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Cover photo credit: David Schauer
Editor’s Note: Our daily photo galleries are currently down due to technical issues.
Duluth, MN – Superior, WI – Joshua Hebeisen
The Twin Ports were a little fishy on Tuesday, and it wasn’t the aquarium… U.S. Geological Survey vessel Kiyi made port at 04:16 while on another tour of Lake Superior to conduct research on fish populations. She tied up at the DECC for the day as she has on occasions this season before departing at 21:14 to resume her work out on the lake. Kiyi would only be an appetizer for a busy morning of big boat traffic, with the 1,004-foot Mesabi Miner already making her way through the harbor with coal from SMET as the little boat tied up – there’s always a bigger fish! The Miner cleared the Duluth Entry at 04:43 on her way to unload at power plants in St. Clair and Monroe. At about the same time, CSL’s classic Frontenac came off the lake to anchor along Minnesota Point, the silhouette of her big self-unloading rig sticking out against the break of dawn as she waited for her turn at BNSF Dock 5 in Superior. John G. Munson, loaded down with limestone, would also appear over the horizon and gradually make her way inbound the Duluth Harbor under a stunning morning sky at 05:27. Her cargo from Calcite would be put ashore at CN-Hallett Dock 5. Later in the morning, Tim S. Dool ventured into the western waters of the big lake for the first time this season after departing an extended winter layup in Thunder Bay. Algoma’s aging veteran would go anchor off Superior, second in line for ore at BNSF. In a pair of footer port calls in the later morning, American Century’s 08:57 Duluth arrival for SMET was followed by an 11:15 Burns Harbor departure from Superior for her namesake port. Upon the latter’s departure, Frontenac pulled up the hook and made her way inbound 30 minutes later to take her turn under the conveyors. Noon saw the departure of steamer Arthur M. Anderson, outbound Duluth for Gary after taking on a full load of ore at the CN gravity dock in less than 12 hours. In comparison, Algoma Sault is taking her sweet time at the shiploader portion of the dock after more than two days of loading. She would again find herself face-to-face with a Great Lakes Fleet classic when the Munson shifted over to the gravity dock around 19:00. The Dool officially arrived Superior for the first time this season at 21:08 following the Frontenac’s departure for Nanticoke 30 minutes prior.
Marquette, MI – Joshua Hebeisen
Herbert C. Jackson was in port from 05:30 to 13:57 for a quick stay at the south side of the LS&I dock, where she loaded Tilden pellets destined for the River Rouge. Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader had left their berth on the opposite side around 10:00 after loading pellets for Cleveland.
Sturgeon Bay, WI – Know Your Ships
The tug/barge Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder arrived at Bay Ship on Sunday. The Dorothy Ann has since drydocked in the floating dock, Pathfinder remains on Berth 9. Other than the Dorothy Ann, there are now 2 casino boats, Majestic Star 1 and 2, at Berths 2 and 3. The Stewart Cort, Roger Blough and Cason Callaway remain on Berth 15. There is also a small passenger boat called Marquette there.
Bruce Mines, ON – Joshua Hebeisen
American Courage was outbound at 02:05 for Sarnia.
Meldrum Bay, ON – Joshua Hebeisen
Loaded for Detroit, GRN’s river-class Calumet once again set her sights on the Rouge after a 03:35 departure.
Detroit, MI – Windsor, ON – Joshua Hebeisen
Tuesday traffic kicked off on the Windsor side of the Detroit River when Algoma Buffalo arrived with a stone cargo for Coco at 04:40. She passed fleetmate Algoma Innovator along the Detroit skyline as the latter headed outbound for Goderich at 05:07. H. Lee White was in port from 11:04 to 14:07 to occupy the Mistersky dock, after which an empty Buffalo shifted across international lines for about two hours to fuel up herself. While the White is headed for another limestone cargo at Calcite, Buffalo will be joining the Innovator in Goderich. Kaye E. Barker was back in town for the second day in a row at 14:04, this time with coal from Toledo to discharge at Zug Island’s EES Coke facility. She would depart for Stoneport at 21:56, at which time fellow Barker, Mark W., was heading upbound the river with salt from Cleveland. The newest ship on the lakes sailed a ways up the Rouge to unload at Motor City Materials. Rt. Hon Paul J. Martin was still fueling at Sterling and due next at Two Harbors after arriving three hours prior.
Lake Erie Ports – Bill Kloss
Toledo, OH: Saginaw departed for Calcite at 00:46. Kaye E. Barker arrived at 04:17, unloaded and left at 09:49. Samuel deChamplain/Innovation arrived late Monday night to unload cement at Holcim. She departed for Essexville at 19:24.
Marblehead, OH: H. Lee White departed at 07:29 with stone for Marysville. Cuyahoga arrived at 03:40, anchored, then moved to load after the White departed. Once loaded, she departed for Windsor, ON at 15:06.
Sandusky, OH: Miss Lis departed at 07:49 She stopped in Huron for a brief visit before leaving off the lakes. Victory/Maumee arrived at 04:43 and berthed at Norfolk Southern to wait her turn to load. John D. Leitch is at the loader. Florence Spirit arrived at 09:32 and anchored in Lake Erie.
Lorain, OH: Laura L. VanEnkevort/Joseph H. Thompson arrived at 02:48, unloaded stone at Carmeuse and left for Bruce Mines at 16:34.
Cleveland, OH: Florence Spirit unloaded steel coils, then left for Sandusky. Mark W. Barker departed at 13:07. She loaded salt for Detroit. Houtmangracht moved from dock 26E to 22E to unload containers.
Fairport Harbor, OH: Victory/ Maumee departed late Monday night for Sandusky.
Conneaut, OH: Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. departed at 11:06 for Duluth.
Erie, PA: Janis left for Oswego, NY at 07:16.
Nanticoke, ON: Algoma Hansa arrived at 06:13 and joined fleetmate Algocanada at Imperial Oil. CSL Laurentien arrived at 10:58 and unloaded ore at Stelco. She departed at 20:10. Algoscotia and Algonova are at anchor.