Boatnerd Discussion Forum

In adding to my comments, in the Winter of 1997 a group of friends and myself went down to Toledo to check out the Lay Up fleet of ships there. One of my close friends once knew a Cook aboard the Oglebay Norton. So, with my friend’s help and the Cook I then went aboard the Oglebay Norton. It was the first time in my life I’ve ever stepped foot on board a real Great Lakes ship and a 1,000 footer besides! Years later, the Cook on the Oglebay Norton transferred over to the Wolverine and I got to see him on the Wolverine and he got me on the Wolverine once. One of my most fondest memories was in July 1999 while vacationing at the Soo then with both of my folks. The Wolverine which back then didn’t make too many Lake Superior trips was this time making a rare visit and would be going through the Soo Locks to get there. So, as I watched the Wolverine at the Soo Locks the Cook aboard her who I knew and was friends with presented and gave me a bag of Peanut Butter Cookies. Yummy as those were delicious and good and tasty. Needless to say everyone at the Soo including the Visitor Center staff envied me and all wanted me to share those cookies with them! That is one of the closest I’ve had as far as meeting a sailor or Captain from a ship. The other as mentioned earlier was when I got on the Seaway Queen at the Welland Canal and met the Captain. I also once got aboard the J.W. Westcott II mailboat and served mail and met Captain Sam Buchanan who’s a great guy and I enjoyed being on the mailboat.

Thanks for sharing that story Bob as that’s very interesting and exciting. While I have never met many of the Ship Captains formally and in person, I have written to a few of them in the past. For instance Pat Nelson once was Captain on the ship the Oglebay Norton now American Integrity along with the Wolverine before he was Captain on the Oglebay Norton. Years ago, I had some dear and close friends from Saginaw that knew Captain Pat from his time on the Wolverine when the ship would often visit Saginaw. So through them I had I guess you’d say a part like connection to Captain Pat. Then Gus Markakis took over on Oglebay Norton and he was once Captain in the 1990s before Pat was on the ON. I used to write then to Captain Gus when he was on the ON. Then in 1996 while vacationing then up in Thunder Bay, ON. I went aboard a tugboat and helped assist Canadian Miner to a different Grain Elevator as they did not have a bow thruster to aid them thus why they needed a tug. So, I wrote to Gerry Craig who was Captain of the Miner and we developed a great friendship. Lastly in late October 1999 while vacationing at the Welland Canal, I had the privilege and honor to board the Seaway Queen just briefly as we were tied up below Lock 1 waiting for the Algowood. I got to meet then the Captain of the Seaway Queen his name was Jake and he told me he was one of the youngest Captains on the Great Lakes. I still have the picture of me and Jake will always have that and cherish the memory of my brief time aboard that ship then! It’s something that I’ll never ever forget and I’m glad my late Dad was there to see the whole thing along with two of my closet friends as well.

Denny, I met captain Steve Hugh’s ex wife randomly here in my hometown in Minnesota. I was so excited to find out her ex husband is the captain of the prt. She said she still had contact with him and occasionally boards the ship. I had asked her if there was a remote chance she could get me on the ship or even maybe a trip on the ship. I’ve seen her many times since that day she and my wife are friends and I am friends with her current husband. She never did say if she asked captain Hughes and I never pursued it with her. Could only hope someday. That’s the closest connection I’ve ever had with anyone that’s on these ships.

In watching the Paul R. Tregurtha travel upbound today on the Live Web Cams and in perfect lighting as well, I got to thinking about this today. After reading the news story here on boatnerd of the upcoming retirement of Captain Steve Hughes of the Paul R. Tregurtha, I wonder just who then will be taking her over next? The PRT has always had in her history some of the most respected and well known Captains on the Great Lakes and from Interlake Steamship. Some of her previous Captains as some may remember and recall were Mitch Hallin, Tim Dayton along with former Captain Robert Thibadeau hope I spelled that right BTW to now Steve Hughes the current Captain. I can think of two right off the top of my head that could possibly be elevated to a higher position as far as Captain in the Interlake fleet. The two that I’m thinking of that IMO anyway would make great Captains for the PRT at least I’d think would be maybe Paul Berger from the Mesabi Miner or Brad Newland from the James R. Barker. These two Captains are well liked and known and are both very respected and I’m sure have a big and huge following especially as far as Brad Newland of the Barker for his ever famous “Barker Bark!” Whomever the next one to take command of the Queen the PRT, I’m sure he will be a good one. I personally will miss Captain Steve Hughes and I’m glad I was able to see him and his ship this year on the St. Clair River. So, good luck to Captain Hughes on his retirement and also good luck to the new and future Captain of the Paul R. Tregurtha someday!