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In the upper image it appears to be either the FITZ or HOMER tied up awaiting downbound passage .

On this site it would be prudent to specify U.S.C.G or Transport Canada perhaps. Outside of being a sober crew member for the watch, it starts immediately when your boots hit the deck plates in that you are a member of the Fire and Boat list and must be able to respond to your position on that list ...

The USACE Crane P. Bunyan barge was also used to retrieve the submerged spare lock gates stored down river in Hay or Mud Lake. ( (That’s another whole history story ) Sad that the beautiful lake tug Ludington didn’t end up in a private career after years of Govt. service .

In todays History section there’s an image of the laid up Peavey Pioneer in 67, the image shows a new tubular unloading boom in the right hand part of the pic. Not sure where this lay-up dock location is or more importantly what vessel belongs to that modern unloading boom?

Thank you Mr Bob - I now recall that name as being one of the slips.

Was the slip the ELR moved goin Frasers Shipyard named after USS Fleet front office guru Fred Cummings?

Yes the iron ore demand in 1981/1982 was so down that Oglebay’s newly delivered footer COLUMBIA STAR in 81, was tied up half the 1982 season.

There was a fine scale model of the RED WING in the corridor at Detroits old Olympia Arena. Bruce Norris owned both the team and shipping company at the time . Wonder where it ever ended up? It seemed to be about 4 ft long, but of course by the end of the 3rd period it was much bigger.

Thank you, ( I read the image caption) boy has Pt. Hurons landscape sure changed , perhaps that HOMER is only a year or two young .

Are we 100% sure that todays image of the ARTHUR B. HOMER is indeed from the Ambassador Bridge?

Many of the old crane boats carried bulk sulphur and used their cranes with clam-shell buckets to unload at the customers docks. Columbia Transportation sent their crane boats to Buffalo and Cleve and other ports.

Meldrum Bay dock was one of, if not THE cleanest waters facilities we ever loaded out of. Amazed at at looking down alone side the vessel and seeing the bottom, and rocks too.

I stand firmly corrected Guest in that the TADERSAK had her widening done at PWDD in the early 2000’s, ( side tanks and C.H.’s modified and widened 1.5ft. for added cargo carrying capacity. It was shortly thereafter that I observed her in the TSR D/D undergoing her 5 yr sight and survey. She truly h...

Toledo Ship Repair performed the Tader-Saks widening .

Mclouth Steel in N. Trenton was the first mill to operate the BOP furnaces. Many C.C. I.C. Fleet mates supplied the mill with ore as well as American Steamship and others. The Detroit Toledo & Ironton R.R. serviced the plant bringing in Coke and finished steel out. Location currently is complete...

yes JERRY, I knew others involved with the “Great Heist” of a 1000 footer. AmShip-Lorain was in big labor issues and workers took it out ( sadly) on any vessel berthed within the yard, been going a for a couple of years prior to 78, and off the STINSON left for Detroit ( i believe Nicholsons) for fi...

Long Live Boatnerd and all the knowledgeable contributors.

Go Leafs Go

Speaking of Great Lakes vessels, the U.S. Maritime Commission had sixteen Great Lakes ore carriers built in 1943 to handle the extra tonnage of iron ore needed for the war effort - sort of a Great Lakes version of the Liberty Ship concept. Ten of them, class L6-S-B1, had 2500-horsepower triple expan...

The last " Morning Message" transmission from the Fitz to ON Cleve headquarters via WMI Lorain Nov 10 0720 EST " as follows: Fitzgerald - Superior Piers 0840 Departed 1420/9 Superior Piers 1452 Manitou Island 0530/10 ETA Soo Indefinate Weather Cargo 26116 Require FM Radio service,