Boatnerd Discussion Forum

by **Steamcrane** » March 18, 2019, 10:48 pm

Many years ago, the Cleveland Salt Mine wanted to stockpile salt across to the other side of the narrow channel from the mine. They chartered Calumet (Myron C. Taylor) to perform the transfer. Calumet tied up below the loader, with the boom out over the opposite bank. The salt went into Calumet's hold, and out the boom.

It may have been slightly more complex than that. If they wanted to stack further in from the dock face, Calumet may have taken a partial load, and slid over to the other side to unload, or perhaps tied up diagonally across the channel.

When you think of these boats as mobile conveyor belts, many possibilities open up. Several boats were used to fill caissons during Mackinac Bridge construction.

by **garbear** » February 25, 2019, 4:35 pm

On the Clarke we put covers over both the starboard and port side of the hatch crane. Covers over all four deck winches, over the winch controls port and starboard forward and aft., plus a wooden cover on the outside of forward and aft winch chokes. Plus various ladder control boxes and light switches also had canvas covers.

by **Jon Paul** » February 25, 2019, 2:51 pm

Mac Mackay wrote:I saw the ship upbound on the Marine City webcam, and couldn't figure out what was going on forward until I saw these photos. Thanks for posting.
It appears they have rigged spray cloths on the railings from the forecastle to almost amidships. I have to assume this is to reduce frozen spray on the hatch covers. I have never seen this before on any other ships. Could it be because those "bathtub" bows throw up so much spray?

I have attached some photo's showing the fence rail weather tarps.
We also put a tarp cover over the starboard side of the hatch crane to protect the controls to operate the crane.
The fence rail tarps had a limited effect on the ice build up as the photo's show.
The passage tunnels had Modine heaters that besides keeping the tunnels warm also helped control ice build up on the spar deck above the tunnels. That at least gave us some working room to start the process of melting the ice on the hatch's.
The Charles M White took part in the Winter Navigation Program in the mid to late 70's and we were old hands at doing whatever we could to battle the elements and deliver our cargoes in very harsh and demanding weather conditions.

by **Syd bc** » February 24, 2019, 10:41 pm

To answer Guest question Yes one ship can unload into another ship while the second ship unloads a different cargo When I was on the Algoport we unloaded coal into the Algosea While she unloaded gypsum

by **garbear** » February 24, 2019, 7:08 pm

Mac Mackay wrote:I saw the ship upbound on the Marine City webcam, and couldn't figure out what was going on forward until I saw these photos. Thanks for posting.
It appears they have rigged spray cloths on the railings from the forecastle to almost amidships. I have to assume this is to reduce frozen spray on the hatch covers. I have never seen this before on any other ships. Could it be because those "bathtub" bows throw up so much spray?

Most companies have used the spray cloths for yrs. We used them on the Clarke in the 70s. Here's a picture of the Blough in 1976 with them.

http://boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/thum ... h-1976.jpg

by **Mac Mackay** » February 24, 2019, 6:09 pm

I saw the ship upbound on the Marine City webcam, and couldn't figure out what was going on forward until I saw these photos. Thanks for posting.
It appears they have rigged spray cloths on the railings from the forecastle to almost amidships. I have to assume this is to reduce frozen spray on the hatch covers. I have never seen this before on any other ships. Could it be because those "bathtub" bows throw up so much spray?

by **Guest** » February 24, 2019, 11:04 am

A novel idea: With the picture of the unloading boom swung over the opposite dockside, could one of the newer lakers be loading cargo into a hold compartment with the lower gates sealed, while discharging a cargo? Granted it wouldn’t be with cargoes subject to cross contamination, but is it possible?

by **garbear** » February 24, 2019, 9:33 am

Great photos, Phil. You mentioned the 3 marks along the hull. Believe those are the spots where a tug can push along the hull. Strengthened in those areas.

by **Guest** » February 24, 2019, 8:43 am

As for the ‘what are these’ symbols on the side of the Innovator, it’s my understanding it’s an indicator to tug crews that it’s suitable for a push point. Above the symbol you’ll notice smaller lettering, indicating bulkhead location, therefore, a more reinforced area of the ship’s construction.

by **PaulBeesley** » February 24, 2019, 7:50 am

Phil:

The markings indicate where tugs can push against the hull without damaging it. There are frames inside the hull that will accept the force. Some ships may have "Push Here" on the hull along with the markings.