April 1997 News Archive

News on the Aquarama

04/25:
According to an article in the Buffalo News the Aquarama is due to leave Buffalo on or about the 17th of May.She may head to either Erie, Port Weller, or a repair yard near New York City. This move depends on weather the owners choose to keep her on the lakes or try a venture near the ocean ports.The vessel is supposed to be overhalled so it can operate under its own power.

Reported by: Brian Wroblewski

Barge headed for Detroit

04/25:
The barge Twolan left Thunder Bay, Ontario for Detroit on Wednesday, April 23. It’s loaded mainly with 2×4’s from Buchanen Forest Products. The trip is expected to take five days. The barge will make the trip out of Thunder Bay every eight days. The Twolan is captained by Stan Dawson.

Reported by: Richard Boon

Flooding in mid-west effects Twin Ports

04/25:
The severe flooding in the Dakotas and western Minnesota is delaying some grain shipments to Duluth-Superior. High water has cut some Burlington Northern rail lines and disrupted shipment of grain to regional elevators. That, port officials say, has slowed the flow of grain into elevators in Duluth and Superior.

Reported by: Al Miller

Bill to privatize seaway advances in Canada

04/24:
A bill to privatize Canadian ports and Canada’s operation of the St. Lawrence Seaway was passed last week by the Canadian House of Commons. Ports would be transferred to local authorities, while the 13 locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway operated by Canada would be managed by a nine-member consortium of businesses. Tolls would fund the management of the seaway. In addition, the bill states that pilotage on the St. Lawrence River has to pay for itself, rather than rely on the Canadian government to cover any shortfalls. The Canadian Senate has taken up the bill.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

Miner looses power

04/24:
At 6:18 A.M. EST on April 23 Upper Lakes Group’s Canadian Miner lost power while passing Belle Isle in the Detroit River. She dropped anchor and called on two tugs for assistance. The vessel was towed to Windsor where her crew made repairs. Once again under her own power, she was cleared by the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards to proceeded upbound about 9:00 P.M. EST April 23, 1997.

Reported by: Skip Meier

Tadoussac looses power

04/24:
Yesterday the “Tadoussac” was anchored, at Wilson Hill anchorage due to engine problems. Approval from inspectors was needed before she could continue.

Reported by: Ron Walsh

Survey of Pt. Stanley harbour

04/24:
Transport Canada is presently checking the depth of the water around Pt. Stanley harbour to see if dredging will be necessary this year. Dredging is usually done every 2-3 years. The last dredging was done in 1995.

Reported by: Richard Hill

Tugs & Dredges

04/22:
Lake Michigan Contractor’s tug Douglas B. Mackie has been freshly painted and is sporting the name Shirley Joy. It is currently tied up at Cleveland along with several of their dredges.Durocher Dock and Dredge Inc. is dredging the Erie Harbor east canal basin. These are slips west of the dry-dock, directly behind the Erie Maritime Museum. The Champion, Meaghan Lee and Ray Durocher are working with several dredges at the site.

Reported by: Mark Shumaker

Unusual Callers Due in Duluth

04/22:
Some uncommon boats are due to load at DM&IR in Duluth over the next few days. The St. Clair is due April 24, the Roger Blough on the 25th, and the Presque Isle and James R.Barker are due in on the 27th. The Blough and the Presque Isle have been loading exclusively at Two Harbors so far this year, while the St. Clair and the Barker have both made a few trips to Taconite Harbor. This will be the first trip to DM&IR in Duluth for each vessel this shipping season.

Reported by: Andy Hering

Canadian Venture over draft

04/22:
April 20/97 On entering St Lambert Lock, west bound, the laker CANADIAN VENTURE was found to be over draft up to 6″. After shuffling fuel and pumping out fresh water tanks she was allowed to proceed at reduced speed and under her own risk. She reported “westbound at Cape Vincent, 0421/1937, destination CIDH

Reported by: John Whitehead and Bill Kenwood

Canadian Mariner enters dry dock

04/22:
The Canadian Mariner went into dry dock at Port Weller Monday April 21. The type of work being done is not known. Possibly a five year inspection?

Reported by: Roger Tottman

Development Corp. Administrator to resign

04/22:
Gail C. McDonald, administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp., will resign 1 May. She became the administrator in January 1996. A successor has not been announced.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

Train derailment

04/22:
A train derailment on the Conrail Bridge in Ohio has the Coast Guard issuing “urgent Notice to Mariners”. A rail car carrying sodium hydroxide derailed this evening in the area of 41′ 30′ 1 N 82′ 52′ W. The Coast Guard reports the problem should be cleaned up sometime today.

Reported by: N. Schultheiss

Grand Haven Traffic

04/21:
Sunday afternoon April 20 Grand Haven MI had the following traffic:
Algosteel was finishing unlaoding at Verplank’s. The Wilfred Sykes arrived to unload at Verplanks at 13:15.

Reported by: Steve Vanden Bosch

More on the Coal Orders for Port Washington WEPCO plant

04/21:
It was originally reported on 4/19 that the Wisconsin Electric Power Co. generating plant has already placed orders for 600,000 tons of coal, setting them on a record pace.

Paul G. Wiening adds this historical perspective:Until the local power plant was rebuilt in the 1980s, the average season total was over 800,000 tons of coal. That was when the facility had five generating units. Now it only has four, so overall coal usage will be less.

However, when the plant was expanded to five units in 1949 and for the next two decades while it was operating at peak efficiency, Port Washington would quite often receive in excess of one million tons per year. The last time that happened was in 1970. Even into the mid 1980s tonnage would reach 800,000 on a regular basis.

The plant was rebuilt over a 3-4 year period in the early 1990s, and tonnage had dropped to 300,000 tons or less. But this has been regularly increasing over the past five years. So far Port has received nearly 90,000 tons already but in only two ships, PAUL R. TREGURTHA and MESABI MINER.

I don’t know what the plan is, but if it keeps going at one 1000-footer every three weeks with 45,000 tons, it will require only 14 ships to reach 600,000 tons.

Reported by: Paul G. Wiening

Canadian Navigator underway

04/21:
Sunday afternoon April 20, Canadian Navigator was below lock 1 at Port Weller and taking on supplies. She appeared to be heading downbound through the seaway.

Reported by: Roger Tottman

CHARLES E WILSON Visits Marine City

04/21:
The American Steamship Company’s CHARLES E WILSON visited Marine City, Michigan on April 19, 1997. This is the second American Steamship vessel to dock in Marine City this season, the first being the SAM LAUD which arrived a few weeks ago. Until last season American Steamship vessels were a rare sight at this port, as it was usually served by ships of the Oglebay Norton fleet since the mid-eighties.

Reported by: Ray Bawal Jr.

Unusual traffic expected in the Twin Ports

04/21:
Two Harbors is scheduled to receive some unusual callers this week. Mesabi Miner and Joe Block are due there April 21 and Adam E. Cornelius is expected April 22.

Reported by: Al Miller

Southern Lake Michigan Traffic

04/21:
On Sunday 4/20/97, the STEWART J. CORT is schedualed to arrive at Bethlehem Steel, Burns Harbor @16:00. On Monday 4/21/97, the PHILIP R. CLARKE is due @ 01:00 @ BUFFINGTON HARBOR to discharge half their load, then move 2.5 miles east and dump the rest of her load at USX WORKS in the slip at GARY, IN. Also look for the KAYE E. BARKER to unload at the Marblehead dock in the CALUMET RIVER, @ APPROX. 23:00, 4/21/97. On Tuesday 4/22/97, the BURNS HARBOR is due at Burns Harbor @ 02:00. The CHARLES M. BEEGHLEY is due at Inland Steel also on tuesday @ 03:00 in INDIANA HARBOR. Later this week look for the WILFRED SYKES, PAUL R. TREGURTHA, EDWARD L. RYERSON,and the MESABI MINER to all travel to the south end of lake MI.

Reported by: Kevin Kelley

Lake Ontario visits Capitol 6

04/21:
Duluth’s AGP grain elevator – formerly known as Capitol 6 or “Cap 6” – already has its first caller of the season. The Seaway-max freighter Lake Ontario arrived April 19 and moved under the elevator’s loading boom. The elevator has been used sparingly in recent years, so it was encouraging to see a vessel there this early in the season.

Reported by: Al Miller

Update on the ex Socanav fleet

04/20:
L’Orme No.1 sold at Marshal’s Sale in Montreal on April 7 to Venezuelan Buyer. Ship re-flagged Panamaniann due to leave Canada for Caribbean area on April 18. 1997.Le Chene No.1, sold to CIBC at Marshal’s Sale in Montreal on April 7, since sold again to EnerChem of Montreal, will stay in Canadian flag.

Le Saule No.1, sold at Marshal’s Sale in Montreal on April 7 to CIBC, ship is again for sale, through address below.

W.M. Vacy Ash, still under arrest in Brest France and for sale.

If interested call Ocean Marine Charter 506 532 1260 or fax 506 532 6300.

Reported by: Kieran J. Shanahan and Joe Chirco

Big Coal Orders for Port Washington WEPCO plant

04/19:
Look for lots of boatwatching in Port Washington, WI this summer. The Wisconsin Electric Power Co. generating plant there has already placed orders for 600,000 tons of coal, setting them on a record pace. The previous coal record there is 700,000 tons for an entire season.Reports are that the effort to stockpile large quantities of coal is due to an expected shortfall of generating and distribution capacity in the Upper Great lakes Region this coming summer.

Reported by: Jim Zeirke

Algolake Refloated

04/19:
Sault Ste. Marie radio station CHAS and the Sault Star are reporting through Broadcast News that the Algoma Central Freighter, Algolake, has been refloated. The giant laker ran agroung Thursday on Vidal Shoal as it was approaching a dock at Algoma Steel. Officials say they believe the grounding was caused by a buoy anchor that was pushed into the Algoma Steel harbor channel by ice.

Reported by: Richard Boon and Bill Kenwood

Agawa Canyon visits Twin Ports

04/18:
Agawa Canyon, an occasional but welcome visitor to the Twin Ports, was in port April 18 unloading salt at the Cutler-Magner dock in Duluth.

Reported by: Al Miller

Algolake aground

04/18:
Algoma Central’s ALGOLAKE has run aground in the St. Mary’s River. She was downbound with taconite for Algoma Steel and ran aground in the Canadian Channel heading into Algoma Steel. There is damage to number 1 and 2 ballast tanks, the ship is taking on water but is is no danger. A portion of the cargo is being off loaded into a Purvis Marine barge.

Reported by: Scott McLellan and Bill Kenwood

News round up

04/18:
The M/V Burns Harbor was stuck hard directly under the Mackinac Bridge on Tuesday, April 8. High winds in excess of 60 mph the previous day had blown windrows of ice 15 feet high in the area. The tug Malcom finally freed the downboundBurns Harbor.The upbound Indiana Harbor was forced to backdown at Round Island Passage due to thick ice on April 7 and use the South Channel passage south of Round Island.

The J.A.W Iglehart is in the process of fitting out, she entered a short term lay-up in Milwaukee on March 29 .

Reported by: Johnny Duchario

Update on name change

04/18:
The Melvin H. Baker II will be renamed Atlantic Huron on April 23. The hull has been painted red, the new Canadian Steamship lines hull colour.

Reported by: Jim Bearman

New Ports in the Vessel Passage section

04/18:
Two new ports added to the Vessel Passage section:
Kingston and Thunder Bay vessel passage.

Amherst Islander under tow

04/18:
The Tug Atomic left Kingston on Wed. April 16, towing the disabled ferry Amherst Islander. The Amherst Islander suffered ice damage to its propeller last winter. The ship is being taken for repairs. I do not know the destination at this time but Oshawa is likely.

Reported by: Ron Walsh

U.S.-Flag Iron Ore and Coal Trades Off to Fast Start

04/17:
With ice conditions much more normal, U.S.-Flag Great Lakes carriers got off to a fast start in the iron ore and coal trades. Iron ore cargos loaded in U.S. bottoms in March totaled 2,012,484 net tons, an increase of 44 percent compared to the corresponding period in 1996. A year ago massive ice formations slowed the resumption of the dry-bulk trades.Coal cargos in U.S.-Flag lakers in March tripled to 450,000 net tons.

U.S.-Flag carriers in the Jones Act trades also moved quantities of cement, salt and liquid-bulk products in March. A complete report on March U.S.-Flag carriage will be ready next week.

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Toledo’s grain future?

04/17:
The silos that line the banks of the Maumee River at the Port of Toledo are filled with tons of grain-all waiting to be shipped out by land or sea. But officials said Wednesday (4/16) the port’s future as a major grain terminal is in trouble because of a proposed Chicago Board of Trade rule change that eliminates Toledo as a delivery point for corn and soybean futures contracts.Seven grain elevators operate in the area, employing 120 full-time workers and dozens of extra people during the grain season. Grain shipments through the port last year, via ship or train, totaled 62 million bushels, down from the 98 million bushels in 1995, but slightly above the yearly average of 59 million.

If the Board’s proposal is approved by the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the port’s grain shipments could be reduced by at least 25 million bushels a year, according to Jim Hartung, president of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority.

The board on Tuesday approved eliminating Toledo as a delivery point in 1999 and using grain elevators along the northern Illinois River instead. Toledo is one of three delivery points for futures contracts; the others are St. Louis and Chicago. A delivery point is a site where grain bought under futures contracts is stored in elevators. The grain is shipped later to markets in the United States and overseas.

Reported by: Dave Wobser

Lake Michigan Southern Ports

04/17:
The DAVID Z. NORTON is expected at the Port Of Indiana on Thursday 4/17/97 at 17:00. The EDWARD L. RYERSON is expected at Inland Steel, Indiana Harbor on Saturday, 4/19/97 at 06:00. The JOESPH H. THOMPSON left Indiana Harbor Wednesday, 4/16/97 early AM. and is returning 4/18/97. Look for the WILFRED SYKES, MESABI MINER, and the STEWART J. CORT to all arrive on Sunday,4/20/97 to the south end of Lake Michigan.

Reported by: Kevin Kelley

Manistee Gets Second Ship Of Season

04/16:
Looking good with a fresh coat of paint, American Steamship’s Sam Laud unloaded coke at the old Great Lakes Dock today, April 16. The Sam Laud was preceded by Oglebay Norton’s Wolverine which opened the season at Manistee by delivering coal to the Tondu Energy Power Plant on Thursday, April 10.

Reported by: Wayne Gray

Kinsman Independent makes first trip of season to Superior

04/16:
Domestic grain traffic in Duluth-Superior has commenced with the arrival of Kinsman Independent. The vessel is loading April 16 at Peavey Connors Point elevator in Superior. The KI’s arrival marks the third leg of the Twin Ports grain traffic, coming on the heels of the arrival and departure of the first saltie carrying grain and arrival of the first Canadian laker.

Reported by: Al Miller

South Chicago Doings

04/16:
The Sam Laud and Charles M. Beeghly were both loading coal at KCBX this morning (4/15). A beautiful sunny morning at that. Meanwhile, the Edward L. Ryerson was unloading at Indiana Harbor. The Ryerson departed approx. 0800. A interesting morning on the South Side!

Reported by: Gary R. Clark

Grain in the Twin Ports

04/15:
The Twin Ports grain industry is suddenly hopping. Four vessels are loading April 15: Algosound at Harvest States, American Mariner at Great Northern S, Algontario at Cargill and saltie Kapitonas Sevcenko at Peavey Connors Point.

Reported by: Al Miller

Crapo moved

04/15:
The S.T. CRAPO has shifted to Collision Bend in the Cuyahoga River. She has been in lay-up since September 4, 1996. This spot is a better place to keep her now that the river is busy.

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Port of Thunder Bay report

04/15:
QUEDOC-Vandoc-W.E.D.
tug W.N.TWOLAN & barge McALLISTER 132-Great west Timber
GORDON C. LEITCH-P&H EL.
CCGS SAMUEL RISLEY-Mot. base
CANADIAN PROVIDER-Sask. Pool 7A
“OMISALJ”-Western Pool IO-Thunder Bay’s first foreign vessel for 1997

Reported by: Ron Konkol

Canadian Navigator out of Port Weller Dry Docks

04/15:
Canadian Navigator came out of the Port Weller Dry Docks yesterday April 14, 1997 and is fitting out at the wall. She enter Port Weller December 19, 1996 to begin her conversion to a self-unloader

Reported by: < Roger Tottman

First salty arrives Twin Ports

04/15:
The first Salty of the season, the Lithuanian Motor Vessel Kapitonas Sevcenko, arrived in Duluth, Monday afternoon at 3:04 PM. She is now at Peavey Connors Point elevator in Superior loading wheat for Malta.

Reported by: Ken Newhams and Al Miller

visit Duluth Shipping News for an image of the ship arriving

Twin ports report

04/15:
American Mariner mades its first appearance of the season in the Twin Ports on April 14. The vessel made one of its periodic calls to Superior’s seldom-used Great Northern Elevator S (now owned or leased by General Mills) to load grain.Oglebay Norton is tied up at the Duluth port terminal April 14, ballasted down by the bow so work can be down around its stern. The vessel is scheduled to shift later today to load at Midwest Energy Terminal.

Reported by: Al Miller

Detroit Marine Terminal’s first arrival

04/15:
Detroit Marine Terminal received it’s first cargo shipment of the year on Friday, April 11, 1997 when the Lake Ontario (Ex Federal Danube) docked in the evening hours. The vessel is loaded with 24,800 metric tons or 1288 prime quality steel coils destined for Thyssen Steel Group’s Coil Processing Center. Discharge commenced Monday morning, the 14th – and should finish Wednesday afternoon, weather permitting.

Reported by: J. Luke

U.S.C.G. maintenance contract awarded

04/15:
Sonag Co. Inc. of Menomonee Falls, Wis., has received a U.S.$327,990 contract from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Ninth District in Cleveland for property maintenance and repairs.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

Dennis Hale Sole Survivor Program

April 19 Bay City, MI Central High School auditorium
Offered by the Saginaw River Marine Historical Society
See and hear Dennis Hale, the only survivor of the wreck of the S/S Daniel J. Morrell which sank in Lake Huron in November 1966 . Tickets are $8.00 in advance or $10.00, at the door.
Send to: SRMHS 707 Sibley St. Bay City, Mi. 48706 Program is being held at Bay City Central High School auditorium 1624 Columbus St. (east Side of Bay City) All Proceeds go to the Building of a Museum by the Society.

RYERSON loads in Marquette

04/14:
Inland Steel’s, EDWARD L. RYERSON, made her first visit to Marquette since the early 1960’s on April 12 and loaded taconite for Indiana Harbor. The visit was Marquette’s first straight-decker since the JL MAUTHE in October of 1992. On the other side of the ore dock that day, JAMES R. BARKER was unloading her second western coal cargo of the 1997 season for Marquette.

Reported by: Rod Burdick

Sailing dates

04/14:
KINSMAN INDEPENDENT – Departed Buffalo on April 12 for Duluth/Superior
MIDDLETOWN – April 11 departed Toledo for Marquette

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Salties and Grain

04/14:
As of April 13, the Kapitonas Sevcenko is scheduled to be the first saltie in the Twin Ports this season. It’s due late Monday.Canadian Trader has opened the season for the always-busy Harvest States Co-op elevator in Superior, she arrived at 8:54 a.m. Sunday.

Reported by: Al Miller and Gary A. Putney

Seaway Traffic

04/14:
As of April 13, Sauniere (W) 2140 sodus going to the canal; Algoport (E) 2140; Cape Vincent coal 0105/14 Crossover; Algobay – anchored 1.2 miles East of Charith Shoal Lighted buoy- engine problem; H. M. Grifith (W) 0040/14; Algowest (W) 2250 Crossover; John B. Aird (W) 2340 Crossover

Reported by: Ron Walsh

Ranger III ready to open 1997 season

04/14:
USNPS RANGER III is tenatively scheduled to open ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK on Tuesday April 29, from the Park’s dock in Houghton, Michigan. Delivered to Isle Royale National Park in September of 1958, this will be the start of the 40th season for RANGER.

Reported by: K. Hanrahan

Mariner’s Workshop on Navigation and Electronic Charts ’97

04/14:
The Canadian Shipowners Association presents: Mariner’s Workshop on Navigation and Electronic Charts ’97, an event held in collaboration with the Port of Montreal on May 14 and 15, 1997. The purpose of the workshop is:
1.To demonstrate the latest technology in electronic charting and navigation
2.To discuss the implications of implementing shipboard electronic navigation-related
technologies with a particular emphasis on time, cost, and benefits.

Visit the Canadian Shipowners Association home page for complete details

Duluth-Superior News

04/12:
The St. Lawrence Cement Terminal in Duluth received its first caller of the season April 11 when Algontario arrived to unload.Unusual early season callers to North Shore ports include H. Lee White due to arrive in Taconite Harbor April 13 and Fred R. White Jr arriving in Silver Bay April 12.

Reported by: Al Miller and Gary A. Putney

First salty into the Port of Toledo

04/12:
Fednav International’s 734-foot LAKE SUPERIOR (Ex-FEDERAL THAMES) was the first salty into the Port of Toledo. She arrived on Tuesday, April 8 with a load of steel for processing at the North Star Steel plant in Delta, Ohio. She was met with appropriate ceremonies by Port and City officials.

Reported by: Dave Wobser

Halcyon Sails Again-Sort of

04/12:
The research vessel Halycon was moved out of Muskegon Thursday still on the barge on which it sat, following being lifted off the bottom of Muskegon Lake last October. The vessel had been given to the NOAA as a gift from the Army Corp of Engineers and was schedule to become a research ship on the Great Lakes. Unfortunately, she leaked and sank after being brought into the Great Lakes last year from the Atlantic coast. The Halcyon is being moved to Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, WI for further inspection and storage until her future is decided. She may be given to U of M’s Marine Architecture School. The ship was the topic of a recent ABC story about government waste.

Reported by: Mark Howell

Kingston Area Shipping

04/12:
The shipping season is under way here. The SAR cutter CCGC Bittern is back on station as of Wed. April 9. The CCGC Spray is west bound heading for its station. (Quebec Head 1710 stopping over in Kingston.) The Seaway showed the Canadian Progress (W) 1708 Crossover,Canadian Leader (E) 1901 Crossover, Saturn, from Oswego ,along south shore, 2017 mid-lake heading for the canal, Frontenac out of Picton with a load of clinker, (W) 1810 False Ducks, going to the canal and Essexville Michigan.

Reported by: Ron Walsh

First “salty” of the season at Detroit

04/11:
The first “salty” of the season arrived at the Port of Detroit on 10 April. The Kapitonas Sevcenko (Lithuanian-registry 14,631-dwt bulk carrier built in 1977, operated by Lithuanian Shipping Co.) docked at the Nicholson Terminal and Dock Co. Steven Olinek, deputy director of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, made a presentation to the ship’s master, Alfridas Ulozas.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

Fred R. White Jr. Makes Unusual Trip

04/11:
Yesterday, 4\10 The Fred R. White Jr. made an unusual trip of loading coal at Toledo CSX dock and delivering it to the Detroit Edison plants in Marysville and Harbor Beach. It is not unusual for the vessel to load coal in Toledo, but to deliver a split-load to these ports is a rarity. After it unloaded it is currently upbound headed to Silver Bay for a load of Taconite Pellets. The Middletown is departing the lay-up dock AM tomorrow to the Ashtabula coal dock to load.

Reported by: Chris Franckowiak

New Cargo Record

04/11:
The 1997 Great Lakes shipping season is just weeks old, but already a new U.S.-Flag cargo record has been set. On March 28, the steamship PHILIP R. CLARKE loaded 25,325 net tons of salt at Fairport Harbor, Ohio, for delivery to Toledo, Ohio. This cargo surpasses the previous record of 25,320 tons carried by the AMERICAN REPUBLIC in 1987.The 767-foot-long self-unloader CLARKE is one of 10 U.S.-Flag lakers operated by USS Great Lakes Fleet, Inc.(USS GLF) of Duluth, Minnesota. The vessel normally works the iron ore, coal and stone trades, but the harsh winter has depleted salt stockpiles around the Great Lakes, so USS GLF is aiding customers by utilizing larger vessels in that trade at the beginning of the season. In total, USS GLF will load four salt cargos in March and April in the CLARKE and sistership ARTHUR M. ANDERSON.

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Sailing dates

04/11:
JOHN J. BOLAND – April 10 departed Sturgeon Bay for Stoneport
MEDUSA CONQUEST – April 10 departed Sturgeon Bay for Charlevoix

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Ryerson departs Milwaukee

04/10:
Ryerson departed Milwaukee at approximately 10:30 AM Wednesday morning. (April 9)
The reported boiler problems can be typical of a vessel coming out of long term lay-up.

Reported by: Neil Schultheiss

Port Stanley receives first cargo of 1997

04/10:
The CANADIAN OYLMPIC opened the 1997 shipping season in Pt. Stanley, Ontario, Wednesday, April 9th. She unloaded a cargo of coal for the St. Mary`s Cement Company. Captain Peckford received the traditional “Top Hat” Ceremony for the first commercial ship of the season. The OLYMPIC had to wait outside for a couple of days due to weather.

Reported by: Philip Nash

Remaining openings for sailing school

04/10:
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, Michigan is seeking to fill the final remaining openings for its new class which will begin August 17th. Anyone interested in finding out what it takes to become an officer (deck or engine) on a U.S. flag Great Lakes vessel should contact Judy Rokos at 1-800-748-2566 x-1200 immediately!

Reported by: Neil Schultheiss

Visit the GREAT LAKES MARITIME ACADEMY home page for more details

Oglebay Norton Departures

04/10:
The Joseph H. Frantz departed lay-up today, heading upbound to Stoneport to load for Bay City. This is the vessel’s 72nd shipping season. The Earl W. Oglebay moved over to Lorain today to start the first of 3 shuttles to Cleveland LTV Steel. The only other Oglebay Norton vessel still in lay-up is the Middletown, which is due out of lay-up on the 11th..

Reported by: Chris Franckowiak

Ice Jams Maid of the Mist

04/10:
A massive ice jam in the lower Niagara River has caused severe flooding at the Maid of the Mist yards about a mile downstream from the falls. The three story office and workshop building was flooded to a depth of three feet over the second floor and two of the Maids were floated off their winter cradles. As of this morning the water had receeded to normal levels but the boats and the floating docks were resting on the ice. Damages have yet to be determined but the average opening date of mid-May may be pushed back a couple of weeks.

Reported by: Mal Bunting

Sailing dates

04/09:
H. LEE WHITE – April 9 departed Toledo for Wyandotte
RICHARD REISS – April 9 departed Erie for Marblehead
JOSEPH H. FRANTZ – April 9 departed Toledo for Stoneport
EARL W. OGLEBAY – April 9 departed Toledo for Lorain

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Ryerson experiences boiler problems

04/09:
Monday night the Edward L. Ryerson radioed Group Milwaukee that they had lost their turbine due to boiler problems. They were 5 miles off the beach dead ship between Port Washington and Milwaukee headed to Indiana harbor with 26,066 tons of taconite on their first trip of the season. Emergency generators were maintaining lights and steering. The Great Lakes Towing tug Superior departed Milwaukee later that night and towed the Ryerson to Milwaukee for repairs. They arrived early Tuesday (April 8) and were assisted by the tug California. Partial boiler operation had been resumed by the time they entered the Milwaukee harbor.They were inside the breakwall by 0800. The GLT tug Washington assisted in docking the Ryerson at the liquid terminal dock in the outer harbor. The Ryerson was still docked at 1730 Tuesday.

Reported by: Greg C. Sieren

More on the Sykes

04/09:
The Wilfred Sykes did significant damage to the sheet piling and concrete sidewalk as it was negotiating the Grand River in Grand Haven last week. The Sykes was loaded with slag bound for the VerPlank docks in Grand Haven MI when strong currents in the Grand River and heavy winds pushed it into the sheet piling doing damage to about 65′ of the seawall. Damage to the Sykes was minimal.

Reported by: Johnny Duchario

Wind and ice cause delays

04/08:
April 7— traffic exiting the Welland Canal -Port Colborne was on hold—because of the ice. The ice was solid from Port Colborne,Ontario across to Silver Creek, New York. The wind was such that it was too thick to handle.Algontario x CSL Winnipeg was at above warf 12 just below Lock 8 for 2 days standing by. The Coast Guard cutter Griffon was standing by at warf 16.

The Griffon escorted Algomarine to Buffalo the day or two before and will escort it back after unloading.

Reported by: Joe Van Volkenburg

Arthur M. Anderson battles the weather

04/08:
A good indication of the ferocity of last weekend’s storm is the Arthur M. Anderson, which arrived in Duluth on Tuesday with a heavy coating of ice on deck. The vessel is unloading at the DMIR dock before heading to Two Harbors.

Reported by: Al Miller

Indiana harbor Has A Reunion Of Sorts

04/08:
On Monday, April 7, the Inland Steel docks in Indiana Harbor was filled with the JOE BLOCK, WILFRED SYKES, and the ADAM E. CORNEILIUS, with the EDWARD L. RYERSON at 04:30 Tuesday morning. However the RYERSON broke down and had to be towed into Milwaukee,WI. The word down here is that the problem may be with the 3/4 year old fuel. Also due at Indiana Harbor across the canal at LTV Steel on Tuesday 4/8 is the ITB JOE THOMPSON and the JOE THOMPSON JR. about 0800 and the RESRVE is due approx. 1800. Over at the Port of Indiana, (Burns Harbor, Portage, IN) the STEWART J. CORT was in most of 4/7 and the wee hours of 4/8. The BURNS HARBOR is expected back with her 2nd load of the season 1700 on 4/8 and the SAM LAUD is also expected at noon at the international port on the west arm of the port. Look for the ITB MCKEE SONS and THE INDIANA HARBOR to arrive at LTV in INDIANA HARBOR on Wednesday 4/9 at 0600 and 0200 repectively.

Reported by: Kevin Kelley

Metro Machine lays off workers in Erie, Pa.

04/08:
Metro Machine Corp., based in Norfolk, Va., has laid off 70 employees. Most are from two shipyards in Pennsylvania, at Chester and Erie. Metro Machine cited a lack of work as the reason. The firm now employs a total of 160 people. In addition, Metro Machine has requested that Virginia postpone a loan payment until the end of 1998. The firm barrowed U.S.$15.5 million in 1994 to buy part of Pennsylvania Shipbuilding in Chester. Metro Machine planned to build product tankers at the yard, but has not received any orders.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

Oglebay Norton Fitout Dates

04/08:
Earl W. Oglebay – April 8th
Joseph H. Frantz – April 8th
Middletown – April 11th

Reported by: Chris Franckowiak and J.V. Pepka

Typical Start for Lake Michigan Coal Trade

04/07:
With ice conditions much less severe than a year ago, coal resumed shipping from South Chicago in March. Shipments totaled 37,083 net tons. Last year, with so many ships delayed by ice, the Lake Michigan coal trade did not resume until April.

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

High winds open ice field

04/07:
The strong winds accompanying a nasty spring storm April 5-6 were a mixed blessing in the Twin Ports. The winds disrupted vessel schedules and prompted Armco to remain at the DMIR dock April 7 waiting for improvement in the weather. On the other hand, the winds pushed away the ice field lingering off the Duluth and Superior entries, leaving a large area of open water.

Reported by: Al Miller

Port of Cleveland

04/07:
Ziemia Chelminska unloading rolled steel coils and the Cuyahoga was unloading sand at the Ontario Stone dock.

Reported by: CeiBob

Ryerson Loads first cargo

04/07:
Inland Steel’s, EDWARD L. RYERSON, loaded her first cargo since January of 1994 on April 6 in Escanaba. She had fresh paint and looked great! She was at the ore dock with fleetmate, WILFRED SYKES.

Reported by: Rod Burdick

ITB JACKLYN M. headed to Shipyard this weekend

04/07:
The ITB JACKLYN.M. (ANDRE INC.) reportred that they’re going to the shipyard for warrenty work on the barge INTEGRITY. Also will replace both screws on the tug. Company optimism hopes for a 7 day turn around.

Reported by: Kevin Kelley

RESERVE makes rare visit

04/07:
Oglebay Norton’s, RESERVE, loaded a rare cargo of ore in Escanaba on April 4. She normally loads at Lake Superior ports. The cargo was delivered to Indiana Harbor. She was in port to unload coal, which is a normal trip, but shifting to the ore dock after unloading, is rare.

Reported by: Rod Burdick

Sailing dates

04/07:
GEORGE A. STINSON – April 5 departed Toledo for Superior
EDWARD L. RYERSON – April 5 departed Sturgeon Bay for Escanaba
BUCKEYE sailed 4/4 from Toledo to Duluth.

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Grant given to Milwaukee to promote the Badger

04/07:
The Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau is receiving a U.S.$9,000 grant from the State of Wisconsin to help promote the city’s Passport to the Best of Wisconsin. The promotion is from 16 May to 30 June and 25 Aug. to 12 Oct. Specifically, the promotion is meant to attract tourists from Michigan to visit the area using the Badger, sailing between Ludington, Mich., and Manitowoc, Wis. Participating hotels in Milwaukee will offer 20 percent discounts. Milwaukee is one of five areas in the state promotion, and the grant was awarded through the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Joint Effort Marketing program. The funding, matched by local money, will pay for newspaper advertisements.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

High winds delay shipping

04/07:
On Sunday the Lee A. Tregurtha was inside the protection of Whitefish point, but may not have gotten any further last night, as 3 other boats are stuck in the ice that the wind has packed into whitefish bay. The Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw was busy trying to free the other 3 boats to get them to the locks.
Gale warnings are up for most of the Lakes

Reported by: Bob Gilreath

George A. Stinson begins the 1997 season

04/06:
The George A Stinson departed her winter lay-up in Toledo around 6:00 A.M. (EST) bound for Superior. She is now under contract to American Steamship Company and sporting the new stack markings.

Reported by: N. Schultheiss

Ryerson underway

04/06:
The Edward L. Ryerson left Bay Shipbuilding around 1400 Saturday – under the cover of rain and fog. She had been in long term lay-up since January 24,1994

Reported by:R.K. Thompson

Grain in Duluth

04/06:
Duluth received its first grain boat of the season April 5 when Halifax arrived to unload at Cargill and General Mills before shifting to the BNSF ore dock in Superior.

Reported by: Al Miller

Holland MI harbor to be dredged

04/05:
Working under a U S Army corps of Engineers contract, Andrie, Inc, a Muskegon MI marine dredging firm, plans to dredge an average of two feet from the bottom of Lake Macatawa along the 110 foot wide channel and the 400 foot wide turning basin at the Holland pier.
The work is expected to continue through the month of April.

Reported by: John Noonan

Seaway Radio Message No. 4 – 1997

04/05:
This is the final Radio Message for the 1997 opening period.

MONTREAL-LAKE ONTARIO SECTION

The Montreal-Lake Ontario section is generally open water except for a deteriorating ice cover with a broken ships track on eastern part of Lake St. Francis . A broken ice cover exists on the South Shore Canal, and from Snell to one mile above Eisenhower Lock.

Navigation will be restricted to daylight hours in some areas. The commissioning of lighted aids is underway. Details will be issued by the appropriate Traffic Control Centres. Mariners are warned to exercise extreme caution in the use of winter markers as the position of the markers may have been affected by ice. Ice breaker assistance will be available on Lake St. Francis if required.

It is extremely important that vessels transiting through all ice covered areas proceed at the slowest safe speed in order not to disturb the ice fields.

Progress on the removal of the Prescott-Ogdensburg and Galop booms will be provided by the Traffic Control Centre as required.

WELLAND CANAL

Both sides of the flight locks are in operation.

Ice conditions are moderate in the eastern half of Lake Erie.

Vessels intending to transit the eastern end of Lake Erie are advised to contact Seaway Long Point or Seaway Welland for current information on ice conditions. Ice breaker assistance will be available if required.

Reported by: St. Lawrence Seaway Authority

Visit the Authority’s home page for complete details

Port of Cleveland

04/04:
Today at 1523 hours the Cuyahoga was leaving the Port and the American Republic was waiting to enter. The Wolverine had her engines on because the diesel fumes were exiting her funnels.
Wednesday of this week the Niagara (historic sailing vessel) was in dry dock at the slip south of Akozo Salt Co.

Reported by: CeiBob1

Holland MI harbor to be dredged

04/04:
Working under a U S Army corps of Engineers contract, Andrie, Inc, a Muskegon MI marine dredging firm, plans to dredge an average of two feet from the bottom of Lake Macatawa along the 110 foot wide channel and the 400 foot wide turning basin at the Holland pier.
The work is expected to continue through the month of April.

Reported by: John Noonan

First cruise ship to Duluth

04/04:
The first cruise ship to visit Duluth in about 30 years is scheduled to arrive in port Oct. 3, the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth announced April 3.The new cruise ship Columbus, owned by Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd Tours, will dock for about 12 hours at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. Two Great Lakes cruises, each with 420 passengers, are sold out. Both cruises were marketed in Europe.

Twin Ports officials are hoping to persuade Hapag-Lloyd to use Duluth as the starting point for cruises starting in 1998.

Reported by: Al Miller

SMET Off To Fast Start

04/04:
Superior Midwest Energy Terminal in Superior, Wis., loaded five 1,000-footers in March for a total of 310,845 net tons of low sulfur coal. Last year, ice conditions on Lake Superior were so severe that SMET did not load its first cargo until April.

Reported by: theLake Carriers Association

George A. Sloan starts 1997 season

04/04:
The GEORGE A. SLOAN departed Sturgeon Bay for Calcite yesterday, April 3

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Seaway News release

04/04:
(OTTAWA, April 2, 1997)– The St. Lawrence Seaway Authority today announced that the 39th navigation season on the Montreal-Lake Ontario and the Welland Canal sections of the St. Lawrence Seaway is now officially underway with the passage of the first ship through the St. Lambert lock this morning at 10:30 a.m. The Algocape, a bulker operated by Algoma Central Marine, is carrying iron ore from Pointe-Noire (Quebec) to Indiana Harbor in the United States.Seaway Authority President Glendon R. Stewart noted that the 1997 season is expected to be busy and that many carriers and Great Lakes ports are anticipating strong cargo movements throughout the year. Another successful season is anticipated in 1997. said Mr. Stewart. The healthy trade levels recorded last year should be maintained for iron ore, general cargo, which includes steel slabsand steel products, coal and other bulk. The only cloud in the sky may be with the movements of Canadian and American grains which are always unpredictable.

To maintain its near-perfect record of safety and reliability, The St. Lawrence Seaway Authority just completed a $15,000,000 major maintenance program on both sections of the system during its three month winter shutdown. Part of the work included dredging at Port Weller Dry Docks and the removal of Bridge 20 at the Welland Canal. These improvements should reduce transit times through both areas.

The Seaway is once again looking forward to welcoming new vessels to the system. Forty-four ships transitted the Seaway for the first time in 1996. This year, The Authority will greet three new ships built by Fednav and will salute others which are currently being refitted to make them more efficient in the system. It s refreshing to see that the marine industry believes in the Seaway and is heavily investing in its future , said Mr. Stewart. These new and refitted vessels plying the Seaway are a sign of confidence.

The Seaway is a successful transporter of goods from the heartland of North America to international markets. Last year, the St. Lawrence Seaway recorded its highest overall traffic volume since 1988.

Reported by: St. Lawrence Seaway Authority

Visit the Authority’s home page for complete details

Seaway Radio Message No. 2 – 1997

04/04:
MONTREAL-LAKE ONTARIO SECTION
The Montreal-Lake Ontario section opened to navigation today, April 2 at 0800 hours.

The Montreal-Lake Ontario section is generally open water except for a medium ice cover with a broken ships track on Lake St. Francis from the upper entrance of the Beauharnois canal to Lancaster. A broken ice cover exists on the South Shore Canal,and from Snell to one mile above Eisenhower Lock.

Navigation will be restricted to daylight hours until the commissioning of lighted aids has been completed. Mariners are warned to exercise extreme caution in the use of winter markers as the position of the markers may have been affected by ice.

Ice breaker assistance will be available on Lake St. Francis if required.

It is extremely important that vessels transiting through all ice covered areas proceed at the slowest safe speed in order not to disturb the ice fields.

One section of the Prescott-Ogdensburg and one section of the Galop ice boom have been opened providing an opening of 121 meters, the opening is marked with navigation aids. A second section of the Galop boom is being removed today, the channel opening will be 240 m.

WELLAND CANAL

The Welland Canal opened to navigation today, April 2 at 0800 hours.
Both sides of the flight locks are in operation.
Ice conditions are moderate in the eastern half of Lake Erie.

Vessels intending to transit the eastern end of Lake Erie are advised to contact Seaway Long Point or Seaway Welland for current information on ice conditions. Ice breaker assistance will be available if required.

Reported by: St. Lawrence Seaway Authority

Visit the Authority’s home page for complete details

More on the opening of the canal

04/04:
The Algocape (Canadian-registry 15,969-gt, 29,709-dwt, 13,472-nt, 223-meter/730-foot bulk carrier built in 1967 by Davie Shipbuilding Ltd. at Lauzon, Quebec; owned and operated by Algoma Central Marine) was the first ship to enter the St. Lawrence Seaway when it opened 2 April. The ship, carrying iron ore to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, entered the system at the St. Lambert Lock at Montreal. Though it was previously thought that high water levels would cause restrictions on night navigation, the levels have lowered and no restrictions are in place.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

Griffon to wait off Buffalo for Algomarine

04/03:
The Breaker Griffon is waiting at 9 PM (EST) in the ice off Buffalo for the Algomarine to unload and depart Lackawanna . She is scheduled to leave the dock at 3:30 AM Friday morning.

Reported by: Brian Wroblewski

First Westbound Cargo Thru Welland Canal Is Cement For Cleveland

04/03:
The cement barge ST. MARYS CEMENT II is scheduled to arrive in Cleveland this afternoon (April 3) with 16,000 tons of cement. This shipment represents the first westbound cargo thru the Welland this season.

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Port of Indiana

04/03:
The Port of Indiana saw many familiar faces on Monday and Tuesday as the STEWART J. CORT and the BURNS HARBOR arrived with their first loads this week at Bethlehem Steel,Portage,IN.

Reported by: Kevin Kelley

Thursday sailing dates

04/03:
CHARLES E. WILSON – April 3 departed Sturgeon Bay for Stoneport
SAM LAUD – April 3 departed Toledo for Ecorse
WOLVERINE – April 3 departed Cleveland for Marblehead
COURTNEY BURTON – April 2 departed Toledo for Stoneport

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Hard Start for Grand Haven MI shipping season

04/03:
The “Wilfred Sykes” , the first ship of the year to enter the Grand Haven Mi harbor, collided with a sea wall near the foot of Franklin Street shortly before 7:00 AM April 2, 1997. The collision damaged some 60 feet of sea wall, and shattered its concrete cap. There was no apparent damage to the “Sykes” which continued on up the channel to a dock in Ferrysburg MI.In April 1995, the “Elton Hoyt II” damaged the same sea wall – in approximately the same area – when wind caught it’s stern as the ship was turning at the rivers bend.

Reported by: John Noonan and William & Barbara Shetterly

News from Saginaw

04/03:
Alpena cleared Saginaw early Wednesday afternoon, she departed the LaFarge dock in Carrollton on Tuesday. Seems there was too much current in the Saginaw River and the tug Gregory J Busch was called to help the Alpena out.

Reported by: Lon W Morgan

Welland Canal Officially Opened for 1997

04/02:
At 11:00 am today Capt. Bud Robinson, master of LOUIS R. DESMARAIS was presented with the top hat to mark the official opening of the Welland Canal during ceremonies at Lock 3 alongside the St. Catharines Historical Museum. The event was watched by an enthusiastic crowd of onlookers including school children and a delegation from Erie, Pennsylvania where the DESMARAIS completed winter drydocking and refit. The ship showed the new Canada Steamship Lines hull colour which is really the red carried by its bulkers in the days when it had bulkers. As well the alignment of stack colours is changed with the black smokeband continuing down the after sude and the white and red following in similar fashion. The ship was in transit from Erie to Bowmanville, Ontario, to load 25,000 metric tons of cement clinker for Detroit, Michigan.

Reported by: David Bull

Abigail Burgess to be launched

04/01:
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Ida Lewis-class Coastal Buoy Tender Abigail Burgess (WLM 553) has been rolled out at Marinette Marine Corp. in Marinette, Wis., and will be launched 5 April. WLM 553 is named for the daughter of a lighthouse keeper, who at age 14, kept two lights on an island operating during a storm while caring for her family as well. The ship was ordered in February 1995 with two others at a cost of U.S.$36.5 million.

Reported by: Steve Schultz

From the weekly electronic publication “The World Maritime News”

More on the Ryerson

04/01:
The Edward L. Ryerson is due in Escanaba on Saturday April 5, to load for Indiana Harbor. The Ryerson has been in long term lay-up at Bay Shipbuilding since January 24,1994.

Reported by: the Jim Grill

Tuesday sailing dates

04/01:
AMERICAN REPUBLIC – April 1 departed Toledo for Ecorse
AMERICAN MARINER – April 1 departed Sturgeon Bay for Marquette
OGLEBAY NORTON – March 27 departed Toledo for Escanaba
ST. MARYS CEMENT – Entered service on March 27

Reported by: the Lake Carriers Association

Port of Toledo starts 1997 season

04/01:
HERBERT C. JACKSON opened the shipping season at the Port of Toledo when she arrived March 31 to load 15,000 tons of coal at the CSX Docks for delivery to the Great Lakes Steel plant in Ecorse, Michigan. JACKSON arrived about 12 hours earlier than expected due to the need for coal at the steel plant. AMERICAN REPUBLIC and CANADIAN TRANSPORT are scheduled to load coal on April 1. The first salt water boat is expected at the port later in the week. More than 800 vessels are expected to call on the Port of Toledo this season.

Reported by: Dave Wobser

Oglebay Norton Sailing Dates

04/01/1997:
Wolverine – April 2nd
Courtney Burton – April 2nd
Buckeye-April 3rd

Reported by: Chris Franckowiak