1885
1885: On 06 February 1885, Capt. William Bridges of Bay City and A. C. Mc Lean of East Saginaw purchased the steamer D.W. POWERS (wooden propeller freighter, 140 foot, 303 gross tons, built in 1871, at Marine City, Michigan) for the lumber trade. Renamed: GEORGE W JOHNSTON-1898 US-6767, and EMERALD-1898 US-6767 This vessel had an interesting rebuild history. In 1895, she was rebuilt as a schooner-barge in Detroit, then in 1898, she was again rebuilt as a propeller driven steamer. She lasted until 1910, when she was abandoned.
1904
1904: PERE MARQUETTE 19 Built-1903 US_200459 by American Shipbuilding Co, Cleveland, Ohio. Renamed: HILDA-1941 US-200459] As PERE MARQUETTE 19: Ran aground in fog, February 6, 1904, at Fox Point, WI, while approaching Milwaukee in fog; Engulfed in ice and fog, she quickly filled with water. Refloated on February 19, 1904, with reported loss of $60,000.
1909
1909: ALVA C. DINKEY (Hull #365) was launched February 6, 1909, at Lorain, Ohio by American Ship Building Co.
1941
1941: MAPLECOURT [Built-1894 US-130661 as NORTH WEST by Globe Ship Building Co. at Cleveland, Ohio. Renamed: MAPLECOURT-1920 C-141766] As MAPLECOURT torpedoed by German submarine about 300 miles west of Hebrides Islands, North Atlantic Ocean, on February 6, 1941. Vessel bound from Montreal, P.Q., for Preston, Great Britain; entire crew of thirty-seven were lost.
1952
1952: On 06 February 1952, the LIMESTONE (steel propeller tug, 87 foot 10 inches) was launched at Bay City, Michigan, by the Defoe Shipyard (Hull #423) for the Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company. Later she was sold to U.S. Steel and in 1983, to Gaelic Tug Company who renamed her b.) WICKLOW. She is currently owned by the Great Lakes Towing Company and is named c.) NORTH CAROLINA.
1962
1962: HALLFAX (Hull#526) was launched February 6, 1962, at Port Glasgow, Scotland by William Hamilton & Co. Ltd.
1974
1974: PRINDOC [Built-1965 C-323011 by Davis Shipbuilding Co of Lauson, Quebec Canada. Renamed: Claret III Reg-Cayman Islands, HANKEY in 1982-Reg: Cayman Islands, PLATANA-1997-Cayman Islands and S. SARANTA] As PRINDOC: Ran aground in fog near Cat Island, above Eisenhower Lock, on November 22, 1972. Released by two McAllister Towing tugs on November 24.Put back for repairs at Halifax February 6, 1974, while bound from Quebec for Santa Marta, after encountering heavy seas.
1974: LORNA P [Built-1964 C-313980 as CACOUNA by George T Davie & Sons LTD. At Lauzon, Canada. Renamed: Lorna P-1972 C-313980, and JENNIFER-1974 C-313980] As LORNA P suffered fire outside chief officer’s cabin at Sorel, P.Q., on February 6, 1974; reportedly caused by sparks from a welder’s torch.
1974: ROGER BLOUGH closed the Poe Lock after locking down bound for Gary, Indiana.
1981
1981: LIQUILASSIE [Built-1943 Panama as TEMBLADOR by Barnes-Duluth Shipbuilding Co. at Duluth, Minnesota. Renamed: TEMBLADOR-1960 C-199395 and LIQUILASSIE 1961 C-199395] As LIQUILASSIE (C199395): Struck wharf late in 1973-74 season, had bow plating removed for repair at Toronto in January. Struck a pier of the Gandy Bridge over Tampa Bay, opening several small holes in her port side. The incident occurred on February 6, 1981. Sold Panamanian; register closed (C199395) 1/27/83
2023
2023: Interlake Maritime Services’ new subsidiary Soo Maritime Services has acquired the assets of the American & Canadian Lock Tours which include the tour boats HIAWATHA, BIDE-A-WEE and HOLIDAY that provide river and lock tours.
2024
2024: McKeil Marine’s latest, KATHY McKEIL, arrived at Jingjiang Ship Industry in Jingjiang, Monday. She will be converted from a tanker to a bulk carrier over the next several months. The vessel is the former ALGOSEA of Algoma Central Corp.
2024: Capitol [AGP] Elevator to be leveled. “Duluth Seaway Port Authority announced ($7.57 million) – Hazardous materials abatement; demolition of existing buildings, including dilapidated grain elevators; recycle concrete from demolition for reuse on-site; deck and access road restoration; installation of utilities to create four-acre laydown area. The total project cost is $9.5 million.”
Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.
