Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Hello All,

I finally had a chance to get a pic of the American Century w/ the star on the self unloading boom. Upbound St Mary's River 5/17/2026. This has been there for years. Not sure how long , but it was there when she was the Columbia Star.

Very Nice. I will watch for it. Thank you

Michael wrote: November 5, 2024, 1:42 pm The Joseph L Block used to have a large star near the discharge boom/cabin area. Later it was moved onto the exhaust stack. Anyone know what happened to the star? I have tried to find it when she goes by, but I do not see it anywhere. Maybe it was damaged? The American Century has something similar. The star on her is right on the side of discharge boom.

It has been reinstalled on the stack for the month of december, enjoy!

I will have to look now at all my digital photos on the Star that you all are talking about on both the Block and American Century. The one on the Century, I recall seeing that back in 2006 while at the Soo then. I don’t know for sure but, I often always thought that the Star for them was when they were the Columbia Star and for Columbia Transportation of the Oglebay Norton company back then. Of course I am and could be wrong on that one too?

Michael wrote: November 5, 2024, 1:42 pm The Joseph L Block used to have a large star near the discharge boom/cabin area. Later it was moved onto the exhaust stack. Anyone know what happened to the star? I have tried to find it when she goes by, but I do not see it anywhere. Maybe it was damaged? The American Century has something similar. The star on her is right on the side of discharge boom.

The Star is in a storage rack on the port side of the funnel.

It's a Christmas decoration that is in a really inconvenient to remove spot, so it just stays up.

The Star on the American Century has been there for years, and is still in place. I will see if I can find a photo. Noticed it on her when she was the Columbia Star.

No it was on year round. I'll try to attach a pic. It will be on the back of the stack in this pic.

Guest wrote: November 6, 2024, 10:32 pm

Michael wrote: November 5, 2024, 1:42 pm The Joseph L Block used to have a large star near the discharge boom/cabin area. Later it was moved onto the exhaust stack. Anyone know what happened to the star? I have tried to find it when she goes by, but I do not see it anywhere. Maybe it was damaged? The American Century has something similar. The star on her is right on the side of discharge boom.

Does anyone have any insight into the purpose of this star?

Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas?

I can't find a photo of either ship with any kind of star on the boom or stack. How long ago are we talking? Would it possibly have been a Christmas decoration?

Michael wrote: November 5, 2024, 1:42 pm The Joseph L Block used to have a large star near the discharge boom/cabin area. Later it was moved onto the exhaust stack. Anyone know what happened to the star? I have tried to find it when she goes by, but I do not see it anywhere. Maybe it was damaged? The American Century has something similar. The star on her is right on the side of discharge boom.

Does anyone have any insight into the purpose of this star?

The Joseph L Block used to have a large star near the discharge boom/cabin area. Later it was moved onto the exhaust stack. Anyone know what happened to the star? I have tried to find it when she goes by, but I do not see it anywhere. Maybe it was damaged? The American Century has something similar. The star on her is right on the side of discharge boom.