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Shipping season closes at the Soo

1/16 - Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. – Tug Anglian Lady / barge Ironmaster passed downbound about 8:30 p.m. from Algoma Steel with a cargo of steel coils. Manitoulin locked up at 9:30, bound for Algoma Steel and winter lay up after treating a handful of Boatnerds at Mission Point to a season-ending salute. They were the last vessels of the season. CCSG Samuel Risely was on hand to assist. The locks will reopen March 25.

Duluth shipping season ends, 6 lakers in port for winter

1/16 - Duluth, Minn. – The folks who love to watch the big boats sail under the lift bridge will have to wait until March for that to happen again. According to the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, the final vessel to arrive for winter layup was the Kaye E. Barker, around 2:30am on Tuesday.

She and three others are spending layup at Fraser Shipyards. There is also one at Midwest Energy, and another at Elevator M in Superior. That means a total of six will be here for the winter months. Crews will work on maintenance and repair, to get the vessels ready for their next journeys.

Tonnage is expected to come in around 32 million tons, with iron ore and grain seeing good numbers. Coal was down a bit, according to the port authority.

Adele Yorde, Director of Public Relations for the port, explained, "It was a nice strong year, a great year for iron ore. Iron ore is running well over 25% over the 5 year average, which shows a strong demand for steel."

In fact, the last cargo that left was pellets on Sunday morning.

As for other notable events for the year, Yorde added that they saw their first shipment of soybeans in a decade. As for when you can watch those lakers and salties arrive again? The Soo Locks open again on March 25th.

Watch WDIO’s full report here

Great Lakes limestone trade up 1.3 percent in 2018

1/16 - Cleveland, Ohio – Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 28.4 million tons in 2018, an increase of 1.3 percent compared to 2017. 2018’s loadings were also 2.8 percent above the trade’s 5-year average.

Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 23.45 million tons, an increase of 1.2 percent compared to 2017. Shipments from U.S. quarries also topped their 5-year average by a like percent.

Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 4.9 million tons, an increase of 1.7 percent from 2017, and 10.8 percent better than their 5-year average.

Lake Carriers’ Association

Port Reports - January 16

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Kaye E. Barker, the last vessel to arrive Duluth for the 2018-19 season, passed under the lift bridge at 02:29 Tuesday morning and was tucked into Fraser Shipyards astern of the Lee A. Tregurtha. There are a total of six active vessels laid up in the Twin Ports this winter. Mesabi Miner is moored at Midwest Energy; ASC fleetmates H. Lee White and American Spirit are laid up at Elevator M and Lakehead Pipeline, respectively; and Tim S. Dool, Lee A. Tregurtha, and Kaye E. Barker are all wintering at Fraser. Also at the shipyard is William A. Irvin, which will be drydocked after the Dool's work is complete. The Irvin will receive hull maintenance and repairs as well as a new coat of paint before being returned to the Minnesota Slip in the spring, where she will be reopened for tours. In long-term layup in the Twin Ports are Arthur M. Anderson, tied at CN, and Edward L. Ryerson, at the Barko dock near the CHS elevators. Unlike recent rumors have indicated, there are no plans to scrap either vessel, and they may return to service at any time as economic conditions warrant.

Northern Lake Michigan
Burns Harbor was north of Two Rivers, Wis., headed for layup in Sturgeon Bay Tuesday night. Indiana Harbor was off the Door Peninsula, headed for Toledo. Tug Bradshaw McKee and the new cement barge Commander were loading at Charlevoix.

Southern Lake Michigan
Cason J. Callaway was unloading at Gary Tuesday night. Wilfred Sykes was loading slag at Indiana Harbor. Frontenac was unloading salt at S. Chicago. Stewart J. Cort was upbound for Milwaukee and layup.

Goderich, Ont. – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Innovator was loading salt on Tuesday night.

Detroit, Mich. – Raymond H
Clyde S VanEnkevort/Erie Trader arrived Tuesday morning to unload ore at Zug Island. This will be Zug's last ore cargo of the season. Inbound in the afternoon was the Algoma Sault, calling on the Motor City Materials dock to unload salt.

Toledo, Ohio
Tuesday 15 January update: Winter layup report. The Philip R. Clarke arrived Tuesday morning at Midwest Stone Dock. She is directly across from the American Integrity. The tug Leonard M. and her barge arrived at the former Interlake Iron Dock area by the shipyard. The tug/barge combo Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader arrived at the Torco Dock during Tuesday afternoon. The Edgar B. Speer remained anchored off Avon Lake, Ohio. She should be arriving at Toledo during the day on Wednesday. There will be more boats arriving for layup during the week ahead. Check the various AIS sites daily for vessels arriving at Toledo. The tug/barge combo Michigan/Great Lakes was at the B-P Dock.

Coast Guard channel closure

1/16 - Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. The Coast Guard will close the waters between Cheboygan, Michigan and Bois Blanc Island, Michigan known as South Channel at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Grays Reef Passage will also be closed at the same time.

Lake Michigan beach ownership issue resolved, Indiana tells U.S. Supreme Court

1/16 - Indianapolis, Ind. – There is no need for the U.S. Supreme Court to wade into a dispute over who owns the Lake Michigan shoreline, since the Indiana Supreme Court already has clearly resolved the question in favor of the state.

That's the argument recently forwarded by the Indiana attorney general's office to the nation's highest court, in response to a final effort by Bobbie and Don Gunderson, of Long Beach, to claim ownership and exclusive control of the beach to the water's edge.

As a preliminary matter, the state urges the Supreme Court not even to consider the Gunderson petition for review, because the Gundersons sold their lake-adjacent Long Beach property in 2015 and no longer have a direct interest in the outcome of the case.

Solicitor General Thomas Fisher, who represents Indiana at the Supreme Court, pointed out that under federal court precedents, "An actual controversy must be extant at all stages of review, not merely at the time the complaint is filed."

The Gundersons' sale of their property, its subdivision into two lots and the second sale of the two properties to individuals living in Chicago and England, means there is no reason for the Supreme Court to look at the Gundersons' appeal, Fisher said.

"The current owners of (the parcels) are not wholly owned subsidiaries, insurers or even friends of the Gundersons (so far as is known to the state)," he said.

"Instead, the Gundersons wish to litigate the property rights of wholly unrelated persons, and to do so with no evidence in the record suggesting that the current owners even desire this litigation of their rights."

The Indiana Supreme Court acknowledged the Gundersons' lack of standing in its Feb. 14, 2018 decision, but nevertheless heard arguments and reached a ruling under a state mootness exception for questions of "great public interest."

Fisher explained there is no similar exception for federal court cases, which he said makes the Gundersons' appeal an "exceedingly poor candidate" for a high court decision that could affect property owners in every Great Lakes state.

Read more and view photos at this link

Saltwater visitors renamed

1/9 - The following saltwater vessels have been renamed. Each made visits to the Great Lakes/Seaway system during their careers.

• Beluga Fanfare, which first came inland as such on its only visit with that name in 2010 is now the Louis Auerbach of Liberia. As Beluga Fanfare, the ship held this name from 2007 until 2011 when it was sold and renamed Fanfare from 2011 to 2018. It did not return inland as the Fanfare.

• A fleetmate and sistership to the Beluga Fanfare has also been renamed. The Beluga Finesse, which first came inland as such on its only visit with that name is now the Lisa Auerbach of the Liberian flag. As the Beluga Finesse, the vessel carried and held that name from 2008 until 2011 when it was sold and later renamed to the Finesse, a name it carried from 2011 to 2018. It did not return inland as Finesse.

• Persenk, built in 1998, first came inland as such in 1999 and last visited as such in 2009, has been renamed a second time. Its new name is the Yunes Emre of Panamanian registration. As the Persenk it carried this name from 1998 to 2013 before being renamed Osman Gazi and it held this name from 2013 until 2018. It never came inland as Osman Gazi.

• Uta first visited as such in 2007 on its only visit with that name. It carried this name from 2007 until 2013 when it was renamed Marmakira but never returned as such. In 2018 it was renamed Onego Bayou of Antigua and Barbuda registry.

• Another familiar visitor, the tanker Turid Knutsen, which first came inland as such in 1993 and last visited as such in 2009, has been renamed for a second time, with its new name being the Princess of Palau registry. As the Turid Knutsen it carried this name from 1993 until 2013 when it was sold and renamed Princess Oge and it carried this name from 2013 until 2018 but never returned inland as such.

• Yucatan, which first came inland as such in 2004 and last visited as such in 2008, has been renamed Islan.

Denny Dushane

Crews still battling fire aboard Halifax-bound container ship Yantian Express

1/9 - Halifax, N.S. – Crews working to extinguish a fire that's been burning for four days aboard a large container ship off Canada's east coast are facing some big challenges, an expert in offshore safety says.

Faisal Khan, an engineering professor at Memorial University, made the observation Monday after a second offshore support vessel arrived to help fight a cargo fire aboard the 320-metre Yantian Express, which first reported the blaze on Thursday.

Several containers on the Halifax-bound ship were still burning by Monday afternoon.

While the ship's crew may have been trained to deal with fires in the engine room and living quarters, burning cargo is another matter, said Khan, the Canada Research Chair in Offshore Safety and Risk Engineering at the St. John's, N.L., university. Fires fuelled by the polymers in plastic goods, for example, can produce toxic fumes that could prove deadly.

Tim Seifert, a spokesman for the international shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, said Monday "the focus is on containing the fire."

Seifert confirmed in an email that the 95-metre support ship Maersk Mobiliser, based in Newfoundland, had reached the container ship about 1,500 kilometres east of Halifax. He said the Maersk Mobiliser had joined the 71-metre Smit Nicobar, an offshore support ship from Belgium that arrived on Friday night.

The Smit Nicobar is equipped with fixed fire monitors -- a type of water cannon that can pump large volumes of water to extinguish fires.

All 23 crew members from the Yantian Express have been moved onto the Smit Nicobar. There were no reports of injuries, and the extent of damage to the larger vessel remains unclear.

A spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard said the plan is to have the Maersk Mobiliser tow the container ship to Halifax, though it was unclear when that would happen.

Khan said towing a burning vessel would present further risks.

"Towing cargo that is on fire would be too much of a risk to take for both the cargo vessel and the towing vessel," he said, adding that towing a burning ship into port would be even riskier.

"Unless I'm 100 per cent sure of what my cargo contains and what the impact would be of the fire, I would be extremely cautious about bringing it onshore," he said.

Seifert said it was unclear when the container ship would reach Halifax, and he declined to say what the Yantian Express is carrying or what may have caused the fire.

The container ship was travelling from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Halifax last Thursday when a fire started inside a container on the ship's forward deck, then spread to other containers -- prompting a call for help to the U.S. Coast Guard in Boston.

When the wind picked up to more than 20 kilometres per hour on Friday, the crew stopped fighting the fire and retreated to safety inside the ship's superstructure.

There were eight officers and 15 seafarers aboard the German-flagged ship, which was built in 2002 and is capable of carrying 7,510 standard 20-foot containers.

It implemented new guidelines for the stowage of dangerous cargo aboard its 750 vessels.

Canadian Press

Today in Great Lakes History - January 9
On this day in 1973, the CHARLES M. BEEGHLY was the latest running Interlake vessel when she entered winter layup at Toledo, Ohio.

BAIE COMEAU II was laid up on January 9, 1983, at Sorel, Quebec, and was sold the following April to Progress Overseas Co. S.A., Panama renamed c.) AGIA TRIAS.

January 9, 1977 - The last survivor of the PERE MARQUETTE 18 disaster, Mike Bucholtz, died.

In 1974, a combination of wind and ice forced the beset BENSON FORD, of 1924, from the shipping channel in Western Lake Erie, running aground.

1974: MARDINA REEFER ran aground at the breakwall at Stephenville, Newfoundland, while inbound in stormy weather. The ship was scheduled to load pickled herring for Europe but became a total loss. Salvage efforts failed and the hull was pounded on the rocks and eventually split in two. The crew was rescued. The vessel had been through the Seaway in 1973.

1974: LUCIE SCHULTE had been a Pre-Seaway and Seaway visitor to the Great Lakes. It sank in bad weather as b) TEVEGA in the Bay of Biscay while enroute from Antwerp, Belgium, to Casablanca, Morocco, with a cargo of barley. Only one member of the crew survived.

1979: MARIGO M.F. had been a Seaway trader in 1973 and earlier as a) NEGO ANNE in 1971. The ship went aground off Alexandria, Egypt, and sustained hull and water damage. The bulk carrier was not worth repairing and sold to Brodospas of Split, Yugoslavia, for scrap. It arrived August 13, 1979, for dismantling.

1980: BILL CROSBIE was carrying steel when it got into trouble on the Atlantic on January 4, 1980. The vessel, a Seaway trader in 1974, was listing badly when it was brought into St. John's, Newfoundland, only to roll over and sink at the wharf on this date. The hull was towed out to sea, bottom up, on November 3, 1980, and scuttled 12 miles off shore.

1983: SANTONA stranded in the Red Sea off Sudan at North Jumna Shoal. The hull was refloated but sold for scrap. It arrived at Gadani Beach, Pakistan, on April 4, 1983, for dismantling. It was a busy Seaway trader and had made 36 trips to the Great Lakes from 1959 to 1967.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Russ Plumb, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Coast Guard begins icebreaking ops in the Western Great Lakes

1/8 - U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie commenced Operation Taconite, the Coast Guard’s largest domestic icebreaking operation, Monday, in response to expanded ice growth in the commercial ports of Western Lake Superior and the St. Marys River.

Operation Taconite encompasses Lake Superior, St. Marys River, Straits of Mackinac, Georgian Bay, Green Bay, northern Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan. Ice breaking operations are based on the following order of priorities: search and rescue, urgent response to vessels in deteriorating weather conditions, exigent community services for flood control and remote communities in immediate need of food, fuel for heat, energy, or and medical assistance, and facilitation of navigation.

In the coming weeks, various commercial waterways may close after due consideration is given to the protection of the marine environment and the safety of island residents who, in the course of their daily business, use naturally formed ice bridges for transportation to and from the mainland.

The authority for Coast Guard domestic ice breaking was created in 1936, by a signed Executive Order 7521 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt directing the U.S. Coast Guard “to assist in keeping open to navigation by means of ice breaking operations, in so far as practicable, and as the exigencies may require, channels and harbors in accordance with the reasonable demands of commerce.”

USCG

Port Reports - January 8

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
There was no traffic through the Duluth entry during the day Monday. Walter J. McCarthy Jr. spent the day at Canadian National loading iron ore pellets and was expected to depart at some point Monday night. Edgar B. Speer, American Mariner, and Wilfred Sykes were all on the hook outside the harbor waiting to load in Two Harbors. In Superior, Lee A. Tregurtha was outbound at 04:47 after loading ore at BN, and Manitoulin arrived at 05:15 to load. She was still at the dock Monday night with no departure time listed. Also of note, the majority of Duluth's winter layup fleet is tentatively expected to arrive later this week. Tim S. Dool already tied up for the season at Fraser Shipyards, and will be joined by H. Lee White, Lee A. Tregurtha, Kaye E. Barker, American Spirit, American Century, Burns Harbor and Mesabi Miner in the coming days.

Two Harbors – Gary A. Putney
Roger Blough arrived Two Harbors on Jan. 7th at 03:25 for North of #2 lay-by. Departing Two Harbors on Jan. 7th at 04:46 was the American Spirit for Indiana Harbor. Arriving Two Harbors after being anchored off Duluth on Jan. 7th was the American Integrity at 05:41. As of 19:30 on Jan. 7th she was still at the loading dock. Anchored off Duluth awaiting South of #2 in Two Harbors the Wilfred Sykes, American Mariner and the Edgar B. Speer. Due Two Harbors or anchorage off Duluth on Jan. 8th are Indiana Harbor and the Edwin H. Gott.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Sunday January 6th: Saginaw arrived at Viterra A to load grain. Monday January 7th: 13:01 Tecumseh weighed anchor and departed for Windsor. She had been waiting on weather since Sunday evening.

Northern Lake Huron
Sunday, McGregor Bay: 21:54 Algoma Sault arrived at the Fischer Harbour dock to unload salt. The CCGS Griffon is anchored north of Manitoulin Island. Mackinaw City: 22:42 Due to severe weather G L Ostrander went to anchor and on the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula, off of Trails End Bay the St Clair and tug Michigan went to anchor. 18:56 Michigan weighed anchor and proceeded through the straits and went to anchor off of Mackinaw City. St Marys River: Down bound Mesabi Miner went to anchor south of Lime Island. 13:58 Upbound H Lee White also went to anchor.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
The Samuel De Champlain/Innovation arrived Monday morning to unload cement at Lafarge.

Manitowoc pier light washed into Lake Michigan by storm

1/8 - Manitowoc, Wis. – High winds and waves washed a lighthouse into Lake Michigan at Manitowoc on Monday. The U.S. Coast Guard says the South Pier Light's 20-foot-tall fiberglass tower, on the south side of the Manitowoc Breakwater, fell into the lake around 8:30 a.m. All that is left is the concrete base. No injuries were reported, the Coast Guard says.

https://nbc25news.com/news/nation-world/manitowoc-lighthouse-washed-into-lake-michigan?fbclid

Government shutdown threatens wolf and moose winter survey on Isle Royale

1/8 - Isle Royale, Mich. – Just months after the National Park Service started a relocation program to trap and transport new wolves to Michigan’s remote Isle Royale in hopes of boosting the dwindling pack, a winter survey that will give researchers their first peek at how the new wolves are fitting into their new home might be called off because of the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Staff from the research project posted a message Sunday night on the Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale Facebook page, alerting their followers that the winter survey, typically done by plane, might be grounded this year.

An effort to catch and relocate wolves to Michigan's Isle Royale National Park began last week.

“It is our present understanding that the 61st Winter Study of Wolves and Moose in Isle Royale National Park will not be allowed during the partial shutdown of the Federal government,” read the brief note.

Based at Michigan Technological University, it is the longest running predator-prey study of its kind. For decades, researchers have been tracking the number and pack structure of the island’s wolves and its moose. For the last few years, only two wolves have survived on the island in Lake Superior, located about 56 miles from the Upper Peninsula mainland. Meanwhile, the moose population has ballooned to more than 1,500, researchers have said.

Today in Great Lakes History - January 8
On 08 January 2004, McKeil Marine’s CAPT. RALPH TUCKER was the first vessel of 2004 to arrive at the port of Manistee, Michigan. Once docked at the General Chemical facilities, Captain Bill Sullivan and Chief Engineer Otto Cooper were each presented with hand-carved Hackberry canes. This was a notable way for the vessel to start her last year of operation. Later that year she was sold for scrap.

JOHN HULST (Hull#286) was launched in 1938, at River Rouge, Michigan, by Great Lakes Engineering Works for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co.

On 8 January 1877, the tug KATE FELCHER burned at East Saginaw, Michigan. Her loss was valued at $3,000, but she was insured for only $2,000. She was named after the wife of her owner, the well-known Capt. James Felcher of East Saginaw.

In 1939, several tugs helped release the CHIEF WAWATAM, which had been aground since January 3. In 1974, BENSON FORD, of 1924, became beset by ice in Western Lake Erie.

January 8, 1976, LEON FALK JR. closed the season at Superior, Wisconsin, after she departed the Burlington-Northern ore docks.

1996: The research ship CALYPSO, a converted wooden minesweeper, served noted deep-sea diver Jacques Cousteau for many years. It came to the Great Lakes in 1980 and explored several wrecks including the EDMUND FITZGERALD and GUNILDA. It sank at Singapore following a collision on this date. The hull was refloated but never repaired. Subsequently, there were disputes over ownership, with a later report saying the vessel would be displayed at the Bahamas as a tourist attraction.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Brian Bernard, Max Hanley, Jody Aho, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

New pig iron plant set to bring hundreds of jobs to Ashtabula

1/7 - Ashtabula, Ohio – Nearly 800 new jobs are coming to Ashtabula County thanks to a new pig iron plant. The Environmental Protection Agency had its first public hearing earlier in December about the $474 million plant a South African company is looking to build.

Ashtabula City Manager Jim Timonere said construction will bring in close to 650 new jobs, and the plant will bring in 100 permanent high-paying jobs. Petmin USA would build the plant at the Kinder Morgan Pinney Dock facility, and it is expected to produce about 425,000 tons of pig iron every year.

Pig iron is used in a multitude of things, like trains, toys, hydrants and medical equipment.

Timonere said the city was selected based on its location. “We’re right at the end of a major state route. We have all the major resources here with the water they’re going to need, and now getting this pipeline, it’s just an ideal situation," she said.

A pipeline, Timonere said, was the key to making the stars align. The Risberg Pipeline, an $86 million dollar project extends an existing pipeline from Pennsylvania to Conneaut, making more natural gas available. That's a component Timonere said was missing, delaying the plant from getting the formal "okay.”

Timonere is hoping the plant brings in a younger crowd. “All of our manufacturing jobs are hiring. It’s just about the levels and what it’s going to take to get those people back," Timonere said.

The city is still waiting on the go-ahead from the EPA, but said construction should start by summer of 2019. The final product should be complete by 2022.

News 5 Cleveland

Port Reports - January 7

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Cuyahoga arrived Duluth at 07:06 Sunday, loaded iron ore pellets at CN, and departed at 14:41. Walter J. McCarthy Jr. was inbound at 17:48 to load at Canadian National. In Superior, CSL Assiniboine departed at 03:10 with a load of ore from Burlington Northern, and dropped anchor outside the harbor to wait for weather conditions to improve. Lee A. Tregurtha arrived at 08:03 to load, and was still tied up at the dock Sunday night with no departure time listed. Manitoulin was on the hook waiting for her turn at the dock.

Two Harbors- Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader departed Two Harbors on Jan. 6th at 02:21 for Detroit. Shortly after her departure, the American Spirit shifted from North of #2 to South of #2. As of 19:50 on Jan. 6th she was still at the loading dock. Also as of 19:50 on Jan. 6th, American Integrity remained anchored off Duluth waiting on Two Harbors. Also as of 19:50 on Jan. 6th the Wilfred Sykes, Roger Blough, Edgar B. Speer and American Mariner are all on western Lake Superior for Two Harbors. There is a major winter storm forecast for Duluth/Superior and the North Shore for late Jan. 6th thru mid-day on Jan. 7th, so boat traffic will be tentative at best. As of 19:50 on Jan. 6th the Indiana Harbor was in eastern Lake Superior for Two Harbors. Also, tentatively, there is no more traffic scheduled for Northshore Mining in Silver Bay this shipping season.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Sunday January 6th: 9:18 CCGS Samuel Risley departed the Coast Guard base. She performed ice-breaking duties on the Mission River near G3 and Superior elevators. 11:10 CCGS Samuel Risley returned to the Coast Guard base. 12:50 Tecumseh departed Viterra A and shifted over to G3 to load grain. 15:59 Algoma Niagara departed Keefer Terminal for Toledo. 19:58 Tecumseh departed G3 and went to anchor west of the Welcome Islands. Expected late Sunday: Saginaw. Expected Monday: Ojibway.

Limestone Ports
Brevort: Saturday 1:38 Calumet arrived and went to anchor. At 10:35 she weighed anchor and proceeded to the Sand Products dock to load. She departed at 1:10 Sunday for Cleveland.

Northern Lake Huron
Saturday, Alpena: 18:35 G L Ostrander arrived. 21:17 Samuel De Champlain arrived to load cement products. Sunday, Alpena: 4:29 Samuel De Champlain departed and downbound on Lake Huron. 4:52 G L Ostrander proceeded to the loading dock and at 12:57 departed for Milwaukee. Cheboygan: 8:28 Craig Eric Reinauer arrived to unload petroleum product from Sarnia. McGregor Bay: CCGS Griffon arrived to conduct ice operations. Algoma Sault is expected Monday at the Fisher Harbour dock to unload road salt. Mackinaw City: 12:54 Frontenac went to anchor to wait out weather.

Goderich, Ont. – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Sault departed Sunday evening for Fisher Harbour.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
H Lee White arrived Sunday morning to unload ore at Zug Island. Arriving later was the Olive L Moore/Menominee, calling on Zug Island to load coke.

Toledo, Ohio
8:30 p.m. update for Sunday Jan. 6: Mississagi was sailing on Lake St. Clair. She loaded cargo at Thunder Bay and is bound for Toledo, arriving very early Monday morning. Unknown which dock she is bound for to unload cargo. Algoma Niagara was on Lake Superior. She loaded cargo at Thunder Bay and is bound for Toledo, arriving very late Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning. Unknown which dock she is bound for to unload cargo. One to watch: Robert S. Pierson was loading grain at Sarnia, Ont., Sunday night and may be bound for Toledo to unload. Various ships will be arriving at Toledo during the next week or two for winter layup at the various docks. It is also possible we may see another cement vessel for the Lafarge Dock. Keep checking the various AIS sites daily for the vessels arriving at Toledo.

Former Seaway saltie scrapped

1/7 - Vessels with Great Lakes / Seaway connection - reported as a casualty or sold for demolition. taken from January 2019 issue of Marine News – Journal of the World Ship Society:

Casualties: None reported

Demolitions: Pontica (8114041; St. Vincent & the Grenadines) (Sea Power-04, Express Power-03, Magic One-00, Magic-98, Clipper Magic-92, Andros Island-89 - 1st trip into the Seaway 1983) 10,322 / 1983 - general cargo (Freedom Mk. II type). By Brave Shipping Co. Inc., (Brook Ocean Shipping LLC), Panama, to Kamdar & Associates, India and arrived Alang 13.04.2018 - commenced demolition 19.04.2018

Report compiled by Barry Andersen and René Beauchamp

A kayak trip turns deadly in Montreal

1/7 - Montreal, Que. – The outing of a group of kayakers turned deadly on Saturday when a 56-year-old participant drowned in the icy waters of the St. Lawrence River.

For some unknown reason, the victim's kayak overturned. The man, from Carignan, was wearing a life jacket and the necessary equipment to keep warm, just like the rest of the group. The body of the man was carried by the current, quite strong at this time of the year.

"Unfortunately, the victim was caught between a cargo ship and the wharf at the Port of Montreal," said Benoît Martel, chief of operations at the Montreal Fire Department.

After more than an hour in the water, the man’s body was recovered. A coroner will shed light on the death, since there is no criminal element.

TVA Nouvelles.

Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence cod could be extinct by mid-century: report

1/7 - There is a high probability that Atlantic cod will be locally extinct in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence by mid-century — even with no commercial fishing, according to a new report. The paper, published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, says the death rate now stands at 50 per cent for adult Gulf cod five years and older.

The likely culprit? Grey seals. "That high a natural mortality is not sustainable," says Doug Swain, a federal Fisheries Department scientist who co-authored the study. Why recovery has failed for cod

Swain says this stock is particularly vulnerable because it tends to gather in the same places every year.

That includes predictable patterns of migration, spawning and overwintering in dense congregations off Cape Breton in numbers still large enough to attract grey seals that eat them.

Samples showed adult cod made up a large part of the grey seal diet in the overwintering area off St. Paul's Island, Cape Breton.

Swain and other researchers used models to predict what that could mean for the future of this cod population.

"In these projections, if we assume natural mortality were to stay where it is now and there was no fishing, then cod would be gone by middle of the century," he says.

"There is nothing to say it will stay where it is but if it is due to predation by grey seals and they continue to prey on cod like they are now, then there is no way this population recovers and it may decline to negligible levels."

Today in Great Lakes History - January 7
07 January 1974 - EDMUND FITZGERALD (steel propeller bulk freighter, 711 foot, 13,632 gross tons, built in 1958, at River Rouge, Michigan) lost her anchor in the Detroit River when it snagged on ice. It was raised in July 1992. The anchor weighs 12,000 pounds and now resides outside the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan.

On January 7, 1970, the e.) ONG, a.) REDHEAD of 1930, had her Canadian registry closed. The tanker had been sold for use as a water tender at Antigua in the Lesser Antilles and had departed Toronto on December 1, 1969.

1924: The rail car ferry ONTARIO NO. 1 had a rough overnight crossing of Lake Ontario. The ship was diverted to Toronto with three feet of ice on the deck and anchored off Port Credit. With no seagate, it had to sail into the wind and could not make its docking at Cobourg as scheduled.

1943: ORNEFJELL came to the Great Lakes beginning in 1933 and returned as b) AKABAHRA after being sold in 1937. It was torpedoed and sunk on the Mediterranean in position 37.07 N / 4.38 E.

1977: BARFONN had visited the Seaway beginning in 1959 and returned as b) ORIENT EXPLORER in 1967 and as c) AEGEAN in 1971. It caught fire at Colombo, Sri Lanka, as d) TONG THAY and became a total loss. The vessel was taken to Singapore Roads, laid up, sold for scrap and arrived at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, for dismantling on March 24, 1978.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Dog rescued from U.P. island by Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw’s crew

1/6 - Chippewa County, Mich. – After more than a week in the cold, a dog was reunited with his owners Friday evening. Logan, a white husky mix, went missing from St. Joseph Island in Ontario on Christmas day while he and his owners were visiting family.

Thursday Logan's owners, Lydia Selin and Kailaan Walker, got a call from the crew aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw. While patrolling the Michigan waterways, the crew saw a dog fall through the ice and struggle onto the shore of Lime Island.

A 20-person landing party went out to the island to search for the dog but couldn't get him to come to their calls. The crew set a fire on the shore of the island and left a bowl of macaroni before leaving the island.

Thursday, the crew passed the island again and found the dog along with an empty bowl of pasta.

The Mackinaw docked in Cheboygan Friday evening where Logan was reunited with Lydia and Kailaan. The crew told the family a vet was aboard the ship and was able to help Logan with his wounds.

9&10 News

Port Reports - January 6

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Duluth on Saturday, Mesabi Miner departed before sunrise with a load of ore from Canadian National, and Cason J. Callaway arrived and tied up at CN to load. She was expected to depart around 23:00 Saturday night. In Superior, St. Clair left port early Saturday after loading iron ore pellets at BN, and CSL Assiniboine arrived and spent the day loading. She had been expected to depart at 18:00, but was still at the dock as of 20:00 Saturday evening. Manitoulin and Lee A. Tregurtha were both at anchor outside the harbor waiting to load.

Two Harbors- Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
James R. Barker departed Two Harbors on Jan. 5th at 11:27 for Nanticoke. The Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader shifted from North of #2 to South of #2 between 11:33 and 11:55. The Barker made a circle out in the lake and came back to anchor off the Two Harbors piers. Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader departed at 14:38 and went out to the Barker and the Barker discharged some of her cargo into the Erie Trader, probably because she was overdraft. The Clyde S. then returned to Two Harbors at 16:58 and went back to South of #2. Arriving Two Harbors on Jan. 5th at 17:23 and going to North of #2 lay-by was the American Spirit. Roughly at the same time the Barker got underway and headed down the lake. Also due Two Harbors on Jan. 5th were the Lee A. Tregurtha and American Integrity. The Tregurtha's AIS changed to Superior late in the afternoon on Jan. 5th and at 18:45 she went to anchor off Superior. At 18:55 the American Integrity went to anchor off Duluth to wait on Two Harbors. Tentatively due Two Harbors on Jan. 6th are the Wilfred Sykes, American Mariner that was on Jan. 5th anchored in Whitefish Bay, and the Edgar B. Speer and Roger Blough, both upbound in the St. Marys River. It will be Jan. 7th at the earliest before some of them get to the dock.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Friday January 4th: 22:10 Mississagi departed Thunder Bay Terminals for Toledo. Saturday January 5th: 7:21 Tecumseh arrived at Richardson Current River Terminal to load grain. 8:18 CSL Niagara arrived at Keefer Terminal for winter lay-up. 17:13 Tecumseh departed Richardson Current River Terminal and shifted over to Viterra A to load grain.

St. Marys River
Upbound traffic Saturday included Walter J. McCarthy Jr., Wilfred Sykes, Roger Blough and late, Edgar B. Speer. Downbounders included Paul R. Tregurtha, American Century, Stewart J, Cort and Mississagi. American Mariner was upbound but went to anchor behind Whitefish Point. Saginaw was at Algoma Steel.

Goderich, Ont. – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Sault was at the elevators on Friday.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
There was no vessel activity at the Port of Detroit on Saturday.

Toledo, Ohio
Cedarglen arrived at Ironhead Shipyard Saturday evening.

Saginaw River Shipping Season Report – 2018

1/6 - For the second consecutive year, commercial shipping numbers have continued to climb on the Saginaw River, rebounding in 2018 to the highest number of vessel passages since the 2010 season. After recording record low numbers during the 2014 & 2016 seasons, increases in the past two years have now led to an optimistic outlook that the worst could now hopefully be behind us. The companies doing business along the banks of the Saginaw River are always looking for ways to diversify and introduce new cargo to be moved by boat, as well as continually working for improvements to the system, be it dredging to a deeper channel depth or making improvements at their docks. Hopefully the hard work being done now, will pay off in the years to come. The following is a look back at what took place along the banks of the Saginaw River during the 2018 shipping season:

The 2018 shipping season officially started on March 29th, with the arrival of the tug Spartan and her tank barge, Spartan II. The pair called on the Port Fisher Dock in Bay City to start the season one day earlier than the 2017 season opener. Spartan/Spartan II also opened the season in 2017. The 2018 season came to a close on a very foggy, but mild January 5th, when the tug Sharon M I and her barge, called on the Port Fisher/Bay Aggregates Dock, in Bay City, with the last inbound cargo of the season. This was 13 days later than the 2017 close, for a season lasting 283 days, 15 days longer than last year. For 2018, there were a total of 143 commercial vessel passages. That is 10 more than the previous season. These passages were made by 30 different vessels, representing 14 different companies. This is a decrease of one unique vessel, but an increase of one more company, as compared to the 2017 numbers.

Looking at some of the other statistics from the 2018 season, cargos were delivered to 17 individual docks this season. This number is an increase from last year. One of the increases was the Bit-Mat liquid asphalt dock in Bay City. They received product by tank barge this season for the first time since 2014. The dock seeing the most traffic in 2018 was the Port Fisher/Bay Aggregates Dock in Bay City, seeing 38 vessel deliveries. This was four more deliveries than during the 2017 season. Coming in second was the Lafarge Cement Dock in Essexville, with 24 cargo deliveries. This was a huge increase of 11 trips, almost double that of the previous season. In third place was the Wirt Stone Dock in Saginaw, with 21 cargo deliveries, and closely followed by the Consumers Energy Dock in Essexville, with 20 cargos delivered. These four docks accounted for 62% of all vessel deliveries to the Saginaw River in 2018. The “big two” companies, which own multiple docks along the Saginaw River, Fisher Companies and Wirt, accounted for 54% of all cargo delivered this season. In all, accounting for split cargos by some vessels, which unloaded at two or more different docks on the same visit, there were 167 deliveries to the various docks along the Saginaw River. This is eight more actual dock deliveries than during the 2017 season.

For the first time in twelve seasons, there is a new queen of the Saginaw River. For the past 11 years, the tug Olive L. Moore, paired with the self-unloading barge Menominee, have made the most trips to the Saginaw River each season. This year however, logging 25 visits, the Interlake Steamship Company tug Dorothy Ann and her self-unloading barge, Pathfinder, took the crown, beating the Olive L. Moore/Menominee by five trips. The vessels following these two workhorse tug/barge combos, rounding out the top five with the most trips to the Saginaw River were two more tug/barge combos from Andrie/Lafarge: Samuel de Champlain/Innovation with nine and G.L. Ostrander/Integrity with eight. The traditional self-unloading laker from American Steamship Company, John J. Boland, came in next, also with eight visits.

There was another change at the top this season. The company leading the way with the most cargo deliveries to the Saginaw River in 2018 was the American Steamship Company with 35 trips, accounting for 24% of all deliveries. Lower Lakes Towing/Grand River Navigation, leaders for the past 11 years, logged the second most visits, with 34, just missing out on the top spot. The changes were very small as American Steamship logged the same number of cargos to the Saginaw River as in 2017, but Lower Lakes dropped by two. The third busiest fleet in 2018 was the Interlake Steamship Company with 28 passages, representing an increase of two trips over last season. These three companies accounted for 68% of all deliveries on the Saginaw River in 2018.

There were a number of vessels that were visitors to the Saginaw River in 2017, that did not make a delivery in 2018, with those vessels being Algoway, Great Republic, Manitoulin, Michipicoton, HR Constellation, and the BBC vessels Alberta, Campana, Elbe, and Volga. The list of boats that were not visitors in 2017, but visited the Saginaw River in 2018 were Algoma Innovator, Algoma Buffalo, Mississagi, Saginaw, Joseph H. Thompson, Jr./Joseph H. Thompson, BBC Europe, Florijngracht and the tug Rebecca Lynn/A397. Algoma Innovator made her first ever trips to the Saginaw River. One of Algoma Central’s new “Equinox” class vessels, the Innovator replaced the retired Algoway on trips here. Buffalo, a Saginaw River fixture for many years, made her first trip under her new name, Algoma Buffalo, and new owners. It was good to see Saginaw back on her namesake river. The BBC Europe and Florijngracht also made their first ever visits to the Saginaw River.

There were a few other notable stories during the 2018 season. After no dredging being done during the 2017 season, maintenance dredging resumed on the Saginaw River, beginning in the late spring. Ryba Marine Construction, out of Cheboygan Michigan won the contract for the dredging, bringing its tug, Thomas R. Morrish, and numerous pieces of dredging equipment to the river. The workhorse Malcolm Marine tug Manitou, also made numerous trips from her St. Clair, Michigan home to the Saginaw River arriving to assist the BBC Europe at the Port Fisher dock and towing dredging equipment for Ryba Marine to and from the Saginaw River. The Port Fisher Dock in Bay City again received wind turbine components at its facility, but this season, the majority was delivered by truck. The presence of foreign-flagged cargo ships continued on the Saginaw River however, as the BBC Europe and Florijngracht did deliver cargo to Port Fisher in 2018. Sadly, this was the first season in many decades that one of the familiar Collingwood Shipyard-built Algoma Central boats Algorail, Algoway, and Agawa Canyon did not visit the Saginaw River, with all now being retired from service.

Todd Shorkey

Today in Great Lakes History - January 6
While under tow heading for scrap, the HARRY R. JONES went aground at Androsan, Scotland, on January 6, 1961, and it wasn't until February 15 that she arrived at her final port of Troon, Scotland.

January 6, 1999 - The Dow Chemical plant in Ludington, Michigan, announced a plan to close its lime plant, eliminating the need for Great Lakes freighters to deliver limestone.

In 1973, the JOSEPH H. THOMPSON ran aground at Escanaba, Michigan, after departing that port.

1976: The former GLADYS BOWATER was sailing as c) AGINOR when it caught fire and had to be abandoned off southwest Sicily. The hull was towed to Palermo, Italy, with serious damage and then to Piraeus, Greece, where it was laid up unrepaired. But the ship was resold, rebuilt and returned to service as d) ALEXANDRA in 1977. It was scrapped at Gadani Beach, Pakistan, as e) LAMYAA in 1985.

1979: OTTO NUBEL first came to the Great Lakes in 1953 and returned regularly until the final four trips in 1959. The ship was sailing as b) MARIA III when there was an explosion in the engine room on January 6, 1979, near Tamomago Island, Spain. A fire followed and the vessel went aground where it was abandoned as a total loss.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Brian Bernard, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Lake Superior's December decline a little less than usual

1/5 - Lake Superior declined about 3 inches in December, a little less than it usually does for the month.

The International Lake Superior Board of Control reported Thursday that the big lake now sits 11 inches above its Jan. 1 long-term average but 2 inches below the level at this time last year.

Lakes Michigan-Huron dropped an inch over December, less than the normal 2-inch drop. The lakes now sit 20 inches above average and 3 inches above the level at Jan. 1, 2018.

The board of control says the above-average water levels, coupled with strong winds and waves, continue to result in shoreline erosion and coastal damages across the upper Great Lakes system, noting more shoreline erosion and coastal damages may occur this winter should active weather continue.

Duluth News Tribune

Port Reports - January 5

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Paul R. Tregurtha departed Duluth at 05:20 Friday morning after loading coal at Midwest Energy, and her fleetmate Mesabi Miner arrived at 12:04 to load ore at Canadian National. Saginaw, which had arrived late Thursday night, departed at 13:50 with a load of ore for Sault Ste. Marie. At the Superior entry, Stewart J. Cort departed at 09:56 Friday from Burlington Northern, and St. Clair was inbound at 13:32 to load ore. She is expected to depart Saturday morning.

Two Harbors- Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
American Century departed Two Harbors on Jan. 4th at 11:05 for Gary. Arriving Two Harbors on Jan. 4th at 11:49 was the James R. Barker. She is loading for Nanticoke. Also arriving Two Harbors on Jan. 4th was the Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader at 16:44 for North of #2 lay-by. Due Two Harbors on Jan. 5th are the American Spirit, American Integrity, and the Lee A. Tregurtha. There is no traffic scheduled for Northshore Mining in Silver Bay on Jan. 5th.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Friday January 4th: 0:40 Kaministiqua departed G3 for Windsor. 7:05 Mississagi arrived at Richardson Main Terminal to load grain. 12:37 CCGS Samuel Risley arrived in Thunder Bay. She performed ice-breaking duties on both the Mission River and harbor. However, there is very little ice cover due to above average temperatures this week. 16:08 CCGS Samuel Risley returned to the Coast Guard base. 17:19 Mississagi departed Richardson Main Terminal and shifted over to Thunder Bay Terminals. Expected for Saturday: Tecumseh and CSL Niagara.

Northern Lake Huron
Thursday, Stoneport: 23:00 Olive L Moore departed for Cleveland. Friday, Alpena: 0:30 The cement carrier Alpena departed for Cleveland. Cheboygan: 17:13 USCG Mackinaw returned to base after conducting ice operations in the St. Marys River. The tug Champion arrived from Mackinac Island.

Goderich, Ont. – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Sault was at the elevators on Friday.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Manitowoc arrived to load coke at Zug Island Friday morning. The downbound Roger Blough stopped at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal to fuel. The Indiana Harbor arrived at Zug Island to unload ore. Ending the day was the Kaye E Barker, calling on AK Steel to unload ore.

Toledo, Ohio
Presque Isle had some type of mechanical issue as she was running at reduced speed on Lake Huron. She was supposed to go to Erie for winter layup but is now docked at Toledo. Algoma Niagara should be arriving at Toledo from Thunder Bay late Monday or Tuesday next week.

Cleveland, Ohio
Steamer Alpena was down bound on the Detroit River Friday evening, headed for Cleveland with cement.

Updates

The saltie gallery has been updated with the following images: Arsland, Barnacle, BBC Carolina, BBC Georgia, BBC Utah, BBC Zarate, Celsius Mumbai, Grande Caribe, Grande Mariner, Greenwing, Iver Bright, Kivalliq W., MTM Antwerp, NACC Quebec, Qikiqtaaluk W., Taiga Desgagnes, Vikingbank, Wigeon and YM Jupiter.

Today in Great Lakes History - January 5
The keel was laid January 5, 1972, for ALGOWAY (Hull#200) at Collingwood, Ontario, by Collingwood Shipyards, Ltd.

The wooden tug A. J. WRIGHT caught fire on 5 January 1893, while laid up at Grand Haven, Michigan. She burned to the water's edge. Her loss was valued at $20,000. She was owned by C. D. Thompson.

In 1970, PETER REISS broke her tail shaft while backing in heavy ice at the mouth of the Detroit River.

On January 5, 1976, Halco's tanker CHEMICAL TRANSPORT cleared Thunder Bay, Ontario, closing that port for the season.

1976: A.S. GLOSSBRENNER struck bottom entering Port McNicoll and had to be unloaded immediately due to the extensive hull damage. The ship was repaired at Port Weller Dry Docks in the spring. The vessel became b) ALGOGULF (ii) in 1987 and c) ALGOSTEEL (ii) in 1990.

1982: The Norwegian freighter NORHOLT first came through the Seaway in 1962 and made a total of 15 inland voyages. It was renamed b) SALVADOR in 1966 and returned once in 1967. The ship went aground as c) SAN JUAN off Shadwan Island enroute to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on this date. It was refloated January 22, 1982, towed to Suez Bay and laid up. Fire broke out on August 26, 1982, and the ship was abandoned and later beached. It was taken over by the Suez Canal Authority in 1983 and scrapped.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Brian Bernard, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Icebreaker Samuel Risley ready to work in Thunder Bay

1/4 - Thunder Bay, Ont. – The Canadian Coast Guard has dispatched its icebreaker Samuel Risley to Thunder Bay to conduct icebreaking operations in the harbor this week or as soon as it proves necessary.

According to a statement issued by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on Thursday, the Risley "may be required to work in the Thunder Bay port on or after Jan. 4...to assist commercial shipping." Thunder Bay harbormaster Guy Jarvis expects the ship to arrive by Friday evening.

Smaller US Coast Guard icebreaking cutters have been visiting the port since the end of November to help keep shipping lanes clear.

Jarvis said that there is currently ice within the breakwall but "not too much" outside it, but with five ships still due to come in to load cargo before the shipping season ends, it's good to have the Risley available.

"It all depends on how much it freezes overnight. You've got to look at where the vessels are going. On the Mission River, the Kam River, you get a couple of days of cold weather, yeah, you'll need some icebreaking assistance."

The last ship to leave port before the Soo Locks close is expected to do so about Jan. 11. Two vessels will spend the winter in Thunder Bay. Bulk carriers Algoma Strongfield and CSL Niagara will be docked at Keefer Terminal until navigation resumes in the spring.

TBNewswatch

Port Reports - January 4

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Philip R. Clarke departed Duluth at 06:22 Thursday morning with a load of iron ore pellets from CN, however she dropped anchor outside the harbor for unknown reasons. Michipicoten came in at 06:39 to load at Canadian National, and Paul R. Tregurtha arrived at 14:11 for a cargo of coal from Midwest Energy. Michipicoten was expected to depart at some point Thursday evening. Also in Duluth on Thursday, Tim S. Dool was placed in drydock at Fraser Shipyards, where she will receive her five-year inspection and a new coat of paint. On the south side of the harbor, Burns Harbor finally departed at 03:30 Thursday morning after experiencing delays loading at BN, and Thunder Bay arrived from anchor shortly thereafter and began loading ore. American Century also arrived early Thursday morning to take a delay at Lakehead Pipeline, and was outbound at 10:52 for Two Harbors. Thunder Bay was expected to depart Thursday evening, and Stewart J. Cort was due next at the dock.

Two Harbors- Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Edwin H. Gott departed Two Harbors on Jan. 3rd at 01:37 for Gary. Arriving Two Harbors on Jan. 3rd at 02:01 after being anchored off Duluth was the H. Lee White. She then departed Two Harbors on Jan. 3rd at 15:33 with the assistance of Heritage Marine's tug Nels J. She is headed for Zug Island. Arriving Two Harbors after taking a delay at the Lakehead dock in Superior was the American Century at 16:35. Delayed on Lake Superior for Two Harbors were the Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader that had been anchored most of Jan. 3rd in Big Bay about 22 miles NW of Marquette. The James R. Barker looks like, as of 19:45 on Jan. 3rd, was going to anchor in Bark Bay near Cornucopia, Wis. There is no other traffic scheduled for Two Harbors on Jan. 4th. Northshore Mining in Silver Bay had no traffic on Jan. 3rd and none scheduled for Jan. 4th.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Monday December 31st: There were no ship movements at the port on Monday. Tuesday January 1st: 17:32 Ojibway departed G3 for Windsor. 20:55 Algoma Sault departed Superior Elevator for Goderich. 21:41 Kaministiqua weighed anchor and proceeded to Superior Elevator to load grain. Wednesday January 2nd: 15:15 Kaministiqua departed Superior Elevator and shifted over to G3 to load grain. Thursday January 3rd: 15:18 Algoma Niagara departed Viterra B and shifted over to Keefer Terminal for repairs. Expected for Friday: Mississagi and CCGS Samuel Risley.

Green Bay, Wis.
On Thursday, the Manitoulin arrived with cargo of salt from Windsor to the Fox River Terminal.

Northern Lake Huron
Thursday, Alpena: 16:49 The cement carrier Alpena arrived to load. Stoneport: 7:30 Dorothy Ann departed for Marine City. Olive L Moore weighed anchor and proceeded to the loading dock.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
A trio of vessels called on the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal to fuel throughout the day Thursday. They were Americans Spirit, Lee A Tregurtha and Cuyahoga.

Today in Great Lakes History - January 4
On January 4, 1978, IRVING S. OLDS was involved in a collision with the steamer ARMCO while convoying in heavy ice in the Livingstone Channel of the lower Detroit River. The OLDS hit a floe of heavy ice, came to a complete stop and the ARMCO, unable to stop, hit the OLDS' stern.

In 1952, the car ferry SPARTAN (Hull#369) was launched at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin by Christy Corp.

1966: FARO, a Liberty ship that had visited the Seaway in 1965, ran aground in heavy weather off Nojima, Japan, enroute from Muroran, Japan, to Keelung, Taiwan, in ballast. It had to be abandoned as a total loss. It was sold to Japanese shipbreakers in 1967 and broken up.

2012: FEDERAL MIRAMICHI was disabled by a mechanical problem during stormy weather on the English Channel, 12.8 miles northwest of Guernsey enroute from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Paranagua, Brazil, with 22,900 tons of urea. French authorities, fearing the ship could blow ashore, dispatched a tug and the vessel was towed into Cherbourg for repairs. It has been a frequent Seaway trader since 2006.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Port of Montreal welcomes the first ocean-going vessel of 2019

1/3 - Montreal, Que. – The Virginiaborg became the first ocean-going vessel to reach the Port of Montreal without a stopover in 2019, by crossing the downstream limits of the Port at Sorel on January 2, at 3:50 a.m.

The Virginiaborg, under the command of Captain Volodymyr Yurchenko, is a bulk carrier operated by Wagenborg Shipping and represented in Montreal by the Lower St-Lawrence Ocean Agencies Ltd. The Virginiaborg left the Port of Porsgrunn, Norway, on December 20. It docked early this morning at Berth 42 at the terminal operated by Logistec.

Captain Yurchenko will receive, as part of an official ceremony, the Gold-Headed Cane, a trophy awarded each year to the master of the first ocean-going vessel to reach the Port of Montreal without a stopover. This ceremony will mark the 180th anniversary of this great tradition in the shipping community.

Montreal Times

Port Reports - January 3

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Philip R. Clarke arrived Duluth at 04:33 Wednesday morning to load iron ore pellets at Canadian National. She was still at the loading dock Wednesday night with no departure time listed. Michipicoten was on the hook outside the harbor waiting to load at CN. In Superior, Burns Harbor spent Wednesday loading ore at BN, and was expected to depart at 20:00. Thunder Bay and Stewart J. Cort were at anchor off the Superior entry waiting for the dock.

Two Harbors- Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Indiana Harbor departed Two Harbors on Jan. 2nd at 04:49 for Zug Island. The Edwin H. Gott arrived Two Harbors on Jan. 2nd at 05:45 with the assistance of Heritage Marine's tug Nels J. As of 19:30 on the 2nd the Speer was still at the loading dock. Due Two Harbors is the H. Lee White. She anchored off Duluth on the 2nd at approx. 16:00 after running checked down on the North Shore all day on the 2nd. Also due Two Harbors is the American Century that had been running checked down all day on the 2nd along the Wisconsin shore. Due Two Harbors on Jan. 3rd are the James R. Barker and the Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader. Arriving Northshore Mining in Silver Bay on Jan. 2nd at 03:18 and departed on the 2nd at 18:07. She wasn’t showing an updated AIS, but she probably loaded for Cleveland. Silver Bay has no scheduled traffic on Jan. 3rd.

Sturgeon Bay, Wis. – Jim Conlon
Late Sunday evening the Joseph L Block arrived at Bayship and backed into a different slip than she has used other winter layups.

Northern Lake Huron
Wednesday, Midland: 8:20 Escorted by CCGS Samuel Risley, Baie Comeau arrived to unload wheat. 11:56 CCGS Simon Risley departed to resume ice operations. Alpena: 4:11 Mississagi arrived to unload road salt and at 9:02 departed for Thunder Bay Ont. Stoneport: 3:42 Dorothy Ann arrived to load limestone. 8:00 Olive L Moore arrived and went to anchor.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Joseph H Thompson Jr./Joseph H Thompson arrived to fuel at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal Wednesday morning. Next up was the tug Anglian Lady, pushing a barge. They tied up along the riverfront. The upbound Herbert C Jackson called on the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal to fuel.

Welland Canal – Barry Andersen
Last upbounds for the canal: Dec 30, Cedarglen for Detroit and CCGS Griffin servicing winter markers before clearing canal for Amherstburg. Last downbound: Algoma Buffalo, headed to Hamilton for lay-up.

Erie, Pa – Jeff Benson
Cuyahoga arrived at Mountfort Terminal Wednesday and was loading coke. James L. Kuber has arrived at Don Jon for lay up and winter work.

St. Marys River channel closures

1/3 - Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. – The Pipe Island Passage, East of Pipe Island Shoal and North of Pipe Island Twins from Watson Reef Light to Sweets Point, will close at 8 p.m. on Saturday.

The Pipe Island Course will become a two-way route.

Obituary: Captain John Szczerowski

1/3 - Captain John Szczerowski, known to many as “Captain Scissors,” 89, of Rogers City, passed away December 15, 2018 at Medilodge in Rogers City.

He was born May 14, 1929 in Rogers City to Stanley and Anna (Hincka) Szczerowski. Captain John retired from the Great Lakes Fleet after 43 years of service. He was a member of the Rogers City Knights of Columbus-3rd Degree, as well as the Rogers City Servicemen’s Club and Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum. John married Ida Micketti May 29, 1950 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church.

Friends may visit at St. Ignatius Catholic Church Friday, January 11, from 9 a.m. until time of his memorial Mass at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Rolando Silva officiating. Inurnment will take place in the spring at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Presque Isle Council on Aging and St. Ignatius Catholic School. Online condolences may be addressed through www.beckfuneralhome.org.

Today in Great Lakes History - January 3
For the second year in a row the tanker GEMINI (steel propeller tanker, 420 foot, 5,853 gross tons, built in 1978, at Orange, Texas) was the first vessel of the year in Manistee, Michigan. She headed to the General Chemical dock to load 8,000 tons of brine for Amherstburg, Ontario. The vessel arrived at Manistee in 2002, on January first, and Captain Riley Messer was presented a hackberry cane, crafted by local resident Ken Jilbert. A similar cane was presented to the vessel Saturday morning. Sold Canadian in 2005, renamed b.) ALGOSAR (i).

In 1939, the CHIEF WAWATAM ran aground on the shoals of the north shore near St. Ignace, Michigan.

On Jan 3, 1971, BEN W. CALVIN ran aground at the mouth of the Detroit River after becoming caught in a moving ice field.

In 1972, TADOUSSAC cleared Thunder Bay, Ontario, for Hamilton with 24,085 tons of iron ore, closing that port for the season.

1979: KOIKU MARU first visited the Seaway in 1967. It ran aground near Tartous, Syria, in stormy weather overnight and had to be abandoned as a total loss.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Brian Bernard , Dave Swayze, Max Hanley, Mike Nicholls, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit.

Invincible to be towed to Erie this week

1/2 - The tug Invincible is scheduled to be towed from Ashtabula to Erie this week by the tug Cheyenne. The invincible most likely will go to drydock with the James L Kuber, where it will undergo major changes. Sponsons are to be added to the hull for increased buoyancy in order that a Hydracon pin system can be installed. The Bludworth ATB system will be removed. Also the upper wheelhouse will be raised about 9 feet. All of these upgrades are so that the Invincible take the place of the Olive L Moore in pushing the Menominee next season.

Port Reports - January 2

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
After spending the night at anchor outside the harbor, Tim S. Dool arrived Duluth at 08:09 on the morning of New Year's Day for winter layup. With the assistance of G-tugs, she tied up at Fraser Shipyards astern of the William A. Irvin, where she will remain until she is placed in drydock. Mesabi Miner left port at 10:13 with a load of coal from Midwest Energy. At the Superior entry, Burns Harbor arrived early Tuesday morning to load iron ore pellets at BN, and is expected to depart at 01:00 Wednesday. Thunder Bay was due at 21:00 Tuesday night, however she will likely anchor outside the harbor to wait for Burns Harbor to finish loading.

Two Harbors- Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Edgar B. Speer departed Two Harbors on Jan. 1st at 10:57 for Gary. Arriving Two Harbors on Jan. 1st at 11:22 was the Indiana Harbor. As of 19:30 on Jan. 1st she was still at the loading dock. Possibly due Two Harbors late on Jan. 1st is the Edwin H. Gott. As of 19:30 on the 1st she was just SW of Silver Bay. Due Two Harbors on Jan. 2nd are the H. Lee White and the American Century. Northshore Mining in Silver Bay had no traffic on Jan. 1st. Due Silver Bay on Jan. 2nd is the John J. Boland.

Northern Lake Huron
Tuesday, January 1st Midland: 17:23 CCGS Samuel Risley departed on ice operations. Baie Comeau is expected to arrive Wednesday with a load of wheat for ADM.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
On New Year's Day, the tug Leonard M and her barge arrived at Nicholson's Detroit Terminal to unload steel coils. The upbound Clyde S VanEnkevort/Erie Trader stopped to fuel at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal.

Today in Great Lakes History - January 2
While on the North Atlantic under tow for scrapping, ASHLAND parted her towline but was tracked by U.S. Coast Guard aircraft and was retrieved by her tug on January 2nd, 1988, some 300 miles off course.

The 3-masted wooden schooner M. J. CUMMINGS was launched at the shipyard of Goble & MacFarlane in Oswego, New York. Her owners were Mrs. Goble & MacFarlane, Daniel Lyons and E. Caulfield. Her dimensions were 142 foot 6 inches X 25 foot 2 inches X 11 foot 6 inches, 325 tons and she cost $28,000.

January 2, 1925 - The ANN ARBOR NO 7 (Hull#214) was launched at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by Manitowoc Shipbuilding Corp. She was sponsored by Jane Reynolds, daughter of R. H. Reynolds, marine superintendent of the railroad. Renamed b.) VIKING in 1983.

1967: The small Norwegian freighter RAAGAN dated from 1919 and had been a Pre-Seaway visitor to the Great Lakes as a) ERICH LINDOE, b) GRENLAND and c) HILDUR I. It sank in the North Sea about 60 miles north of the Dutch coast after developing leaks on a voyage from Egersund, Denmark, to Dordrecht, Netherlands, with a cargo of titanium. The crew was rescued.

1976: The XENY, which was towed into Cadiz Roads on January 1, capsized and sank on her side. The ship had caught fire on December 2 and was abandoned by the crew. It had first visited the Great Lakes as a) PRINS WILLEM II in 1955 and had been back as d) XENY in 1971.

1981: The heavy lift vessel MAMMOTH SCAN had heeled over while unloading at Abu Dhabi on October 15, 1980. The ship was righted and under tow when the towline parted off Algeria on December 28, 1980. The listing vessel was brought to Malaga Roads, Spain, on this date, healed over and sank as a total loss.

1987: A fire in the cargo hold of REMADA at Barcelona, Spain, resulted in heavy damage and the ship had to be sold for scrap. It had made one trip through the Seaway in November 1973 as b) ONTARIO.

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

Happy New Year from the Boatnerd News Page

1/1 - Boatnerd wishes all our readers a very happy and successful 2019. Thank you for your support.

A big three long and two short goes out to all who send news to this page or contribute to the Port Reports, among them Daniel Lindner, Gary A. Putney, Gordy Garris, Todd Shorkey, Denny Dushane, Rene Beauchamp, Ron Beaupre, Rod Burdick, Ned Goebricher, Bruce Douglas, Barry Andersen, Ron Walsh, Capt. Mike Nicholls, Gene Polaski, Jim Hoffman, Ken Cyrette, Marc Dease, Aaron Border, Tom Brewer, Paul Erspamer, Logan Vasicek, Sam Hankinson, Jeff Benson, Paul Martin, Matt Miner, Dave Wobser, Ben & Chanda McClain, Joy Fett, Ken Borg, Luke Johnson, Phil Nash, Bill Bird, Raymond H., Al Miller, Frank Hood, Sam Hankinson, Tom Hynes, Jenson Wetenkamp and anyone else we’ve inadvertently left off this list. It is the contributions of all these volunteers, and many others that make Boatnerd possible.

We are always seeking contributions to this page from readers around the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. If you see news in your area, or want to offer your observations of vessel arrivals and departures, please send to news@boatnerd.net. If you spot an interesting shipping-related story in your local news, please take a moment to forward a link so that we may share it with our audience.

Thank you!

Port Reports - January 1

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Walter J. McCarthy Jr. arrived Duluth at 00:42 Monday morning to load coal at Midwest Energy. Vessel traffic during the day was delayed due to the stormy weather on western Lake Superior, but conditions had calmed enough by evening to allow the McCarthy to depart at 20:13. Mesabi Miner was expected around 20:30 to load at SMET. Also in port was CSL Tadoussac, loading iron ore pellets at CN. Her departure time was unknown. In Superior, Roger Blough spent Monday loading ore at Burlington Northern before departing at 20:00. Tim S. Dool arrived off the Twin Ports mid-afternoon Monday and dropped anchor. She may arrive through either the Duluth or Superior entries, and will head to Fraser Shipyards for winter layup where she will be drydocked to receive her five-year survey and a new coat of paint.

Two Harbors, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Joyce L. VanEnkevort/Great Lakes Trader departed Two Harbors on Dec. 31st at approx. 00:50. As of 19:45 on the 31st she wasn’t showing an updated AIS. Shortly after the Joyce L. departed the Great Republic shifted to South of #2. She then departed Two Harbors on Dec. 31st at 10:40 for Conneaut. The Great Republic had been in Two Harbors since last Thursday. Arriving Two Harbors on Dec. 31st at 11:07 was the Edgar B. Speer after being anchored off Duluth. As of 19:45 on Dec. 31st she was still loading. Due Two Harbors on January 1st are the Indiana Harbor and the Edwin H. Gott.

Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the departure of the Hon. James L. Oberstar on Dec. 30th at 21:23 for Cleveland. Silver Bay had no traffic on the 31st and nothing scheduled for Jan. 1st.

Northern Lake Huron
Monday, December 31st Alpena: 11:56 G L Ostrander departed for Milwaukee.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Saginaw arrived early Monday morning to load coke at Zug Island. Arriving next was the CSL Assiniboine, calling on Zug Island to unload coal. The tug Sarah Andrie and her tank barge stopped at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal to load/unload.

Welland Canal and regional report - Monday Dec 31 - Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
Arrivals - Dec 29 - Algosea at 1111 - Jan 1 - Algoscotia, CSL Niagara, tug Albert & barge Margaret, and Cuyahoga - Departed dock - Dec 31 - Algosea at 1723 for the anchorage

Long Point Bay anchorage:
Anchored - Dec 31 - Algosea at 1752 and tug Michigan & barge Great Lakes eta 2020,

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Dec 30 - CCGS Griffon at 0902 (stopped wharf 1 at 0917) - Dec 31 - Cedarglen at 0202 (last commercial vessel of the season) and CCGS Griffon departed wharf 1 at 0815 approx. upbound doing some buoy work - headed to Port Colborne

Downbound - Jan 1 - Algoma Spirit eta 2250 approx headed for lay-up in Hamilton - will be last downbound commercial vessel of the season

Welland Canal docks:
Docked - Dec 27 - Algoma Enterprise stopped wharf 17 at 0043 approx (after going out onto Lake Erie and turning around to dock downbound - winter lay-up) and Dec 28 - John D Leitch at 1855 at Port Weller dry dock facility - Dec 30 - tug Leo A McArthur & barge John J Carrick - stopped wharf 16 at 0534

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Dec 31 - Algoma Buffalo departed at 0645 to do clean-up before returning to 26M - G3 Canada dock for lay-up at approx 1550 - Jan 1 - Algoma Spirit eta mid-day for winter lay-up - Docked - Dec 22 - Algoma Compass at 1611 - 26N - GLS dock - Dec 27 - Algoma Transport at 1120 - 11W Bunge dock and Florence Spirit at 1636 - 12N dock - Dec 29 - G3 Marquis at 2141 - 21 AMD dock - Dec 30 - Dec 30 Algoma Equinox at 1214 - to 25N Agrico dock, tug Sea Eagle II & barge St Marys Cement II at 1812 - to 14W FMT dock, tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement 1906 - to 12E FMT dock and Algoma Buffalo eta 2115 - to 21 AMD dock -

Toronto:
Arrival - Dec 30 - light tug Seahound at 1834 - Docked - Dec 23 - Oakglen at 1151 (winter lay-up) - Dec 26 - Whitefish Bay at 0203 (winter lay-up) - Dec 28 - Algoma Discovery at 0746 and McKeil Spirit at 1438 (winter lay-up)

Cargo diversity up across docks at Port of Monroe

1/1 - Monroe, Mich. – Port of Monroe is celebrating another milestone year. This time it comes in the form of cargo diversity. “The port is as vibrant as it ever has been despite rapid changes in cargo transportation,” Port Director Paul C. LaMarre III said. “Cargo diversity across our docks is up.”

Despite some challenges early in 2018, the port continues to thrive. This shipping season saw the opening of the riverfront intermodal dock. The dock, a $3.6 million investment, saw its first ship in April. The Huron Spirit brought a load of steel coils for the automotive industry.

“We had an agreement to handle loads of steel coils, but only got that one shipment because of the steel tariffs,” LaMarre explained. “Effectively that business evaporated overnight.” But LaMarre did not get discouraged. “We are a nimble organization,” he said. “We adapt to change.”

The Port of Monroe welcomed a new face to its team this month. Mark Rohn has been hired as assistant port director, said LaMarre. Rohn began his maritime career in 1978 as a vessel agent with N. M. Paterson & Sons. He worked in a variety of vessel operations with M.A. Hanna Company.

In 1992, Rohn was named director of operations for The Great Lakes Towing Company. A few years later, he joined the Oglebay Norton Company eventually serving as Vice President of Terminal Operations and Director of Human Resources until 2001. That year, he joined the Grand River Navigation Company serving as president for several years.

In the last 18 months, Rohn has worked with DRM, the Port of Monroe’s terminal operator. He is a member of the Great Lakes Marine Hall of Fame.

“Mark is one of the most respected people in the Great Lakes maritime industry,” LaMarre said. After 40 years in the shipping industry, Rohn said he is grateful to work at the port. “I’m glad I am getting an opportunity,” he said.

LaMarre forged a deal with the Great Lakes Towing Co. and Great Lakes Shipyard to establish towing and shipyard services at the port.

As part of the partnership, Great Lakes Towing relocated the tug Wisconsin to the port to help with ship assistance. The tug is the oldest commercially operating tug boat in the world. It was built in 1897 in Buffalo, N.Y., by the Union Dry Dock Co.

International shipping returned to the port after a nearly two-year battle. International cargo was not able to call upon the port based on labor issues not related to the port. Earlier this year, the U.S. government intervened and reopened international shipping to the Port of Monroe and the Port of Toledo.

During the 2014 shipping season, the port set tonnage records and nearly set another one the following season. LaMarre said this year the tonnage figures will be down, but the port’s diversification of cargo is up. “We continue to move a wide variety of cargo through the port,” he said. “We are moving more gypsum on the dock and by rail.”

The port also is handling all the bottom ash from DTE Energy’s Monroe Power Plant, along with components for wind towers and natural gas pipeline sections.

LaMarre said this year the port’s season will continue through the winter due to a new development related to liquid asphalt. The M/V Iver Bright, owned by Varoon, a company in the Netherlands, began calling on the port recently. The Iver Bright is an asphalt tanker that recently made its first voyage from Montreal to Monroe.

“The single voyage qualified the port for its fourth Seaway Pacesetter Award in six years,” LaMarre said.

The vessel is unique, LaMarre said, because it was built in 2012 and is an ice class vessel, meaning it can operate year-long. “It will likely call upon the port all year, primarily between Sarnia, Ontario and Monroe,” LaMarre said. “It can also call upon Detroit and Toledo.”

The director anticipates this new aspect to the business will drive up the port’s tonnage in the coming year. “It’s a significant boost during what is typically the slowest time of the year for the port,” LaMarre said.

Read more and view photos at this link: https://www.monroenews.com/news/20181231/cargo-diversity-up-across-docks-at-port-of-monroe

Port Reports - January 1

On this day in 1958, 76-year-old Rangvald Gunderson retired as wheelsman from the ELTON HOYT 2ND. Mr. Gunderson sailed on the lakes for 60 years.

On January 1, 1973, the PAUL H. CARNAHAN became the last vessel of the 1972 shipping season to load at the Burlington Northern (now Burlington Northern Santa Fe) ore docks in Superior, Wisconsin. Interestingly, the CARNAHAN also opened the Superior docks for the season in the spring of 1972.

On 1 January 1930, HELEN TAYLOR (wooden propeller steam barge, 56 foot, 43 gross tons, built in 1894, at Grand Haven, Michigan) foundered eight miles off Michigan City, Indiana. She was nicknamed "Pumpkin Seed," due to her odd shape.

January 1, 1900 - The Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad merged with the Chicago & West Michigan and the Detroit, Grand Rapids and Western Railroads to form the Pere Marquette Railway Co.

On 1 January 1937, MAROLD II (steel propeller, 129 foot, 165 gross tons, built in 1911, at Camden, New Jersey, as a yacht) was siphoning gasoline off the stranded tanker J OSWALD BOYD (244 foot, 1,806 gross tons, built in 1913, in Scotland) which was loaded with 900,000 gallons of gasoline and was stranded on Simmons Reef on the north side of Beaver Island. A tremendous explosion occurred which totally destroyed MAROLD II and all five of her crew. Only pieces of MAROLD II were found. Her captain's body washed ashore in Green Bay the next year.

At time of loss, she was the local Beaver Island boat. The remains of the BOYD were removed to Sault Ste. Marie in June 1937.

1943: HAMILDOC (i) went south during World War Two to assist in the bauxite trade. The N.M. Paterson & Sons bulk canaller sank in the Caribbean after a three-day gale. The vessel, enroute from Georgetown, British Guiana, to Trinidad, was at anchor when the hull broke in two. All on board were saved.

2000: WISTERIA was built at Imabari, Japan, in 1976 and came through the Seaway that year. It was taking water in #1 hold as c) AIS MAMAS while enroute from West Africa to India with a cargo of logs. The crew was removed but the ship was taken in tow and reached Capetown, South Africa, on January 5. It was subsequently sold for scrap and arrived at Alang, India, for dismantling on April 23, 2000 and was beached the next day.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit.

Port Reports - December 31

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
American Mariner arrived Duluth at 04:47 Sunday morning, loaded ore at CN, and was outbound at 19:10. CSL Tadoussac arrived at 19:25 to refuel at Husky Energy. She, along with Edgar B. Speer, spent Sunday on the hook outside the Duluth harbor waiting to load in Two Harbors. In Superior, Wilfred Sykes arrived at 04:47 Sunday to load iron ore pellets at Burlington Northern. She departed at 13:30, and then Roger Blough came in at 13:57 and began loading. She is expected to complete loading Monday morning.

Two Harbors, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Two Harbors saw the departure of the American Integrity on Dec. 30th at approx. 15:00. As of 21:00 on Dec. 30th she wasn’t showing an updated AIS. After her departure the Joyce L. VanEnkevort/Great Lakes Trader arrived and went to South of #2 shiploader dock. She departed anchorage off Duluth about mid-morning on Dec. 30th and sat off Two Harbor for approx. 3 hours waiting on the American Integrity to depart. As of Dec. 30th at 21:00 the Great Republic is still at North of #2. The Blough that was scheduled for Two Harbors went to BNSF #5 after the departure of the Sykes on Dec. 30th. The CSL Tadoussac that was also scheduled for Two Harbors went to CN-Duluth on Dec. 30th in the evening after the departure of the American Mariner. Still anchored off Duluth awaiting Two Harbors is the Edgar B. Speer. Due Two Harbors on Dec. 31st is the Indiana Harbor.

Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the departure of the American Spirit on Dec. 29th at 23:12 for Cleveland. In the afternoon of Dec. 30th her destination changed to Ashtabula. As of 21:00 on Dec. 30th the Hon. James L. Oberstar was at the loading dock in Silver Bay. There is no inbound traffic scheduled for Silver Bay on Dec. 31st.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Saturday December 29th: 22:40 USCGC Katmai Bay arrived from Duluth. She went to anchor north of Pie Island. Sunday December 30th: 8:14 USCGC Katmai Bay weighed anchor to perform ice-breaking duties on the Mission River near G3 and Superior elevators. She would also perform ice-breaking near Thunder Bay Terminals and both Viterra and Richardson elevators. 11:22 Algoma Sault weighed anchor after 38 hours and proceeded to Superior Elevator to load grain. 11:38 USCGC Katmai Bay departed for Sault Ste Marie, Mich. 19:49 Ojibway arrived and went to anchor south of the Welcome Islands. 21:14 Kaministiqua arrived and went to anchor southwest of the Welcome Islands. 23:11 Baie Comeau departed G3 for Sault Ste Marie. 23:31 Ojibway weighed anchor and proceeded to G3 to load grain. 23:34 Algoma Niagara arrived at Viterra B to load grain.

Northern Lake Huron
Sunday, Alpena: 0:11 The cement carrier Alpena arrived to load and at 5:19 departed for Essexville. 6:25 G L Ostrander arrived to load cement products. Stoneport: 1:40 Joseph H Thompson Jr arrived to load limestone and at 14:30 departed for Lorain. Calcite: 11:21 Craig Eric Reinauer departed for Nanticoke. St Ignace: 6:06 Cason J Callaway went to anchor and at 20:18 departed for Gary Harbor. Thessalon: 7:37 Algoma Innovator arrived to unload road salt and at 14:00 departed. She is down bound on Lake Huron.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
The tug Calusa Coast and her tank barge Delaware arrived at the Marathon Asphalt Terminal to load Sunday morning. The upbound Philip R Clarke arrived at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal to fuel. Next in was the Mississagi, arriving at the St. Mary's Cement dock. Her cargo was unknown. Arriving soon after was her fleetmate Manitoulin, calling on the Motor City Materials dock to unload salt. The Defiance/Ashtabula arrived at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal to fuel. After the departure of the Defiance/Ashtabula, the John J Boland arrived to fuel.

Welland Canal and regional report - Sunday Dec 30 – Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
Arrival - Dec 29 - Mississagi at 0857 and Algosea at 1111 - Departed - Dec 29 - Mississagi at 2012 westbound

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Dec 29 - Algoma Guardian at 0334 (stopping wharf 12 at 1352), Manitoulin at 1123, and tug Leo A McArthur & barge John J Carrick eta 2100 (stopping at wharf 16 Dec 30 at 0534) - Dec 30 - CCGS Griffon at 0902 (stopped wharf 1 at 0917) Downbound - Dec 30 - tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement at 0611, tug Sea Eagle II & barge St Marys Cement II at 0758, light tug Seahound at 1018 (from West Street) and Algoma Buffalo at 0846

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Dec 30 Algoma Equinox at 1214 - to 25N Agrico dock, tug Sea Eagle II & barge St Marys Cement II at 1812 - to 14W FMT dock, tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement 1906 - to 12E FMT dock and Algoma Buffalo eta 2115 - to 21 AMD dock - Docked - Dec 22 - Algoma Compass at 1611 - 26N - GLS dock - Dec 27 - Algoma Transport at 1120 - 11W Bunge dock and Florence Spirit at 1636 - 12N dock - Dec 29 - G3 Marquis at 2141 - 21 AMD dock,

Oswego, N.Y. – Ned Goebricher
On Sunday, NACC Argonaut unloaded cement.

Today in Great Lakes History - December 31
In 1905, B. F. JONES (Hull#15), 530 x 56 x 31 with a capacity of 10,000 tons, slid down the ways at Great Lakes Engineering Works, Ecorse, Mich. The JONES was built at a cost of $400,000 for Jones and Laughlin Steel. She was declared a constructive total loss after a collision with the CASON J. CALLAWAY in the St. Marys River on August 21, 1955. Most of the hull was scrapped at Superior, Wis., in 1956. Part of the hull became the crane barge SSC-1. Her forward cabins and hatch crane and covers were installed on the SPARKMAN D. FOSTER.

In 1952, a total of 35 boats were laid up for the season at Cleveland. The WILLIAM FAIRBAIRN, GEORGE STEPHENSON, and ANDREW S. UPSON had storage cargoes of flax, the MICHAEL GALLAGHER had a storage cargo of wheat, and the remaining 31 vessels were empty.

In 1941, at the close of the shipping season, the Great Lakes fleet consisted of 513 boats of U.S. Registry and 279 boats of Canadian Registry.

At 4:00 p.m., 31 December 1895, the PURITAN (wooden propeller passenger/package freight steamer, 172 foot, 289 gross tons, built in 1887, at Benton Harbor, Michigan) burned at the dock in Oak Hill (Manistee), Michigan. She was a total loss.

Upon suggestion from the U.S. Maritime Commission, surplus World War II cargo vessels, many of which had laid up on the James River, were made available for sale under the Great Lakes Vessel Sales Act of 1950 (enacted September 28, 1950) to be converted for Great Lakes use. The act allowed Great Lakes fleets to purchase up to 10 surplus ships by December 31, 1951, and receive a 90% cost subsidy to convert and refurbish them for lakes use. The first such conversion occurred when the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. of Cleveland, Ohio bought the NOTRE DAME VICTORY (later CLIFFS VICTORY) on December 10, 1950.

GEORGE M. HUMPHREY of 1953 was laid up for the last time at the old Great Lakes Engineering Works slip at River Rouge, Mich., beginning December 31, 1983.

The QUEDOC, a.) NEW QUEDOC, was laid up for the last time on December 31, 1984, at Toronto, Ont., alongside the SENATOR OF CANADA.

On 31 December 1884, ADMIRAL (wooden propeller steam tug, 49 gross tons, built in 1883, at Chicago, Ill.) had her boiler explode in Chicago harbor. All four of the crew was killed.

In 1884, the PERE MARQUETTE NO 1 ran aground at Ludington, Mich.

December 31, 1919 - The entire Ann Arbor carferry fleet was tied up in Frankfort, Mich., due to bad weather.

On 31 December 1889, H. M. Loud of Oscoda, Mich., sold the 551-ton wooden schooner ANGUS SMITH to Mitchell Brothers of Marine City, Mich., for $16,000. The vessel was built in 1871.

1905: The whaleback Barge 126 had left the Great Lakes earlier in the year and was renamed b) BADEN. It stranded at Buzzard's Bay, Mass., enroute from Newport News, Va., to New Bedford, Mass., with coal and was a total loss. The crew of six was also lost.

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

American Queen Steamboat Company purchases Victory Cruise Lines

12/30 - American Queen Steamboat Company, a river cruise line that operates in North America, has purchased Victory Cruise Lines, expanding the company's footprint to the Great Lakes.

Victory Cruise Lines currently has two 202-passenger vessels, Victory I and Victory II. The sale will encompass both boats, which will sail under the Victory Cruise name, American Queen Steamboat Company said in a release.

The sale is meant to bring the rapidly expanding American Queen Steamboat line into the Great Lakes region, where the two Victory boats already have been cruising.

"These vessels enable us to provide guests with more diverse cruising options, particularly in the Great Lakes, a region that our customers have been requesting for years," said John Waggoner, American Queen Steamboat Company chairman and CEO. "We look forward to working closely with Victory Cruise Lines' new and existing travel partners."

American Queen Steamboat Company currently operates three riverboats: American Empress on the Columbia River, and American Queen and American Duchess on the Mississippi River as well as the Ohio and Tennessee rivers. Another boat, American Countess, is under construction in Louisiana and will debut in 2020.

The transaction is expected to close in January 2019. Details on operations for Victory I and Victory II will be announced in coming months, the company said; no existing reservations should be adversely affected.

Cruise Critic

Port Reports - December 30

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
In Duluth on Saturday, James L. Kuber/tug Victory departed from Canadian National at 07:15 for Toledo, and Manitowoc arrived at 08:39 to load ore at CN. She was expected to depart at 20:00. In Superior, Cuyahoga loaded ore at Burlington Northern on Saturday morning before departing at 07:19. Wilfred Sykes, a rare visitor to Lake Superior, is expected early Sunday morning to load at BN. At anchor off the Twin Ports on Saturday were Edgar B. Speer, Roger Blough, CSL Tadoussac, and Great Lakes Trader, all waiting to load in either Two Harbors or Silver Bay.

Two Harbors, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
As of 19:30 on Dec. 29th the American Integrity was still at the shiploader in Two Harbors and the Great Republic was still at North of #2 lay-by. Arriving off Duluth for anchorage on Dec. 29th were the Roger Blough and the CSL Tadoussac. They joined the Joyce L. VanEnkevort/Great Lakes Trader and the Edgar B. Speer. As of 19:30 on Dec. 29th they remained at anchor and all await the Two Harbors dock.

Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Arriving Northshore Mining in Silver Bay on Dec. 29th at 01:23 was the American Spirit and arriving at 03:39 was the Hon. James L. Oberstar. As of 19:30 on Dec. 29th both were still in Silver Bay. Neither Two Harbors nor Silver Bay have any other traffic scheduled on Dec. 30th.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Friday December 28th: 22:31 Tecumseh departed Richardson Main Terminal and shifted over to G3 to load grain. Saturday December 29th: 9:21 Algoma Strongfield arrived at Keefer Terminal for winter lay-up. 18:43 Tecumseh departed G3 for Windsor. 19:44 Baie Comeau arrived at G3 to load grain. Expected late Saturday: USCGC Katmai Bay. Expected for Sunday: Ojibway, Kaministiqua and Algoma Niagara.

St. Marys River
The Ojibway was upbound on a frosty but sunny Saturday afternoon, followed in the evening by Walter J. McCarthy Jr., Kaministiqua and Algoma Niagara. American Century, James R. Barker, CSL Assiniboine and St. Clair were downbound in the afternoon, followed after dark by Cason J. Callaway, Kaye E. Barker. Joseph L. Block, Algoma Spirit, Robert S. Pierson (to Algoma Steel), Paul R. Tregurtha and Erie Trader/Clyde S. VanEnkevort. View a video at this link: youtube.com/watch?v=OwxnPu6lj4s

Northern Lake Huron
Saturday, St Ignace: Craig Eric Reinauer weighed anchor and proceed to Calcite. Cheboygan: 11:18 The tug Champion departed for Calcite. 16:40 Michigan and the tank barge Great Lakes arrived to unload. 19:05 Champion arrived. 21:25 Michigan and Great Lakes departed for Nanticoke. Calcite: 14:38 Craig Eric Reinauer arrived and was assisted by the tug Champion. 15:40 Champion departed for Cheboygan. Midland: CCGS Samuel Risley conducted ice ops on Friday in preparation for Frontenac’s departure. 9:38 Frontenac departed for Windsor. 10:42 After escorting Frontenac, CCGS Samuel Risley arrived and docked at the ADM elevator.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
Lee A Tregurtha arrived Saturday morning to unload ore at AK Steel. Olive L Moore/Menominee arrived at Zug Island to load coke.

Monroe, Mich. – Barry Andersen
Arrival - Dec 27 - Iver Bright (Nld) at 1214 - Departed Dec 28 at 1033 for Sarnia (this tanker will remain on the lakes throughout the winter)

Erie, Pa. – Jeff Benson
Michipicoten arrived in Erie Friday night to load coke at the Mountfort Terminal.

Welland Canal and regional report - Saturday Dec 29 – Barry Andersen

Long Point bay:
Anchored - Dec 28 - Thunder Bay at 2114 - Departed Dec 29 at 0735 approx. for the Nanticoke dock

Nanticoke:
Arrival - Dec 29 - Thunder Bay at 0810 from the anchorage, Mississagi at 0857 and Algosea at 1111 - Departed - Dec 29 - Thunder Bay at 1712 westbound

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Dec 26 - tug Everlast & barge Norman McLeod at 0926 (stopping wharf 16), Algoma Enterprise at 1428 (stopping at wharf 17 - winter berth) - Dec 28 - Mississagi at 2040 - Dec 29 - Algoma Guardian at 0334, Manitoulin at 1123, and tug Leo A McArthur & barge John J Carrick eta 2100

Downbound - Dec 29 - G3 Marquis at 0717

Welland Canal docks:
Docked - Dec 27 - Algoma Enterprise stopped wharf 17 at 0043 approx (after going out onto Lake Erie and turning around to dock downbound - winter lay-up) and Dec 28 - John D Leitch at 1855 at Port Weller dry dock facility and Departures - Dec 29 - tug Everlast & barge Norman McLeod departed wharf 16 at 1352 westbound

Hamilton:
Arrival - Dec 29 - G3 Marquis eta 2130 - Docked - Dec 22 - Algoma Compass at 1611 - (winter lay-up) - Dec 27 - Algoma Transport at 1120 and Florence Spirit at 1636 - Departure - Dec 29 - tug Leo A McArthur & barge John J Carrick at 1823 for the canal

Toronto:
Docked - Dec 23 - Oakglen at 1151 (winter lay-up) - Dec 26 - Whitefish Bay at 0203 - Dec 28 - Algoma Discovery at 0746 and McKeil Spirit at 1438

Today in Great Lakes History - December 30
On December 30, 1987, the THOMAS WILSON, under tow in the North Atlantic heading to be scrapped, parted her towline and sank near position 34.08'N by 61.35'12"W (approximately in line with Cape Hatteras, North Carolina) early the next day.

GEORGE M. HUMPHREY (Hull#796) was launched December 30, 1926, for Kinsman Transit Co. at Lorain, Ohio, by the American Ship Building Co. Renamed b.) CAPT JOHN ROEN in 1945, c.) ADAM E. CORNELIUS in 1948 and d.) CONSUMERS POWER in 1958, scrapped at Taiwan in 1988.

The first steel carferry, PERE MARQUETTE, was launched in nearly completed form on December 30, 1896. The ship was built for the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad (predecessor to the Pere Marquette) and entered service just a few weeks later.

1981: VISHVA DHARMA came through the Seaway when new in 1970. The vessel was in a collision on this date with the ADMIRAL S. ALTINCAN and sustained damage to the forecastle and sides. The ship reached Istanbul, Turkey, enroute to Russia on January 7, 1982. The damage was repaired and it survived until scrapping at Bombay, India, in 1988.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Duluth seawall, slip, work on Irvin museum cost to total $11M

12/29 - Duluth, Minn. – The costly and complicated task of shoring up and cleaning up Minnesota Slip — long home to a popular floating museum, the William A. Irvin — could easily have been enough to give the city of Duluth a financial migraine in 2018.

All told, a cascade of related projects will add up to an estimated $11 million bill, said Jim Filby Williams, Duluth's director of public administration. But the city of Duluth won't be asked to bear those costs alone. Federal, state and local partners will help lighten the load, leaving the city with about $1 million of anticipated financial exposure.

The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center is expected to shoulder much of the burden — $5.158 million to be exact. Much of that support will come from the $4.483 million in savings the DECC realized when it refinanced bonds that were issued to build Amsoil Arena, thanks to its ability to cash in on lower interest rates.

Those funds could have been used to help pay for other needed work at the DECC, including several large roof replacement projects now on the horizon, said Chelly Townsend, the DECC's executive director.

"It was a tough decision, but we needed to make that decision, because of how unsafe that area was. So, it was difficult to say no," she said.

Filby Williams said the city decided to tackle several projects together, entangled by design. "What we're really talking about is four inextricably interrelated projects. No one of which can be undertaken without the others — the contaminant cleanup, the seawall reconstruction, the Irvin relocation and the renewal of the Irvin's failing hull," he said.

Filby Williams said the city would have been hard-pressed to tackle the projects separately.

"The contaminants in the slip could not be cleaned up unless the Irvin could be removed. And the Irvin could not be removed unless and until the seawall was reconstructed, because it was was bulging in a way that would have made it impossible to get through the Blue Bridge. And that unusual intersection of interests is what motivated this unusual federal/state/local authority funding package," he said.

The projects serve the public good on multiple fronts, according to Filby Williams. He noted that capping contaminated sediments in the slip will assist ongoing efforts to restore the St. Louis River estuary.

"But the restoration of the waterfront and the seawall itself also is critical to the future of the DECC and our tourism economy. That waterfront plays host to the DECC's Irvin operation, the DECC-supported Vista Fleet operation, the connection from Canal Park hotels to the DECC itself and the DECC-managed Bayfront Festival Park, the location of our occasional tall ship festivals and an envisioned cruise ship docking facility," he said.

"Without the seawall restoration project, those critical DECC-related activities would eventually have had to either cease altogether or would have faced serious impediments," Filby Williams said.

He noted that the seawall had been rapidly failing, with dangerous sinkholes forming behind it, forcing the closure of a walkway and the demolition of a building formerly used to board Vista Fleet tour boat rides.

Townsend agreed the seawall needed immediate attention, prompting the DECC's board of directors to support the project. But the costs continued to snowball. The DECC was unable to operate the Irvin in 2018, sacrificing about $225,000 in revenue.

When it was determined the laker would need to depart Minnesota Slip to make way for the cleanup, the DECC agreed to split the cost of the relocation with the city of Duluth. But if the project cost exceeded $600,000, the city pledged to cover the rest of the bill.

Filby Williams said the cost of moving the vessel from Minnesota Slip to Fraser Shipyards and back now is anticipated to exceed $800,000. The transit is particularly challenging because of the tight squeeze required, as the 611-foot laker has just 7 inches to spare on either side as it passes through the narrowest portions of the slip.

The DECC will seize the opportunity at Fraser to drydock the Irvin and have its hull patched and repainted. Also, a leaky propeller and a couple of broken winches will be repaired.

The city of Duluth successfully sought and received a $500,000 grant to help cover the cost of the Irvin's repairs, but Townsend said the bill now is expected to total about $650,000, leaving the DECC on the hook for $150,000.

Repairs to the Irvin are expected to be completed by no later than May 15, and it will make the return trip to the Minnesota Slip as soon as weather permits. The movement will require relatively calm conditions, given the delicate maneuvering involved.

It's possible the Irvin won't be ready to receive its first guests until June — a month later than usual — but Townsend said she's eager to see the reconditioned floating museum back in operation.

Duluth News Tribune

Port Reports - December 29

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Cason J. Callaway left Duluth early Friday morning with a load of iron ore pellets from CN. Paul R. Tregurtha departed from Midwest Energy at 16:18 after loading coal, and Erie Trader/tug Clyde S. VanEnkevort were outbound at 16:45 with ore for Toledo. James L. Kuber/tug Victory arrived from anchor at 17:31 to load at Canadian National. American Spirit and Great Lakes Trader spent the day on the hook outside the harbor waiting for dock openings along the North Shore. In Superior, CSL Niagara spent Friday loading iron ore at BN, and had been expected to depart at 17:00 but was still loading as of 20:00. Cuyahoga was anchored outside the Superior entry waiting for the dock.

Two Harbors, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Joseph L. Block departed Two Harbors on Dec. 28th at 02:40 for Indiana Harbor. Arriving Two Harbors at 03:09 on Dec. 28th after being anchored off the Brule River State Forest was the Algoma Spirit. She departed Two Harbors on Dec. 28th at 18:18 for Hamilton. Great Republic was still at North of #2 lay-by as of 19:40 on Dec. 28th. American Integrity got underway off Sand Island at 14:50 on Dec. 28th for Two Harbors. At the same time, Edgar B. Speer was coming down the North Shore and ducked in ahead of the Integrity at Two Harbors. The Speer was inbound at 18:40 and stopped right inside the breakwall, lowered a motorized raft, and dropped off an individual at the boat launch. The Speer departed at 18:50 and looks headed for anchorage off Duluth. American Integrity entered Two Harbors at 19:37. Due Two Harbors on Dec. 29th are CSL Tadoussac and Roger Blough.

Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the American Spirit on Dec. 27th abort its attempt to enter. The American Spirit then came down to Duluth and anchored out in the lake. She later got underway for Silver Bay. Due Silver Bay on Dec. 29th is the Hon. James L. Oberstar. As of 19:40 on Dec. 28th she is on her way down the North Shore. No idea whether she will load first in Silver Bay or the American Spirit. Also anchored off Duluth is the Joyce L. VanEnkevort/Great Lakes Trader. HarborLookout is showing her loading in Two Harbors.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Thursday December 27th: 22:51 downbound James R Barker sought shelter and went to anchor in Thunder Bay harbor. She was waiting on weather. Friday December 28th: 7:29 CSL Assiniboine weighed anchor and departed Thunder Bay downbound. She had been waiting on weather since early Thursday morning. 10:33 James R Barker weighed anchor and departed for Indiana Harbor. 12:42 Tecumseh arrived at Richardson Main Terminal to load grain. 21:03 Algoma Sault arrived and went to anchor. Expected for Saturday: Algoma Strongfield and Baie Comeau.

Marquette, Mich.
Robert S. Pierson and Kaye E. Barker remained in port on Friday evening, likely due to weather.

St. Marys River
Friday started out with heavy fog in the morning, however the river was not closed. Upbounders included Algoma Strongfield, American Mariner, Wilfred Sykes and Baie Comeau. Downbounders included Philip R. Clarke early, followed by H. Lee White and Algoma Buffalo. With gales and plunging temperatures forecast for Lake Superior, traffic may be slowed or stopped. View a video of the Sykes blowing a salute at Mission Point at this link: youtube.com/watch?v=1IXR31iSofI

Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
John G. Munson arrived at BayShip on Friday for winter layup.

S, Lake Michigan Ports
Burns Harbor was at her namesake port Friday night. Edwin H. Gott was anchored off Gary. Indiana Harbor was at Indiana Harbor.

Northern Lake Huron
Friday, St Ignace: 9:16 Craig Eric Reinauer crossed the Straits and went to anchor to wait out the weather. De Tour: With the wind shifting to the north the boats that were waiting out the SE gale in the lower St. Marys River weighed anchor. Algonova departed for Nanticoke, Philip R. Clarke for Conneaut and Stewart J. Cort for Burns Harbor.

Goderich, Ont. – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Innovator arrived to load salt late afternoon Friday.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
The tug Capt. Keith, pushing a barge, arrived at Nicholson's Ecorse Terminal to unload general cargo. Calling on the same dock was the tug Sharon M 1 and barge Huron Spirit, unloading steel coils from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Welland Canal and regional report - Friday Dec 28 – Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
Arrival - Dec 28 - Michipicoten at 1114 - Departed at 1743 westbound and Thunder Bay eta 2110

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Dec 26 - tug Everlast & barge Norman McLeod at 0926 (stopping wharf 16), Algoma Enterprise at 1428 (stopping at wharf 17) - Dec 27 - Kaministiqua at 0739, Algoma Niagara at 1602 and Tim S Dool at 2238 - Dec 28 - tug Ocean A Simard at 1327 (to assist the Leitch into drydock facility), and John D Leitch at 1649 and Mississagi at 2040

Downbound - Dec 27 Algoma Enterprise at 0015 approx (to wharf 17 - winter berth) and Saginaw eta 0008 - to unload at wharf 6 Thorold

Welland Canal docks:
Docked - Dec 26 - tug Everlast & barge Norman McLeod stopped at wharf 16 at 1917 - Dec 27 - Saginaw arrived wharf 6 at 0325 approx., Algoma Enterprise stopped wharf 17 at 0043 approx (after going out onto Lake Erie and turning around to dock downbound - winter lay-up) and Kaministiqua stopped wharf 16 at 1810 and Saginaw arrived wharf 6 at 0325 approx. - Departures - Dec 27 - Kaministiqua at 2315 approx westbound - Dec 28 - John D Leitch at 1855 at Port Weller dry dock facility and Saginaw from wharf 6 at 1310 approx. upbound

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Dec 27 - John D Leitch at 0349 - Dec 28 - Mississagi at 1139 - Docked - Dec 22 - Algoma Compass at 1611 - (winter lay-up) - Dec 27 - Algoma Transport at 1120 (from the anchorage off of Hamilton) and Florence Spirit at 1636 - Departures - Dec 28 - John D Leitch at 0305 for Port Weller dry dock facility and Mississagi at 1451 for the canal

Toronto:
Arrivals - Dec 28 - McKeil Spirit at 1438 - Docked - Dec 23 - Oakglen at 1151 (winter lay-up) - Dec 26 - Whitefish Bay at 0203 - Departures - (eastbound)

Aerial Lift Bridge operator hangs up hat after nearly 30 years

12/29 - Duluth, Minn. – As the Twin Ports shipping season comes to a close, so does a decades-long career for one Aerial Lift Bridge Operator.

On Thursday, after nearly 30 years, Paul Thomas put in his last shift as a bridge operator. Thomas is a life-long resident of Duluth and started working with the city after four years with the Marines.

Family members gathered on the bridge Thursday with signs in hand to celebrate his retirement. They all refer to the iconic bridge as “Pauly’s Bridge.” “He has great pride in his work and the bridge has been part of his identity over the past three decades,” said Kim Oppelt, Thomas’ niece.

During his years working as an operator, Oppelt said Thomas captured plenty of Lake Superior sunrises and sunsets and the ships that would make their way to the Twin Ports.

View photos at this link: https://kbjr6.com/news/top-stories/2018/12/27/aerial-lift-bridge-operator-hangs-up-hat-after-nearly-30-years

Today in Great Lakes History - December 29
B. F. JONES was launched December 29, 1906, as a.) GENERAL GARRETSON.

KINSMAN INDEPENDENT was launched in 1906, as a.) WILLIAM B. KERR (Hull#72) at Chicago, Illinois, by Chicago Ship Building Co. for the Weston Transit Co.

Kinsman's new GEORGE M. HUMPHREY was christened on December 29, 1926.

GOLDEN HIND was laid up for the last time on December 29, 1985, at Toronto, Ontario.

On 29 December 1813, ARIEL (4-gun armed schooner, 112 tons, built in 1813, at Erie, Pennsylvania, as part of Perry's fleet) ran aground in a squall at Black River (now Buffalo) and was burned by the British.

CAROLINE (wooden sidewheeler, 71 foot, 46 tons, built in 1822, at New York City, New York) was chartered to transport arms and munitions to Navy Island near Buffalo. On 29 December 1837, she was commandeered by about 60 Canadian rebels under the command of a Royal Navy officer at Schlosser on the Niagara River. In the fight that followed, she was set afire, abandoned and allowed to drift down the river. Some sources say that she went over the falls. This incident caused hostile feelings along the U.S. northeastern frontier for many months.

1935: The Norwegian freighter AGGA came to the Great Lakes as early as 1923 and returned on several occasions until at least through 1934. It had gone aground in the St. Lawrence on October 27, 1924 and again on November 25, 1925. The 1905-vintage cargo carrier was wrecked on this date at Gunnorstenarne, Sweden.

1974: The Swedish freighter RAGNEBORG was newly built when it came to the Great Lakes in 1947 and was a regular inland trader through 1963. The vessel was sailing as c) CHAVIN when the engine broke down and it was towed into Puerto Cortes, (not sure if it was Costa Rica or Honduras), and beached. It never sailed again and was still there as late as 1978.

1979: A spark from a welder's torch spread from the conveyor belt and gutted the pilothouse and officer's quarters of the NICOLET at Toledo. The vessel was rebuilt with a new pilothouse at Lorain and returned to service on April 4, 1981.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series. This is a small sample, the books includes many other vessels with a much more detailed history.

Shipping industry contends with Lake Superior gale warning

12/28 - Duluth, Minn. – The Lake Superior shipping industry braced for a long overnight of gale-force winds – and was doing so without the network of weather buoys which have already been swept up for the season by the U.S. Coast Guard buoy tenders.

Gale warnings were scheduled to start at 10 p.m. Thursday and last until noon Friday.

The American Integrity tucked behind Sand Island on the South Shore, just west of the Apostle Islands, expecting to wait out the waves caused by northeasterly winds predicted to sustain between 23-40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph midlake near the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The thousand footer, one of the Duluth-based Great Lakes Fleet of lakers, figured to wait until midday Friday for an ore dock to open up in Two Harbors, where the Joseph L. Block was loading.

The jaunt across the nose of the lake to Two Harbors is a short hour-and-a-half under reasonable conditions. But the gale warning portended something more wicked and was worth settling down for, said Ron Williams. As is his usual, Williams, the port meteorological officer for the National Weather Service in Duluth, was in communication with most of the ships out on the lake.

"I spend a lot of time with captains on decisions. It's all part of the job," he said. "I'll get calls in the middle of night. I try to give good information and keep them safe."

Quiet conditions in recent weeks on the lake were giving way to the storm system that Williams said shot out of Colorado holding a lot of moisture. The center of the storm is expected to arrive roughly over Sault Ste. Marie at the eastern edge of Lake Superior, with pinwheeling winds driving waves north across the lake.

A shipboard network of weather spotting has solely taken over the weather monitoring on the lakes. The buoys come out early and go back in around May – well after the March 25 reopening of the shipping season. In short, the vessels are used to working together to understand what they're getting into weather-wise. The National Weather Service has instruments aboard most of the U.S.- and Canadian-flagged ships, Williams said. He spends a lot of his time aboard ships, training crews on how to read instruments and record the data.

"I have over 100 ships taking part in the Voluntary Observing Ship program," Williams said, giving the official name. "We get weather data from the ships to include in the model for forecast purposes — wind speed, barometric pressure, water temperature."

Ships, such as the American Integrity, can anchor on the South Shore, but the deep waters and strong current on the North Shore will force ships to either stay in harbor or test the shoreline — which can be risky for the way the current and deep water can make for rough going along the rugged coastline.

Williams noted a ship that took off in a storm earlier this year, leaving Two Harbors to get beaten up by 25-foot waves and 50-70 mph winds. It was bad enough to need repairs, he said.

"There are some of the salties that will blast through everything," he said, of the ocean-goers who've already ended their season locally. "You can go north, hug all the way to Thunder Bay, Marathon (Canada) right on the northern edge and follow the coast down. It adds a full day onto travel. But they like to keep moving, that's for sure."

The Soo Locks figure to be conducting business as usual for ships reaching the locks at the calm center of the storm, Williams said. The locks close for the season at 11:59 p.m., on Jan. 15.

Duluth News Tribune

State deal with Army Corps could speed Soo Locks work

12/28 - State and federal officials say they have inked an agreement that commits $52 million in state funds to the $1 billion Soo Locks upgrade, potentially accelerating the project's completion by almost a year and saving $30 million.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and the Detroit District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Wednesday a memorandum of agreement that officially designates the state funds to the long-planned improvement of the shipping lock complex in Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula.

Officials said the state's contribution will be put toward design work and construction activities, including deepening the upstream channel to accommodate modern vessels.

Lt. Col. Greg Turner, district engineer for the Army Corps' Detroit District, said the state funds will be combined with $32 million in federal money to execute the entire upstream channel deepening, "buying down risk by moving the project completion ahead nearly a full year and saving an additional $30 million."

"The state of Michigan's contribution demonstrates their commitment to the construction of the new Soo Lock and highlights the importance of the project to the state and the nation," Turner said in a statement.

The new 1,200-foot-long lock would mirror the 49-year-old Poe lock, which is the only one of the four shipping locks at Sault Ste. Marie that can handle the largest freighters carrying 89 percent of the cargo through the corridor. The new lock would provide redundancy, so cargo could keep moving in the case of an unexpected outage of the Poe.

"The Soo Locks are essential to our economy and national security. The time is long overdue for construction to begin on the new lock,” Snyder said in a statement. “I’m pleased that the work is finally getting underway and hope that Congress quickly provides the rest of the funds needed to complete the project.”

Snyder first pledged $50 million from Michigan's budget surplus to the Soo Locks project in May during the annual Mackinac Policy Conference. He said he's also called other Great Lakes states to secure another $150 million for the project. The process of building the replacement lock is expected to take seven to 10 years, requiring additional federal funds appropriated each year.

A replacement lock in the Soo was first authorized by Congress in 1986 but then stalled for decades. Congress reauthorized the project this fall at a cost estimate of $922 million. The project gained traction earlier this year after the Army Corps released a new economic analysis in June that allowed the new lock to compete for construction funding.

The Soo Locks also caught the attention of President Donald Trump, who promised to "fix" the locks after hearing from three Republican lawmakers from Michigan during an April visit to Macomb County.

The Army Corps has allocated nearly $32.4 million in 2019 as part of the first phase of construction, spokeswoman Lynn Rose said last month. Rose said the money would be used to deepen the upstream channel to the Davis and Sabin locks to the depth needed for the project.

The new lock, which will be constructed in the place of the inactive 23-foot-deep Davis / Sabin locks, will match the depth of the Poe lock's 32 feet in depth.

Detroit News

Port Reports - December 28

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Cason J. Callaway arrived Duluth at 04:45 Thursday morning to load iron ore pellets, at James R. Barker was outbound from CN at 06:43. American Century departed at 16:14 with a load of coal from SMET. During the evening, Erie Trader/tug Clyde S. VanEnkevort arrived at 18:38 to load ore at Canadian National, and CSL Niagara was outbound at 19:15 after offloading salt at Hallett #8. She turned south and headed for the Superior entry to load ore at Burlington Northern. Paul R. Tregurtha was expected in Duluth at 20:15 to load at Midwest Energy. In Superior, St. Clair loaded ore at BN throughout the day Thursday before departing at 18:24, and CSL Niagara was expected to arrive from Duluth around 20:00 to load.

Two Harbors/Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
Presque Isle departed Two Harbors on Dec. 27th at 10:59 for Indiana Harbor. Getting underway off the Brule River State Forest in NW WI was the Joseph L. Block at approx. 10:30 on Dec. 27th. She arrived Two Harbors at noon and went to South of #2. Also arriving Two Harbors on Dec. 27th was the Great Republic at 17:04 for North of #2 lay-by. Due Two Harbors on Dec. 27th, but going to anchor on Dec. 27th was the American Integrity off Sand Island at approx. 13:00. Algoma Spirit remained anchored off the Brule River State Forest. Tentatively due Two Harbors on Dec. 28th are the Edgar B. Speer and the Roger Blough. They will be delayed by weather on Lake Superior. Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the departure of the H. Lee White at 02:09 on Dec. 27th for Cleveland. American Spirit was due Silver Bay on Dec. 27th, but was running checked down all day on the North Shore. As of 19:30 on Dec. 27th it looked like on AIS she was making her approach to the breakwall. Tentatively due Silver Bay on Dec. 28th is the Hon. James L. Oberstar, but she was anchored all day on Dec. 27th in Goulais Bay.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Thursday December 27th: 2:21 CSL Assiniboine departed Thunder Bay Terminals and went to anchor. Expected for Friday: Tecumseh and Algoma Sault.

St. Marys River
Upbound traffic on a blustery Thursday included Tecumseh, Algoma Sault, CSL Tadoussac and Roger Blough. Manitowoc departed Algoma Steel for Duluth. Downbound vessels included G3 Marquis and Lee A. Trugurtha. Philip R. Clarke, Algonova and Stewart J. Cort were anchored in the lower river due to winds. Hon. James L. Oberstar was at anchor in Goulais Bay during the day, but was underway around 9 p.m.

Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
John G. Munson arrived on Thursday but went to anchor. She is headed for BayShip.

Northern Lake Huron
Thursday, Algonova , Philip R Clarke and Stewart J Cort have gone to anchor north of Detour in the lower St. Marys River to wait out the weather.

Owen Sound, Ont. – Paul Martin
Early on the 27th Algoma Harvester backed into Owen Sound harbor and tied up on the east harbor wall. She arrived light and is assumed to be wintering here.

Limestone Ports
Wednesday, Stoneport: 19:15 Olive L Moore departed for Cleveland. Calcite: Craig Eric Reinauer arrived to unload petroleum products. Thursday, Stoneport: 19:15 Dorothy Ann arrived to load. Calcite: 8:12 Craig Eric Reinauer departed and was down bound on Lake Michigan. After encountering rough seas she reversed course and was sailing east at reduced speed off of Cheboygan.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
There was no vessel activity at the Port of Detroit on Thursday.

Welland Canal and regional report - Thursday Dec 27 – Barry Andersen

Long Point Bay:
Anchored - Dec 26 - Algoma Hansa at 1841 - Departed Dec 26 at 2041 for Nanticoke dock

Nanticoke:
Docked - Dec 23 - Algoscotia at 1553 - Dec 26 - Algoma Hansa at 2059 - Departures (both westbound) - Dec 26 Algoscotia at 2045 - Dec 27 - Algoma Hansa at 1305

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Dec 26 - tug Everlast & barge Norman McLeod at 0926 (stopping wharf 16), Algoma Enterprise at 1428 (stopping at wharf 17) and tug Wilf Seymour & barge Alouette Spirit at 1545 - Dec 27 - Kaministiqua at 0739, Algoma Niagara at 1602 and Tim S Dool eta 2140

Downbound - Dec 24 - Capt Henry Jackman at 2044 for Montreal - her last trip - to be sold for scrap - Dec 26 - John D Leitch at 1502 - Dec 27 Algoma Enterprise at 0015 approx (to wharf 17 - winter berth) and Saginaw eta 0000 - unloading at wharf 6 Thorold

Welland Canal docks:
Docked - Dec 26 - tug Everlast & barge Norman McLeod stopped at wharf 16 at 1917 - Dec 27 - Algoma Enterprise stopped wharf 17 at 0043 approx (after going out onto Lake Erie and turning around to dock downbound - winter lay-up) and Kaministiqua stopped wharf 16 at 1810

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Dec 27 - Tim S Dool at 0002, John D Leitch at 0349, Algoma Transport at 1120 (from the anchorage of off Hamilton) and Florence Spirit at 1636 - Docked - Algoma Compass at 1611 - (winter lay-up) Dec 26 - Algoma Niagara at 0416 - Departures - Dec 27 - Algoma Niagara at 1344 for the canal and Tim S Dool at 2005 for the canal

Toronto:
Arrivals - Dec 27 - NACC Argonaut at 0036 - Docked - Dec 23 - Oakglen at 1151 (winter lay-up) - Dec 26 - Whitefish Bay at 0203 - Departures - (eastbound) - Dec 26 - Evans McKeil at 2233 - Dec 27 - NACC Argonaut at 1709

Oswego:
Docked - Dec 26 - Floragracht (Nld) at 0815 - Departure - Dec 27 at 1721 - (will be last ocean vessel downbound in the Seaway for 2018)

Montreal, Que.
Capt. Henry Jackman arrived at Section 56 sough for her final layup Thursday in the early evening.

ArcelorMittal USA takes over management of Hibbing Taconite Co.

12/28 - ArcelorMittal USA on Wednesday announced it is replacing Cleveland-Cliffs as the manager of the 8.0 million-ton-per year iron ore pellet plant in Hibbing. No changes in production volumes or operating plans will occur, according to an ArcelorMittal USA statement.

The announcement ends about four months of speculation over management of the taconite plant. Cleveland-Cliffs, which had overseen management of the plant, said in mid-August it would not manage the facility beyond August 12, 2019. However, the announcement is not surprising. ArcelorMittal, with 62.3 percent ownership, holds the largest stake in the taconite plant. Cleveland-Cliffs owns 23 percent and United States Steel 14.7 percent.

“When Cliffs announced it would tender its resignation as managing partner, we knew that assuming oversight for the operation was the right thing for our business, the Hibbing workers and the Iron Range community,” John Brett, ArcelorMittal USA president and chief executive officer said in a prepared statement. “ArcelorMittal is responsible for a significant portfolio of raw material and mining assets throughout the world, producing more than 62 million tons of iron ore last year. Assuming the role of managing partner demonstrates ArcelorMittal's continue commitment to Hibbing Taconite while ensuring the long-term supply of quality iron ore to our key operations in the United States.”

On the Iron Range, ArcelorMittal also owns 100 percent and operates ArcelorMittal Minorca, a 2.8 million-ton-per taconite plant in Virginia.

The transition to ArcelorMittal USA management at Hibbing Taconite will occur over the next eight months. Terms of the recently ratified labor contract between United Steelworkers (USW) and Hibbing Taconite Co., will be honored, according to ArcelorMittal USA.

After several months of uncertainty about future ownership of the plant, the announcement provides a sense of the future, but also some uncertainty for about 650 United Steelworkers (USW) members who work at the taconite plant.

“It's kind of like the fear of the unknown,” said Chris Johnson, president of USW Local 2705 at Hibbing Taconite. “Our members have a lot of respect for Lourenco, (Cleveland-Cliffs president and CEO Lourenco Goncalves) for his track record with us and for doing what he says he is going to do. Now, we don't know what to expect.”

And another major issue facing Hibbing Taconite remains unresolved. The facility's ore reserves are running low, which means ArcelorMittal and its partners in the plant need additional sources of taconite to secure the plant's future. Currently, the facility has about four years of full production remaining and about seven total years of mine life, said Johnson.

“That's our biggest thing that our members worry about – life of mine,” said Johnson. “We need to find some reserves whether it be a land deal between U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal or whatever. Rumors are rampant about a land deal between U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal, so there could be some positives too. We gotta get this done somehow.”

Iron ore pellets produced at Hibbing Taconite and other Iron Range taconite plants are the primary ingredient used to make steel.

Hibbing Taconite began iron ore pellet production in 1976 after being built by Bethlehem Steel and Pickands Mather. Pickands Mather was the original plant manager.

A total of 735 hourly and salaried employees currently work at the facility. ArcelorMittal is the world's largest steelmaker with facilities in 60 countries.

Business North

Partial government shutdown impacting maritime agencies

12/28 - The partial shutdown of the U.S. government is impacting operations as key maritime agencies and offices across the country.

As a result, the Federal Maritime Commission has closed as of Wednesday due to the lapse in appropriations. With the exceptions of Acting Chairman Michael A. Khouri and Commissioner Rebecca Dye, who are Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed officials, all commission employees have been placed on furlough and are prohibited by law from performing any duties during the shutdown.

The National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Exam Centers (RECs) are also closed until further notice. This means that all customer walk-in service is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are also cancelled, and REC appointment calendars are closed. Applications may continue to be e-mailed or mailed in, but won’t be processed when the shutdown is over.

gCaptain

Fundraiser hopes to buy new van for Marshal Bundren, friend of Great Lakes sailors

12/28 - The following is from Reed Wilson, a mate for The American Steamship Co., who has set up a GoFundMe page to help this tireless friend of Great Lakes sailors.

“If anyone has ever sailed on the Great Lakes, or knows someone who has, then you will be familiar with Marshal Bundren. Marshal comes to the boats at Burns Harbor, Indiana Harbor, Buffington Harbor, Burns Harbor or anywhere else he is asked to go to give sailors a much needed ride to a store, the doctor's office or a hospital. He'll come to an airport, train or bus station or rent a car office to bring a sailor to whatever boat that sailor is meeting at whatever harbor. He'll also come to the various docks in the Calumet River and take them wherever they need to be. He comes rain or shine, winter or summer, night or day and NEVER asks for money from anyone. He used to be supplemented by the Baptist Church, but they couldn't justify the few dollars they gave him each month, so now he survives just on donations from the sailors. Again, he will never ask for money, and if a sailor doesn't have any, he will still come and drive that person where they have to go, whenever they have to be somewhere.

“He presently drives a very tired Chevrolet van with close to 400,000 miles on it. As of late, he's been afraid to shut it off as the starter is going bad and might not have another start in it. The body is rusting off the frame, and most of the inner door panels have long ago fallen off. The big V-8 engine that powers the van is a gas hog from the millennial, and Indiana's roads are torturing the brakes, shocks and springs. Although the van has lasted a long time, it is on borrowed time and he has to throw away good money after bad to keep it on the road to get that sailor in need to where he needs to be. Many times he has driven to O'Hare or Midway airports to pick up sailors he's never met and expects nothing in return.

“Each year he drives his van to his church to pick up ‘care packages’ the ladies from his congregation have made for the sailors. It doesn't matter if you're a Christian, Muslim, Jewish or even a non-believer, everyone is treated the same and receives a warm hat, socks and toiletries from his church, and delivered in his van. Won't you please help Marshal get a newer vehicle so he can continue to help us? This is his life's work and without a vehicle, he'd have no reason to get out of bed. He does everything for other people, never thinking of himself. Surely we, as caring human beings, can spare a few dollars apiece to help Marshal.”

Reed Wilson Read more or contribute at this link: https://www.gofundme.com/marshal039s-van

Lay-Up List

12/28 - The winter lay-up list has been updated. Please send reports of vessel lay-ups to news@boatnerd.net. Please include vessel name, date, port and lay-up dock name.

Today in Great Lakes History - December 28
HENRY FORD II was laid up in the Rouge Steel slip at Dearborn, Michigan, on December 28, 1988.

On 28 December 1907, CALDERA (steel propeller freighter, 504 foot, 6,328 gross tons) was launched at W. Bay City, Michigan.

On 28 December 1881, the steamer R J GORDON arrived in Port Huron from Marine City on her maiden voyage with a large number of passengers. She was powered with a steam engine with an 18-inch cylinder and 20-inch stroke. Her dimensions were 116 feet long with a 26-foot beam. She cost nearly $20,000 and was built to run between Algonac and Lexington.

1980: DUNAV reported taking water in heavy seas off Central Japan, enroute from Hamilton, Ontario, via Los Angeles, to Tsingtao, China, with steel and was never seen again. Thirty-one sailors perished.

1980: HOLMSIDE, a Seaway trader beginning in 1960, hit a jetty while inbound at Casablanca, Morocco, as b) CABINDA and sank in the outer harbor with the loss of 9 lives.

1980: The former PRINS ALEXANDER, a Seaway trader for the Oranje Lijn beginning in 1959, struck a reef off Shadwan Island as f) POLIAGOS and sank in the Gulf of Suez. It was loaded with bagged cement and enroute from Piraeus, Greece, to Giza, United Arab Republic.

2011: An arson fire gutted the former NORMAC, most recently a restaurant ship at St. Catharines.

2011: MISSISSIPPIBORG ran aground leaving Pictou, Nova Scotia, with paper, but was refloated on the high tide only to go aground again on a second try. It had been a Seaway trader in 2011.

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

Capt. Henry Jackman, Algowood on final trips

12/27 - According to social media posts from crewmembers, Algoma Central Corp.’s Capt. Henry Jackman and Algowood are on their last trips before being sold for scrap.

The Jackman was at Bowmanville, Ont., Dec. 19-20th loading her last cargo, 23,000 metric tons of clinker bound for Detroit. On Wednesday night she was eastbound past Alexandria Bay with a Montreal destination on AIS. She will lay up there and likely be towed overseas in 2019. Algowood was eastbound past Les Escoumins, Que., Wednesday headed for Port Cartier for her final unload before heading to Montreal for layup.

Port Reports - December 27

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Philip R. Clarke departed Duluth at 04:19 Wednesday morning with a load of iron ore pellets for Conneaut, and James R. Barker arrived at 09:18 to load at Canadian National. She is expected to depart early Thursday morning. During the evening Wednesday, CSL Niagara arrived at 07:15, and tied up at Hallett #8 to discharge salt. At the Superior entry, American Century arrived at 01:09 Wednesday morning to take a delay at Lakehead Pipeline, and Stewart J. Cort departed from Burlington Northern at 07:48 with ore. Algoma Buffalo was inbound at 08:15 to load iron ore pellets, and had been expected to depart around 18:00 Wednesday night but was still at the dock as of 20:00. St Clair was expected at 21:00 to load, and American Century was expected to shift to Midwest Energy at some point Wednesday night to load coal.

Two Harbors/Silver Bay, Minn. – Gary A. Putney
When the Indiana Harbor departed Two Harbors on Dec. 25th she wasn't showing a destination. She is going to Indiana Harbor. Departing Two Harbors on Dec. 26th at 06:21 was the G3 Marquis. As of 19:40 on the 26th there is no updated AIS. Shortly after her departure the Presque Isle shifted from North of #2 to South of #2. As of 19:40 on Dec. 26th she is still at the loading dock. On Dec. 25th the Joseph L. Block went to anchor on the Wisconsin side of the lake near the Brule State Forest. As of 19:40 on Dec. 26th she remained there awaiting the Two Harbors dock. Arriving on Dec. 26th at 14:30 off the Brule State Forest and going to anchor was the Algoma Spirit awaiting the Two Harbors dock. Tentatively due Two Harbors on Dec. 27th are the American Integrity and the Great Republic. There is a major winter storm forecaste for western Lake Superior, so that will hamper all boat movements. Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the arrival of the H. Lee White on Dec. 26th at 16:53. Tentatively due Silver Bay on Dec. 27th is the American Spirit.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Wednesday December 26th: 10:51 CSL Assiniboine arrived at Thunder Bay Terminals to load.

Sarnia, Ont. – Marc Dease After spending a few weeks in Sarnia undergoing engine repairs, the Mississagi is back in service and returned to Sarnia Wednesay evening with a load of potash.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H. Herbert C Jackson arrived Wednesday evening to unload ore at AK Steel.

Welland Canal and regional report - Wednesday Dec 26 - Barry Andersen

Long Point bay: Anchored - Dec 26 - Algoma Hansa at 1841

Nanticoke: Docked - Dec 23 - Algoscotia at 1553

Welland Canal: Upbound - Dec 26 - Algoma Hansa at 0413, Algoma Strongfield at 0721, tug Everlast & barge Norman McLeod at 0926, Baie Comeau at 1322, Algoma Enterprise at 1428 and tug Wilf Seymour & barge Alouette Spirit at 1545

Downbound - Dec 24 - Capt Henry Jackman at 2044 for Montreal - possibly last trip - Dec 25 - Algoma Niagara at 1452 and Capt Henry Jackman at 2044 - Dec 26 - John D Leitch at 1502

Port Weller anchorage: Anchored - Dec 23 - Floragracht (Nld) at 1505 - Departure - Dec 25 - Floragracht (Nld) at 2250 for Oswego

Hamilton: Arrivals - Dec 26 - Algoma Niagara at 0416 - Anchored - Dec 25 - Algoma Transport at 0314 (anchored off Hamiton) Docked - Algoma Compass at 1611 - Departures - Dec 26 - Algoma Strongfield at 0527, Stella Polaris (Nld) at 0940 eastbound for Oswego - (last ocean ship from Port of Hamilton in 2018) eastbound and tug Everlast & barge Norman McLeod at 1130 and Baie Comeau at 1127 - both for the canal

Toronto: Arrival - Dec 26 - Whitefish Bay at 0203 - Docked - Dec 23 - Oakglen at 1151 - Dec 25 - Evans McKeil at 2200 -

Oswego: Arrivals - Dec 24 - tug Wilf Seymour & barge Alouette Spirit at 1717 - Dec 26 - Floragracht (Nld) - 0815 - Departure - Dec 26 tug Wilf Seymour & barge Alouette Spirit at 0130

Oswego, N.Y. – Ned Goebricher Saltwater ship Floragracht from Amsterdam was in port on Wednesday.

Today in Great Lakes History - December 27

SAVIC, b.) CLIFFS VICTORY cleared the Welland Canal on Christmas night 1985, and finally anchored at Pointe aux Trembles near Montreal, Quebec, on December 27, awaiting another load of scrap. The SAVIC remained there the entire winter, because the underwriters ordered that her hull be re-enforced by welding straps to her stress points for her overseas journey.

THOMAS W. LAMONT as a single tow arrived at Aliaga, Turkey, on December 27, 1987, where she was scrapped. The LAMONT was one of the last bulkers that retained her telescoping hatch covers to the very end.

1985:The wooden sailing ship CIUDAD DE INCA sank in shallow water at Portsmouth, Ontario, during a snowstorm. The vessel was refloated January 10, 1986, with machinery but no structural damage. It had come inland for the Lake Ontario Tall Ships Extravaganza in 1984. Due to an earlier problem, it had to stay out of American waters where it was subject to an arrest warrant due to the sinking of the MARQUES, owned by the same company, in a Tall Ships race from Bermuda to Halifax.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Port Reports - December 26

Two Harbors- Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
Indiana Harbor departed Two Harbors at 18:49 on Dec. 25th with no updated AIS. Arriving Two Harbors on Dec. 25th at 15:27 for North of #2 layby is was the Presque Isle. Upon departure of the Indiana Harbor the G3 Marquis got underway off Burlington Bay at 18:02 and arrived Two Harbors on Dec. 25th at 19:09 for South of #2. The Joseph L. Block is due Two Harbors on Dec. 25th, but at 19:50 on Dec. 25th was SE of Two Harbors near the WI shore. Due Two Harbors on Dec. 26th is the Algoma Spirit. Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the departure of the Mesabi Miner on Dec. 25th at 08:27 for Cleveland. Due Silver Bay on Dec. 26th are H. Lee White and the American Spirit.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Tuesday December 25th: 3:53 Saginaw arrived at Thunder Bay Terminals to load. At 13:00 Saginaw departed Thunder Bay Terminals for Thorold. Expected for Wednesday: CSL Assiniboine.

St. Marys River
Downbound traffic on Christmas Day included American Mariner early, Wilfred Sykes at 10 a.m. followed not long after by Herbert C. Jackson. Mississagi, Sharon M. 1/Huron Spirit and Edwin H. Gott followed after dark. There was a steady parade of upbounders during the day, including CSL Niagara, Algoma Spirit, CSL Assiniboine, H. Lee White, St. Clair, Joseph H. Thompson, Defiance/Ashtabula (from Algoma) and, after dark, American Spirit, Cason J. Callaway, Robert S. Pierson and Lee A. Tregurtha.

S. Lake Michigan
Tuesday, Stoneport: Olive L Moore/Menominee arrived and went to anchor.

Northern Lake Huron
Monday, December 24th Alpena: 14:45 The cement carrier Alpena departed for Chicago. Tuesday, Alpena: 4:52 Olive L Moore arrived to unload and at 8:49 departed for Stoneport.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
On Christmas Day, the Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder arrived to unload ore at AK Steel. This is an unusual trip for the pair. Arriving a couple hours later was their fleetmate Kaye E Barker, also carrying ore for AK Steel. Sea Eagle 2/St. Mary's Cement 2 arrived at the St. Mary's Cement dock to unload cement.

Welland Canal and regional report - Tuesday Dec 25 - Barry Andersen

Port Colborne anchorage:
Anchored - Dec 24 - NACC Argonaut 0031 - Departed Dec 25 at 0007 for the canal

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Dec 24 - Algoma Harvester at 1856, Algosea at 2043 - Dec 25 - Tecumseh at 0540, CSL Tadoussac at 0723 and Algoma Sault at 0851

Downbound - Dec 24 - tug Everlast & barge Norman McLeod at 1936, Algoma Strongfield at 1600 and Radcliffe R Latimer at 1917 - Dec 25 - NACC Argonaut at 0031, Federal Ruhr (Mhl) at 0734, Damia Desgagnes at 0811, Algoma Niagara at 1452 and Capt Henry Jackman at 2044

Welland Canal docks:
Departures - both westbound - Dec 24 - tug Spartan & barge Spartan II departed wharf 12 at 2118 - Dec 25 - tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement departed wharf 16 at 0700

Port Weller anchorage:
Anchored - Dec 23 - Floragracht (Nld) at 1505 - Departures - Dec 24 - revised - Greenwing (Cyp) did not depart and Americaborg (Nld) at 1951 - Dec 25 - Greenwing (Cyp), and Federal Shimanto (Mhl) at 1926 and Federal Ruhr (Mhl) at 2103

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Dec 25 - Algoma Transport at 0314 (anchored off Hamiton) and tug Everlast & barge Norman McLeod at 1130. Docked - Dec 20 - Stella Polaris (Nld) at 2310 - Dec 22 - Algoma Compass at 1611 - Dec 24 - tug Leo A McArthur & barge John J Carrick at 1903 (winter lay-up)? - Departures - Dec 25 - Evans Spirit at 0038 eastbound and Algoma Sault at 0714 for the canal

Toronto:
Arrival - Dec 25 - Evans McKeil eta 2144 - Docked - Dec 23 - Oakglen at 1151

Picton terminal
Docked - Dec 12 - CSL Tadoussac at 1038 - Departed Dec 24 at 1852 for the canal

Oswego, N.Y. – Ned Goebricher
Christmas day barge Alouette Spirit unloaded aluminum bars.

Today in Great Lakes History - December 26
In 1981, the steamer ENDERS M. VOORHEES laid up for the last time at the Hallett Dock #5 in Duluth, Minnesota.

On 26 December 1916, the wreck of the wooden self-unloading freighter TOPEKA was leveled by dynamiting. She sank just off Windsor/Sandwich, Ontario, in the Detroit River on 15 April 1916, in a collision with the small steamer CHRISTOPHER. Her machinery was removed prior to dynamiting.

1909: The former whaleback steamer COLGATE HOYT, operating on the East Coast since 1906, was wrecked as c) THURMOND in a storm at Tom's River Bay, NJ enroute from Newport News, VA to Portland, ME with a cargo of coal.

1973: The Liberian freighter ADELFOI, a Seaway caller in 1972 and 1973, was under tow on the St. Lawrence due to engine trouble. The ship broke loose and came ashore at St. Laurent, Ile d'Orleans and became a total loss. It was refloated on May 9, 1974, and eventually towed to Santander, Spain, for scrapping.

1982: BELMONA was newly built when it visited the Great Lakes in 1962. It sank as e) RHODIAN SAILOR south of Taiwan after the holds were flooded in a storm. The ship was carrying bagged cement and there was only one survivor.

Marking a half-century of building ships at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding

12/25 - Sturgeon Bay, Wis. – In October 1975, at the age of 18 and fresh out of high school, Dave Dart started a job at Bay Shipbuilding and had the privilege of working on the first 1,000-foot vessel that the company built in Sturgeon Bay.

“My first job was putting together the inner bottoms for the Belle River. You start right from the bottom, like the foundation for a house,” Dart said. “It was a sense of accomplishment to see it go. I worked on that for two years before it was done. As technology advanced, we were down to seven, eight months to build a 1,000-footer.”

Forty-three years later, the Belle River is still plying the Great Lakes for the American Steamship Company (although since 1990 it has sailed as the Walter J. McCarthy Jr., after the then-newly retired chair of the board of Detroit Edison; its cargo is mostly coal carried from Superior, Wisconsin, to Detroit Edison plants in Michigan); and Dave Dart is still a proud part of the Bay Shipbuilding family.

“Always the inside joke was, we have more people from the shipyard than we have in our own family,” he said. “We’ve raised children together. We’ve lost children. Most of us have lost our parents. We give one another a hard time, but if you pick on one of us, you can bet there’s a half-dozen who will come to protect you. This guy’s got your back — or lady. We’ve got a lot of ladies here.”

This fall, as Dart was celebrating his 43rd year with Bay Shipbuilding, the company itself celebrated its half-century in business.

Read more and view photos/video at this link: https://doorcountypulse.com/a-half-century-of-shipbuilding/

Algoma Central Corporation Announces Union Agreement

12/25 - St. Catharines, Ont. – Algoma Central has announced that all of the company’s domestic dry-bulk collective agreements have been ratified and will be in force until 2023. This includes four officer contracts represented by the Canadian Merchant Service Guild (“CMSG”) and unlicensed seafarer collective agreements with the Seafarer’s International Union (“SIU”) and UNIFOR.

The renewed agreements provide for competitive compensation packages and increased flexibility in crew utilization and scheduling. Changes were also made to provide greater security for customers and shipboard employees of Algoma.

“To everyone involved in this process, thank you for all of your hard work,” said Gregg Ruhl, Chief Operating Officer of Algoma. “These new agreements mean stability to not only our valued customers but to our current and future employees. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with the unions and appreciate their support in the success of these negotiations,” continued Mr. Ruhl.

Algoma Central Corporation

Port Reports - December 25

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
There was no traffic through the Duluth entry on Christmas Eve, however the Walter J. McCarthy Jr. was expected at 20:30 to load coal at Midwest Energy. Algoma Buffalo continued discharging at the North American Salt dock on Monday, where she has been experiencing delays offloading her cargo. She is expected to shift to BN on Tuesday to load iron ore pellets. Burns Harbor loaded ore at BN throughout the day Monday, and was expected to depart at 22:00. Thunder Bay was due next at the dock.

Two Harbors- Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
Wilfred Sykes departed Two Harbors on Dec. 24th at 06:40 for Indiana Harbor. The Edwin H. Gott then arrived Two Harbors on Dec. 24th at 07:41 for the shiploader. The Gott had been running checked down until her arrival. The Gott then departed Two Harbors on Dec. 24th at 17:53 for Gary. Arriving at 18:22 on Dec. 24th for the shiploader was the Indiana Harbor. The Indiana Harbor had been running checked down off Two Harbors all day before her arrival. Arriving off Two Harbors on Dec. 24th and going to anchor between 14:00 and 14:45 was the G3 Marquis. She anchored off Burlington Bay. Due Two Harbors on Dec. 25th are the Presque Isle and the Joseph L. Block. Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the arrival of the Mesabi Miner on Dec. 24th at 13:36. There is no inbound traffic scheduled for Silver Bay on Dec. 25th.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Sunday December 23rd: 23:37 Ojibway departed G3 for Windsor. Monday December 24th: 5:19 Mississagi arrived at Thunder Bay Terminals to load. 17:22 Mississagi departed Thunder Bay Terminals for Sarnia. Expected for Tuesday: Saginaw and CSL Assiniboine.

St. Marys River
Downnbound traffic Monday included Calumet early, Hon. James L. Oberstar, Kaye E. Barker, John J. Boland, Roger Blough and, late, Ojibway. Upbounders included Steward J. Cort, Presque Isle, James L. Kuber/Victory, Joseph L. Block, American Century and, late, CSL Assiniboine and CSL Niagara. Algoma Steel was hosting Sharon M 1/Huron Spirit, Defiance/Ashtabula, and the Kuber/Victory Christmas Eve. Manitowoc was at anchor waiting for dock space. Christmas morning should see the downbound passage of Wilfred Sykes.

S. Lake Michigan
Great Republic arrived at Gary mid-evening Monday.

Northern Lake Huron
Sunday, December 24th Cheboygan: Craig Eric Reinauer departed and went to anchor off of Bois Blanc Island. She is scheduled for Calcite the morning of December 26th. Alpena: 1:42 G.L. Ostrander departed and was down bound on Lake Michigan. 6:16 The cement carrier Alpena arrived to load. Midland: 11:07 Frontenac arrived to unload wheat.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
On Christmas Eve, the Michigan/Great Lakes arrived at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal to load/unload. The tug Calusa Coast and her tank barge Delaware arrived at the Marathon Asphalt Terminal to load later in the evening.

Welland Canal and regional report - Monday Dec 24 – Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
Arrival - Dec 23 - Algoscotia at 1553 - Departure - Dec 23 - Algonova at 2309 westbound

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Dec 23 - tug Leonard M & barge Niagara Spirit at 1439, John D Leitch at 1521, tug Sea Eagle II & barge St Marys Cement II at 1641 - Dec 24 - Algoma Harvester at 1856, Algosea at 2043

Downbound - Dec 23 - Algowood at 1305, CSL Welland at 1454, Algoma Sault at 1929 - Federal Shimanto (Mhl) at 0704, Algoma Transport at 0826 (stopping wharf 16), Americaborg (Nld) at 1005, Baie Comeau at 1044, Rt Hon Paul J Martin at 1111, tug Everlast & barge Norman McLeod at 1936, Algoma Strongfield at 1600 and Radcliffe R Latimer at 1917

Welland Canal docks:
Arrivals - Dec 23 - tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement stopped wharf 16 at 1732 - Dec 24 - tug Spartan & barge Spartan II stopped at wharf 12 at 0053

Port Weller anchorage:
Anchored - Floragracht (Nld) at 1530 approx. (back from Oshawa) - Dec 24 - Federal Columbia (Mhl) at 0716 and BBC Utah (Atg) at 1245 - Greenwing (Cyp) at 1630 approx., Americaborg (Nld) at 1630, Federal Shimanto (Mhl) at 1705, Departures - Dec 24 - Greenwing (Cyp), Floragracht (Nld) at 1505, BBC Utah (Atg) at 1650 and Algosea at 2015 for the canal

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Dec 24 - Evans Spirit back from the lake at 1053, Algoma Sault at 1249 and tug Leo A McArthur & barge John J Carrick at 1903 - Docked - Dec 20 - Stella Polaris (Nld) at 2310 - Dec 22 - Algoma Compass at 1611 - Departures - Dec 23 - Evans Spirit at 2316 (out to lake to clean holds) - Dec 24 - (for Port Weller anchorage) Federal Columbia (Mhl) at 0517, Greenwing (Cyp) at 1449 for Port Weller anchorage, Algoma Harvester at 1710 -

Toronto:
Docked - Dec 23 - Oakglen at 1151 - Departure - Dec 24 - McKeil Spirit at 0307 eastbound

Oshawa:
Arrivals - Dec 19 - BBC Utah (Lbr) at 1428 - Departed - Dec 24 at 0809 for Port Weller anchorage

Lake Superior storm surge caused Duluth $18.4M in damage

12/25 - Duluth, Minn. – The storm surge that battered Duluth's shoreline earlier this month has caused the city more than $18 million of damage. Mayor Emily Larson revealed the total cost of the damage on Friday, saying the St. Louis County board will have to make an emergency declaration as part of an appeal for federal aid.

Waves of up to 20 feet were reported on Lake Superior as 65-winds whipped up the waters, bringing a surge crashing into the Twin Ports' coastline.

Most of the damage was inflicted on the Lakewalk Trail walkway that straddles the shoreline, with the section between the canal and Leif Erikson Park worst hit. The trail was already awaiting restoration work after sustaining $10 million damage caused by two storms in 2017, and was further damaged in the Oct. 10 storm.

Other damaged parts of the city include a section of seawall by the slip bridge, sidewalk behind the DECC Arena, missing revetment along the shoreline, the 12th Street beach access boardwalk, Brighton Beach, the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad line, and a walking trail behind The Ledges residential units.

The city has already been working to restore public access to the damaged areas, and plans to open a temporary path on the Lakewalk Trail in Canal Park by the end of the week. A temporary path will also be put in place behind the DECC and restore vehicle access to Brighton Beach.

BringMeTheNews.com

Lay-Up List

12/25 - The winter lay-up list has been updated. Please send reports of vessel lay-ups to news@boatnerd.net. Please include vessel name, date, port and lay-up dock name (if known).

Today in Great Lakes History - December 25

E.G. GRACE carried 14,797 tons of taconite ore on her last trip out of Taconite Harbor, Minnesota bound for South Chicago, Illinois and then was laid up at Ashtabula, Ohio on December 25, 1976, with engine trouble which often plagued the six "Al" ships powered with Lentz-Poppet engines. The lay-up of the E.G. GRACE lasted until April 1984, when she became the first Maritimer to be sold for scrap.

On 25 December 1849 the SISKAWIT (wooden schooner, 50 t, built in 1840) was sailing light on Lake Superior when a storm drove her onto a bar near the mouth of the Chocolay River, southeast of Marquette, Michigan, where she was wrecked. Those aboard had “kidnapped” her and her cargo at L’Anse a few days earlier.

1975: GEORGE M. CARL (ii), inbound at Toronto with a winter storage cargo of grain, missed the turn for the Western Gap and stranded in Humber Bay. Tugs pulled the ship free on December 27.

1981: The Halco tanker HUDSON TRANSPORT caught fire 200 miles east of Quebec City enroute from Montreal to the Magdalen Islands with 40,000 barrels of Bunker C. oil. The accommodation area was destroyed and 7 lives were lost. The ship was towed to Sept-Iles, unloaded and then to Montreal where it was declared a total loss. It later saw brief service as the barge b) SCURRY and went to Nigeria in 1992 as c) REMI.

1985: The former CLIFFS VICTORY passed down the Welland Canal as c) SAVIC, enroute to eventual scrapping in South Korea. It does not arrive there until Dec. 12, 1986.

2000: TWINSISTER had come to the Great Lakes in 1985. The vessel was reported to have caught fire in the engineroom as d) MELATI off Vung Tau, Vietnam, with the blaze spreading to the accommodation area. The listing freighter was abandoned by the 18-member crew and the ship was presumed to have sunk. It was located December 31 and found to have been looted by pirates. The ship arrived in Singapore, under tow, on January 4, 2001, and was apparently repaired, becoming e) WIN DUKE in 2003 and f) HAN LORD in 2006.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

St. Lawrence Seaway shipping grows 14 per cent in last two years

12/24 - St. Lawrence Seaway Management president and chief executive officer Terence Bowles expects cargo volume to top 40 million metric tons by the time the shipping season closes for 2018.

"Combined with the 2017 performance, St. Lawrence Seaway shipping has grown 14 per cent over the past two years, underlining the importance of this trade corridor to the success of the many industries we serve in the region," said Bowles in a release from the Chamber of Marine Commerce. "We expect the busy momentum from November to carry through to when the Seaway closes at the end of December."

Figures released from the Seaway showed all cargo shipped on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system by the end of November this year was 36 million metric tons, up 5.3 per cent over the same period in 2017. One of the largest performers was grain, with 10.3 million metric tons shipped, up 18.53 per cent from last year.

The chamber release said Prairie and Ontario wheat sales are benefitting from a smaller Russian harvest as a result of weather conditions. Canadian corn exports have also benefitted from preferential access to European Union markets combined with retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products.

Ports throughout the Great Lakes have seen the impact of business growth too, with the Port of Hamilton surpassing 10 million metric tons in November, topping their 2017 year-long total of 9.8 million metric tons of cargo.

"The port's successful cargo year has been driven by large gains in exports of Ontario-grown grain, and imports of fertilizer and petroleum products," said Hamilton Port Authority president and chief executive Ian Hamilton in the release.

"Along with our terminal operators, we're driven to support Canada's trade diversification. And it's working: the amount of cargo shipped to and from overseas ports (non-Canada/US) has jumped 68 per cent compared to last year."

Shipments of liquid bulk cargo were up 17.23 per cent, with 4.1 million metric tons moved through the 3,700-kilometre-long system.

Iron ore shipments saw the biggest drop, down 10.07 per cent over the same time last year, and general cargo shipments were down 5.51 per cent. The release said road salt was a key performer in November as well, as cities and towns prepared for the winter.

The Seaway's 2018 shipping is set to wrap up this week, with vessels moving through the system up to Christmas Day. Any that need to transit after midnight on December 26 can only do so by prior written agreement. All vessels, the Seaway said, must be clear of the Welland Canal by noon on December 31.

A Seaway notice said mariners are reminded that there is always a possibility that severe climatic conditions may occur during the closing period, and the dates for closing may change.

The Standard

Port Reports - December 24

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Burns Harbor arrived Duluth at 15:38 Sunday afternoon, fresh from Sturgeon Bay where she received her 5-year survey and a new coat of paint. She tied up at Husky Energy to fuel, and will eventually be loading iron ore pellets at BN in Superior. In port Sunday were American Mariner, loading ore at Canadian National, and Algoma Buffalo, taking a delay at Port Terminal. Both vessels were expected to depart at some point Sunday night, and the latter was expected to load at BN in Superior.

Two Harbors- Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
Hon. James L. Oberstar departed Two Harbors on Dec. 23rd at 01:38 for Indiana Harbor. Roger Blough arrived Two Harbors on Dec. 22nd at 22:20 and went to North of #2 layby. After the Oberstar departed the Blough shifted to South of #2 where she departed from at 14:43 for Gary. Arriving Two Harbors on Dec. 23rd at 15:20 was the Wilfred Sykes. She ran checked down on Lake Superior until the Blough's departure. Due Two Harbors late on Dec. 23rd/early on Dec. 24th will be the Edwin H. Gott. Due Two Harbors on Dec. 24th are the Indiana Harbor and the G3 Marquis. Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the arrival of the John J. Boland at 19:58 on Dec. 22nd and she departed on Dec. 23rd at 04:22 for Cleveland. Due Silver Bay on Dec. 24th is the Mesabi Miner. When the Great Republic departed Two Harbors she was showing a Conneaut destination. She went to Gary instead.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Sunday December 23rd: 0:53 Algoma Niagara departed G3 for Hamilton. 1:11 Ojibway weighed anchor and proceeded to G3 to load grain. Expected for Monday: Mississagi.

St. Marys River
Upbound traffic on a busy Sunday that saw some vessels anchored awaiting their turn for the Poe Lock included Mississagi early, Ashtabula/Defiance, Mesabi Miner, G3 Marquis, Walter J. McCarthy Jr., Thunder Bay, Saginaw (to Algoma), Michipicoten (to Algoma) and, late, Sharon M. 1 and barge (to Algoma), Herbert C. Jackson and Philip R. Clarke and Manitowoc (to Algoma). Downbound traffic included Federal Ruhr early, Great Republic, American Integrity, Frontenac, Algoma Niagara, Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder and, late, Paul R. Tregurtha. In the early evening, Ashtabula / Defiance left Algoma and went to anchor off Bay Mills and was joined later by Calumet. They are expected to return to Algoma to resume unloading when dock space opens up. Cuyahoga and Saginaw were also unloading at Algoma Steel.

S. Lake Michigan
St. Clair was at Burns Harbor Sunday night. H. Lee White was at Buffington. American Spirit was at Indiana Harbor.

Northern Lake Huron
Sunday, Cheboygan: 14:17 Craig Eric Reinauer and barge arrived from Sarnia to unload petroleum products.

Goderich, Ont. – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Innovator was loading salt on Sunday.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
John G. Munson arrived early Sunday morning to unload stone at Zug Island. Arriving next was the Capt. Henry Jackman, calling on the St. Mary's Cement dock to unload cement clinker. The tanker Damia Desgagnes arrived at the Marathon Asphalt Terminal to load, after the departure of the Everlast/Norman McLeod. The Robert S Pierson arrived later that evening to load coke at Zug Island.

Welland Canal and regional report - Sunday Dec 23 – Barry Andersen

Port Dover:
Arrival - Dec 23 - tug Jarrett M & barge MM-180 at 1016 approx.

Nanticoke:
Arrival - Dec 22 - Algonova at 1003 - Dec 23 - Algoscotia at 1553 - Docked - Departed - corrected - should have read - Dec 21 - Patras (Mlt) (ex Gan-Sword) at 2111 for the canal - Dec 23 - all westbound - James R Barker at 1210, tug Michigan & barge Great Lakes at 1533 and Algoscotia at 1548

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Dec 22 - (to Port Weller anchorage) - Maria G (Mlt)(ex Gadwall-17) at 2015 from Toronto and Federal Champlain at 2120from Hamilton; and tugs Jarrett M & Ecosse with barge MM-180 at 2258 - Dec 23 - Algoma Spirit at 0504, tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement at 0847, tug Leonard M & barge Niagara Spirit at 1439, John D Leitch at 1521, tug Sea Eagle II & barge St Marys Cement II at 1641

Downbound - Dec 22 - Algoma Equinox at 1258 and Evans Spirit at 1700 - Dec 23 - Acadia Desgagnes at 0854, Algowood at 1305, CSL Welland at 1454, Algoma Sault at 1929

Port Weller anchorage:
Anchored - Dec 22 - Federal Champlain at 2120 - Dec 23 - BBC Zarate (Atg) at 0540, Floragracht (Nld) at 1530 approx. (back from Oshawa) - Departed - Dec 22 - Mottler (Cyp) at 2045, Patras (Mlt) (ex Gan-Sword-10) at 2340 - Dec 23 - Floragracht (Nld) at 0248 for Oshawa; eastbounds - Maria G (Mlt)(ex Gadwall-17) at 0740, Federal Champlain at 0750 and BBC Zarate (Atg) at 1530

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Docked - Dec 18 - Greenwing (Cyp) at 2200 - Dec 20 - Stella Polaris (Nld) at 2310 - Dec 21 - Federal Columbia (Mhl) at 2255 from the anchorage - Dec 22 - Algoma Compass at 0622, John D Leitch at 2122 and tug Vigilant I & barge Clearwater at 2146 - Departures - Dec 23 - for the canal - tug Leonard M & barge Niagara Spirit at 1000 Algoma Spirit at 0240; and BBC Zarate (Atg) at 0300 eastbound and John D Leitch at 1315

Toronto:
Docked - Dec 23 - McKeil Spirit at 0109 and Oakglen at 1151 - Departure - Dec 23 - tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement at 0616 for the canal

Oshawa:
Arrivals - Dec 19 - BBC Utah (Lbr) at 1428 - Dec 23 - Floragracht (Nld) at 0755 from Port Weller anchorage - Departed at 1231 back to Port Weller anchorage

Montreal, Que.
CSL St-Laurent was towed to Montreal Sunday by the tugs Duga and Ocean Clovis T. Reports indicate mechanical difficulties.

Hamilton mission plays Santa to sailors from around the world

12/24 - Hamilton, Ont. – With his beat up blue van, hardhat and fluorescent yellow, high-visibility coat, Dan Phannenhour doesn't look the way Santa Claus is supposed to. But every year, the chaplain at the Mission to Seafarers at the Hamilton Port quietly helps deliver hundreds of presents to people from around the world.

On a recent December evening with snow softly falling, Pastor Dan carefully picked his way up the gangplank of the Federal Bering, a hulking ship in town to deliver a load of steel from Brazil, a big brown box jam-packed with gift bags carefully balanced on his shoulder. The smiles and shouts of greeting started before he even reached the deck.

"The seafarers tend to be invisible. Ships come and go, a lot of people don't know what goes on here at the port in Hamilton. This is a way of reminding the wider community and also showing appreciation to the people who work," he explained.

"It's a small gesture, but it's a ministry of small gestures and it shows they're not forgotten by the rest of the world."

The Mission to Seafarers is a Christian welfare charity set up in ports around the globe. Chaplains, staff and volunteers have been serving merchant crews for well over 150 years. In Hamilton they offer transportation for anyone who wants to step ashore, along with a centre where they can shoot pool, play fooseball and pick up a snack or souvenir from the tuck shop.

The building on Burlington Street East also offers two seemingly basic accommodations that are crucial for seafarers — free WiFi and comfy couches.

"The main thing everybody wants is the free WiFi … so they can call home and be in touch with their friends and family. That's the most important thing," said Pastor Dan. As for the couches? Well, they offer a special sort of respite after difficult crossings.

"On a ship all of the surfaces are hard, they're all bolted down. So this provides them a chance to sit on something soft and relax and be on dry land without the wave motion of the ship."

The period between the beginning of October and the end of December is a hectic time in the port as steel producers stockpile supplies to last through the winter and farmers try to ship out their grain before the St. Lawrence Seaway freezes up.

More than 10 million tonnes of cargo moved through Hamilton this year, said Larissa Fenn from the port authority, and it will remain busy even after the seaway closes as crews complete winter maintenance, repairs and upgrades to ships that overwinter here.

Starting on Dec. 6, the day set aside for St. Nicholas — the patron saint of sailors and merchants — the missions perform a special ministry by preparing and distributing holiday bundles. Last year the team in Hamilton alone handed out 800 presents, according to Pastor Dan. They expect to hand out at least 400 this year.

The parcels contain things like candy, toiletries and handy tools. They also supply seafarers with warm scarves and hats, a necessity for those coming from warmer climates.

Despite the fact the missions are a Christian organization operated by the Anglican church, they offer their gifts and services to people of all faiths and cultures. "They're always very grateful," said Pastor Dan. "I took some gifts to a Ukrainian crew and the one young officer said to me 'Wherever we go in the world, you're there for us and we really appreciate that.'"

The crew on the Federal Bering included Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians from across India. They arrived in Hamilton on Dec. 7 and, after offloading their steel, filled back up with Ontario-grown corn destined for Europe.

He has two children and said being far from family is harder than weathering stormy seas. The internet helps a little by making it easier for loved ones stay in touch, but the holidays can be an especially tough time to be away.

That makes the mission even more important. Lambe describes it as a "very good friend" whose annual gifts give crews something to look forward to.

"It's a good gesture because though our families do remember us during this festive time they cannot send us a gift and a person who is onboard, he feels love because someone is getting a gift for him," he said.

"It's like an emotional connection ... it's selfless love."

View a photo gallery at this link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/hamilton-port-mission-seafarers-1.4953822

CBC

Today in Great Lakes History - December 24
In 1973, a crewman from the Cleveland Cliffs steamer FRONTENAC fell overboard at 11:41 p.m. while the boat was at anchor off Stoneport, Mich. The FRONTENAC launched a lifeboat to search for the missing man. When he could not be found and the lifeboat had trouble returning to the FRONTENAC, a distress call went out. The American Steamship Co. steamer McKEE SONS, Captain Robert J. Laughlin, responded and received a Citation of Merit for rescuing the six sailors in the lifeboat on Christmas morning.

December 24, 1969 - The CITY OF FLINT 32 made her last trip out of Ludington, Mich., pulled by two tugs. She was sold to Norfolk and Western Railway Company to be converted into a river ferry barge and renamed b.) ROANOKE by Nicholson’s Terminal & Dock Co. at Ecorse, Mich.

On 24 December 1910, ALASKA (wooden propeller bulk freighter, 165 foot, 348 tons, built in 1879, at Detroit, Michigan) was sheltering from a storm a few miles from Tobermory, Ont., when she caught fire from an overheated boiler and burned to a total loss. She was originally built as a side-wheel passenger vessel, her engine came from the JOHN SHERMAN of 1865 and went into the steamer FRANK E. KIRBY of 1890.

On 24 December 1875, the Port Huron Times listed the following vessels at winter lay-up at St. Clair, Mich. -- Scows: ANNA H MOORE, A MONROE, MYRTLE, CLIPPER VISION, J SNADERS and B MONROE; Steamers: BERTIE DAHLKE and HELEN; Schooners: JOHN RICE and M R GOFFE; Barges: MILLIN and JUSTIN R. WHITING; Tug: C.M. FARRAR; and Dredge: H LIFIAN.

On Christmas Eve 1979, while at her temporary dock in Milwaukee, Wis., the steamer E. M. FORD sank when gale force winds forced her from her moorings and repeatedly slammed her bow into the dock facing. By Christmas morning her stern was settled on the bottom, her engine room flooded. Her storage cargo of powdered cement was partially flooded also. By afternoon, the proud steamer lay sunken at her dock. She stayed on the bottom for several weeks as crews had to remove a solid 3 feet of hardened cement and patch her holed bow. On January 20th, 1980, she was refloated and towed to Bay Shipbuilding where work began on rebuilding her.

1976: The former MARIA K., of 1956, visited the Seaway in 1963. It sustained a fire in the engine room as c) ASTYANAX at Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The vessel was loaded with cement and became a total loss. It was scuttled in the Atlantic south of Abidjan, on November 18, 1977, after the cargo had solidified.

1977: The West German freighter MAGDEBURG began visiting the Seaway in 1959 and had made 31 voyages inland to the end of 1967. It was sailing from Hull, England, and Antwerp, Belgium, for East Africa when it ran aground at Haisborough Sand in bad weather. The ship was refloated the same day but with serious damage. It was sold for scrap and dismantling began in May 1978.

1982: TUKWILA CHIEF came through the Seaway in 1982 after previous visits as a) ESTHER CHARLOTTE SCHULTE as early as 1962. Fire broke out on board, two days out of Souris, PEI, with a cargo of potatoes. The blaze spread through the cabins and the ship was gutted. One sailor was lost but the remainder was rescued. The ship was brought to Sydney and, on September 20, 1983, was towed out into the deep waters of the Atlantic and scuttled.

1983: The Welland Canal pilot boat CISCOE was enroute to Port Dover for the winter when it lost power in heavy seas. The GRIFFON took the small ship in tow but it flipped over, broke loose and eventually sank. The 2 members of the crew were saved.

1987: The tug G.W. ROGERS left the Great lakes in November 1987 but sank at Albany, on this date during the trip south to the Netherlands Antilles. While refloated, it never made it south and was noted at Liberty Park, New York, in October 1997.

1997: The barge DUPUIS No. 10, under tow of the tug TECHNO-ST. LAURENT, sank in Lake Erie while bound from Buffalo to the Welland Canal. There were no casualties.

1999: The BARDE TEAM, enroute from Singapore with steel pipes, began taking on water, developed a list and sank in the Indian Ocean. It first came through the Seaway in 1976 as a) SAMSON SCAN and returned under her final name in 1992.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Russ Plumb, Father Dowling Collection, Max Hanley, Todd Davidson, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Port Reports - December 23

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Cuyahoga arrived Duluth at 03:49 Saturday morning, loaded iron ore pellets at Canadian National, and departed at 12:03. Paul R. Tregurtha was outbound at 14:10 with a load of coal from Midwest Energy, and Algoma Buffalo arrived at 15:33 to unload salt at the North American Salt Dock. She is expected to shift to BN in Superior once she finishes discharging.

Two Harbors- Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
Great Republic departed Two Harbors on Dec. 21st at 20:58 for Conneaut. Arriving Two Harbors on Dec. 22nd at 15:16 for South of #2 was the Hon. James L. Oberstar. Due Two Harbors late on Dec. 22nd is the Roger Blough. Due Two Harbors on Dec. 23rd is what is considered the Holy Grail by western Lake Superior boatwatchers, the Wilfred Sykes. As of 19:15 on Dec. 22nd she was near Eagle Harbor. Due Two Harbors late on Dec. 23rd is the Edwin H. Gott. Northshore Mining in Silver Bay will see the arrival of John J. Boland on Dec. 22nd at approx. 19:30. There is no inbound traffic scheduled for Silver Bay on Dec. 23rd. When Joyce L. VanEnkevort/Great Lakes Trader departed Silver Bay on Dec. 19th it wasn't showing a destination. It is going to Ashtabula.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Saturday December 22nd: 0:11 Frontenac departed G3 for Midland. 0:27 Algoma Niagara arrived at G3 to load grain. 2:53 Federal Ruhr departed Richardson Current River Terminal for Sorel. She is the last saltie to depart from the port in 2018. 16:25 USCGC Katmai Bay arrived in Thunder Bay. She performed ice-breaking duties on the Mission River near G3 and Superior elevators and in the harbor. 18:25 USCGC Katmai Bay went to anchor east of Mission Island. 20:36 USCGC Katmai Bay weighed anchor and departed for Sault Ste Marie, Mich. Expected for Sunday: Mississagi.

St. Marys River
Downbound traffic on a busy Saturday included Cason J. Callaway, Joseph H. Thompson, Algoma Transport, Federal Shimanto, Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin, Baie Comeau, Americaborg, Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader, Algoma Transport and Lee A. Tregurtha. Upbounders included Wilfred Sykes early, followed by Burns Harbor, Edwin H. Gott, Kaye E. Barker, Calumet and, late, Indiana Harbor and Mississagi. Barge Pere Marquette 41/tug Undaunted came up river and stopped at the Algoma Export Dock. Federal Ruhr went to anchor in Waiska Bay in the early evening. Frontenac was anchored in the lee of Whitefish Point.

Limestone Ports
Saturday, Calcite: 4:00 H Lee White departed for Buffington. Meldrum Bay: 8:00 CSL Assiniboine departed for Windsor.

Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
On Saturday morning, the American Courage and the cement barge Commander (ex-Cleveland Rocks) were towed into the graving dock at BayShip. The Courage went in stern first and the Commander went in bow first.

S. Lake Michigan
Stewart J. Cort was unloading at Burns Harbor Saturday night. Joseph L. Block was at Indiana Harbor with American Spirit due. Philip R. Clarke was headed for Duluth.

Northern Lake Huron
Saturday, Alpena: 18:18 G.L. Ostrander arrived to load cement products.

Goderich, Ont. – Bruce Douglas
Radcliffe R. Latimer was loading salt Saturday evening,

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
CSL Niagara arrived Saturday morning to unload salt at the Motor City Materials dock. The Presque Isle arrived at Zug Island to unload ore. Manitowoc ended the day, stopping to fuel at the Waterfront Petroleum Terminal.

Toledo, Ohio
On Saturday, Algocanada was removed from the dry dock at Ironhead Shipyard. She will be back out sailing soon.

Welland Canal and regional report - Saturday Dec 22 – Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
Arrival - Dec 22 - Algonova at 1020 approx. and James R Barer at 0504 Docked - Dec 17 - Patras (Mlt) (ex Gan-Sword-10) at 1840 - Dec 21 - tug Michigan & barge Great Lakes at 1641 - Departed - Dec 21 - tug Michigan & barge Great Lakes at 2111 for the canal

Long Point Bay anchorage:
Anchored - Dec 21 - Algoscotia at 2341 - Dec 22 - James R Barker at 0504 - Departed - Dec 22 - James R Barker at 0445 for the dock

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Dec 21 - Michipicoten at 1037 and Capt Henry Jackman at 2035 - Dec 22 - (to Port Weller anchorage) - Maria G (Mlt)(ex Gadwall-17) at 2015 from Toronto and Federal Champlain at 2140 approx

Downbound - Dec 21 - Federal Katsura (Mhl) at 1334, Mottler (Cyp) at 1828 , Esta Desgagnes at 2155 and Algoma Enterprise at 2230 - Dec 22 - Patras (Mlt) (ex Gan-Sword-10) at 0145, Floragracht (Nld) at 0719, tug Vigilant I & barge Clearwater at 0726, John D Leitch at 0932. Algoma Equinox at 1258 and Evans Spirit at 1700

Port Weller anchorage:
Anchored - Dec 22 - Patras (Mlt) (ex Gan-Sword-10) at 1334, Floragracht (Nld) at 1701, Maria G (Mlt)(ex Gadwall-17) at 2045, Federal Champlain at 2110 approx. - Departed - Dec 22 - Federal Katsura (Mhl) at 0943, Fearless (Lbr) (ex Bright Laker-13) at 1740 for Ireland, Mottler (Cyp) at 2045,

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Dec 22 - Algoma Spirit at 0614, Algoma Compass at 0622, John D Leitch eta 2050, John D Leitch eta 2120 and tug Vigilant I & barge Clearwater eta 2120 - Docked - Dec 18 - Greenwing (Cyp) at 2200 - Dec 20 - Stella Polaris (Nld) at 2310 - Dec 21 - tug Leonard M & barge Niagara Spirit at 1721 and Federal Columbia (Mhl) at 2255 from the anchorage - Dec 22 - BBC Zarate (Atg) at 0115 from the anchorage - Departures - Dec 21 - Federal Churchill (Mhl) at 2145, - Dec 22 - Fearless (Lbr) (ex Bright Laker-13) at 0125 (to Port Weller anchorage) and Federal Champlain (Mhl) at 1850,

Toronto:
Docked - - Departed - Dec 22 - tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement at 1100 eastbound and Maria G (Mlt)(ex Gadwall-17) at 1849 for Port Weller anchorage

Oshawa:
Arrivals - Dec 19 - BBC Utah (Lbr) at 1428

Today in Great Lakes History - December 23
IMPERIAL ST CLAIR was selected to participate in the three-year winter navigation experiment during which the Soo Locks remained open all year. On December 23, 1976, at the very onset, she ran aground entering ice-jammed Parry Sound on Georgian Bay in a blinding snow squall. One of her cargo tanks ruptured spilling 1,800 barrels of diesel oil.

The SAVIC, c.) CLIFFS VICTORY was down bound past Detroit, Michigan, December 23, 1985, by-passing a 15,000 ton load of scrap because of the lack of time to clear the Seaway.

CHARLES DICK was sold for scrap to Marine Salvage Ltd., Port Colborne, Ontario, on December 23, 1976.

SIR TREVOR DAWSON was laid up after the Great War until December 23, 1920, when she was sold to Pioneer Steamship Co. and renamed c) CHARLES L. HUTCHINSON.

On 23 December 1905, JAMES B. WOOD (steel propeller freighter, 514 foot, 7,159 gross tons) was launched at W. Bay City, Michigan. In 1913, she was renamed b.) ARCTURUS.

On 23 December 1885, MARY MARTINI (wooden propeller passenger-package freight vessel, 85 foot, 91 gross tons, built in 1877, at W. Bay City, Michigan) stranded on Brule Point, 13 miles east of Grand Marais, Minnesota, on Lake Superior in fair weather. A navigational error was blamed. She became a total loss but her passengers and crew were taken off by the Duluth tug T H CAMP.

In 1903, the PERE MARQUETTE 20 arrived Ludington on her maiden voyage.

1916: A.B. WOLVIN, a former Great Lakes bulk carrier that went to sea in 1911, sank in a gale on the Atlantic southeast of Bermuda. The crew of 26 were picked up by the BRAZIL, a two-year old Norwegian freighter.

1954: The former FEDERAL AMBASSADOR, while not a Great Lakes trader but once part of the Federal Commerce & Navigation of Montreal, foundered in the North Sea as c) GERDA TOFT

1963: The Greek passenger liner LAKONIA caught fire off Madeira with 1041 passengers and crew on board. While 132 lives were lost in the tragedy, another 470 were rescued by the freighters SALTA and MONTCALM. The latter was a regular Seaway trader beginning in 1960 and returned as b) CAPO SAN MARCO in 1971.

1986: MARINE COASTER, a Great Lakes visitor as e) EVA MARIE in the mid-1960s, was scuttled off Newfoundland.

Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Max Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.

Tug that towed many lakers for scrap is herself sent for scrap

12/22 - The tug Diavlos Pride, which has shepherded many lakers to the scrapyards of Aliaga, Turkey, is herself being scrapped. She was beached at Aliaga this week. Some of her scrap tows included Algomarine, Algoma Montrealais, Algoma Navigator and Pineglen.

Luke Johnson

Sturgeon Bay shipbuilder delivers new articulated tug and barge to Kirby Corp.

12/22 - Sturgeon Bay, Wis. – Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay recently completed and delivered an Articulated Tug Barge Unit to Kirby Corporation, the premier tank barge operator in the United States.

“We are pleased to deliver this new addition to the Kirby fleet," said Todd Thayse, vice president and general manager of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. "This beautiful vessel is a testament to the skills of the extraordinary American men and women who built this ship and who strive daily to deliver rugged and reliable ships that will stand the test of time.”

The tug Ronnie Murph has an overall length of 130 feet, a beam of 42 feet, a depth of 23 feet and a 19-foot draft. The 8,000 hp vessel has a speed of more than 12 knots. The barge Kirby 155-03 is 521 feet in length with a breadth of 72 feet and a depth of 41 feet, and has a 155,000-barrel capacity.

Kirby Corporation transports bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, along all three U.S. coasts and in Alaska and Hawaii. The company operates the largest inland and offshore tank barge fleets in the United States.

Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is an operating division of Fincantieri Marine Group, the United States subsidiary of global shipbuilding giant Fincantieri, which employs almost 20,000 people in 20 shipyards on four different continents. Located in Trieste, Italy, Fincantieri has a 230-year track record of building more than 7,000 ships for government and commercial customers.

Fincantieri operates in the United States through its subsidiary Fincantieri Marine Group. This company, which serves government customers including the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, has three shipyards — Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and Fincantieri Ace Marine — all located in the Great Lakes region.

Green Bay Press Gazette

Port Reports - December 22

Duluth-Superior – Daniel Lindner
Lee A. Tregurtha departed Duluth at 06:42 Friday morning with a load of ore for Indiana Harbor, and American Integrity arrived at 09:13 to load coal at Midwest Energy. She was expected to depart around 19:30, and Paul R. Tregurtha was due at 23:00 to load at SMET. In Superior, Algoma Strongfield arrived at 05:17 on a rare visit to the Twin Ports, and was outbound at 15:05 after loading iron ore pellets at Burlington Northern.

Two Harbors- Silver Bay – Gary A. Putney
Edgar B. Speer arrived Two Harbors on Dec. 21st at 03:08 for South of #2 and departed Two Harbors on the 21st at 13:29 for Conneaut. Arriving Two Harbors on Dec. 21st at 08:00 was the rare visitor Great Republic. She went to North of #2 layby. Upon the departure of the Speer the Great Republic shifted from North of #2 to South of #2 between 13:30 and 13:50. The American Integrity that was showing a Two Harbors AIS on Dec. 20th went to SMET. Due Two Harbors on Dec. 22nd are the Hon. James L. Oberstar and the Roger Blough. Northshore Mining in Silver Bay saw the departure of the Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader at 13:06 on Dec. 21st for Cleveland. Due Silver Bay on Dec. 22nd is the John J. Boland.

Thunder Bay, Ont.
Friday December 21st: 3:32 Algoma Transport departed G3 for Hamilton. 3:34 Frontenac weighed anchor and proceeded to G3 to load grain. 9:38 Algoma Niagara arrived and went to anchor southwest of the Welcome Islands. 17:34 Baie Comeau departed Superior Elevator for Hamilton. 20:18 saltie Americaborg departed Richardson Main Terminal for Montreal.

St. Marys River
Wilfred Sykes was expected at DeTour about midnight Friday on her way to Two Harbors.

Limestone Ports
Friday, Meldrum Bay: 8:00 CSL Assiniboine arrived to load.

Sturgeon Bay, Wis. – Jim Conlon
About 10 a.m. Friday the Burns Harbor left BayShip after a drydocking and a new black paint on the hull. She is headed to Duluth to load.

S. Lake Michigan
Philip R. Clarke was docked on the Calumet River Friday night.

Northern Lake Huron
Friday, Alpena: 2:30 The cement carrier Alpena departed for Green Bay.

Goderich, Ont. – Bruce Douglas
Algoma Innovator departed Friday with salt for Toledo.

Detroit-Rouge River – Raymond H.
The GL Ostrander/Integrity arrived Friday morning to unload cement at Lafarge. Arriving later that evening was the Herbert C Jackson with ore for AK Steel.

Welland Canal and regional report - Friday Dec 21 – Barry Andersen

Nanticoke:
Arrival - Dec 21 - Bro Agnes (Sgp) at 1433 - Docked - Dec 17 - Patras (Mlt) (ex Gan-Sword-10) at 1840 - Departures - Dec 21 - Bro Agnes (Sgp) at 0133 to the anchorage at Port Colborne

Port Colborne anchorage:
Anchored - Dec 19 - Arsland (Mlt)(ex CT Dublin-10) at 1539 - Dec 21 - Bro Agnes (Sgp) at 0455 - Federal Katsura (Mhl) at 0525 and Mottler (Cyp) at 1402 Departures - Dec 21 - Bro Agnes (Sgp) at 0803, Arsland (Mlt)(ex CT Dublin-17) at 1213 - Federal Katsura (Mhl) at 1327 and Mottler (cyp) at 1809

Welland Canal:
Upbound - Dec 20 - Algoma Guardian at 1455, Cedarglen at 1530 and Baie St Paul at 1948 and Algoma Niagara at 2216 - Dec 21 - G3 Marquis at 0522, Algoscotia at 0642, Michipicoten at 1037 and Capt Henry Jackman at 2010

Downbound - Dec 21 - Federal Kumano (Mhl) at 0138, tug Leonard M & barge Niagara Spirit at 0339, Algoma Compass at 0350, Manitoulin at 0552, Bro Agnes (Sgp) at 0828, Arsland (Mlt) (ex CT Dublin-17) at 1234, Federal Katsura (Mhl) at 1334, Mottler (Cyp) at 1828 , Esta Desgagnes eta 2100 and Algoma Enterprise eta 2110

Hamilton:
Arrivals - Dec 21 - tug Leonard M & barge Niagara Spirit at 1721 and Algoma Compass at 1816. Anchored - Dec 17 - BBC Zarate (Atg) at 2135 - Dec 19 - Federal Columbia (Mhl) at 2230 - Docked - Dec 18 - Greenwing (Cyp) at 2200,Federal Churchill (Mhl) at 1600 and Federal Champlain (Mhl) at 1945 - Dec 19 - Fearless (Lbr) (ex Bright Laker-13) at 0615 - Dec 20 - Stella Polaris (Nld) at 2310 - Departures - Dec 21 - Senja (Mlt) at 0043 for Ireland - for the canal - G3 Marquis at 0142 and Michipicoten at 0832

Toronto:
Docked - Dec 18 - Maria G (Mlt)(ex Gadwall-17) at 1953 - Dec 20 - tug Petite Forte & barge St Marys Cement at 2052 - Dec 21 - tug Sea Eagle II & barge St Marys Cement II at 0131 - Departed - Dec 21 - tug Sea Eagle II & barge St Marys Cement II at 0131 eastbound

Oshawa:
Arrivals - Dec 19 - BBC Utah (Lbr) at 1428 - Departure - Dec 21 - tug Leo A McArthur & barge John J Carrick at 0052 eastbound

Rochester, N.Y. – Tom Brewer
Departure: McKeil Spirit at 09:30 Friday for Picton, Ont.

Coast Guard would bear the brunt of latest government shutdown

12/22 - Washington, D.C. – Most military members and veterans won’t face drastic consequences if the government partially shuts down at midnight tonight, but Coast Guard members could shoulder significant hardships in the days to come.

More than 43,000 Coast Guard employees — nearly 90 percent of the force — could be forced to work without pay for the duration of a shutdown, according to planning documents from the Department of Homeland Security released earlier this year.

A few thousand others would be furloughed until the federal budget fight is settled. Homeland Security and Office of Management and Budget officials have not detailed what impact those moves will have on current Coast Guard operations.

Congress must pass some form of funding by midnight Dec. 21 to prevent a partial government shutdown.

But White House officials in the previous government shutdown last January worked to minimize public disruptions from the political stalemate. Border security and coastal operations could continue on normal schedule, just without the individuals conducting the work being paid for their labor.

The shutdown, which is slated to begin at midnight, stems from fight over President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall which has stalled a series of unfinished agency budget bills. Funding for the Departments of Justice, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, State and Homeland Security will expire at the end of the day if an agreement isn’t reached.

Missing from that list are the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, because lawmakers finished work on those appropriations measures earlier this year. That means that the partial government shutdown won’t impact troops’ pay, military family support programs and delivery of veteran’s benefits.

It’s good news for all service members except those in the Coast Guard, whose funding is handled through the Department of Homeland Security instead of the Department of Defense.

Federal employees who are required to work through a shutdown are typically given back pay by lawmakers after the disputes are settled. But in the case of a lengthy shutdown — many lawmakers are worried this impasse could last until the start of the next Congress, on Jan. 3 — that could mean missing multiple paychecks while still reporting for duty.

In the past, federal officials have said the Coast Guard’s maritime commerce and recreational boating activities would be disrupted by shutdowns, although it’s unclear if Trump administration officials have drafted separate plans to keep them operating as well.

Military Times

Today in Great Lakes History - December 22
IMPERIAL ST CLAIR was selected to participate in the three-year winter navigation experiment during which the Soo Locks remained open all year. On December 23, 1976, at the very onset, she ran aground entering ice-jammed Parry Sound on Georgian Bay in a blinding snow squall. One of her cargo tanks ruptured spilling 1,800 barrels of diesel oil.