2010 Shipping Season Begins

Spring arrived this weekend and one of the best parts of Spring is the beginning of the shipping season. We were able to be in the Soo for the big event. Saturday evening we went down to the Carbide dock to witness the ship which was going to open the Locks-the Lee A. Tregurtha. She arrived just as the sun was setting on a beautiful day. It was cool and windy but just right for boatwatching. She tied up to the pier just outside the Locks for the welcome by city officials.

My son and his family were in town with me. This picture is 3 generations of boat watchers.

Here's the Lee A. Tregurtha as she approaches the Locks.

I met a fellow boat watcher watching the first boat.

Sunday morning we arrived at the Locks Park at 6:50 AM. The temperature was 16 degrees but veteran boat watchers told us we were lucky there wasn't snow and ice like there is some years. We lined the steps of the observation deck because the windows were frost covered. Here my grandchildren are trying to keep warm.

The sun was coming up in the east when the Lee A. Tregurtha sounded her whistle, revved her engines and slowly slid into the Locks.


It was really worth the long drive (to me, of course I didn't do the driving). I would like to see more of a celebration next year. Linda Hoath of the Sault Convention and Visitors Bureau is looking for ideas to make this day more special in the future. So if you have any ideas, let me know and I'll pass them on.


I received these photos from a fellow boatwatcher this morning. They are beautiful. This note was with the pictures:

Took these pictures this morning (03/21/10) Sunrise on the River down at Misson Point, Sugar Island Ferry at Sunrise, Lee A Tregurtha coming under the International Bridge at Sunrise (First Up Bound Boat of the Season), Roger Blough (Second Boat Up Bound) off Misson Point, Edwin Gott (Up Bound at Misson Point). Missed the James R Barker (First Boat of the Season Down Bound though the Soo Locks).

Prospects look good for 2010 Shipping Season

The shipping season for 2009 hit a level of ore shipments that was record-breaking but not in a good way. The tons of ore shipped was the same as that of 1938. That can't be good. You can read about it in this article from Superior Telegraph: Ore Shipments at Great Depression Levels.

But the good news in the article is that the 2010 shipping season is already looking up because steel mills are ramping up production and the mines in Minnesota are calling workers back from layoff.

That's great news for boat watchers on the St. Marys River this year. The shipping season is just drawing to a close this week. The Soo Locks will be closing on Jan. 15. From the pictures I'm seeing, it looks like ice is forming quickly. They've had some really cold mornings according to my parents.

There have been some great pictures from boatnerds on the Internet of boats in the ice. Today I posted two taken by Cathy K. near DeTour of the Lee A. Tregurtha, a boat with an illustrious history including service in WWII for which she received 2 battle stars. You can read a more detailed history at http://www.boatnerd.com/ and put the name Lee A. Tregurtha in the search box.

Since being converted to an ore carrier, she has sailed the waters of the Great Lakes under several names. Lee A. Tregurtha became her name in 1989. Mrs.Dorothy Lee Anderson Tregurtha was the wife of Paul R. Tregurtha, the owner of Interlake Steamship Co. at that time.

Enjoying Boat Watching

I was sent a direct tweet from Michael Purvis, a reporter for the Sault Star, and someone I follow on Twitter. He alerted me to an article in a Fort Wayne newspaper/website titled "Boatnerd reveals childhood obession." You might enjoy reading the reporter, Jeff Jones, reactions to a recent visit to the Soo Locks. Jones stated, " There’s something so indescribably tranquil about sitting beside the water, listening to the waves crash against the beach, the cries of seagulls and the quacking of ducks."

It is always fun to see how people enjoy the boats and their wonder and excitement at seeing them for the first time. When we introduce visitors to our cabin to the boats, it usually takes about a day and a half and they are hooked. They are out watching for what is coming up the river and I often see them looking in Know Your Ships for more information on the sighting.

Jeff Jones says that

"Many years ago, before I was 10, my grandparents had a summer cottage at DeTour Village, next to Lake Huron, where the big freighters would pass either to or from the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

While the boats were at a great distance from the cottage, a telescope enabled the grandchildren to zoom in and read each ship’s name. At night, reading the names was impossible, but we could still see ship lights in the darkness."

Many of us started our boat nerd obsession at some place along the river where we watched ships as a child. For many of us it was at our grandparent's cabin. I loved having my grandchildren here last week because I hope to pass on this 'obsession' to them.

I'd like to hear your stories about where your love of boats or the St. Marys River or just the Upper Peninsula began. Please share them with us.

The boat traffic has been light but rather steady. The Clelia II is making her trips right on schedule. Last night, a full moon rose over the river and gave us a spectacular show. I always look forward to the full moons during the summer. The show this year was perfect.

I saw the Lee A. Tregurtha in the Locks last night. Because of the technology of my new phone, I snapped a picture and sent it to Facebook. Are you on Facebook? There are lots of boat watchers and people who are on the boats. The sailors are sharing lots of great pictures from their travels that I am loving. If you need any assistance navigating Facebook, just send me an email at saultboatwatcher@gmail.com.

Thanks, Brenda