Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Is this late season load something CML picked up as something another shipping firm couldn't carry due to capacity issues or is this the possible beginning of a new trading pattern for CML?

I believe that the Joseph L. Block's last trip down to the lower lakes was during the 1998 shipping season! I saw it in August if memory serves me correctly. At that time, she had a load of iron ore from Superior and was heading to Ashtabula or Toledo to unload that cargo. I want to say it was heading to Ashtabula but, that is only a guess on my part? Can't recall though how many trips the Block made down here in 1998 but, it wasn't too many. I still have the photos of her in my collection 35mm only though of her taken from Port Huron, Marysville and St. Clair. She still had Inland Steel at the time, painted on her sides. The Sykes also made quite a few runs to the lower lakes in 1998 as well. I also saw her twice that season as well and have 35mm photos of each trip in my collection.

Anyone know if any more trips are planned to Cleveland or the lower lakes this year?

This has to be the first time in about 10 years the Joe Block has been down to Lake Erie. They have had a change of orders. After they unload in Cleveland, instead of Lorain, they will be going to Toledo for a load of coal. ETA CLE noon on Sunday.

Joe block is going silver bay to cleveland to lorain slay for burns harbor