hull#348) at Lorain, Ohio by American Ship Building Co. for the Weston Transit Co. (William M. Mills, mgr.). On her last trip, the COLONEL JAMES PICKANDS arrived at Cleveland, Ohio on July 17, 1974, with a load of iron ore. Mohawk Navigation's GOLDEN HIND loaded her first dry bulk cargo on July 17, 1954. She had been rebuilt from the Imperial Oil Ltd.'s tanker a.) IMPERIAL WOODBEND. On 17 July 1856, TINTO (wooden propeller, 135 foot, built in 1855-56, at Sorel, Quebec) caught fire and burned to a total loss only 2 miles from shore. She was between Snake Island and Nine Mile Point on Lake Ontario. 18 lives were lost. The survivors jumped into the water and were picked up by a boat from shore. A newspaper article stated that she had no lifeboat aboard. Her machinery was later recovered and installed in the AVON. On 17 July 1883, B PARSONS (2-mast wooden schooner, 218 tons, built in 1856, at Vermilion, Ohio) struck the north pier while entering the harbor at Charlevoix, Michigan during a gale. She sank crosswise in the channel and blocked passage into the harbor for two weeks until she broke up enough to allow vessels to pass. In December, the steam tug S S COE towed the hulk a half mile down the beach and abandoned it. The Canada Steamship Line's HAMONIC burned at her pier at Point Edward bear Sarnia, Ont., on July 17, 1945. A warehouse next to the HAMONIC 's pier burst into flames from a fire that began from a gasoline motor for conveyor equipment being repaired by workmen. The flames and smoke were carried by a breeze to the HAMONIC. Almost in a matter of minutes the HAMONIC was doomed. She was aflame at dockside. The captain and the engineer were able to move the ship down the dock from the raging flames from the warehouse. Many of the passengers were able to get ashore. Some passengers went ashore by climbing into the bucket of a crane, which hoisted them on shore to safety. Every one of the passengers and crew were saved. 1933: SONORA and WILLIAM NELSON were in a collision in the Bar Point Channel, Lake Erie. The two ships were found at equal fault. The former was scrapped at Ashtabula in 1961 while the latter arrived at Bilbao, Spain, for dismantling as c) BEN E. TATE on July 12, 1969. 1989: SHEILA YEATES, a tall-ship visitor to the Great Lakes, hit an ice pack in fog on the North Atlantic and eventually sank 430 miles south of Greenland after an attempt to tow the leaking ship to safety failed. All on board were saved. Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Jody Aho, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Coast Guard safety zones established in Straits of Mackinac 7/16 - Sault Ste. Marie, MI – To protect the safety of life and property, the Coast Guard established two safety zones around vessels conducting geotechnical investigations in the Straits of Mackinac. A 500-yard temporary safety zone is established around the Jack-Up Barge JUB-100 and the geotechnical vessel Highland Eagle, while these vessels conduct geotechnical investigations in the Straits of Mackinac. The vessels will conduct their work approximately ½ mile to 1.5 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge. Effective immediately, all vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting, or anchoring within these safety zones, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sault Sainte Marie. The Captain of the Port or his representative can be contacted via VHF Channel 16 or telephone at (906) 635-3233. These safety zones are in effect until September 30, 2019. Additionally, the barge Big Digger is conducting diver operations west of the Mackinac Bridge. The Coast Guard reminds the boating public to properly interpret day shapes, flags, and lights in accordance with the Navigation Rules. To coordinate passing arrangements with the barge Big Digger, hail the vessel on an appropriate VHF channel. Jack-Up Barge JUB-100 is a 90-foot portable jack-up barge, Highland Eagle is a 236-foot geotechnical vessel, and Big Digger is a 200-foot barge operating with the Tug Kimberley Anne. USCG |
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Port Reports - July 16 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
S. Chicago, IL
Burns Harbor, IN
Alpena, MI – Ben & Chanda McClain Northern Lake Huron ports
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Bruce Mines:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Monday July 15 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 14 - Algoma Innovator at 1726, Algoma Enterprise at 1940 (stopping wharf 16) and Algonova at 2233 - Jul 15 - CSL Laurentien at 0649, Oakglen at 1319, Florence Spirit eta 2225
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oswego, NY – Ned Goebricher |
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Beaches are disappearing along Lake Michigan; Great Lakes break June records 7/16 - The official data for June from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in, and all-time water level records were broken. Lakes Superior, Erie and Ontario each broke their record for average monthly water level for the month of June. Now, though, we may be seeing the water levels heading down, or at least plateauing. Lake Michigan-Huron, for example, is forecast to remain steady for the first time in months! According to the latest report, the lake is not expected to rise or fall over the next month. Regardless, it is pretty much as high as it ever has been in July, and problems are still plaguing lakeshore communities. Read more and view videos at this link: https://www.abc57.com/news/beaches-are-simply-disappearing-along-lake-michigan-great-lakes-break-all-time-june-records |
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Windsor authority bans watercraft activity along shoreline for the next 30 days 7/16 - Windsor, ON – With historic water levels in the Detroit River, the City of Windsor is taking extra measures to mitigate shoreline damage by temporarily banning watercraft activity within 30 metres of the shoreline from the Town of Tecumseh border to the Town of LaSalle. The Windsor Port Authority said Friday that the 30-day ban prevents motorized water vehicles from travelling at high speeds near the shoreline to mitigate further flooding and damage of waterfront properties, due to the season’s record-breaking water levels. The Windsor Police Marine Unit will issue warnings to increase awareness of the ban, but continued non-compliance could result in fines up to $5,000 for an individual and $50,000 for a corporation or ship. “We’re hoping that this provides some relief to the residents along Riverside Drive,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said during a news conference. “We know it’s an inconvenience for people who enjoy our beautiful waterway and those folks who use motorized watercraft, but we think it’s a responsible, reasonable step to help provide some sense of safety and security to people who live along the waterfront.” The river’s rising levels have yet resulted in a state of emergency, Dilkens said, but they are at a “critical point.” He said city officials will continue to monitor the situation, considering levels are expected to continue to rise in the coming weeks. According to data from the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as of Friday, water levels for Lake St. Clair were around 577.59 feet — 33 inches above average for the month of July. These levels are also five inches above the season’s last recorded high in 1986. The tide is expected to rise even further as a result of excess water from Lake Superior that will make its way through the Detroit River into Lake Erie, said Windsor port authority harbour master Peter Barry. Water speed has also increased, with the river moving at double than what it should, Barry said. As a result, large cargo ships have encountered steering difficulties and have reduced their speed in the Detroit River to seven kilometres per hour rather than travelling at the 10km/h limit. Towards the end of the ban, which is enacted as a Traffic Control Zone under sec 56(1)(d) of the Canada Marine Act, Barry said river conditions will be reassessed to determine if the rule should be extended. Staff Sgt. Sue Garrett speaks to the media regarding enforcement of a Traffic Control Zone, which prohibits motorized boaters within 30 metres from the shore, during a press conference at Lakeview Park Marina on July 12, 2019. Dax Melmer / Windsor Star In order to lay charges, Windsor police Staff Sgt. Sue Garrett, who is responsible for the marine unit, said they would need the identity of the boat and the driver, along with evidence of their wake. Patrol officers can also use lasers to determine the distance of boats from the shoreline. Garrett added that people on shore are welcome to call police and provide photos or a description of boaters who disregard the ban. Until everyone is aware of the new rule, however, authorities will be out issuing warnings. “What we’re doing right now is a huge education awareness component of it, making people aware of what’s going on,” Garrett said. Various community partners have stepped in over the past week to help raise awareness, specifically researchers at the University of Windsor’s Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research who implemented research buoys off LaSalle shorelines on Wednesday. The devices send live-updates on the water’s height, along with wave and wake action, to municipal and town officials. Windsor Star |
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Great Lakes tourism businesses struggle with record-high water levels 7/16 - Visitors to the Craganmor Point Resort near Parry Sound, Ont., often come by boat to dine on the dockside patio restaurant that overlooks the picturesque waters of Georgian Bay. But with water levels on the bay reaching record highs, resort staff have had to construct elevated walkways on the deck so clients can access the restaurant. The number of visitors making the trip to the island resort dropped sharply in the spring, and, this summer, those still keen to eat at the restaurant’s waterside patio have had to dine with their feet submerged in several inches of lake water. Water levels are high across the Great Lakes, forcing tourism businesses to make significant expenditures to deal with the encroaching water. And while businesses are spending to keep operations as close to normal as possible, the high water is increasing costs and complicating the provision of services. Natalie Overend, owner of Craganmor Point Resort, says the water, which is three to five feet above normal, is posing a serious threat to her business. She estimates she has spent $10,000 to $12,000 on materials to build walkways and the project has taken up considerable staff time. Spring revenue is down 50 per cent from last year. Ms. Overend blames reduced visits on the high water and heavy precipitation, but says visits are ticking up approaching the height of summer. “We’re making the best of it,” Ms. Overend said. For the most part, despite the wet feet, her customers remain upbeat and unconcerned by the high water, viewing it as a novel experience. Water levels on Lakes Superior, Erie and Ontario are at record highs so far in July, as they have been since May, eclipsing previous records set decades ago. Water levels in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are less than an inch below the record set in 1986. In practice, this means water is up three to five feet compared with lows in the past 10 years, although wind and local conditions mean there’s some variance. The cause is increased precipitation and runoff from surrounding lakes and rivers, according to Harvey Shear, a Great Lakes specialist at the University of Toronto. These record highs come on the back of another year of high water in 2017, which was called a once-in-a-century phenomenon. “Two years later, it was the exact same thing,” said Brett Christopher, the managing artistic director of the Thousand Islands Playhouse, a waterside theatre in Gananoque, Ont. “I’m hoping this is year one of the next hundred years, because it impacts our business.” Read more and view photos at this link: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/small-business/article-great-lakes-tourism-businesses-struggle-with-record-high-water-levels |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 16 DETROIT EDISON, of 1955, departed Quebec City July 16th 1986, along with former fleet mate SHARON, in tow of the U.S. tug PRUDENT, to Brownsville, Texas for scrapping. The SAGINAW BAY departed Quebec City on July 16, 1985, in tandem with the E.B. BARBER, towed by the Polish tug KORAL for scrapping at Vigo, Spain. NORTHERN VENTURE, a.) VERENDRYE of 1944, entered Great Lakes service July 16, 1961, upbound light for the Canadian lake head to load grain. On July 16, 1935, the BRUCE HUDSON capsized on Lake Ontario off Cobourg, Ontario, while in tow of the wooden-hulled tug MUSCALLONGE. Keel-laying of the CHI-CHEEMAUN (Hull#205) was on July 16, 1973, at Collingwood, Ontario by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd. for Ontario Northland Transport Commission. CATARACT (wooden propeller, 15 foot', 352 tons, built in 1852, at Buffalo) caught fire on 16 July 1861, 5 miles off Erie, Pennsylvania. She became an inferno astern in just a few minutes and this prevented her boats from being launched. Four died. Some were saved by clinging to floating wreckage and some others were rescued by a small fishing boat. The schooner ST PAUL picked up some survivors. Among those picked up by Captain Mosher of the ST PAUL, were Captain McNally and the CATARACT's carpenter. Capt. Mosher had rescued these same two men in 1858, when the propeller INDIANA was lost in Lake Superior. On 16 July 1873, the new barge MINNEAPOLIS was towed to Detroit for outfitting. She had just been launched four days earlier at Marine City, Michigan. While on the way to Detroit, a Canadian man named Sinclair fell overboard and drowned. On 16 July 1874, The Port Huron Times reported that "the old steamer REINDEER has been rebuilt to a barge by L. C. Rogers at H. C. Schnoor's shipyard at Fair Haven, [Michigan]. Her beautiful horns have been taken down, [she carried a set of large antlers], her machinery and cumbersome side-wheels removed, and she has been fully refitted with center arch and deck frame complex." July 16, 1961, the PIONEER CHALLENGER entered service. Built in 1943, as a T-3 tanker a.) MARQUETTE, renamed b.) U.S.S. NESCHANIC (AO-71) in 1943, c.) GULFOIL in 1947, d.) PIONEER CHALLENGER in 1961, e.) MIDDLETOWN in 1962, and f.) AMERICAN VICTORY in 2006. 1911 ¬ MAINE, upbound with a load of coal, caught fire in the St. Clair River and was run aground on the Canadian shore. The crew escaped. 1958 ¬ The Swedish freighter ERHOLM and the FRANK ARMSTRONG of the Interlake fleet were in a collision in northern Lake St. Clair with minor damage to both ships. ERHOLM had earlier been a Great Lakes caller as a) ERLAND and later came through the Seaway in 1959-1960. It returned inland again in 1961 and 1962 as c) OTIS. The ship arrived at Gadani Beach, Pakistan, for scrapping as h) DIMITRA K. on August 25, 1980. Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Jody Aho, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series – Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Port Reports - July 15 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Burns Harbor, IN
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H. Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Sunday July 14 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 13 - Oslo Bulk 3 (Sgp) at 1900 and Saginaw eta 2220 - Jul 14 - Algoma Strongfield at 0409, Federal Cedar (Mhl) at 0447, Pearl Mist (Mhl) at 0731 for Toronto, Algoma Innovator at 1726, Algoma Enterprise at 1940 (stopping wharf 16) and Algonova eta 2100
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Rochester, NY – Tom Brewer |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 15
July 15, 1991 - The Spanish, 1975-built, 7,311 gross ton, ocean motor bulk carrier MILANOS, anchored in the Detroit River since July 2, began the long slow trip home. Auxiliar de Transporte Maritimos, the ship’s owners, decided it would be cheaper to tow the crippled ship home for repairs rather than have the repairs performed locally. The ship's engine seized after the crankshaft broke. She departed Detroit, bound for Montreal under tow of Malcolm Marine's TUG MALCOLM and McKeil's tug ARGUE MARTIN. The tow passed down the Seaway on July 19. On July 15, 1961, the d.) WALTER A. STERLING, now f.) LEE A. TREGURTHA), entered service on the Great Lakes for Cleveland Cliffs Steamship Co., after conversion from a T-3 tanker. The next day, on July 16, 1961, the d.) PIONEER CHALLENGER, now f.) AMERICAN VICTORY, entered service for the Pioneer Steamship Co (Hutchinson & Co., mgr.). The CHICAGO TRADER was launched as a.) THE HARVESTER (Hull#391) at Lorain, Ohio, by American Ship Building Co. in 1911, for the Wisconsin Steel Co. In 1946, the NORISLE (Hull#136) was launched at Collingwood, Ontario, by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd. for the Dominion & Owen Sound Transportation Co. Ltd. In 1934, the ANN ARBOR NO 4 collided with the steamer N. F. LEOPOLD in a heavy fog. On Saturday, 15 July 1871, an argument between Captain James Bradley and Mate John Reed started while the schooner ROBERT EMMETT was docked at Erie, Pennsylvania unloading iron ore. They were still shouting at each other as the ship sailed out of the harbor. In short order, the ship turned around and anchored in the harbor. At 3 the following morning, Reed rowed ashore, went directly to the police station and charged that Capt. Bradley had assaulted him with a knife. At dawn, as the police were on their way to question Capt. Bradley, they found him stepping ashore from the deck of a tug, fuming that Reed had stolen the ship's only small boat. Bradley and Reed were at each other again and the police arrested both men. Bradley then filed charges against Reed for mutiny, assault and theft of the ship's boat. The case went to court the very next day. Justice of the Peace Foster saw his courtroom packed with curious sailors and skippers. Reed and Bradley were both still fuming and after listening to just a little testimony, Foster found both men guilty, fined them both and ordered both to pay court costs. The matter didn't end there since Reed later had to get a court order to get his personal belongings off the EMMETT. There is no record of what the disagreement was that started this whole mess. The iron side-wheel steamer DARIUS COLE (201 foot, 538 gross tons) was launched at the Globe Iron Works (Hull #10) in Cleveland, Ohio on 15 July 1885. During her career, she had two other names b.) HURON 1906 - 1921, and c.) COLONIAL 1921 - 1925. She burned off Barcelona, New York, on Lake Erie on 1 September 1925, while on an excursion. The hull was beached and later towed to Dunkirk, New York, for scrapping. 1885: The rail car ferry LANSDOWNE and the CLARION were in a collision on the Detroit River. 1895: CIBOLA caught fire and burned at the dock at Lewiston, NY, with the loss of one life. The hull was towed to Toronto and used in a fill project. 1943: GEORGE M. HUMPHREY sank off Old Point Mackinac Light following a collision with the D.M. CLEMSON. The ship was salvaged in 1944 and rebuilt at Sturgeon Bay as b) CAPTAIN JOHN ROEN in 1945 and became c) ADAM E. CORNELIUS in 1948 and d) CONSUMERS POWER in 1958. 1977: The ore- laden CADILLAC went aground in the St. Marys River after missing a turn in fog. It was released the next day with the help of 3 tugs. 1986: The C.S.L. self-unloader MANITOULIN went aground at Sandusky, off Cedar Point, after losing power. The ship was released with the help of tugs. 1998: LITA hit the knuckle at the Eisenhower Lock and sustained damage to the starboard side. The vessel later hit bottom of the channel near the Snell Lock but there was no additional damage. The ship was enroute from Toledo to Algeria. The 11,121 gross ton saltwater vessel was still in service as of 2012. Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Jody Aho, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Lake Huron Lore Society, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit |
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Crew of Michipicoten rescues jet skier on Lake Superior 7/14 - On the evening of Monday, July 8, 2019, the crew of the Michipicoten began a search operation in Lake Superior which led to the successful rescue of a jet skier at 0200 hours Tuesday. The events began at approximately 2300 hours, when Michipicoten Captain Jonathan Barnes received a call from United States Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Soo regarding a missing jet skier out of Grand Portage, Minnesota. The jet skier’s last location was very close to the vessel’s intended track towards Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, approximately 25 nautical miles south of Isle Royal in Lake Superior, west of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Captain Jonathan Barnes recounted the evening: “After receiving the call, without hesitation we proceeded toward the coordinates provided by USCG. The gentleman on the jet ski had managed to have cell range for only a short period to make a call to the USCG. We were assisted by a USCG-dispatched helicopter. The crew did a fantastic job in preparing the deck to retrieve him, of course, not knowing the condition of the jet skier if found. The weather was fair, but moderately chilly. And, after some time, the jet skier was found in good health! Immediately USCG was informed, and it was discussed that the best course of action was to take him on the vessel to Sault Ste. Marie. At that time, we decided to retrieve his jet ski as well. This would prevent a future safety marine broadcast of an unmanned vessel if found. Once again, the crew did an amazing job retrieving the craft.” By 0200 Tuesday, after all regulatory communication was complete, the Michipicoten resumed full speed and returned to the planned course to Sault Ste Marie, where the passenger could make plans to return to his family. “Thank you to the crew of the Michipicoten for all your efforts for bringing this gentleman home safe to his family,” said Captain Gerry Ray, Vice President of Operations at Lower Lakes Towing. “The crew’s search efforts at night and successful rescue are recognized by the USCG and others. This event is a testament to the great people we have in this company and on each one of our vessels. Congratulations for a job well done, and Bravo Zulu to all the crewmembers of the Michipicoten.” Rand Logistics |
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USCG issues certificates of inspection to Great Lakes Towing tugs under Subchapter M 7/14 - The Great Lakes Towing Company has announced that eight of the company’s tugs, representing more than a quarter of its active harbor towing fleet, have received U. S. Coast Guard Certificates of Inspection. The Certificates of Inspection, issued a full month ahead of the required deadline, represent the company’s dedication to ensuring its tugs meet or exceed the newly implemented Coast Guard towing vessel inspection regulations, commonly referred to as Subchapter M. The newly certified tugs include the CLEVELAND and OHIO, two newly constructed Damen Stan Tug 1907 ICE design boats, built by Great Lakes Shipyard, as well as the venerable “G” Tugs COLORADO, IOWA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW JERSEY, and WYOMING. Nick Wallinder, HSSE Coordinator, leads the Towing Company’s Subchapter M compliance efforts. “We are very gratified to have hit this important milestone. It has been an all hands on deck’ effort. All of us, from our crews to our customers, should take pride in the fact that our tugs meet or exceed the industry’s highest levels of towing safety management,” said Wallinder. Over the last few years, The Towing Company has worked in partnership with the USCG and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) in preparation for the enforcement of the new 46 CFR Subchapter M laws. “ABS is an industry leader in supporting clients achieve compliance with the Subchapter M regulations. We are proud to have been part of team helping The Great Lakes Towing Company to achieve this milestone,” said Joseph Kelly, ABS Vice President, North America Regional Operations. This initial issuance sets the stage for the next three years, during which the remainder of the Towing Company’s fleet will be inspected and issued COIs, and by 2022, the entire fleet will be in compliance. “The Great Lakes Towing Company is at the forefront of the industry’s rigorous ambition to implement the new safety requirements of Subchapter M. I am particularly proud of my team, and as a company we truly appreciate the partnerships that have developed with the Coast Guard and ABS as we continue to obtain certificates for our tugs,” confirms Lindsay Dew, Director of Operations & Compliance. Subchapter M has taken safety in the towing industry to a new and historic level by setting minimum safety standards for towing vessels, incorporating and building upon the regulatory safeguards already in place, to ensure that the entire industry achieves the level of safety necessary to protect lives, the environment, and property. The issuance of Certificates of Inspection for existing towing vessels is being phased in over four years. Subchapter M is the most important rulemaking ever to affect the tugboat industry, and the Towing Company is well on its way to successfully achieving full implementation throughout its entire operation across the Great Lakes. Great Lakes Towing Co. |
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Port Reports - July 14 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Milwaukee, WI
Indiana Harbor, IN
Burns Harbor, IN
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Oswego, NY – Ned Goebricher Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Saturday July 13 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 12 - tug Everlast & Norman McLeod at 1518, Manitoulin at 1537, Algoma Conveyor at 1723 and Algoma Spirit at 1825 - Jul 13 - Oslo Bulk 3 (Sgp) at 1900, Saginaw eta 2155
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Toronto:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Mississauga: |
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Rare tours offered of Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse Friday, July 19 7/14 - The Saginaw River Marine Historical Society will offer public tours of Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse on Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20, during the Bay City (Michigan) Tall Ship Celebration. This will be the fifth time ever the lighthouse has open to the public. Saginaw River Marine Historical Society |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 14
The AMERICAN REPUBLIC (Hull#724) was launched July 14, 1980, by the Bay Shipbuilding Co., Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for the American Steamship Co. She was renamed b) GREAT REPUBLIC in 2011. While upbound in the St. Lawrence River on July 14, 1970, for Saginaw, Michigan, with a load of pig iron from Sorel, Quebec, the EASTCLIFFE HALL, of 1954, grounded in mud near Chrysler Shoal six miles above Massena, New York, at 03:00 hours but was able to free herself. A few hours later, approaching Cornwall, Ontario, she struck a submerged object and sank within a few minutes in 70 feet of water only 650 feet from the point of impact. The submerged object was believed to be an old aid to navigation light stand. Nine lives were lost. Divers determined that her back was broken in two places. After salvaging part of the cargo, her cabins were leveled and her hull was filled. In 1988, the JOHN T. HUTCHINSON and tow mate CONSUMERS POWER passed through the Panama Canal heading for the cutter’s torch in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. On 14 July 1908, MENTOR (wooden propeller tug, 53 foot, 23 gross tons, built in 1882, at Saugatuck, Michigan) burned south of Chicago, Illinois. No lives lost. Her original name was HATTIE A. FOX. On 14 July 1891, T H ORTON (wooden barge, 262 gross tons, built in 1873, at Buffalo, New York) anchored off Marblehead, Ohio, on Lake Erie to ride out a storm. She dragged her anchors and was driven ashore where she was declared a total wreck. She may have been recovered though. Just two years earlier, this vessel went through a similar incident at the same spot. 1891: ATHABASCA and PONTIAC collided head-on in the Sugar Island Channel of the St. Marys River and the latter settled on the bottom. The former arrived at Sault Ste. Marie, with wreckage draped across her bow. Both ships were repaired and returned to service. 1931: The bulk canaller TEAKBAY hit a rock in the Brockville Narrows of the St. Lawrence and went aground while enroute from Sandusky to Quebec City with coal. It was refloated but was listing and in need of repairs. 1964: DANIEL PIERCE, a former Great Lakes tanker, ran aground at Guanica, Puerto Rico. The ship was leaking sulphuric acid into the bilges mixing with salt water. The town was evacuated due to the potential for an explosion. The hull was condemned and eventually scrapped. 1966: The Israeli freighter ELAT, on her second trip to the Great Lakes, and LEMOYNE were in a collision near Lock 2 of the Welland Canal, with only minor damage. ELAT arrived at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, for scrapping by September 7, 1982, while LEMOYNE was broken up at Santander, Spain, in 1969. 1993: CALCITE II lost steering and ran aground in the Amherstburg Channel of the Detroit River. The ship was lightered, released with the help of the tugs PATRICIA HOEY, OREGON and STORMONT and, after unloading at Ecorse, headed for Toledo to be repaired. Data from: Skip Gillham, Dave Wobser, Mike Nicholls, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series – Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Sarters take over Selvick’s marine towing business 7/13 - Sturgeon Bay, WI – The familiar green tugs docked in Sturgeon Bay officially have new owners. Don and Julie Sarter partnered with Sharon and Susan Selvick of Selvick Marine Towing back in 2014, but completed the sale of the business Thursday morning. After taking over for one family, Sarter hopes to continue the business with his own. Renaming the business to Sarter Marine Towing may not be only change coming to the tugboats in the near future. The Ad Hoc West Waterfront Planning Committee recently recommended a possible secondary site for mooring the tug boats in addition to possible restrictions to fueling and pumping operations, maintenance activity, and dock wall space. The Selvick family had been operating the tugboats since 1969. Door County Daily News |
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Port Reports - July 13 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
DeTour, MI
Burns Harbor, IN
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Friday July 12 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 11 - Ocean Castle (Mlt) (ex Federal Mattawa-16) at 1831 and Algoterra at 2238 - Jul 12 - tug Albert (ex Craig Eric Reinauer-18, El Bronco Grande-06, launched as Hercules) at 0013, G3 Marquis at 0917, tug Everlast & Norman McLeod at 1518, Manitoulin at 1537, Algoma Conveyor at 1723 and Algoma Spirit at 1825
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Toronto:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Oshawa:
Oswego, N.Y. – Ned Goebricher |
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Forecast: 'Significant harmful' algal bloom to hit western Lake Erie 7/13 - A "significant harmful" algal bloom is being forecast for western Lake Erie this summer as researchers seek ways to deal with the outbreak, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Thursday. Scientists from the University of Michigan said this year's bloom could measure 7.5 on the severity index, but could range between 6 and 9 with an index above 5 indicating a greater impact. The federal NOAA funds UM's research. The severity index is based on the amount of algae over a sustained time period. The algal bloom, researchers said, is not expected to take off until late July because the lake temperature has been cooler due to increased rainfall in the area. Later this month, water temperatures are expected to reach 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. "Because of the excessive spring precipitation, this year’s bloom is likely to be large," said University of Michigan aquatic ecologist Don Scavia, a member of the forecast team. "But bloom predictions — regardless of size — do not necessarily correlate with public health risk. Local weather conditions such as precipitation, wind direction and water temperature also play a role." The presence of large algal blooms in Lake Erie's western half has become an annual occurrence. The green slime that fouls local beaches is generated, in part, by nutrients like phosphorus that make their way into the watershed. While there are multiple sources of phosphorus, large farming operations are often cited as a major contributor to the problem. Researchers said that the largest blooms happened last in 2010 with a severity index at 10 and 10.5 in 2015. But it was in August 2014, with a lower forecast severity index, that local government officials issued a three-day advisory on drinking water after testing showed traces of toxic algae. As a result, 400,000 Ohio residents were without water, as well as 30,000 in Michigan's Monroe area. Last year, the index was at 3.6 while in 2017 it spiked to 8, officials said. More tranquil winds in the summer tend to allow the algal toxins to concentrate, making blooms more harmful, researchers said. The bloom typically peaks in the western part of the lake in September. Read more and view images at this link: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/07/11/expect-another-huge-blob-algae-lake-erie-summer/39674621 |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 13
Algoma's straight-deck bulk freighter ALGOWEST was christened at Collingwood on July 13, 1982. She was converted to a self-unloader in 1998, and renamed b.) PETER R. CRESSWELL in 2001. SASKATCHEWAN PIONEER (Hull#258) was launched July 13, 1983, at Govan, Scotland, by Govan Shipbuilders Ltd. for Pioneer Shipping Ltd. (Misener Transportation Ltd., mgr.). Renamed b.) LADY HAMILTON in 1995. Purchased by Voyageur Marine Transport in 2006, she now sails as KAMINISTIQUA. The LIGHTSHIP 103 was opened to visitors on July 13, 1974, at the city's Pine Grove Park along the St. Clair River. The rebuilt BOSCOBEL was launched at the Peshtigo Company yard at Algonac, Michigan, on 13 July 1876. Originally built in 1867, as a passenger/package freight propeller vessel, she burned and sank near Ft. Gratiot in 1869. The wreck was raised, but no work was done until January 1876, when she was completely rebuilt as a schooner-barge at Algonac. She sank again in the ice on Lake Erie in 1895, and was again raised and rebuilt. She lasted until 1909, when she sank in the middle of Lake Huron during a storm. On 13 July 1876, the Port Huron Weekly Times listed the following vessels as being idle at Marine City, Michigan: Steam Barges BAY CITY, D W POWERS and GERMANIA; steamer GLADYS; schooners TAILOR and C SPADEMAN; and barges MARINE CITY and ST JOSEPH. On 13 July 1876, The Detroit Tribune reported that "the captain of a well-known Oswego vessel, on his last trip to Oswego, found that the receipts of the trip exceeded the expenses in the neighborhood of $250, and stowed $210 of the amount away in a drawer of his desk on the schooner. The money remained there some days before the captain felt the necessity of using a portion of it, and when he opened the drawer to take out the required amount he found that a family of mice had file a pre-emption claim and domiciled themselves within the recess, using the greenbacks with the utmost freedom to render their newly chosen quarters absolutely comfortable. A package containing $60 was gnawed into scraps the size of the tip of the little finger, while only enough of the larger package containing $150 remained to enable the astonished seaman to determine the numbers of the bills, so that the money can be refunded to him by the United States Treasury Department. The captain made an affidavit of the facts, and forwarded it and the remnants of the greenbacks to Washington, with the view of recovering the full value of the money destroyed. He is now on the way to Oswego with his vessel, and no doubt frequently ruminates over the adage, "The best laid schemes of mice and men . . .” 1941: The first COLLINGDOC was inbound with coal for the Thames River when it struck a mine off Southend, England, and sank. There were at least two casualties. The hull was later refloated and sunk along with another ship, believed to be the PONTO, as part of the Churchill Barriers off Scapa Flow, in the northern United Kingdom. In time, sand has blown in and covered much of the hull with only the cement-encased pilothouse visible at last report. 1978: OLAU GORM, best remembered as one of 4 freighters that had to spend the winter of 1964-1965 on the Great Lakes due to ice closing the Seaway, ran aground as f) FAST BREEZE in the Red Sea. The ship was enroute to from Piraeus, Greece, to Gizan, Saudi Arabia, and was refloated, with severe damage, on July 16. It was soon sold to Pakistani shipbreakers and was broken up at Gadani Beach in 1979. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Lakes limestone trade up slightly in June 7/12 - Cleveland, OH – Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 4,066,915 tons in June, an increase of less than 1 percent from a year ago. This June’s loadings were above the month’s 5-year average by 7 percent. Loadings out of U.S. quarries totaled 3,400,440 tons, an increase of approximately 162,252 tons compared to a year ago. However, shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 666,475 tons, a decrease of 148,331 tons or 18 percent. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 10,753,764 tons, an increase of 15.8 percent compared to 2018. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries increased 15.6 percent from a year ago. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 1,846,696 tons, an increase of 264,980 tons. Lake Carriers’ Association |
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Port Reports - July 12 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Holland, MI
Gary, IN
Northern Lake Huron
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Port Inland:
Brevort:
Port Dolomite:
Drummond Island:
Bruce Mines:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Thursday July 11- Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal:
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Toronto:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Oshawa: |
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Enbridge begins geological work for Straits Line 5 tunnel, despite lawsuit 7/12 - Detroit, MI – Enbridge Energy is forging ahead with preparations to build a tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac to protect its controversial Line 5 oil and gas pipeline, even as the state seeks to block the project. Meeting with reporters at the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority along the Detroit River on Wednesday, Enbridge officials outlined $40 million in engineering and geological preparations planned this year as part of a $500 million project to swap the dual pipelines and construct a tunnel around new pipe. Officials of the Calgary-based energy giant said that’s the best option for protecting the Great Lakes from an unlikely rupture without disrupting regional fuel supplies. The highlight of Enbridge’s presentation on Wednesday: a tour of the Highland Eagle, a drilling vessel brought from the Irish Sea for the project. The ship was scheduled to depart Detroit on Wednesday night for a 36-hour voyage to the deepest stretches of the Straits, which separate Michigan’s two peninsulas. Once in the Straits, rotating 38-member crews will drill holes deep into the bedrock and collect rock samples over a 72-day stretch. Meanwhile, a separate jack-up barge will drill six more boreholes – deep, narrow holes – along the lakebed nearer to shore. Geological sampling is a critical step for finalizing designs and determining how to best build the 4-mile, 12-foot in diameter tunnel, Enbridge officials said. Guy Jarvis, Enbridge’s executive vice president of liquids pipelines, called the vessel “tangible evidence” of the company’s commitment to move forward on the tunnel “in the face of the state’s attempts to invalidate prior agreements and shut down the pipeline.” The preparations are the latest salvo in an ongoing battle between Enbridge and environmentalists and Democrats over the 66-year-old pipeline that carries up to 540,000 barrels of oil and gas liquids per day from Superior, Wisconsin to Sarnia, Ontario. Dogged by safety concerns, the pipeline was dented by an anchor last year, but hasn’t leaked in the Straits. Two weeks ago, Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, filed a lawsuit to shut down Line 5 in the Straits. Her suit in Ingham County Circuit Court called the pipelines “a continuing threat of grave harm to critical public rights in the Great Lakes.” Republicans criticized the suit, calling the tunnel proposal the safest alternative to protecting the pipeline without cutting off propane supplies that are vital to the Upper Peninsula. In March, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a fellow Democrat, ordered state agencies to stop work on the tunnel project, which her Republican predecessor, Rick Snyder, greenlighted in his final days in office last year. In June, Enbridge sued in Michigan’s Court of Claims seeking to uphold its agreement with Snyder. The litigation could take years to resolve, but Enbridge vows to be ready should its arguments prevail. The company obtained the state and federal permits for the geological work before its feud with the state escalated recently over tunnel plans. Enbridge officials said the company could finish the tunnel by 2024 — with only two years to mine the tunnel itself. First, however, crews must understand what lies beneath the Straits. “That’s why the Highland Eagle is here,” said Amber Pastoor, who manages the Line 5 replacement and tunnel project for Enbridge. “What is the material? What does the rock and soil of the Straits look like, so we can best design the tunnel?” Bryan Newland, chairman of the Bay Mills Indian Community in the eastern Upper Peninsula, said he is skeptical of Enbridge’s campaign to tout its tunnel preparations. He is among the tribal officials who have panned the tunnel plans, saying Native Americans had little voice in negotiations over the pipeline, even though the tunnel would have huge implications for their fishing rights in the Great Lakes. Nineteenth-century treaties give Michigan tribes exclusive rights to fish in the Straits. “If the state does not authorize a tunnel, Enbridge will say we’ve already invested tens of millions of dollars,” Newland told Bridge Magazine. “This is a classic tactic … I hope the state doesn’t fall for it and put itself in a corner.” Enbridge’s drilling is the first project of its kind in the Straits. The drill sitting atop the Highland Eagle will bore 18 holes into the Straits lakebed, so crews can collect core samples. Each borehole will take four days. Crews sampled the Straits during construction of the Mackinac Bridge, which connects Mackinaw City and St. Ignace and opened in 1957. Those samples were limited and done without the high-tech tools that Enbridge is deploying. The samples could reveal other information that will make geologists salivate, Pastoor said. Preliminary work from a near-shore barge revealed a fossilized worm thought to be 400 million years old, Pastoor said. “There are a lot of geoscientists who are pretty geeked out by what we might find,” she said. “When this geotechnical program is done, we’re going to have the story of the history of the Straits. We’re going to be able to go as far back as 400 million years and understand how the Straits came to be and how Lake Michigan came to be.” Read more and view images at this link: https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/enbridge-begins-geological-work-line-5-tunnel-despite-nessel-lawsuit |
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Retirees turning to volunteering at the Soo Locks 7/12 - Sault Ste. Marie, MI – Many retirees turn to volunteering to pass time while helping others, or helping out a cause. For one couple, connecting with community means traveling across the country to serve with the Army Corps of Engineers. David and Mary Lynne Clark live in Alabama. Last fall, they volunteered at the WP Franklin Lock in Florida. They say one of the most exciting parts about that lock was seeing manatee’s that would “wait their turn” to lock through the system. That lock only drops or raises 3 feet. This summer, the Clarks are volunteering in Sault Ste. Marie and the much bigger Soo Locks where the boats drop, or rise, 21 feet. With the biggest freighters in the Great Lakes passing through, tourists have a lot of questions. That’s where David and Mary Lynne come in. The Clarks camp for free at a local city campground as part of the volunteer program. Soo Evening News |
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Port of Muskegon works for ‘competitive edge’ in international shipping 7/12 - Muskegon, MI – The Port of Muskegon has the capacity to increase shipping and could see that boost if it is able to find a competitive edge in attracting international ships to the shores of Muskegon Lake. Over the past 20 years, the port welcomed just one international vessel on average annually, but it can handle more, said Chuck Canestraight, president of Port City Marine Services. “We’re a fully functional deep-water port and we’re open for business,” he said. The port, through Mart Dock, received a single international shipment of 18,500 metric tons of magnetite in 2018. It came through the St. Lawrence Seaway from Sweden on the Osogovo freighter. There were no international shipments in 2017, he said. There was one from Italy in 2016. There are two international shipments in the works for 2019. One, which is more likely, would be Italian foundry coke that’s fed to furnaces for energy. The other would be energy components. Muskegon’s port faces many challenges when it comes to bringing in international freighters, Canestraight said. Most of the ships come through the St. Lawrence Seaway and there’s an added cost to sailing around the state to land in Muskegon. “There’s a competitive edge to it,” he said. “We have to put the whole package together, including short shipping after landing.” When it comes to ships traveling up the Mississippi River, challenges include a four-month shipping season and the fact that they are smaller boats with smaller shipments. Muskegon is in a Catch-22 when it comes to competition with Indiana and Wisconsin ports, Canestraight said. The Muskegon port is at a disadvantage because “we don’t have personnel at the port on a routine basis because we don’t receive routine ships," he said. Read more at this link: https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/07/port-of-muskegon-works-for-competitive-edge-in-international-shipping.html |
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Rand Logistics launches fourth annual marine miracle month program 7/12 - Jersey City, NJ – Rand Logistics Inc. has announced the launch of its fourth annual Marine Miracle Month, a program to benefit children’s charities. As the cornerstone of the 2019 Marine Miracle Month program, Rand will donate $0.05 for every ton of cargo carried by its fleet during the month of August to non-profit organizations with a primary focus on the health and wellbeing of children. The company will provide its customers the opportunity to select the children’s charity of their choice and will make the donations in each customer’s honor. The donation amount will be based upon the total cargo volume (tonnage) each customer ships during the program month. Rand’s goal is to exceed the total donations raised and the number of organizations served during the 2018 Marine Miracle Month program. “Now in its fourth year, Marine Miracle Month has created a vehicle for Rand to give back to the communities in which we operate and expand the reach of our corporate social responsibility efforts, while strengthening partnerships with our valued customers and vendor partners,” said Aaron Degodny, Rand’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “Rand introduced the Marine Miracle Month program in 2016, and we are proud to have contributed $400,000 to date to various charitable organizations across the Great Lakes. We are pleased to continue the program as an annual event for the organizations and children in the communities that it positively impacts.” Rand Logistics, Inc. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 12
On this day in 1978, the keel for Hull #909 was laid at Toledo, Ohio, after Interlake Steamship and Republic Steel signed a 25-year haulage contract. Hull#909 was to be named WILLIAM J. DE LANCEY and renamed PAUL R. TREGURTHA in 1990. On July 12, 2005, the DAY PECKINPAUGH, under tow of the tug BENJAMIN ELLIOT, departed the lakes through the New York State Barge Canal to Lockport, New York for a new life as a traveling history museum. The BELLE RIVER, renamed b.) WALTER J. McCARTHY JR in 1990, was christened on July 12, 1977, as American Steamship's first thousand-footer and the first thousand-footer built at Bay Shipbuilding. The H. M. GRIFFITH (Hull#203) was launched July 12, 1973, at Collingwood, Ontario by Collingwood Shipyards for Canada Steamship Lines. Rebuilt with a new cargo section in 2000, renamed b.) RT. HON. PAUL J. MARTIN. In 1986, when ENDERS M. VOORHEES was chained together with her sisters, A.H. FERBERT and IRVING S. OLDS, a severe thunderstorm struck Duluth, Minnesota, pushing the trio across St. Louis Bay, eventually grounding them near Superior, Wisconsin. It was discovered that the force of the storm had pulled the bollards out of the Hallett Dock No. 5, thus releasing the ships. On July 12, 1958, Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd.'s FRANK A. SHERMAN entered service, departing Port Weller Dry Docks, for Duluth and a load of iron ore on its maiden voyage. On 12 July 1871, ADVANCE (wooden scow-schooner, 49 tons, built in 1847, at Fairport, Ohio), was bound for Detroit from Cleveland with a load of coal. She and the steamer U S GRANT collided near South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay) in Lake Erie and ADVANCE sank. Her crew escaped in the yawl. On 12 July 1852, CITY OF OSWEGO (wooden propeller passenger-package freight vessel, 138 foot, 357 tons, built in 1852, at Buffalo, New York) collided with the steamer AMERICA and sank off Willoughby, Ohio, a few miles east of Cleveland. 15 lives were lost. This was CITY OF OSWEGO's first season of operation. On 12 July 1889, T.H. ORTON (wooden barge, 262 gross tons, built in 1873, at Buffalo, New York) anchored off Marblehead, Ohio on Lake Erie to ride out a storm. She dragged her anchors and was driven ashore where she was declared a total wreck. She was recovered and just two years later, at the same place, this incident was repeated. 190:9 The ore laden JOHN B. COWLE (i) was struck amidships by the ISAAC M. SCOTT off Whitefish Point, Lake Superior, and sank with the reported loss of 11 lives. 1917: GEORGE N. ORR was wrecked at Savage Point in the Strait of Northumberland, Prince Edward Island, on her way to New York City and wartime saltwater service. The vessel had been cut in two and towed from the lakes to be rejoined at Montreal. 1969: The deep-sea tug MISSISSIPPI arrived at Bilbao, Spain, with the lakers DONNACONA (ii) and BEN E. TATE, for scrapping. 1977: The stern section of the former canaller BIRCHTON was raised at Halifax after the two parts, which had been created for use as pontoons in the construction of offshore drilling platforms, sank at the dock. 1985: MONTY PYTHON first visited the Great Lakes as a) MONTE ZALAMA in 1970. It returned as b) MONTY PYTHON after being renamed in 1985. The ship drifted aground in the St. Lawrence off La Ronde while loading scrap at Montreal and had to be lightered to P.S. BARGE NO. 1 before floating free on July 18. This saltwater vessel was sold for scrap before the year was out and arrived at Dalian, China, on November 3, 1985, to be dismantled. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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American Integrity breaks Soo Locks tonnage record 7/11 - The 1,000-foot-long American Integrity, carrying a record-breaking 76,063 net tons of iron ore, locked through July 8 at 3:57 a.m. headed for Detroit, MI. Her draft was 28 feet 10 inches, according to officials at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Soo Locks. A few hours earlier, she was preceded by fleet mate Walter J. McCarthy Jr., which was reported to have had 75,387 net tons on board, also a record load. The vessels are owned by the American Steamship Co. In carrying the cargo, the American Integrity broke her own record of 75,095 net tons, set on Sept. 23, 2017. |
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Lake Erie hits new record high water level, more to come 7/11 - Toledo, OH – The US Army Corps of Engineers confirmed Tuesday that the Great Lakes are filled to the brim, and Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are leading the pack. The average water level on Lake Erie during the month of June was the highest ever recorded for any month beating out the old record set in 1986 and also the high water mark set in May of this year. Lake Erie's average June water level hit 574.61 feet according to the US Army Corps of Engineers preliminary data. The lake is expected to rise another 2 inches during July, which would set another all time record high for the lake. Lake St. Clair, and Lake Ontario also set all time record high water levels. Lake Superior recorded the highest June water level ever recorded, but it fell just short of the highest water level on record. Water level records started on the Great Lakes in 1918. High water levels make the area vulnerable to lakeshore flooding and erosion when the wind comes off of the lake. WTVG |
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Port Reports - July 11 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Milwaukee, WI
Burns Harbor, IN Northern Lake Huron
Midland:
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Port Inland:
Brevort: Port Dolomite: Wednesday; 17:48 Joseph L Block arrived to finish loading.
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Wednesday July 10 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 9 - CSL Niagara at 1200, Federal Beaufort (Mhl) at 1316, Kaministiqua at 1334, John D Leitch at 1706, tug Sea Eagle II & St Marys Cement II at 1918 and Qamutik (Nld) (ex Edisongracht-10) at 2027 - Jul 10 Florence Spirit at 0057, Tim S Dool at 0350 (from wharf 16) and tug Madison R & BTI 2010 and Mobro 2000
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Toronto:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Oshawa: |
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Water taxis and tiki tours offer new options for enjoying the Detroit River 7/11 - Detroit’s greatest natural asset, the Detroit River, has been sorely underused over the years. There aren’t many places to swim in the river, and only recently has the riverfront been activated in a meaningful way. And while there are options for renting a kayak, boating has largely been reserved for members of the yacht club or residents of the city’s canal district. No longer. Soon, there will be multiple ways to access the Detroit River by boat. Aloha Tiki Tours launched this summer and has already received favorable reviews. The boat tour was started by Nick Blaszczyk, owner of the popular and somewhat controversial Pedal Bar Detroit, where up to 16 patrons pedal and drink their way through downtown streets. The tiki rides, which cost between $250-$300 depending on the day, accommodate six people per boat and last two hours. The tours start at either Sindbad’s Restaurant and Marina in Detroit or Blossom Heath Park and Pier in Saint Claire Shores. Guests bring their own food or beverages. Another, more practical option won’t be available until next summer: water taxis. Crain’s Detroit Business reports that the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority will soon issue a request for qualifications for a private ferry operator to be awarded by the end of the year. An exact route for the taxis hasn’t been determined yet, but Kyle Burleson, executive director for the port authority, told Crain’s that stops will likely be isolated to the west riverfront, downtown, and Belle Isle at first. Money for the water taxis was actually awarded in 2010 from a $2.4 million Federal Highway Administration grant. Curbed Detroit |
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Innovative Innovator makes Grand Haven debut 7/11 - Grand Haven, MI – Most of the freighter traffic we receive in Grand Haven is done by vessels that have spent years coming in and out of the Grand River, dropping off cargoes to local docks. But there is a first for everything, and every ship that visits our port has had a first visit. This past week, we saw four vessels visit, three of which were frequent visitors and one that was calling on the port of Grand Haven for the first time. Pere Marquette Shipping’s tug Undaunted and bargePere Marquette 41 arrived in port July 4, navigating through the flurry of pleasure boat traffic that was on the Grand River and Lake Michigan for the holiday. The duo was bound for the Verplank dock in Ferrysburg to unload a stone cargo from Cedarville. They were in town for the fireworks and backed out to Lake Michigan early Friday morning. Interlake Steamship Co.’s Kaye E. Barker had arrived off Grand Haven on Thursday night and was waiting for the Undaunted/PM41 to depart. Both freighters had to unload their cargoes at the same area of Verplank’s, so the Barker had to wait until the PM41 was gone. The Barker started unloading at Verplank’s before sunrise and was backing out to Lake Michigan by mid-morning. Saturday afternoon saw the Wilfred Sykes visit with a load of slag for Meekhof’s D&M on Harbor Island. The Sykes was outbound to the lake at around midnight. At dawn Sunday, Algoma Central Corp.’s Algoma Innovator came in with a load of stone for the D&M dock. The vessel backed out shortly after noon. The Algoma Innovator is a new vessel we have not seen before in Grand Haven. It entered service last season as part of Algoma’s fleet renewal program that began in 2012. Built in 2017 at 3 Maj Shipyard in Croatia, the Algoma Innovator’s design is, well, innovative. Its boom is mounted forward, while the pilothouse is located aft. This gives the vessel incredible versatility, as it can make deliveries to docks that are hard to access by vessels with stern-mounted unloading equipment. While other new vessels have been built to the maximum dimensions the St. Lawrence Seaway and Welland Canal locks will allow, the Innovator is the first of two river-class ships Algoma ordered. The Innovator and its sister ship (which has yet to arrive on the Great Lakes) are 650 feet, 8 inches long; 78 feet wide; and 44 feet, 9 inches deep. They have replaced the Algorail and Algoway, both of which were very common visitors to Grand Haven and West Michigan during their careers for Algoma. These two vessels are currently being cut up at International Marine Salvage in Port Colborne, Ontario. While it is sad to see old, classic vessels being scrapped, boatwatchers will enjoy seeing some of the most technologically advanced vessels on the Great Lakes for years to come. Sam Hankinson/Grand Haven Tribune |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 11
On this day in 1962, the EDWARD L. RYERSON carried a record cargo of 24,445 tons of iron ore through the newly opened Rock Cut Channel. The new channel increased allowable depths by 26 inches to 25 feet 7 inches. On this day in 1943, the new MacArthur Lock was formally opened to traffic. The first boat to lock through during the ceremonies was the upbound CARL D. BRADLEY, Captain F. F. Pearse. There were 250 dignitaries and passengers aboard the Bradley during the lockage. The first downbound vessel was the new Leon Fraser of the Pittsburgh Steamship fleet. The INDIANA HARBOR was christened July 11, 1979. On 11 July 1888, the 2-mast wooden schooner JOHN TIBBETS was carrying coal on Lake Erie when she foundered in the shallows near Clear Creek, 7 miles west of Port Rowan, Ontario and then broke up in the storm waves. Her crew made it to shore in the yawl. She was built in 1863, at Clayton, New York on the hull of the Canadian schooner PERSEVERANCE, which was originally built in 1855. The PERSIA, a 150-foot passenger/package freight vessel, was launched at Melancthon Simpson's shipyard at St. Catharines, Ontario, on 11 July 1873. She was built at a cost of $37,000. She lasted until the 1920's when she was converted to a barge and then abandoned. MONTEZUMA (3-mast wooden schooner-barge, 341 feet, 2,722 gross tons) was launched at the John Davidson shipyard (Hull #102) in West Bay City, Michigan, on 11 July 1903. She was one of the largest wooden vessels ever built. It was later stated in the press that the reason Davidson's last large vessels took so long to build was the difficulty in obtaining the required large oak timbers and their expense. As steel went down in price, wood went up, and Davidson's last hulls cost as much as comparably-sized steel ones. At the time of launching this vessel the Davidson shipyard announced that it would not build any more wooden freight vessels. 1915: CHOCTAW, enroute from Cleveland to Duluth with a cargo of coal, sank following a collision with the WAHCONDAH in foggy Lake Huron. All on board were saved. 1940: WILLIAM F. STIFEL ran aground in the St. Clair River near Port Lambton and was struck by the ALBERT E. HEEKIN. 1964: CHEMBARGE NO. 4, formerly a) JUDGE KENEFICK and b) H.J. McMANUS was towed out into Lake Huron by ATOMIC and ABURG and scuttled in deep water about 16 miles off Goderich after sulphuric acid began leaking into the bilges of the recently-converted tanker barge. 2007: CANADIAN NAVIGATOR lost power and went aground in mud off Courtright and six tugs were needed to pull the ship free. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series, Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Great Lakes iron ore trade down 5.7 percent in June 7/10 - Cleveland, OH – Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 5.7 million tons in June, a decrease of 5.7 percent from 2018. Shipments were, however, nearly even with the month’s 5-year average. Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 20.19 million tons, almost matching the previous year’s total of 20.15 million tons. Iron shipments are ahead of their 5-year average for the first half of the year. Loadings have increased more than 840,000 tons. |
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Algoma's order could save Croatia's troubled 3 Maj shipyard, says report 7/10 - Zagreb, Croatia – The CEO of Croatia's troubled 3 Maj shipyard Edi Kucan believes that the key to avoiding bankruptcy is to complete the construction of the hull of a bulk carrier for Canada's Algoma Central Corporation. Hull 733 is 80% complete, and if an agreement is reached with the government to provide 120 million euro ($134.8 million/890.5 million kuna) for the completion of the remaining unfinished ships, the troubled shipyard will live to see 2020, news portal poslovni.hr reported. The shipyard currently has four ships under construction. 3 Maj is part of Croatia's troubled shipbuilding group Uljanik Group, which is already undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. See News |
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Port Reports - July 10 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Green Bay, WI
Burns Harbor, IN
Gary, IN Northern Lake Huron
Bruce Mines:
Thessalon:
Meldrum Bay:
Parry Sound:
Alpena:
Calcite:
Stoneport:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Toledo, OH
Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Tuesday July 9 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Port Colborne anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 8 - Happy River (Nld) at 1742, Tim S Dool at 1939 and light tug Wyatt M at 2034 - Jul 9 - Algoma Conveyor at 0921, tug Everlast & Norman McLeod at 0932, tug Wilf Seymour & Alouette Spirit at 1123, CSL Niagara at 1200, Federal Beaufort (Mhl) at 1316, Kaministiqua at 1334, John D Leitch at 1706, tug Sea Eagle II & St Marys Cement II at 1918 and Qamutik (Nld) (ex Edisongracht-10) at2027
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Toronto:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Oshawa: |
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When a north wind hits a record-high Lake Erie, here’s what happens 7/10 - Cleveland, OH – When a big north wind hits record-high Lake Erie, Ohio’s north coast gets big waves. Social media was flooded Sunday and Monday with photos of flooded yards, water overtaking roads and waves crashing into breakwalls. Lake Erie rose to an all-time record high last month, with lake levels 32 inches higher than normal. The north wind brings waves, as well as a natural phenomenon called a seiche, a change in water level across the lake because of wind or atmospheric pressure. A seiche pushed the lake level a foot higher. The lake was so high at Bay Point that a marina shut down, said Scudder Mackey, of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Management office. “If you have waves on top you could also see accelerated erosion,” Mackey said. “It’s whatever Mother Nature is going to send our way.” See images at this link: https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/07/when-a-north-wind-hits-a-record-high-lake-erie-heres-what-happens.html |
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Mystery shrouds Great Lakes anchor strikes amid Line 5 worries 7/10 - Detroit, MI – Shipping industry experts were taken aback following a federal report describing last year's anchor strike on the controversial Line 5 oil pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. A 12,000-pound anchor accidentally dropped into the Straits, sliced five cables, dinged the dual oil pipeline and lost its flukes and crown, and wasn't discovered until the tug and barge to which it belonged neared Indiana Harbor. At the other end of Lake Michigan. Two days later. “That’s a bunch of bull----,” said a flabbergasted Frank Frisk, a Great Lakes maritime consultant who worked on Great Lakes freighters. “The shipping company’s at fault for that one, for not having the boat properly manned.” The April 1, 2018 anchor strike hastened negotiations between the state of Michigan and Line 5 owner Enbridge about the future of the 66-year-old pipeline on the Straits lake bed. And the June National Transportation Safety Board report on the incident was featured in Attorney General Dana Nessel’s lawsuit seeking a permanent injunction from the courts on the operation of Line 5’s Straits segment. A report issued a year prior to the April 2018 incident cited anchor strikes as the biggest risk to Line 5 pipeline, but records of such strikes in the area are hard to find. Prior to the 2018 incident, state agencies have records for one to three anchor strikes in the Straits that date back to the late 1970s. Federal agencies have no ready records to prove any other anchor strikes in the Straits or the Great Lakes other than the 2018 incident. That's not to say anchor strikes don't happen — in the Great Lakes and elsewhere. A 2017 study by a Norwegian maritime and oil and gas risk analysis group estimated that globally there were seven to 10 anchor losses per 1,000 ships between 2007 and 2015 and cited concerns about an increase in anchor strikes. All it takes is one of those lost anchors to snag or hook into the pipeline and reap disaster, as was nearly the case in 2018, said Capt. Dan Gallagher, president of the Lake Pilots Association. “There’s always a risk, yes,” Gallagher said. “I think everybody in the maritime community has taken this very seriously.” A state-commissioned 2017 study meant to analyze the potential risks associated with the Straits pipeline noted anchor strikes represent 75% of the annualized total failure probability. An engineer from the group that conducted the analysis said there was about a 1-in-60 chance of failure on the roughly 4-mile segment over 35 years. But in the Great Lakes, records indicating such inadvertent strikes, dragging or snagging are scarce. The only state evidence of an anchor strike prior to the 2018 incident traces back to a letter sent by Consumers Power Company to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in June 1979, correspondence referenced in Nessel’s lawsuit. The letter notes that an April 1979 outage on the company’s 46-kilovolt cables crossing the Straits was believed to have occurred because “a ship dragging anchor accidentally hooked into the cables,” severing two and damaging two others. The Consumers Power’s easement required it to notify the DNR of the repairs, one of the only reasons the DNR had a record of the assumed anchor strike. Two other letters between the department and Consumers Power in 1983 and 1986 also mentioned damage to submerged Straits cables, but don't cite the cause of the damage. Read more at this link: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/07/08/anchor-strike-biggest-risk-line-5-few-incidents-great-lakes/1616215001 |
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"You can't beat the river:" Homes damaged as Lake St. Clair breaks record heights 7/10 - St Clair County, MI – Lakefront views can be blessings for residents. Until that lakefront starts encroaching beyond its normal levels. "You can't beat the river; it wins all the time," said Pat Hughes, of Algonac. It may seem like a tired story, but reports of flooding have continued to come in as Great Lakes' water levels reached heights not seen since the Army Corps of Engineers started record keeping their levels. Over the Fourth of July Lakes Superior, Erie and Ontario broke heights. But that's not the only lake breaking records. "You couldn't see grass, it was all water here," said Ron Deriemacker, "It was like a lake." Or at least an extension of one. Among other water bodies breaking records is Lake St. Clair. It's three feet higher now than it was a year ago. About 200 homes have taken on water. That means yards saturated, dry wall soaked and sand bags filled - about 500,000 of them since the water woes began in May. And the levels are expected to continue climbing. "We are at a critical tipping point with many of our homes and businesses being impacted by floodwaters," said Justin Westmiller, the director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management with St. Clair County. He said levels will go up another three inches in July. There's many factors contributing to the historic highs of the Great Lakes. "We are holding onto so much water and that's allowing the water to rise in the Great Lakes," he said, "and then we had a huge runoff this past spring and that also added to our lake level so we just got a unique situation." Several communities elsewhere have found themselves struggling with water levels. From Harrison Township to neighborhoods in Detroit, many cities are attempting to mitigate flooding. Effects have even been exposed on Belle Isle. Along with the melting snowpack, residents have to also factor in the ubiquitous rainfall in May and June. Those are environmental effects that can't be controlled. But there are other things residents can. "The biggest problem is actually the boats that go by here," said Deriemacker. "They don't pay attention to the wake laws and they go fast and the water is so high in the canals it comes right over the top." The county currently owns three pumps, all of which are working full time. They're trying to by five more. So what would help the water levels go down? Consider a scenario as extreme as the one that placed Michigan in this situation. "To get as hot as we can for the next two or three months and burn off as much water as we can," said Westmiller, "and then we have a very very mild winter - so that's the super best case scenario." Fox 2 |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 10
On this day in 1979, Captain Thomas Small had his license for Master of Steam and Motor Vessel of any gross tonnage renewed at the St. Ignace Coast Guard Station. Captain Small, a retired Pittsburgh Steamship employee and 106 years of age, was the oldest person to be licensed and the issue number of his license is the highest ever issued by the Coast Guard 14-17 (14th masters license and 17th license as a pilot, mate, or master). On July 10, 2005, noted marine photographer Paul Wiening passed away at his residence in Port Washington, Wisconsin. G. A. TOMLINSON (Hull#370) was launched at the American Ship Building Co., Lorain, Ohio, on July 10, 1909, for the Douglas Steamship Co (J.J.H. Brown, mgr.), renamed b.) HENRY R. PLATT JR in 1959. The hull was used as a breakwater in Burlington Bay, Ontario, in 1971. In 1998, the ALGOWEST was re-dedicated at Port Weller Dry Docks. The $20 million conversion of the ship to a self-unloader from a bulk-carrier was completed by 400 shipbuilders at Port Weller Dry Docks during the previous eight months. Renamed in 2001, she sails for Algoma today as b.) PETER R. CRESSWELL. On 10 July 1866, COQUETTE (1-mast wooden scow-sloop, 90 foot, 140 tons, built in 1858, at Perry, Ohio as a schooner) capsized in a storm on Lake Michigan and was lost with her crew of four. She had originally been built for the U.S. Government. On 10 July 1911, JOHN MITCHELL (wooden propeller bulk freighter, 420 foot, 4,468 gross tons, built in 1907, at St. Clair, Michigan) was carrying wheat off Whitefish Point on Lake Superior when she was rammed broadside by the coal-laden steel steamer WILLIAM HENRY MACK (steel propeller bulk freighter, 354 foot, 3781 gross tons, built in 1903, at Cleveland, Ohio). The MACK tried to keep her bow in the hole, but the MITCHELL still sank in 7 minutes. Quick work saved most of her crew and all 7 passengers. Three of the 34 onboard were lost. The MACK got most of the blame for the accident. The MITCHELL's wreck was discovered upside-down on the bottom in 1972. (Note: Bowling Green's database gives the date of this accident as 19 July 1911 and Dave Swayze's Shipwreck database gives the date as 10 July 1911.) 1930 YORKTON was beached with only the top of the pilothouse above water after a head-on collision in fog on Whitefish Bay with the MANTADOC. The ship was later salvaged and repaired at Collingwood. 1938 RAHANE ran aground on a shoal in the American Narrows of the St. Lawrence while downbound with steel, package freight and grain. Some cargo was removed by the lighter COBOURG and the ship was refloated with major bottom damage. The vessel last sailed on the lakes as A.A. HUDSON before departing for saltwater service in the fall of 1965. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series - Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair expected to continue breaking water level records 7/9 - Detroit, MI – Michigan's Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair are poised to set records for high water levels throughout the year, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer projections. The Corps Detroit District's watershed hydrology office released its monthly bulletin this week recording the water levels for January-to-June and monthly projections for the second half of this year. Keith Kompoltowicz, chief of the Detroit District's watershed hydrology office, told The Detroit News Monday "Going back to 1918," when the Army Corps began keeping records, "the levels have never been higher." Between July and September, all of the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair are expected to reach or break records set as early as 1950 and several records set in 1986. That's when Michigan and Huron — considered one body of water by the Army Corps of Engineers — St. Clair and Erie reached their highs. Superior hit its high-water mark in 1985, and Ontario peaked in 2017. Great Lakes water levels historically fluctuate because of rainfall, increasing runoffs into tributaries and evaporation from the lakes’ surfaces, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Corps' projections are based on the present condition of the lake basin and anticipated future weather. Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario set all-time records in June for high water levels. Lake Superior, meanwhile, hit its high-water mark for June but fell short of the all-time record set in October 1985. "We are in above record territory," said Alex Manion, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in White Lake Township. "We peaked in Lake St. Clair and there's potential to peak above for Lake Huron or get very close... but there's also lots of uncertainty." The bulletin also included the monthly mean water level forecast for the second half of this year. Lakes Superior and Erie set new monthly mean high water levels in May, as did nearby Lake St. Clair. The water kept rising in June and is expected to do so for the three lakes through September. Read more and view images at this link: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/07/07/great-lakes-lake-st-clair-predicted-to-break-water-level-records/1661054001 |
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Port Reports - July 9 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Marinette, WI – Scott Best
Northern Lake Huron
Little Current:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Port Dolomite:
Drummond Island:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Northeast Ohio Ports – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Monday July 8 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 7 - Federal Elbe (Mhl) at 0858, Algoma Sault at 1529, tug Leo A McArthur & John J Carrick at 1615 - Jul 8 - Thunder Bay at 0402, Damia Desgagnes at 0626, Algonorth at 0811, Happy River (Nld) at 1742 and Tim S Dool at 1939
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Toronto:
Bronte:
Oshawa: |
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Answers sought on cause of high Lake Ontario water 7/9 - There is Lake Ontario water in places many people have never seen in their lifetime. It’s over docks and seawalls, on waterfront lawns, inside cottages and businesses and it’s washing away ecologically sensitive sand dunes. States of emergency have been declared, National Guard members have been mobilized, lawsuits have been threatened and elected officials have vowed this can never happen again. But why isn’t anyone — and we’re looking at you International Joint Commission and International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board — doing anything about it? The lake hit its highest level ever recorded — 249.02 feet — on June 2 and crept up to 249.08 feet on June 6, from where it has barely budged since. The previous record had come in late May 2017, just months after the IJC adopted its Plan 2014, the basic plan it follows to regulate Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River levels. Lake and river levels are regulated through releases of water at the Robert Moses-Robert H. Saunders Power Dam in Massena and Cornwall, Ontario. The river board determines outflows following Plan 2014 criterion. Flooding in 2017 prompted cries to repeal or replace Plan 2014, which took 16 years and $20 million to develop. The plan replaced Plan 1958-D, which was in use since 1963, and was designed to provide for more natural water level fluctuations while reducing damage caused by extreme high or low levels, while also restoring wetlands and benefitting recreational boating, two areas not considered in Plan 1958-D. “The bottom line is, there is no plan, nor will there ever be a plan that can prevent the kind of besieging that has gone on in ‘17; it’s going on in ‘19 and has occurred ever since the Seaway project was developed, (including) in the ‘70s and ‘90s,” said Thomas E. Brown, a river board member from Cape Vincent who has been involved in lake regulation since the mid-1980s. “This is not new and we’ll see it again. About every 20 years, Mother Nature says I’m really going to dump on you as far as precipitation and annual snow run-off.” Read more and view images at this link: https://www.nny360.com/top_stories/answers-sought-on-cause-of-high-lake-ontario-waters/article_a7054b90-50e0-57cd-a5f3-007c0caa396e.html |
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Weather radar captures billions of mayflies hatching on Lake Erie 7/9 - Cleveland, OH – It looked like an invasion of Cleveland — and in a way, it kind of was. National Weather Service radar in recent days has captured some dramatic images of billions of mayflies making their annual summer hatch. A particularly stunning June 27 hatch burst onto radar in a sudden, rapidly expanding blob over western Lake Erie. Then the winds moved and scattered the flies off the lake to the southeast. "Radar loop from last night showing ascent and downwind drift of several billion Hexagenia #mayflies over the western basin of Lake Erie. Yes. That is billion with a 'b,'" tweeted Phil Stepanian, a biometeorology research assistant professor at the University of Notre Dame. That was revelatory information for Edward Verhamme, an environmental engineer with LimnoTech whose projects frequently involve the Great Lakes. "I was on Lake Erie yesterday on a research boat … there were massive mats of dead carcasses on the surface of the water. We covered 100 miles yesterday right from Toledo to Point Pelee … great to see what the heck happened the night before," he responded to Stepanian's tweet. The annual mayfly hatch is massive enough that it's possible to see it on weather radar pretty much every year if looking in the correct place, said meteorologist Kyle Klein at the National Weather Service's White Lake station. As inconvenient and yucky as mayflies can be, they are actually a harbinger of good ecological news. The National Weather Service notes that mayflies are sensitive to gross organic pollution such as sewage in waterways. So the flies' thick annual presence is a sign organic pollution isn't present in large amounts. View radar image at this link: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/07/05/mayflies-lake-erie-weather-radar/1658606001/ |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 9
WILLIAM R. ROESCH, renamed b.) DAVID Z. NORTON in 1995, loaded her first cargo in 1973, at Superior, Wisconsin where she took on 18,828 tons of iron ore bound for Jones & Laughlin's Cuyahoga River plant at Cleveland. The BENJAMIN F. FAIRLESS and her fleet mate IRVING S. OLDS passed through the Panama Canal on July 9, 1988, under tow of the German tug OSA RAVENSTURM. The pair was on a 14,000-mile journey to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, arriving there on November 8, 1988, for scrapping by Sing Cheng Yung Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. On 9 July 1876, ST CLAIR (wooden propeller freighter with some passenger accommodations, 127 foot, 326 gross tons, built in 1867, at Algonac, Michigan) had 14 crew and 18 passengers aboard along with cargo of flour, feed and deck loads of cattle as she sailed on Lake Superior. At 2:00 a.m., she caught fire about five miles off shore from 14 Mile Point. She was a wood burner and had a history of shipboard fires. The fire spread so quickly that only one boat could be launched and being overloaded, it capsized. The cries of those left on the vessel, along with the bellowing of the cattle, were heart rending. Only six survived in the one lifeboat since the cold water took its toll on those who clung to it. Eventually they righted the boat and paddled to shore, leaving the ST CLAIR burned to the waterline. On 9 July 1891, W A MOORE (wood propeller tug, 119 foot, 212 gross tons, built in 1865, at Detroit, Michigan) burned to a total loss at Cleveland, Ohio. 1917: The bulk carrier WILLIAM S. MACK collided with the passenger freighter MANITOBA in fog off Whitefish Point and had to be beached. It was subsequently refloated and repaired. The ship was renamed HOME SMITH on October 10, 1917, and last sailed as ALGORAIL in 1963 before being scrapped at Toronto. 1967: The NEW YORK NEWS (iii) and the saltwater ship NORDGLIMT collided off Escoumins, QC, with only minor damage. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series – Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Tug on the way to tow former Cedarglen to scrapyard 7/8 - The ocean-going tug VB Hispania departed Ceuta, Spain, for Montreal on July 4. ETA is July 18, no doubt to take under tow Eda (Cedarglen) for Aliaga, Turkey. VB Hispania towed away from Montreal Enry (Capt. Henry Jackman) on May 22 for Aliaga. Rene Beauchamp |
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Port Reports - July 8 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth - Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors - Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Marinette / Menominee – Korey Garceau
Northern Lake Huron
Stoneport:
Alpena:
Brevort:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit, Rouge River - Raymond H Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Sunday July 7 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal downbound - Jul 6 - Algoma Hansa at 1630 and Baie Comeau at 2253 - Jul 7 - Federal Elbe (Mhl) at 0858, Algoma Sault at 1529, tug Leo A McArthur & John J Carrick at 1615
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Toronto:
Oshawa:
Rochester, NY – Tom Brewer |
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It's not an oil spill, just clumps of dead fish flies floating in the Detroit River 7/8 - Windsor, Ont. – From a distance, it may look like there's been an oil spill in the Detroit River this time of year. But it's nowhere near as serious — it's just smelly. The reddish brown clumps carried by the current are actually dead piles of fish flies. That might make you cringe, but it's actually a good sign. "As much as they smell and get around your house, they're actually a sign that the river is getting healthier," said Peter Berry, harbour master with the Windsor Port Authority. "It's a good sign that the river has the oxygen for it, that the plants are providing the place for it to start out its life." After that, the mayflies die in just a few days. On the bright side they're still beneficial after death, becoming food for birds and fish. "It looks like an oil spill at first glance, so we do get calls saying there's something in the river," said Berry. And Berry has noticed an steady increase in the amount of fish flies over the last 10 years. This year, he says, they're breeding a bit later. "The high water, of course, has eroded many shorelines, the habitats of lots of species as well," said Berry. "Typically we're seeing them earlier in the month of June. Berry said he couldn't think of any negative aspects of fish flies. Oh, except for the people who live near the water and have swarms descend on their neighborhoods. "There's no worse feeling than having the smell of fish in the driveway in the morning and that crunch beneath your feet," said Berry. Get your nose plugs out, he expects fish fly season to last another few weeks. View photos and a video at this link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/clumps-dead-fish-flies-1.5202347 |
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Body recovered from Welland Canal 7/8 - Welland, Ont. – Niagara Regional Police recovered a body from the Welland Canal Saturday morning in Welland after it was spotted by a passing vessel. Police, Welland Fire and Emergency Services firefighters and Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics were called to the banks of the canal at 9:30 a.m. for the report of a person in the water. "A passing ship had contacted (St. Lawrence) Seaway officials when they observed a body on the surface of the water in the area between Lincoln Street and East Main Street in Welland," police said. Welland Fire Chief Brian Kennedy said firefighters launched their boat at the Lincoln Streets before heading north down Welland Recreational Canal and then into the working canal and south to the area the body was found. Kennedy said firefighters were the first to locate the person — the gender and approximate age of the deceased are being withheld until the completion of an autopsy exam — and secured the scene until police arrived. Officers from the marine unit arrived on scene and completed the recovery. Detectives from the Welland detachment and forensic services unit are working with the coroner to determine the cause of death. The autopsy is expected to be completed Monday.
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 8
WILLIAM R. ROESCH, renamed b.) DAVID Z. NORTON in 1995, loaded her first cargo in 1973, at Superior, Wisconsin where she took on 18,828 tons of iron ore bound for Jones & Laughlin's Cuyahoga River plant at Cleveland. The BENJAMIN F. FAIRLESS and her fleet mate IRVING S. OLDS passed through the Panama Canal on July 9, 1988, under tow of the German tug OSA RAVENSTURM. The pair was on a 14,000-mile journey to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, arriving there on November 8, 1988, for scrapping by Sing Cheng Yung Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. On 9 July 1876, ST CLAIR (wooden propeller freighter with some passenger accommodations, 127 foot, 326 gross tons, built in 1867, at Algonac, Michigan) had 14 crew and 18 passengers aboard along with cargo of flour, feed and deck loads of cattle as she sailed on Lake Superior. At 2:00 a.m., she caught fire about five miles off shore from 14 Mile Point. She was a wood burner and had a history of shipboard fires. The fire spread so quickly that only one boat could be launched and being overloaded, it capsized. The cries of those left on the vessel, along with the bellowing of the cattle, were heart rending. Only six survived in the one lifeboat since the cold water took its toll on those who clung to it. Eventually they righted the boat and paddled to shore, leaving the ST CLAIR burned to the waterline. On 9 July 1891, W A MOORE (wood propeller tug, 119 foot, 212 gross tons, built in 1865, at Detroit, Michigan) burned to a total loss at Cleveland, Ohio. 1917: The bulk carrier WILLIAM S. MACK collided with the passenger freighter MANITOBA in fog off Whitefish Point and had to be beached. It was subsequently refloated and repaired. The ship was renamed HOME SMITH on October 10, 1917, and last sailed as ALGORAIL in 1963 before being scrapped at Toronto. 1967: The NEW YORK NEWS (iii) and the saltwater ship NORDGLIMT collided off Escoumins, QC, with only minor damage. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series – Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Ex-Desgagnes vessel changes hands; Oslo Bulk 3 visits Marinette 7/7 - The Tanzanian flag Ethan, laid up at Quebec City since 2016, changed registry lately. She is now registered in Togo, port of registry Lome. A small crew was seen doing some painting. At long last, she will probably leave Q.C. before the end of the summer. She is the ex Mélissa Desgagnés and originally Ontadoc. Oslo Bulk 3 first trip in the Seaway was on June 28 for Valleyfield. After unloading, she went to Sorel to load for Marinette. She reentered the Seaway yesterday. That’s the run Catherine Desgagnes did so many times before her sale. Rene Beauchamp |
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Port Reports - July 7 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney Northern Lake Huron
Meldrum Bay:
Drummond Island:
Cheboygan:
Calcite:
Stoneport:
Alpena:
Brevort:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H. Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Saturday July 6 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 5 - Algonova at 0305, Florence Spirit at 0735, Federal Margaree (Mhl) at 1509, CSL Welland at 1656, Sloman Hermes (Mlt) at 1759 and Algoma Enterprise at 1958 - Jul 6 - Algoma Buffalo at 0026, Grande Caribe (Ame) passenger ship at 0713 from Buffalo, Atlantic Huron at 0721 and Baie Comeau eta 2230
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Clarkson:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 7
July 7, 1939 - The Bureau of Lighthouses was merged into the U. S. Coast Guard. The BURNS HARBOR's sea trials were conducted on July 7, 1980. JEAN PARISIEN (Hull#684) was launched July 7, 1977, at Lauzon, Quebec, by Davie Shipbuilding Company Ltd. for Canada Steamship Lines. Port Weller Drydocks replaced her entire forward section and she was renamed b.) CSL ASSINIBOINE in 2005. The DAVID Z. NORTON sailed on her maiden voyage July 7, 1973, as the a.) WILLIAM R. ROESCH. She sailed light from Lorain to Superior, Wisconsin where she loaded 18,828 tons of iron ore on July 9th bound for Jones & Laughlin's Cuyahoga River plant at Cleveland, Ohio. She now sails as d.) CALUMET. In 1971, the CITY OF SAGINAW 31 went to Manitowoc for a thorough overhaul. While there, a fire broke out July 29, destroying her cabin deck and rendering her useless for further use. The blaze was caused by an acetylene torch, and caused over $1 million in damage. On 7 July 1895, IDA MAY BROWN (wooden schooner, 53 foot, 20 gross tons, built 1884, at Charlevoix, Mich.) was carrying gravel when her cargo shifted in heavy weather. She capsized and later drifted to the beach near Michigan City, Indiana. Her crew was rescued by U.S. Lifesavers. On 7 July 1851, GALLINIPPER (wooden schooner, 95 foot, 145 tons, built in 1846 at Milwaukee on the hull of NANCY DOUSMAN) capsized and foundered in a white squall in Lake Mich. The wreck drifted to a point about 10 miles SSE of Manitowoc, where it sank. 1963: The Canadian coastal tanker SEEKONK first came to the Great Lakes in 1951 on charter to the British-American Oil Co. It was later part of the Irving fleet and caught fire in the galley at Charlottetown, PEI. The ship was pulled from the pier by CCG TUPPER and beached at Governor's Island. The blaze burned itself out but the SEEKONK was a total loss and was towed to Buctouche, NB, and scrapped in 1964. 1970: PRINSES EMILIA made 3 trips through the Seaway for the Oranje Lijn in 1967. It sank as c) BOULGARIA on this date 25 miles off Cherbourg, France, after a collision with the HAGEN in dense fog. The vessel was enroute from Hamburg to Istanbul and 17 on board were lost. 1978: The British freighter BEECHMORE began Great Lakes service in 1959 and returned as c) MANDRAKI in 1971 and d) NAFTILOS in 1973. It was sailing as f) MARI when fire broke out on a voyage from Rijeka, Yugoslavia, to Alexandria, Egypt, on July 7. The ship was beached near Dugi Otok Islands the next day and eventually abandoned. The hull was refloated in 1979 and taken to Split with scrapping getting underway on July 19, 1979 1981: CONDARRELL, upbound below Lock 2 of the Welland Canal, lost power and hit the wall, resulting in bow damage. The ship returned to Toronto for repairs but only finished the season before tying up. The vessel, built in 1953 as D.C. EVEREST, has been unofficially renamed K.R. ELLIOTT by International Marine Salvage. Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Great Lakes high water could hurt shipping, industry warns 7/6 - Duluth, MN – As high water levels persist in the Great Lakes, some shoreline dwellers are putting pressure on officials to open up dams in the East to let out more water, but shipping industry officials in Duluth and Superior, Wis., worry such a move thousands of miles away could have big consequences locally. The Moses-Saunders Power Dam on the St. Lawrence River downstream from Lake Ontario has been increasing the amount of water released into the St. Lawrence Seaway and, eventually, the Atlantic Ocean. Although landowners along the lake would like to see the lake level lowered by releasing more, shipping officials say that would create strong currents in the seaway that would slow or even halt commercial ship navigation, affecting an industry snaking all the way west to Duluth. “It would create a cascading backlog of vessel traffic and delays,” said Duluth Seaway Port Authority spokesman Jayson Hron. “Time is money.” Increasing the outflow for five weeks, under one proposal that had been raised, would cost $9 million in revenue for the businesses in the Port of Duluth-Superior, Hron said. It could mean temporary job layoffs for industry workers. All together in the U.S. and Canada, it could mean $1 billion in lost revenue, he said, citing a 2018 industry study. The International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board, which decides the flow rates across the dam, typically meets weekly. Lakes Erie and Ontario set records last month for high water levels since record-keeping began in 1918, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The board increased the dam’s flow rate in June, letting out a record-high 10,400 cubic meters of water per second. The average daily mean lake level on Lake Ontario declined ever so slightly at the end of the month, going from 249.05 feet on June 25 to 249.00 at the end of the month, said Army Corps spokeswoman Susan Blair. The Ontario water level is expected to go down in July. The decision on how much water to send over the dam is a delicate balance, officials acknowledged. “The Board is doing everything possible to provide all possible relief to Lake Ontario and upper St. Lawrence River residents, while considering impacts throughout the system,” read a statement released in late June. The shipping industry likes high water levels because ships can take more cargo through shallow passage areas. But strong currents can move buoys marking shipping channels and make navigating difficult, if not impossible, industry officials said. Stephen Sydow, operations manager at Daniel’s Shipping Services in Duluth, said any increase that would harm shipping could be devastating to his family’s small shipping company, which handles 10 to 20 saltwater ships a year. “All the local people here and in my business would essentially just stop. … It reverberates because, let’s say for example, one of my ships can’t go and you have to put [the cargo] on trucks, now where would you find 800 trucks?” Sydow said. It could affect the jobs of tugboat operators, line handlers and even garbage collectors, he pointed out. And it could hurt agriculture if it becomes difficult to send grain overseas. “All the stuff, it just stops.” Still, Sydow said, he understands flooding is a problem for landowners along the water. “We have to pay attention to what they’re saying because they’re real people and real towns and cities,” Sydow said. “So there has to be a balance in the middle somewhere.” One big thing everyone will be watching: the weather. “If we get less rain at this point,” Hron said, “that would help alleviate it from everybody’s perspective.” Minnesota Star Tribune |
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Port Reports - July 6 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Sturgeon Bay, WI Northern Lake Huron
Meldrum Bay:
Cheboygan:
Calcite:
Stoneport:
Alpena:
Brevort:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Friday July 5 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 4 - CSL St Laurent at 1012, CSL Assiniboine at 1244, Algoma Harvester at 1517, Algoma Conveyor at 1709 and tug Petite Forte & St Marys Cement at 2059 - Jul 5 - Algonova at 0305, Victory I (Bhs) (ex Saint Laurent-16, Sea Voyager-15, Cape May Light-06) at 0713, Florence Spirit at 0735, Federal Margaree (Mhl) at 1509, CSL Welland at 1656, Sloman Hermes (Mlt) at 1759, Algoma Enterprise at 1958 and, Algoma Buffalo eta 2345
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Clarkson:
Toronto:
Montreal, QC |
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Lake Michigan and Lake Huron fall just a sliver shy of record water level 7/6 - Lake Michigan and Lake Huron rose significantly in June, but still fell just shy of the record high June water level. Great Lakes water levels have been recorded since 1918. The record water level for a given month is the highest monthly average water level. The June 2019 average water level for Lake Michigan and Lake Huron was 581.75 feet. The record average June water level is 581.79 feet. Lake Michigan-Huron missed setting a new record June water level by 0.05 feet, or sixth-tenths of one inch. The miss of the record water level might not seem like much, missing by just over one-half inch. Remember, one inch of water on Lake Michigan-Huron is 800 billion gallons of water. So Lake Michigan-Huron missed the June record water level by a mere 480 billion gallons of water. The two lakes did climb significantly in June. The water level went up 5.6 inches from May’s average water level, which is approximately 4.8 trillion gallons of additional water in one month. The United States Geological Survey states the average person uses 86 gallons of water per day. Based on Michigan’s population, the water added to Lakes Michigan and Huron in June is enough water for every person in Michigan for 16 years. One concept that is hard to grasp is the water level reading. The water level reading at 581.75 feet is just a benchmark number. It doesn’t meant anything with regards to water depth. A water level at one point long ago was just given a number. Now all water level readings compare to that benchmark reading. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are expected to rise another two inches in July and continue to flirt with record high water levels. That’s another 1.6 trillion gallons of water to come in July. M Live |
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Rubber-tire gantry cranes roll through Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor for first time 7/6 - Portage, IN – For the first time in its nearly 50-year history, Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor welcomed general cargo vessel HC Melina carrying a unique shipment of two, large rubber-tire gantry (RTG) cranes destined for the CSX Intermodal Terminals’ facility in Chicago. Once the 68-piece shipment is fully assembled, the RTG cranes will have a span of eight containers wide and with a hoisting height of one over four containers high. The high-performance equipment will replace two older units at the CSX Intermodal Terminals’ Bedford Park facility, which handles domestic and international freight. The port has become well-known internationally for “heavy lift” and “project cargo” because of its ocean access, proximity to the U.S. heartland, and its capability of handling large-dimensional cargo. Federal Marine Terminals (FMT), the general cargo stevedore at Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor, handles commodities including steel, breakbulk cargos, forest products and project cargo, such as wind turbine components and massive beer tanks. FMT’s maximum lifting capacity for a two-crane lift is 199.6 metric tons, or 440,000 pounds, nearing the top of any port’s capabilities in the U.S. Great Lakes or Canada. “The port’s facilities, location and solid infrastructure allow companies to ship cargoes by water directly into the Midwest, significantly reducing the transportation costs and permitting requirements for moving large loads over the highway,” Port Director Ian Hirt said. “Intermodal transport requires all modes to work together seamlessly, and the gantry crane shipment is an example of the efficient transportation attributes and its connectivity in the Midwest.” The rigid and stable steel structure allow precise handling with smooth movements even at high speeds. The upgraded gantry equipment offers high availability, increased productivity, and will produce lower emissions with new diesel technology. The cranes load and offload containers from trains, then place on trucks for final delivery to a warehouse or distribution center. The cranes also stack shipping containers to optimize storage at the terminal. “Our proximity to Burns Harbor allowed us to receive our cargo quickly and efficiently,” said Tom Tisa, head of marketing and strategic development for CSX. “The new cranes are uniquely suited to support our evolving intermodal operations. Their enhanced functionality and durability reinforce our focus on safety and productivity.” The gantry cranes arrived from Liebherr Container Cranes based in Killarney, Ireland and were discharged from the HC Melina vessel by FMT’s shore crane. The cargo was then loaded onto a truck for final delivery in Chicago. The gantry cranes will be assembled over the next two months and be in service by the end of August. American Journal of Transport |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 6
CACOUNA's bow was damaged in a collision with the Greek tanker CAPTAIN JOHN on the fog-shrouded St. Lawrence River July 6, 1971. The CACOUNA of 1964, was repaired by replacing her bow with that of her near sistership the SILLERY, which was being scrapped. Later renamed b.) LORNA P and c.) JENNIFER, she foundered 20 miles Northeast of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on December 1, 1974. Canada Steamship Lines’ ASHCROFT was used to haul ore, grain and coal only on the upper Great Lakes until July 6, 1932, when she was able to enter Lake Ontario through the newly expanded Welland Canal. On that trip ASHCROFT, loaded with grain from Fort William for Kingston, Ontario, was the largest vessel to traverse the canal to date. The keel was laid for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co.'s, GOVERNOR MILLER (Hull #810) in 1937, at Lorain, Ohio, by American Ship Building Company. COLUMBIA STAR set a record for the Head-Of-The-Lakes coal trade. The vessel loaded 70,903 net tons of low-sulfur coal at Superior Midwest Energy Terminal in Superior, Wisconsin, on July 6, 1997. She was renamed b.) AMERICAN CENTURY in 2006. On 6 July 1836, YOUNG LION (2-mast, wooden schooner, 73 foot, 83 tons, built in 1830, at Buffalo, New York) was carrying railroad iron and lumber. About 12 miles from Erie, Pennsylvania, in rough weather, her seams opened and she quickly sank with just her topmasts left above the water. 3 died, but 5 managed to clamber up the masts and hold on until the schooner NEW YORK rescued them. On 6 July 1871, CASTALIA (2-mast wooden schooner, 119 foot, 242 gross tons, built in 1847, as a brig at Sandusky, Ohio) was on her way to pick up lumber at the camp at Bying Inlet, Georgian Bay, when she came too close to Cove Island Reef and stranded in 3 feet of water. Although not badly damaged, she was about a mile from deep water. Tugs could not get to her and she was sailing light, so there was no cargo to lighten. She was stripped and abandoned. She finally broke up in a storm on 12 July 1871. On 6 July 1871, the Detroit newspapers (Detroit Free Press and Detroit Daily Post) both published articles stating that there were rumors on the docks regarding the tug TAWAS having her boiler explode on Saginaw Bay. The rumors originated with sailors from Port Huron and proved to be unfounded. However, in a sense this rumor turned into a prediction since TAWAS did blow her boiler about three years later (14 May 1874) on Lake Huron off Rock Falls, Michigan. At that time 6 crewmembers perished. 1893: ROSEDALE, upbound and light, ran aground off Knife River, Lake Superior, in dense fog and was almost on dry land. The vessel was released July 10 and went to Superior for repairs. It combined Great Lakes and ocean service until sunk in the Bristol Channel, via collision, on April 8, 1919. 1941: RAPIDS PRINCE, enroute from Prescott to Montreal, went aground in an awkward position in the Lachine Rapids and was stuck for 2 months. The 218 passengers were removed in motorboats. 1965: LAKE TRAVERSE, built at Duluth in 1918, sank off Tortuga Island, in the Caribbean after hull plates were sprung. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Port Reports - July 5 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
St. Marys River Northern Lake Huron
Meldrum Bay:
Thessalon:
Spragge:
Port Dolomite:
Calcite:
Stoneport:
Alpena:
Port Inland:
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Thursday July 4 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 3 - Whitefish Bay at 1619, Spruceglen at 1811 and CSL Tadoussac departed wharf 16 - Jul 4 - Belasitza ( Mlt) at 0645, Algoma Niagara at 0846, Evans Spirit at 0936, CSL St Laurent at 1012, CSL ASsiniboine at 1244, Algoma Harvester at 1517, Algoma Conveyor at 1709 and tug Petite Forte & St Marys Cement at 2059
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto: |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 5
PAUL H. CARNAHAN was launched in 1945, as a.) HONEY HILL, a T2-SE-Al World War II tanker, for U.S. Maritime Commission. July 5, 1991 - Charles Conrad announced he had formed a corporation to purchase the Ludington, Michigan, carferry operation from Michigan-Wisconsin Transportation Company. JUSTIN R. WHITING was launched on 5 July 1874, at Langell's yard at the mouth of the Pine River in St. Clair, Michigan. Her dimensions were 144 feet X 26 feet 2 inches X 11 feet 6 inches. Although built to be a self-powered steam barge, she was towed as a regular barge during her first season of operation. IDA CORNING (2-mast wooden barge, 168 foot, 444 gross tons) was launched in East Saginaw, Michigan, on 5 July 1881. She was built for L. P. Mason & Company of East Saginaw. In 1858, her rig was changed to that of a 2-masted schooner. She lasted until abandoned at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, in 1928. 1940: MAGOG, part of convoy HX-52, was hit by gunfire from U-99, torpedoed and sank stern first. The crew was eventually rescued by the Finnish freighter FIDRA. There are conflicting dates for this event but many sources agree on this date for the loss of the former C.S.L. canaller. 1969: The crew of the W.F. WHITE rescued eight from a foundering pleasure boat off Southeast Shoal, Lake Erie. 1973: The British freighter TRELEVAN visited the Seaway in 1961. It caught fire while pumping oil bilge in the engineroom at Halifax as d) BAFFIN BAY and was a total loss. The ship was sold for scrap to Marine Salvage of Port Colborne but resold to Spanish shipbreakers and arrived at Valencia, Spain, under tow for dismantling, on October 4, 1973. 1975: The T-2 tanker NASSAU CAY, formerly the IMPERIAL TORONTO, visited the Seaway in 1960. It was converted to a dry bulk carrier in 1961 and was abandoned by the crew, in sinking condition, as f) NICHOLAS C. some 200 miles off Beira, Somalia, and was not seen again. The ship was enroute from Sorel to Basrah, Iraq, when it ran out of fresh boiler water and had been drifting. 1979: The Swedish freighter MONICA SMITH was built in 1952 and came to the Great Lakes that year. It returned on a regular basis through 1966 and again, as b) MONICA S. in 1967. It sank in the Mediterranean soon after leaving Cartagena, Spain, for Port Said, Egypt, as c) MESSINA II. Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series – Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Woman rescued from Detroit River by workers on J.W. Westcott mailboat 7/4 - Detroit, MI – Police say a woman is recovering after she was rescued from the Detroit River Wednesday morning. Police say they got a call around 8:10 a.m. about a person in the water near the west end of the Riverwalk. Witnesses say the woman was sitting on a bench, talking on her phone, and then she walked to the railing and jumped into the river. "She wasn't smiling or happy," said Detroiter Victoria Armstead, who called 911. "To me, she was floating when I looked, like naw, you can't swim in that. And she drifted way down there." As police were responding to the scene, the crew on the U.S. Postal Service boat J.W. Westcott II spotted the woman floating near West Fort Street and Rosa Parks and pulled her from the water. Police said the woman is OK and was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital for treatment. Police say she's in her 20s. WWJ |
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Port Reports - July 4 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
St. Marys River
Northern Lake Huron
Meldrum Bay:
Bruce Mines:
Drummond Island:
Cheboygan:
Calcite:
Stoneport:
Alpena:
Port Inland:
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss
Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Wednesday July 3 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Port Colborne anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound -Jul 2 - CSL Tadoussac at 0556 stopping wharf 16, Algoma Guardian at 2333 - Jul 3 - USCG Morro Bay at 0847, Whitefish Bay at 1619 and Spruceglen at 1811
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto: |
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Maritime job growth booming in Great Lakes region 7/4 - Jobs related to waterways are booming in the Great Lakes Region according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Local organizations and government officials met recently on the banks of Lake Erie to discuss what impact the domestic maritime industry has on Ohio and the Great Lakes region. Cleveland City Councilman Matt Zone says between 2011 and 2016 the maritime industry has added more than 25,000 jobs across the Great Lakes, but the economic impact doesn’t stop there. “And this booming industry has generated 30 billion dollars of economic activity which led directly to over 8 billion dollars right in the worker income in the Great Lakes States. And we like when that happens because we know they spend their dollars in our restaurants, in our stores and they live and play in our communities.” The Great Lakes region is responsible for 20 percent of all American domestic maritime jobs. WKSU |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 4
July 4, 1996 - The veteran Buffalo fireboat EDWARD M. COTTER, built in 1900, was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U. S. National Parks Service. The WILLIS B. BOYER museum ship was opened to the public at Toledo, Ohio in 1987. She was built by Great Lakes Engineering Works (Hull#82) in 1912 as a.) COL. JAMES M. SCHOONMAKER. Renamed b.) WILLIS B. BOYER in 1969 and COL. JAMES M. SCHOONMAKER in 2011. In 1976, the SAM LAUD grounded entering Buffalo, New York. She was dry docked at Lorain, Ohio, for repairs to bottom plates of No. 1, 2 and 3 port and starboard tanks. Also on this day in 1976, the H. LEE WHITE struck the Algoma Steel plant dock at the Canadian Soo resulting in damage to her stern amounting to $108,000 at the repair yard of Sturgeon Bay. The JOSEPH S. YOUNG, a.) ARCHERS HOPE of 1945, was commissioned July 4, 1957. She was the first of seven T-2 tanker conversions for Great Lakes service. The YOUNG was renamed c.) H. LEE WHITE in 1969 and d.) SHARON in 1974. She was scrapped at Brownsville, Texas in 1986. On July 4, 1953, the JOHN G. MUNSON set a Great Lakes record for limestone by loading 21,011 tons of limestone at Calcite, Michigan. This record for limestone stood until being broken by the Canada Steamship Lines self-unloader MANITOULIN late in the 1966 season. July 4, 1952 - The PERE MARQUETTE 18 of 1911, was laid up due to railroad strike. She was never to operate again and was scrapped at Hamilton, Ontario, in 1957. The wooden propeller freighter MAINE, owned by Northern Transportation Co., had sailed from Chicago and was on Lake Ontario on 4 July 1871, when Fireman Orsebius Kelley stoked the fire at 8 p.m. and went to the porter's room to get a lamp. When he returned, the boiler exploded with such force that Kelley was mortally wounded. The blast also killed Engineer M. H. Downer, deckhand Joshua Kelley (the fireman's brother), Halbert Butterfield (a 13 year old passenger) and his mother. The MAINE still floated after the blast. She was repaired and put back in service. Including this boiler explosion, she had four major mishaps in her career. She sank in 1872, burned in 1898, and finally burned again in 1911. On 4 July 1900, during her maiden voyage from St. Clair, Michigan, to Cleveland, Ohio, the wooden steam barge ALFRED MITCHELL ran aground at Bar Point Light. It was claimed that the steering gear broke which rendered the boat unmanageable. Later that same day the MITCHELL was released by the wrecker SAGINAW. About 9 p.m. on 4 July 1874, the steam barge W H BARNUM, with the schooner THOMAS W FERRY in tow, collided with the bark S V R WATSON near Point Pelee on Lake Erie. The WATSON sank in 28 feet of water. She was raised about two weeks later by the Coast Wrecking Company. July 4, 1958 - The keel for the second of two new bulk freighters for Interlake Steamship Co. was laid at Great Lakes Engineering Works shipyard at River Rouge, Michigan on Wednesday morning June 25. Assigned Hull 302, the ship will be 689 feet long, 75 feet beam and 37-1/2 feet molded depth with a designed maximum cargo capacity of about 24,000 tons. H. C. Downer & Associates of Cleveland did the design work. The ship will be powered by a 6,000 shp steam turbine main engine with coal-fired boilers. Hull 302 was eventually named HERBERT C. JACKSON. Interlake's other new ship, the 710-ft. flagship JOHN SHERWIN (Hull#192) at Toledo, Ohio, joined the Great Lakes bulk cargo fleet in May of that year. 1959: The tug GRAND BANK, pushing a barge, sank in Lock 4 of the Welland Canal and the captain was lost. The vessel, built at New Orleans in 1940 as SST-123, was salvaged and, as of 1997, was operating out of Delta, BC. July 4, 1995 - While the United States celebrated its Independence Day, a small fleet gathered 20 miles off of Whitefish Point in Lake Superior as the bell from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was raised and taken aboard the Purvis Marine Tug Anglian Lady. The bell would later be taken to Michigan State University in Lansing where it would be cleaned with the name EDMUND FITZGERALD applied on the bell once again. The bell was later to taken to the museum at Whitefish Point and put on display as a memorial to remember the 29 men crew. The next day divers placed a new bell inscribed with the names of the 29 men lost in the sinking. 1973: The Liberian flag bulk carrier Florence visited the Great Lakes in June 1973. The ship was outbound when it collided, in fog, with the tanker St. Spyridon, inbound from Venezuela with 32,500 tons of Bunker C oil, off Les Escoumins, QC. Both ships were damaged. All on board were rescued and the two vessels were ultimately repaired. Florence was scrapped at San Esteban de Pravia, Spain, in 1976 and St.Spyridon at Vigo, Spain, as f) Globe Maritima in 1982. Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Denny Dushane, Lake Huron Lore Society, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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BBC Oregon grounds but is refloated in Newfoundland 7/3 - A BBC Chartering cargo ship briefly ran aground in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, Canada on Sunday, but was quickly refloated by the Canadian Coast Guard and a commercial tug. The Canadian Coast Guard confirmed via Twitter that its Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador was informed that the cargo ship MV BBC Oregon had grounded in Bay Bulls harbor. The Coast Guard established an incident command post and deployed an Environmental Response team to the site. The vessel was eventually refloated and towed to safe anchorage in the harbor by CCGS Edward Cornwallis and the tug Beverley M. “There were no injuries or pollution during the incident and we’ll continue to assess next steps regarding the vessel,” the Coast Guard wrote on Twitter. AIS showed the 138-meter-long BBC Oregon, which has been a Great Lakes-Seaway visitor, had arrived from Houston, Texas on June 25. The ship is registered in Antigua and Barbuda. gCaptain |
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Port Reports - July 3 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney Northern Lake Huron
Little Current:
Meldrum Bay:
Bruce Mines:
Thessalon:
Spragge:
Drummond Island:
Port Dolomite:
Calcite:
Port Inland: Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Tuesday July 2 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Port Colborne anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 1 - Algoma Discovery at 0546, Algosea at 0923, Algoma Mariner at 1618 and Industrial Song (Por) at 1938 - Jul 2 - tug Spartan and Spartan II at 0333, Algoma Compass at 0153, Nunalik (Nld) at 0541, CSL Tadoussac at 0556 stopping wharf 16, NACC Argonaut at 0741, Federal Dart (Mhl) at 1350, Federal Cedar to the Port Colborne anchorage and Algoma Guardian eta 2300
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Saginaw River – Todd Shorkey
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss
Oswego, NY – Ned Goebricher Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Tuesday July 2 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Port Colborne anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 1 - Algoma Discovery at 0546, Algosea at 0923, Algoma Mariner at 1618 and Industrial Song (Por) at 1938 - Jul 2 - tug Spartan and Spartan II at 0333, Algoma Compass at 0153, Nunalik (Nld) at 0541, CSL Tadoussac at 0556 stopping wharf 16, NACC Argonaut at 0741, Federal Dart (Mhl) at 1350, Federal Cedar to the Port Colborne anchorage and Algoma Guardian eta 2300
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto: |
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Pier under water: Lake Michigan water levels rise yet again 7/3 - Another week, another increase in the water level of Lake Michigan. The latest update from the US Army Corps of Engineers reveals that water levels on all of the Great Lakes rose again. While the rise from June 21st to June 28th wasn't extreme, it was another rise we didn't need. The water is so high that many piers and jetties are intermittently going under water. This is happening even on days with little to no wave action or wind. Waves were a foot or less Tuesday, and wind was less than 10 m.p.h. Despite this, the south pier at Silver Beach was submerged on and off. So how high is Lake Michigan exactly? The most recent forecast level was 581.96 feet back on June 28th. That's about an inch higher than the level back on June 21st. It's also five inches higher than the average water level from May 28th, and 15 inches higher than the average water level from June 28th of 2018. Lake Michigan-Huron is also two inches higher than the highest monthly record of average for June. Based on the reports throughout June, we could certainly have a new record for month-long average lake levels for the month. That would break the record set back in 1986! We will know whether or not a record was broken once all of the data are analyzed. Looking ahead, Lake Michigan-Huron is expected to rise another inch by July 28th. This means additional beach erosion, coastal flooding, dangerous swimming conditions, and submerged piers and jetties are likely to continue along all Lake Michigan beaches. View images at this link: https://abc57.com/news/pier-under-water-lake-michigan-water-levels-rise-yet-again |
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Port of Muskegon receives first Seaway Pacesetter Award 7/3 - Washington, D.C. – Port of Muskegon accepted its first Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award from the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. In conjunction with Port Milwaukee visiting the Port of Muskegon, Rebecca Yackley, International Trade Specialist at the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC), presented the award to Chuck Canestraight, President of Port City Marine Services, a Sand Products Corporation company based in Michigan focused on marine transportation. Canestraight received the award on behalf of West Michigan Dock and Market Corporation. Over 25 years ago, the Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award was created as a way to help raise awareness to the importance of shipping. The Pacesetter award recognizes U.S. ports in the Great Lakes and along the St. Lawrence Seaway that see an annual increase in international cargo. Muskegon is one of eight ports honored with the award for 2018. This occasion marks the first time that Port of Muskegon has earned the Pacesetter award. Yackley applauded both Canestraight and Cindy Larsen, President ofMuskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, saying, “Earning the Pacesetter Award does not happen by luck – it is achieved because of the hard work, dedication, and vision of the committed team of professionals here at the Port of Muskegon, its committed customers throughout the Western Michigan area and beyond, and the support of the local community.” There has been a growing interest in cruising on the Great Lakes. Many ports are seeing exponential increases in port calls by cruise ships. In addition to an outstanding increase in international cargo, 2019 marks the fourth year that Muskegon has been a port of call for Great Lakes cruise ships. Michigan has more ports than any other state in the region, which is indicative of the critical role that shipping plays in the state’s economy. Great Lakes Seaway shipping is critical to the state’s mining, manufacturing, and energy sectors. Iron ore, limestone, cement, steel, and raw materials such as sand, gravel and salt all move through Michigan’s ports. In the state of Michigan, Great Lakes Seaway shipping supports nearly 26,000 jobs and generates $3.1 billion in economic activity. The estimated economic impact of the Port of Muskegon alone is about $300 million annually. In 2018, the Port of Muskegon handled over 17 thousand metric tons of international freight through the St. Lawrence Seaway System. New to the Port of Muskegon, shipments of bulk magnetite are credited largely for the amount of international freight handled at the Port of Muskegon. Magnetite is a very dense high purity iron ore used in high quality steel making and as a dense aggregate for the medical and energy industry. “The Pacesetter award honors growth in international shipments, which has been vital to our growth and success” said Canestraight. “It’s critical to note that the growth of the Port of Muskegon ripples an effect of economic prosperity for the entire state of Michigan.” |
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Tall Ships Erie 2019 announced as largest tall ships Great Lakes festival 7/3 - Erie, PA – Sail back in time to when eyes were drawn to the sky to view white sails billowing in the lake breeze. Fourteen majestic tall ships and the world’s largest rubber duck will be sailing into Lake Erie this August for the Tall Ships Erie 2019 festival. Starting on Thursday, August 22, view the Parade of Sails as ships from around the world join Erie in this maritime celebration. Tall Ships Erie 2019 is expecting 14 tall ships ranging from Canada’s largest sailing ship, a former WWII minesweeper, and Erie’s very own U.S. Brig Niagara. Hard copy tickets can now be purchased for the festival at the Erie Maritime Museum store. Tickets range from a single day to weekend passes. Both offer all-day access to festival sites, dockside viewing of 14 tall ships and the duck, access to live music and entertainment, educational seminars, children activities, the beer garden, food vendors and vendor marketplace. Deck tours and Day Sails for each tall ship are sold separately from the passes. Day sails are not available for every tall ship. VIP tickets are selling out quick. VIP tickets include access to festival highlights AND deck tours on available ships for the entire festival weekend, complimentary refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, VIP Line-access and VIP Parking. Hard copy tickets are available for purchase in the Erie Maritime Museum store. The Museum Store is open Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. 5 p.m. Call for more information at (814) 452-2744 ext. 208. You can also purchase your tickets anytime online at tallshipserie.org/buy-tickets. |
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Demolitions from Journal of the World Ship Society 7/3 - Vessels with Great Lakes / Seaway connections reported as a casualty or sold for demolition, taken from July 2019 issue of Marine News - Journal of the World Ship Society: Casualties: none reported Demolitions: Arkaim 7 (7610098; Comoros) Lady Fox-12, Elpis-04, Fonnes-03 (1st trip into the Seaway 1989), General Romulo-89 (1st trip into the Seaway 31.08.1989), Fonnes-88 - 3,980 / 1978. bulk carrier. By Tenera Ltd (Joint Venture 'Arkaim' (S/P 'Arkaim'), St Kitts & Nevis, to Bangladesh breakers and arrived Chittagong 27.10.2018 - commenced demolition 01.11.2018 Asstar Trabzon (7362093; Moldova) Lider Safak-11, Catumbela River-04, Ivan Gorthon-01 (1st trip into the Seaway 1982) Bravik-82) 2,746 / 1974. Ro-Ro cargo ship. By CLK Shipping SA, Marshall Islands, to Jaigopal, Ganpatrai, India and arrived 8.10.2018 - commenced demolition 13.10.2018 Report prepared by Barry Andersen and René Beauchamp |
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Help wanted: Fettes Shipping 7/3 - Great Lakes and International Towing & Salvage Company Inc. is looking for Mates and Masters for steady run between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Wages and benefits equal or higher than other marine operators on the Great Lakes. Minimum requirements: Captain - minimum 500 GRT certification and tug and barge Master’s Experience of 5 years minimum. Mate – minimum Watchkeeping Mate certificate and minimum 2 years experience All inquiries to be directed to phone number 905 333-1600, or via email at fettes-glits@fettesshipping.com |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 3
On this day in 1943, the J. H. HILLMAN JR (Hull#524), the 14th of 16 Maritime-class ships being built for Great Lakes Service, was launched at the Great Lakes Engineering yard at Ashtabula, Ohio. After having the stern of the CANADIAN EXPLORER, ex CABOT of 1965, attached, her forward section still exists today as the ALGOMA TRANSFER. The JOHN B. AIRD was christened June 3, 1983, at Thunder Bay, Ontario for Algoma Central Marine, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. U.S. Steel's ROGER BLOUGH was moved out of the dry dock at Lorain, Ohio, on June 3, 1972. In 1954, CLIFFS VICTORY successfully completed her sea trials. FRANK ARMSTRONG departed light from Ashtabula, Ohio, on her maiden voyage in command of Captain H. Chesley Inches June 3, 1943, bound for Superior, Wisconsin, to load iron ore. PATERSON (i) entered service on June 3, 1954, with 440,000 bushels of wheat from Port Arthur, Ontario. She was scrapped at Thunder Bay, Ontario, in 1985. On 3 July 1872, the wooden steam barge MARY MILLS was launched at P. Lester's yard at Marysville, Michigan. On 3 July 1872, GRACE DORMER (wooden propeller passenger & package freight ferry, 71 foot, 66 gross tons, built in 1868, at Buffalo, New York) had just finished loading a cargo of fish at St. James, Beaver Island, when she caught fire and burned. One life was lost. The vessel was rebuilt and lasted until she burned at the bone-yard at Grand Island, New York in 1925. 1964: The A. & J. FAITH, idle at Cleveland and under arrest, was struck by the MIKAGESAN MARU when the latter was caught by a wind gust. The former sustained $5,000 in damage. This ship was sold and renamed c) SANTA SOFIA at Cleveland in August 1964. It arrived for scrapping at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, as d) COSMOS MARINER in August 1970. The latter, a Japanese freighter that made 6 trips to the Great Lakes from 1962 to 1966, was scrapped at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, as b) UNION SINGAPORE in 1979. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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New Soo Locks Webcam coming 7/2 - In a post on social media on Monday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wrote: “We are excited to announce a new Soo Locks Webcam is in the works. We will share the link soon.” The popular Webcams have been off-line for nearly two years. |
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Loss of Bluewater Ferry 'has a significant impact on local community' 7/2 - Port Huron, MI – On the heels of Marine City officials writing for help in reinstating the Bluewater Ferry, at least one lawmaker has joined the surge in hoping federal border personnel return to the international crossing. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters wrote a letter this month to the acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, asking CPB personnel return to Marine City to help reopen the ferry across the St. Clair River in Sombra, Ontario. Earlier this month, Morgan Dalgety said among the things preventing the sale of his family’s ferry from moving forward was what seemed like a reluctance to bring back U.S. manpower. Marine City’s commissioners, mayor and city manager all signed a letter June 6 looking for help and in hopes it’d spur a letter campaign. Peters’ letter came two weeks later — and 18 months after heavy ice flow first collided with the causeway connecting mainland Canada to the Dalgetys’ ferry dock and Canadian Customs building, leaving damage that’s kept the service closed. “As you know, Michigan’s international border is unique in that it is an entirely maritime border and border crossings between Michigan and Canada require significant infrastructure and investment,” Peters wrote. “Prior to damage to the Canadian causeway, Marine City maintained an international crossing for over 40 years.” Dalgety said they believe there’s been a ferry in service over a century. “Consequently, the lack of ferry service has had a significant impact on the local community,” Peters continued. “Marine City ferry traffic has been forced to divert to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron and the Algonac-Walpole Island ferry service, increasing congestion at these locations. He added that when operational, the Marine City-adjacent ferry service was transporting enough commercial vehicles per day, “significantly mitigating delays in local trade and commerce.” Port Huron Times Herald |
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Port Reports - July 2 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney Northern Lake Huron
Little Current:
Meldrum Bay:
Bruce Mines:
Thessalon:
Drummond Island:
Port Dolomite:
Cheboygan:
Calcite:
Stoneport:
Brevort:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio Ports Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Monday July 1 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jul 1 - Algoma Discovery at 0546, Algosea at 0923, Algoma Mariner at 1545 and Industrial Song (Por) at 1938 tug Spartan and Spartan II at ____
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto: |
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Obituary: Robert H. Wolford 7/2 - Bob Wolford, who was influential in bringing the ship now known as the Col. James M. Schoonmaker to the banks of the Maumee River, died on Friday at his home in Port Clinton, Ohio. He was 76. He is believed to have died of a heart attack, said Donna Wolford, his wife of nearly 50 years. In addition to his many years working as a purchasing manager at Owens-Illinois, he also served on the International Park advisory board where he advocated for the City of Toledo to purchase a retired lake freighter and redevelop it into a floating maritime museum. When Float-A-Toledo was organized to handle fund-raising and other details toward that effort in 1986, Wolford was named to its board. In 1987, the city purchased the retired freighter, then known as the Willis B. Boyer, and Wolford volunteered to head the organization that would restore it to a tour-worthy condition. “I think he was proud of that, definitely,” noted Jon Wolford, his son. The Boyer spent years at International Park before it was rechristened in 2011 to its original name, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker, and moved a short distance to a wharf alongside what is now National Museum of the Great Lakes. |
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Obituary: Alexander H. Clarke 7/2 - Alexander H. Clarke, 89, Green Bay, WI, passed away Tuesday, June 25. He enjoyed a long career in shipbuilding as a marine engineer He was born on October, 23, 1929 in Glasgow, Scotland to William and Jean (Liddell) Clarke. He is survived by four children and was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his son, Robert; infant granddaughter, Hannah; and his parents. Burial will take place in Forest Hills Cemetery, Duluth, MN. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 2
In July 2, 1966, the SIMCOE entered service for Canada Steamship Lines. Renamed b.) ALGOSTREAM in 1994, she was scrapped at Alang, India in 1996, as c.) SIMCOE. The railroad carferry TRANSIT was launched at Walkerville, Ontario, on 2 July 1872, at the Jenkins Brothers shipyard. Before noon, Saturday, 2 July 1870, several attempts were made to launch the barge AGNES L POTTER at Simon Langell's yard at St. Clair, Michigan. Nothing happened until 3 p.m. when the vessel moved about 100 feet but still was not launched. The tug VULCAN arrived at 8 a.m. the following day and broke the line on the first attempt to pull the vessel off the ways. A 10-inch line was obtained in Port Huron and at 2 p.m. a second effort only moved the barge about four feet. Finally, on the third attempt, the VULCAN pulled her into the water. The POTTER's dimensions were 133 feet X 27 feet X 9 feet, 279 gross tons and she was built for the iron ore trade. She was named for the daughter of the general superintendent of Ward's Iron Works of Chicago. She lasted until 1906. 1990 CUNARD CAVALIER first visited the Great Lakes in 1978 and returned later that year as b) OLYMPIC HARMONY. The ship went aground off Port Muhammad Bin Asimov, Pakistan, on this date in 1990 as d) VILLA while en route to West Africa. It was abandoned July 13. The hull was refloated November 30, 1990, and arrived at Singapore, under tow, on May 16, 1991. The ship was declared a total loss and reached Alang, India, for scrapping on February 2, 1992. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series, Marine Historical Society of Detroit. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detail |
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Shippers catch a break: St. Lawrence River outflow to remain steady 7/1 - The Duluth Seaway Port Authority and the Chamber of Marine Commerce both hailed a decision Friday not to open the Moses-Saunders Dam wider to increase the flow of water out of Lake Ontario, via the St. Lawrence River. High water levels in Lake Ontario earlier had prompted officials to boost the outflow at the dam to 10,400 cubic meters per second, and there had been calls to release even more water so as to lower Lake Ontario, where water levels remain about 2.8 feet above recent historical norms, stirring fears of erosion. Shipping concerns had warned that opening the Moses-Saunders Dam any further would disrupt vessel traffic and potentially cause navigation buoys to be swept away. The Chamber of Marine Commerce predicted such a move could deal upwards of $1 billion in financial damage to the U.S. and Canadian economies. But on Friday, the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board chose to maintain current outflow levels at the dam located between Massena, N.Y. and Cornwall, Ont. The same body is expected re-evaluate the situation again next Friday. Duluth News Tribune |
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Port Reports - July 1 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the arrival of the James R. Barker on June 30th at approx. 19:10. There is no inbound traffic scheduled for Silver Bay on July 1st.
St. Marys River
Green Bay, Wis.
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Sunday Jun 30 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 29 - Federal Churchill at 1943 - Jun 30 - CSL Laurentien at 0306, tug Sea Eagle II & St Marys Cement II at 0419, tug Everlast & Norman McLeod at 0909,
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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Detroit’s Dossin Great Lakes Museum slated for $5M upgrade 7/1 - Detroit, MI – The Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Detroit’s Belle Isle will break ground on a $4.9 million outdoor enhancement project on Monday, July 1, according to the Detroit Historical Society. The project marks the first time the museum’s entire campus will be used for historical interpretation and recreation. “The Dossin Great Lakes Museum has really been a gem for the city of Detroit and Belle Isle for a long time,” says Elana Rugh, president and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society. “Our exhibits inside the museum are wonderful, and now it’s time to elevate the exterior experience so it matches the level.” The first phase of construction will create a $1.5 million landscape focused on enhancing visitor amenities and is projected to last through November. The museum will add improved signage and placement in its outdoor maritime artifact displays. The anchor from the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald will be highlighted in a Lost Mariners Memorial that will include a garden, custom lighting, and seating areas. The museum also will add a riverwalk and observation telescope, a riverfront event patio, and an upgraded central lawn area, providing spaces for public and private events. Other amenities will include new pedestrian lighting, bike racks, benches, a cycle service station, and a canine refresh station for pets. These improvements coincide with the construction of the Belle Isle section of the Iron Belle Trail, which will pass by the museum entrance. A new kayak launch with a soft shoreline will be constructed to stabilize the existing cove adjacent to the museum, making the Detroit River accessible from the museum for the first time in the museum’s history. Construction on the phase is led by L.S. Brinker Co. with design oversight by SmithGroup. The society is working with the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Belle Isle Conservancy, and others. This phase of construction is not expected to impact the museum’s hours. Three additional phases are expected to be complete by 2021 and include a riverfront connector trail similar in design to the Detroit Riverwalk, construction of a historic landscape that would show the natural setting of Belle Isle before it was developed as a recreational space, and improved access to the museum from The Strand and parking lot from Inselruhe Avenue. The natural setting space will complement the nearby Piet Oudolf garden that is under construction. The society has raised $1.9 million of the total budget and is seeking gifts. More information and renderings are available here. The museum has occupied its site since 1960 and has more than doubled its attendance over the last five years. It underwent renovations in 2013 as part of the society’s Past>Forward campaign. Admission is free, and the museum has one of the largest known collections of scale model ships in the world. The Detroit Historical Society is a private, nonprofit organization in Detroit’s Midtown. It was founded in 1921 and operates the Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. View a rendering at this link: https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/belle-isles-dossin-great-lakes-museum-slated-for-5m-upgrade |
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Today in Great Lakes History - July 1
July 1, 1991 - The automobile/passenger ferry DALDEAN celebrated its 40th year in operation between Sombra, Ontario and Marine City, Michigan. She was built by Erieau Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Erieau, Ontario, for Bluewater Ferry Ltd. Service started between the two communities on July 1, 1951. On this day in 1943, the nine loading docks on Lake Superior loaded a combined 567,000 tons of iron ore into the holds of waiting freighters. At 16:00 hours on July 1, 2005, an explosion hit the Cargill elevator in Toledo, Ohio, which collapsed on one of the silos and fire was found in five of the silos. On July 1, 1940, the HARRY COULBY became the first Great Lakes vessel to load in excess of 16,000 tons of iron ore when it loaded 16,067 tons of iron ore in Ashland, Wisconsin. Renamed b.) KINSMAN ENTERPRISE in 1989, she was scrapped at Port Colborne, Ontario in 2002. On 1 July 1927, ROBERT C. WENTE (wooden, propeller, bulk freighter, 141 foot, 336 gross tons, built in 1888, at Gibraltar, Michigan) burned to a total loss in the St. Clair River. In 1911, she sank in Lake Michigan, but was raised and refurbished. July, 1983 - The C&O sold its remaining 3 car ferries to Glen Bowden and George Towns. They begin operating cross-lake service between Ludington and Kewaunee under the name Michigan-Wisconsin Transportation Co. (MWT) On 1 July 1852, CASPIAN (wooden side-wheeler, 252 foot, 921 tons, built in 1851, at Newport, Michigan) foundered a short distance off Cleveland's piers. Some of her gear and structural material were salvaged in the Spring of 1853, and the wreck was then flattened with dynamite. July 1, 1900, the new wooden steam barge ALFRED MITCHELL started her maiden voyage from St. Clair, Michigan for Cleveland, Ohio, to load coal. She was owned by Langell & Sons. On 1 July 1869, the wooden schooner GARROWEN was carrying coal from Cleveland to Toronto when she sprang a leak and sank in 60 feet of water about 10 miles from shore off Geneva, Ohio. The crew escaped in the yawl. She was only 19 years old and some of the crew claimed that she was scuttled as an insurance scam. However, a number of divers visited the wreck on the bottom of the Lake at the time and that claim was refuted. On 1 July 1875, the iron carferry HURON (238 foot, 1052 gross tons, built at Point Edward, Ontario, with iron plates prefabricated in Scotland) made her trial voyage between Fort Gratiot, Michigan, and Point Edward, Ontario, across the St. Clair River. This vessel served the Grand Trunk Railway and ran between Windsor and Detroit for over a century. In 1876, a 25-square-mile ice field was still floating at the head of Lake Superior in northwest Wisconsin. 1918: The wooden steam barge CREAM CITY stranded on Wheeler Reef in upper Lake Huron due to fog while towing the barge GRACE HOLLAND. All were rescued but the ship was abandoned. The hull caught fire and was destroyed in 1925. 1939: ALGOSOO (i) arrived at Collingwood for hull repairs after hitting bottom, in fog, near Cape Smith, Georgian Bay. 1964: WHITEFISH BAY went aground off in the St. Lawrence off Whisky Island while bound for Montreal with a cargo of grain. Six tugs pulled the ship free on July 3. 1975: VALETTA first came to the Great Lakes in 1962 and returned as c) ORIENT EXPORTER in 1966 and d) IONIC in 1972. The leaking ship was beached at Cheddar, Saudi Arabia, with hull cracks. It slipped off the reef July 11, 1975, and sank. 1972: H.M.C.S. COBOURG was built at Midland as a World War Two corvette and rebuilt as a merchant ship about 1947. It caught fire and burned as d) PUERTO DEL SOL at New Orleans while undergoing repairs and the upper works were gutted. The ship was sold for scrapping at Brownsville, TX, later in the year. 1980: The Swedish-flag freighter MALTESHOLM first came through the Seaway in 1963. It began leaking in the engine room as c) LITO on this date while bound from Kalamata, Greece, to Vietnam with bagged flour. It was abandoned by the crew and then sank in the eastern Mediterranean. The ship had been sold to Taiwan ship breakers and was likely bound for Kaohsiung after unloading in the Far East. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Lake Huron Lore Society, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series – Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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LCS Billings commander removed after hitting merchant ship in Montreal 6/30 - The commander of a Littoral Combat Ship that hit a moored ship in the St Lawrence River in Canada has been removed from command, USNI News has learned. Cmdr. Michael Johnson was removed from command of the yet-to-be commissioned Billings (LCS-15) on Friday, a Surface Force Atlantic spokeswoman told USNI News on Saturday morning. “Capt. Shawn Johnston, commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron Two (LCSRON 2), relieved PCU Billings (LCS 15) Blue Crew’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Michael Johnson, June 28, due to loss of confidence in his ability to command,” Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Hillson told USNI News. “The relief follows the recent allision in Montreal, Canada, which occurred on June 21.” Former Billings commander Cmdr. Nate Rowan, now commander of the blue crew on USS Wichita (LCS-13), assumed command of the ship. Billings was leaving its berth in Montreal, under the assistance of tugs, when the LCS struck the moored bulk carrier Rosaire A. Desgagnes. “Video from the scene shows that Billings was stemming a strong current, and the direction of her exhaust stream suggests that the wind would have tended to set her towards shore,” read a report in The Maritime Executive. Billings is currently pier-side in Montreal as an investigation and damage assessment is ongoing. “Billings sustained minor damage above the waterline. While the ship is able to safely transit to its homeport, Naval Station Mayport, Fla., the ship will temporarily remain in port in Montreal to conduct a full damage assessment. No injuries were reported from either vessel. An investigation into the incident is ongoing,” a Navy spokesperson told USNI News earlier this week. The Navy has released few other details on the incident. The video doesn’t show any lines from the tug attached to the ship and its unclear if a local pilot was in control of the ship when the allision Rosaire Desgagnes with occurred. Last year, LCS USS Little Rock (LCS-9) was stranded for four months in Montreal after being trapped by an iced-over St. Lawrence after departing its commissioning ceremony in Buffalo, N.Y. USNI News |
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Port Reports - June 30 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney Northern Lake Huron
Little Current:
Meldrum Bay:
Bruce Mines:
Thessalon:
Drummond Island:
Port Dolomite:
Calcite:
Stoneport:
Alpena:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Saturday Jun 29 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 28 - NACC Argonaut at 1500, Algoma Enterprise at 1630 - Jun 29 - Algoma Strongfield at 0004, Algoma Sault at 0205, McKeil Spirit at 0929 and Federal Churchill at 1943
Welland Canal docks:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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Port Weller dry docks back in the game 6/30 - St. Catharines, ON – First, it got the Port Weller dry docks back on its feet. Now Heddle Shipyards faces a bigger task — getting the historic St. Catharines yard back on the radar for officials in Ottawa who award ship repair contracts. The federal government is nine years into its $35-billion, 30-year national shipbuilding strategy to renew Canada's fleet of combat and non-combat ships and rebuild the shipping industry. Heddle can compete financially when it bids on contracts. The key now is to convince the government it's up to the task. "It's exciting times for us. I just want to make sure we don't get forgotten about in Ontario," said company president Shaun Padulo. He has met with local politicians and said St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik was "incredibly supportive." He's planning meetings with top officials in several federal ministries. And the Canadian Coast Guard — it operates well more than 100 vessels — is expected to visit the local shipyard for an inspection. Padulo said he understands why Port Weller fell off the map — it was shut down for nearly two years before Heddle moved in and reopened it in 2017. "Now it's our responsibility to show people we are operating Port Weller and doing a good job there." Most of the big projects go to Canadian industry giants like Irving Shipbuilding on the East Coast, Seaspan Shipyards on the West Coast and Davie Shipbuilding in Quebec. That works well for the government because it supports jobs in regions from one end of Canada to the other. Heddle can't compete with companies of that size, but there are smaller projects it wants to land. And Niagara and Hamilton — where Heddle operates a shipyard with about 60 staff — are important to the Ontario economy, Padulo said. "All the facilities I've mentioned, they received massive amounts of government support" over the years in the form of interest-free loans or direct grants, he said. "I don't think (founder Rick Heddle) has ever reached out and or received government support in any way, shape or form." A lobbying effort will, Padulo hopes, "create awareness in Ottawa and let them know we are ready to take on some of these larger projects that we know are going to help resuscitate and revitalize" both shipyards. Chris Bittle, the Liberal MP for St. Catharines, said he is optimistic Heddle can do it. "There's a lot of shipbuilding to be done … there is a need, and they have the capacity," he said. "In St. Catharines we have a history of building ships that is older than the country, and to get that back would be important for the city. "These are great-paying jobs, but it's difficult to keep skilled labour if you can't provide them with a contract 12 months of the year." Shippers like Algoma and Canadian Steamship Lines need a capable, reliable repair yard on the Great Lakes, he said. But getting Port Weller back to that point took some effort. The former operator auctioned off most of its equipment when it went out of business. And there were repairs on the property that couldn't wait — pipes that burst over the winter, electrical upgrades. "We were literally starting from scratch," Padulo said. The company, founded about 30 years ago, started with a go-slow approach: "We made a conscious decision at Port Weller last winter to only take one ship on. "That's because right now, we are still in sort of the 'look at these guys, they've taken over the facility, let's see what they do' stage. So we did not want to fail in any projects we had taken on." This coming winter, he said, "we are hoping to take on one larger drydocking project with steel work, and another drydocking with a new class of ship" which, being more modern, won't require as much repair. What the company wants is to be a viable, year-round operation that works within its means and isn't vulnerable to a boom-and-bust cycle of hirings and layoffs as contracts come and go. Finding new qualified staff can be a challenge, Padulo said: "A lot of the people we're looking for are very skilled trades. "There are welders that are skilled, and then there are marine welders … new steel to old, it's a very difficult process and requires many skills that guys learn over the years." Many of the welders who previously worked at Port Weller have retired or moved on. The company recently hired a vice-president specifically to attract the next generation of skilled workers for Port Weller and Hamilton. She is discussing program ideas with Niagara and Mohawk colleges as a way to grow new talent. In the meantime, Padulo said, "we're bringing people in from Newfoundland to help out because we can't find enough qualified people in Ontario." "We want Port Weller to become a centre of excellence for repair." Currently, the 98-metre Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Pierre Radisson is at the dry docks for three months. As well as making basic repairs, workers are installing a multi-beam sonar system that requires cutting a hole in one of the tanks at the front of the vessel. Padulo is happy with Port Weller's progress so far. About 50 staff work there now, plus sub-contractors. "Algoma Central Corp. has been a huge supporter, we've done three of their ships in the dry docks (in the past year)," he said. "Being a St. Catharines company, they're basically down the street from us. "I think if we do a good job it could be a good, synergistic relationship." The Standard |
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Last day to pre-order new ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ book 6/30 - To mark the 60th anniversary of ‘Know Your Ships,’ a new book, ‘Know Your Ships: Decades,’ will be released this fall. The 240-page book will be hardcover and in a larger format (11” x 8.5”) than the regular Know Your Ships. ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ represents an editors' choice of the best of the many outstanding images that have appeared in the annual Know Your Ships since its founding in 1959. The book also includes a year-by-year timeline of important events on the shipping scene from 60-year Seaway era as well as the major fleet stack markings and house flags. In making this book, nearly 2,000 photographs were considered, and the ones selected were re-scanned to yield the highest quality possible. Pre-ordered books will be autographed and will include a free commemorative reprint of the original, 44-page 1959 Know Your Ships. The pre-order runs to June 30. Books will ship in mid-September. Price is $49.95 plus shipping and tax. Hardcover, high-quality books such as this one are expensive to print. Pre-orders will help determine how many will be printed. There will not be a reprint - once they are gone they are gone. Order at this link: http://knowyourships.com/kysdecades.html |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 30
On this day in 1962, the CLIFFS VICTORY passed down through the Welland Canal to become the first boat in the Cleveland Cliffs Fleet to enter Lake Ontario in 20 years. The CSL ASSINIBOINE was rechristened at Port Weller Drydocks Ltd., on June 30, 2005. She was the a.) JEAN PARISIENNE and the fourth CSL vessel to receive a forebody replacement. On 30 June 1917, while being towed out of the Milwaukee River by the tugs WELCOME and KNIGHT TEMPLAR, the Goodrich Lines’ CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS (steel propeller whaleback passenger steamer, 362 foot, 1,511 gross tons, built in 1893, at West Superior, Wisconsin), with 413 passengers onboard, was caught by the current and swung close to shore. The overhang of her snout-bow sheered off two legs of the water tower of the Yahr-Lang Drug Company and the tower fell onto the vessel, destroying the pilothouse and forward decks. The water from the tower rushed down the length of the upper decks. 16 were killed and over 20 were seriously injured. The surviving passengers were taken to Chicago by train. The vessel was repaired and put back into service the following year. On 30 June 1900, MARIAN TELLER (wooden propeller tug, 52 foot, 33 gross tons, built in 1879, at West Bay City, Michigan) was towing the barge CANTON on Lake St. Clair. The TELLER sprang a leak about one mile from the Lake St. Clair Lightship. The rising water put out her fires. In the scramble to escape, the yawl was swamped and three lives were lost. Only Captain Cornwall and his son were saved when the passing steamer NORWALK picked them up. 1889 WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, a wooden rail car ferry, sinks in the St. Lawrence off Morristown after being swamped. One life is lost but the ship is refloated and repaired. It was renamed MONS MEG in 1910 and served as a drill barge but was abandoned due to its age and condition in 1938. 1940 The Imperial Oil tanker ACADIALITE cuts too close to shore and strands off Cape Hurd of the Bruce Peninsula. The ship received about $100,000 in damage and is repaired at Collingwood. It later sails as IMPERIAL CORNWALL and GOLDEN SABLE before being scrapped at Louiseville, QC about 1980. 1959 TAXIARHIS, a Lebanese flag visitor to the Great Lakes and the West German freighter CARL JULIUS are in a collision 6 miles west of the Eisenhower Lock. The former is most seriously damaged and goes aground with a V shaped dent in the port bow but both were repaired. The former arrived at Piraeus, Greece, for scrapping as d) TONY C. on March 29, 1972, while CARL JULIUS was scrapped as d) MACHIAVELLI at Savona, Italy in 1982. 1962 The GUIDO DONEGANI gets stuck in the St. Lawrence below the Iroquois Lock due to engine trouble. Part of the cargo of corn is lightered to P.S. BARGE NO. 1 and the Italian freighter is refloated on July 1. It is also a Seaway trader as b) PUNTA MESCA beginning in 1970 and as c) COCLERDUE in 1979. This ship arrived at Savona, Italy, for scrapping on June 1, 1981. 1974 KIMIKAWA MARU began Great Lakes trading in 1962 and the Japanese freighter made a single visit each year through 1965. It went aground as b) WELFARE NO. 2 off Navlakhi, India, on this date. The ship later broke in two and sank in shallow water as a total loss. 1980 VILLE DE MONTREAL was engaged in pre-Seaway service to the Great Lakes. It was sailing as c) CHERRY MAJU, enroute from Bahrain to Colombo, Sri Lanka, when it developed a list and drifted aground off Karwar, India. The ship became partly submerged and was abandoned as a total loss. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Mike Nicholls, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Port Reports - June 29 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney Northern Lake Huron
Parry Sound:
Bruce Mines:
McGregor Bay:
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Cheboygan:
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss
Rochester, NY – Tom Brewer Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Friday Jun 28 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point bay anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 27 - tall ship Denis Sullivan (Ame) at 1508 for Toronto, Rt Hon Paul J Martin eta 2156 and Algoma Innovator at 2359 - Jun 28 - Damia Desgagnes at 0728 and Algoma Enterprise at 1630
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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Last days to pre-order new ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ book 6/29 - To mark the 60th anniversary of ‘Know Your Ships,’ a new book, ‘Know Your Ships: Decades,’ will be released this fall. The 240-page book will be hardcover and in a larger format (11” x 8.5”) than the regular Know Your Ships. ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ represents an editors' choice of the best of the many outstanding images that have appeared in the annual Know Your Ships since its founding in 1959. The book also includes a year-by-year timeline of important events on the shipping scene from 60-year Seaway era as well as the major fleet stack markings and house flags. In making this book, nearly 2,000 photographs were considered, and the ones selected were re-scanned to yield the highest quality possible. Pre-ordered books will be autographed and will include a free commemorative reprint of the original, 44-page 1959 Know Your Ships. The pre-order runs to June 30. Books will ship in mid-September. Price is $49.95 plus shipping and tax. Hardcover, high-quality books such as this one are expensive to print. Pre-orders will help determine how many will be printed. There will not be a reprint - once they are gone they are gone. Order at this link: http://knowyourships.com/kysdecades.html |
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Updates 6/29 - The saltie gallery has been updated with the following images: Blair McKeil, Egelantiersgracht, Federal Churchill, Federal Elbe, Fivelborg, Grande Caribe, Hinch Spirit, Industrial Song, Isabelle G, Sider Venture, and Sten Baltic. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 29
On this day in 1946, the tug DALHOUSIE ROVER, Captain J. R. Mac Lean, capsized in the Welland Canal. There were no survivors among the crew of six. On 29 June 1910, ALABAMA (steel propeller passenger/package freight steamer, 272 foot, 2,626 gross tons, built in 1909, at Manitowoc, Wisconsin) made her first trip in regular service for the Goodrich Line from Chicago to Grand Haven and Muskegon. She ran opposite the VIRGINIA. Cut down to a barge in 1961, she was scrapped in La Salle, Ontario, in 2006. On 29 June 1902, GEORGE DUNBAR (wooden propeller freighter, 134 foot, 238 gross tons, built in 1867, at Allegan, Michigan) was loaded with coal when she was damaged by a sudden squall on Lake Erie near Kelley’s Island and sank. Seven of the crew elected to stay aboard while the skipper, his wife and daughter made for shore in the lifeboat. Those three were saved but the seven perished on a makeshift raft. The CHARLES M. SCHWAB (Hull#496) was launched in 1923, at Cleveland, Ohio, by the American Ship Building Co., for the Interlake Steamship Co. Lengthened with a new mid-body and repowered with the stern section of the tanker GULFPORT in 1961. Sold Canadian in 1975, renamed b.) PIERSON DAUGHTERS and c.) BEECHGLEN in 1982. Scrapped at Port Maitland, Ontario, in 1995. On June 29, 1962, the HAMILTONIAN began her maiden voyage for Eastern Lake Carriers (Papachristidis Co. Ltd.). Renamed b.) PETITE HERMINE in 1967. Purchased by Upper Lakes Shipping in 1972, renamed c.) CANADIAN HUNTER. Scrapped at Alang, India in 1996. The JOSEPH L. BLOCK was christened on June 29, 1976, for Inland Steel Co. The Canadian schooner DUNSTOWN arrived at Malden, Ontario, on 29 June 1875, to be put in place as a lightship. Her sides were painted in large white letters: BAR POINT LIGHTSHIP. On 29 June 1864, ALVIN CLARK (2-mast wooden schooner, 113 foot, 220 tons, built in 1846, at Truago (Trenton), Michigan) foundered in a terrific squall off Chambers Island on Green Bay. Two of the crew were rescued by the brig DEWITT, but three lost their lives. In 1969, a schooner identified as the CLARK was raised at great expense and put on display for some time at Marinette, Wisconsin, then at Menominee, Michigan. The hull gradually deteriorated and was dismantled in May 1994. 1934: The retired wooden schooner LYMAN M. DAVIS was torched as a spectacle off the Sunnyside Amusement Park at Toronto and it burned to the waterline. 1962: The Swedish freighter AMACITA was beached in sinking condition after hitting a shoal in the St. Lawrence near Brockville. It was refloated and towed to Kingston for hull and rudder repairs. The 10,137 gross tons vessel also visited the Seaway as b) HERVANG in 1965 and arrived at Gadani Beach, Pakistan, as f) MALDIVE PIONEER on January 5, 1984, for scrapping. 1966: Two Canada Steamship Lines ships, LEMOYNE and MARTIAN, were in a collision while passing at Welland and the former struck the Main Street Bridge during rush hour. The ships only received minor damage, but land and Welland Canal traffic were held up. 1994: The tug A.F. FIFIELD was built at Port Dalhousie by Port Weller Dry Docks in 1955 and sank in the Gulf of St. Lawrence as c) J. MANIC while towing a barge from Sept Iles to Port Cartier. All on board were rescued. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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U.S.-flag cargo movement on lakes tops 10 million tons in May 6/28 - Cleveland, OH - – U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) moved 10.6 million tons of cargo in May, an increase of 11.9 percent from last year. The May float was ahead of the month’s 5-year average by 8.4 percent. Iron ore cargos for steel production totaled 5,590,145 tons, an increase of 677,194 tons from May of 2018. Coal shipments were little changed from a year ago. Loadings totaled 1,381,110, a decrease of 24,879 tons, roughly one cargo of a mid-sized self-unloader. Limestone loads totaled 3,120,416 tons, a gain of 12.6 percent from a year ago. Year-to-date U.S.-flag carriage stands at 22.4 million tons, an increase of 18.6 percent compared to the same point in 2018. Iron ore cargos total 13.3 million tons, an increase of 13.7 percent. Coal loadings total nearly 3 million tons, an increase of 32.7 percent. Limestone cargos now top 4 million tons, an increase of 19.6 percent. Lake Carriers’ Association |
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Coast Guard ends voyage of vessel operating illegally on Lake Michigan near Chicago 6/28 - Chicago, IL – The Coast Guard terminated the voyage of an illegal passenger vessel operating on Lake Michigan near Chicago in violation of a prior Captain of the Port Order, Saturday. A Coast Guard boarding team from Coast Guard Station Calumet Harbor, in partnership with Illinois Department of Natural Resources, conducted a recreational boating safety exam of the vessel, Another Dream, in Monroe Harbor. The vessel’s voyage was terminated by the Coast Guard after it was found to be operating again as an illegal charter with 13 passengers for hire, in addition to the vessel's owner. Another Dream was previously served with a Captain of the Port Order by the Coast Guard in 2018, prohibiting the vessel from being used as a commercial passenger vessel. In addition to violating its Captain of the Port Order, the operator was serving as captain without proper credentials, the vessel was missing required documentation, and the vessel had expired visual distress signals. The Coast Guard is committed to ensuring all commercial boats carrying passengers meet federal safety standards. On December 20, 1993, the Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993 established for the first time the definition of a passenger for hire and required many vessels operating as a charter to be inspected by the Coast Guard as a commercial passenger vessel. Anyone concerned about the status of a boat they would like to hire, charter or rent, or if they are aware of an illegal passenger vessel operation, can contact Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Chicago’s Inspections Division at SMBMSUChicago@uscg.mil or call (630) 986-2155. USCG |
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Port Reports - June 28 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney Northern Lake Huron
Meldrum Bay:
Bruce Mines:
McGregor Bay:
Parry Sound:
Alpena: Wednesday; 22:29 Samuel De Champlain departed for McGregor Bay.
Stoneport: Calcite: Wednesday 23:46 Philip R Clarke departed for Buffington. Thursday; 10:11 Dorothy Ann and Pathfinder arrived to load limestone. 11:45 Defiance and barge Ashtabula arrived to load. 14:35 Kaye E Barker arrived and went to anchor.
Port Dolomite:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Monroe, MI – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss 6/27 departures: Manitowoc from Cleveland to Toledo, Cason J. Callaway from Ashtabula to Port Inland and the Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin from Sandusky to Hamilton. Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Thursday Jun 27 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point bay anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 26 - brig Niagara (Ame) departed wharf 16 at 1038 (stopping at wharf 16) and tug Leo A McArthur & John J Carrick at 1721 - Jun 27 - Algoma Compass at 0621, CSL Niagara at 1227, tall ship Denis Sullivan (Ame) at 1508 for Toronto, Rt Hon Paul J Martin eta 2140 and Algoma Innovator eta 2320
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Toronto: |
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Obituary: Captain Klaus A, Mueller 6/28 - Captain Klaus A, Mueller (1947-2019) passed away Tuesday June 11th at the age of 72. Many years a Montreal harbor pilot, Captain Mueller's professionalism and service to the Canadian shipping industry will be missed. He is survived by his wife Petra. |
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Obituary: John Harold Hewetson 6/28 - Master Mariner John Harold Hewetson, 77, died suddenly as a result of a workplace injury Wednesday June 26. He was first mate on the Tim S. Dool of the Algoma Central Corporation. He began his mariner career in 1958, at the age of 17, graduating from Trinity House, Hull, England. In 1972, his passion for the sea brought John, wife Carole and family to Canada. His career spanned 60 years, with the past 25 working for Algoma Central Marine Donations in his memory may be made to Winchester District Memorial Hospital foundation (www.wdmhfoundation.ca). |
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Last week to pre-order new ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ book 6/28 - To mark the 60th anniversary of ‘Know Your Ships,’ a new book, ‘Know Your Ships: Decades,’ will be released this fall. The 240-page book will be hardcover and in a larger format (11” x 8.5”) than the regular Know Your Ships. ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ represents an editors' choice of the best of the many outstanding images that have appeared in the annual Know Your Ships since its founding in 1959. The book also includes a year-by-year timeline of important events on the shipping scene from 60-year Seaway era as well as the major fleet stack markings and house flags. In making this book, nearly 2,000 photographs were considered, and the ones selected were re-scanned to yield the highest quality possible. Pre-ordered books will be autographed and will include a free commemorative reprint of the original, 44-page 1959 Know Your Ships. The pre-order runs to June 30. Books will ship in mid-September. Price is $49.95 plus shipping and tax. Hardcover, high-quality books such as this one are expensive to print. Pre-orders will help determine how many will be printed. There will not be a reprint - once they are gone they are gone. Order at this link: http://knowyourships.com/kysdecades.html |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 28
On this day in 1955, the 456 foot WYCHEM 105, a.) SAMUEL F. B. MORSE, was loaded with sand at the B&O docks in Lorain and towed to Rocky River, Ohio where she was sunk as a temporary breakwall. She was later raised and taken to Bay Ship Building Co, and became a barge for the Roen Steamship Co. fleet. In the early 1970s, most of the hull was scrapped, except for two sections of the bottom, which were used for scows around Sturgeon Bay until the 1980s. On this day in 1957, the JOSEPH S. YOUNG departed Manitowoc, Wisconsin on her maiden voyage. She traveled in ballast to Port Inland, Michigan to load a cargo of stone. The YOUNG was the a.) ARCHERS HOPE, A T2-SE-A1 tanker, converted to Great Lakes service at Maryland Shipbuilding and Drydock, Baltimore, Maryland. Renamed c.) H. LEE WHITE in 1969, and d.) SHARON in 1974. Scrapped at Brownsville, Texas in 1986. On June 28, 1938, at 8:50 a.m., the WILLIAM A. IRVIN departed Duluth with her first cargo of iron ore for Lorain, Ohio. 48 years later, in 1986, almost to the minute, the WILLIAM A. IRVIN opened as a museum to the public. The ATLANTIC SUPERIOR arrived at the Algoma Steel Plant, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on her maiden voyage in 1982, with a load of taconite but before she was unloaded christening ceremonies were conducted there. The SAM LAUD ran aground June 28, 1975, on a shoal south of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, with a cargo of coal from Chicago, Illinois for Green Bay, Wisconsin. Six-thousand tons of coal were off-loaded the next day into the NICOLET, a.) WILLIAM G. MATHER, before she could proceed to Green Bay along with the NICOLET to discharge cargoes. SAM LAUD entered the dry dock at Sturgeon Bay on July 3rd for repairs. She had suffered extensive bottom damage with leakage into seven double bottom tanks and the forepeak. She returned to service on August 21, 1975. On 28 June 1893, JAMES AMADEUS (wooden propeller tug, 65 foot, 44 gross tons, built in 1872, at Cleveland, Ohio) sprang a leak and foundered near Cleveland, Ohio. Her crew abandoned her just before she went down. On 28 June 1909, TEMPEST (wooden propeller bulk freighter, 138 foot, 370 gross tons, built in 1876, at Grand Haven, Michigan) burned to a total loss while unloading coal at the Galnais Dock at Perry Sound, Ontario. She was consumed very quickly and six of her crew were killed. 1923 The PHILETUS SAWYER sinks in the Detroit River off Windmill Point after a collision with the HARRY R. JONES. 1960 DIVINA sustained heavy damage to the portside after striking a pier of the Prescott-Ogdensburg Bridge along the St. Lawrence. The Norwegian freighter had been a Great Lakes visitor since 1952 and was scrapped as d) PETROL 20 at Eleusis, Greece, in July 1984. 1970 CASTOR, enroute from Japan to Chicago with automobiles and steel products, sinks in the Pacific after a collision with the ORIENTAL HERO two days out of Yokohama. All 38 on board are saved. The ship dated from 1960 and first came through the Seaway in 1966. 1979 STAR GERANTA, a Seaway visitor in 1966 and a return caller as d) REGAL SWORD in 1977, sinks in the Atlantic off Cape Cod, MA after a collision in fog with the EXXON CHESTER. 1987 The small tanker NADY was built at Rochester, NY as the army tanker Y-86 in 1944 and returned to the Great Lakes as b) NADY in 1953 and again in 1955. It was abandoned, in leaking condition as d) ELENI S. while inbound 12 miles off the Lagos, Nigeria, breakwall. Water is entering the engineroom and the ship settles in shallow water. (One source suggest this may have occurred 2 days earlier) 2005 CSL NIAGARA loses power and goes aground in the American Narrows of the St. Lawrence while upbound with a cargo of coke. The ship is holed in the forepeak but soon released and repaired. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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The Poe Lock reaches a half-century of operation 6/27 - Often cited as one of the most integral parts of the United States’ entire economic infrastructure, the modern-day Poe Lock is celebrating 50 years of providing the means for massive freighters to traverse into and out of Lake Superior. The current Poe Lock measures 1,200 feet long, 110 feet wide and 32 feet deep. When a 1,000-foot freighter passes through the St. Marys River it has to be locked through the Poe. It serves as the newest and most frequently used member of the Soo Locks along with the MacArthur and the dormant Sabin and Davis Locks. “The Poe is the largest lock we have on-site and the only one that can handle boats longer than 730 feet long,” said United States Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger Michelle Briggs. “There are only a handful of American cargo vessels on the Great Lakes that are small enough to fit in the MacArthur Lock, so the steady shipment of raw materials to ports on the lower lakes depends on the Poe Lock.” According to a recent United States Army Corps of Engineers economic vitality study, the Poe Lock handles 89 percent of the tonnage that passed through the Soo Locks and on average has 60 million tons of cargo (mostly taconite) that passes through it annually. Originally built as the third Soo Lock in 1896 to replace the State Lock, the Poe, engineered by Orlando Poe, was once the largest lock in the word measuring 800 feet long and 100 feet wide. As ships began to exponentially grow throughout the first half of the 20th century, and with the Saint Lawrence Seaway opening allowing passage into the Great Lakes, the need for an even larger lock grew. Planning began in 1958 to replace the first Poe Lock with a larger and deeper chamber. Once construction on the rebuild wrapped in 1968 it was officially christened with a ceremony on June 26, 1969. The then-647 feet long (now 767) Phillip R. Clarke was the first vessel to be locked through the Poe on that June day. Four years later, the first 1,000-foot-long freighters passed through it. “Visitors are always impressed with the size of the 1,000 footers as they glide into the Poe Lock. They are even more amazed to learn how tightly they fit in that lock. The freighters are 105 feet wide and the lock is 110,” explained Briggs. With Soo Locks Engineers Day right around the corner on Friday, upwards of 10,000 visitors will have a chance to check out the mighty Poe Lock and see it in action. US Army Corps of Engineers |
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Shippers say high water levels could wash away more than $1 billion in revenues 6/27 - Montreal, QC – Shippers and port operators say rising water levels in the St. Lawrence Seaway could cost the economy more than $1 billion. A new study from the Chamber of Marine Commerce warns that opening the floodgates further at a dam in Cornwall, Ont., would wash away between $1 billion and $1.75 billion in revenue for businesses on both sides of the border. A board of control recently increased the flow at the Moses Saunders Dam to allow more than 10,400 cubic metres of water per second out of Lake Ontario, an exceptionally high rate that follows heavy spring snow melt and rains and record water levels on several Great Lakes. The rapid outflow interrupts navigation on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Bruce Burrows, president of the Chamber of Marine Commerce, estimates it costs businesses up to $4 million for every day it’s in place. Burrows approves of the increased outflow — which the board opted to maintain on Friday — due to flood problems for homeowners upstream, but says a study into water levels and their causes is needed along with a resiliency plan. Lake Ontario rose to nearly 90 centimetres above average this spring, reaching a record 75.92 metres above sea level before stabilizing recently. Lakes Erie and Superior also hit record heights. The Canadian Press |
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Port Reports - June 27 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON Northern Lake Huron
Meldrum Bay:
Parry Sound:
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Port Dolomite:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Wednesday Jun 26 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Point bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - brig Niagara (Ame) at 1938 (stopping at wharf 16), and Algoma Conveyor at 2129 - Jun 26 - Algoma Niagara at 0313 and tug Leo A McArthur & John J Carrick at 1721
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson: |
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Port Milwaukee wins top honors for communications 6/27 - American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) announced this week that Port Milwaukee earned its 2019 Overall Award of Communications Excellence. The honor is based on Port Milwaukee’s “exemplary communications projects and programs” among ports with marketing budgets of less than $300,000 annually. “The Communications Awards Program judges told us that this year’s entries set a new, higher standard of excellence than ever before,” said Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO. “This competition helps our member ports by rewarding strategic communications through peer-reviewed analyses of their programs and projects, and by showcasing best practices and lessons learned.” Both the Port of San Diego and Port of New Orleans won Overall Excellence awards among ports with larger marketing budgets. “Port Milwaukee does significant work to promote trade and commerce in this region,” Port Milwaukee Director Adam Schlicht said. “We have prioritized our marketing efforts over the past year, and I am particularly proud of our new website, portmilwaukee.com. We are increasing awareness of the value Port Milwaukee brings to the transportation sector and to the people of Milwaukee.” AAPA represents 130 leading seaports in the Western Hemisphere and is recognized as the “unified voice of seaports in the Americas.” Overall Award of Communications Excellence winners will receive their trophy in a special awards presentation at the 108th AAPA Convention and Expo, being held Oct. 13-16 in Norfolk, Va. Port Milwaukee is an economic entity of City government governed by the seven-member Board of Harbor Commissioners, a panel appointed by Mayor Tom Barrett and confirmed by the Common Council. It administers operations on the 467 acres that make up the Port. It promotes shipping and commerce throughout the region by providing access to domestic and international ships, rail, and over-the-road transportation. |
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Last week to pre-order new ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ book 6/27 - To mark the 60th anniversary of ‘Know Your Ships,’ a new book, ‘Know Your Ships: Decades,’ will be released this fall. The 240-page book will be hardcover and in a larger format (11” x 8.5”) than the regular Know Your Ships. ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ represents an editors' choice of the best of the many outstanding images that have appeared in the annual Know Your Ships since its founding in 1959. The book also includes a year-by-year timeline of important events on the shipping scene from 60-year Seaway era as well as the major fleet stack markings and house flags. In making this book, nearly 2,000 photographs were considered, and the ones selected were re-scanned to yield the highest quality possible. Pre-ordered books will be autographed and will include a free commemorative reprint of the original, 44-page 1959 Know Your Ships. The pre-order runs to June 30. Books will ship in mid-September. Price is $49.95 plus shipping and tax. Hardcover, high-quality books such as this one are expensive to print. Pre-orders will help determine how many will be printed. There will not be a reprint - once they are gone they are gone. Order at this link: http://knowyourships.com/kysdecades.html |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 27
On 27 June 1892, in rain and fog, the FRED A. MORSE (wooden schooner, 182 foot, 592 gross tons, built in 1871, at Vermilion, Ohio) was being towed downbound by the HORACE A. TUTTLE (wooden propeller freighter, 250 foot, 1,585 gross tons, built in 1887, at Cleveland, Ohio) about 12 miles southeast of Thunder Bay on Lake Huron, both carrying loads of iron ore. At the same time, JOHN C. PRINGLE (wooden propeller freighter, 173 foot, 474 gross tons, built in 1880, at Detroit, Michigan) was sailing upbound in that vicinity with a load of coal and Italian marble with the schooners HARRISON, SWEETHEART and SUNSHINE in tow. At 1:30 a.m., the PRINGLE collided with the schooner MORSE, which sank in less than 15 minutes. The crew made it to the TUTTLE in the lifeboat, although one woman was badly injured. The PRINGLE's bow was stove in, her deck planks forward were split and spread, her bulwarks torn away, and her anchors and foremast were lost. She cast off her tow and made for Alpena, Michigan, where she arrived later in the day. At 4:04 p.m. on 27 June 1890, the Beatty Line's MONARCH (wooden propeller passenger-package freight steamer, 240 foot, 2,017 tons) was launched at Sarnia, Ontario. The launching was watched by numerous people on the decks of various steamers and on both sides of the St. Clair River. The MONARCH was built of white oak and braced with iron. She had 62 staterooms Package freighter CHIMO (Hull#662) was launched in 1967, at Lauzon, Quebec by Davie Shipbuilding Ltd., for Canada Steamship Lines Ltd. In 1983, CHIMO's stern was attached to the bow and cargo section of the HILDA MARJANNE to create the CANADIAN RANGER. WILLIAM EDENBORN (Hull#40) (steel propeller freighter, 478 foot, 5,085 gross tons) was launched at West Bay City, Michigan by West Bay City Ship Building Co. for the American Steamship Co., Duluth (A. B. Wolvin, mgr.) on 27 June 1900. PRETORIA (3-mast schooner-barge, 338 foot, 2,790 gross tons) was launched at J. Davidson's yard (Hull #94) in West Bay City, Michigan on 27 June 1900. Mr. Davidson built her for his own fleet. She was one of the largest wooden vessels ever built and lasted until September 1905, when she sank in Lake Superior. 1916 JAMES J. HILL collided with the wooden steamer PANTHER in fog off Parisienne Island, Lake Superior and held its position so all of the crew could come safely aboard before their ship sank. 1952 WOODFORD, enroute from Quebec City to Europe, received major damage in a collision off Ile Verte, near the mouth of the Saguenay River, with the pulpwood laden canaller JOHN A. FRANCE. The former, a British freighter, was holed and leaking and the crew was taken off to the BIRCHTON. The damaged WOODFORD was towed back to Quebec City and almost sand at the dock but was kept afloat and repaired. It was a Seaway visitor in 1960 and was scrapped at Shanghai, China, in 1978 as d) WOOSUNG. 1954 WILCOX, a former minesweeper that was rebuilt for passenger and freight service down the St. Lawrence from Montreal, was blown ashore at Potato Bay, Anticosti Island, and was a total loss. The remains of the hull are still there. 1982 CLIO, a West German freighter, made 12 trips to the Great Lakes from 1959 to 1965. It arrived at Callao, Colombia, with engine damage as e) SUNLIGHT on this date in 1982 and was abandoned as a total loss. An apparent effort to repair the engine was not completed and the ship was eventually scrapped. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Scrap tow updates 6/26 - Tug VB Hispania has arrived in Aliaga, Turkey, where it was dropping off the former Capt. Henry Jackman at the scrapyards there. Additionally, the offshore supply vessel Highland Eagle is enroute to Montreal. She is expected to tow the Eda, ex Cedarglen, to Aliaga. John Tokarz |
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U.S. combat ship Billings hits freighter in Canada 6/26 - As it got underway, an advanced U.S. Navy combat ship struck a berthed freighter in Montreal, leaving both ships damaged, but their crews uninjured. The Freedom-class littoral combat ship, slated to be commissioned as the U.S.S. Billings, hit the Rosaire A. Desgagnés about 2:00 p.m., said Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Hillson, a Navy spokesperson. The 378-foot-long Billings sustained damage under the waterline. The damage to the Rosaire, a 452-foot dry bulk vessel owned by Quebec-based Transport Desgagnés, was unknown. The Billings was getting underway with the assistance of tugs. The Navy is investigating the incident. “The Navy is conducting an investigation to understand what happened and why,” Hillson said. “We will incorporate lessons learned to ensure we conduct safe and effective operations.” While the Billings was capable of continuing to its Florida homebase, Naval Station Mayport, it remained it Montreal as of June 24 for additional damage assessment. The Billings, launched in 2017, is among the newest ships in the Navy’s fleet. The $362 million Freedom class combat boats are billed as high-tech, cost-effective surface warfare vessels suited for modern defense needs. The stealthy ships have been plagued by a host of issues, which have kept them from going operational. The Rosaire, delivered in 2007, was built by Volharding Shipyards in the Netherlands, in collaboration with Jiangzhou Shipyard in China. It can hold 665 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), with a capacity of nearly 16,000 cubic meters. Desgagnés Group could not be reached for comment. It has 23 vessels in its fleet. Freight Waves |
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Port Reports - June 26 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
St. Marys River
Green Bay, WI
Sturgeon Bay, WI Northern Lake Huron
Bruce Mines: Spragge: Tuesday; 9:41 Mississagi arrived to unload limestone and departed at 14:45
Meldrum Bay:
Midland:
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Port Dolomite:
Port Inland:
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss
Buffalo, NY – Craig T. Speers Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Tuesday Jun 25 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 24 - Algoma Guardian at 1441, Sten Baltic (Nor) at 1813, brig Niagara (Ame) at 1938 (stopping at wharf 16), Algoma Sault at 1843 and Algoma Conveyor at 2129 - Jun 25 - Radcliffe R Latimer at 0435, Federal Columbia (Mhl) at 0841 and Algoma Spirit at 1101
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Oswego, NY – Ned Gobricher |
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Last week to pre-order new ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ book 6/26 - To mark the 60th anniversary of ‘Know Your Ships,’ a new book, ‘Know Your Ships: Decades,’ will be released this fall. The 240-page book will be hardcover and in a larger format (11” x 8.5”) than the regular Know Your Ships. ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ represents an editors' choice of the best of the many outstanding images that have appeared in the annual Know Your Ships since its founding in 1959. The book also includes a year-by-year timeline of important events on the shipping scene from 60-year Seaway era as well as the major fleet stack markings and house flags. In making this book, nearly 2,000 photographs were considered, and the ones selected were re-scanned to yield the highest quality possible. Pre-ordered books will be autographed and will include a free commemorative reprint of the original, 44-page 1959 Know Your Ships. The pre-order runs to June 30. Books will ship in mid-September. Price is $49.95 plus shipping and tax. Hardcover, high-quality books such as this one are expensive to print. Pre-orders will help determine how many will be printed. There will not be a reprint - once they are gone they are gone. Order at this link: http://knowyourships.com/kysdecades.html |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 26
On this day in 1942, the LEON FRASER, Captain Neil Rolfson, completed her maiden voyage and delivered a record cargo of 16,414 tons of ore to Conneaut. The downbound trip only required 67.5 hours and broke the record of 15,218 tons set by the Canadian freighter LEMOYNE 15 days earlier. The FRASER was shortened and converted to a bulk cement carrier in 1991, and sails today as the b.) ALPENA. On this day in 1969, the new Poe Lock was dedicated and opened to traffic. The first boat to transit the new lock was the PHILIP R. CLARKE. Captain Thomas Small, a 95-year old retired Pittsburgh captain, was at the wheel of the CLARKE. Thomas Small was also at the wheel of the COLGATE HOYT the first boat to transit the original Poe Lock on August 4, 1896. On 26 June 1890, the SKATER (wooden propeller excursion steamer, 85 foot, 65 gross tons, built in 1890, at Detroit, Michigan) burned to the water’s edge about 20 miles north of Manistee, Michigan. The crew did not even have time to save their clothes, but they all escaped unharmed. The SKATER had just been fitted out for the season and had started her summer route on Traverse Bay. She was rebuilt in Cleveland and lasted until 1942, when she was abandoned at Michigan City, Indiana. On 26 June 1895, the GEORGE FARWELL (wooden propeller steam barge, 182 foot, 977 gross tons) was launched by Alexander Anderson at Marine City, Michigan. After leaving the ways, she looked like she would capsize, but she righted herself. About 500 people watched the launch. She was taken to the Atlantic Coast in 1900. She only lasted until 1906, when she stranded on Cape Henry, Virginia and was a total loss. On 26 June 1867, WATERS W. BRAMAN (wooden propeller tug, 89 tons, built in 1858, at Boston, Massachusetts, for the U.S.Q.M.C. and named RESCUE) was near Pelee Island in Lake Erie when fire started in her coal bunker and quickly spread. Her crew abandoned her in the yawl and were later picked up by the propeller TRADER. She had been sold by the Quartermaster Corps just the previous year and she had come to the Lakes from the East Coast just five weeks before this accident. On 26 June 1900, Boynton & Thompson purchased the wreck of the NELLIE TORRENT (wooden propeller bulk freighter, 141 foot, 303 gross tons, built in 1881, at Wyandotte, Michigan) to raise her. She had been destroyed by fire at Lime Island near Detour, Michigan, on 22 June 1899. On 26 June 1882, The Port Huron Times reported that the ARAXES (wooden propeller, 182 foot, 569 gross tons, built in 1856, at Buffalo, New York) sank in the Straits of Mackinac. She was raised on 6 July 1882, and repaired. She was built in 1856, and lasted until the summer of 1894, when she sank 4 miles off Bay City in Saginaw. 1916: The first STORMOUNT, a steel canaller, was wrecked on Gull Ledge, near Marie Joseph, N.S. 1937: Passengers from the SOUTH AMERICAN, stranded on a shoal, were removed with the aid of ALGOMAH II. 1993: The Norwegian tanker BOW ROGN first came through the Seaway in 1970. It was back as b) JO ROGN in 1981 and was leaking sulphuric acid into the pump room on this date as c) BETULA after discharging at Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico. The vessel was towed offshore but later driven aground on a sandy beach north of the port on June 28-29, and then blown over on its side during the passing of Hurricane Calvin on July 7, 1993. 2000: EMIL REITH first came through the Seaway in 1970. It was attacked by Tamil Tiger rebels as h) MERCS UHANA off northern Sri Lanka while carrying foodstuffs from Colombo to Tricomalee. The ship caught fire and five lives were lost. The ship sank the next day about 48 miles off Point Pedro. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series – Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Cheyenne wins Detroit-Windsor Tugboat Race for second time 6/25 - Detroit, MI – With the roar of diesel engines and the air filled with smoke, the 43rd Annual Detroit-Windsor Tugboat Race was run Saturday at 1 p.m. When the air cleared, the Detroit-based tug Cheyenne had earned top honors for the second year in a row. The race has its roots dating back to 1949, when a group of American and Canadian commercial tug operators got together to create the event. Tugs were hauled out and cleaned, different propellers installed just for the race, and lots of tinkering was done to the engines. Wakes were legendary, with manhole covers being blown six feet high from water rushing into storm drains on the U.S. side. Races were held throughout the 1950s and 1960s, though not annually. After a period of time, just after the huge bicentennial celebrations, they were revived in 1977 and have been an annual event ever since. While commercial participation isn’t as active as it used to be, a mix of Canadian and U.S. tugs, both commercial and pleasure, gathered for the race. Sponsors included Port of Windsor, Summerfest, Cummins, Williams family, George Gradel Company, Hotte Marine, Sindbad’s Restaurant, and J. W. Westcott Company.
The winners were:
Class 1: Cheyenne
Class 2: Josephine
Class 3: Sindbad
Class 4: Joseph Hogan |
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Port Reports - June 25 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
Milwaukee, WI – Paul Erspamer
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss
Buffalo, NY – Craig E Speers Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report for Monday Jun 24 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 23 - tug Sea Eagle II & St Marys Cement II at 1538, Egelantiersgracht (Nld) at 2031 - Jun 24 - Rt Hon Paul J Martin at 0509, Happy River ( Nld) at 0738, Thunder Bay at 1011, Tecumseh at 1059, Algoma Guardian at 1441, Sten Baltic (Nor) at 1813, brig Niagara (Ame) at 1938 (stopping at wharf 16) and Algoma Conveyor eta 2100
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson: Report for Sunday Jun 23
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Port Colborne anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 22 - CSL Welland at 1450 and Algoma Discovery at 1522 - Jun 23 - tug Petite Forte & St Marys Cement at 0034, Kaministiqua at 0804, Gardno (Bhs) at 1203, tug Sea Eagle II & St Marys Cement II at 1538, Egelantiersgracht (Nld) at
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Toronto:
Rochester, NY – Tom Brewer
Oswego, NY – Ned Goebricher |
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Invasive mussels challenge commercial whitefish fishing in the Great Lakes 6/25 - Denise Purvis’ family began fishing the waters of northern Lake Huron off Manitoulin Island in 1882. Over the years their operation came to expect the unpredictability of a livelihood dependent on the ability to capture wild fish. Purvis came back to the family business in the mid-1990s after college. Her return home coincided with the arrival of zebra and quagga mussels into the Great Lakes. The mussels have since become synonymous with the problem of invasive species in the Great Lakes. They’ve colonized the lakes and negatively impacted their ecology. For Purvis and the dwindling number of Great Lakes commercial whitefish fishers, the fishery has fallen on hard times. Whitefish have been in decline across much of lakes Michigan and Huron, and many scientists and fishers suspect part of the reason is linked to the effects the mussels have had on the lake’s food web. “The health of our fishery in northern Lake Huron is not healthy whatsoever,” Purvis said. Dave Caroffino is a fisheries biologist in Charlevoix, working in the tribal coordination unit in the fisheries division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Since 1985, the MDNR has been collecting data on whitefish in lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior as part of a legal settlement between the state of Michigan, the federal government and tribal governments. “The vast majority of the monitoring data starting in 1985 comes from agency staff collecting biological samples from the fish caught by commercial fishers,” Caroffino said. “That data wasn’t used for a lot of stuff. It was kind of general patterns, general trends.” But now, this decades-long effort is showing clear declines in whitefish; a decline that coincided with the expansion of invasive mussels in the lakes. MDNR estimates of total whitefish biomass in northern Lake Huron dropped 45% from their peak in 1997, when the mussels began to widely colonize the lakes, through 2017, when quagga mussels had succeeded in covering much of the lake bottom. Read more and view graphs at this link: http://news.jrn.msu.edu/2019/05/invasive-mussels-challenge-commercial-whitefish-fishing-in-the-great-lakes |
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Last week to pre-order new ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ book 6/25 - To mark the 60th anniversary of ‘Know Your Ships,’ a new book, ‘Know Your Ships: Decades,’ will be released this fall. The 240-page book will be hardcover and in a larger format (11” x 8.5”) than the regular Know Your Ships. ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ represents an editors' choice of the best of the many outstanding images that have appeared in the annual Know Your Ships since its founding in 1959. The book also includes a year-by-year timeline of important events on the shipping scene from 60-year Seaway era as well as the major fleet stack markings and house flags. In making this book, nearly 2,000 photographs were considered, and the ones selected were re-scanned to yield the highest quality possible. Pre-ordered books will be autographed and will include a free commemorative reprint of the original, 44-page 1959 Know Your Ships. The pre-order runs to June 30. Books will ship in mid-September. Price is $49.95 plus shipping and tax. Hardcover, high-quality books such as this one are expensive to print. Pre-orders will help determine how many will be printed. There will not be a reprint - once they are gone they are gone. Order at this link: http://knowyourships.com/kysdecades.html |
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Engineers Day Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise this Friday 6/25 - The Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise will be Friday, June 28. Reservations ($45) may be made at the Soo Boatnerd Picnic. The cut off time is noon Thursday, June 27, as we must let the boat tours know how many will be on board so they can order the right amount of food for dinner. For details, see www.boatnerd.com/gathering |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 25
The whaleback steamer WASHBURN (steel propeller freighter, 320 foot, 2,234 gross tons) was launched by the American Steel Barge Co. (Hull #124) at W. Superior, Wisconsin on 25 June 1892. She lasted until 1936, when she was scrapped at Cleveland, Ohio. On this day in June 25, 1892, the American Steel Barge Company, West Superior Wisconsin, Captain Alexander Mc Dougall manager, held the first triple launching on the Great Lakes, which included the whalebacks PILLSBURY, WASHBURN and the small tug ISLAY. A crowd in excess of 10,000 people witnessed the event. Only the tug ISLAY remains. On 25 June 1892, the PILLSBURY (steel propeller whaleback bulk freighter, 320 foot, 2,234 gross tons) was launched by the American Steel Barge Co., at West Superior, Wisconsin. She was rebuilt at Conneaut, Ohio in the winter of 1918-1919 (315.75 feet x 42.25 feet x 24.16 feet; 2,394 gross tons- 1,465 net tons) when she received straight sides and a flattened deck. In 1927, she was converted to crane vessel, with two cranes on deck. In November 1934, she stranded on the north pier at Muskegon, Michigan in a storm and then broke in half. She was scrapped the following year. In 1927, the B. F. AFFLECK (Hull#178) was launched at Toledo, Ohio by Toledo Shipbuilding Co., for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. On June 25, 1938, the WILLIAM A. IRVIN began her maiden voyage for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co., leaving Lorain, Ohio for Duluth to load iron ore. INDIANA HARBOR set a record cargo on June 25, 1993, loading 71,369 tons of western low sulfur coal at Superior's Midwest Energy Terminal and transporting it 50 miles to Silver Bay, Minnesota. At 1:00 a.m. on 25 June 1878, the 161 foot, 3-mast wooden schooner PESHTIGO and the 143 foot, 3-mast wooden schooner ST ANDREW collided and sank near Cheboygan, Michigan and the Straits of Mackinac. Newspapers of the time claimed that forest fire smoke hampered visibility. Both vessels sank quickly. Two of the crew of PESHTIGO were lost, but the rest were rescued by the schooner S V R WATSON. The entire crew of ST ANDREW was rescued by the Canadian propeller OCEAN. On the afternoon of 25 June 1885, the tug NIAGARA had the schooner MOUNT BLANC in tow while coming rounding to pick up the schooner REINDEER near Stag Island on the St. Clair River. The MOUNT BLANC struck the wreck of the tug B.B. JONES. The JONES had exploded in Port Huron on 25 May 1871, and the wreck was towed to the head of Stag Island where it was abandoned. After striking the wreck of the JONES, the ore laden MOUNT BLANC sank. She was later recovered and repaired and lasted until 1901. 1903 – JOHN CRAIG was seriously damaged in a grounding on Simmons Rock in the Straits of Mackinac. Once refloated, the wooden steamer was taken to St. Ignace and declared a total loss. It was subsequently rebuilt as PANAMA only to be lost in a storm on November 1, 1906. 1950 – Five lives were lost and another 12 passengers injured aboard the passenger ship CITY OF CLEVELAND III when it was in a collision with the Norwegian freighter RAVNEFJELL in fog on Lake Huron. The former was a total loss while the latter was repaired and returned to service. It became b) RINGSTEIN in 1955 and visited the Great Lakes through 1958. It was wrecked near Achona Point, Ghana, on September 11, 1966. 1959 – The Liberian registered MONROVIA became the first saltwater vessel of the Seaway era to sink on the Great Lakes. It went down in heavy fog on Lake Huron after going off course and colliding with the downbound ROYALTON off Thunder Bay Island. The vessel landed upright on the bottom and some of the cargo of steel was salvaged in the 1970s. 1980 – MONTREALAIS of Upper Lakes Shipping and ALGOBAY of Algoma Central collided head-on in heavy fog on the St. Clair River and both suffered massive bow damage. These vessels were repaired and today both sail in the Algoma fleet with the former as ALGOMA MONTREALAIS and the latter, later rebuilt with a new forebody in China, as RADCLIFFE R. LATIMER. 1980 – JEAN LYKES collided with and sank an 18-foot fishing boat in the St. Clair River, 2 miles north of St. Clair, MI. The American flag saltwater vessel was later beached at Alang, India, for scrapping as b) VELMA LYKES on July 9, 1994 1994 – While departing Bay City, McKEE SONS was swept crossways in the Saginaw River and went aground. Four tugs pulled the ship free without damage save for some shoreline erosion. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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Port Reports - June 24 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
St. Marys River Northern Lake Huron ports
Bruce Mines:
Little Current:
Midland:
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Brevort: Port Inland: Saturday; 21:54 Cason J Callaway arrived to load and departed Sunday at 6:25 for Green Bay. 9:45 John G Munson arrived to load and departed at 20:51 down bound on Lake Michigan.
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Oswego, NY – Ned Goebricher |
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Woman falls to her death in Chi-Cheemaun ferry tragedy 6/24 - South Baymouth, ON – On June 21, officers from the Manitoulin and Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachments responded to a report of a female falling overboard from a ferry travelling from South Baymouth to Tobermory in Lake Huron. With the assistance of the Canadian Coast Guard and the Manitoulin OPP Marine unit, the female was located deceased. The Manitoulin OPP is continuing the investigation, and the death is not being considered suspicious. In a statement, Susan Schrempf, president and CEO of the Owen Sound Transportation Company, which runs the Chi-Cheemaun, said "We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this passenger in this time of tragic loss. "Out of respect to those who have lost their dear friend and family member, we will not be making any further public statements." Manitoulin Expositor |
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Celebrating 50 years since the fire on the Cuyahoga River and the changes it sparked 6/24 - Cleveland, OH – Saturday marks 50 years since the Cuyahoga River last caught fire and in doing so, captured the attention of a nation. Well truth be told, it wasn't the June 22, 1969 fire that caught the eye of America but rather one 17 years earlier in 1952. That was the fire TIME Magazine ran photos of with the story in their August 1, 1969 edition that showed a much bigger fire engulfing a tugboat. The issue was a hot seller with Sen. Ted Kennedy on the cover in the wake of Chappaquiddick and additional coverage of the moon landing as well. The fire in 1969 was clearly not the first on the Cuyahoga and by no means the worst, but it just happened to come at a time when the mood was changing in the country about the condition of U.S. rivers and lakes with the Cuyahoga River set to become the poster child. Cleveland Mayor Carl Stokes and his newly elected Congressman brother Louis would go to Capitol Hill demanding action. That action would come in the form of the Clean Water Act, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which on it's web page states the Cuyahoga River fire was one of the events that led to the creation of the agency. The cleanup of the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie that it feeds is still ongoing Sen. Rob Portman said. "It's a constant struggle." The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative which helps to monitor and protect the health of the Great Lakes has seen its funding drastically cut in each of the last three years only to be restored by a bi-partisan push back in Congress from those in the House and Senate representing the Great Lakes states. "It helps to not just stop pollution," Portman said "but ensure we're keeping the invasive species out and stop some of the algal blooms that have come in some summers." In addition Portman has been involved with a years long battle with the Army Corps of Engineers over the corps' wish to dump the spoils of the dredging from the Cuyahoga River back into the lake itself rather than somewhere on land. "The problem with the dredging is you're dredging up some pollutants and then you're dumping them. We want those dredging remains to go to land where they can be contained and controlled," he said. "We've had some success there just in the last couple of years, we've won court cases and been able to win on that and right now the corps has backed off." Sen. Sherrod Brown agrees there is a constant need to stay vigilant. "I'm old enough to remember what it was when I was a little kid," Brown said of the mess that was the river. "We made huge progress now we see a Federal Government that's turned its back and we fight back." "We've got to be vigilant about keeping this lake clean and its too bad for our public health and for our fishing industry and for tourism and just people's, just safety," Brown said. View a video at this link: https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/originals/celebrating-50-years-since-the-last-fire-on-the-cuyahoga-river-and-the-changes-it-sparked |
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Last week to pre-order new ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ book 6/24 - To mark the 60th anniversary of ‘Know Your Ships,’ a new book, ‘Know Your Ships: Decades,’ will be released this fall. The 240-page book will be hardcover and in a larger format (11” x 8.5”) than the regular Know Your Ships. ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ represents an editors' choice of the best of the many outstanding images that have appeared in the annual Know Your Ships since its founding in 1959. The book also includes a year-by-year timeline of important events on the shipping scene from 60-year Seaway era as well as the major fleet stack markings and house flags. In making this book, nearly 2,000 photographs were considered, and the ones selected were re-scanned to yield the highest quality possible. Pre-ordered books will be autographed and will include a free commemorative reprint of the original, 44-page 1959 Know Your Ships. The pre-order runs to June 30. Books will ship in mid-September. Price is $49.95 plus shipping and tax. Hardcover, high-quality books such as this one are expensive to print. Pre-orders will help determine how many will be printed. There will not be a reprint - once they are gone they are gone. Order at this link: http://knowyourships.com/kysdecades.html |
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Deadline near for Engineers Day Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise 6/24 - The Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise will be Friday, June 28. Reservations ($45) may be made at the Soo Boatnerd Picnic. The cut off time is noon Thursday, June 27, as we must let the boat tours know how many will be on board so they can order the right amount of food for dinner. For details, see www.boatnerd.com/gathering |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 24
The whaleback steamer WASHBURN (steel propeller freighter, 320 foot, 2,234 gross tons) was launched by the American Steel Barge Co. (Hull #124) at W. Superior, Wisconsin on 25 June 1892. She lasted until 1936, when she was scrapped at Cleveland, Ohio. On this day in June 25, 1892, the American Steel Barge Company, West Superior Wisconsin, Captain Alexander Mc Dougall manager, held the first triple launching on the Great Lakes, which included the whalebacks PILLSBURY, WASHBURN and the small tug ISLAY. A crowd in excess of 10,000 people witnessed the event. Only the tug ISLAY remains. On 25 June 1892, the PILLSBURY (steel propeller whaleback bulk freighter, 320 foot, 2,234 gross tons) was launched by the American Steel Barge Co., at West Superior, Wisconsin. She was rebuilt at Conneaut, Ohio in the winter of 1918-1919 (315.75 feet x 42.25 feet x 24.16 feet; 2,394 gross tons- 1,465 net tons) when she received straight sides and a flattened deck. In 1927, she was converted to crane vessel, with two cranes on deck. In November 1934, she stranded on the north pier at Muskegon, Michigan in a storm and then broke in half. She was scrapped the following year. In 1927, the B. F. AFFLECK (Hull#178) was launched at Toledo, Ohio by Toledo Shipbuilding Co., for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. On June 25, 1938, the WILLIAM A. IRVIN began her maiden voyage for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co., leaving Lorain, Ohio for Duluth to load iron ore. INDIANA HARBOR set a record cargo on June 25, 1993, loading 71,369 tons of western low sulfur coal at Superior's Midwest Energy Terminal and transporting it 50 miles to Silver Bay, Minnesota. At 1:00 a.m. on 25 June 1878, the 161 foot, 3-mast wooden schooner PESHTIGO and the 143 foot, 3-mast wooden schooner ST ANDREW collided and sank near Cheboygan, Michigan and the Straits of Mackinac. Newspapers of the time claimed that forest fire smoke hampered visibility. Both vessels sank quickly. Two of the crew of PESHTIGO were lost, but the rest were rescued by the schooner S V R WATSON. The entire crew of ST ANDREW was rescued by the Canadian propeller OCEAN. On the afternoon of 25 June 1885, the tug NIAGARA had the schooner MOUNT BLANC in tow while coming rounding to pick up the schooner REINDEER near Stag Island on the St. Clair River. The MOUNT BLANC struck the wreck of the tug B.B. JONES. The JONES had exploded in Port Huron on 25 May 1871, and the wreck was towed to the head of Stag Island where it was abandoned. After striking the wreck of the JONES, the ore laden MOUNT BLANC sank. She was later recovered and repaired and lasted until 1901. 1903 – JOHN CRAIG was seriously damaged in a grounding on Simmons Rock in the Straits of Mackinac. Once refloated, the wooden steamer was taken to St. Ignace and declared a total loss. It was subsequently rebuilt as PANAMA only to be lost in a storm on November 1, 1906. 1950 – Five lives were lost and another 12 passengers injured aboard the passenger ship CITY OF CLEVELAND III when it was in a collision with the Norwegian freighter RAVNEFJELL in fog on Lake Huron. The former was a total loss while the latter was repaired and returned to service. It became b) RINGSTEIN in 1955 and visited the Great Lakes through 1958. It was wrecked near Achona Point, Ghana, on September 11, 1966. 1959 – The Liberian registered MONROVIA became the first saltwater vessel of the Seaway era to sink on the Great Lakes. It went down in heavy fog on Lake Huron after going off course and colliding with the downbound ROYALTON off Thunder Bay Island. The vessel landed upright on the bottom and some of the cargo of steel was salvaged in the 1970s. 1980 – MONTREALAIS of Upper Lakes Shipping and ALGOBAY of Algoma Central collided head-on in heavy fog on the St. Clair River and both suffered massive bow damage. These vessels were repaired and today both sail in the Algoma fleet with the former as ALGOMA MONTREALAIS and the latter, later rebuilt with a new forebody in China, as RADCLIFFE R. LATIMER. 1980 – JEAN LYKES collided with and sank an 18-foot fishing boat in the St. Clair River, 2 miles north of St. Clair, MI. The American flag saltwater vessel was later beached at Alang, India, for scrapping as b) VELMA LYKES on July 9, 1994 1994 – While departing Bay City, McKEE SONS was swept crossways in the Saginaw River and went aground. Four tugs pulled the ship free without damage save for some shoreline erosion. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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USS Billings, Desgagnes vessel in minor collision 6/23 - The USS Billings had a minor collision with the Rosaire A. Desgagnes at the Port of Montreal on Friday. The incident happened when the Billings departed Wharf 31 with the assistance of two tugs. It somehow lost control after the lines were let go and hit the Desgagnes that was behind her at Wharf 30. It was able to continue its way without the assistance of any tugs. |
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Port Reports - June 23 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney Northern Lake Huron ports
Drummond Island:
Meldrum Bay:
Alpena:
Calcite:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Rochester, NY – Tom Brewer |
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Lead paint to delay refit of Canada's oldest coast guard vessel by 6 months 6/23 - A $10-million refit of Canada's oldest coast guard vessel will be delayed by up to six months to remove lead paint found inside the ocean science ship Hudson. Repair work on the storied 56-year old ship was expected to last until this fall at the NewDock shipyard in St. John's. But NewDock told the coast guard this week that safely dealing with lead paint discovered inside CCGS Hudson will delay the refit. "Six months is the worst-case scenario that we have from the shipyard," said Gary Ivany, the coast guard's assistant commissioner, in an interview from Ottawa. Hudson arrived at NewDock in February and was taken out of the water to replace steel and various areas of the vessel's decks and tanks. In late April, suspected lead paint buried under newer paint layers was discovered when coatings were removed. Sixteen unionized coast guard crew and officers were given blood tests after it was confirmed the paint contained lead. The test results are pending. Shipyard workers and their family doctors were also informed, the coast guard said. The area was sealed off and work has yet to resume in those spaces, but work continues in areas that have been cleared and identified as safe for workers, such as the bridge deck, boat deck, engine room and motor room. The Public Service Alliance of Canada, which is the union representing 10 coast guard crewmen, says the paint was detected in a water tank inside the ship and workers will not go back until they know the area is safe. In the meantime, the coast guard wants to move up work that was planned for after the refit and carry it out while the ship is still out of the water in St. John's. That work, which includes engine maintenance and installing science equipment like winches, was supposed to take place dockside when the Hudson returned to her home base in Dartmouth, N.S., in the fall. The coast guard still intends to have the Hudson back in service by April 2020 and available for at-sea science missions. |
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Like to watch the river but don't live near it? 6/23 - Port Huron, MI – A second camera has been installed on the Blue Water Convention Center to offer residents a new way to view the St. Clair River, Blue Water Bridge and all the traffic traversing both. The Blue Water Convention Center was approached by StreamTime Live earlier this year after the streaming company noticed that the convention center had launched a live feed of the river from their own camera, according to a press release. The company also runs a high definition live stream camera in Marine City. “The convention center clearly understood the promotional value of a live stream,” StreamTime Live co-owner Robin Rinderspacher said in the statement. “What we offer is a top-of-the-line viewing experience with our 360-degree, pan/tilt/zoom camera that can follow the boats closely as they pass by.” The cameras are operated remotely by StreamTime Live YouTube moderators, who also engage river fans in the accompanying 24/7 live chats, according to the company. “StreamTime Live can spread the word about the Blue Water Convention Center and its events with much greater reach than conventional advertising,” Gino Giacumbo, the convention center's general manager said in the statement, “and directly to the audience we’re targeting – folks who love the water.” The company is also planning to install another camera in Algonac later this month, providing coverage of the St. Clair River from end to end. The Blue Water Convention Center camera can be found on the StreamTime’s Live YouTube. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 23
In 1976 the NEPCO 140, carrying six million gallons of No. 6 bunker oil and being pushed toward Oswego by the tug EILEEN C., grounded on the shore of Wellesley Island in the American Narrows section of the St. Lawrence River, just upstream from Alexandria Bay, N.Y. The grounding occurred about 1:35 a.m. in heavy fog and was followed by a second apparent grounding further up river, just before the barge reached the Seaway anchorage site off Mason's Point, some four miles above the initial grounding site. In all, over 300,000 of the thick crude was spilled into the River, creating the largest slick ever to pollute an inland U.S. waterway to that day. Seaway traffic was halted immediately, sending at least 20 ships to anchor. Within hours, over 20,000 feet of boom were deployed, but the spill moved steadily down river, coating granite shoreline, trapping waterfowl, forcing boat owners to pull their boats, and oozing into sensitive marshland, particularly Chippewa Bay in New York waters. Some oil eventually reached as far down the river as Lake St. Lawrence and coated shoreline along the Long Sault Parkway on the Canadian side of the lake. Clean-up lasted into the fall and cost in excess U.S. $8 million. On 23 June 1903, the tug O.W. CHENEY steamed out of Buffalo harbor in heavy fog to tow the steamer CHEMUNG into the harbor. The tug ran too close to the oncoming steamer, was struck by the bow, and the CHENEY overturned and sank. Three crewmen were killed; two survivors were picked up by the tug FRANK S. BUTLER. On 23 June 1969, RALPH MISENER (steel propeller bulk freighter, 730 foot, 19,160 gross tons, built in 1968, at Montreal, Quebec) transited the Soo Locks upbound for the first time. She had an innovative self-unloading system with twin booms. The movable crane was equipped with a chain of buckets so it could discharge cargo from either side. This unloading system only lasted until 1976, when it was severely damaged in a squall on Lake Michigan. The vessel was then converted from a combination self-unloader/bulk carrier to a bulk carrier. She was renamed b.) GORDON C. LEITCH in 1994. In 1926, the GLENMHOR (Hull#16), the name was soon corrected to GLENMOHR, was launched at Midland Ontario by Midland Shipbuilding Co., for Great Lakes Transportation Co., (James Playfair). She was 6 feet wider and 4 feet shallower than the largest ship at that time. Purchased by Canada Steamship Lines in 1926, renamed b.) LEMOYNE. Scrapped at Santander, Spain in 1969. In 1929, the WILLIAM G. CLYDE (Hull#804) was launched at Lorain, Ohio, by American Shipbuilding Co., for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. Converted to a self-unloader and renamed b.) CALCITE II in 1961. Renamed c.) MAUMEE in 2001. Launched in 1972, was the ALGOWAY (Hull#200) at Collingwood, Ontario, by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd., for Algoma Central Railway. The first whaleback barge, 101, was launched along the shore of St. Louis Bay near Duluth, Minnesota, on 23 June 1888. Captain Alexander Mc Dougall, the inventor and designer, was there along with his wife, her sister-in-law and several hundred spectators. As the vessel splashed in to the bay, Mrs. Mc Dougall is supposed to have muttered, "There goes our last dollar!" On 23 June 1900, the 450 foot steel steamer SIMON J. MURPHY (Hull#135) was launched at Wyandotte, Michigan, by the Detroit Ship Building Co., for the Eddy - Shaw Transportation Co. of Bay City, Michigan. On 23 June 1873, B. F. BRUCE was launched at Crosthwaite's yard in East Saginaw, Michigan. She is not properly a schooner, but what is known as a "three-and-after" in nautical terms. Her capacity was 50,000 bushels of grain (800 tons) and the building cost was $50,000. 1942 – EUGENE J. BUFFINGTON struck Boulder Reef, Lake Michigan and the hull cracked in two places. The vessel as on the rocks for 25 days until it coould be strapped together and refloated. The ship was towed to Chicago for one of the largest repair jobs in Great Lakes history. 1948 – CRETE and J.P. MORGAN JR. were in a head-on collision, in fog, off the Apostle Islands, Lake Superior. Both ships suffered extensive damage. Two were killed, 3 more injured, aboard the latter steamer. ALTADOC and E.A.S. CLARKE also collided in fog near the Apostle Islands but the damage, while requiring repairs, was less serious. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Joe Barr, Matthew Daley, Dave Swayze, Fritz Hager, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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New tugboat Ohio christened at National Museum of Great Lakes 6/22 - Toledo, OH – The script was the same, but the bottles’ contents were different when two tugboats named Ohio were dedicated to their futures. One, fresh from the Great Lakes Towing shipyard in Cleveland, was christened with traditional champagne for its formal start of commercial service. The other, built in 1903 in Chicago as a fireboat for Milwaukee, was for a second time splashed with beer to start its new life as a museum exhibit at the National Museum of the Great Lakes. “I christen this tug Ohio. May God bless her and all who work on her,” Jane Smith, 95, of Vermilion, Ohio and Julie LaMarre, 34, of Monroe County’s Frenchtown Township, both said before smashing their respective – and well-wrapped – bottles of Pabst Blue Ribbon and bubbly on the tugs’ forward railings during a ceremony that served as a sort of torch-passing between the two. “This is a demonstration of evolution,” Christopher Gillcrist, the museum’s executive director, had said previously to describe the two vessels brought together for a first-of-its-kind maritime event. The new Ohio, officially classed by Great Lakes Towing as a Loren 76 ice tug, is “smaller, more agile, and more efficient” than its predecessor, Mr. Gillcrist said. Built in an Ohio shipyard by Ohio workers, “the new tug will operate in Ohio waters and serve Ohio ports,” said Joe Starck, the tugboat operator’s president. The new Ohio specifically is to be assigned to the Toledo harbor. Its construction and that of four new fleetmates was enabled in part by an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency grant that covered 40 percent of the cost for four of the vessels’ propulsion systems, Mr. Starck said. Older, less-efficient tugs that could not meet new Coast Guard inspection requirements will be replaced by the new boats, he said. The old Ohio’s dedication as a museum tug followed a seven-month cosmetic restoration that included extensive repairs to its steel decks, hull reinforcement, renewal of its pilothouse, and repainting above the waterline into Great Lakes’ signature green and red. “It was a wreck before,” said Greg Rudnick, a maritime historian from Lakewood, Ohio who noted, as Mr. Gillcrist had done previously, that the old Ohio had been stored for years downwind of a salt mine near Great Lakes Towing’s Cleveland facilities. Museum volunteers have “done so much work already, and there’s so much more to do, but it looks great,” Mr. Rudnick said. Mr. Gillcrist effusively thanked both the museum’s volunteers and several companies that donated work or materials toward the tug’s restoration. The latter included Great Lakes Towing; Solomon Diving, Inc., of Monroe; the George Gradel Co. of Toledo; Mid American Group, a steel fabricator in Newport, Mich.; Barton International of Glens Falls, N.Y., which provided sandblasting material; and Sherwin-Williams, the Cleveland-based paint manufacturer. Mrs. LaMarre, whose husband, Paul LaMarre III, is a member of the museum’s board and director of the Port of Monroe, said she had been honored to be chosen by Great Lakes Towing to christen its new tug, but nervous that she might not swing the champagne bottle hard enough. A christening bottle that doesn’t break is considered bad luck. “I was getting it from two different family members – my husband and my father-in-law – that I needed to make sure I break the bottle,” she said with a laugh. Mr. LaMarre’s father, Paul LaMarre, Jr., is a veteran Great Lakes mariner who now is captain of the Detroit-based Diamond Jack tour boat. As a nod to its owner’s 120-year corporate history, the new Ohio displays a tribute to Great Lakes Towing’s early years, when refloating vessels that had accidentally run aground or ashore represented a substantial part of its business. The white horse emblem displayed on the new tug’s pilot house is “the white horse of salvation, rescuing a stranded vessel in need” and at one time appeared on all Great Lakes Towing tugs, Mr. LaMarre said before the ceremony. While Friday’s ceremony was reserved for holders of tickets sold only in advance, the rededicated Ohio will be open to the general public for a celebratory weekend Saturday and Sunday. The new Ohio was to have been on-site – though not open for tours – during the weekend, but that plan had to be scrubbed because of high water on the Maumee River that compromised the available space to dock it. The high water prompted the old and new Ohios to be moored nose-to-nose for their dedications, and a wind shift later in the day caused water to start flooding the dock area after the ceremony was over. Museum admission is $17 for the general public and includes access to both the Ohio and the Col. James M. Schoonmaker museum freighter. Museum members are admitted free. View images and video at this link: https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2019/06/21/new-tugboat-christened-at-National-Museum-of-Great-Lakes/stories/20190621117 |
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Port Reports - June 22 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known)
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
St. Marys River Northern Lake Huron ports
Drummond Island:
Bruce Mines:
Parry Sound:
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss
Oswego, N.Y. – Ned Goebricher |
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Demands by customs adds to port operators’ ire 6/22 - It seemed like a game-changer for the Port of Monroe, Michigan, located less than 20 miles from a Ford Motor Co. plant, when it got an order to ship hundreds of Mustangs to Germany. The work would require up to 200 workers at a facility that handled mostly commodities like coal and limestone. Ford’s order came as the port was working to establish itself as the first federal marine highway on the Great Lakes, a chance for an economic boon for the Rust Belt community in the shadow of Detroit. Then, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stepped in. The border agency told Ford and the port operator that it didn’t have the resources to inspect every shipping container, and the port would need to buy new fencing, cranes, facilities and security at its own expense before it would be allowed to carry out the order, which also included imports. The upgrades were required not just for the Ford work, but to accept containers from any other company for international shipping, according to a University of Michigan case study of how the security agency has impacted the port and local economy. Ford ultimately pulled the project and shipped the Mustangs by rail to Baltimore. Yet the agency hasn’t altered its position, and its demands have cost the region countless revenues and job creation, according to the report. “The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has nearly put the Port of Monroe out of the international cargo business,” Paul LaMarre, the port’s director, said in an interview. Monroe is among a growing number of public ports that say Customs and Border Protection is demanding that they front the bills for on-site upgrades and equipment to improve security. The demands add to their financial worries at a time when the Trump administration’s tariff orders and siphoning of hundreds of customs officers to the U.S.-Mexico border is already stressing resources in the midst of the busy summer shipping season. In recent months the demands have accelerated. At least half a dozen ports of various sizes throughout the country have been told to make at least $52 million in often last-minute upgrades or potentially face inspection service issues, the American Association of Port Authorities said in a May 9 letter to congressional homeland security overseers. The requests have included gym space and break rooms for border agency staff, additional space in cruise ship embarkment buildings, and kennels for cargo-sniffing canines, the group said. The “disturbing” trend continues “with no end in sight,” AAPA CEO Kurt Nagle said in the letter. “They’re saying if you want to play in this space, you’re going to pay,” Gregg Ward, who has consulted for the Monroe port and is president of Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry Inc. said in an interview. A spokesperson from the border agency didn’t respond to a request for comment. Seaport Disrupted Now some lawmakers are calling for oversight and provisions in spending bills aimed at ensuring ports aren’t blindsided by the agency’s demands. An amendment to the fiscal 2020 Homeland Security spending bill that would require the border agency to brief Congress on its requirements for staffing and security upgrades at seaports, as well as lay out the process of deciding how initiatives are funded, was adopted last week by the House Appropriations Committee . “The federal government’s responsibility is port security,” Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.), who offered the provision and whose district includes the Port of Baltimore, said in a hallway interview. “The states don’t have the money to do that, and they are doing a lot of it already.” The congressman wants the border agency to justify its authority to ask for these requests, and would support a stronger provision in the Senate’s Homeland Security spending bill that would require CBP to lay out its budget for funding needs, spokeswoman Jaime Lennon from Ruppersberger’s office said in an interview. Both Ruppersberger and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said they’re worried about how widespread the issue is, beyond impacting their Port of Baltimore. Port of Baltimore operators didn’t respond to a request for comment. Van Hollen is developing language for the Senate’s Homeland Security appropriations bill that would halt expenditures on current and future facility requests for seaports from the border agency until there has been a review of the management of funding, according to spokeswoman Bridgett Frey. The Senate’s appropriations bill development has stalled as lawmakers and the White House negotiate top-line budget figures. Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee led by ranking member Gary Peters (D-Mich.), whose state includes the Port of Monroe, are also digging into the issue, an aide said in a telephone interview. Port Authorities The agency has told ports it has statutory and regulatory authority to require a suitable environment for cargo inspections at no cost to the government. For example, a 1928 Justice Department legal opinion on customs inspections states there is no reason the federal government should “pay the costs of acts which it has power to require others to perform at their own expense.” The reasonableness of the requests may be more of a gray area, in terms of what is actually required for customs officers to do their jobs, according to an aide from the committee’s minority office. “This doesn’t exist everywhere, this doesn’t exist at all the ports, but it’s being forced on this little community port,” Ward said, referring to the type of equipment demands at Monroe, which he estimated would cost at least $5 million to $6 million. To be sure, the border agency has made facility requests in the past, and the agency since 2013 has been expanding a public-private partnership program with a variety of ports that donate materials or reimburse the agency, for example, when extra cargo loads require overtime hours for inspection. “Record increases in passenger and cargo volumes are outpacing CBP’s personnel and infrastructure resources, resulting in increased passenger wait times and cargo backups,” the agency’s website for the partnership program says. According to the University of Michigan report, the CBP regarded serving Monroe as a “courtesy” that was not required. The ports association said members met with acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner John Sanders June 12 to discuss the facilities issue and staffing. The group wants a pause in the funding requests until Congress can conduct oversight of the process, and require the agency to report its funding needs and timelines. Back in Monroe, LaMarre said that in the years since the Mustang loss they’ve been accepted to the agency’s private partnership program, but are still waiting for a clear list of needs from the agency. Meanwhile, he said, the port has lost millions of dollars in business as shipping clients chose alternative ports or transportation modes that aren’t facing the same demands from the border agency. At this point, he said he’s willing to pay what it takes to clear cargo. “We’re just looking for a responsive partner” he said, adding that the meeting with Sanders seemed to tip some action. “We are a public port in a distressed community, and our distressed community is being put off the list of priorities entirely.” https://about.bgov.com/news/gym-kennel-demands-by-customs-adds-to-port-operators-ire Bloomberg News |
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Obituary: Capt. John Bentum 6/22 - Capt. John Bentum went peacefully to his rest after a long struggle on Wednesday, June 19, at the age of 67. He sailed with Canada Steamship Lines for over 35 years before his retirement. The family will receive visitors at Pleasantview Funeral Home, 2000 Merrittville Highway, Thorold, ON, on Sunday, June 23 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Private interment at a later date. Memorial donations to the Canadian Society of Transplantation. |
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Deadline near for Engineers Day Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise 6/22 - The Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise will be Friday, June 28. Reservations ($45) may be made at the Soo Boatnerd Picnic. The cut off time is noon Thursday, June 27, as we must let the boat tours know how many will be on board so they can order the right amount of food for dinner. For details, see www.boatnerd.com/gathering
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 22
On 22 June 1959, BAYPORT (steel propeller tug, 72 foot, 65 gross tons, built in 1914, at Cleveland, Ohio, formerly named a.) FAIRPORT) had the steamer MOHAWK DEER in tow when she was hooked by her own tow cable, capsized and sank at Collingwood, Ontario. Three lives were lost. The tug was later raised and converted from steam to diesel. Later renamed c.) TWIN PORT, and d.) ROD MC LEAN in 1974. She was scrapped in 2008 at the Purvis west yard at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. On 22 June 1909, W.P. THEW (wooden propeller freighter, 133 foot, 207 gross tons, built in 1884, at Lorain, Ohio) was in ballast, creeping through the fog off Alpena, Michigan on Lake Huron when she was rammed by the WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE (steel propeller freighter, 532 foot, 6,634 gross tons, built in 1908, at Ecorse, Michigan). After the collision, the LIVINGSTONE drifted away and lost track of the THEW. The THEW sank in 80 feet of water. Fortunately the steamer MARY C. ELPHICKE answered the distress whistle and picked up the THEW's crew from the lifeboat. No lives were lost. The WILLIAM R. ROESCH (Hull#901) was launched and christened at Lorain, Ohio by American Ship Building Co., on June 22, 1973, for the Union Commerce Bank, Ohio (Trustee) and managed by the Kinsman Marine Transit Co., Cleveland, Ohio. Renamed b.) DAVID Z. NORTON in 1995, c.) DAVID Z in 2007 and d.) CALUMET in 2008. June 22, 1957 - W. L. Mercereau, known as the Father of the Fleet, died. Mercereau developed the Pere Marquette fleet of car ferries into the largest in the world. On 22 June 1853, CHALLENGE (wooden propeller freighter, 198 foot, 665 tons, built in 1853, at Newport, Michigan) was bound from Chicago for Buffalo with barreled pork and oats on one of her first trips. However, her boiler exploded off Cheboygan, Michigan. She burned and sank. Five died. The schooner NORTH STAR heard the blast ten miles away and came to the rescue of the rest of the passengers and crew. On 22 June 1875, The Port Huron Times reported that "the Northern Transportation Company's fleet of 20 propellers, which have been idle all the season owing to difficulties between the Central Vermont and the Ogdensburg & Champlain Railroad Companies, have passed from the control of the Central Vermont Railroad Company and will commence regular trips as soon as they can be fitted out." Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. Marine Historical Society of Detroit. |
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U.S. Steel to idle blast furnace at Great Lakes Works facility on Zug Island 6/21 - Detroit, MI – U.S. Steel Corp. is idling a blast furnace at its Great Lakes Works facility in Ecorse and River Rouge. The move comes after the steel producer announced a lower-than-expected earnings forecast for the second quarter of 2019. Blast furnaces — key for processing iron into steel — in Europe and Indiana will also be idled, according to a June 18 press release. “In response to current market conditions, we are taking actions aligned with our strategy by adjusting our global blast furnace footprint,” the release read. “We are idling two blast furnaces in the United States and one blast furnace in Europe to better align our global production with our order book. “In the United States, we began a planned maintenance outage on the Great Lakes B2 blast furnace last week. Based on current market conditions, we expect the B2 blast furnace to remain idled after the completion of the planned outage.” United Steelworkers could not immediately be reached for comment. Twice in the release, the steel maker referred to weak market demand for steel. In March 2018, President Donald Trump approved the imposition of stiff tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, boosting domestic supply. The combination has lowered prices. In August, 15 individuals were hospitalized after an incident involving the dust catcher of one of the blast furnaces on Zug Island, where the Great Lakes Works facility is located. All 15 individuals were employed by Songer Services, a Pennsylvania-based industrial contracting firm. Less than three weeks later, more than 200 members of United Steelworkers Local No. 1299 rallied for a fair contract outside the facility. By October, union and corporation had reached a tentative agreement on a collective bargaining agreement representing 14,000 domestic employees. The agreement was ratified in mid-November and runs until September 2022. News Herald |
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Egmondgracht renamed 6/21 - The saltie Egmondgracht was officially renamed Aujaq at Valleyfield on June 14. The cargo vessel was built in 1994. Rene Beauchamp |
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Corps, National Weather Service make predictions for summer Great Lakes levels 6/21 - A snowy winter, a wet spring and a rainy summer forecast are filling our Great Lakes to the brim. Water levels in the Great Lakes are rising at or near record levels, wreaking havoc on shorelines, waterfront property and coastal infrastructure. In Ludington, drains have been overflowing regularly and water is overtaking break walls. Beaches ideal for summer strolls have been reduced to a fraction of their usual pathway because of the high water. Lake Michigan is one inch away from breaking the month of June’s high water level, while Lake Superior is four inches above the all time high. Lakes Huron, Ontario and Erie are also extremely high. Wednesday night, Ludington City Hall hosted the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers and the National Weather Service to talk about the scope of the issue and answer community questions about the increasing threat. The National Weather Service has tracked water levels every month for the past 100 years and levels have only been this high for five months in that entire time span. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says more rain is expected this summer, raising levels even more, and potentially above records set back in the mid 1980’s. “We’re seeing lots of instances of coastal flooding, shoreline erosion, structures are underwater in certain parts of the Great Lakes,” said chief Keith Kompoltowicz. “It’s likely that all five lakes are going to see record highs in June.” Downstate resident John Tunis has summered in Ludington for more than 20 years and has never seen the water so high. “We’re flabbergasted by what we’re seeing,” said Tunis. “At our place we had approximately 65 to 75 feet of access, [now] we have maybe five feet of beach all the way down towards the city beach. It’s unbelievable.” The Army Corps of Engineers and the National Weather Service say the wet weather patterns may break by July. 9&10 News |
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Port Reports - June 21 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known)
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
Green Bay, WI Northern Lake Huron ports
Drummond Island:
Bruce Mines:
Meldrum Bay:
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Port Inland:
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Thursday Jun 20 – Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 19 - tug Everlast & Norman McLeod at 1528 - Jun 20 - Algonorth at 0645, Federal Mackinac (Mhl) at 0957, Robert S Pierson at 1129, Sten Arnold (Gib) at 1244, CSL St Laurent at 1359, G3 Marquis eta 2145
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Toronto:
Oshawa:
Bowmanville: |
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Museum tug Edna G needs volunteer tour guides 6/21 - Two Harbors, MN – The Friends of Edna G is seeking volunteers to give tours of the historic Edna G tugboat during Two Harbors Heritage Days 2019 and possibly through the rest of the summer. Tours have not been available in over five years. However, a new agreement with the city of Two Harbors was ironed out. A structural study recently completed shows the historic tug is not in imminent danger of sinking. The tugboat was built by the Cleveland Shipbuilding Co. in 1896 for the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad to guide ore boats into the ore docks. The 92-foot long, 23-feet wide, steam-powered tug was built with a steel hull, which was considered a novelty at the time. The name came from J.L. Greatsinger, then-president of the railroad, after his daughter Edna. In 1917, the ship was outfitted and shipped to the East Coast to provide aid for World War I before returning to Two Harbors. The boat was decommissioned and given to the city of Two Harbors in 1980. Note that tours of the Edna G require climbing steps. Koehler recommends maintaining three points of contact with the boat, one hand and two feet, at all times. Along the tour, one could expect to see the historic engine room, the dusty crew quarters, the wood-paneled galley, the swanky captain's quarters, the pilothouse and upper and lower decks. No access is available to the boiler room, but a view from the top of the steps provides enough context. |
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Great Lakes restoration needs $100M annual investment: report 6/21 - It will cost $100-million a year over the next decade to restore the health of the Great Lakes, says an expert panel in a new report. And a team of five Great Lakes advocacy groups is asking the federal government to cover the cost of implementing the Action Plan 2030 to Protect the Great Lakes, while also hoping to secure matching funding from other levels of government as well as other organizations. The plan, released Tuesday after nine months of research by an expert panel includes 15 initiatives that would help identify and reduce exposure to toxins and harmful chemicals in the region, target areas that contributor to algal blooms in the lakes, and to take action to prevent sewage and bacteriological contamination to help ensure beaches remain clean and safe, and protect communities along Great Lakes shorelines by helping them become more resilient to high water levels. The expert panel, led by Ontario's former environment commissioner Gord Miller and Québec's former sustainable development commissioner Jean Cinq-Mars, focused on priorities lakeside communities are facing such as climate change, pollutants, algal blooms and beach contamination. In a media release, Miller called the action plan a "strategic and surgical intervention using new kinds of collaboration, technologies and big data new approach." Cinq-Mars referred to a U.S. plan launched in 2008 and supported by both Republicans and Democrats that led to a $2-billion investment in Great Lakes restoration projects, leading to a three-to-one return on investment. "Protecting such a vast and valuable ecosystem requires significant and sustained investment like the GLRI on the U.S. side of the lakes. We need the same kind of multi-partisan leadership and commitment this side of the border," she said. Canada's environment minister Catherine McKenna said by restoring and protecting "our fresh water, we not only secure the health of our environment, but also the health, culture and economy of millions of Canadians." The five advocacy groups that initiated the expert panel study in October include the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, the Council of the Great Lakes Region, Freshwater Future Canada, and Stratégies Saint Laurent. The full 46-page report is available online at www.westbrookpa.com/glslcollab/reports/great-lakes |
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Deadline near for Engineers Day Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise 6/21 - The Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise will be Friday, June 28. Reservations ($45) may be made the Soo Boatnerd Picnic. The cut off time is noon Thursday, June 27, as we must let the boat tours know how many will be on board so they can order the right amount of food for dinner. For details, see www.boatnerd.com/gathering |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 21
On 21 June 1868, the D&C Line's MORNING STAR (wooden side-wheel steamer, 243 foot, 1,075 tons, built in 1862, at Trenton, Michigan) was late in leaving her dock in Cleveland, Ohio, because she was loading some last-minute freight (iron bars and glass). As she sailed on Lake Erie to Detroit during the dark and rainy night, she collided with the heavy-laden bark COURTLAND and sank quickly, 10 miles off Lorain, Ohio. Twenty feet of the steamer's bow had been torn off while the bark was swept into one of the paddle wheels and destroyed. The side-wheel steamer R N RICE arrived on the scene at 3 a.m. and picked up the survivors - only 44 of them. In September, MORNING STAR was raised, towed to Lorain and re-sunk in 55 feet of water, for possible future rebuilding. Attempts were made to raise her again several times, but in the summer of 1872, she was abandoned because it was determined that the previous attempts had reduced her to rubble. On 21 June 1878, the small passenger steamer J. HOLT, which ran between Chatham and Wallaceburg, Ontario, burned on Lake St. Clair. The passengers and crew escaped in the lifeboats. On June 21, 1942, the LEON FRASER entered service as the largest vessel on the Great Lakes. The Pittsburgh Steamship Co. bulk freighter, originally 639 foot 6 inches long, retained at least a tie for that honor until the WILFRED SYKES entered service in 1949. She was shortened, converted to a self-unloading cement carrier and renamed b.) ALPENA in 1991. June 21, 1942, the U.S. Steel bulk freighter EUGENE J. BUFFINGTON ran hard aground on Boulder Reef in Lake Michigan and broke in two. The vessel was subsequently recovered and, after a long career with U.S. Steel, was finally sold for scrap in 1980. The m/v RANGER III (Hull#385) was side-launched at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin by Christy Corporation, on Saturday, June 21, 1958. The vessel was custom designed by R.A. Stearns (Bay Engineering) also of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for the National Park Service, Isle Royale National Park. On June 21, 1986, during a severe thunderstorm (and unofficial observations of a funnel cloud) in the Duluth area, the JOSHUA A. HATFIELD broke loose from Azcon Scrap Dock in Duluth and was blown across the harbor and ended up hard aground on Park Point (Minnesota Point). She remained stuck for nearly 3 weeks when a storm with east winds pushed the HATFIELD free and she blew most of the way back across the harbor back to the scrap dock. Tugs were dispatched in time to safely guide the HATFIELD back to the scrap dock. (June seems to be a bad month for U.S. Steel in accidents, with the June 7, 1977, accident involving the WILLIAM A. IRVIN, the June 15, 1943, collision between the D. M. CLEMSON and the GEORGE M. HUMPHREY, and the June 21, 1942, grounding of the EUGENE J. BUFFINGTON on Boulder Reef.) June 21, 1916 - The ANN ARBOR NO 5, after departing the shipyards in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 21, 1916, where 3 buckets (blades) were replaced on her starboard propeller, arrived in Manistique, Michigan. While maneuvering around in the harbor she struck the rocky bottom and broke off the same three blades off her starboard propeller. June 21, 1994 - The Ludington Daily News reported a planned sale of the CITY OF MIDLAND 41, to Contessa Cruise Lines of Minnesota. The deal included an option to sell the SPARTAN and Contessa was prohibited from competing against Lake Michigan Carferry Co., but it fell through. The 3-mast wooden schooner GEORGE MURRAY was launched in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on 21 June 1873. At the time, she was billed as the largest vessel ever built on Lake Michigan. Her dimensions were 299 foot long x 34 foot beam x 14 foot depth, with the capacity to carry 50,000 bushels of grain. She was built by G. S. Rand for J. R. Slauson of Racine, Wisconsin. 1910 – The tug C.W. ELPHICKE sank at Michigan City, Indiana, after a bizarre accident. The steamer UNITED STATES had struck the Franklin Street Bridge, which then collapsed on the tug. The tug was salvaged on July 12. 1941 – BOMMESTAD, a small Norwegian freighter, came to the Great Lakes in the 1920s and 1930s. It was sold and renamed HILDA in 1934 and registered in Finland when it was torpedoed and sunk by U-52 in the Bay of Biscay while enroute from Dunkirk, France, to the U.K. with a cargo of wheat. 1964 – The Norwegian freighter STELLA NOVA ran aground off Alexandria Bay, N.Y., while enroute from Duluth to Bombay, India. It was refloated June 24 with major bottom damage but was repaired. It had been a Seaway trader as a) VITO in 1959 and was scrapped as f) CORALBA after arriving at Split, Yugoslavia, on September 19, 1978. On 21 June 1900, the wooden bulk freighter R C BRITTAIN was raised at Toledo, Ohio. She was brought to Sarnia where repairs were made and the engine of the tug F A FOLGER was installed in her. She had previously sunk at Toledo and remained there for several years before being raised. She lasted until 1912, when she burned at Sarnia. Data from: Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Skip Gillham, David Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Cedarglen takes another step closer to the scrap yard 6/20 - Canadian registry for Canada Steamship Lines’ Cedarglen was closed on June 18 and transfered to Sierra Leone for the trip overseas to be recycled. New name is Eda. She had arrived in Montréal on May 18 under her own power from Toledo. René Beauchamp |
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Frontenac heads down Gulf of St Lawrence for 5-year survey 6/20 - Canada Steamship Lines’ Frontenac made a rare trip into the Gulf of St Lawrence this week and is now at the shipyard in Les Mechins, Que. for her 5-year survey. The 51-year-old bulk carrier handles a variety of bulk cargoes between different ports on both sides of the Lakes, including 6- 8 trips a year from Thunder Bay to Midland, Ont. with grain. |
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Port Reports - June 20 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known)
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
Milwaukee, WI – Paul Erspamer Northern Lake Huron ports
Drummond Island:
Bruce Mines:
Thessalon:
Meldrum Bay:
Parry Sound:
Calcite:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Wednesday Jun 19 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 18 - tug Ecosse departed Heddle DD with barge Dowden Spirit and survey and painting headed for Hamilton and tug Wilf Seymour & Alouette Spirit at 1823 (stopping wharf 16) - Jun 19 - tug Everlast & Norman McLeod at 1528
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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Prescott-Ogdensburg ferry project held up by U.S. border officers 6/20 - Ogdensburg and Prescott say they are working hard to get a small ferry boat up and running for the summer long weekends. The ferry boat would hold about a dozen passengers and their bikes, allowing people to move between the two countries for the Founders Day and our August long weekend. Prescott Mayor Brett Todd says Canadian Border officials have offered officers for free. "We would have a couple of officers in Prescott, during the hours of operation to process visitors," explains Todd. Todd says they're hoping for U-S Homeland Security and US Customs to provide something similar. But that seems to be a sticking point for them. Despite support from Ogdensburg City Council, which passed a motion this week to work closely with Prescott Council on the project, US Customs officials are looking for border "enhancements." Todd says that seems to involve essentially creating another border and paying for more officials to man the entry point. "One of the reasons we went over [to see Ogdensburg City Council] is really trying to get the message out, we're not talking about huge numbers of visitors particularly over those weekends." Todd says supporters of the project on both sides of the St. Lawrence will continue to push for the pilot-project launch date in five weeks. |
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Great Lakes are overflowing with record amounts of water 6/20 - Lake Erie and Lake Superior broke records for average water levels in May, as did Lake St. Clair on Detroit’s eastern edge, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In May, Lake Erie also reached its highest level on record for any month. Record- or near-record-high water levels are forecast to continue in the summer before making the usual downturn into fall. The effects of these high waters have been wide-reaching. Recreational beaches have shrunk, and water has inundated docks and destroyed roads. Damage to lakeshore property was reported again this week along Lake Ontario in Upstate New York in the town of Henderson. “There’s houses surrounded by water, water going into houses and lake water in the roads,” Eric Anderson, an operations coordinator for the Henderson Fire District, told the Watertown Daily Times. “Carp are feeding in people’s front lawns.” This kind of flooding has occurred along the shores of the Great Lakes for months, in some places repeatedly, and intensifies during high-wind events and storms. Major winter snowfalls and excessive rainfall are primary drivers for high water this year. Normal water levels in the Great Lakes are largely modulated by precipitation, natural springs and rivers. Great Lakes water levels typically rise during the spring into summer, but this year it has been extreme. Year-to-date precipitation in much of the Great Lakes region is running 150- to 200-plus percent of normal. Only the Lake Ontario region has seen somewhat lesser amounts, though it has still endured flooding. Winter saw record snowfall. Last year was also fairly wet. Although rainfall surpluses have continued to be significant in recent months, the past few weeks have seen a drier pattern take hold. But this drier spell may not last, and only persistent dryness would meaningfully reduce the risk of future flooding. The outlook from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers indicates monthly mean water levels for June are likely to meet or surpass record highs for that month. Water levels are forecast to continue rising through June on Lake Superior and through the heart of summer. For Superior, levels are anticipated to stay near or above previous monthly records every month through September. Lakes Michigan and Huron also are likely to see additional rises of several inches through June. Elsewhere, lake levels are anticipated to fall but remain near or above record levels for that time of year. Although water levels in the Great Lakes are in constant flux, the recent observed shifts have been particularly extreme. “Over the past two decades, water levels on the Great Lakes have gone through an unprecedented period of persistent below-average conditions, a record-setting rate of water level rise and, now, a series of record-setting high levels,” said Drew Gronewold, a hydrologist at the University of Michigan. While experts work to better understand the effects of climate change on Great Lakes water levels, they are seeing increased evidence of a new normal, characterized by rapid shifts between extreme high and low levels. To see this in action, we need look no further than the flooding of today, compared with the record lows six years ago. “We are undoubtedly observing the effects of a warming climate in the Great Lakes,” wrote Richard Rood, a University of Michigan climate scientist. “We are at the beginning of what’s going to be a number of decades where the climate is going to be changing very fast. During that time, we will have many unexpected weather events, and we need to learn from these events to better prepare for the future.” View charts at this link: https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/great-lakes-are-overflowing-with-record-amounts-of-water |
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Deadline near for Engineers Day Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise 6/20 - Reservations are now being accepted for the Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise on Friday, June 28. Reservations ($45) will be accepted at the Soo Boatnerd Picnic; the cut off time is noon Thursday, June 27, as we must let the boat tours know how many will be on board so they can order the right amount of food for dinner. For details, see www.boatnerd.com/gathering |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 20
On this day in 1943, the IRVING S. OLDS departed Two Harbors with 20,543 tons of ore and the BENJAMIN F. FAIRLESS departed Two Harbors with 20,386 tons of ore. It was the first time that two lakers departed the same harbor on the same day with cargos in excess of 20,000 tons. The SENATOR (steel propeller freighter, 410 foot, 4,048 gross tons) was launched by the Detroit Dry Dock Company (Hull #122) at Wyandotte, Michigan, on 20 June 1896, for the Wolverine Steamship Company. She lasted until 31 October 1929, when she collided with the steamer MARQUETTE in fog off Port Washington, Wisconsin, and sank with her cargo of 241 automobiles. On 20 June 1893, GEORGE STONE (wooden propeller freighter, 270 foot, 1,841 gross tons) was launched by F. W. Wheeler & Co. (Hull #98) at West Bay City, Michigan. She lasted until 1909, when she stranded and burned on Lake Erie. The WILLIAM P. COWAN (Hull#724) cleared Lorain, Ohio on her maiden voyage in 1918. Renamed b.) AMOCO ILLINOIS in 1962. Scrapped at Windsor, Ontario, by M & M Steel Co., in 1987. In 1903, the twin-screw rail car ferry GRAND HAVEN (Hull#92) was launched at Toledo, Ohio, by the Craig Ship Building Co., for the Grand Trunk Carferry Line, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 1953 – The Paterson steamer SCOTIADOC sank in Lake Superior near Trowbridge Island after a collision in wind and fog with the BURLINGTON of Canada Steamship Lines. One man was lost when the starboard lifeboat was swamped after being launched. 1954 – The bulk carrier PATRIA, built in Canada during World War Two as the tanker MOOSE MOUNTAIN PARK, was declared a total loss after coming ashore 1 mile northwest of East Point, Santa Rosa Island, California. The ship was salvaged, repaired and made one trip through the Seaway in 1961 as PATAPSCO RIVER before being scrapped at Hirao, Japan, in 1963. 1973 – The bulk carrier ATLANTIC TRADER first traded through the Seaway in 1961 and returned on a regular basis as INVEREWE beginning in 1962. It was back again as d) THEOKEETOR in 1972 but sank June 20, 1973, after a collision with MARINA L. in dense fog off the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. All on board were saved. 1978 – A fire broke out in the cargo of coal aboard WILLIS B. BOYER and the ship docked at River Rouge where part of the cargo was unloaded to get at the fire. The vessel was enroute from Toledo to Silver Bay. 1995 – SAULT AU COCHON, built by Port Weller Dry Docks as a pulpwood barge in 1969, buckled and sank at Forestville, QC. The hull was refloated and taken to Hamilton for repairs later in the year. 2007 – KAPITAN RADIONOV first came to the Great Lakes in May 1992 with coal tar for Cleveland. It sank in severe weather on this date in 2007 as i) ALEXANDRA C. after flooding began in the engine room the previous day. The vessel went down 95 miles off Socotra Island, Yemen, while enroute to Australia with ammonium nitrate. All 19 crew on board were rescued. On June 20, 1959, the SEAWAY QUEEN began her maiden voyage. The vessel was appropriately named, as at the time she was the largest Canadian vessel on the Great Lakes, the 2nd largest on the Great Lakes overall (behind the EDMUND FITZGERALD), and she entered service the same week that Queen Elizabeth II and President Dwight D. Eisenhower formally dedicated the St. Lawrence Seaway. She was one of the more popular and classic looking vessels on the Great Lakes. June 20, 1936 - PERE MARQUETTE 21 was blocked in Manitowoc following an accident that disabled the Manitowoc Tenth Street Bridge, making it impossible to raise the structure. June 20, 1993 - BADGER struck the Ludington breakwall while arriving Ludington. She was sent to Sturgeon Bay for repairs. Ten operating days and 21 sailings were lost. The 230-foot wooden freighter JAMES DAVIDSON (Hull#4) was launched at West Bay City, Michigan, for James Davidson at his shipyard on 20 June 1874. JAMES DAVIDSON was wrecked in Lake Huron in 1883. The MINNEHAHA, a wooden "clipper" schooner, was launched at James A. Baker's shipyard in Oswego, New York, on 20 June 1857. Her dimensions were 110 foot keel, 125 foot overall, x 25 foot 6 inches x 10 foot 6 inches. She could carry 13,000 bushels of grain. Mr. James Navagh, her master builder, received a gold watch and chain worth $200 in appreciation of his fine work on this vessel. On Wednesday night, 20 June 1877, the schooner EVELINE (wooden schooner, 118 foot, 236 gross tons, built in 1861, at Litchfield, Michigan) was struck by lightning about sixty miles out from Alpena, Michigan. The bolt shattered the mainmast, throwing three large pieces over the vessel's sides. The large spar was split perpendicularly in two and the lightning bolt followed the grain of the wood in a circular manner until it reached the main boom jaw, which is enclosed in a band of iron fastened by a large bolt. This bolt was literally cut in two. The mate, George Mayom, had the left side of his body blistered and the skin burned off from the shoulder to the foot. His right leg, hands and arm were also severely burned, and he suffered internal injuries and bled freely. The vessel made it to port and she was repaired. She lasted until September 1895, when she sank off Kewaunee, Wisconsin. Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Skip Gillham, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Ship incident closes Canadian shipping route on Detroit River for 30 hours 6/19 - Windsor, Ont. – The Detroit River’s Canadian shipping channel was closed Monday after lines tying to shore a ship carrying 25,000 tons of gravel snapped. Three mooring lines holding the 730-foot Algoma Niagara’s bow to a dock in Sandwich Town snapped around 11 p.m., according to Steve Salmons, president and CEO of the Windsor Port Authority. The river’s current swung the ship’s hull into the channel 90 degrees, while the stern’s mooring lines remained attached to the dock. “The captain did what is the right protocol. He dropped anchor to stop it from swinging out,” Salmons said Tuesday. By the time the two-year-old ship stopped fully, it was already blocking the shipping channel. A member of the ship’s crew was reportedly injured when the mooring lines broke, Salmons said, but he didn’t know the nature or severity of the injury. Peter Winkley, spokesman for the Algoma Central Corporation, which owns the ship, would not confirm if a member of the Algoma Niagara’s crew had been injured. He declined to provide a statement about the incident. The ship’s captain first reported the incident to Transport Canada’s Ontario office in Sarnia, who then notified the Windsor Port Authority, Salmons said. His organization immediately closed the Canadian side of the shipping channel to prevent collisions, and kept the channel closed for approximately 30 hours. During that time, the Windsor Port Authority coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard to route ships to the American side of the water. “It caused minor inconvenience, but no backups,” Salmons said. If another ship had been in the area at the time, it could have collided with the anchored vessel and created a much worse situation. “We are fortunate across the board.” The ship’s anchor dropped near to the Kinder Morgan pipeline that carries ethane below the Detroit River, but the pipeline was not damaged during the incident. As a precaution, Kinder Morgan “sealed and purged out” the line, Salmons said, but the company told him its monitoring gauges registered no change in pressure—the line, which is buried several metres below the riverbed, suffered no leak, and has resumed transporting ethane. Two tugboats on Tuesday held the ship in place while crews cut the anchor’s chain and lowered it to the riverbed, Salmons said. The Algoma Central Corporation, the vessel’s owner, will come “as soon as possible” with a salvage operation to remove the anchor and chain. The tugboats then maneuvered the ship back to its spot along Windsor’s shore near Prospect Avenue, where it was re-tied to the port and crew unloaded the gravel. Once the channel was clear, the Windsor Port Authority reopened the shipping route’s Canadian side. “It’s not unusual for a mooring line to break—they do wear, they do get under stress,” Salmons said. “It was unusual that all three broke and it went out into the middle of the river.” Representatives from Transport Canada have been on scene to investigate the incident, Salmons said. He did not have the results of the investigation and said he did not expect to see results for several days. Windsor Star |
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US Steel to idle 3 blast furnaces as market conditions cool 6/19 - United States Steel Corp. will temporarily idle three blast furnaces, including two in the Midwest, and cut production of flat-rolled steel as market conditions soften. U.S. Steel said late Tuesday it would keep idled the Great Lakes B2 blast furnace, which began a planned outage last week, after the work is completed. Another blast furnace, this at the Gary Works facility, will be idled temporarily. Both could be idled for the rest of the year, which will cut production starting in July by between 200,000 and 225,000 tons. It said the blast furnace adjustments will be temporary but are to align production with its orders. It said flat-rolled steel sales are being hit by lower prices and lower demand, as well as shipments in the second quarter being lower due to flooding in the South. "We will resume blast furnace production at one or both idled blast furnaces when market conditions improve," U.S. Steel said in a statement. Imports and what the manufacturer called "market headwinds" are also impacting its European operations, where it will idle a blast furnace that produces about 125,000 tons of steel a month. That also could be idled through the end of the year, although U.S. Steel did not specifically state how long. "We will resume #2 blast furnace production when market conditions improve," U.S. Steel said. It also said that it would have $15 million in impact in the second quarter due to the Dec. 24 fire at the Clairton Coke Works. Pittsburgh Business Times |
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Port Reports - June 19 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known)
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
St. Marys River
Northern Lake Huron ports
Bruce Mines:
Meldrum Bay:
Parry Sound:
Owen Sound:
Stoneport:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Tuesday Jun 18 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage: downbound - Victory I (Bhs) (ex Saint Laurent-16, Sea Voyager-15, Cape May Light-06) at 0714, Evans Spirit at 0841, Pacific Huron (Atg) (ex Seven Islands-10) at 1002, Algoma Sault at 1421, Algoma Spirit at 1607, CSL Tadoussac at 1950 and Algoma Harvester at 2019 - Jun 18 - Atlantic Huron at 0145, Patalya (Mlt) (ex Maersk Newport-13) at 0237, Tim S Dool at 0632, Algoscotia at 0846, Manitoulin at 1148 and tug Wilf Seymour & Alouette Spirit at 1823 (stopping wharf 16)
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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International boaters can again check in at Rogers City harbor 6/19 - Rogers City, Mich. Rogers City is once again able to administer customs to “pleasure boaters” from Canada or to U.S. citizens returning from Canada at its marina. The city lost its designation as a point of entry with U.S. Customs and Border Protection two years ago when customs agent Pete Ardini, who served the region, retired. But it recently received a kiosk from the federal government which allows “pleasure boaters” to report their arrival using the agency’s Reporting Offsite Arrival-Mobile app. “We’re one of four communities in the state now who have one of these things,” City Manager Joe Hefele said of the kiosk. “That was a welcome surprise.” Hefele said losing the city’s port-of-entry designation was a blow to the marina and to the community. City Harbormaster Wayne Saile said that, two years ago, the city would have about 25 boaters arrive at the marina from Canada expecting a customs agent to be available. Saile would then have to direct them either to Sault Ste. Marie or Port Huron to clear customs, which he said was a “huge inconvenience.” “The year he left, we had about 20 people show up and I couldn’t help them,” he said of the summer Ardini retired. Saile, along with members of the community, wrote a letter to anyone involved with customs or the government – including President Donald Trump – letting them know about their plight. “We thought it fell on deaf ears,” he said. The next thing Saile knew, customs agents contacted him about the CBP ROAM app, which provides boaters with a faster way to report their arrival to the United States. He said customs agents were able to provide the marina with a kiosk that can be used with an iPad tablet. “We market this as just another tool that we have available to the people who don’t have it on their phone,” he said of the kiosk. “We have one of these delivered to us from Customs and Boarder Patrol that was delivered here and set up for the boaters’ convenience.” Pleasure boaters arriving in the U.S. from a foreign port are required by law to immediately report their arrival to Customs and Boarder Protection. Boaters can use the kiosk to enter their personal information, enter their boat information, declare any goods, and have a video conference with a customs agent right from the marina’s office. The Alpena News |
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Deadline near for Engineers Day Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise 6/19 - Reservations are now being accepted for the Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise on Friday, June 28. Mail reservations must be received no later than June 21 to receive the $40 price. Reservations ($45) will also be accepted at the Soo Boatnerd Picnic; the cut off time is noon Thursday, June 27, as we must let the boat tours know how many will be on board so they can order the right amount of food for dinner. For details, see www.boatnerd.com/gathering |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 19
On 19 June 1889, NORTH STAR (steel propeller freighter, 299 foot, 2,476 gross tons, built in 1889, at Cleveland, Ohio) collided with CHARLES J. SHEFFIELD (steel propeller freighter, 260 foot, 1,699 gross tons, built in 1887, at Cleveland, Ohio) about sixty miles west of Whitefish Point on Lake Superior in heavy fog. The NORTH STAR kept her bow in the SHEFFIELD's side after the impact, giving the crew time to board. The SHEFFIELD then sank in 8 minutes. Her loss was valued at $160,000. The courts found both vessels to be equally at fault after years of litigation. In 1954, GEORGE M. HUMPHREY (Hull#871) (named for President Eisenhower's Secretary of Treasury) was launched at Lorain, Ohio, by American Shipbuilding Co, for National Steel Co., M.A. Hanna, mgr. In 1978, ALGOBAY (Hull#215) was launched by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd. for Algoma Central Railway. Renamed b.) ATLANTIC TRADER in 1994, and renamed c.) ALGOBAY in 1996 and d.) RADCLIFFE R. LATIMER in 2012. On 19 June 1836, DELAWARE (wooden passenger/package freight side wheeler, 105 foot, 178 tons, built in 1833, at Huron, Ohio) was carrying general merchandise and passengers in a storm on Lake Michigan when she was thrown ashore off Niles, Illinois. She broke in two and was wrecked. No lives were lost. On 19 June 1900, the wooden schooner THOMAS L. HOWLAND was raised and towed to Buffalo, New York for repairs. She had been sunk by the ice off Windmill Point in the Detroit River early in the season. At 5:30 p.m., on 19 June 1872, the wooden package freight/passenger propeller MONTANA (236 foot, 1,535 gross tons) was finally afloat at Port Huron, Michigan. She was successfully launched at the Port Huron Dry Dock Company on Saturday, 15 June, but she got stuck in the mud. The tugs VULCAN, PRINDEVILLE, BROCKWAY and BURNSIDE were all employed to free her and the MONTANA's engines were also going. It took four days of pulling, hoisting and dredging to free her. The effort to get her free and afloat cost Alexander Muir, her builder, over $3,000 (in 1872 dollars). She lasted until 1914, when she burned near Alpena, Michigan. 1905 – The wooden passenger and freight steamer CITY OF COLLINGWOOD of 1893 vintage was destroyed by a fire at Collingwood and four lives were lost. 1917 – The Canadian bulk carrier NATIRONCO was beached in the Detroit River after a collision with the ASTERN STATES and was deemed a total loss. It was raised and repaired at Toledo and survived until scrapping at Civitavecchia, Italy, as d) SAN CARLO in 1929. 1925 – The wooden freighter MAPLEGLEN (i), is scuttled in Lake Ontario, west of Kingston, near Amherst Island. It had been idle since 1921 and was originally the WYOMING of 1881. 1929 –JOHN HANLAN was torched as a spectacle off the Sunnyside area of Toronto after having failed an inspection to continue service as a Toronto Island ferry. 1933 – MEADCLIFFE HALL sustained rudder damage after being struck by the CALGADOC (i) at Thorold. The grain-laden canaller was towed back to Port Colborne, unloaded, and repaired at Port Dalhousie. 1962 – Hatch cover planks give way at Cleveland aboard FLOWERGATE and a forklift and two men fell into the cargo hold, striking a third man. All were badly injured. The British freighter later returned through the Seaway under Panamanian registry as b) AMENITY and was scrapped at Troon, Scotland, in 1977. Data from: Jody Aho, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Skip Gillham, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Algoma Niagara stranded in Detroit River 6/18 - Algoma Niagara broke loose Sunday night while discharging stone at the Coco Dock in Windsor. The vessel is now sitting in the Detroit River with the anchor down near a natural gas line. Two tugs are being used to hold her in place. A large yacht passed by shortly before the Niagara broke loose. Video from the Detroit side of the river shows the wake from the yacht breaking over docks and causing the docked fireboat to surge violently. Mailboat crews were alongside the Algoma Spirt and reported the wake felt more like rolling ocean swells than the usual chop generated by small yachts. |
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Reinstating Customs in Marine City may be a challenge for Bluewater Ferry 6/18 - Morgan Dalgety said his family doesn’t want to sell its ferry in Sombra, Ontario. But they’re also frustrated, he said, that reinstating operations with U.S. Customs and Border Protection across the St. Clair River in Marine City may be what’s preventing an offer from moving forward. The Bluewater Ferry has been closed since January 2018 after heavy ice flow collided with the causeway connecting mainland Canada to the ferry dock and Canadian Customs building. What followed was a 17-month effort to first attempt to raise funds to cover costs to repair the damage before taking the Canadian government to court. Dalgety said the process has begun to drain them financially and that they’re considering a conditional offer to purchase and repair the ferry causeway to keep the service alive. The family is keeping specifics of the conditional sale confidential, though he said one of those conditions is that the U.S. CBP commits to staffing the port building in Marine City. “Now, they’re saying they have no staff,” Dalgety said. Three attempts to reach a CBP spokesman in Detroit for comment were unsuccessful Friday. “We haven’t given up, (but) we do not have the funds. The causeway needs to be built,” he added. “… We don’t want to sell. This is a fifth-generation family business.” Leaders in Marine City are expressing a similar concern for the latest snafu in reopening the ferry — some encouraging local residents to write federal lawmakers. Marine City’s manager, its six city commissioners and Mayor Dave Vandenbossche all signed a June 6 letter to Sen. Gary Peters asking he “give sincere and thoughtful consideration” to reinstating the CPB office in Marine City in order to accommodate any future ferry options. “The city adamantly expresses that the benefits of the reinstatement of the United States Customs’ port justify the government expense associated with the Customs office,” it reads, "and more importantly, the reopening of the port is imperative to the continued economic and community well-being in both Michigan and Ontario.” During the June 6 City Commission meeting, Vandenbossche said he hoped igniting a letter-writing campaign would pressure “our local and elected officials in Washington to make a difference.” This week, the mayor added he’s kept in contact with the Dalgety family during the process and continued that sentiment. Dalgety said he, too, wanted help from Peters, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Michigan’s national representatives “to figure out” the best path forward with the CBP post in Marine City. Port Huron Times Herald |
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Port Reports - June 18 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known)
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
St. Marys River
Green Bay, WI Northern Lake Huron ports
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Little Current:
Meldrum Bay:
Parry Sound:
Owen Sound:
Port Dolomite:
Drummond Island:
Port Inland:
Cleveland, OH – Raymond H Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Monday Jun 17 - Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Port Colborne anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 16 - Federal Nakagawa (Mhl) at 1053, USS Billings LCS-15 at 1707, Spruceglen at 1806, Jun 16 - Whitefish Bay at 0138 (stopping wharf 20), Finnborg (Nld) at 0629, Victory I (Bhs) (ex Saint Laurent-16, Sea Voyager-15, Cape May Light-06) at 0714, Evans Spirit at 0841, Pacifi Huron (Atg) (ex Seven Islands-10) at 1002, NACC Argonaut at 1326, Algoma Sault at 1421, Algoma Spirit at 1607, CSL Tadoussac at 1950 and Algoma Harvester at 2019
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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St. Clair Power Plant Construction 6/18 - Kiewit Construction is expecting a Manitowoc MLC 650 Crane to arrive by ship at the St. Clair Power Plant Monday. The crane is one of the largest cranes Manitowoc builds, the public may be interested in seeing this massive piece of equipment offloaded or at least on the freighter. The 640 tons of counter weights and 300 tons of belly weights for the crane have arrived by truck and half of the lattice boom are now on the site. These items have required over 40 semi trailer trucks for delivery. The entire construction project is slated to take 2 1/2years to complete. The assembly of the crane on site takes better than four weeks. Francis Becigneul |
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Duluth Seaway Port Authority rates favorably in Green Marine report 6/18 - Duluth, MN – The Duluth Seaway Port Authority and its terminal operations on Rice’s Point earned high marks in the Green Marine environmental performance report released June 6. The report rates port authority participants in seven categories: air emissions, community impacts, dry bulk handling and storage, environmental leadership, spill prevention, underwater noise and waste management. Forty-two (42) North American port authorities participated in the 2018 evaluation process, with the Duluth Seaway Port Authority ranking among the United States’ top 5 and No. 10 overall. Of participating port authorities managing their own dry bulk handling and storage, none ranked higher overall than the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. “We’re proactive about minimizing environmental impact,” said Jeff Stollenwerk, Duluth Seaway Port Authority director of government and environmental affairs. “The Green Marine program helps guide and inspire those efforts, while also giving participants a tangible scoreboard for environmental stewardship.” The voluntary Green Marine certification program began in 2007 and now includes nearly 150 participating ship owners, port authorities, seaway corporations, terminal operators and shipyard managers. Program participants must adopt practices and technologies that continually reduce their environmental footprint on the land, air and sea. The Duluth Seaway Port Authority has participated since the program’s inception. Duluth Seaway Port Authority |
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Sign up now for Engineers Day Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise 6/18 - The 2019 schedule of Boatnerd Gatherings has been set and information is now available now on the Gathering page, www.boatnerd.com/gathering Gatherings include Soo Locks Engineers weekend festivities and the annual Welland Canal weekend. Reservations are now being accepted for the Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise June 28. Reservations must be received no later than June 21 to receive the $40 price. Sign up now – don't be left on the dock. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 18
The steamer ILLINOIS was the first vessel to pass through the newly opened Soo Locks in 1855. To help commemorate the 100th anniversary of this event, an open house was held aboard the J. L. MAUTHE. While tied up at the Cleveland Lakefront dock, an estimated 1,700 persons toured the MAUTHE. During a moonlight charter on 18 June 1936, the TASHMOO (steel side-wheel excursion steamer, 308 foot, 1,344 gross tons, built in 1900, at Wyandotte, Michigan) struck a boulder in the Sugar Island channel in the Detroit River. The vessel docked at Amherstburg, Ontario, where her passengers disembarked as the vessel settled to the bottom in 14 feet of water. Although the damage was not fatal, the salvage crew botched the job. The TASHMOO had one end raised too quickly and her keel broke. This ended this well-loved vessel’s too-short career. The Soo Locks opened for their first season on 18 June 1855. The first vessel through the locks was the steamer ILLINOIS of 1853. In 1949, the WILFRED SYKES (Hull#866) was launched at American Shipbuilding Co., Lorain, Ohio, for Inland Steel Co. At the time she was the largest and most powerful vessel on the lakes. The SYKES was also the first boat to have a poop deck. She was converted to a self-unloader in 1975. In 1964, the bulk freighter SAGUENAY (Hull#647) was launched at Lauzon, Quebec, by Davie Ship Building Ltd., for Canada Steamship Lines Ltd. In 1968, the ALGOCEN (Hull#191) was launched at Collingwood, Ontario by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd, for Algoma Central Railway. Renamed b.) VALGOCEN in 2005, she was used as a spoils barge in Keasby, New Jersey. She returned to the lakes in in 2008 as J.W. SHELLEY. Sold and renamed PHOENIX STAR in 2012. On 18 June 1869, a little less than a week after being launched, the schooner DAVID A. WELLS sailed on her maiden voyage from Port Huron for Menominee, Michigan. On 18 June 1858, the steamship CANADA left the Lakes via the St. Lawrence rapids since she was too large for the existing locks. She had been built by Louis Shickluna at the Niagara Drydock Company in 1853, at a cost of $63,000. She was sold for ocean service after the Depression of 1857. Her hull was rebuilt and she was renamed MISSISSIPPI. She foundered in a gale in the South Atlantic on 12 August 1862. The venerable side-wheel passenger ferry TRILLIUM (Hull #94) was launched June 18, 1910, at Toronto, Ontario by Polson Iron Works, for the Toronto Ferry Co. 1905 –ETRURIA sank after a collision with the AMASA STONE off Passage Island Light, Lake Superior. 1942 – The steamer THOMAS MAYTHAM of 1892 vintage was rebuilt as the New York State Barge Canal tanker DOLOMITE 2 in 1938 and renamed MOTOREX in 1942. It was sunk by gunfire from U-172 near the Colon entrance to the Panama Canal and all on board were rescued. 1944 – ALBERT C. FIELD, a former Great Lakes bulk canaller, was hit by an aerial torpedo from German aircraft and broke in two and sank in minutes. There were 4 lives lost when the ship was hit in the English Channel while carrying munitions and 130 bags of mail in support of the Normandy invasion. 1959 – SPRINGDALE, a Great Lakes trader in the early 1950s and later operated on charter to Reoch Transports, capsized and sank in the Gulf of Bothnia after the cargo of timber shifted in heavy weather. 1960 – GEERTJE BUISMAN came to the Great Lakes in 1960 and ran aground on Vienne Shoal in northern Lake Michigan while outbound from Chicago with a cargo that included new Nash Rambler automobiles for Europe. The Dutch vessel was stuck for 4 days, and had to be lightered. It returned to the Seaway again in later years and was finally scrapped as f) MOUNT at Varna, Bulgaria, in 2003-2004. 1991 – The saltwater trader AKTI was driven aground 14 miles north of Necochea, Argentina, in a storm and sold “as lies” before being refloated as d) AKTO on July 27. Examination determined that the ship was a total loss but it was rebuilt by Chilean interests as e) RIO CIERVOS. The vessel had been through the Seaway as a) ASIA PROSPERITY beginning in 1974, as b) HAN PACIFIC in 1983, and c) AKTI in 1988. It was scrapped at g) AL GIORGIS after arriving at Chittagong, Bangladesh, on November 17, 2005. 1997 – CANADIAN MARINER ran aground in the St. Lawrence near Crossover Shoal after losing power. The vessel had to be lightered to be released and was repaired by Port Weller Dry Docks. The ship was scrapped at Aliaga, Turkey, in 2007. Data from: Skip Gillham, Gerry O., Joe Barr, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Christening at Great Lakes museum to celebrate new, old tugboats 6/17 - Toledo, OH – It’ll be a passing-of-the-torch, tugboat style. During a ceremony Friday, one tug named Ohio, 116 years old, will begin its new life as a centerpiece of the National Museum of the Great Lakes’ collection. The other, fresh from the Great Lakes Towing Co.’s shipyard in Cleveland, will be christened as the older tug’s successor in that company’s working fleet. Christopher Gillcrist, the museum’s executive director, said that based on some “relatively quick research,” the event is believed to be the first occasion of “past and present being there at the same time.” Joe Starck, Great Lakes Towing’s president, credited the idea to Paul LaMarre III, who helped arrange the Ohio’s donation to the museum and previously led efforts to save the museum’s freighter, then known as the S.S. Willis B. Boyer and owned by the city of Toledo, from being scrapped. “We were just chatting; he was cleaning it [the old Ohio] up for the exhibit, and he said, ‘Maybe we ought to do this together.’ I thought it was a good idea,” Mr. Starck said Wednesday, adding that the Great Lakes museum also seemed like a good venue to dedicate the new tug. And while the old Ohio spent relatively little time in Toledo’s port, Mr. Starck said the new one will be based here — offering frequent opportunities for the new Ohio to pass and salute its maritime ancestor. It was Mr. Starck’s idea, meanwhile, to invite Mr. LaMarre’s wife, Julie, to christen the new tugboat. “Paul helped put this all together,” Mr. Starck said. “It’s his vision, and also he’s a good friend of the company…. We’re really glad to have him and his wife participate, and we know his wife will bring the tug good luck. That’s what it’s all about.” The museum tug Ohio’s sponsor will be Jane Smith, a longtime museum employee and volunteer, who is to break over its bow rail a bottle of beer — rather than traditional champagne — because that was what was done when at its original 1903 christening in Chicago before entering service as a fireboat in Milwaukee, famous for its breweries. “Mrs. Smith was chosen as the sponsor because she best represents the volunteer spirit that makes projects like this one possible,” Mr. Gillcrist said. The old Ohio got its current name during the 1950s when Great Lakes Towing bought it and converted it into a tug. The company approached the museum about a donation after determining the veteran tugboat could not economically be brought into compliance with new inspection procedures required by the Coast Guard. After receiving initial repairs at the George Gradel Co. shipyard downriver, the old Ohio was moved last fall to the museum’s Maumee River wharf, where it underwent cosmetic restoration and painting. The veteran tug had sustained substantial rust damage during several years of storage downwind from a Cleveland salt mine after it was withdrawn from service. “When we sandblasted, we made holes,” Mr. Gillcrist said. But the new metal plating and sealant that have been applied during the restoration have been effective, he said, based on how dry the tug’s interior has been during recent rainstorms. At the museum, it will be moored as if it is providing assistance to the museum’s freighter, the S.S. Col. James M. Schoonmaker, which was moved to the museum site in 2012 after being rechristened with its original name the year before. Friday’s events will be reserved for advance ticket holders only. A limited number of tickets is available for $25 apiece — $20 for museum members. The museum will be closed to non-ticketholders on Friday. Vessel christenings traditionally attract substantial crowds, and Mr. Gillcrist said it’s conceivable 500 will attend this one, including people who bought tickets last fall for “before and after” tours of the old Ohio as well as invited guests of the museum and Great Lakes Towing. Museum officials planned for the new Ohio tug to remain at the museum throughout the weekend on display — albeit with members of the public not allowed to board it — but Mr. Starck said even that may not be possible because of high water spilling over from Lake Erie into the Maumee River. If necessary, Mr. Starck said, barges will be brought in to provide a temporary mooring at the museum for the new Ohio, but if that is needed, the vessel can’t stay all weekend. In any case, he said, the general public can’t be allowed aboard because the safety risk — and thus the potential liability — but a virtual video tour of the new Ohio will be offered for viewing. At a public event, “you’re going to have people in high-heeled shoes, you’re going to have headbangers, and we just don’t want anybody to get hurt,” Mr. Starck said. The old Ohio is larger than the smaller tugs Toledoans routinely see assisting freighters up and down the Maumee River, with a galley, lounge, and sleeping quarters for its crews’ use during longer trips. But as an exhibit, Mr. Gillcrist said, it will have more to show than would one of the workaday tugs, which are basically an engine with a hull and command station surrounding it. “We’re still determining the nature of our Ohio exhibit,” the museum director said. “We have to decide if it will be an app tour, or have physical displays.” As for the cost of the Ohio’s cosmetic restoration, Mr. Gillcrist said, “we’re comfortably close to budget” and still receiving donations, such as a recent $2,000 from the Great Lakes Foundation. “We’re on target,” he said. “We knew we were going to spend $35,000 to $45,000 for the work.” The new Ohio is one of five tugboats Great Lakes Towing is building at its Cleveland shipyard to modernize its fleet. The first one, the Cleveland, was completed two years ago and is currently assigned to its namesake city but is likely to be reassigned to Detroit, Mr. Starck said. The next, the Michigan, will be finished next month, with the Pennsylvania and the Wisconsin to be done after that. The Pennsylvania is likely to also be assigned to Toledo, where it and the Ohio will replace four older tugs that not provide vessel assistance in the local harbor. The new Wisconsin will also be a successor to an existing Great Lakes tug with that name, currently assigned to the Monroe port. Mr. Starck said the old Wisconsin is to be renamed to a prior name and preserved, while other tugs retired as a result of the company’s new-vessel construction likely will be scrapped. Museum admission Saturday and Sunday will be $17 for the general public, while museum members will be admitted free. The museum will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. View a video at this link: https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2019/06/16/ohio-to-replace-older-tugboat-in-great-lakes-museum-s-collection/stories/20190614082 |
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Port Reports - June 17 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known)
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
St. Marys River
Sturgeon Bay, WI
Detroit, MI – Raymond H Northeast Ohio ports<BR> Sunday Arrivals: Iver Bright-arrived at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal. Alpena-arrived at Lafarge to unload cement. Olive L Moore/Menominee-arrived at the Carmeuse Dock to unload stone. Sharon M I and barge Huron Spirit-arrived at Nicholson's Ecorse Terminal to unload steel coils.
Oswego, NY – Ned Goebricher |
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Sign up now for Engineers Day Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise 6/17 - The 2019 schedule of Boatnerd Gatherings has been set and information is now available now on the Gathering page, www.boatnerd.com/gathering Gatherings include Soo Locks Engineers weekend festivities and the annual Welland Canal weekend. Reservations are now being accepted for the Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise June 28. Reservations must be received no later than June 21 to receive the $40 price. Sign up now – don't be left on the dock. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 17
On June 17, 1895, the J. W. Westcott Co. inaugurated its unique mail delivery service. On 17 June 1878, the Canadian schooner JAMES SCOTT of Port Burwell capsized and sank in Lake Erie. The captain's wife, their child and two seamen were drowned. The wooden schooner MONTEREY, which stranded on Sleeping Bear Point on Lake Michigan in early December 1890, was released on 17 June 1891. The SCOTT MISENER (Hull#11) was christened on June 17, 1951, for Colonial Steamships Ltd. She was the first vessel built at Port Weller Drydocks Ltd. Renamed b.) JOHN E. F. MISENER in 1954, she was scrapped at Cartagena, Columbia, in 1986. The PATERSON of 1954 collided with the steamer EDMUND W. MUDGE in 1957, in fog on the St. Clair River opposite Marine City, Michigan. The WILLIAM A. IRVIN was towed to the Duluth Convention Center on June 17, 1986, by the tugs SIOUX and DAKOTA to be on station as a museum ship at the new $3 million convention facility. June 17, 1998 - The barge PERE MARQUETTE 41 and tug UNDAUNTED arrived Ludington, Michigan from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, after the remainder of the conversion there. The propeller OWEN SOUND was launched at Collingwood, Ontario, on 17 June 1875. She measured 900 tons and could carry 30,000 bushels of grain. 1909 – The iron hulled passenger and freight steamer CAMPANA had been cut in two to leave the Great Lakes in 1895, but the hull broke in 1909 where the sections had been rejoined and sank in the St. Lawrence at Point St. Michael a few miles below Quebec City. 1918 – JAY GOULD was loaded with coal and towing the barge COMMODORE when it began leaking and then sank eight miles southeast of Southeast Shoal, Lake Erie. The hull was later dynamited as a hazard to navigation. The barge was overwhelmed by the seas and rolled in the trough for about two hours before it also sank. All on board both ships were saved. 1941 – The Lake Ontario passenger steamer KINGSTON ran aground on a shoal in the St. Lawrence 15 miles SW of Ogdensburg, NY after losing her way in thick fog. The passengers were transferred to RAPIDS PRINCE and the ship was released with the aid of pontoons and repaired at Kingston. 1998 – MOUNTAIN BLOSSOM was downbound in the Seaway when it struck the approach wall at the Eisenhower Lock, opening a crack in the hull that allowed about 50 gallons of xylene to escape. The immediate area was evacuated but the problem was quickly cleaned up. The ship was a regular Great Lakes trader from 1986 to 2007 and was scrapped at Xinhui, China, after arriving on January 10, 2010. Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Detroit Marine Historian, Marine Historical Society's Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Port Reports - June 16 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known)
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON Northern Lake Huron ports
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Little Current:
Meldrum Bay:
Thessalon:
Bruce Mines:
Drummond Island:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas |
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Prince Edward Island company aims to build Lake Ontario ferry 6/16 - A Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, company is one of 10 that's been awarded money from Transport Canada's new $2.4 million clean transportation fund. Redrock Power Systems has been given $15,000 towards a $35,000 feasibility study on a zero-emissions passenger ferry it wants to develop for Lake Ontario. The company is leading a partnership that wants to build a ferry to carry commuters from St. Catharines, on the south shore of Lake Ontario near the U.S. border, to downtown Toronto. "A huge number of commuters have migrated from the crazy real estate situation in Toronto to St. Catharines," said company founder Paul Paterson. "They're spending up to three hours each way per day in car traffic going back and forth. We figure we can do the trip in about one hour. So we think there's a strong business case for it, but there are a lot of technicalities which have to be addressed first." Paterson said they're looking at a 150-person ferry to operate nine months a year. The feasibility study will determine what kind of drive system to choose. It could be hydrogen fuel cells, bio-gas or bio-diesel. Paterson hopes this work will eventually spinoff into work on the new federal East Coast ferries, if Ottawa commits to those being low-carbon vessels. According to a note from Transport Canada to CBC News, the four ferries the federal government owns on the East Coast account for approximately 70 per cent of that department's greenhouse gas emissions. It does expect two new ferries will have a less environmental impact. CBC |
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How autonomous vessels could change Great Lakes commerce, research 6/16 - There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about the future of self-driving cars. But what about autonomous ships? When the Great Lakes governors and the premiers of Ontario and Quebec begin their 2019 summit on Friday, one of the events on the schedule will be a demonstration of “smart ship” technology. Guy Meadows directs the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Technological University where he specializes in marine engineering. He says that the demonstration will feature what his team believes to be “the world leader in autonomous surface vessels.” It's a bright yellow, 18-foot, fully-autonomous research vessel that can operate for up to seven days completely unattended. Per an agreement with the Coast Guard, this particular vessel will be operating under “supervised autonomy” to ensure safety in Lake Superior, where Meadows and his team are testing its usefulness as a research vessel. “There will be a supervisory vessel that can take control at any moment,” Meadows said. These kinds of unoccupied vessels, Meadows says, are best used to complete tasks that fall into the “three Ds”: dirty, dangerous, and dull. “Dull would be resurveying the Great Lakes, which is really necessary. In some places, the surveys are 100 years old. Dangerous are things that you would not want to risk human exposure — that would be clean-ups of contaminants, spills, collisions between ships, oil spills, things of that nature,” Meadows explained. Research into autonomous land vehicles is far beyond that of autonomous ships, but Meadows says there's a lot of interest in bringing the technology being developed at auto companies into the marine sector. Twenty years from now, Meadows says he hopes that smart ship technology will help improve water quality, give us a better understanding of invasive species, and create more accurate maps of the depths and substrates of the Great Lakes. Meadows acknowledges that the widespread implementation of autonomous vessels would cause a shift in the duties of ship pilots and crew members. Still, he argues that the development of this technology presents “tremendous opportunity” to create jobs and boost the region's economy as well. “Part of the governors’ and premiers’ interest is to use our capacity here throughout the Great Lakes Basin to become an exporter worldwide of these technologies,” Meadows said. "We think we could lead the market in that rather than playing catchup.” Listen to an interview at this link: https://www.michiganradio.org/post/how-autonomous-vessels-could-change-great-lakes-commerce-research |
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Ports of Indiana become first inland waterway to secure Green Marine designation 6/16 - The Ports of Indiana have become the first inland waterway system in the country and the first statewide port authority in the nation to earn a Green Marine certification for environmental sustainability. The certification comes after the state's two ports on the Ohio River caught up to the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor in adopting environmental best practices. The port on Lake Michigan in Porter County earned the honor in 2014 in recognition of steps it took beyond regulatory requirements in areas like aquatic invasive species, greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Now, the entire Indianapolis-based ports system, including the Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville and Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon on the southern edge of the state, has received the distinction from Green Marine, a voluntary environmental certification program for North America's maritime industry. “The Green Marine certification emphasizes our commitment to adopt practices and technologies that have a direct impact at our three port locations and beyond,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Vanta Coda II. “We will continue to seek improvement of our environmental performance by adhering to the Green Marine guiding principles.” The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor improved its Green Marine score last year, most dramatically in the spill prevention category. It also adopted and implemented a stormwater management program in November. NW Indiana Times |
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Updates 6/16 - The saltie gallery has been updated with the following images: Aragonborg, Arsland, Carolus Magnus, Chestnut, Eeborg, Egelantiersgracht, Egmondgracht, Emanuele S, Federal Columbia, Federal Satsuki, Gardno, Industrial Skipper, Juno, Kivalliq W, Lake St Clair, Lubie, Mitiq, Pacific Huron, Patalya, Selasse, Sten Arnold, Strandja, Victory II, and Whistler. |
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Pre-orders now being taken for new ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ book 6/16 - To mark the 60th anniversary of ‘Know Your Ships,’ a new book, ‘Know Your Ships: Decades,’ will be released this fall. The 240-page book will be hardcover and in a larger format (11” x 8.5”) than the regular Know Your Ships. ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ represents an editors' choice of the best of the many outstanding images that have appeared in the annual Know Your Ships since its founding in 1959. The book also includes a year-by-year timeline of important events on the shipping scene from 60-year Seaway era as well as the major fleet stack markings and house flags. In making this book, nearly 2,000 photographs were considered, and the ones selected were re-scanned to yield the highest quality possible. Pre-ordered books will be autographed and will include a free commemorative reprint of the original, 44-page 1959 Know Your Ships. The pre-order runs to June 30. Books will ship in mid-September. Price is $49.95 plus shipping and tax. Hardcover, high-quality books such as this one are expensive to print. Pre-orders will help determine how many will be printed. There will not be a reprint - once they are gone they are gone. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 16
On 16 June 1891, Alexander McDougall himself took his brand-new whaleback steamer JOSEPH L. COLBY (steel propeller whaleback freighter, 265 foot, 1,245 gross tons, built in 1890 at West Superior, Wisconsin) down the St. Lawrence River to the sea. The double-hulled COLBY left Prescott, Ontario at 3 p.m., drawing six feet nine inches aft and five feet six inches forward and started on her wild ride through the rapids. The whaleback freighter plowed through the Galops, Iroquois, Long Sault, Coteau, Cedar, Split Rock and Cascade Rapids. She grated the bottom a number of times and had a number of close calls. Captain McDougall stood immobile throughout the trip but great beads of perspiration broke out on his forehead. When the vessel finally made it through the Cascades and was safe on Lake St. Louis, the French Canadian pilot left and the crew let out shouts of joy with the whistle blowing. The COLBY was the first screw steamer to attempt running the rapids. On 16 June 1892, GENERAL BURNSIDE (3-mast wooden schooner, 138 foot, 308 gross tons, built in 1862, at Wolfe Island, Ontario) foundered in a powerful northwest gale on Lake Erie near Southeast Shoal Light. Her crew was rescued by the tug GREGORY. The steamer UNIQUE (wooden propeller passenger/package freight steamer, 163 foot, 381 gross tons) was built by Alexander Anderson at Marine City, Michigan. She was launched stern first at 3:00 p.m. on 16 June 1894. There was quite a crowd assembled to watch the launch. While waiting for the launch, Engineer Merrill of the steamer MARY composed the following verse:
"The new steamer Unique The vessel was painted a bright yellow up to the promenade deck with white cabins and upper works. In 1901, she left the upper lakes and was chartered for the Thousand Islands cruise trade. Later that year, she was sold to Philadelphia buyers for Delaware River service. Her upper cabins were removed in 1904, when she was rebuilt as a yacht. She lasted until 20 November 1915, when she burned to a total loss in New York harbor. On 16 June 1905, at 2:00 a.m., a fire was discovered around the smokestack of the North Shore Navigation Company's CITY OF COLLINGWOOD (wooden propeller passenger-package freight steamer, 213 foot, 1,387 gross tons, built in 1893, at Owen Sound, Ontario) burned at the Grand Trunk Railway docks at Collingwood, Ontario and was destroyed along with the dock and nearby sheds. Four died, but most of crew jumped overboard. Captain Wright had gone to his home on Pine St. about an hour before and was preparing for bed when he heard four whistles sounded by the steamer BRITTANIC, which was laying alongside. He ran to the dock, went aboard and woke the 1st mate J. D. Montgomery and a wheelsman. They had to jump to the dock to escape the flames. James Meade, Lyman Finch, A. McClellan, and another unidentified crewmember who had just joined the vessel at the Soo were all sleeping in the forecastle and lost their lives. In 1967, the FEUX FOLLETS (Hull#188) was launched at Collingwood, Ontario, by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd., for Papachristidis Co. Ltd. She was the last steam-powered lake ship. Renamed in 1972 as b.) CANADIAN LEADER and scrapped in 2012. Upbound in the Welland Canal on June 16, 1963, loaded with iron ore for Chicago, U.S. Steel's BENJAMIN F. FAIRLESS suffered bow damage in collision with Canadian steamer RALPH S. MISENER. In 1918, the WILLIAM P. SNYDER JR was in collision with the steamer GEORGE W. PERKINS in Duluth Harbor resulting in damage of $5,000 to both vessels. On 16 June 1861, ANDOVER (2-mast wooden schooner, 98 foot, 190 tons, built in 1844, at Black River, Ohio) was carrying lumber in a storm and ground on Pointe aux Barques reef on Lake Huron. Though not thought to be seriously damaged, she resisted all efforts by the tug ZOUAVE to release her. She was finally stripped and abandoned. On 16 June 1887, CHAMPLAIN (wooden propeller passenger/package freight vessel, 135 foot, 438 gross tons, built in 1870, at Cleveland, Ohio) was carrying passengers, merchandise and horses on Lake Michigan when an engine room lamp exploded. The fire spread so quickly that the pumps could not be started. She headed for Fisherman's Island, Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, but struck a bar and sank a mile short of the beach. 22 of the 57 persons aboard died, most from drowning. Although initially declared a total loss, the hull was towed into Harbor Springs, Michigan, then taken to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and rebuilt as CITY OF CHARLEVOIX. She was also lengthened to 165 foot. She lasted until 1924, when she burned at her lay-up dock in Manistee, Michigan. At that time, she was named KANSAS. Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II, the Fr. Dowling Collection and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Lakes limestone trade up 13.6 percent in May 6/15 - Cleveland, OH – Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 4.3 million tons in May, an increase of 13.6 percent compared to a year ago. May’s loadings also bettered the month’s 5-year average by 17.8 percent. Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 3.4 million tons, an increase of 8.2 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 890,000 tons, an increase of over 40 percent. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at nearly 6.7 million tons, an increase of 26.7 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries total 5.5 million tons, an increase of 23.2 percent. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 1.18 million tons, an increase of 45.9 percent. Lake Carriers’ Association |
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Saltie Thorco Isadora may be chartered by Desgagnés 6/15 - The general cargo ship Thorco Isadora built in 2011 arrived in Montréal on June 2. Her agent is now Transport Desgagnés. It is not known if she was bought or chartered. Probably chartered for some trips to the Arctic. She has a departure time from Montréal for Bécancour, QC on July 1 to load according to the Port of Montréal website. Under her previous name of Maersk Illinois, she transited the Seaway in 2012 and was registered in the USA then. René Beauchamp |
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Port Reports - June 15 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known)
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
Alpena, MI – Ben & Chanda McClain
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Friday Jun 14 – Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 14 - Federal Rhine (Bds) at 0222, Algoma Strongfield at 0517, Algonova at 0800 and Juno (Bhs), at 1815
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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High waters prompt protocols on Seaway shipping speed, passing 6/15 - Shipping on the St. Lawrence Seaway system will lag, but not stop, due to speed and movement protocols enacted in response to flooding mitigation efforts. The International Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Board on Friday announced its plan to raise outflows consecutively and beyond the threshold for safe commercial navigation to help mitigate damage caused by high water levels on both water bodies. In order to adapt to rising outflows, the St. Lawrence Seaway Development and Management corporations, entities that operate the Seaway on the U.S. and Canadian sides, respectively, issued speed controls and prohibitions of vessels meeting and passing in certain areas of the international waterway. Seaway officials said on background they also directed mariners to operate “at the lowest safe speeds to minimize vessels’ wakes” and planned to station a tug boat at the Iroquois Lock, located in Canada across from the town of Waddington, in case vessel operators need assistance. Bruce Burrows, president of the Chamber of Marine Commerce, which advocates for more than 130 marine industry stakeholders, in a statement the outflow adjusts will help shoreline residents, but the longer transit times and additional costs prompted by them will still cause “significant loss to the economy.” Shipping companies cannot make up lost time because the Seaway closes in the winter, he said. “The 2017 outflows on the St. Lawrence Seaway ... resulted in a two-hour delay for all transits. On a per day basis, this two-hour delay equals to an estimated $4 million loss in business revenue. The business losses are not just for shipowners but the region-wide supply chain that is dependent upon the cargo being moved through the Seaway,” he said. “There is a reduced amount of cargo that can be transported and a critical interruption of timely deliveries.” Frequent rainfall across the entire Great Lakes basin and outflows from Lake Erie have caused the lake to rise beyond record levels, which has submerged docks, closed roads and recently flooded homes. Effects of the adverse weather and Lake Erie outflows were compounded by high outflows from the Ottawa River, forcing the river board to reduce outflows from the lake through the Robert Moses-Robert H. Saunders Power Dam in Massena and Cornwall, Ontario earlier this year. The board, however, has since raised outflows several times as the Ottawa River has subsided and lake levels have begun to stabilize. Outflows reached 10,200 cubic meters of water, enough water to fill 33,682 average-sized bathtubs per second, on Friday, and the river board planed to continue raising them in increments until reaching 10,400 cubic meters, enough water to fill 34,342 bathtubs, per second by Thursday. Outflows reached 10,260 cubic meters, enough to fill 33,880 bathtubs, per second on Monday, according to the board. The last time outflows reached 10,400 cubic meters per second, the maximum rate on record, was in 2017, the last time Lake Ontario experienced record-breaking levels and flooded shoreline properties. Seaway officials said they also instituted the same speed and movement protocols they recently initiated in 2017. “Seaway Corporation officials have been involved in regular discussions with the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board in recent weeks focused on higher outflows that allow for safe commercial navigation, and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” they said. Mr. Burrows said the outflow rate of 10,400 cubic meters per second “is the best compromise solution” for commercial shippers and shoreline residents. “The accumulation of these losses will depend on how long the outflows are maintained at this level,” he said. Despite record high water levels in 2017, shipping companies were able to transport 38 million tons of cargo on the Seaway, 9 percent more than in 2016, in part with increased shipments of stone, cement and finished steel products and healthy iron ore shipments to steel mills in both the U.S. and Asia. Last year, vessels shipped more cargo than any other year since 2007 at 40.9 million tons. Watertown Daily Times |
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Lake Ontario reaches 249 feet for first time in recorded history 6/15 - Wilson, NY – Lake Ontario has reached 249 feet for the first time in recorded history. "Unfortunately we hit 249 (feet), and we're climbing," said Jonathan Schultz, Director of Emergency Services for Niagara County. The International Joint Commission, which regulates the lake's water level, says the lake will continue rising gradually, and likely won't peak out for another one-to-three weeks. Just days ago, the record for water height set during 2017's historic flooding was matched. That year, there were localized lake readings above 249 feet in some communities, like Olcott for instance, where there was a reading of 249.2 feet. However, the lake-wide average topped out at just 248.95 feet. On Sunset Island, in Wilson, residents are concerned about what might happen if the lake continues to rise. Sunset Island is actually a peninsula, connected to the mainland by a stone walkway which has narrowed in recent weeks. "It is quickly going to become an island again unless the water recedes," said resident Kevin Doherty. Doherty, who has had a summer home on Sunset Island for the last 11 years, is concerned the stone may wash away. If that happens, the only way to access his home would be by boat. WIVB |
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Cruise ship makes first stop of the season in Milwaukee 6/15 - Milwaukee, WI – The cruise ship season is now underway on the Great Lakes. The 200-passenger ship called the Pearl Mist arrived in Milwaukee Tuesday morning around 8 a.m. The ship makes stops along the Great Lakes in Wisconsin, Michigan and Canada. Milwaukee is a turn-around city meaning it will serve as the passenger’s beginning or end of the trip, bringing in thousands over the next few months. Last summer, ships stopped in Milwaukee only twice. This summer there will be 11 stops. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett hopes it will continue to grow for years to come. “I really think that you’re going to see this Great Lakes cruising industry grow and we are so well positioned right now,” he said. “It’s very, very exciting.” The Pearl Mist leaves Milwaukee on Wednesday morning. The next cruise ship is expected to arrive on July 4. CBS 58 |
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Sign up now for Engineers Day Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise 6/15 - The 2019 schedule of Boatnerd Gatherings has been set and information is now available now on the Gathering page, www.boatnerd.com/gathering Gatherings include Soo Locks Engineers weekend festivities and the annual Welland Canal weekend. Reservations are now being accepted for the Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise June 28. Reservations must be received no later than June 21 to receive the $40 price. Sign up now – don't be left on the dock. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 15
On this day in 1967, the new $6 million Allouez taconite pellet handling facility in Superior, Wisconsin, was dedicated. The first cargo of 18,145 tons of pellets was loaded into the holds of the Hanna Mining Company freighter JOSEPH H. THOMPSON. At midnight, on Saturday, 15 June 1901, OMAR D. CONGER (wooden propeller ferry, 92 foot, 199 gross tons, built in 1882, at Port Huron, Michigan) burned at her dock on the Black River in Port Huron, Michigan. Her upper works were destroyed, but she was repaired and put back in service. She lasted until 1922, when her boiler exploded, killing four people and destroying the vessel. On June 15, 1943, the D.M. CLEMSON collided with and sank the GEORGE M. HUMPHREY in the Straits of Mackinac. Both of these 600-footers recovered for long careers. The D.M. CLEMSON was sold for scrap in 1980. The GEORGE M. HUMPHREY was recovered over a year later, renamed the b.) CAPTAIN JOHN ROEN, later converted to a self-unloader, and finished her career as d.) CONSUMERS POWER at the end of the 1985, season before being scrapped in 1988. In 1989, the ROGER M. KYES was rechristened b.) ADAM E. CORNELIUS by American Steamship Co. The wooden 180-foot schooner JOHN A. FRANCOMB was launched at West Bay City, Michigan, on 15 June 1889. She was built by F. W. Wheeler & Co. (Hull #61). She lasted until she was abandoned at Bay City in 1934. GRECIAN (steel propeller freighter, 296 foot, 2,348 gross tons, built in 1891, at Cleveland, Ohio by Globe Iron Works (Hull#40) struck a rock near Detour, Michigan, on 7 June 1906, but made dock at Detour before settling on bottom. After her cargo was removed, she was raised, and towed by her fleet mate SIR HENRY BESSEMER, bound for Detroit Shipbuilding Co. in Wyandotte, Michigan, for repairs, relying on air pressure in her sealed holds to keep her afloat. However, on 15 June 1906, her holds began to fill with water and she sank in Lake Huron off Thunder Bay. Her crew was rescued by SIR HENRY BESSEMER. 1933 – BRENTWOOD ran aground in the St. Marys River and was released on June 19 with about $60,000 in damage. The CSL vessel soon tied up at Midland and was scrapped there in 1937. 1943 – WILLIAM BREWSTER was on her maiden voyage when she collided with the W.D. CALVERLEY JR. and sank on her side in the St. Clair River off Algonac. The ship was not refloated until November and, after repairs, finally left the lakes in June 1944. It operated on saltwater routes until scrapping at Calcutta, India, as e) RAY MAYABUNDAR in 1967. 1962 – NYON, a Seaway visitor in 1961 and 1962, sank in the English Channel, 5 miles south of Beachy Head, after a collision in heavy fog with the Indian freighter JALAZAD. The latter came to the Great Lakes in 1969 and was eventually scuttled off Tema, Ghana, as b) JYOTI VINOD in September 1983. 1965 – BREIM, a Great Lakes visitor from Norway, got stuck in the mud below the Snell Lock at Massena, NY was released the next day after some cargo was lightered. The ship arrived at Visakhapatnam, India, for scrapping as c) CHRISTINA C. on October 24, 1983. 1988 – ALGOWEST and COUDRES D'ILE collided in fog on the St. Lawrence and the small coastal freighter sank with the loss of one life. The former now sails for Algoma as PETER R. CRESSWELL. 2001 – Fire broke out in the engine room of the Cypriot freighter FELIX 60 miles off Las Palmas, Canary Islands and the 21-member crew was removed. The ship first came to the Great Lakes as a) BEGONIA in 1978 and returned as b) TIMUR SWALLOW in 1983 and c) JENNIFER JANE in 1985. The burning vessel was anchored and the fire extinguished June 16. A total loss, the ship arrived at Aliaga, Turkey, under tow as f) ELI on December 1, 2001, and was broken up. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Parts of the Great Lakes may get pounded by 13-foot waves 6/14 - Some 7.5 million Americans in the Great Lakes are under threat of gale force winds and flooding. Don't go in the water. Don't even go near the water. That's the message that authorities are telling lakeshore residents of Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Erie. It's all thanks to a weather system roaring through the region on Thursday and Friday bringing gale force wind gusts and rain to the region. The situation along the lakeshore is made even more dangerous by the water in the lakes being already at near-record high levels. That's from all the rain and snow that's fallen in the last 12 months. Gale force wind, and the massive waves, are going to push water onshore and cause some beach erosion and flooding, the National Weather Service says. Some areas are already feeling the effects of the nasty weather. Portage, Indiana, was being pounded by massive waves and the pier in South Haven, Michigan, is under water. Water was coming onshore in New Buffalo, Michigan. Flood and gale warnings from the National Weather Service have already been posted for much of the Chicagoland area along Lake Michigan, even extending into parts of Michigan. Waves up to 13-feet high and winds up to 40 mph are predicted for some spots. As the storm moves further east overnight the Canadian shore and the southern shore of Lake Erie will begin to feel the effects. The NOAA Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System indicates that the Lake Erie shore that includes Cleveland, Ohio and Erie, Pennsylvania, could see 10-foot waves. CNN |
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Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway shipping rebounds in May 6/14 - After a slow start due to ice conditions, St. Lawrence Seaway cargo surged in May fueled by grain and iron ore exports and shipments of road salt. According to the latest numbers, cargo shipments from March 22 through the end of May totaled 8.3 million metric tons, bringing it in line with last year’s strong performance. “If the May pace continues, we should be able to build on the 17 percent Seaway cargo growth accumulated over the past two years,” said Bruce Burrows, President of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “U.S. Great Lakes ports are also reporting an acceleration in business. Two key growth areas are increased domestic and imported road salt and iron ore volumes due to domestic demand for steel production and exports of iron ore pellets from Minnesota to international locations like China.” Iron ore shipments via the St. Lawrence Seaway (from March 22 to May 31) totaled 1.5 million metric tons, up 8 percent compared to the same period last year. Dry bulk cargoes via the Seaway (2.2 million metric tons) are up 11 percent, buoyed by road salt shipments as cities across the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region replenished their supplies after the long, difficult winter. At the Port of Toledo, tonnage through May is 8 percent ahead of 2018. Iron ore, petroleum products and dry bulk led the way, while grain shipments remained on par with last year. A combination of grain, salt, pig iron and other bulk products along with project cargo for the Cleveland Cliffs HBI Facility have accounted for 14 ocean vessel calls in Toledo this year. “So far this year, we’ve had more ‘salties” (ocean-going vessels) calling on Toledo than any year since 2006,” said Joseph Cappel, VP of Business Development for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “We are cautiously optimistic that this early momentum can continue throughout the season, with the hope that aluminum volumes return to normal and that the wet spring does not impact our fall grain program too badly.” The Duluth Seaway Port Authority also reports a similar start to the season. “After an ice-slowed start in March, the pace picked up considerably in April and May,” said Jayson Hron, Duluth Seaway Port Authority Director of Communications and Marketing. “Overall tonnage for the Port of Duluth-Superior increased 9 percent over April 2018, led by an early-season surge in coal shipments, the typically robust levels of iron ore and our first grain shipments of the season,” added Hron. “That steady pace continued in May, and we also welcomed the first of numerous wind energy cargo shipments scheduled to arrive throughout the summer. All in all, it’s been a good start to the season.” Port Milwaukee has maintained its momentum through the early part of the international shipping season with the Port’s commercial tenants up 10 percent compared to the start of the season in 2018. “Total cargo via Milwaukee Harbor remains sturdy, averaging a 2 percent increase in overall economic activity when compared to May 2018,” said Municipal Port Director Adam Schlicht. He added, “Port Milwaukee’s ship-to-rail supply chain initiatives have already taken almost 500 trucks off of Wisconsin’s roads in 2019. With increased visibility of its commercial operations as well as strategic marketing to domestic and international customers, Port Milwaukee is enthusiastic about tonnage throughput despite a challenging trade environment impacted by tariffs. Inbound steel, cement and salt traffic will lead the way.” The Port of Green Bay moved 265,600 tons in and out of the Port in May, making overall tonnage up 21 percent from the same time last year. The top contributors to this were coal, salt and petroleum products, which alone are up 190 percent from this time in 2018. “In April, we moved over 168,500 tons, which was a great kick-off to the season; but May saw tonnage increase over that number by more than a third,” explained Port Director Dean Haen. Meanwhile, the Illinois International Port District had just over 49,000 net tons of inbound cargo in May, mostly steel and metals. “While tonnage is starting off well, things have been slow due to the historic rise of all of the Great Lakes,” says Clayton Harris III, Executive Director of the Illinois International Port District. “Many of the barges were delayed last month due to the rainfall and high-water levels throughout the system.” Chamber of Marine Commerce |
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Port Reports - June 14 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
St. Marys River Northern Lake Huron ports
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Meldrum Bay:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Thursday Jun 13 - by Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 12 - Kivalliq W eta 2215 - Jun 13- Frontenac at 0504, tug Leo A McArthur & John J Carrick at 0534, Algoma Buffalo at 0808 stopping wharf 6 and Federal Rhine (Bds) eta 2300
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa:
Oswego, N.Y. – Ned Goebricher |
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Algoma increases interest in ocean self-unloader pool 6/14 - St. Catharines, ON – Algoma Shipping Ltd., a subsidiary of Algoma Central Corporation, has announced that the acquisition of the interest held by Oldendorff Carriers GMBH & Co. in the CSL International Pool including the three vessels owned by Oldendorff operating in the pool has been finalized. As a result of the transaction, Algoma’s interest in the pool has increased to approximately 40 percent. The handy-sized Algoma Verity (formerly the Alice Oldendorff) and the panama- sized Algoma Valour and Algoma Victory (formerly the Harmen Oldendorff and the Sophie Oldendorff, respectively) bring Algoma’s ocean going self-unloader fleet to eight vessels operating in the pool. “Deploying our capital to grow our position in the ocean self-unloader business is strategic and positions Algoma well for pool growth that we foresee in the years ahead,” said Peter Winkley, Chief Financial Officer of Algoma. “We know this business and these ships well and with customer demand remaining strong, we believe this is a good time to increase our investment in a business that has generated strong returns for us in the past.” The company currently manages over 30 vessels from offices in St. Catharines, Ontario and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Management of these vessels will be handled from the Fort Lauderdale office. |
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Lake Erie’s high water levels causing damage, impacting boaters, property owners 6/14 - Cleveland, Ohio – Lake Erie’s record high water level is having an impact being felt by boaters and property owners facing an increased threat from erosion. The lake’s level is about 30 inches above normal, causing some shoreline flooding and submerging docks. Some docks were underwater in places like the Mentor Lagoons Marina where contractor Adam Williams of Williams Brothers Construction was building a new, higher dock for a boat owner Wednesday. “I've not seen the water this high,” he said. “Since we started this project about two weeks ago, this water has consistently risen.” The water is also speeding erosion, threatening the city-owned marina and neighboring nature preserve. “There's really no easy answer. We can't control the lake levels. All we can do is really react to them,” said Mentor City Manager Ken Filipiak. He said the shoreline is disappearing at a rate of five to ten feet per year. “We're losing several acres a year to erosion,” he said. “Our community used to have the longest stretch of natural beach along Lake Erie. Most of that is now gone completely.” To combat the erosion problem, the City of Mentor paid $600,000 to build a rock barrier wall in recent years. It's now hoping to double the size of the wall and expand it by 600 feet to the east. Filipiak said the city needs more financial resources from the state and federal government. “Protecting the assets we have is important, so we need some help with that from our legislators,” he said. The impact is also being felt to the west. Erosion toppled trees at Sherod Park in Vermilion, water encroached on the Jet Express boat launch in Sandusky and marina docks were underwater in Catawba. U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Brian McCrum said the high water level also means there’s a higher risk of hidden hazards for boaters. “People can drive their boats closer into land than they normally would because they think that is deeper water, so you can run your boat aground, you could damage it,” he said. McCrum said even some break walls that are usually visible are now submerged. The Coast Guard also warned about reduced bridge clearance for boats on rivers. McCrum said on June 1, a barge hit the raised railroad bridge at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River in the Flats. He said some boaters are even overloading their boats with people to weigh them down to clear the Liberty Avenue Bridge in Vermilion. “It's not safe to overload boats,” he said. Fox 8 Cleveland |
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Help wanted: Key Lakes/Great Lakes Fleet 6/14 - Key Lakes/Great Lakes Fleet is currently hiring ABs to support the operation of our fleet. We are operating nine self-unloading bulk cargo vessels, which provide service to taconite, coal, and limestone customers on the lower and upper Great Lakes. Key Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to excellence through diversity. To inquire for applications call 218-723-2412. Further information can be found at https://jobsite.gcaptain.com/job/able-bodied-seaman-must-be-a-us-citizen/48729665/ |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 14
On this day in 1985, Captain Edward Rogowski passed away. Captain Rogowski started sailing as a deckhand on the 514 foot JOHN SHERWIN in 1936. He retired in 1982 as the first captain of the largest freighter on the Great Lakes, the 1,013 foot PAUL R TREGURTHA. On this day in 1957, the Interlake Steamship Company freighter HARVEY H. BROWN, Captain Percy E. Mc Ginness, delivered the first cargo of coal to the new taconite loading port of Taconite Harbor, Minnesota. ROGER BLOUGH departed the shipyard in ballast on her maiden voyage for U.S. Steel Corp. the night of June 14, 1972, for Two Harbors, Minnesota to load 41,608 gross tons of taconite ore pellets. She was nearly a year late because of a fire in her engine room. On June 14, 1988, the CONSUMERS POWER of 1927, with her former fleet mate JOHN T. HUTCHINSON, departed Lauzon, Quebec, in tow of the Panamanian tug/supply ship OMEGA 809, bound for a scrap yard in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The steamer PRINCESS was sold to Little and Fitzgerald on 14 June 1873. She was built in 1858, at Algonac, Michigan by Z. Pangborn. The wooden scow TINKER was launched at Leighton & Dunford's yard in Port Huron, Michigan on 14 June 1876. 1954 – W.F. WHITE crushed the tug OHIO against a pier in Buffalo and the latter was a total loss. The tug was refloated and scrapped at Cleveland in 1955. 1977 – ALMAR came to the Great Lakes under Greek registry in 1964. It caught fire in the engine room as c) IJESHA LION at Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and sustained major damage. The hull was abandoned by the owners, towed out to sea and scuttled in 1978 Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II, The Marine Historical Society of Detroit and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Iron ore trade up 2 percent in May 6/13 - Cleveland, OH – Shipments of iron ore from U.S. Great Lakes ports totaled 6 million tons in May, an increase of nearly 2 percent compared to a year ago, and 4 percent above the month’s 5-year average. Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 14.5 million tons, an increase of 2.8 percent compared to the same point in 2018. Iron ore shipments are also 7.7 percent ahead of their 5-year average for five months of the year. Lake Carriers’ Association |
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Port Reports - June 13 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON Northern Lake Huron ports
Alpena:
Calcite:
Stoneport:
Bruce Mine:
Drummond Island:
Meldrum Bay:
Brevort:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Wednesday Jun 12 - by Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 11 - tug Spartan & Spartan II at 1605 and NACC Argonaut at 2301 - Jun 12 - Algoma Sault at 0359, Thunder Bay at 0450, Baie Comeau at 0557, CSL Laurentien at 0925, Algoma Discovery at 1244 and Kivalliq W eta 2215
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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Family of 4 rescued at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 6/13 - Munising, MI – A family of four from Minnesota is safe after their canoe took on water Tuesday night along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. At approximately 9 p.m. Tuesday, the Alger County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a Pictured Rocks cruise boat reporting several people stranded on the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore near Bridal Falls, located approximately 1 mile east of Miners beach. The Alger County Rescue 21 team responded with two vessels. Upon completion of the rescue it was determined that a family of four from Minneapolis, MN, was canoeing along the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore when they were overtaken by rising winds and waves. The victims said their canoe had taken on a substantial amount of water. The two adults and two small children, who were wearing life jackets, had to swim approximately 150 yards to reach a small rocky beach near Bridal Falls of Pictured Rocks. Passengers and the captain of a Pictured Rocks Cruise boat saw the victims and contacted the Alger County Sheriff’s Office. The victims were recovered from the rocky shores and transported to the Munising Marina by the Alger County Rescue boat. All four were transported to MMH for evaluation by the Alger County EMS staff. The rescue team was assisted by an employee and a passenger of the Pictured Rocks Cruises. Following is a report posted on social media from Pictured Rocks Cruises: Last night (Tuesday), while returning from the 7:30pm Spray Falls Cruise, Captain David Sliter of Pictured Rocks Cruises spotted a family stranded on a rock near the Painted Coves at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. His vigilance and subsequent efforts probably saved the lives of two adults and two young children. The family stranded on the rock had upset their canoe and been forced to swim to the base of the cliffs. Surface water temperature at the time was 47 degrees Fahrenheit, and winds were building. The area where the family was stranded is littered with boulders and underwater obstacles making it impossible for the Pictured Rocks Cruise boat to get near the family. Captain Sliter made several emergency calls, and the Alger County Sheriff's Department, as well as Dean Seaberg of the Grand Island Ferry Service responded. Mr. Seaberg's boat had a shallow enough draft to allow him to approach the stranded family. Deckhand Alex Hill of Pictured Rocks Cruises and a physician who happened to be a passenger on the Pictured Rocks Cruise boat boarded Mr. Seaberg's boat and climbed up the rocks to the stranded family. The two children were so weak and numbed by cold that they couldn't walk. Alex Hill and the physician carried them approximately 40 yards down the rock pile to an area where the Alger County Sheriff Boat could pick them up and rush them to Munising for medical attentio |
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Seaway system starts conversion to automated locks 6/13 - Calling it "the most important technological advance" in the Saint Lawrence Seaway since its opening 60 years ago, the U.S. government announced this month that hands-free mooring was deployed on locks in the Saint Lawrence River connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Instead of workers and ropes, the technology uses vacuum pads and automation to get ships through the locks — cutting transit times and creating other efficiencies for foreign ships coming into the Great Lakes. “This new technology is a significant modernization of the Saint Lawrence Seaway’s infrastructure and will enhance workplace safety, lower operating costs for carriers, and decrease vessel transit times through the locks,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said in a news release. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation announced the new technology following its additions to the Snell and Eisenhower locks on a section of the Saint Lawrence River making up the northeastern border of New York state. The $23-million project is the first use of the technology on the inland waterway. Hands-free mooring is expected to migrate to the Soo Locks sometime in the future. The Soo Locks connect Lake Superior with the remaining Great Lakes, and efforts to build another super lock next to the Soo’s 1,000-foot-plus Poe Lock are ongoing. Any new construction would undoubtedly feature hands-free mooring, sources said. The Duluth Seaway Port Authority greeted the news by calling it a “win.” “Time is money, so technology that reduces transit time through the seaway is definitely intriguing,” Executive Director Deb DeLuca said. “Hands-free mooring is designed to do that, and enhance safety, so it has potential to be a significant win-win. Plus, it could open the Great Lakes to new vessel operators.” The system uses vacuum pads, each of which provides up to 20 tons of holding force, mounted on vertical rails inside the lock chamber wall to secure the ship during the lockage process as it is raised or lowered — always keeping ships a fixed distance from the lock wall. The last step in the lockage operation consists of releasing the vacuum and retracting the pads so that the vessel can sail safely out of the lock. Full implementation of the technology is important to the Great Lakes-Saint Lawrence Seaway System, the government said, explaining how with increased tonnage comes a desire to relieve congestion. A 7 percent increase in vessels transiting the Saint Lawrence Seaway last year resulted in moving 41 million tons of cargo through what is a binational waterway with Canada. The increase in shipping through the Saint Lawrence Seaway amounted to the highest cargo total since 2007. “Hands-free mooring will dramatically improve vessel transit,” Craig Middlebrook, of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corp., said. Duluth News Tribune |
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Take This Job and Love It: Soo Locks Engineer 6/13 - Seven thousand ships pass through the Soo Locks each year. Whether it is small recreational boats or thousand foot freighters, every boat that passes through the locks does so with the help of engineers. Beverly McCreedy is a Civil Engineer at the Soo Locks. She gets a taste of everything - working on construction, maintenance, and electrical projects. “On any given day I don’t necessarily know what is going to come up. I could be working on anything from structural design work for lock gates, we have a hydro power plant here sometimes it is things to keep their building up and running. I’ve been involved with some electrical upgrade projects. It is just a huge amount of variety in projects.” Beverly works Monday through Friday, from 8 A.M. until 5 P.M. She’s worked at the locks for the past five years but has been an engineer for the past thirty. Earlier this year she was promoted to technical engineer. She said she’s top tier employee, which puts her pay around eighty thousand dollars a year. Beverly works in the maintenance department, and her main job is to fix problems. She said around ninety percent of her time is dedicated to planning. During the navigational period, she investigates problems in the locks and evaluates what needs repairs, she prioritizes the work and develop the logistics for each repair. Beverly said the locks have a lot going on year round, but she’s busiest between January and March, during the non-navigational season. That’s when the locks are drained, covered, and heated so maintenance crews can do repairs. She said her favorite thing is how so many moving parts work together to keep the locks moving. “There are so many unseen parts and people doing jobs that you don’t think about until you actually work here and you realize what an involved operation it is to make everything work right.” Beverly said visitors most often see lock operators, putting the lines on the boats and open the gates. But there are so many other workers that are behind the scenes. She says the reason the locks are able to work is because of how all of the parts work together. Currently the Soo Locks send around 86 percent of boats through the huge Poe lock. For every ten boats that come through the Soo, nine of them are carrying iron ore that is used in businesses across the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security if the Poe Lock closes it could impact ten million jobs across the country and at least two million jobs internationally. Beverly said the Soo may soon be starting a new,big project. Right now the federal government is deciding whether or not to appropriate money to build a new lock in Sault Ste Marie. One as big as the Poe. The project is estimated to cost close to one billion dollars and will take around a decade to complete. If the Soo gets funding for a new lock, construction will pick up over the next decade and Beverly will have a lot more to love about her job. Listen to the interview at this link: https://radio.wcmu.org/post/take-job-and-love-it-soo-locks-engineer |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 13
On 13 June 2003, after completing her conversion from American to Canadian registry, Lower Lakes Towing's newly-acquired MICHIPICOTEN, a.) ELTON HOYT 2ND, departed the Government dock at Sarnia, Ontario. First she went to the Shell Oil dock in Corunna, Ontario to fuel, then she departed for Marquette, Michigan to load ore for Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. On June 13, 1983, JOHN B. AIRD began its maiden voyage for Algoma Central Railway, a load of coal from Thunder Bay to Nanticoke, Ontario. IRVING S. OLDS carried a record 17,817 gross tons of iron ore on June 13, 1943, from Lake Superior and transported a total of 736,800 short tons of various bulk cargoes the next year. On the morning of June 13, 1905, running downbound on Lake Superior, the heavily-laden SYLVANIA encountered heavy fog as she approached the Soo. Confused whistle signals resulted in the SYLVANIA glancing off the Pittsburgh Steamship Co., steamer SIR HENRY BESSEMER, which sustained a 175-foot port side gash from the SYLVANIA's anchor. The BESSEMER required $40,000 in repairs and the SYLVANIA's damage totaled $10,000, which included a new anchor and shell plating which was completed at the Craig Shipbuilding Co., Toledo, Ohio. June 13, 1930 - Shortly after leaving Menominee, Michigan, fireman Walter O'Leary of the ANN ARBOR NO 7 became ill. The carferry proceeded at full speed to the nearest doctor at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where surgery was performed to remove gallstones. June 13, 1974 - The CITY OF GREEN BAY, formerly WABASH was sold to Marine Salvage Company to be scrapped. She was scrapped at Castellon, Spain in 1974. On 13 June 1903, CHARLES H. DAVIS (wooden propeller bulk freighter, 145 foot, 391 gross tons, built in 1881, at Saginaw, Michigan) was carrying limestone on Lake Erie off Cleveland when she developed a leak which quickly got worse and admitted water faster than her pumps capacity. She sank near the Cleveland breakwater. She was an unusual vessel, reportedly built of pine and pointed at both ends with her planking set diagonally. 1905 – The wooden steamer YAKIMA had stranded in Lake St. Clair on June 10, 1905, but caught fire and burned on this date while waiting to be salvaged. The remains were later towed into Lake Huron and scuttled. 1906 – The newly-built J. PIERPONT MORGAN carried a record 13, 294 tons of iron ore out of Escanaba for Chicago. On 13 June 1902, METROPOLIS (wooden side-wheel steamer, 168 foot, 425 tons, built in 1868, at Detroit, Michigan) caught fire and burned to a total loss at her dock in Toledo, Ohio. She was only used occasionally for excursions and spent most of her time tied up to the dock. 1944 – CANADIAN OTTER was built at Welland in 1920 but, in 1944, was sailing as f) FUKOKU MARU as a Japanese army cargo ship. It was sunk by aircraft from U.S.S. ESSEX while in a convoy from Philippines to Japan in the overnight hours of June 13-14, 1944. 1959 – A fire in the crew quarters of the FEDERAL PIONEER, docked at Section 51 in Montreal, was quickly controlled with only minor damage and sailing was delayed by three hours. The ship was a frequent Seaway trader for Federal Commerce and Navigation, now known as FedNav, and arrived at Hsinkiang, China, for scrapping on January 21, 1971. 1978 – Seven men were lost aboard the ANCO DUKE while cleaning tanks out in the Pacific. They were likely overcome by fumes. The ship later came to the Great Lakes as c) LAKE ANETTE in 1980, as d) SATU MAR in 1984 and as e) TOVE COB in 1987. It was scrapped in Bangladesh in 1993. 1978 – The bulk carrier ARCTIC hit the Cherry Street Bridge at Toledo on its first trip and had to return to Port Weller Dry Docks for repairs. 1980 – TROYAN first came through the Seaway in 1972. The ship began leaking in heavy weather as c) SUNRISE and foundered June 13, 1980, in the outer anchorage at Bombay, India, while enroute from Japan to Damman, Saudi Arabia, with bagged cement. 2004 – The SINGAPORE STAR first came to the Great Lakes in 1982. It caught fire in the accommodation area while on the Black Sea as c) BARBADOS OKTAY on June 13, 2004. The ship was carrying scrap steel from Novorossiysk, Russia, to Eregli, Turkey. The blaze was put out with tug assistance but the ship was sold for scrap and arrived at Aliaga, Turkey, to be broken up on July 19, 2004. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II, The Marine Historical Society of Detroit and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Rossi A. Desgagnes arrived in Canada on her maiden voyage 6/12 - The newest member of the Groupe Desgagnes Inc. fleet, the tanker Rossi A. Desgagnes, arrived in Quebec City on Tuesday from Cartagena, Spain, on her maiden voyage. Rossi A. Desgagnes is the fourth and final vessel of a series of tankers that began in 2017 at the Besiktas Gemi Insa Shipyard in Turkey with Damia Desgagnes, followed by Mia Desgagnes and Paul A. Desgagnes. Each vessel is about 443 feet in length and about 77 feet in width. Denny Dushane |
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Port Reports - June 12 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
St. Marys River
Port Inland, MI – Denny Dushane
Charlevoix, MI
Sturgeon Bay, WI Northern Lake Huron ports
Parry Sound:
Alpena:
Calcite:
Stoneport:
Bruce Mine:
Drummond Island:
Port Dolomite:
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Toledo, OH – Denny Dushane
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss
Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss 6/11 departures: Clyde S. VanEnkevort to Silver Bay and Calusa Coast to Detroit. Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Tuesday June 11 - by Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 10 - CSL Welland at 1106, CCGS Sacred Bay at 1730 (on her maiden trip from Hike Metal Products Ltd yard - H207), Qikiqtaaluk W at 2248 - Jun 11 - CSL Niagara at 0717, tug Spartan & Spartan II at 1605,
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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Help Wanted: Licensed Master for Ranger III 6/12 - Isle Royale National Park - Houghton, MI This position functions as master of the Isle Royale National Park operated vessel, Ranger III, a 165’, 650 gross ton passenger (H), tank (D) and miscellaneous cargo (I) vessel. The Ranger III provides logistical support and commercial passenger/freight service during the months of April – October to a wilderness island national park located approximately 70 miles north of park headquarters in Lake Superior. During the off-season months (November – March), this position will be duty stationed at park headquarters in Houghton, MI. The Master is responsible for all aspects of vessel operations, administration, and maintenance. Requirements include a Master of Steam or Motor Vessels, minimum 1,600 gross tons for the Great Lakes and Inland, First Class Pilot License and Radar Observer (unlimited) endorsement. This is a permanent-full time, federal government position, with a competitive wage and benefits package. Contact Randy Rastello, Chief of Maintenance, at (906) 487-7145, for further job related information or with questions. Please email resumes/qualifications to (randy_rastello@nps.gov) or mail to: Isle Royale National Park, 800 E Lakeshore Dr., Houghton, MI. |
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Sign up now for Engineers Day Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise 6/12 - The 2019 schedule of Boatnerd Gatherings has been set and information is now available now on the Gathering page, www.boatnerd.com/gathering Gatherings include Soo Locks Engineers weekend festivities and the annual Welland Canal weekend. Reservations are now being accepted for the Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise June 28. Reservations must be received no later than June 21 to receive the $40 price. Sign up now – don't be left on the dock. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 12
On 12 June 1898, SAKIE SHEPHERD (wooden propeller freighter, 100 foot, 189 gross tons, built in 1883, at Huron, Ohio) burned while at the dock in Courtright, Ontario. The fire was discovered at 1:00 a.m. and the crew just had time to escape. The schooner YOUNG AMERICA also caught fire and had damage done to her stern. The SHEPHERD was towed to Detroit where she was rebuilt and lasted until 1903, when she sank in Lake Huron. On 12 June 1900, the UNIQUE (wooden propeller, 163 foot, 381 gross tons, built in 1894, at Marine City, Michigan) was sold at public auction at St. Clair, Michigan to satisfy a mortgage. W. J. Laidlaw of Ogdensburg, New York purchased her for $20,000 for the Rapid Transit Co. to run between Ogdensburg and Kingston, Ontario. In 1904, her upper cabins were removed and she was rebuilt as a yacht. She lasted until 1915, when she burned in New York City harbor. "STUBBY", the bow and stern sections of the STEWART J. CORT welded together, passed Port Colborne, Ontario on June 12, 1970, bound for Erie, Pennsylvania under her own power. STUBBY's bow and stern sections were later separated at Erie Marine, Inc., a Div. of Litton, and joined to the 816 foot hull mid-body. The NANTICOKE (Hull#218) departed Collingwood, Ontario in 1980, beginning her maiden voyage for Canada Steamship Lines Ltd. In 1959, the BENSON FORD of 1924 ran aground in the Amherstburg Channel on her upbound trip with coal for the Rouge Plant. After five days of lightering and with tug assistance, she was freed. Damage amounted to 41 bottom plates, which took 30 days to repair. On 12 June 1832, the wooden schooner GUERRIER was sailing from Oswego, New York for Detroit when she capsized in a squall off Bar Point on Lake Erie. Captain Pember and the crew and most of the passengers made it to the Canadian shore, but one family was trapped in the cabin. The husband was able to keep his head above water in the upside down cabin, but through the night, one by one, his four children and then his wife slipped from his grasp and perished. The following day, Capt. Stanard took his steamer NIAGARA to the wreck and rescued the man. On 12 June 1900, the steel tow barge BRYN MAWR (Hull#41) was launched at South Chicago, Illinois by the Chicago Ship Building Co., for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company. The wooden propeller freighter MILWAUKEE (264 foot, 1,770 gross tons) was launched at Quayle & Sons yard in Cleveland, Ohio on 12 June 1879, for the Western Transportation Company of Buffalo, New York. She had supporting arches above decks. In 1902, she was renamed YONKERS and rebuilt as a barge in 1911. She lasted until 1917-1918 when she stranded, then burned. 1897 – I.W. NICHOLAS (ii) stranded at Point Aux Pins in fog and was released two days later. The ship needed drydocking for repairs. 1904 – The sidewheel passenger ship CANADA sank on her side off Sorel after a collision with the CAPE BRETON. Five of the 110 on board perished. The ship was refloated and rebuilt at Sorel in 1905 as ST. IRENEE which later became part of the C.S.L. Fleet. 1919 – GERMAN was cut in two to leave the Great Lakes in 1918 and renamed b) YANKEE. It sank after a collision with the Italian steamer ARGENTIA off Fire Island, NY, while enroute from Norfolk, VA to Boston MA with coal. The hull has been found and is in two pieces on the ocean floor. 1977 – The VERA CRUZ first came to the Great Lakes in 1964 as a 10-year old Liberian flag freighter. It foundered in the Arabian Sea as c) BUKOM ISLAND on June 12, 1974, during a cyclone. The ship was enroute from Umm Said, Qatar, to Singapore with a cargo of bagged fertilizer and seven lives were lost. 1978 – YELLOWSTONE had been built as the C-4 troop carrier MARINE PERCH in 1944. After being laid up in the Reserve Fleet, it was rebuilt as a bulk carrier and renamed at Tampa in 1965. The ship was downbound in the Seaway with grain from Duluth to North Africa in May 1978 and sank after a collision in fog with the IBN BATOUTA on June 12, 1978. YELLOWSTONE was taken in tow but went down June 13 about 14 miles south of Gibraltar. Five lives were lost. 1993 – The deep-sea tug VORTICE was abandoned after fire broke out near the Canary Islands, while on a voyage from Bari, Italy, to Veracruz, Mexico. The vessel was laid up, unrepaired, and then towed to Canada for McKeil Marine. It received partial repairs but was sold and left the lakes for additional work. It returned inland as e) NORFOLK in 2005 and now serves Lafarge North America Inc. as f) SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN. Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Port Reports - June 11 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
Alpena, MI – Ben & Chanda McClain Northern Lake Huron ports
Alpena:
Calcite:
Cheboygan:
Drummond Island:
Port Dolomite:
Port Inland:
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Toledo, OH
Northeast Ohio ports – Bill Kloss
Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Monday Jun 10 – Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 10 - CSL Welland at 1106, CCGS Sacred Bay at 1730 (on her maiden trip from Hike Metal Products Ltd yard - H207), Qikiqtaaluk W eta2220
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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J.W. Westcott: How ships get mail on the Detroit River 6/11 - Detroit, MI – With waves crashing over the bow of his 14-metre boat, Capt. Sam Buchanan and his crew were alongside a freighter and a giant cargo ship the length of two football fields, with a tiny bucket dangling off the edge. Inside that bucket? The mail. Buchanan skippers the J.W. Westcott II, a boat that delivers mail, parcels and everything from flowers to cookies for the people on board the ships that pass through the Detroit River. And despite the challenges he and the crew face, they nearly always see the delivery through to the end. The skipper said he has instilled in his crew the true value of what they do: bringing the outside world to these ships. "We certainly connect folks that are on ships to their home and to the rest of the world," said Buchanan. Some days those deliveries are easier than others. A recent trip saw their boat battling wind blowing around 65 kilometres an hour as the bucket was thrown down. "I've made about 50,000 deliveries in my career and I've only failed at one or two because of weather, but we know how important it is for the men and women on those ships to get their stuff." Buchanan has been doing this for over 30 years, a career he forged through shear ambition and peskiness. Growing up in the shadow of the Ambassador Bridge, he watched the boat make deliveries and decided he needed to be a part of it. "I started bugging them for a job and when I turned 18, got out of high school, they gave me a part-time job," said Buchanan. Capturing the moments
The trips are at times, documented online – including the Instagram page
DetroitCapt and YouTube page, fittingly titled BoatNerd. "You're getting a whole new perspective of the world," said Buchanan, who said even as someone who skippers the boat, it brings views he could never see. View the video at this link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/boat-mail-detroit-windsor-1.5162558 |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 11 TASHMOO (steel side-wheel excursion steamer, 308 foot, 1,344 gross tons, built in 1900, at Wyandotte, Michigan) entered regular service for the White Star Line at Detroit, Michigan, on 11 June 1900. On 11 June 1903, HORACE H. BADGER (wooden 3-mast schooner, 129 foot, 263 gross tons, built in 1867, at Conneaut, Ohio as a 2-mast schooner, formerly KATE GILLETT) was carrying coal in a storm on Lake Erie. She was driven onto the breakwater at Cleveland, Ohio and broke up in the storm waves. The crew of seven was rescued by the Life Saving Service. This vessel had been wrecked twice before; once at Cross Village, Michigan, in 1895, and again near Alpena, Michigan in 1896. ATLANTIC SUPERIOR (Hull#222) was float-launched at Thunder Bay, Ontario, by Port Arthur Ship Building Co. Ltd., in 1982, for Federal Commerce & Navigation Ltd., Montreal, Quebec (Canada Steamship Lines Ltd., mgr.), built for the Caribbean trade. MESABI MINER was christened at Duluth, Minnesota in 1977; she became the fourth thousand-foot bulk carrier on the Great Lakes and Interlake Steamship Co.'s second. CARL D. BRADLEY (Hull#718) cleared Lorain, Ohio, in her gray and white livery in 1917, on her maiden voyage light bound for Calcite, Michigan, to load limestone. She was the first Great Lakes commercial ship equipped with both Morse code telegraphy as well as ship-to-shore radio in 1922, which was standard on only 20 vessels by 1924. Renamed b.) JOHN G. MUNSON in 1927, c.) IRVIN L. CLYMER in 1951, she was scrapped at Duluth, Minnesota, in 1994-5. June 11, 1981 - The BADGER steamed out of Ludington en route to Milwaukee under an MDOT subsidy that was approved earlier in March. The propeller E. B. HALE was launched at Cleveland, Ohio, at the yard of Quayle & Sons on 11 June 1874. Her length was 217 foot keel, 227 foot overall. She was owned by Capt. Bradley, Mr. Thomas Quayle and Mr. Loomis, and she cost $100,000. The wooden rabbit J. S. RUBY was launched at Fair Haven, Michigan, on 11 June 1881. Her dimensions were 106 feet 6 inches x 21 feet x 7 feet. She was towed to Port Huron for the installation of her boiler and engine that were built by the Phoenix Iron Works. She lasted until burned to a total loss off Stag Island in the St. Clair River on November 9, 1891. 1872 – Fire broke out aboard the passenger steamer KINGSTON about 18 miles upstream after the ship had left Brockville for Toronto. The ship was beached and the superstructure was destroyed but there were only two casualties. The hull was rebuilt at Montreal and later sailed as BAVARIAN, ALGERIAN and CORNWALL before being scuttled in Lake Ontario about 1929. 1936 – AYCLIFFE HALL sank in fog shrouded off Long Point, Lake Erie after a collision with the EDWARD J. BERWIND. All 19 on board were rescued. After salvage efforts failed, the rigging was blown clear by explosives. The EDWARD J. BERWIND was repaired and last sailed as LAC STE. ANNE in 1982. 1942 – HAVTOR, a Norwegian freighter, first came to the Great Lakes in 1932 and returned as late as 1939. It was sunk by a German submarine enroute from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Pictou, Nova Scotia, and 6 of the crew were lost. 1950 – The Italian freighter MARIA PAOLINA G. had been built in Canada as FORT ISLAND in 1944. It was downbound from the Saguenay River when it struck the Canada Steamship Lines passenger steamer ST. LAWRENCE, which had turned to dock at Tadoussac. Injuries were reported by 25 people and 30 cabins were damaged aboard the CSL ship. 1978 – The hull of the former passenger steamer RAPIDS QUEEN arrived at Toronto under tow from Kingston to be sunk as a breakwall off for the Queen City Yacht Club. It is still there. 1993 – PITRIA SKY first visited the Great Lakes in 1978. It departed Singapore for Shantou in southeast China, as h) HAI HONG 3 on June 11, 1993, but went back out to sea on arrival to ride out a pending typhoon. The ship was never seen again and it disappeared with all hands. Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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McKeil Marine names newest member of fleet after Blair McKeil 6/10 - Burlington, ON – McKeil Marine Ltd. christened its latest acquisition, the dry-bulk cargo vessel Blair McKeil, in a ceremony Friday at Hamilton. The vessel honors the former chairman and CEO of McKeil Marine. Formerly the saltwater vessel Gagliarda, Blair McKeil was built in 2010 and is a close sister ship to the fleet’s Evans Spirit and McKeil Spirit. She measures 140 metres by 21 metres, with a DWT of 14,600 metric tonnes. The Blair McKeil is expected to trade throughout the Great Lakes and Eastern Seaboard, carrying cement powder, grain and other bulk cargo. |
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River board says outflow will increase, even at risk to shipping 6/10 - Watertown, NY – The International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board announced Saturday afternoon it will be increasing outflows to a point above the safe threshold for commercial shipping. The announcement comes after weeks of high water, including record-breaking highs and flooding of residences near the water. Last week, water levels climbed to 249.02 feet, slightly over the 2017 record high of 248.95 feet. The board implements Plan 2014, the document from the International Joint Commission that regulates water levels on the Great Lakes and the river. The announcement said that outflows reached 10,200 cubic meters per second on Friday and would gradually be increased until they hit 10,400 cubic meters a second next Thursday, the maximum sustained flow on record. Also on Saturday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo continued his attack on the IJC, which he has consistently blamed for the high water levels, in a letter sent to the chairs of the commission. “The IJC was put on notice in 2017 when the Lake set high-water level records and should have been aware of the present danger from the massive snowpack and likelihood of continued rains into the spring of this year,” Gov. Cuomo wrote in the letter. “Yet, rather than acting, the IJC continued the status quo, resulting in more flooding and more property damage in New York.” Gov. Cuomo also said that State Sen. Robert G. Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, has suggested the possibility of taking legal action and listed several demands which, he said, if not met, could trigger legal action from New York State. “The State of New York demands that the IJC reimburse New York for its costs, and make additional funds available for resiliency projects and other protective measures made necessary by the IJC’s acts and omissions,” Gov. Cuomo wrote. “The IJC must also immediately determine how much water can be safely released, irrespective of shipping, and release that amount.” The letter was released shortly after the announcement from the board that it would be increasing outflows. The IJC for its part said that it has been taking every possible opportunity to reduce water levels over the past year, while balancing a number of different obligations and concerns. “The board did not miss any opportunities to remove water in 2018,” Frank Bevacqua, public information officer for the IJC, told the Times in May. “The goal was to remove as much water as possible, based on conditions in the St. Lawrence River.” At the time, Mr. Bevacqua shared several graphs with the Times, showing historical outflows from Lake Ontario for 2018. Except for two dips in October, outflows from the lake through the summer and fall remained above average, even while the lake levels on Ontario were fairly close to average. Engineer Robert J. Campany, a member of the river board from Clayton, said the board discussed the prospect of increasing outflows with officials from the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. and Seaway Development Corp. on Friday. Officials, he said, plan to implement protocols to ensure safe navigation for the mariners. “The board does coordinate with the Seaway entities to push flows as high as we can without creating unsafe conditions,” said Andrew Kornacki, chief of public affairs for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Buffalo, who also serves as a spokesman for the river board. The river board previously raised outflows to 10,400 cubic meters per second in the summer 2017, the last time Lake Ontario experienced record-breaking levels and flooded shoreline properties. Mr. Bevacqua said on Friday that Seaway officials enforced slower shipping speeds and launched extra tugboats in case of difficulties. “They took measures that allowed them to accommodate higher flows, higher flows than were technically considered for safe navigation,” he said, “and at considerable cost.” Frequent rainfall across the entire Great Lakes basin and outflows from Lake Erie have caused the rising lake levels that have submerged docks, closed roads and recently flooded homes. Effects of the adverse weather and Lake Erie outflows were compounded by earlier high outflows from the Ottawa River, forcing the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board to reduce outflows from the lake through the Robert Moses-Robert H. Saunders Power Dam in Massena and Cornwall, Ontario. The lake level reached 249.08 feet on Saturday. The board, however, has since increased outflows multiple times with the Ottawa River subsiding and lake levels beginning to stabilize. The current conditions, coupled with prediction of warmer, drier weather this week, influenced the board’s decision on Friday to raise outflows to 10,200 cubic feet per second. The river board also stated Friday that lake levels could peak and possibly decline this week, although they will remain above average, and any additional increase “is likely to be small.” Watertown Daily Times |
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Port Reports - June 10 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors, MN – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
Northern Lake Huron ports
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Cheboygan:
Port Dolomite:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Sunday Jun 9 – Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Buffalo:
Port Colborne anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 9 - Damia Desgagnes at 0226, Rt Hon Paul J Martin at 0612, Egmondgracht (Nld) at 0745, Federal Kivalina (Mhl) at 1111
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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New $4M vessel coming to Shepler's in Mackinaw City for 2020 6/10 - Onaway, MI – Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry is having another vessel constructed to take passengers to and from one of Michigan's top tourist destinations. The company says the $4 million ferry is being built by Moran Iron Works of Onaway. It's scheduled to start operating in summer 2020. The 210-passenger boat will be wheelchair accessible and have an aft deck for luggage, bikes and strollers. Instead of propellers, the vessel will have four jet drives intended to provide a quieter, smoother and faster trip. Moran Iron Works previously built another ferry for Shepler's, the 281-seat Miss Margy, which was launched in 2015. The new ferry will be assembled over the next several months and taken by trailer to a deep-water port in Rogers City, then sailed to Shepler's facility in Mackinaw City. Associated Press |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 10 On 10 June 1891, the tug AMERICAN EAGLE (wooden propeller tug, 46 gross tons, built in 1865, at Buffalo, New York) collided with the tug ALVA B (wooden propeller tug, 73 foot, 83 gross tons, built in 1890, at Buffalo, New York), which was not in motion, about 2.5 miles west of the Cleveland breakwater. The ALVA B hooked up a line and started towing the AMERICAN EAGLE in, but she sank a half-mile from the harbor entrance. On 10 June 1891, CHARLES W. WETMORE (steel propeller whaleback freighter, 265 foot, 1,399 gross tons) left the shipyard at West Superior, Wisconsin, on her maiden voyage, bound for Liverpool, England with a cargo of grain. During her trip to the Atlantic Ocean, she shot the St. Lawrence River rapids. In Liverpool, she loaded machinery for Puget Sound. She only lasted until September 1892, when she stranded one mile north of Coos Bay, Oregon in fog. Bad weather stopped salvage attempts and the vessel was abandoned. Bethlehem's LEWIS WILSON FOY loaded her first cargo June 10, 1978, at Burlington Northern #5, Superior, Wisconsin, with 57,952 tons of Hibbing taconite pellets for Burns Harbor, Indiana. Renamed b.) OGLEBAY NORTON in 1991. In 1892, the keel for the ANN ARBOR NO 1 (Hull#55) was laid at Toledo, Ohio by Craig Shipbuilding Co. The ANN ARBOR NO 4 was sold to the Michigan State Ferries in 1937, and renamed b.) CITY OF CHEBOYGAN. On 10 June 1877, while lying at her dock at Detroit, the wooden side-wheeler R N RICE burned. The damage was estimated at $30,000. After this fire, she was rebuilt as a barge. The propeller MONTGOMERY burned in the early morning hours of 10 June 1878. The fire started while she was laying at the dock in Point Edward, Ontario. The carferry INTERNATIONAL towed her out into the St. Clair River and cast her off to drift. Fortunately there were no injuries. She finally was beached opposite Batchelor's Mill on the Canadian side by the tugs CRUSADER and J H MARTIN. At 10:00 a.m., she was still burning. The MONTGOMERY was a steam barge of 1,104 tons, built in 1856, and owned by Capt. John Pridgeon. She was fully loaded with 29,000 bushels of corn, 320 barrels of flour, 540 barrels of corn meal, 200 bags of timothy seed and 111 bales of broom corn, besides other freight. The local papers claimed that the spectacle presented by the burning vessel as she drifted down the river was "grand and beautiful". The light was so brilliant that the entire city of Port Huron was illuminated and many people came out to watch. The following day, the wreck was towed to the American side of the river just below Avery's Mill. Whatever was left of her cargo was taken off and sold. Her engines and boiler were so badly warped and twisted from the intense heat that they were worthless except as scrap. U.S. Army Corps of Engineer dredge MARKHAM (Hull#904) was launched in 1959, at Avondale, Louisiana, by Avondale Marine Ways Inc. 1940 – PAIPOONGE was cut in two and left the Great Lakes for saltwater service in 1919. It was registered in Latvia as d) KAUPO when it was sunk as a blockship at Dieppe, France, on this date in 1940. The hull was reported as refloated and scrapped in 1946-1947. 1942 – CONTINENT came to the Great Lakes in 1939-1940. The Newfoundland owned freighter was on a bareboat charter to the U.S. Army when it sank, following a collision with the American tanker BYRON D. BENSON, while enroute from New York to Bermuda. 1967 – The former Norwegian Seaway salty FRO was abandoned in sinking condition as c) WINSOME after a fire broke out in the cargo holds and spread throughout the ship on June 10, 1967. The vessel was enroute to Bangkok, Thailand, when it sank in the South China Sea. 1968 – JOHN T. HUTCHINSON suffered damage above the waterline when it was in a collision with the SUSANNE REITH at the head of Lake St. Clair. The latter, a West German salty, was on her first trip to the Great Lakes. This ship was eventually scrapped after arriving at Alang, India, as m) ALFA I on October 18, 2000. 1977 – RUTHIE MICHAELS came inland in 1970 and last reported in as d) EUROBULKER on June 10, 1977. The ship was enroute from Djibouti, to Bandar Shahpoir, Iran when it disappeared with the entire crew of 29. The ship is believed to have sunk off the coast of Oman perhaps as late as June 12. 1998 – The Greek flag bulk carrier OLYNTHIA first traveled the Seaway in 1978. It ran aground off Veraval, India, as d) OCEAN CRUISER in a tropical cyclone while bound for the United Arab Emirates. While released, it appears that the 26-year-old ship never sailed again and was broken up at Bharnvar, India, due to the damage. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody L. Aho, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Port Reports - June 9 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON Northern Lake Huron ports
McGregor Bay:
Meldrum Bay:
Thessalon:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Port Dolomite:
Port Inland:
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Saturday June 8 - by Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Port Colborne anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Algoma Spirit at 1532, Kaministiqua at 1606, Algoma Sault at 1859 and Happy River (Nld) at 2229 - to the anchorage - Jun 8 - Sunda (Lbr) (ex Emilie-15) at 0340, Victory II (Mhl) (ex Sea Discoverer-18, Clipper Discoverer-09, Coastal Queen 2-09, Cape Cod Light-07) at 0652, Happy River (Nld) at 0809, Baie Comeau at 1438, Federal Kivalina (Mhl) to the anchorage
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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D-Day: Muskegon LST-393 was there 75 years ago 6/9 - Muskegon, MI – The USS LST-393 is now moored on Muskegon Lake near downtown Muskegon. Seventy-five years ago, it took part in one of the most important events of World War II: D-Day. The ship made more than 30 round trips to the beaches near Normandy, France, carrying tanks and the supplies necessary to win the war. It's believed only two LSTs remain. The one in Muskegon is now a museum packed full of exhibits and photos. Landing ship tanks were useful in the D-Day invasion because of their big front doors that swung open, allowing a ramp to be deployed to get tanks and troops onto the beach. "It saw action in Italy, Sicily and Normandy, but mostly in Normandy," said Ike Villalpando, LST-393 museum manager. After unloading, the ship was used to transport wounded soldiers and German prisoners. It was prepared to unload on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, but the landing location was too congested. So, it anchored offshore for two days, eventually making its first landing on June 8, 1944. Among the museum's collection is the American flag that flew over the ship during that first beach landing. It was recently located by the son of the ship’s engineering officer and sent to the museum to go on permanent display. The museum is open seven days a week. There are a number of special events planned all summer long, including ship’s Movies on the Deck film series. Grand Haven Tribune |
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Pre-orders now being taken for new ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ book 6/9 - To mark the 60th anniversary of ‘Know Your Ships,’ a new book, ‘Know Your Ships: Decades,’ will be released this fall. The 240-page book will be hardcover and in a larger format (11” x 8.5”) than the regular Know Your Ships. ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ represents an editors' choice of the best of the many outstanding images that have appeared in the annual Know Your Ships since its founding in 1959. The book also includes a year-by-year timeline of important events on the shipping scene from 60-year Seaway era as well as the major fleet stack markings and house flags. In making this book, nearly 2,000 photographs were considered, and the ones selected were re-scanned to yield the highest quality possible. Pre-ordered books will be autographed and will include a free commemorative reprint of the original, 44-page 1959 Know Your Ships. The pre-order runs to June 30. Books will ship in mid-September. Price is $49.95 plus shipping and tax. Hardcover, high-quality books such as this one are expensive to print. Pre-orders will help determine how many will be printed. There will not be a reprint - once they are gone they are gone. http://knowyourships.com/kysdecades.html Know Your Ships |
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Sign up now for Engineers Day Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise 6/9 - The 2019 schedule of Boatnerd Gatherings has been set and information is now available now on the Gathering page, www.boatnerd.com/gathering Gatherings include Soo Locks Engineers weekend festivities and the annual Welland Canal weekend. Reservations are now being accepted for the Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise June 28. Reservations must be received no later than June 21 to receive the $40 price. Sign up now – don't be left on the dock. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 9 TASHMOO (steel side-wheel excursion steamer, 308 foot, 1,344 gross tons, built in 1900, at Wyandotte, Michigan) hosted Admiral George Dewey on her inaugural trip from Cleveland, Ohio, to Detroit, Michigan, on 09 June 1900. Admiral Dewey had just returned from his conquest of the Philippines during the Spanish American War and was a national hero. TASHMOO entered regular service for the White Star Line two days later. The Lubeck, Germany-built, 305-foot Greek freighter CASTALIA of 1953 struck the north tower pier of the Mackinac Bridge at 7 p.m. on 09 June 1968, in dense fog. The bridge was not damaged and the ship took on water, but was able to proceed to Chicago without assistance. LIGHTSHIP 103 was delivered to the 12th District Headquarters at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 9, 1921, to begin her Great Lakes career. June 9, 1983, ALGOWEST loaded a record 1,047,758 bushels of wheat at Thunder Bay, Ontario. ROGER BLOUGH began sea trials in 1972. June 9, 1911, The ANN ARBOR NO 1 was raised by Smith Wrecking Company of Muskegon after being considered a menace to navigation by the Coast Guard (she had been sunk by the south breakwater at Frankfort, Michigan, after burning on March 8th). She was taken to Muskegon, and repaired sufficiently to become a sand scow for the Love Construction Company. The cost of raising her was $8,000. On 9 June 1884, ANNAPEE (2-mast wooden scow-schooner, 71 foot, 118 gross tons, built in 1867, at Ahnapee (Wolf River), Wisconsin) was bound from Torch Lake, Michigan, for Milwaukee with a load of railroad ties and cordwood when she stranded in fog on North Point in Lake Michigan, 2 1/2 miles from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Later a strong wind blew her into the rocks and she broke up. No lives were lost and part of her cargo was saved. On 9 June 1882, the LIZZIE A. LAW (wooden schooner, 196 foot, 747 gross tons, built in 1875, at Port Huron, Michigan) collided with the R.B. HAYES (wooden schooner, 147 foot, 668 gross tons, built in 1877, at Gibraltar, Michigan) near the foot of Lake Huron. Although the LAW suffered severe damage, she completed her trip to Buffalo and was repaired there. The LAW lasted until 1908, when she was lost in a storm. 1909 ASSINIBOIA and CRESCENT CITY were washed through the Canadian Lock at Sault Ste. Marie when the upbound PERRY WALKER struck the lower gate. All three ships were damaged but were repaired and returned to service. 1963 The newly built SILVER ISLE of Mohawk Navigation and the PRINS ALEXANDER of the Oranje Line, collided in fog and rain on the St. Lawrence near Kingston. Both ships required repairs. The former was scrapped at Aliaga, Turkey, in 2010 as ALGOISLE while the latter struck a reef and sank in the Red Sea as f) POLIAIGOS on December 28, 1980. 1979 The French freighter MELUSINE first came to the Great Lakes in 1962 and returned as b) LENA in 1978. It sank the French fishing vessel ANTIOCHE III in the English Channel with the loss of 4 lives on this day in 1979. LENA was scrapped at Ferrol, Spain, in 1982, after suffering engine damage on a voyage from Bilbao, Spain, to Detroit. 1998 COMMON VENTURE began Great Lakes trading in 1980. It broke loose of its moorings in a cyclone as f) PEARL OF DAMMAN and grounded at Kandla, India, on this date in 1998. The ship was loaded with sulphur and sustained considerable damage. Following a sale for scrap, the 27 year old carrier arrived at Alang, India, September 12, 1998, for dismantling. 1998 TOKAI MARU was a first time Seaway caller in 1977 and a return visitor as b) EASTERN HERO in 1993. This ship was also blown aground off Kandla, India, by the same cyclone. It was now d) SURPRISE and became a total loss. This ship arrived at Alang October 8, 1998, and was broken up. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody L. Aho, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels. |
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Cleveland-Cliffs’ CEO sees a big upswing in steel prices soon 6/8 - Cleveland-Cliffs’ CEO Lourenco Goncalves believes that US steel prices should see a big upswing in the next few months. He told S&P Global Platts that the second half of 2019 will be “fantastic” for US steel pricing. Goncalves believes that the prices of hot-rolled coil in the US are affected by the buying behavior of service centers and mini-mills. His optimism is based on the fact that service centers have no inventory. He added, “The mills will get their pound of flesh, because the service centers allowed things to get a lot worse than they should be.” He also feels that the current behavior of the mini-mills and service centers of going on a buyers’ strike is “the usual, seasonal procurement behavior,” which happens every year around June and July. This situation, he believes, happens as people are on vacation and the automotive sector is changing over for new-model vehicles. Steel prices to gain US steel prices have fallen 21% year-to-date. The prices are down more than 27% since they peaked at $925 per ton in July last year. The declining prices have impacted the companies across the steel supply chain. But Goncalves believes that service centers will need to start buying soon, which will support steel prices. U.S. Steel (X) has been among the worst-performing steel stocks in 2019. U.S. Steel and AK Steel (AKS) have fallen 39.2% and 37.5%, respectively, while Nucor (NUE) and Steel Dynamics (STLD) have fallen 17.7% and 28.7%, respectively. Cleveland-Cliffs’ stock has also fallen by 13%, but its year-to-date performance has been positive mainly due to positive price action in the seaborne iron ore prices. During his interview with the S&P Global Platts, Goncalves, also talked about the US economy. He said, he is building a plant in Toledo, Ohio, and currently, 900 people are working on the plant. He mentioned that he could have used more workers, but that he couldn’t find them because “they are busy. There is a lot going on in this country.” |
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Port Reports - June 8 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors, MN – Gary A. Putney Thursday Report: When the Gott departed Two Harbors on June 5th it didn't have an updated AIS. It's heading for Gary. The Indiana Harbor arrived Two Harbors on June 5th at 21:22 for South of #2. She departed on the 6th at 15:02 for Gary. Due Two Harbors on June 7th are the American Integrity, Presque Isle, and the CSL Laurentien. The CSL Niagara was originally showing a Two Harbors AIS, but went to Duluth. Northshore Mining in Silver Bay had no traffic on June 6th and none scheduled on June 7th.
Thunder Bay, ON
Northern Lake Huron ports
Meldrum Bay:
Bruce Mines:
Alpena:
Stoneport: Calcite: 1:56 Victory and James L Kuber departed for Detroit. 11:08 Dorothy Ann and Pathfinder departed for Bay City.
Port Dolomite:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Monroe, MI – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio Ports – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Friday June 7 - by Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Port Colborne anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 6 - tug Sea Eagle II & St Marys Cement II at 1120, Algoscotia at 1158, Federal Biscay (Mhl) at 1251, Greenwing (Cyp) at 1724, John D Leitch at 1812, NACC Argonaut at 1849, Algoma Niagara at 2148 - Jun 7 - Florence Spirit at 1118, CSL St Laurent at 1503, Algoma Spirit at 1532, Kaministiqua at 1606, Algoma Sault at 1859 and Happy River (Nld) eta 2245
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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Pride of Baltimore II clipper is headed for the Great Lakes 6/8 - Baltimore, MD – The Pride of Baltimore II is headed for the Great Lakes, where it will participate in the Tall Ships Challenge throughout the summer. The ship, a topsail schooner modeled after a Baltimore clipper from the War of 1812, set sail Wednesday from the Inner Harbor’s Pier 1 with state delegates Maggie MacIntosh and Brooke Lierman, among other officials, in attendance. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Toronto in about three weeks, and from there it will visit ports in Michigan, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada. It will call in Buffalo, New York, for a Fourth of July celebration. At each of the ports in the challenge, Pride will participate in city festivals, and it will offer a variety of sailings and charters, said Jeff Buchheit, the executive director of Pride of Baltimore Inc., the nonprofit that supports the ship. Its crew also will compete in several tall ship races between ports for the challenge, which has been run since 2001, said challenge director Erin Short. “They are incredibly popular in the Great Lakes. They’ve been numerous times,” Short said. “It’s a ship that people definitely remember.” Captain Jan Miles, who’s been with Pride for nearly 40 years, and his crew, are standouts at the festivals they visit, Short said. “It is an exciting time for Pride of Baltimore II," said Jayson Williams, chairman of Pride Inc.’s board of directors, in an email. "Pride was built to remind people that Baltimore is a water town, fun, full of promise and worth investment. Pride returns this year to tell that story to over 100,000 in the Great Lakes.” |
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Pre-orders now being taken for new ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ book 6/8 - To mark the 60th anniversary of ‘Know Your Ships,’ a new book, ‘Know Your Ships: Decades,’ will be released this fall. The 240-page book will be hardcover and in a larger format (11” x 8.5”) than the regular Know Your Ships. ‘Know Your Ships: Decades’ represents an editors' choice of the best of the many outstanding images that have appeared in the annual Know Your Ships since its founding in 1959. The book also includes a year-by-year timeline of important events on the shipping scene from 60-year Seaway era as well as the major fleet stack markings and house flags. In making this book, nearly 2,000 photographs were considered, and the ones selected were re-scanned to yield the highest quality possible. Pre-ordered books will be autographed and will include a free commemorative reprint of the original, 44-page 1959 Know Your Ships. The pre-order runs to June 30. Books will ship in mid-September. Price is $49.95 plus shipping and tax. Hardcover, high-quality books such as this one are expensive to print. Pre-orders will help determine how many will be printed. There will not be a reprint - once they are gone they are gone. http://knowyourships.com/kysdecades.html Know Your Ships |
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Annual Great Lakes Marine Market Saturday in St. Clair 6/8 - St. Clair, Mich. – The Lake Huron Lore Marine Historical Society is sponsoring its annual Great Lakes Maritime Market at the Riverview Plaza Mall in St. Clair on Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The mall is just across the street from the boardwalk in downtown St. Clair. If you have an interest in the ships that ply the Great Lakes, present or past, you will want to attend this event. There will be more that 30 vendors offering various items relating specifically to the ships and shipping industry of this region. Among the items that will be available for sale are historical artifacts, books, photographs, artwork, shipwrecks, memorabilia, advertising and more. It is a great way to learn more about the fascinating history of the Great Lakes shipping for the beginner or the advanced historian. For more information, contact Lake Huron Lore at 586-725-6276 or micheldr2005@yahoo.com |
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Sign up now for Engineers Day Soo Freighter Chasing Cruise 6/8 - The 2019 schedule of Boatnerd Gatherings has been set and information is now available now on the Gathering page, www.boatnerd.com/gathering Gatherings include Soo Locks Engineers weekend festivities and the annual Welland Canal weekend. Reservations are now being accepted for the Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise June 28. Reservations must be received no later than June 21 to receive the $40 price. Sign up now – don't be left on the dock. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 8 June 8 1951, CLIFFS VICTORY entered Cleveland with a load of iron ore from Marquette. The VICTORY completed the one-way trip in 37 hours - 20 hours faster than the best previous time. On 08 June 1854, J. YOUNG SCAMMON (2-mast wooden brig, built in 1845, at Chicago, Illinois) was sheltering from a storm at S. Manitou Island on Lake Michigan when she dragged her anchors, stranded and broke in three pieces. She was driven in so close to the shore that the crew was able to use a broken spar to climb to the beach. No lives lost. On 08 June 1897, RITA MC DONALD (wooden propeller tug, 72 foot, 69 gross tons) was launched by J. Davidson (Hull #84) at West Bay City, Michigan. She lasted until 1920, when she was abandoned in Chicago, Illinois. In 1978, the LEWIS WILSON FOY was christened for the Bethlehem Steel Co., Cleveland, Ohio. Renamed b.) OGLEBAY NORTON in 1991. She now sails as AMERICAN INTEGRITY. In 1938, the GOVERNOR MILLER (Hull#810) a sister ship to the WILLIAM A. IRVIN, began her maiden voyage, leaving Lorain, Ohio. The GOVERNOR MILLER was only the second Great Lakes vessel to be powered by a steam turbine with a direct drive to the propeller shaft via reduction gear. In 1976 - the Midwest Energy Terminal at Superior, Wisconsin, loaded its first cargo of low-sulfur coal. The steamer JOHN J. BOLAND of 1953, took the honors as the first vessel to load at this dock. She was sold Canadian and renamed b.) SAGINAW in 1999. On this date in 1977, the HARRY .L ALLEN was the first freighter to load at Burlington Northern's Dock #5 in Superior, Wisconsin. On 8 June 1847, CHESAPEAKE (wooden side-wheeler, 172 foot, 412 tons, built in 1838, at Maumee, Ohio) was fully laden and had 97 aboard when she rammed the schooner JOHN F PORTER on a dark night off Conneaut, Ohio. As she started to sink, she was run to shore in an effort to save her, but she sank a mile short of the beach. Lake Erie was fairly calm and the crew and passengers tried to get to shore in boats and makeshift rafts. Most made it and many were also picked up by the steamer HARRISON. Estimates of the number of dead vary from 7 to 13. The wooden side-wheel tug and upriver packet TRAFFIC (75 foot, 50 tons, built in 1853, at St. Clair, Michigan) sank near Sebewaing, Michigan on 8 June 1868. She was recovered and repaired, but only lasted a little longer than a year since she burned in Saginaw in October 1869. 1933: WILHELMINE, dated from 1888 and was one of the world's earliest tankers, ran aground off Morgan Point, west of Port Colborne, while enroute from Chicago to Liverpool with 2,700,000 lbs of lard. The crew were removed and the ship abandoned. The hull was refloated June 3 but was not repaired and may have been dismantled at Ashtabula. 1954: The tug EDWARD C. WHALEN sank in Lake Superior near Corbeil Point. It was salvaged in 1955 and rebuilt a decade later as b) JOHN McLEAN. It survives in the Purvis Marine fleet as c) ADANAC. 1977: CYDONIA first came through the Seaway in 1962 and returned as b) VERMONT I in 1969. It was under tow due to rudder damage as e) JOY when a fire broke out in the engineroom near the mouth of the Mississippi River. The vessel was rocked by three explosions and sank in the Gulf of Mexico. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody L. Aho, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Museum ship William A. Irvin bows out for 2nd season 6/7 - Duluth, MN – The William A. Irvin, a 611-foot-long laker that has long served as a floating museum in Duluth, will sit out another full season of operation. The former member of the U.S. Steel fleet was displaced from its berth in Minnesota Slip last year as crews worked to shore up failing seawalls and cap contaminated sediments that have accumulated through decades of industrial maritime traffic. To make room for the work, the Irvin was moved across the harbor to Fraser Shipyards in Superior, where it was to be placed in drydock for some long-overdue repairs and a fresh coat of paint below its waterline. But the Irvin encountered delays, when the cost of the work came in higher than anticipated, and then the vessel lost its place in line this spring when other working lakers arrived at Fraser in need of immediate attention. Nevertheless, Chelly Townsend, executive director of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, which operates the Irvin, expressed confidence Wednesday that a contract for the work would be signed in a matter of days and for a cost in keeping with a $500,000 Minnesota Historical Society grant that was awarded to cover the repairs. “Once that goes through, we will be able to zero in on a date. But of course that date will be subject to work being finished on the Arthur M. Anderson, that’s in drydock now,” she said. Townsend said the best-case scenario likely would return the Irvin to its mooring in Minnesota Slip by July, and at worst, she expects to have it back in its old home by October or November. The Irvin is expected to spend 30 to 45 days in drydock, but then it will need to wait for calm weather in order to slowly navigate its way back into Minnesota Slip, with only a few inches to spare, as it passes through the pedestrian draw bridge that spans the water. “It will not be open this year,” Townsend said. “Even if it gets back in say September, there’s not enough time to get it ready. You know, it’s been closed up for almost two years now, and there’s going to be a lot of work to do on the inside and the exterior. So, we just plan to have it open next spring,” she said. Don Ness, president of the DECC board of directors, said: “I’m disappointed with how it has rolled out, the costs involved and the delays that we’ve seen. To lose another season is discouraging, and clearly there’s a financial impact on the DECC.” He noted that the DECC will take a financial hit as a result of having the Irvin sidelined for another season, as the vessel typically generates about $200,000 per year. On top of that, the DECC also agreed to bear $300,000 of the cost of moving the Irvin. “We finally have just resigned ourselves to the fact that this is the way it’s going to be. And then we’ll just go forward from there,” Townsend said. Ness said the DECC had been placed in a difficult situation. “Unfortunately these things happen when projects are put on tight timelines, and when the DECC was first approached by the city and the MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency), there was a real rush to approval, saying that they had to hit these tight timelines, that there were dollars that were available now and we couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity,” he said. Ness said the DECC would have benefited from more time to plan and make arrangements, but he also acknowledged the pressing need to address the slip’s failing seawalls and sinkholes that had developed in the area, calling the city “a good partner.” The city has borne financial challenges, as well. On Monday, the Duluth City Council will be asked to approve an additional $700,000 to complete work on the Minnesota Slip project, which now is expected to total about $7.2 million. But Jim Filby Williams, Duluth’s director of public administration, said the added cost comes as little surprise, given that the city budgeted only a modest 6.8 percent contingency into its project budget. “The 15.44 percent cost overrun is actually a bit lower than you would usually expect and provide for on a project like this, which is to say a project involving the repair and replacement of 125-year-old buried marine infrastructure whose character cannot be fully known until you dig it up,” he said. Filby Williams contends it would have been advisable to build in a contingency of 20 to 25 percent for a project of such a nature. “The issue was the inadequate contingency included in the original budgetary appropriation for the project,” he said. Townsend said she’s looking forward to the Irvin’s return and reopening the vessel to the public in 2020 “The whole area is going to look beautiful in a short time, because they’re working on all the landscaping and the curbs and all of that stuff,” she said. “We’re happy to have a stable property, and we’ll be set up to serve our customers better. It’s safer. It’s going to be beautiful. We’ll have bike lanes and proper sidewalks. So, it will definitely be an improvement for us,” Townsend said. Duluth News Tribune |
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National Museum announces Tug Ohio christening weekend 6/7 - Toledo, OH – On Friday, June 21, two tugs will be formally christened at the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo Ohio. The first tug to be christened was donated to the museum by The Great Lakes Towing Company in 2018, and will be known as the Museum Tug Ohio. The National Museum of the Great Lakes has spent the last nine months restoring the tug. It will be a feature exhibit at the museum and the Maumee River’s second floating museum ship. The second tug to be christened is The Great Lakes Towing Company’s newest tug, also named Ohio. This tug will serve the maritime community as a member of The Great Lakes Towing Company’s fleet of tugs that operate across the Great Lakes and on the Maumee River. “We believe this event is the first of its kind on the Great Lakes and perhaps beyond---the christening of a museum tug that shares its name with the tug built to take its place in the commercial towing fleet,” said Christopher Gillcrist, Executive Director of the National Museum of the Great Lakes. “The past meets the present and future all in one wonderful event.” The addition of the Museum Tug Ohio represents only the second commercial museum ship on the Maumee River – first being the Col. James M. Schoonmaker. Thirty years ago, the Schoonmaker (as the Willis B. Boyer) was introduced to Toledo as its first museum ship. The addition of a museum tug fills a significant void in the permanent exhibit plan of NMGL, Gillcrist said. The Great Lakes Towing Company’s new commercial tug represents the application of cutting edge technology in tug design. The new Damen 1907 Ice Tug was built at The Great Lakes Towing Company’s shipyard in Cleveland. In 2019, The Great Lakes Towing Company Ohio will celebrate 120 years of serving as an invaluable resource to the Great Lakes maritime community. “The new tug is aptly named Ohio,” said Joe Starck, president of The Great Lakes Towing Company. “She was built in Ohio, by an Ohio shipyard, for an Ohio-based company, will operate on Ohio waters and serve Ohio ports. In addition, her construction cost was supported by the Ohio EPA and she replacing the historical tug Ohio. We memorialize the Museum Tug Ohio as we celebrate her modern successor that will continue to keep cargo moving, here in Toledo, for generations.” The christenings will take place at the National Museum of the Great Lakes’ commercial dock located behind the building on the Maumee River. Guests and attendees will observe from the dock and patio behind the museum. Christenings of commercial vessels on the Great Lakes have a long and illustrious history. These events often drew thousands of spectators and VIP’s from the maritime industry from across the country. The sponsor of the Museum Tug Ohio is long-time NMGL employee and volunteer Mrs. Jane Smith. Mrs. Smith will break a bottle of beer over the bow rail of the Museum Tug Ohio instead of the traditional bottle of champagne. According to Gillcrist, when the boat was christened the first time in Chicago in 1903, beer was used because the boat was going to serve the city of Milwaukee – the city that made beer famous. Gillcrist noted that Mrs. Smith was chosen as the sponsor because she best represents the volunteer spirit that makes projects like this one possible. The Museum Tug Ohio has a 115-year history on the Great Lakes. During its career as a fireboat in Milwaukee it participated in some of the most important disasters in Milwaukee history. As a tug, it logged more miles of commercial activity than any other tug on the Great Lakes. “This tug tells a story that no other tug can tell,” said Gillcrist. “How many tugs towed not one but two navy submarines on the Great Lakes?” The christening on June 21 is open to the public but only with advance ticket purchase. Tickets are $25 per person ($20 per person for museum members). Purchase of the ticket gets you admission to the christenings, admission to the museum, admission to the Schoonmaker museum ship and admission to the restored museum tug Ohio. The new Ohio can be viewed from dockside. Tickets can be purchased at nmgl.org or by calling 419-214-5000 ext. 0. On June 22-23, the public can purchase at the door a general admission ticket for $17 per person. Members of the museum are admitted free at this point. National Museum of the Great Lakes |
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Port Reports - June 7 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Thunder Bay, ON
Northern Lake Huron ports
Parry Sound:
Little Current:
Meldrum Bay:
Bruce Mines:
Alpena:
Calcite:
Port Dolomite:
Port Inland:
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio Ports – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Thursday June 6 - by Barry Andersen early morning fog delayed shipping for
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Port Colborne anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 5 - Egmondgracht (Nld) at 2141 (turned in Lake Erie and headed to wharf 12) - Jun 5 - Egmondgracht (Nld) stopping wharf 12 at 0020), tug Everlast & Norman McLeod 0353, Algoma Enterprise at 0432, tug Sea Eagle II & St Marys Cement II at 1120, Algoscotia at 1158, Federal Biscay (Mhl) at 1251, Greenwing (Cyp) at 1724, John D Leitch at 1812, NACC Argonaut at 1849, Algoma Niagara at 1618 - delayed
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Mississauga:
Oshawa: |
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'It cannot go another inch higher': Lakes water levels may hit Michigan tourism 6/7 - Lansing, MI – The high water levels on Lake Superior are manageable, but only if the forecasters are wrong about the lake's projected rise, Capt. Donald Kilpela Jr. said. Right now, only a few docks in his small, Upper Peninsula home of Copper Harbor are submerged by the swollen lake, and summer storms are rarely strong enough to carry that extra water inland. The Upper Peninsula community can weather the record-high Lake Superior water level, but only if the lake holds fast. "It cannot go another inch higher," said Kilpela Jr., who operates The Isle Royale Queen IV ferry. "Then things get really compromised." Kilpela is among thousands of Michiganders who had a lakeside view as the Great Lakes rose above record heights in May, according to a report the Army Corps of Engineers issued Tuesday. The rising waters have washed out roads, inched over boat slips, covered beaches and flooded properties. Some residents of Michigan’s coastal communities worry their tourism-based economies will suffer if visitors turn away from their shrinking beaches and waterlogged marinas. The phone has "really been ringing off the hook for the past several weeks" at the Army Corps of Engineers office in Detroit, where property owners, municipal officials and reporters call to ask why the Great Lakes water levels are so high and whether they'll continue to rise, Detroit District Chief of Watershed Hydrology Keith Kompoltowicz said. Water levels on the Great Lakes fluctuate depending on precipitation, evaporation and the amount of water flowing in and out. Several years of heavy rain and snowfall are behind the recent, steep rise in Great Lakes water levels, Kompoltowicz said. Lansing State Journal |
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Joseph H. Thompson was part of D-Day invasion fleet 6/7 - Escanaba, MI – Thursday marked the 75th anniversary of D-Day — the day when Allied forces landed in Normandy during World War II. The Joseph H. Thompson, a ship that has been docked in “Escanaba’s backyard,” has close ties to this historical event. “She was at D-Day,” VanEnkevort Tug & Barge (VTB), Inc. Director of Purchasing Peter Groh said of the ship. VTB has owned the Joseph H. Thompson for about four years. According to information from www.boatnerd.com, the Joseph H. Thompson was originally built by Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock of Chester, Pa. in early 1944. It was constructed for the U.S. Maritime Commission as part of the World War II effort; originally, it was known as the Marine Robin. The brochure “From Salt Water to Fresh Water,” which focuses on the Joseph H. Thompson’s history, states the Marine Robin’s maiden voyage brought U.S. troops from Newport News, Va., to Bremen, Germany. For three months, the ship brought soldiers from North Africa to southern France, and it was present at the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944. After D-Day, the Marine Robin took 1,500 German prisoners of war to the United States. The ship also visited Oran, Le Havre, Naples, Southampton, Marseille and Mediterranean ports. On Oct. 5, 1945, the ship traveled through the Suez Canal and entered the Pacific theater. It was used by the military through August 1946; along with a repatriation trip to return German nationals from China, it visited Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines. The Marine Robin was then retired. In the early ’50s, the Marine Robin was purchased by the Hansand Steamship Company, converted for use as a lake carrier and transported to the Great Lakes. A new midsection was built for the ship; as the ship’s new length was about 714 feet — a significant increase from its original length of 515 feet — it had to be transported on the Mississippi River and Chicago’s canal system in two sections and rejoined later. Over the years, the Joseph H. Thompson has been used as a vessel and a tug barge. It currently serves as a tug barge in VTB’s fleet, and is docked at North Shore Marine Terminal & Logistics, Inc.’s facility in Escanaba. Groh said VTB is proud to own and operate the Joseph H. Thompson.“I think it’s unique that she does have past history supporting our troops and that she has survived all these years and is still in general commerce today,” he said. The Joseph H. Thompson left Escanaba Wednesday and is currently sailing the Great Lakes. Escanaba Daily Press |
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New rear admiral takes over command at Cleveland Coast Guard station 6/7 - Cleveland, OH – Rear Admiral Donna L. Cottrell took over Thursday as the leader of the ninth district, relieving fellow Rear Admiral Joanna M. Nunan. Cottrell is a native of Wellington, Ohio and a graduate of Ohio University. What makes this historic is that RADM Cottrell becomes the third straight woman to command the ninth district, something that has never happened before in the Coast Guard's history and a feat that is "unlikely to be repeated. RADM Nunan relieved RADM June Ryan back in 2017, marking the first time a female district commander relieved another in the agency's history. As ninth district commander, RADM Cottrell will oversee operations across the entire Great Lakes, spanning eight states. One of the special guests at Thursday's change of command ceremony was 104-year-old Mabel Johnson. She served in the Coast Guard at the Cleveland station during World War II as a SPAR, doing the jobs of thousands of Coast Guardsmen who had to leave their posts to fight overseas. Also, Rear Admiral Nunan received a nice honor by the Cleveland Indians on Thursday as she threw out the first pitch prior to the Tribe's game against the Twins as part of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 7 1958, the largest freighter ever built on the Great Lakes slid down the ways at River Rouge, Michigan. The new freighter was christened by Mrs. Edmund Fitzgerald and named EDMUND FITZGERALD. The 729-foot FITZGERALD was owned by Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company and operated by Columbia Transportation under a 25-year bare boat charter. In 1977, tugs refused to tow the new MESABI MINER out of the harbor due to high winds. Captain William McSweeney brought the MESABI MINER out under her own power to begin her maiden trip. On 07 June 1890, EMILY P. WEED (steel propeller freighter, 300 foot, 2,362 gross tons) was launched by F. W. Wheeler (Hull #69) at W. Bay City, Michigan for the Hollister Transportation Co. She lasted until 02 September 1905, when she stranded on Sand Island Reef, Apostle Islands on Lake Superior and broke in two. On 07 June 1862, MORNING STAR (wooden side-wheel steamer, 248 foot, 1,265 gross tons) was launched by A. A. Turner at Trenton, Michigan. She only lasted until 1868, when she sank in Lake Erie in a collision with the bark COURTLAND. In 1977, WILLIAM A. IRVIN ran into the side of the Rock Cut after a power failure on board. The vessel received only slight damage. (For a more detailed account, read Jody Aho's book "The Steamer William A Irvin: Queen of the Silver Stackers"). On June 7, 1991, the ALPENA, the former LEON FRASER) began her maiden voyage as a cement carrier, departing Superior, Wisconsin, for her namesake port. Fraser Shipyards, which performed the conversion, took out a full-page ad in the Superior Evening Telegram proclaiming "INLAND LAKES MANAGEMENT, YOUR SHIP IS READY" and a picture of the vessel. On 7 June 1859, COLUMBIA (2-mast wooden brig, 92 foot, 177 gross tons, built in 1842, at Sandusky, Ohio) broke up in a storm near Sherwood Point, Green Bay (Death's Door). She was famous for bringing the first load of copper ore from the Keweenaw Peninsula to through the Soo. She also brought the first locomotive to Marquette. The METEOR (wooden steam barge, 201 foot, 729 gross tons, built in 1863, at Cleveland, Ohio) burned at Buckley's dock at the foot of 2nd Street in Detroit, Michigan on 7 June 1873. The fire supposedly started in her hold at 1:30 a.m. and was not discovered until it was too late. The ship burned to the waterline and sank. Some docks and warehouses also burned in this catastrophe. The wreck was raised in early September 1875, and towed to the foot of Belle Isle where the machinery and hull were sold at the U.S. Marshall's sale on 24 April 1876. Although originally thought to be the end of this vessel, the hull was purchased by Stephen B. Grummond of Detroit for $480. It was rebuilt as the schooner-barge NELSON BLOOM in 1882 and lasted until abandoned in 1925. 1894: The wooden steamer OCEAN received a massive hole in the bow after a collision with the barge KENT at Alexandria Bay on the St. Lawrence. 1902: The whaleback steamer THOMAS WILSON sank after a collision with the GEORGE G. HADLEY a mile off the Duluth piers while outbound with iron ore and nine lives were lost. 1915: JAMES B. EADS and the CHICAGO collided in the St. Clair River. 1941: The fish tug FINGLO caught fire and burned at Toronto. It was rebuilt for harbor duty as the steam tug H.J.D. NO. 1. In 1956-1957, the ship was unofficially renamed Salamander to star in the Canadian television series Tugboat Annie. 1971: SILVER CREST visited the Seaway in 1971 after previous calls as a) VIGRID in 1959 and 1963. It also returned as b) ROSTO in 1963 before becoming d) SILVER CREST in 1968. The ship stranded on Sisal Reef, in the Gulf of Mexico while enroute from Veracruz to Progresso, Mexico, but was refloated on June 12. The vessel arrived at Whampoa, China, for scrapping in July 1973. 1991: HERMES SCAN, a first time Seaway trader in 1977, sank in the Bay of Bengal as d) BRAUT TEAM after developing leaks the previous day. The heavy-lift vessel was reportedly carrying a Chinese steam locomotive for delivery to New York for the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad. All on board were saved. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II, The Marine Historical Society of Detroit and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series |
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NTSB releases report on last year’s Straits anchor strike 6/6 - The federal government released a report Wednesday that shines a light on exactly what happened leading up to an anchor striking a pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac in April 2018. A dragging anchor hit decommissioned utility lines and Enbridge’s Line 5 west of the Mackinac Bridge, and fueled fears of an environmental catastrophe. The report says a barge (Erie Trader with tug Clyde S. VanEnkevort) unknowingly released its anchor, dragging it and caused damaged to electrical cables and dented line 5. The NTSB also determined the likely cause was a failure to secure the barge’s anchor, and the improper adjustment of the anchor’s brake band. The report says those two factors that caused the anchor strike. Attorney General Dana Nessel said this report reinforces the danger Line 5 is to the Great Lakes. She says she is “prepared to take legal action to decommission Line 5.” Oil company Enbridge says they take their responsibility seriously to protect the environment. The company says they’ll continue with their plans to construct a tunnel for Line 5. Governor Gretchen Whitmer is negotiating with Enbridge to speed up that tunnel. 9 & 10 News |
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Great Lakes set record high water levels, could continue rising 6/6 - Two Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair broke water level records in May, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Lakes Erie and Superior and Lake St. Clair set new record high monthly mean water levels, preliminary data from the Corps shows, amid a persistent rainy period. And all five Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair could continue to hit record highs this summer, the Corps said. "As we expected, record highs were set in May on a few of our Great Lakes, and our June forecast shows additional record highs likely this summer," Keith Kompoltowicz, chief of Watershed Hydrology, Detroit District, said in a Corps news release. Precipitation in May was 21% higher than average in the Great Lakes basin. Water levels are based on what scientists call “water balance,” or how much water is coming into and out of a body of water, said Drew Gronewold, associate professor of environment and sustainability at the University of Michigan. This is based on factors like precipitation and evaporation. These extreme levels pose a threat to human health and safety, especially for communities close to the water, Gronewold said. High water levels cause issues like flooding, coastal erosion, property damage, delay in planting spring crops and displacement of people from their homes. People with shoreline property are especially impacted, added Brent Lofgren, a physical scientist with the Great Lakes Environmental Research lab. “People who build docks on the lake, they tend to build them for a particular water level,” Lofgren said. “If it changes, their docks don’t work as well. Shoreline properties might have had a beach there and now it’s really not there anymore.” The Great Lakes basin has experienced high precipitation for at least six years, with a steep increase in the last month, Lofgren said. But this increase comes at the end of a lengthy period of record low water levels that lasted from the 1990s to about 2013, both scientists said. “It was not long ago we were talking about record lows,” Gronewold said. Experts disagree on whether these fluctuations are linked to climate change. Gronewold and another University of Michigan professor, Richard Rood, published an article on Tuesday arguing that climate change is driving the rapid shifts between high and low lake levels. Lofgren, however, said he does not agree with the research. Detroit Free Press |
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Port Reports - June 6 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
Northern Lake Huron ports
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Cheboygan:
Port Dolomite:
Drummond Island:
Bruce Mines: Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas Algoma Sault was at the salt dock Wednesday night. Algoma Innovator was at the grain elevators. Algoma Transport was at the north dock, probably waiting to load salt. Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H Wednesday Arrivals: Hon. James L Oberstar arrived at AK Steel to unload ore. Presque Isle arrived at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal to fuel. Calusa Coast and Delaware arrived at the Marathon Asphalt Terminal to load. Monroe, MI – Raymond H Paul R Tregurtha was unloading coal at the DTE Energy plant on Wednesday.
Toledo, OH
Northeast Ohio Ports
Erie, PA Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report - Wednesday June 5 ... by Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Long Point Bay anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 4 - Acadia Desgagnes at 1448 and Egmondgracht (Nld) at 2141 (turned in Lake Erie and headed to wharf 12) - Jun 5 - Egmondgracht (Nld) stopping wharf 12 at 0020), tug Everlast & Norman McLeod eta 2245 and Algoma Enterprise eta 2300
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorage:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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Surging Great Lakes water levels shrink beaches, flood docks in Michigan 6/6 - Lakes Erie, St. Clair and Superior broke records for average water heights during the month of May, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Tuesday. And as wet weather persists across the region, all five Great Lakes — as well as Lake St. Clair — may set additional records, the agency added, stirring concerns about ongoing flooding and shoreline erosion. “Our June forecast shows additional record highs likely this summer," Keith Kompoltowicz, chief of watershed hydrology, in the Corps’ Detroit District, said in a news release. The Great Lakes Basin last month saw 21 percent more precipitation than normal, filling the lakes to levels unseen in decades. Average water heights hovered 1 to 3 inches above previous May records set in 1986. Winds often affect local water levels, pushing them dramatically higher during storms, the Corps warned. Flood risks extend to communities along rivers and other channels connecting the Great Lakes. The full lakes are breaking records just six years after low water levels bedevilled ships that haul iron ore, grain and other commodities between ports. "These changes are a response to unusual combinations of extreme lake evaporation, persistent increases in the magnitude and intensity of precipitation events, and intermittent outbursts of cold arctic air,” a Drew Gronewold, a hydrologist with the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability, said in a statement Tuesday. Though ship captains and some marina owners welcome the recovery from low levels years ago, the flooding has shrunk beaches and left docks underwater across the Great Lakes region. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday declared an emergency in Tuscola County, which borders the Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron, after flooding washed away roads and caused millions of dollars in damage. That came one month after Whitmer declared a flooding emergency in Wayne County, which borders the Detroit River, the nexus between Lakes Erie and St. Clair. The county saw more than 3,000 homes damaged, according to media reports. |
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Price to sell Blue Water Bridge? Michigan House Republicans want to know 6/6 - Lansing, MI – State House Republicans want to know the price tag for the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron and plan to ask the Michigan Department of Transportation to solicit bids for the structure. The House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee’s proposed budget Thursday will include boilerplate language directing the Department of Transportation to solicit proposals or bids for the international crossing, which is jointly owned by the U.S. and Canada. The Michigan Department of Transportation did not have an immediate estimate of the bridge’s worth, but said outstanding debt on the bridge is roughly $89.7 million with a final payment set for 2037. The House's budget boilerplate language also will request similar solicitations for bids for several state-owned small airports, some rest stops and one rail line for transportation funding, said Gideon D’Assandro, a spokesman for House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering. The plan would allow the Legislature “to get an idea of what the market looks like and get a better accounting what assets the state has,” D’Assandro said. The language is not part of the House’s roads plan, which he expects to be released at a later date, he said. “Obviously, the state has to fund a lot of priorities every year so it's good to know what kind of assets its sitting on,” D’Assandro said. The subcommittee is already aware of some parties interested in the bridge, including a group of investment funds, said Rep. Matt Maddock, R-Milford, chairman of the transportation subcommittee. The bridge’s sale remains a possibility, but a serious one, he said. “I’m all for building bridges, but I think if you had an asset lying around that’s worth half a billion to a billion dollars, I’d rather sell that bridge than force Michigan families to pay more at the gas pump,” he said. Maddock said he'll explore any options that will sidestep tax increases for residents and check the reach of government agencies. "MDOT used to focus on transportation, not bridges or airports or welcome centers," Maddock said. "There’s a lot of things that we’re in the business of that we shouldn’t be in the business of.” The Port Huron-Sarnia crossing consists of two bridges — the original bridge with three lanes of west-bound traffic into the United States that was renovated in 1999 and a modern bridge opened in 1997 with three lanes of east-bound traffic into Canada. The state of Michigan owns the U.S. portions of the spans, while a Canadian authority owns the Canadian section, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation There already is a private owner of a key international bridge in Michigan. The Moroun family owns the 90-year-old Ambassador Bridge that connects Detroit and Windsor. The Ambassador Bridge is set to get competition from the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a private-public crossing that is being built two miles south. The $4.4 billion project is expected to be completed by 2023. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib cited the Moroun's ownership of the Ambassador Bridge Wednesday as a warning against tapping private interests for public infrastructure. "Come to Detroit, and I will show you how selling a bridge to a private owner is a bad, no terrible, idea," said Tlaib, D-Detroit. It is not clear if the Moroun-owned Detroit International Bridge Company or one of its affiliated firms is interested in buying the Blue Water Bridge. The Blue Water Bridge long ago was supposed to get its customs plaza expanded in a $165 million construction project. But the customs plaza project languished during the Obama administration and remains dormant. Local leaders in St. Clair County learned of the plan Wednesday and said it appeared to be a preliminary exploration of how to monetize the twin spans over the St. Clair River. “I think it is reasonable that the state Legislature would want to look at the value of its asset and see how those assets could be best used for the people of Michigan,” Port Huron City Manager James Freed said. The bridge certainly is an asset to the community but is ultimately outside of the county’s purview or ownership, said St. Clair County Board Chairman Jeff Bohm, who noted the plan would “get vetted at a much higher pay grade than mine.” “I guess it’s the old adage, everything’s for sale, even the Blue Water Bridge,” Bohm said. The Detroit News |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 6 On 06 June 1891, BAY CITY (wooden propeller freighter, 152 foot, 372 gross tons, built in 1867, at Marine City, Michigan) burned to a total loss while being repaired at the foot of Rivard Street in Detroit, Michigan. She was loaded with 300,000 feet of white pine lumber at the time. Her watchman reported the fire during the night and firemen thought they had it out, but it re-ignited and the vessel burned to a total loss. This ship had previously burned 20 years before on 10 April 1871, when she was on her first trip of the season after being rebuilt over the winter. Then she caught fire and burned nearly to the waterline but was rebuilt again and lasted until this last fire in 1891. On 06 June 1917, ISABELLA J. BOYCE (wooden propeller sandsucker, 138 foot, 368 gross tons, built in 1889, at Manitowoc, Wisconsin as a freighter) grounded on Middle Bass Island in Lake Erie and then was destroyed by fire. No lives were lost. In 1944, the C-4 bulk carrier MARINE ROBIN participated in the D-Day invasion at Normandy. In 1952, after conversion into a bulk freighter she began service in the lakes for M.A. Hanna Co., as b.) JOSEPH H. THOMPSON. She serves today as a tug barge combination created from the sections of the original vessel. E.B. BARBER (Hull#111) of the Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co., entered service on June 6, 1953, for Algoma Central Railway Ltd. In 1953, ARMCO (Hull#870) began her maiden voyage from Lorain, Ohio, for the Columbia Transportation Div., bound for Superior, Wisconsin, to load iron ore. On June 6, 1959, ADAM E. CORNELIUS (Hull#) 424) began her maiden voyage for the American Steamship Co., from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. This was the last Great Lakes vessel constructed with telescoping hatch covers. Sold Canadian and converted to a barge she was renamed b.) CAPT. EDWARD V. SMITH in 1988, and c.) SEA BARGE ONE in 1991 and d.) SARAH SPENCER in 1996. Upper Lakes Shipping's POINTE NOIRE was in collision with Cleveland Tanker's SATURN on June 6, 1977, near Fighting Island in the Detroit River. On 6 June 1869, ASA COVELL (wooden propeller tug, 20 gross tons, built in 1852, at Buffalo, New York) was towing the brig IROQUOIS up the Cuyahoga River at Cleveland when her boiler exploded and she sank. Her captain was killed when the pilothouse was blown into the river. On 6 June 1883, HERCULES (wooden schooner-barge, 139 foot, 195 tons, built in 1867, at Algonac, Michigan) was upbound in the south bend of the St. Clair River near Algonac, Michigan when the CLARION (iron propeller package freighter, 240 foot, 1,711 gross tons, built in 1881, at Wyandotte, Michigan) overtook her and collided with her in broad daylight. HERCULES drifted to the bank, capsized and sank. No lives were lost. 1956: NEWBRUNDOC ran aground at Densmore Bay on the southeast side of Wellesley Island in the St. Lawrence after straying out of the channel in fog. The ore-laden vessel, enroute from Contrecoeur to Buffalo, was released the next day. 1964: The Norwegian freighter FRO made 10 trips through the Seaway from 1961 to 1965. It ran aground at Milwaukee after loading 7500 tons of scrap for France on June 6, 1964, and was lightered to the YANKCANUCK before being refloated June 9. 1967: FRANKCLIFFE HALL ran aground off Hare Island, Lake Superior in dense fog and received heavy damage to bottom plates. The ship was lightered and released June 9 and went to the Davie shipyard for repairs. This vessel was scrapped at Aliaga, Turkey, as HALIFAX in 2011. 1967: AUGUSTUS B. WOLVIN struck the bank of the Welland Canal and grounded. A subsequent survey of the damage at Port Weller Dry Docks revealed it was not worth the cost of repairs and the ship was laid up and sold for scrap. 1982: ALGOSEA (i) rammed the west pier at Port Weller entering the Welland Canal in fog turning the bulbous bow by 90 degrees. The damaged ship was allowed to go to Thunder Bay for repairs. It became c) SAUNIERE later in 1982 and was scrapped at Aliaga, Turkey, in 2011. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II, The Marine Historical Society of Detroit and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Soo’s Norgoma museum ship towed to dock above the locks 6/5 - Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday, the museum mhip Norgoma was pulled from its spot at Bondar Marina. Purvis Marine moved the museum ship through the American locks to its new temporary docking location west of Algoma Steel. The city changed the locks on the boat last month and fenced it off after deciding in March that the Norgoma would need to be removed from the Bondar Marina – where it has been moored since its decommissioning in the mid-1970s – to allow for dock replacement. Council had determined that the ship was an eyesore in the downtown core and that attempts by the board to spruce it up and encourage tourism had not been fruitful. As of March, the city’s plan was to tow the Norgoma to the Purvis Dock at Algoma Steel, billing the $50,000 cost to the volunteer-run marine centre. The St. Marys River Marine Centre board of directors had embarked upon developing partnerships that saw a number of new ship activities to provide revenue for the volunteer organization, including a local food market, Open Mic Night and renting the facility for movie filming. Watch a video of the move at this link: https://www.sootoday.com/videos/news/video-watch-this-mornings-norgoma-move-1488712 View images at this link: https://saultonline.com/2019/06/norgoma-on-the-move |
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Combat ship USS Minneapolis St. Paul rolled off assembly line in Wisconsin 6/5 - Marinette, WI – The USS Minneapolis Saint Paul was rolled off the assembly line in Marinette, WI, Friday. According to the USS Minneapolis Saint Paul Commissioning Committee, the ship is scheduled to launch this summer at a private military ceremony at its location north of Green Bay. It is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2020. The Littoral Combat Ship, constructed by Lockheed Martin, is the 21st in its class to join the U.S. Navy. In February 2018, officials with the Navy held a keel laying ceremony at the Fincantieri Marinette Shipyard as crews began construction on the hull. There, the ship’s sponsor authenticated the keel by welding her initials onto a steel plate that was placed in the hull of the ship. The sponsor was Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Policy Jodi J. Greene, of Duluth. The USS Minneapolis Saint Paul is being designed for coastal water battlespace and will be used for missions like mine-clearing, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. This will be the second vessel in the U.S. Navy to be named after the Twin Cities. The SSN-708 submarine was the first USS Minneapolis Saint Paul. It was decommissioned in 2008. Image gallery at this link: http://www.fox9.com/news/combat-ship-uss-minneapolis-st-paul-rolled-off-assembly-line-in-wisconsin |
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Port Reports - June 5 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Two Harbors-Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
Goderich, ON – Bruce Douglas
Marine City, MI – Rod Burdick
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio Ports |
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Great Lakes shipping group calls for more icebreakers 6/5 - As the warm weather settles in, members of a shipping industry group are still thinking, and worrying, about winter and ice on the Great Lakes. The Chamber of Marine Commerce is calling on the federal government to increase the number of Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers on the lakes by at least five under a $15.7-billion fleet renewal plan announced recently. Bruce Burrows, president of the chamber representing the shipping industry on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border, said its members were “plagued with ice problems in the Great Lakes this past spring and during the winter on the St. Lawrence River.” The chamber said the cost to the Canadian economy of just one domestic ships being delayed delivering its cargo is estimated at more than $500,000 a day. “This is a big hit to the economy,” Burrows said. While Canadian and U.S. Coast Guard crews worked tirelessly during the spring on the Great Lakes, they were hampered by the age and condition of their ships, the chamber says. “The existing fleet is breaking down, a lot,” Burrows said. According to the chamber, two U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers were out of service in March and a Canadian icebreaker assigned to Lake Superior was only able to operate at 60 per cent of capacity. That ship also sat idle in April because of mechanical problems. “We need to preserve the international reputation of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence navigation system as being a reliable trade gateway that’s open for business,” Burrows said. “But, it’s not just about dealing with service breakdowns due to the aging fleet – we need more overall capacity.” The chamber says shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River generates more than $60 billion in economy activity and supports 329,000 jobs in Canada and the U.S. “These are big numbers and we need ice breaking to support this economy,” Burrows said. If the eight states and two provinces on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River were treated as a single economy, it would be the world’s third largest, he said. “Sarnia is right in the middle of that,” Burrows added. As well as promising new ships, the Canadian government is moving to add three refurbished icebreakers as an interim measure, including the Captain Molly Kool that was dedicated recently at its home port in Newfoundland. “That will help address this immediate issue of ships going in for long-term repair because they’re so old,” Burrows said. “But, we still need additional capacity.” Fleet renewal the government announced last week is needed because the average large coast guard ship is 38 years old and nearing the end of its service life, said Jocelyn Lubczuk, press secretary for the minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. She said the as many as 16 new multi-purpose vessels included in the announcement “will provide the coast guard with enhanced capabilities to meet evolving demands from its various clients, including for ice-breaking services in the Great Lakes.” The Canadian Coast Guard has two light icebreakers in the Great Lakes, supplemented by medium icebreakers at the opening of the seaway season, or when needed, Lubczuk said. No decisions have been made regarding the replacement of the medium icebreakers, she added. As well as 16 multi-purpose vessels capable of light ice breaking duty, the government announced two new Arctic and offshore patrol ships will be built. Repairs, refits and life-extension work will also be carried out on the existing fleet until the new ships are delivered. “We are ensuring the Canadian Coast Guard has the equipment and tools it needs to carry out its important work to ensure the high-quality service Canadians expect,” Lubczuk said. Burrows said he worries most of the ships announced will be for regions outside of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway where the chamber is seeking a commitment for additional icebreakers to be built “quickly” and put to work. “We don’t have that yet,” he said. Burrows said shipping on the lakes and seaway grew 17 per cent over the last two years. That growth is expected to continue while the industry also works with its partners to extend the navigation season on the seaway, and deal with unpredictable weather events brought on by climate change. “We just don’t have enough icebreakers,” Burrows said. Sarnia Observer |
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Seaway visitor Hanse Gate sold, renamed Lake Erie 6/5 - The 27,781 dwt ton bulk carrier Hanse Gate, built in 2004 at Guangzhou Shipyard in China and flagged in Antigua & Barbuda has been sold for $4.7 million. The ship recently visited the seaway and Great Lakes, entering April 10 to load grain in Thunder Bay and becoming the first ocean ship to visit that port in the 2019 season. Upon leaving the seaway on April 25 she proceeded to Oran, Algeria, to unload. Subsequently she was sold and renamed Lake Erie. Previous names were Federal Matane until 2011, CL Hanse Gate to 2015 and Hanse Gate to 2019, visiting the seaway under all of them. Her owner, Johs Thode Reederei of Hamburg, Germany, may well be exiting the shipowning business. They have sold three ships from their fleet, leaving only one containership from their business focus of container feeders with the handysize bulk carrier segment. Her new manager, Sunship Schiffahrtskontor, has had other vessels serving the seaway, giving way to potential return of the Lake Erie in the future. Ron Oliveira |
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Saltie demolition report 6/5 - Vessels with Great Lakes / Seaway connection reported as a casualty or sold for demolition. Taken from June 2019 issue of Marine News – Journal of the World Ship Society Casualties: none reported
Demolitions: Clear Aurora (8208189; Comoros) (Anna Karenina-12, Bereket Ka-08, Mopa Daniel-00, Chemical Harmony -92, Gogo Chemstar-91 - 1st trip into Seaway 1985) 5,209 / 1982 - Chemical / Products tanker - By Aviso Shipping Co Ltd, Seychelles, to Apuyama Steel Pvt Ltd., India and arrived Alang 8.09.2018 - commenced demolition 14.09.2018 Icto (5234395, Sierre Leone) (Victo-18 - 1st trip in Seaway 2018, American Victory-17, Middletown-06, Pioneer Challenger-62 - 1st trip into Seaway 1961, Gulfoil-61, Neshanic-47, launched as Marquette) 13,167 / 1943 - bulk carrier, self-discharging laker - By Algoma Central Corp. (ACC) Canada to Leyal Gemi Sokum Ltd., Turkey and arrived Aliaga 3.09.2018 - commenced demolition 3.09.2018 Sea Raven (7806506; United States of America) (Dixie Commander-99 - 1st trip into Seaway 1995, Star Providence-93, Sea Skimmer-90, Gemini-80) 695 / 1941 - Articulated pusher tug. By Kirby Offshore Marine Operating LLC, United States of America, to American breakers and reported 2018 Report prepared by Barry Andersen and René Beauchamp |
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All roads (and canals) lead to a booming Welland 6/5 - Welland, ON – A unique convergence presents itself to truckers, engineers and helmsmen approaching the Townline Tunnel from the north, south, east or west. While it’s not a regular occurrence, big rigs and Canadian Pacific Railway trains have been known to simultaneously pass under the Welland Canal in Ontario’s Niagara Region at exactly the same time as lake freighters ply the waters directly overhead. “That intersection is priceless,” says Welland Mayor Frank Campion. “Our industrial amenities and transportation infrastructure are attracting industry and the jobs associated with it, and align perfectly with the federal government’s plans for transporting goods on an international scale.” Combine this with bountiful incentives and a wealth of newly zoned land, and it’s no wonder commercial and industrial real estate development is growing at an unprecedented rate in the Rose City. Welland’s building boom, which started about two years ago, owes much to the continuing divestment of some 1,600 hectares of federally-owned land along the working canal. “There are several plots we will be interested in purchasing as soon as they come up for sale,” Mr. Campion says. “Given our current levels of residential and industrial growth, we need to have enough land inventory for the future.” A recent federal transport and infrastructure committee recommendation to use canal corridor lands to boost Niagara’s economy has only strengthened the city’s bid to build a dock and loading area on the working canal with financial support from Ottawa’s $2-billion National Trade Corridors Fund, which began a call for proposals in January. "A diversified economy is important to Welland,” Mr. Campion says, adding that the city is working hard to avoid a repeat of the spate of local plant closures that accompanied the 2008 financial crisis. The value of the 726 construction permits issued in Welland in 2017 – $164,548,600 – was more than double that of 2016, with the 802 permits issued in 2018 setting a new record. “We’re taking an aggressive approach to development, and it’s been very successful,” says Mr. Campion, who credits the Welland By-Pass channel for allowing the city “to separate residential, recreational and tourism development from industrial development.” The original route of the fourth Welland Canal, which passes through the city centre, is lined with bike paths, parks, a 750-seat amphitheatre, and the 12-year-old Welland International Flatwater Centre, which hosted canoeing and rowing events during the 2015 Pan American Games. At the other end of the real estate spectrum is the canal’s 13.4-kilometre-long bypass, which opened on the city’s eastern outskirts in 1973. It is lined with dozens of industrial and commercial operations, such as Welded Tube of Canada, Canadian Tire Financial Services Ltd., and Austrian engine manufacturer Innio, which recently moved into a $240-million, 500,000-square-foot assembly plant established by General Electric in 2016. Newer arrivals, such as Northern Gold Foods and Intravision Greens Canada, occupy the six-year-old Enterprise Industrial Subdivision off Highway 140. Intravision, which is slated to grow leafy vegetables in a 20,000-square-foot automated indoor farm, will benefit greatly from its Niagara Foreign Trade Zone setting, says Neville D’Souza, chief executive officer of site developer Niagara Holdings Canada. “The proximity to the U.S. border and major highways, combined with the ability to apply for tax, duty and tariff exemptions, gives us a real advantage,” he says. “The City of Welland has a very proactive team, and that’s attracting skill sets to the region and bringing the younger generation back. It’s exciting to see all the momentum.” Northern Gold Foods, meanwhile, is one of 13 ventures that have already benefited from the Gateway Community Improvement Plan, which offers financial incentives to property owners who strengthen and diversify the local economy through private-sector investment. In 2018 alone, four applicants received $2.4-million in grants from the City of Welland and the Niagara Region by investing $38.6-million in 225,000 square feet of new industrial space. Then there’s the new River Road Industrial Park, a cleared and as-yet-unoccupied 12-hectare expanse slated to be serviced in the coming months. It’s already drawing interest from buyers, especially those based in the Greater Toronto Area, says Dan Degazio, the City of Welland’s director of economic development. “Companies are paying $200,000 an acre for commercial-industrial property in the GTA. In Welland it’s $125,000 an acre – serviced, configured for drainage, and ready to go. You can be in the ground in eight weeks. In the GTA, I’m hearing stories of 30 months for a permit. We work to accommodate whatever needs to be done. When GE bought here in 2016, they needed to be operational in less than two years. We had them in the ground in eight weeks.” Mr. Degazio also credits the area’s relatively low wages and cost of living for enticing industry. “I’ve been in touch with a decent-sized GTA employer that’s looking at putting in a 200,000-square-foot building. The owner asks me, ‘Am I going to be able to hire anyone for $18 an hour?’ And I told him: ‘All day long.’ Here, your employees get twice the house for a third the cost.” Niagara College’s Welland campus is also playing a key role, Mr. Degazio adds, by offering programs that develop manufacturing skills such as machining, tooling and drafting. All this has made Roy Timms a busy man. The owner of Timbro Design Build Contractors says current levels of development surpass anything he’s experienced since founding the company in 1974. “In the last few years, city council has done what needed be done to create an environment that encourages growth,” he says. “Instead of just policing, the Welland Development Commission assists in expediting projects. One of our clients came to Welland last June to set up a 75,000-square-foot food production facility. By the end of September he had purchased the land and in October we were building. That’s unique. In most communities, it takes much longer complete the process.” Globe & Mail |
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Wayward moose goes for swim near Soo Locks 6/5 - Sault Ste. Marie, MI – A wandering moose took a swim near the Soo Locks Tuesday morning. Parks Canada and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry personnel who were assembled on the Canadian side and appeared to be trying to coax the animal out of the water. Fortunately, the moose was able to make its own way to land on the U.S. side near the Valley Camp/Soo Locks Boat Tours dock. It’s unclear how the moose got into the water in the first place. M Live |
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Annual Great Lakes Marine Market Saturday in St. Clair 6/5 - St. Clair, Mich. – The Lake Huron Lore Marine Historical Society is sponsoring its annual Great Lakes Maritime Market at the Riverview Plaza Mall in St. Clair on Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The mall is just across the street from the boardwalk in downtown St. Clair. If you have an interest in the ships that ply the Great Lakes, present or past, you will want to attend this event. There will be more that 30 vendors offering various items relating specifically to the ships and shipping industry of this region. Among the items that will be available for sale are historical artifacts, books, photographs, artwork, shipwrecks, memorabilia, advertising and more. It is a great way to learn more about the fascinating history of the Great Lakes shipping for the beginner or the advanced historian. For more information, contact Lake Huron Lore at 586-725-6276 or micheldr2005@yahoo.com |
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Sign up now for Soo 2019 Boatnerd Gathering 6/5- The 2019 schedule of Boatnerd Gatherings has been set and information is now available now on the Gatherings page, www.boatnerd.com/gathering Gatherings include Soo Locks Engineers weekend festivities, and the annual Welland Canal weekend. Reservations are now being accepted for the Soo Locks Freighter-Chasing Cruise June 28. Sign up now. Don't be left on the dock. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 5 In 1955, J. L. MAUTHE established a new Great Lakes cargo record for a coal cargo delivered to an upper lakes port. She loaded 18392 tons of coal at the Toledo C&O dock. 1943, BENJAMIN F. FAIRLESS, Captain Harry Ashby, delivered a record cargo of 19343.5 net tons of iron ore at Cleveland. The ore was loaded at Two Harbors, Minnesota. In 1947, the Canada Steamship Lines steamer EMPEROR, loaded with ore and bound for Ashtabula, hit the rocks off Isle Royale at 4:10 a.m. The vessel sank within minutes but the crew was able to launch 2 lifeboats. Captain Eldon Walkinshaw, First Mate D. Moray, and 10 other crew members drowned when one of the lifeboats overturned. Twenty-one other survivors were rescued by the U.S.C.G. cutter KIMBALL. On 04 June 1872, while carrying wooden barrel staves from Bay City, Michigan to Buffalo, New York, the bark AMERICAN GIANT encountered rough weather off Port Stanley, Ontario, on Lake Erie. Heavy seas carried off her deck cargo of 25,000 staves and the vessel became waterlogged. As the crew considered abandoning, the steamer MENDOTA saw their plight and took the GIANT in tow for Buffalo where they arrived the following day. For days afterward, other vessels reported the litter of barrel staves floating in the middle of Lake Erie. At 2:00 a.m., 04 June 1891, in heavy fog, the NORTHERN QUEEN (steel propeller freighter, 299 foot, 2,476 gross tons, built in 1889, at Cleveland, Ohio) struck the schooner FAYETTE BROWN (wooden schooner, 178 foot, 553 gross tons, built in 1868, at Cleveland, Ohio) about ten miles off Dummy Light on Lake Erie. The BROWN, which was loaded with stone blocks, quickly sank in over 60 feet of water. One of the schooner's crewmen climbed aboard the QUEEN while the others barely had time to scramble up the schooner's masts. Accounts of the accident differ. The schooner's skipper claimed that the NORTHERN QUEEN continued on her journey while the schooner's crew clung to the masts while the skipper of the NORTHERN QUEEN claimed that he tried to find survivors, but lost the wreck in the fog and reluctantly continued on his journey, figuring that there were no survivors. Nevertheless, about an hour after the disaster, the steamer ROBERT MILLS (wooden propeller freighter, 256 foot, 1,790 gross tons, built in 1888, at Buffalo, New York) came along, heard the cries of the unfortunate seamen clinging to the masts and rescued them. No lives were lost. On 04 June 1881, the OGEMAW (wooden propeller freighter, 167 foot, 624 gross tons) was launched at Simon Langell's yard in St. Clair, Michigan for Mr. Wood & Company of Cleveland, Ohio. CLIFFS VICTORY sailed on her maiden voyage in ballast from South Chicago, Illinois, in 1951. On June 4, 1968, the keel for OTTERCLIFFE HALL (Hull#667) was laid at Lauzon, Quebec, by Davie Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., for the Hall Corporation of Canada. Renamed b.) ROYALTON in 1983, c.) OTTERCLIFFE HALL in 1985, d.) PETER MISENER in 1988 and e.) CANADIAN TRADER in 1994. She arrived at Alang, India, for scrapping on January 7, 2005. EDGAR B. SPEER (Hull#908) was christened on June 4th 1980, at Lorain, Ohio, for the Connecticut Bank & Trust Co., Hartford, Connecticut, managed by the Great Lakes Fleet of the United States Steel Corp., Duluth, Minnesota. In 1988, IRVING S. OLDS departed Duluth under tow of tug SALVAGE MONARCH, headed for overseas scrapping. She was scrapped by Sing Cheng Yung Iron & Steel Co., in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, scrapping began on November 24, 1988. June 4, 1940 - Oiler George Riemersma, 50, died of a heart attack while at work on the PERE MARQUETTE 21. June 4, 1942 - John A. Clancey, 58, general manager of the Grand Trunk Western Railway and president of the Grand Trunk Milwaukee Carferry Co. died suddenly of a heart attack while at his desk in Detroit. The Port Huron Times reported "The new trim and tidy tug, the P L JOHNSON, built for Capt. Sol Rummage, passed up last night with her first tow. She is of medium size and wears the national colors on her smokestack for which some of the boys call her a floating barber shop." On 4 June 1859, GENERAL HOUSTON (2-mast wooden schooner, 83 foot, 123 tons, built in 1844, at French Creek, New York) was bound from Port Huron for Buffalo with a load of lumber. During a terrific gale, she missed the mouth of the Grand River near Fairport, Ohio and went on the pier where she broke up. Fortunately no lives were lost. The lighthouse keeper on the pier where she broke up later refused to light the lantern while the wreck was in place for fear of drawing other vessels into it. The U. S. Government quickly contracted to remove the hulk from the channel, but a month later, a storm did the job for free, obliterating the wreck so completely that it was reported to have just "disappeared." June 4th is the anniversary of the famous race between the TASHMOO and the CITY OF ERIE, an exciting race that included many thousands of dollars in wagers, great advance publicity, and the use of many other boats to watch the action along the way. The drama was such that carrier pigeons were released at various times to take the latest updates to waiting newspaper reporters. The CITY OF ERIE won the race in a very close match, and the story has been retold in several books about the Great Lakes. 1961: C.A. BENNETT went aground in the Wiley-Dondero Channel of the Seaway while trying to avoid the REDFERN and was released with her own power. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II, The Marine Historical Society of Detroit and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Lake Erie breaks all-time high water record 6/4 - Cleveland, OH – Lake Erie last month broke its all-time high water record, set in 1986. The lake in May averaged 574.3 feet over sea level, about 30 inches above normal and 6 inches above the May record, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We’re a quarter-inch above the all-time record, set in June 1986. The reason? Rain -- in both the Lake Erie watershed and around Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron. “The main driver here is precipitation,” said Army Corps spokesman Andrew Kornacki. “What does it look like for the next few weeks, as far as Lake Erie? I don’t know. If we get less rain, water levels are going to start to decline. If we get more rain, water levels are probably going to increase. It’s a little hard to say.” Boaters and beach goers throughout the Great Lakes have been awed by high water this spring. Beaches have disappeared and water has washed onto roads. As a whole, the Great Lakes basin has received 28 percent above its normal May precipitation, according to the Army Corps. Lakes Superior and Ontario have also hit records. But Lake Erie is the highest above its record. The Army Corps predicts Lake Erie will drop 2 inches by July 1. “There’s a lot of water in the system right now,” Kornacki said. About 92 percent of the water in Lake Erie comes from the upper lakes, through Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River, into Lake Erie. Lake Erie then flows into the Niagara River, into Lake Ontario. The International Joint Commission can control outflow in the Great Lakes only from Superior and Ontario. But the impact is very small. |
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New Seaway salties for 2019 6/4 - As of May 31, the following new ocean-going vessels transited the St. Lawrence Seaway so far this year: Algonorth, Algoterra, BBC California, BBC Fortune, BBC Tennessee, Chembulk Yokohama, Eider, Gagliarda, Gaïa Desgagnés, HC Melina, Jamno, LS Jamie, Narie, Onego Deusto, Paul A. Desgagnés, Redhead, Sider Bilbao, Topaz I and Tuvaq W. Expected: Industrial Skipper, Patalya and Turquoise I René Beauchamp |
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Port Reports - June 4 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Two Harbors-Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
Alpena, MI – Ben & Chanda McClain Northern Lake Huron ports
MacGregor Bay:
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Cheboygan:
Port Dolomite:
Drummond Island:
Thessalon:
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Fairport OH – John Unterwagner
Northwest Ohio Ports – Bill Kloss Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report for Monday June 3 – Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Welland Canal: downbound - May 2 - Algoma Guardian at 1150, Federal Danube (Mhl) at 1245, Mamry (Bhs) at 1345, CSL Tadoussac at 1445 - Jun 3 - HC Melina (Atg) (ex Flinterschelde-11) at 0923, Tecumseh at 0943, G3 Marquis at 1721, Arsland (Mlt) at 1938 and tug Petite Forte & St Marys Cement at 2058
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorge:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Toronto:
Oshawa:
Rochester, NY – Tom Brewer |
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Coast Guard to hold change of command ceremony 6/4 - Cleveland, OH – The U.S. Coast Guard is scheduled to hold a change-of-command ceremony for its 9th District, which encompasses the five Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway and eight states in the surrounding region, at Windows on the River, downtown Cleveland, Thursday afternoon. Vice Adm. Scott Buschman, Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area, will preside over the ceremony to transfer command of the 9th District from Rear Adm. Joanna Nunan to Rear Adm. Donna Cottrell. USCG |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 4 In 1955, J. L. MAUTHE established a new Great Lakes cargo record for a coal cargo delivered to an upper lakes port. She loaded 18392 tons of coal at the Toledo C&O dock. 1943, BENJAMIN F. FAIRLESS, Captain Harry Ashby, delivered a record cargo of 19343.5 net tons of iron ore at Cleveland. The ore was loaded at Two Harbors, Minnesota. In 1947, the Canada Steamship Lines steamer EMPEROR, loaded with ore and bound for Ashtabula, hit the rocks off Isle Royale at 4:10 a.m. The vessel sank within minutes but the crew was able to launch 2 lifeboats. Captain Eldon Walkinshaw, First Mate D. Moray, and 10 other crew members drowned when one of the lifeboats overturned. Twenty-one other survivors were rescued by the U.S.C.G. cutter KIMBALL. On 04 June 1872, while carrying wooden barrel staves from Bay City, Michigan to Buffalo, New York, the bark AMERICAN GIANT encountered rough weather off Port Stanley, Ontario, on Lake Erie. Heavy seas carried off her deck cargo of 25,000 staves and the vessel became waterlogged. As the crew considered abandoning, the steamer MENDOTA saw their plight and took the GIANT in tow for Buffalo where they arrived the following day. For days afterward, other vessels reported the litter of barrel staves floating in the middle of Lake Erie. At 2:00 a.m., 04 June 1891, in heavy fog, the NORTHERN QUEEN (steel propeller freighter, 299 foot, 2,476 gross tons, built in 1889, at Cleveland, Ohio) struck the schooner FAYETTE BROWN (wooden schooner, 178 foot, 553 gross tons, built in 1868, at Cleveland, Ohio) about ten miles off Dummy Light on Lake Erie. The BROWN, which was loaded with stone blocks, quickly sank in over 60 feet of water. One of the schooner's crewmen climbed aboard the QUEEN while the others barely had time to scramble up the schooner's masts. Accounts of the accident differ. The schooner's skipper claimed that the NORTHERN QUEEN continued on her journey while the schooner's crew clung to the masts while the skipper of the NORTHERN QUEEN claimed that he tried to find survivors, but lost the wreck in the fog and reluctantly continued on his journey, figuring that there were no survivors. Nevertheless, about an hour after the disaster, the steamer ROBERT MILLS (wooden propeller freighter, 256 foot, 1,790 gross tons, built in 1888, at Buffalo, New York) came along, heard the cries of the unfortunate seamen clinging to the masts and rescued them. No lives were lost. On 04 June 1881, the OGEMAW (wooden propeller freighter, 167 foot, 624 gross tons) was launched at Simon Langell's yard in St. Clair, Michigan for Mr. Wood & Company of Cleveland, Ohio. CLIFFS VICTORY sailed on her maiden voyage in ballast from South Chicago, Illinois, in 1951. On June 4, 1968, the keel for OTTERCLIFFE HALL (Hull#667) was laid at Lauzon, Quebec, by Davie Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., for the Hall Corporation of Canada. Renamed b.) ROYALTON in 1983, c.) OTTERCLIFFE HALL in 1985, d.) PETER MISENER in 1988 and e.) CANADIAN TRADER in 1994. She arrived at Alang, India, for scrapping on January 7, 2005. EDGAR B. SPEER (Hull#908) was christened on June 4th 1980, at Lorain, Ohio, for the Connecticut Bank & Trust Co., Hartford, Connecticut, managed by the Great Lakes Fleet of the United States Steel Corp., Duluth, Minnesota. In 1988, IRVING S. OLDS departed Duluth under tow of tug SALVAGE MONARCH, headed for overseas scrapping. She was scrapped by Sing Cheng Yung Iron & Steel Co., in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, scrapping began on November 24, 1988. June 4, 1940 - Oiler George Riemersma, 50, died of a heart attack while at work on the PERE MARQUETTE 21. June 4, 1942 - John A. Clancey, 58, general manager of the Grand Trunk Western Railway and president of the Grand Trunk Milwaukee Carferry Co. died suddenly of a heart attack while at his desk in Detroit. The Port Huron Times reported "The new trim and tidy tug, the P L JOHNSON, built for Capt. Sol Rummage, passed up last night with her first tow. She is of medium size and wears the national colors on her smokestack for which some of the boys call her a floating barber shop." On 4 June 1859, GENERAL HOUSTON (2-mast wooden schooner, 83 foot, 123 tons, built in 1844, at French Creek, New York) was bound from Port Huron for Buffalo with a load of lumber. During a terrific gale, she missed the mouth of the Grand River near Fairport, Ohio and went on the pier where she broke up. Fortunately no lives were lost. The lighthouse keeper on the pier where she broke up later refused to light the lantern while the wreck was in place for fear of drawing other vessels into it. The U. S. Government quickly contracted to remove the hulk from the channel, but a month later, a storm did the job for free, obliterating the wreck so completely that it was reported to have just "disappeared." June 4th is the anniversary of the famous race between the TASHMOO and the CITY OF ERIE, an exciting race that included many thousands of dollars in wagers, great advance publicity, and the use of many other boats to watch the action along the way. The drama was such that carrier pigeons were released at various times to take the latest updates to waiting newspaper reporters. The CITY OF ERIE won the race in a very close match, and the story has been retold in several books about the Great Lakes. 1961: C.A. BENNETT went aground in the Wiley-Dondero Channel of the Seaway while trying to avoid the REDFERN and was released with her own power. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II, The Marine Historical Society of Detroit and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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All five Great Lakes now at record high water levels 6/3 - The water levels of all five Great Lakes surged to all-time May records and will continue to rise. Lake Ontario shows a spectacular rise ... up 18" in the last month. Ontario is up 24 inches in the last year and is 34" above the average May level. Lake Superior is up 5" in the last month (nearly 3 trillion gallons of water added to the lake in just one month - from rainfall and snowmelt). The lake is up 11" in the last year and is now 18" higher than the May average and 3" higher than the previous record high level for the month of May. The water level of Lake Michigan/Huron is up 9" in the last month, up 13" in the last year and is now 32" above the May average level. The lake is now 1" higher than the previous May record level of 1986, and is expected to continue to rise another several inches in the next month. Lake Erie is up 6" in the last month, up 9" year-to-year and is now 32" higher than the May average level. It's now 5" higher than it has ever been in the month of May. High water is a mostly good thing for Great Lakes shipping, as we don't need to dredge as much and ships can carry more weight (ride lower in the water). However, it means boaters have to be cautious. Objects (like logs) that are usually above the water may now be just below the water and hard to see. The high water means beach erosion that may threaten some homes and cottages. It also means less beach to play on. High water on Lake Michigan means high water on the smaller connected lakes like Lake Macatawa, Muskegon Lake and Mona Lake and on rivers that empty into the lake. It also means that moderate winds will push waves over the breakwaters (which you need to avoid during windy days, especially here in late spring when the water is quite cold (and it's colder than average due to the cloudy and cool weather pattern we've had. Many rivers that empty into the Great Lakes are running at close to double average flow: Grand River at Grand Rapids 7,400 cubic feet per second (average is 3,690 cfs). Kalamazoo River at Comstock 1,800 cfs vs. avg. 924 cfs. The Saginaw River at Saginaw 7,050 cfs vs. avg. 4,240 cfs. The Fox River at Green Bay 9,260 cfs vs. 4,340 cfs. The St. Clair River 247,000 cfs vs. avg. 189,000 cfs. The rain we're getting now will only make rivers go up. View the charts at this link: https://www.woodtv.com/weather/bill-s-blog/all-five-great-lakes-now-at-record-high-water-levels/2042988731 |
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Port Reports - June 3 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior
Two Harbors-Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON Northern Lake Huron ports
Alpena:
Calcite:
Port Dolomite:
Spragge:
Thessalon:
Port Inland:
Tawas City, MI
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Rochester, NY – Tom Brewer Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report -Sunday June 2 - by Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Port Colborne anchorage:
Welland Canal: downbound - Jun 1 - tug Leo A McArthur & John J Carrick at 1616, ALgoma Harvester at 1656 and Spruceglen at 2024 - stopped wharf 16 - Jun 2 - Sloman Hera (Atg) at 0248, Rt Hon Paul J Martin at 0312, Iver Bright at 0607, tug Wilf Seymour & Alouette Spirit, USCG Biscayne Bay at 0752, tug Albert & Margaret at 0650, Algonorth at 1018, Federal Dee (Mhl) at 1028, Algoma Guardian at 1150, Federal Danube (Mhl) at 1245, Mamry (Bhs) at 1345, CSL Tadoussac at 1445
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorge:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa: |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 3 On 03 June 1882, the schooner C. BELL was launched at the yard of Mason, Corning & Company in East Saginaw, Michigan. Her dimensions were 185 feet x 30 feet x 11 feet, and she cost $20,000. JOHN B. AIRD was christened in 1983, at Thunder Bay for Algoma Central Marine, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. After successfully completing her sea trials on June 3, 1951, CLIFFS VICTORY entered service for Cleveland Cliffs Steamship Co., a little under six months from the time she was purchased from the U.S.M.C. PATERSON (Hull#113) of the Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., entered service for N.M. Paterson & Sons Ltd., on June 3, 1954, by carrying 440,000 bushels of wheat from Port Arthur, Ontario. She was scrapped at Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1985. On 3 June 1870, T.F. PARK (wooden side-wheeler, 170 foot, 450 tons, built in 1851, at Chatham, Ontario) caught fire and burned to the waterline at the dock near the Detroit & Milwaukee Grain Elevator at Detroit, Michigan. The hull was later removed after being struck by several vessels. On 3 June 1875, the iron carferry HURON (238 foot, 1,052 gross tons) was launched at Point Edward, Ontario for the Grand Trunk Railway. Miss Jessie S. Hughes of Toronto christened the vessel with a bottle of wine. The hull's iron plates were manufactured in Scotland and shipped to Point Edward where they were assembled. Work began on 12 August 1874. Her engine and boiler were built at Dundas, Ont. This vessel ran between Windsor and Detroit for over a century. Her hull is still in existence, submerged in the old Great Lakes Engineering Works slip in River Rouge, Michigan. 1911: The passenger steamer NORTH WEST was gutted by a fire while fitting out at Buffalo. The hull remained idle until it was cut in two in 1918 for a tow to saltwater, but the bow section sank in Lake Ontario. The stern was rebuilt on the St. Lawrence as MAPLECOURT and returned to the lakes, again in two sections, in 1922. 1923: WILLIAM B. SCHILLER and HORACE S. WILKINSON collided in Whitefish Bay. The former was anchored when hit on the port side at #5 hatch. The SCHILLER’s captain pulled up the hook and raced for shore so as to sink in shallow water. It went down in about 40 feet and was salvaged on July 2. 1940: JOHN J. RAMMACHER and WILLIAM A. REISS (ii) collided just after midnight beneath the Blue Water Bridge at Sarnia-Port Huron and both ships were damaged. 1999: HOPE I lost power in the Seaway while downbound with wheat and stranded above Morrisburg. The hull was holed and the ship was released with the aid of tugs on June 5. The ship first came inland as a) NOSIRA MADELEINE in 1983 and returned as c) HOPE I for the first time in 1993, and then as d) HOPE in 2004. It was last reported as f) H. PIONEER in 2011. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Port Reports - June 2 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior
Two Harbors-Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON Northern Lake Huron ports
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite:
Port Dolomite:
Drummond Island:
Spragge:
Meldrum Bay:
Port Inland:
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H Welland Canal and vicinity vessel report -Saturday June 1 – Barry Andersen
Nanticoke:
Welland Canal: downbound - May 31 - Algoma Conveyor at 1911 - Jun 1 - tug Leonard M & Niagara Spirit at 1028, tug Leo A McArthur & John J Carrick at 1616, ALgoma Harvester at 1656 and Spruceglen at 2024 - Jun 2 - CCGS Biscayne Bay eta 0020 - delayed
Welland Canal docks:
Port Weller anchorge:
Hamilton:
Bronte:
Clarkson:
Mississauga:
Toronto:
Oshawa:
Rochester, NY – Tom Brewer |
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Updates - June 2 Saltie Gallery updated with pictures of the Adfines Sea, Alamosborg, Arneborg, Arsland, Brant, Carlos Magnus, Federal Biscay, Federal Caribou, Federal Danube, Federal Kivalina, Federal Mackinac, Federal Sakura, Federal Schelde, Federal Yukina, Finnborg, Furuholmen, Gagliarda, Greenwing, Happy River, Harbour Fountain, HC Melina, Hinch Spirit, Johanna G, Mamry, Narie, Patras, Pearl Mist, Redhead, Shoveler, Sloman Hera, Sunda, Topaz I, Tuvaq W and Vitosha. |
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 2 June 2, 1958, the Liberian-flagged freighter MOUNT DELPHI sank enroute to Karachi, Pakistan. She was built by the British American Shipbuilding Company at Welland, Ontario, during the final years of World War I. She had 12 different owners during her career and had been seized by Vichy interests at Casablanca, Morocco, in 1940, and then by the Italian government in 1942. On June 2 , 1893, CORSICAN (wooden schooner, 112 foot, 210 gross tons, built in 1862, at Olcott, New York) was carrying coal from Cleveland, Ohio to St. Ignace, Michigan, on a foggy night on Lake Huron. She collided with the iron steamer CORSICA and sank quickly off Thunder Bay Island. All six onboard went down with her. The wounded CORSICA was beached near Ossineke, Michigan, was later patched and proceeded to Ashtabula, Ohio. In 1973, the SYLVANIA, downbound light in fog, collided with the FRANK PURNELL just north of the Detroit River Light at 05:23 hours. The SYLVANIA suffered minor bow damage and went to Toledo for repairs. On 2 June 1855, J.W. BLAKE (wooden scow-schooner, 68 foot, 33 tons, built in 1853, at Dover, Ohio) was carrying lumber in a storm four miles off Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, when she capsized. Her crew escaped in her yawl, but it was a very close call for one who was asleep below decks when she capsized. The vessel was later recovered and put back in service. June 2, 1988 - The CITY OF MIDLAND 41 took on 17 truckloads of lake trout, which were planted off Beaver Island. On 2 June 1882, INDUSTRY (wooden schooner, 63 foot, 30 tons, built in 1847, at Michigan City, Indiana) capsized and sank just a half-mile from South Haven, Michigan. The three crewmen clung to the wreck for a while as rescue attempts were made from shore, but they all perished. The wreck later drifted to the beach about five miles south of town and went to pieces. 1943: The W.W. HOLLOWAY and HARRY WM. HOSFORD collided in foggy lower Whitefish Bay and the latter steamer had to be beached at Point Iroquois to avoid sinking. 1958: WAR RACCOON was built at Welland in 1919. It was sailing under Liberian registry as l) MOUNT DELPHI when it hit a rock and was beached at Grand Island, near Mormugao, India, on a voyage from Mouimein, Burma, to Karachi, Pakistan. The ship was a total loss. 1968: CASTALIA, a Greek flag freighter, struck the north pier of the Mackinac Bridge, in dense fog and made a small gouge in the structure. The ship was holed and leaking but cleared to proceed to Chicago. It was on its first trip through the Seaway and was later scrapped as c) NEW ENGLANDER after arriving at Bilbao, Spain, on July 4, 1973. 1978: The bulk carrier ARCTIC was christened in a ceremony at Port Weller Dry Docks in St. Catharines. 1981: The sidewheel Toronto Island ferry TRILLIUM was unable to stop in time at the mainland dock. It struck the restaurant ship NORMAC and the latter sank two weeks later. 2000: ALGOWOOD buckled amidships while loading stone at Bruce Mines. The hull was patched, strengthened, refloated and towed to Port Weller Dry Docks to be lengthened and repaired. Data from: Skip Gillham, Jody Aho, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II, The Marine Historical Society of Detroit and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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Port Reports - June 1 Port reports are compiled from reader observations and AIS transmissions. Please send information about vessel arrivals and departures from your port to news@boatnerd.net by 9 p.m. (Eastern) nightly for them to be included in the next day’s news. Please include name of vessel, arrival time, day and dock it went to (if known).
Duluth-Superior
Two Harbors-Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
Thunder Bay, ON
Owen Sound, ON – Paul Martin Northern Lake Huron ports
Alpena:
Stoneport:
Calcite: Friday;
Meldrum Bay:
Thessalon:
Port Inland:
Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H
Northeast Ohio Ports – Bill Kloss
Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss
Rochester, NY – Tom Brewer
Oswego, NY – Ned Goebricher
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Today in Great Lakes History - June 1 On 01 June 1903, ISAAC ELLWOOD (steel propeller freighter, 478 foot, 5,085 gross tons, built in 1900, at W. Bay City, Michigan) broke the record for ore when she carried a cargo of 8,579 tons out of Duluth harbor. This broke the record held by JOHN SMEATON (steel barge, 458 foot, 5,049 gross tons, built in 1899, at Superior, Wisconsin), which was 8,571 tons of ore. ASA CHILDS (wooden scow schooner, 125 foot, 204 gross tons, built in 1866, at Mentor, Ohio) was carrying lumber in a storm on Lake Michigan when she was driven ashore at Highland Park just north of Chicago, Illinois on 01 June 1879, and was a total loss. The crew escaped in the lifeboat. On 01 June 1914, the St. Joseph-Chicago Steamship Company bought the EASTLAND (steel propeller passenger steamer, 265 foot, 1,961 gross tons, built in 1903, at Port Huron, Michigan) from the Eastland Navigation Company for $150,000. In 1943, IRVING S OLDS collided with the 524 foot steamer CHARLES O. JENKINS in heavy fog 28 miles northeast of Cleveland on Lake Erie and was holed eight feet above the water line. The OLDS was able to help the badly damaged JENKINS back to Cleveland by lashing the two vessels together. After a grueling seven hours the JENKINS was beached in the outer harbor to prevent her from sinking. The OLDS was repaired in time to carry a new record of 17,817 gross tons of iron ore on June 13, 1943. In 1952, the steamer J.L. MAUTHE (Hull#298) was launched at Great Lakes Engineering Works, River Rouge, Michigan, for the Interlake Steamship Co. The WHITEFISH BAY, loaded with 950,000 bushels of spring wheat, was honored as she carried the billionth metric ton of cargo through the Eisenhower Lock in 1983. On June 1, 1907, the Great Lakes Engineering Works launched the bulk steamer WILPEN (Hull#28) at Ecorse, Michigan, for the Shenango Steamship Co., a subsidiary of Shenango Furnace Co., Cleveland, Ohio. Renamed b.) DAVID P. THOMPSON in 1926, and converted to a self-unloader in 1957, at Superior, Wisconsin. She was renamed c.) JOSEPH S. YOUNG in 1969, and scrapped at La Spezia, Italy in 1979. H. LEE WHITE departed Sturgeon Bay in ballast on her maiden voyage for the American Steamship Co., on June 1, 1974, to load iron ore at Escanaba, Michigan for Indiana Harbor. June 1, 1902 - While northbound for Manistique, Michigan, the ANN ARBOR NO 1 went aground in a heavy fog about noon on South Manitou Island, but was able to free herself and to proceed undamaged. June 1, 1938 - PERE MARQUETTE 21, under the command of Captain Arthur Altschwager, was released from a sand bar in the outer harbor at Manitowoc at 1:06 p.m. today after being aground for six hours. Her sister ship, the PERE MARQUETTE 22, commanded by J.F. Johnson, freed the ferry after taking a line and pulling the big ship back off the bar. June, 1958, The ANN ARBOR NO 6 was taken out of service for extensive refitting. She was renamed b.) ARTHUR K. ATKINSON. On 1 June 1887, LUCINDA VAN VALKENBURG (wooden schooner, 129 foot, 302 gross tons, built in 1862, at Tonawanda, New York) collided with the iron steamer LEHIGH in fog and sank near Thunder Bay Island on Lake Huron. The crew was safely taken aboard the LEHIGH and brought to Port Huron. On 1 June 1892, the steel bulk freighter CHOCTAW was launched at the Cleveland Shipbuilding Company (Hull #17) in Cleveland, Ohio for the Lake Superior Iron Company. Her dimensions were 207 feet x 38 feet x 18 feet and she had a triple expansion steam engine 17 feet, 29 inches, 47 inches x 36 inch stroke. She was built as "monitor" type vessel based on whaleback design with all her cabins aft. She lasted until sunk in a collision in 1915. 1923: The barge BROOKDALE of Canada Steamship Lines was sunk near Montreal after a collision with MAPLEDAWN. The wooden hulled vessel, originally the schooner MORAVIA, was refloated and scrapped. 1943: A collision on foggy Lake Superior between BATTLEFORD and PRINDOC sank the latter off Passage Island. All on board were saved from the downbound, wheat-laden bulk carrier of the Paterson fleet. 1944: The first NEWBRUNDOC had been built at Toronto in 1921 and had previously sailed as CANADIAN ENGINEER and b) DONALD E.McKAY. The ship became f) SAVLATORE in 1934 and, with the outbreak of war, was now the enemy. It was bombed and sunk by British aircraft as part of a German convoy in the Aegean Sea and all hands were lost. 1966: RIO ALTO, a Liberty ship, came to the Great Lakes under Liberian registry in 1963. It developed leaks on the Pacific while enroute from Manati, Puerto Rico, to China as d) AKTOR and sank on this date 860 miles SSW of San Diego, CA in 1966. 1967: RENVOYLE struck the docked SYLVANIA while turning at Port Huron and the latter sank against the dock. The former, a C.S.L. package freighter, received bow damage and was laid up and then sold for scrap. SYLVANIA was refloated, repaired and returned to service. 1979: GEORGES HERBERT, a wooden goelette that occasionally came to the Great Lakes, sank in the Gulf of Mexico while carrying a cargo of corn. 2011: CANADIAN RANGER, under tow on the St. Lawrence, got spun around 180 degrees by a wind gust above the Iroquois Lock and had to be towed through the lock stern first before being realigned below the lock. It reached the scrap yard at Aliaga, Turkey, on July 13, 2011. Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. |
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