Boatnerd News

Port Report – January 29, 2026

Jan 29, 2026

Port and vessel activity for Wednesday January 28.  Port reports done by Tom Geiger unless otherwise noted. Please send future port reports and pictures to news@boatnerd.net
You can Now visit Matt Miner’s Saltie page at  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/foreign-vessels-on-the-lakes-2024
The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at;  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026/

PORT REPORT 1/29/2026

BECANCOUR, CANADA                             [CABEC]
1/28/2026  Federal Trident-ARRIVES-6:45 PM
DUE:
Federal Baltic-DUE-2/3/2026-9:18 AM
Federal Satsuki-DUE-2/7/2026-10:26 AM

NANTICOKE, ONTARIO                             [CANAN]-Bill Kloss
Algocanada and Algoberta are loading at Imperial Oil.

PORT DOVER, CANADA                             [CAPDV]
Algoterra is at the anchorage.

CLEVELAND, OHIO                                      [USCLE]-Bill Kloss
Sam Laud is slowly making her way through the ice to Ashtabula.

MONROE, MICHIGAN                                 [USMOI]-Bill Kloss
  New York/Double Skin 509A is still unloading at Michigan Paving.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN                                  [USDET]
1/28/2026  Iver Bright-ARRIVES-2:23 PM
1/28/2026  Kimberly Joy-DEPARTS-4:53 PM-For-Ashtabula, Ohio [Anchor]

WINDSOR, CANADA                                   [CAWND]
1/28/2026  Frontenac-DEPARTS-10:43 AM-For-Chicago, Illinois

GODERICH, CANADA                                 [CAGOH]
DUE:
Algoma Niagara-DUE-1/29/2026-1:01 AM

SARNIA,CANADA                                          [CASNI]
1/28/2026  Iver Bright-DEPARTS-8:32 AM-For-Detroit, Michigan
1/28/2026  Baltic-DEPARTS-1:16 PM-For-Rogers City, Michigan
1/28/2026  USCG Neah Bay-ARRIVES-6:27 PM

ROGERS CITY                                                 [USRCY]
DUE:
Baltic-DUE-1/29/2026-10:00 AM

CHEBOYGAN, MICHIGAN                        [USCHG]
1/28/2026  USCG Mackinaw-DEPARTS-8:15 AM-For-[Ice OPS]
1/28/2026  USCG Mackinaw-ARRIVES-5:55 PM

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN                      [USMKE]
DUE:
Algoberta-DUE-2/1/2026-4:15 AM

SOUTH CHICAGO-CALUMET HARBOR, ILLINOIS       [USOUS]
1/28/2026  Rebecca Lynn-ARRIVES-11:56 AM
DUE:
Frontenac-DUE-1/31/2026-4:54 AM

INDIANA HARBOR-INDIANA                  [USECH]
1/28/2026  Rebecca Lynn-DEPARTS-10:02 AM-For-Indiana Harbor, Indiana
1/28/2026  Rebecca Lynn-ARRIVES-10:12 AM
1/28/2026  Rebecca Lynn-DEPARTS-11:20 AM-For-Calumet Harbor, Illinois
DUE:
Rebecca Lynn-DUE-1/28/2026-6:58 PM

 

Today in Great Lakes History – January 29

Jan 29, 2026

1910
1910:  BUCKEYE was launched January 29, 1910, as the straight decker a.) LEONARD B MILLER (Hull # 447) [US-207272] at Cleveland, Ohio by the American Ship Building Co.

1910:  JOHN P. REISS (Hull # 377) [Built-1910, US-207251]was also launched this date in 1910, at Lorain, Ohio, by American Ship Building Co.

1953
1953:   RICHARD M. MARSHALL (steel propeller freighter, 643 foot, 10,606 gross tons) was launched in Bay City, Michigan, at Defoe’s shipyard (Hull # 424).[US-265808] Later she was named JOSEPH S. WOOD in 1957, JOHN DYKSTRA in 1966, and BENSON FORD in 1983. She was scrapped in 1987 at Recife, Brazil.

1975
1975:  RATTRAY HEAD, [Built-1965, IMO-6521393,  other names: ANGMERING] a Seaway trader first in 1971, ran aground on Black Rock Shoal, Galway Bay, while inbound with a cargo of coal. The ship was a total loss.

1987
1987:  January 29, 1987 – BADGER [Built-1953, IMO-5033583] almost capsized at her dock due to a broken water intake pipe.

2023
2023:  Luedtke Engineering starts process to close business
Frankfort, MI ­­– A marine engineering company based in Frankfort is preparing to close its doors after over 92 years in business.
Luedtke Engineering is in the process of closing, according to Paul Luedtke, president of Luedtke engineering. Luedtke said the company will still be in business for a “couple of years” and that the company is currently downsizing and in the process of selling assets. Luedtke said further information on the company’s planned closure would be released at a later date.
According to the company’s website, Luedtke is a family-owned marine construction company started in 1930 by E.R. “Duke” Luedtke. The company expanded to a fleet of eight tugboats, 20 barges and completed over 1,000 projects on the Great Lakes.
Luedtke Engineering specializes in dredging, marina construction, subaqueous pipeline construction and habitat restoration.

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

Boatnerd News January 28, 2026

Jan 28, 2026

The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026

Trucks line up for hours in search of salt from Goderich mine

LONDON, ON – Goderich’s salt mine is working overtime to alleviate a shortage across the province amid treacherous winter weather. More than 100 trucks were lined up outside the mine on Monday, stretching all the way up North Harbour Road onto Highway 21.   
   Great Lakes vessels have also been loading regularly in Goderich this winter, taking salt to communities on Lake Michigan such as Milwaukee and Chicago.
   Locals say it’s been like this for weeks, as the province grapples with a salt shortage. The mine, the largest in the world, is shipping de-icing salt as quickly as they can mine it these days thanks to one of the most severe winters in a decade.
   “With the significant impact of winter weather compared to recent seasons, the entire road salt supply chain continues to experience high demand for deicing salt. At Compass Minerals, we are actively working to fulfill all current orders, prioritizing shipments for our municipal clients,” said Compass Minerals, owners of the Goderich salt mine, in a statement.
   Goderich’s salt mine produces more than seven million tons of salt each year but has the capacity to mine nine million tons. In 2024, Compass curtailed production of salt to “align inventory with business conditions,” which means instead of having huge stockpiles of salt sitting in inventory, they decided to produce salt more on an as needed basis.
   It’s needed now, as de-icing salt has quickly become the most valuable commodity this winter.
   The trucks, trains, and boats loading salt in Goderich are dealing mostly with municipalities who are also talking about curtailing, or at least closely monitoring their salt supplies, as they try to keep roads passable during one of the toughest winters in years.
   Without sharing specifics, Compass says they’re ramping up production as best they can to meet the constant and growing demand for their granules of snow melting magic.
   “We are focused on moving product as efficiently as possible, while also maximizing daily output from our Goderich mine to ensure optimal, full-season inventory availability across our network. We remain committed to serving all our valued customers in Ontario and all markets that we serve,” said Compass Minerals.

 [CTV]

Port Report – January 28, 2026

Jan 28, 2026

Port and vessel activity for Tuesday January 27.  Port reports done by Tom Geiger unless otherwise noted. Please send future port reports and pictures to news@boatnerd.net
You can Now visit Matt Miner’s Saltie page at  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/foreign-vessels-on-the-lakes-2024
The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at;  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026/

PORT REPORT 1/28/2026

BECANCOUR, CANADA                             [CABEC]
DUE:
Federal Trident-DUE-1/28/2026-7:14 AM
Federal Baltic-DUE-2/3/2026-9:18 AM
Federal Satsuki-DUE-2/7/2026-10:26 AM

NANTICOKE, ONTARIO                             [CANAN]-Bill Kloss
Algoterra and Algoberta are loading at Imperial Oil.

PORT DOVER, CANADA                             [CAPDV]
Algocanada is at the anchorage.

CLEVELAND, OHIO                                      [USCLE]-Bill Kloss
Sam Laud departed for Ashtabula.

MONROE, MICHIGAN                                 [USMOI]-Bill Kloss
New York/Double Skin 509A is still unloading at Michigan Paving.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN                                  [USDET]
1/27/2026  USCG Neah Bay-DEPARTS-8:06 AM-For-[ICE OPS]
1/27/2026  Kimberly Joy-ARRIVES-6:49 PM

WINDSOR, CANADA                                   [CAWND]
1/27/2026  CCGS Vincent Massey-ARRIVES-12:14 AM
1/27/2026  CCGS Vincent Massey-DEPARTS-12:36 AM-For-[ICE OPS]
1/27/2026  Frontenac-ARRIVES-12:54 AM

GODERICH, CANADA                                 [CAGOH]
1/27/2026  CCGS Judy LaMarsh-DEPARTS-9:23 AM-For-Goderich, Canada [Anchor]

SARNIA,CANADA                                          [CASNI]
1/27/2026  CCGS Judy LaMarsh-ARRIVES-3:44 PM
1/27/2026  Algoma Niagara-ARRIVES-4:12 PM
DUE:
Algoterra-DUE-1/28/2026-1:02 AM

SAULT STE. MARIE                                        [CASSM]
1/27/2026  USCG Katmai Bay-ARRIVES-8:52 AM
1/27/2026  USCG Katmai Bay-DEPARTS-9:09 AM-For-[Ice OPS]
1/27/2026  USCG Katmai Bay-ARRIVES-9:23 AM
1/27/2026  USCG Katmai Bay-DEPARTS-9:49 AM-For-[Ice OPS]
1/27/2026  USCG Katmai Bay-ARRIVES-10:03 AM
1/27/2026  USCG Katmai Bay-ARRIVES-10:34 AM

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN                         [USGRB]
1/27/2026  USCG Mobile Bay-ARRIVES-3:15 PM
1/27/2026  Algonova-ARRIVES-3:50 PM

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN                      [USMKE]
1/27/2026  Karen Andrie-ARRIVES-12:30 PM

SOUTH CHICAGO-CALUMET HARBOR, ILLINOIS       [USOUS]
1/27/2026  Nathan S-DEPARTS-10:34 AM-For-Indiana Harbor, Indiana
1/27/2026  Nathan S-ARRIVES-3:26 PM
DUE:
Rebecca Lynn-DUE-1/27/2026-12:39 PM
Frontenac-DUE-1/29/2026-11:00 PM

INDIANA HARBOR-INDIANA                  [USECH]
1/27/2026  Karen Andrie-DEPARTS-3:44 AM-For-Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1/27/2026  Nathan S-ARRIVES-11:07 AM
1/27/2026  Nathan S-DEPARTS-2:12 PM-For-Calumet Harbor, Illinois

 

Today in Great Lakes History – January 28

Jan 28, 2026

1879
1879:  At 4 a.m. on 28 January 1879, the ferry SARNIA [Built 1860 #23394] was discovered on fire while lying at Fitzgerald’s yard in Port Huron. All of the cabins were destroyed although the fire department had the fire out within an hour. About $3,000 damage was done. She was in the shipyard to be remodeled and to have a stern wheel installed. Arson was suspected.

1889
1889:  On 28 January 1889, The Port Huron Times announced that the Toledo & Saginaw Transportation Company went out of business and sold all of its vessel and its shipyard. The shipyard went to Curtis & Brainard along with the PAWNEE and MIAMI. The BUFFALO, TEMPEST, BRAINARD and ORTON went to Thomas Lester. The C.F. CURTIS, FASSET, REED and HOLLAND went to R. C. Holland. The DAYTON went to J. A. Ward and M. P. Lester. The TROY and EDWARDS were sold, but the new owners were not listed.

1965
1965:  TRANSWARREN, a T-2 tanker, made three trips through the Seaway in 1960. The vessel began flooding on the Atlantic and sent out a distress call enroute from Bahamas to Ijmuiden, Holland. The ship made it to Ponta Delgada, Azores, for repairs but these were only temporary. On arrival at drydock in Marseilles, France, the vessel was declared a total loss and sold to Spanish shipbreakers at Castellon.

1966
1966:  The passenger ship STELLA MARIS came to the Great Lakes in 1959.[Built 1943 as HMS GUILDFORD CASTLE, also renamed HMS HESPELER, SS CHILCOTIN, STELLA MARIS, WESTAR] It caught fire while bunkering at Sarroch Roads, Italy, as e) WESTAR after being refitted for the Alaska trade. Two died, another three were injured and the ship was declared a total loss. It arrived at La Spezia, Italy, for scrapping on April 30, 1966.

1975
1975:  CHRISTIAN SARTORI was the closest ship to the CARL D. BRADLEY when it sank in Lake Michigan on November 18, 1958, and helped in the search for survivors. The West German freighter continued to travel to the Great Lakes through 1967 and returned as b) CHRISTIAN in 1968. It ran aground at Puerto Isabel, Nicaragua, on this date after breaking its moorings as e) ROMEO BERNARD. The vessel had to be abandoned as a total loss.

1983
1983:  JALAJAYA  [built-1966 IMO-6619982] went aground at the Los Angeles breakwater after the anchors dragged in bad weather. The ship was released and operated until tying up at Bombay, India, on October 3, 1987. It was subsequently scrapped there in 1988. The vessel had not been in service long when it first came through the Seaway in 1967.

1983:  SELKIRK SETTLER (Hull #256) was launched January 28, 1983, at Govan, Scotland, by Govan Shipbuilding Ltd. She sails today as SPRUCEGLEN for Canada Steamship Lines.

1986
1986:  ADEL WEERT WIARDS, caught fire as c) EBN MAGID enroute from northern Europe to Libya. The vessel docked at Portland, U.K., on the English Channel, the next day but, following two explosions and additional fire on January 30, it was towed away and beached. The vessel was a total loss and scrapped at Bruges, Belgium, later in the year.

2025
2025:   Great Lakes visitor VEZHEN seized, suspected of sabotaging cable. Swedish authorities have seized a ship suspected of damaging a data cable running under the Baltic Sea to Latvia. The VEZHEN – a Maltese-flagged ship – is now anchored outside the Swedish port of Karlskrona.

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

Boatnerd News January 27, 2026

Jan 27, 2026

The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026

Bay City Boat Lines has new owner

   BAY CITY, MI – Bay City Boat Lines has been purchased by the same person who has acquired other area fixtures, such as the Midland Mall, St. Laurent Brothers and the historic State Theatre.
   Local entrepreneur Jordan Dice announced Sunday, Jan. 25, that he had acquired Bay City Boat Lines, which had been for sale since September 2025.
   “These boats have operated here in Bay City for 28 years, all quite successful years,” Dice said via email. “The former owners kept very good records of each year that I spent considerable time reviewing. This business was profitable year-after-year, is a big icon of the city and really something we are fortunate to have as there’s nothing else quite like it in the Great Lakes Bay Region.”
   Bay City Boat Lines was founded in 1998. The boat line gives anyone interested a direct route from the shores of downtown Bay City to the wide waters of the Saginaw Bay through its series of tours.
   Bill Fournier bought the former William M. Miller and brought her to Bay City in 1998 and re-christened the 60-foot boat Princess Wenonah. The boat can hold about 150 passengers. It was built in 1954 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
   The ship was once a ferry boat, helping transfer vehicles from one side of Lake Erie to the other. After retiring from ferry duty, the Wenonah was altered so where cars once sat there’s now a wide area for people to visit and even a cash bar. Up top, where passenger cabins once sat, there is now another deck for viewing pleasures.
   Bay City Boat Lines began operations from Wenonah Park in 1998 and moved a few years later near Ninth Street, behind the former F.P. Horak building, before construction on the DoubleTree hotel and conference center began.
   In 2005, the business moved to Uptown Bay City before then being moved to Middleground Island in 2014. Six years later, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the ships were returned to the city’s eastern banks, with the Wenonah returning to its original spot in Wenonah Park.
   For years, Bay City Boat Lines has offered private charters, themed-music cruises for the public and historic tours throughout its season, which begins in June and usually concludes in mid-October. About 15,000 customers ride the boats each year.
   Information about the sale, such as how much the company sold for, were not disclosed in the announcement.

South Korean submarine maker signs MOU with Algoma Steel

    SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – In its bid to win the massive contract to build Canada’s next generation of submarines, South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean is entering into a long-term strategic arrangement with Algoma Steel, which could result in some parts of the submarines being manufactured in Ontario.   
   The two companies have entered into a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) valued at approximately $345 million, which would see the Korean defence company invest $275 million towards the construction of a new structural steel beam mill in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
   Algoma is one of more than a dozen Canadian companies Hanwha has partnered with to provide technology to be used in its manufacturing of submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy. In a news release, Hanwha, citing analysis by KPMG, says their partnerships could result in 15,000 jobs Canada.
   CTV News has not seen the KPMG analysis.
   The federal government wants to procure 12 new diesel-electric powered patrol subs to replace its aging fleet of four Victoria-class submarines, which were built in the ‘90s. It needs at least one new submarine by 2035.
   Only one of the four Canadian vessels is operational, and the country’s top naval commander, Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, has said the nation is currently unable to meet its military duties to patrol the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.
   Multiple government and corporate sources have told CTV News that the submarine contract will be valued at more than $100 billion over at least three decades. Hanwha Ocean, as well as Germany’s ThyseenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) have been shortlisted for the procurement.
   In October, the defence ministers of Germany and of Norway visited Ottawa to meet with government officials to pitch the idea of manufacturing some of the submarines on Canadian soil. The European joint venture is also aiming to partner with other Canadian companies in its bid, and offering to make investments in rare earths, mining and artificial intelligence.
   Hanwha’s initial pitch did not include plans for Canadian manufacturing, instead focused on rapid delivery of the submarines and long-term maintenance contracts. Hanwha said it could deliver four KSS-III submarines by 2035 beginning with the first boat in 2032.
   It takes about six years to build one submarine.
   Monday’s announcement leaves open the door for some parts of the submarine to be made in Canada.
   The announcement was made during a visit by a high-profile delegation led by Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff for the Republic of Korea. Hoon-sik is the highest-ranking bureaucrat in South Korea. After meeting with Ontario CEOs in Toronto on Monday, the delegation will travel to Ottawa to continue their charm offensive on Tuesday.
   According to a news release from Algoma, the terms of the MOU would see Hanwha purchase Algoma products and could include related commitments, such as “submarine construction, development of maintenance, repair and overhaul infrastructure to support the fleet.”
   During a visit to South Korea in the fall, Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty says the company that wins the contract must provide industrial benefits, such as the use of Canadian steel and utilize homegrown technology and expertise.
   The winning bidder must also deliver the submarine within timelines, as well as demonstrate that the submarine has interoperability with vessels from other countries.

 [CTV News]

Port Report – January 27, 2026

Jan 27, 2026

Port and vessel activity for Monday January 26.  Port reports done by Tom Geiger unless otherwise noted. Please send future port reports and pictures to news@boatnerd.net
You can Now visit Matt Miner’s Saltie page at  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/foreign-vessels-on-the-lakes-2024
The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at;  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026/

PORT REPORT 1/27/2026

BECANCOUR, CANADA                             [CABEC]
1/25/2026  Federal Skye-DEPARTS-10:02 AM-For-Montreal, Canada
DUE:
Federal Trident-DUE-1/28/2026-4:20 AM
Federal Baltic-DUE-2/3/2026-9:18 AM
Federal Satsuki-DUE-2/7/2026-10:26 AM

PORT COLBORNE,CANADA                    [CAPCO]-Bill Kloss
Frontenac departed for Windsor.

NANTICOKE, ONTARIO                             [CANAN]-Bill Kloss
Algoterra and Algoberta are loading at Imperial Oil.

PORT DOVER, CANADA                             [CAPDV]
Algocanada is at the anchorage.

ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA                                 [USERI]-Bill Kloss
Algoma Niagara departed for Sarnia. Calumet arrived for layup escorted by USCGC Neah Bay. Neah Bay departed for Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, OHIO                                      [USCLE]-Bill Kloss
Sam Laud continues on the shuttles.

MONROE, MICHIGAN                                 [USMOI]-Bill Kloss
New York/Double Skin 509A is still unloading at Michigan Paving.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN                                  [USDET]
1/26/2026  USCG Neah Bay-ARRIVES-5:55 PM

WINDSOR, CANADA                                   [CAWND]
1/26/2026  USCG Neah Bay-ARRIVES-2:08 PM
1/26/2026  USCG Neah Bay-DEPARTS-2:24 PM-For-Windsor, Canada
1/26/2026  USCG Neah Bay-ARRIVES-2:40 PM
1/26/2026  USCG Neah Bay-DEPARTS-4:00 PM-For-Detroit, Michigan

GODERICH, CANADA                                 [CAGOH]
1/26/2026  CCGS Judy LaMarsh-ARRIVES-6:24 AM
1/26/2026  CCGS Judy LaMarsh-DEPARTS-6:50 AM-For-Goderich, Canada
1/26/2026  CCGS Judy LaMarsh-ARRIVES-8:13 AM
1/26/2026  Algoma Intrepid-ARRIVES-8:32 AM
1/26/2026  CCGS Judy LaMarsh-DEPARTS-9:32 AM-For-Goderich, Canada
1/28/2026  CCGS Judy LaMarsh-ARRIVES-10:18 AM

ALGONAC, MICHIGAN                               [USALG]
1/26/2026  USCG Neah Bay-DEPARTS-8:22 AM-For-Windsor, Canada         

SARNIA,CANADA                                          [CASNI]
1/26/2026  Baltic-ARRIVES-1:24 PM
DUE:
Algoma Niagara-DUE-1/27/2026-6:50 AM

CHEBOYGAN, MICHIGAN                        [USCHG]
1/26/2026  Kimberly Joy-DEPARTS-5:35 PM-For-Cheboygan, Michigan

SAULT STE. MARIE                                        [CASSM]
1/26/2026  USCG Katmai Bay-DEPARTS-9:52 AM-For-[ICE OPS]
1/26/2026  USCG Katmai Bay-ARRIVES-10:10 AM
1/26/2026  USCG Katmai Bay-DEPARTS-10:22 AM-For-[ICE OPS]
1/26/2026  USCG Katmai Bay-ARRIVES-12:03 PM
1/26/2026  USCG Katmai Bay-DEPARTS-12:20 PM-For-[ICE OPS]

STURGEON BAY, WISCONSIN               [USSUE]
1/26/2026  USCG Mobile Bay-DEPARTS-8:24 AM-For-[ICE OPS]
DUE:
USCG Mobile Bay-DUE-1/26/2026-7:17 PM

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN                         [USGRB]
DUE:
Algonova-DUE-1/26/2026-11:33 PM

MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN                          [USMKG]
DUE:
Meredith Ashton-DUE-1/26/2026-11:00 AM

SOUTH CHICAGO-CALUMET HARBOR, ILLINOIS       [USOUS]
DUE:
Rebecca Lynn-DUE-1/26/2026-12:21 PM

 

Today in Great Lakes History – January 27

Jan 27, 2026

1893
1893:  On 27 January 1893, Charles Lonsby and Louis Wolf purchased the 161- foot wooden steam barge THOMAS D. STIMSON [US-25992] for $28,000. The vessel was built in 1881, by W. J. Daley & Sons at Mt. Clemens, Michigan, as a schooner and was originally named VIRGINIUS.[US-25992] She was converted to a steamship in 1887.

1912
1912:  In 1912, the Great Lakes Engineering Works’ Ecorse yard launched the steel bulk freighter WILLIAM P. SNYDER JR (Hull #83), for the Shenango Furnace Co.

1972
1972:  The Canadian coastal freighter VOYAGEUR D. [Built-1958  IMO-5257177] hit a shoal off Pointe au Pic, Quebec, and was holed. It was able to make the wharf at St. Irenee but sank at the dock. The cargo of aluminum ingots was removed before the wreck was blow up with explosives on November 8, 1972.

1974
1974:  LEON FALK JR. closed the 1974 season at Superior by loading 17,542 tons of ore bound for Detroit.

1978
1978:  A major winter storm caught the American tanker SATURN [Built-1974  IMO-556139] on Lake Michigan and the ship was reported to be unable to make any headway in 20-foot waves. It left the Seaway for Caribbean service in 2003 and was renamed b) CENTENARIO TRADER at Sorel on the way south.

1978:  On 27 January 1978, ALLEGHENY, the training vessel of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy [built in 1944, at Orange, Texas as a sea-going naval tug: Other names: Built as ATR-106, ATA-179, ALLEGHENY, TUG MALCOM, MATTHEW BEYEL, ALEJANDRO] capsized at her winter dock at Traverse City, Michigan, from the weight of accumulated ice. She was recovered but required an expensive rebuild, was sold and renamed MALCOLM in 1979.  

1985
1985:  January 27, 1985 – CITY OF MIDLAND 41 [Built-1941  US-240226] had to return to port (Ludington) after heavy seas caused a 30-ton crane to fall off a truck on her car deck.

1997
1997:  On January 27 after departing Escanaba loaded Inland Steels Adam E. Cornelius holed her bow enough to take on water. Thank goodness for bulkhead compartments as the water in the forward compartment was estimated to be 31 feet. A Coast Guard helicopter stood by as a precaution and the ship was escorted by tugs to Bay Shipbuilding at Sturgeon Bay to end the season after expecting to run untill the end of Jan. The Inland Fleet including the Edward L. Ryerson are scheduled to be ready for fit out around mid March.

2002
2002:  SJARD first came through the Seaway in 2000. It was lost in a raging snowstorm 350 miles east of St. John’s Newfoundland with a cargo of oil pipes while inbound from Kalinigrad, Russia. The crew of 14 took to the lifeboat and were picked up by the BEIRAMAR TRES.

2006
2006:  PINTAIL [Built-1983  IMO-8101953] received extensive damage in a collision off Callao, Peru, with the TWIN STAR.[Built 1998 IMO-9171711] The latter broke in two and sank. PINTAIL began Seaway service in 1996 and had been a regular Great Lakes trader as a) PUNICA beginning in 1983. The ship arrived at Chittagong, Bangladesh, for scrapping as c) ANATHASIOS G. CALLITSIS and was beached on September 19. 2012. It had also traded inland under the final name in 2008 and 2009.

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

 

Boatnerd News January 26, 2026

Jan 26, 2026

The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026

Frontenac sails from lay up; other vessels fighting ice

    On Sunday, Frontenac left lay up at Port Colborne headed west to Windsor. She is filling in for the Whitefish Bayfor two or perhaps more salt runs. Whitefish Bay incurred bow damage while docking at Windsor Jan. 20. USCG Bristol Bay was escorting her.
   Also on Sunday, Calumet left Detroit’s ice-choked Rouge River headed for Erie, PA, with CCGS Vincent Massey escorting her across Lake Erie. Tankers Baltie and Algoberta were eastbound in northern Lake Huron after passing through the Straits with icebreaker assistance, while Algonova was stuck or hove to off Washington Island in northern Lake Michigan.
   USCG Mackinaw has arrived back at her home port of Cheboygan, MI, from Sault Ste. Marie.
   Wilfred Sykes arrived for winter lay up at Milwaukee Jan 24.

Port Report – January 26, 2026

Jan 26, 2026

Port and vessel activity for Sunday January 25.  Port reports done by Tom Geiger unless otherwise noted. Please send future port reports and pictures to news@boatnerd.net
You can Now visit Matt Miner’s Saltie page at  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/foreign-vessels-on-the-lakes-2024
The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at;  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026/

PORT REPORT 1/26/2026

BECANCOUR, CANADA                             [CABEC]
DUE:
Cresty-DUE-1/28/2026-1:59 PM
Federal Trident-DUE-1/27/2026-5:41 AM
Federal Baltic-DUE-2/2/2026-5:23 AM
Federal Satsuki-DUE-2/7/2026-10:26 AM

PORT COLBORNE,CANADA                    [CAPCO]
1/25/2026  USCG Bristol Bay-DEPARTS-8:17 AM-For-Port Colborne, Canada
1/25/2026  USCG Bristol Bay-ARRIVES-8:37 AM
1/25/2026  USCG Bristol Bay-DEPARTS-8:50 AM-For-Port Colborne, Canada
1/25/2026  USCG Bristol Bay-ARRIVES-9:10 AM
1/25/2026  USCG Bristol Bay-DEPARTS-9:20 AM-For-Lost Peninsula, Michigan 
1/25/2026  USCG Bristol Bay-DEPARTS-10:14 AM-For-Erie, Pennsylvania
1/25/2026  Frontenac-DEPARTS-10:31 AM-For-Windsor, Canada

PORT COLBORNE,CANADA                    [CAPCO]-Bill Kloss
Frontenac departed for Windsor.

NANTICOKE, ONTARIO                             [CANAN]-Bill Kloss
Algoterra and Algocanada are loading at Imperial Oil.

PORT DOVER, CANADA                             [CAPDV]
Algoberta arrived at the anchorage.

ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA                                 [USERI]-Bill Kloss
Algoma Niagara departed for Sarnia. Calumet is due in.

CLEVELAND, OHIO                                      [USCLE]-Bill Kloss
Sam Laud continues on the shuttles.

MONROE, MICHIGAN                                 [USMOI]-Bill Kloss
New York/Double Skin 509A is unloading at Michigan Paving.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN                                  [USDET]
1/25/2026  Calumet-DEPARTS-10:05 AM-For-Erie, Pennsylvania

WINDSOR, CANADA                                   [CAWND]
1/25/2026  USCG Neah Bay-ARRIVES-9:20 AM
1/25/2026  USCG Neah Bay-DEPARTS-9:48 AM-For-Algonac, Michigan
1/25/2026  CCGS  Judy La Marsh-ARRIVES-5:14 PM
1/25/2026  Lois M-ARRIVES-5:25 PM
1/25/2026  CCGS Judy LaMarsh-DEPARTS-5:48 PM-Goderich, Canada
DUE:
Frontenac-DUE-1/25/2026-12:00 PM

ALGANOC, MICHIGAN                               [USALG]
1/25/2026  USCG Neah Bay-ARRIVES-6:01 PM-

GODERICH, CANADA                                 [CAGOH]
DUE:
Algoma Intrepid-DUE-1/26/2026-6:08 AM
CCGS Judy LaMarsh-DUE-1/26/2026-6:26 AM

CHEBOYGAN, MICHIGAN                        [USCHG]
1/25/2026  Kimberly Joy-DEPARTS-7:51 AM-For-Cheboygan, Michigan
1/25/2026  Kimberly Joy-ARRIVES-8:08 AM
1/25/2026  Kimberly Joy-DEPARTS-10:46 AM-For-Cheboygan, Michigan
1/25/2026  Baltic-DEPARTS-10:59 AM-For-Sarnia, Canada
1/25/2026  Kimberly Jay-ARRIVES-11:08 AM
1/25/2026  USCG Mackinaw-ARRIVES-1:27 PM
DUE:
Wm Boyd-DUE-1/25/2026-10:30 AM

STURGEON BAY, WISCONSIN               [USSUE]
1/25/2026  Donald J Sarter-ARRIVES-8:24 AM

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN                         [USGRB]
DUE:
Algonova-DUE-1/25/2026-2:52 PM

INDIANA HARBOR-INDIANA                  [USECH]
1/25/2026  Karen Andrie-ARRIVES-6:05 AM

 

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