Winter lock ops

[ML3]

My dad was a young 2nd Mate for Pittsburgh Steamship during WWII. All deck officers in the US fleets were made temporary officers in the US Coast Guard Reserves during that time. He was given the rank of Ensign on July 20th, 1942. He finished as a lieutenant on November 30, 1945 and received commendation letters, medal and bars for his efforts during war time to bring ore to the steel mills from the USCG commandant. I understand that each officer was issued a pistol in the event of an onboard assault. Seems to show the US meant business in moving maritime commerce through the Soo during wartime!

[Guest]

My father made a round trip on NORONIC in the summer of 1942 (not long before he got married) and his main reason for going was to see the passing ships. But while the steamer was in the St. Mary's River, there were armed guards patrolling the decks to make sure that nobody took any photos. Dad was terribly disappointed that he had to leave his camera in his cabin so as not to run foul of a guard brandishing a gun!

[Gest]

Here's a link to two webpages regarding the Soo Locks in World War Two.

https://mynorth.com/2014/02/when-michig ... ld-war-ii/

https://ss.sites.mtu.edu/mhugl/2016/10/16/3312/

- Brian

[Guest]

There were still armed Army troops alongside the lock in the late 50's.

Anti-aircraft batteries were re-established at the Soo in the summer of 1950 after mock attacks made military planners believe the locks were vulnerable to low-level air raids. The locks were closed to visitors, and pleasure boats and passenger vessels had to use the Canadian lock until 1953. By the time the AAA guns were removed in June 1960, the Soo Locks were the last remaining location in the U.S. guarded by artillery.

Going back to WWII, here's an article from 1945 that reveals the extent of defenses at the Soo. I was amazed at the number of barrage balloons (51), much less anti-aircraft guns (48). The Soo was the only location beyond the West Coast to have barrage balloons. Not mentioned were smoke camouflage units and searchlight batteries. Most of this was reduced dramatically once the tide of the war turned in 1943.

[Guest]

I recall seeing a movie about the Soo Locks while in high school during the 1980s that appeared to be dated from the late 1950s by the ships that appeared, including a trip by the Arthur M. Anderson from Lake Superior to a lower lakes port with ore. A short segment of the film showed some type of anti-aircraft gun emplacement at or near the locks. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the film but it was in color and must have been listed for schools to obtain for the old movie projectors of the era. I have never been able to find this movie online, but it may have been made by the USACE.

[hayhugh]

There were still armed Army troops alongside the lock in the late 50's.

[Guest]

I have read that Security was quite heavy during WW2 at and around the Soo Locks. To the extent of placing armed soldiers aboard locking through vessels as to prevent saboteurs causing vessel-lock incidents. Camps set up on lock grounds flying anti-aircraft Balloons and AA gun implacements. One interesting note is the spare log gates were taken downstream and sunk in Hay Lake I believe, again to ensure they would not be damaged intentionally.

Yes, at the beginning of the war, it was often claimed that the Soo was the most heavily guarded inland location, with up to 20,000 troops at Fort Brady.

[Chief1]

I have read that Security was quite heavy during WW2 at and around the Soo Locks. To the extent of placing armed soldiers aboard locking through vessels as to prevent saboteurs causing vessel-lock incidents. Camps set up on lock grounds flying anti-aircraft Balloons and AA gun implacements. One interesting note is the spare log gates were taken downstream and sunk in Hay Lake I believe, again to ensure they would not be damaged intentionally.

[Guest]

I think that book, "Iron Fleet", is where I read photography was prohibited along the St Mary's River. Might be a photo in there of a soldier standing along the shoreline, looking for saboteurs trying to cross into the U.S.? I don't have my copy anymore.

[Guest]

That image most certainly seems to be the new Saltys headed out to the Seaway during WW 2. Thanks for posting and the research involved .

They actually went via the Chicago, Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Several of the bridges along the Chicago and the Missisppi river system were modified so small C1 vessels could use that waterway.

[Chief1]

That image most certainly seems to be the new Saltys headed out to the Seaway during WW 2. Thanks for posting and the research involved .

[Guest]

From book “Iron Fleet”
Caption reads “Mackinaw leading three seagoing transports through the ice chokes St Marys River, January 1945”

[guest]

If you look hard enough you might find one. While photography may have been forbidden in the St Mary's river, that didn't always stop sailors from taking a picture. I have seen a picture of the collapsed railroad bridge about the Soo locks with the steam engine in the canal. This happened in 1941,
Keep searching!

[Guest]

A video of the Mackinaw escorting the C1vessels on the St. Marys river are shown in this video between 4:09 and 4:52. Though the the video says 1946, many of the scenes are interspersed from an earlier WWII steel video.

https://youtu.be/sbwemnVo0CY?si=39_1R8jJGYC_6D7A

[Guest]

Not sure if you'll find any. Photography was forbidden along the St Mary's River during the war.

[chief1]

Interesting in today’s History section of the downbound newly built salty heading to the war effort locking through the Soo this late. Along with the newly commissioned USCG Mackinaw I am hoping there is an image of these 2 vessels working together in someone’s collection.