American Victory

Photo taken at 7:30 AM September 9, 2008

Another beautiful morning on the river with a little fog and a gorgeous sunrise. The American Victory is currently cutting through the haze. She is one of my favorite ships because of her history. She saw action in the Pacific in WW2 and is still serving us as a Great Lakes freighter. American Victory was the Middletown until last year.

Since yesterday's post we saw the Canadian Transfer, Cedarglen and Ojibway-all upbound. Quiet day other than that.

Pathfinder

Our morning started with a beautiful sunrise over Sugar Island. The first picture was taken at 7 AM and the second at 11:30 AM. You can see we now have some dark clouds hanging over the river. Picture-Pathfinder -
The boat traffic has been steady with the Mesabi Miner and the Pathfinder downbound. Upbound, I've seen the Paul R. Tregurtha, American Spirit, and the Canadian Leader.

But the river is jumping with smaller boats. There is a Professional Walleye Tournament in the Soo this week and I think many fisherman are practicing here in the St. Marys.

Since yesterday's blog we also saw these boats on Sunday:
Upbound-Frontenac-1 long and 2 short to another boat out front but it was too dark to identify.
Downbound-Lee A. Tregurtha, Joseph H. Thompson, American Integrity, Wilfred M. Cohen & 2501 (tug & barge), John G. Munson.

United States Border Patrol

I am enjoying a beautiful morning here on the St. Marys River. The sun has come out after several rainy days and is coming up brightly over Sugar Island.

There have been two ships this morning-the Montrealais upbound and the Presque Isle-downbound.

I just observed a U.S. Border Patrol boat streaking down the river. They have had a large presence in the river this summer as well as an expanded facility in the Sault. I found an interesting web site explaining the role of the Border Patrol in the Soo along with a photo of the type of boat I saw this morning. History of Border Patrol link.

I always wonder where the Border Patrol boats are going and if they are investigating something.

Saturday's boats included: Upbound-Pathfinder & Quebecois
Downbound-Keizerborg, Adam E. Cornelius, and Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin

Thursday on the River

After the Walter J. McCathy Jr. got underway yesterday, boat traffic was fairly steady. This is what I saw:
Upbound
American Integrity
Canadian Enterprise
Charles M. Beeghly
Katmai Bay
John G. Munson

Downbound
Phillip R. Clarke
Edwin H. Gott
Ojibway

So far today we have had two
Stewart J. Cort & Edgar G. Speer-both upbound

It was drizzly rain that started after lunch yesterday and continued until this morning. Now the sun is trying to peek out but the temperature is in the high 50's.

Update

8:00 AM September 4
As I was sitting, sipping my coffee and enjoying a beautiful sunrise, I heard the distinctive sound of the McCarthy's anchor being raised. I went out in the cool air to take these pictures. I think I should have been a reporter instead of a teacher-it's more fun.

She is currently turning in the river and will begin down bound.

Walter J. McCarthy Jr.

Last night we saw the Walter J. McCarthy rounding the bend at Mission Point down bound. When we returned home, the McCarthy was anchored out front. When a boat anchors here, it must be facing up bound. So the McCarthy must have turned around in the river and we missed it.

The McCarthy's deck lights were on until about 3 AM and then she went to the running lights.

McCarthy remains anchored this morning. The American Integrity just passed up bound. The two ships saluted each other after the American Integrity successfully passed.

I suspect low water levels at the Rock Cut may be the cause of McCarthy's trouble. It was below datum last night. You can check the water levels on line at Great Lakes Online. I'll put a link on this site.

Yesterday's other passages include:
Upbound
Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin
Algoisle
American Fortitude
Kaye E. Barker
Cason J. Callaway
Presque Isle

Downbound
American Victory
Nanticoke

Avery Bay & J.D. Graham

Tugs are among my favorite vessels to watch. I think it is because they are so hard working. I must have read a story when I was young about the 'little tug boat that could' but I don't recall it.

Sunday and Monday we had two tugs pass by here together. The Avery Bay and the J.D. Graham went down on Sunday and returned back up yesterday.

I could not find either of them in the Know Your Ships. But I did find some information by googling them.

Avery Bay-"Built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin for the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1943. She saw service in New Orleans until 1952 & Chicago until 1978. Dan Avery picked her up at Benton Harbour, Michigan in July 2004. She has gone through major renovations including the addition of a 475 hp engine. New home port "Point aux Pins" On, Can."

I found that information on www.tugfest.net. I did not find anything about the Graham. Anyone out there able to help me out?