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Duluth, MN – Superior, WI – Joshua Hebeisen
CSL Tadoussac departed the Superior Entry at 23:59 Monday night, bound for Nanticoke after loading 29,000 tons of Hibtac pellets at BNSF Dock 5. The anchored Walter J. McCarthy Jr. was soon inbound, and in a very rare occurrence, arrived the Twin Ports with an import cargo of four stowaway boatnerds: David Schauer, Gus Schauer, Ranger Scott Bjorklund, and Rick Knutson. After a round trip to Cleveland, the special guests were forced to walk the plank at the dock so the McCarthy could take on a load of 63,000 tons of Keetac pellets. Wilfred Sykes steamed across the harbor from Graymont to CN-Hallett Dock 5 at about the same time to take on a load of blast furnace trim. Later in the morning at 06:37, Arthur M. Anderson arrived Duluth under the rising sun with limestone loaded at Calcite for C. Reiss. She was followed under the Aerial Lift Bridge an hour later by the CN-bound Burns Harbor. Paul R. Tregurtha continued the mid-morning traffic when she departed for St. Clair and Monroe at 09:04, loaded with a split cargo of coal and petroleum coke from SMET. Shortly after 10:00, USCGC Spar left her moorings at the Duluth Coast Guard dock in an apparent family day event and headed just up the lake. She would return through the canal at 14:27. Dark afternoon skies finally broke open in Duluth around 16:00, with a cold downpour arriving alongside saltie Minervagracht. The general cargo vessel tied up at Clure Public Marine Terminal Berth 2 to put ashore 6,600 bags of quartz from Gulluk, Turkey. While lightning flashed to the north, Walter J. McCarthy Jr. and the anchored Victory/Maumee were able to exchange places in Superior at around 16:40 before the Wisconsin side of the harbor was enveloped by the rain. The McCarthy is due next in Gary with her load of taconite. Arthur M. Anderson tied up alongside the CN Dock 6 gravity docks following an afternoon voyage up the St. Louis River from C. Reiss. She was waiting for the Burns Harbor to finish loading at the shiploader, but reports indicate she may have taken on a partial load of trim under the chutes.
After the rain cleared on Tuesday evening, a thick fog descended upon the Twin Ports that cast the harbor into a gloom through the midnight hours. Stone-laden Hon. James L. Oberstar went to anchor off the Duluth piers alongside saltie Lubie at 01:30, and Victory/Maumee departed Superior for the Soo with the usual 23,000 tons of Keetac at 03:05. At the same time, Wilfred Sykes slowly hauled her load of Indiana Harbor-bound siliceous up the harbor and across the bay. Her lights finally emerged from the pea soup as she approached the obscured Aerial Lift Bridge, giving a 03:30 master’s salute in typical Sykes fashion before temporarily disappearing just off the canal. The fog would lift minutes later to reveal Hon. James L. Oberstar approaching the canal and the Sykes continuing to steam into the distance. The Oberstar silently slipped in at 03:58 to unload her cargo at CN-Hallett Dock 5. Boatnerds would get to sleep until 11:21 when the Burns Harbor departed for Indiana Harbor. Arthur M. Anderson immediately shifted up along the CN dock face to begin loading at the shiploader. Duluth would next be treated to a midday visit by cement carrier Alpena (albeit much smaller than before), making her first appearance of the season just off the shore at Canal Park. She made some laps to show off her looks to the delight of a small crowd of boat watchers. At around 16:00, the pilot boat Sea Bear brought pilots out to the Lubie in preparation for her 16:34 Duluth arrival from anchorage. The bright blue Polsteam saltie was assisted to Riverland Ag to load wheat by G-tug Kentucky. Hon. James L. Oberstar wrapped up the day riding high when she departed Duluth empty for Marquette at 18:22 amidst the Wednesday night sailboat races.
Both sides of the harbor saw action within the first 15 minutes of Thursday morning. Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trade made port in Superior at 00:07 to load at BNSF, while Arthur M. Anderson departed Duluth at 00:13 with Minntac pellets for Gary. Clyde and her barge were back on the lake shortly after 06:00, headed for Toledo after a quick load of 35,000 tons of Hibtac product. James R. Barker was next at Burlington Northern when she arrived at 10:05 and took her place under the conveyors. This once-uncommon route is becoming more of a trend for her, with several visits already so far this season. John G. Munson was the last traffic of the day when she arrived at 14:56 with dolomite for CN-Hallett 5. After unloading overnight, she is expected to depart up the North Shore for Two Harbors.
Two Harbors, MN – Silver Bay, MN – Gary Putney
On Tuesday evening, Indiana Harbor was loading at South of #2 while G3 Marquis was anchored off Silver Creek awaiting South of #2.
The following day saw G3 Marquis continue to be anchored near Encampment Island waiting on South of #2. Manitoulin arrived Two Harbors at 14:52 on 07/13. She’s loading for Algoma at the Soo.Indiana Harbor is downbound Lake Superior for Gary Works. Edwin H. Gott is North of Manitou Island heading to Two Harbors to load.
Milwaukee, WI – MKE Marine Reports
After delivering Turkish steel, Ocean Castle cleared for Thunder Bay at 23:02 Wednesday. Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder arrived at 05:45 Thursday and headed for the inner harbor with salt from Cargill’s Cleveland mine. Cruise ship Pearl Mist arrived at 06:58 and proceeded to the Pier Wisconsin Cruise Dock. This ended a 12-day cruise from Toronto. She begins an 8-day cruise to Toronto Friday. Karen Andrie/Endeavour and Cuyahoga are expected later Thursday.
Lake Erie Ports – Bill Kloss
Monroe, MI: Meredith Ashton departed for Oswego, NY late Wednesday night.
Toledo, OH: Resko is at Kuhlman’s. Departures were CSL Laurentien, Dirk S. VanEnkevort/Michigan Trader and G.L. Ostrander/Integrity. Arrivals were Wilf Seymour/Alouette Spirit and Herbert C. Jackson.
Marblehead, OH: John J. Boland left for Detroit at 08:07. American Courage docked at 08:43.
Sandusky, OH: CSL Niagara departed for Hamilton, ON at 01:07.
Cleveland, OH: Cruise ship Ocean Navigator arrived at the Port at 06:57. After the passengers enjoyed a day in Cleveland, they departed for Detroit at 17:55. Calumet arrived at 16:14 and unloaded Ontario Stone. Federal Yukon arrived at 20:03 and berthed at dock 24E at the Port next to fleetmate Federal Columbia. Peyton Lynn C is unloading and loading containers. Departures were Prentiss Brown/St. Marys Challenger for Charlevoix and NACC Argonaut for Port Daniel, QC.
Fairport Harbor, OH: American Mariner left late Wednesday night for Cedarville.
Nanticoke, ON: John D. Leitch departed for Clarkson at 12:12. Algonorth is at Imperial Oil.
Seaway – René Beauchamp
Wagenborg vessel Maxima entered the Seaway this afternoon July 14 on her first voyage since her construction. It is also the first time that a ship of this type has passed through. Destination Ashtabula with steel products.