Herbert C. Jackson in the Fog

 When we woke this morning, we were treated to having a boat closer than normal.  The Herbert C. Jackson was anchored in the anchorage area because of the dense fog.  I don't know how long she had been there but we enjoyed a closer look than normal.  One of my friends suggested that I invite the captain in for coffee.  We were drinking our morning coffee and I think that maybe he was too.  So I can say I had coffee with the captain this morning!



When a ship is anchored, they always face into the current.  When the fog had lifted the Jackson had to turn around because they were actually headed downbound.  We were treated to watch them raise the anchor and turn around.  The St. Marys River doesn't appear that wide but there is plenty of room for the maneuvers.

Here's the pictures of the process.

 Now she is underway and heading for her next stop. 

Blue Heron

I am watching the Blue Heron pass by heading down the St. Marys River right now.  The Blue Heron is a research vessel from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.  I linked you to the University's web site for more information.

The Blue Heron is 87 feet long and was originally used as a fishing vessel. 

On a beautiful day, it was a nice site to see on the river.

US Coast Guard Mackinaw

 Last Saturday our family visited Mackinaw City.  We toured the United States Coast Guard Icebreaker Mackinaw which is permanently docked there.  This is the retired vessel which has been replaced by a newer version with the same name.  She was decommissioned in 2006 and and the new Mackinaw is a smaller, multi-use vessel. It was a very interesting visit.  The ship is much bigger than I anticipated with a crew of 75-half of which are operators and half are engineers.  The Mackinaw was build during WW II at a cost of $10 million dollars.

The Mackinaw certainly moved many boats during her 62 years on the Great Lakes.

 This is the hallway leading to the sleeping quarters.  I think the Mackinaw was more spacious than the Air Craft Carrier Midway which we visited in San Diego two years ago.

 The picture below shows the female sleeping quarters.

 Looking over the bow of the ship, you can see the marina at Mackinaw City and also get an idea of the enormous size of the Mackinaw.

 The hull of the boat is 1 5/8 inches thick to allow it to break out the spring pathway for Great Lakes shipping.

It was a worthwhile visit.  The admission price is $11 for adults & $6 for children.  It is a self-guided tour with several stops for videos and explanations from the 'crew'.  We completed our visit in about an hour.  There are many steps in the tour and I don't think the boat is handicap-accessible.

Fourth of July Weekend

The 4th of July weekend is very busy in the Soo.  I went in to Walmart yesterday and gave up shopping after about a half hour.  It was incredibly busy.  The traffic on the I-75 Business Spur was difficult.  If you have been in the Soo this summer, you know how much road construction there is.  On Wednesday three of the major roads were closed or held up for construction.  Ashmun Street from 12th Ave to Easterday is closed until late fall.  Portage Avenue is closed at Johnston Street.  M-129 was being resurfaced this week but one lane traffic was being allowed.  It makes for a difficult time to get around town if you don't know the back streets.

Life on the St. Marys River, however, has been very quiet.  The boat traffic is sporadic and there hasn't been many pleasure craft.  This evening we've been treated to seeing many of the tugs heading down stream after participating in the tug boat races.

Right now I'm watching the American Integrity, a 1,000 footer, coming quietly down the river with the setting sun reflecting off the entire length.  It is a very peaceful way to end the day. 

We also saw the Cuyahoga,  Presque Isle and Indiana Harbor earlier this afternoon.

The Soo is a boat watcher's paradise.  On Wednesday evening, there is always a music concert in the Soo Locks Park.  Music in the Park is a treat not only for the music but also for the great opportunity to watch the big freighters.  Last week, we were treated to the music of the Pub Runners and I also got to watch the Burns Harbor lock through during the concert.

River Report

I found a new place for boatwatching in the Soo.  Last night we visited my aunt who lives in West Pier Apartments.  While we enjoying a cup of tea, we saw the Robert S. Pierson leaving the Locks.  It was a cold and windy night with whitecaps in the Locks approach.

View from West Pier Apartments of the Locks approach

State of Michigan Conducts Spring Training in the St. Marys River

State of Michigan

May 2008 by Brenda Benedict

Duluth, Minnesota

This week we have been watching the State of Michigan make her way up and down the St. Marys River.  I investigated the college web site and found that the Great Lakes Maritime Academy is conducting a spring training cruise for their cadets to teach them navigation of the St. Marys River.

I first saw the vessel while visiting Duluth with my son.  The State of Michigan is a training vessel for Great Lakes Maritime Academy.

Great Lakes Maritime Academy is a division of Northwestern Michigan College located in Traverse City Michigan.  The Academy trains young men and women for a career 'on the water' as stated on their web site.

The cadets are now conducting a sea project that is required for graduation.  
You can follow the State of Michigan through a blog written by the cadets at State of Michigan blog.
Although there haven't been any posts this week, I imagine the cadets are busy learning how to navigate the river.  
 The following information was taken from their website. 

About the Great Lakes Maritime Academy: Located at Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Campus, the Academy educates and trains deck and engineering officers for the commercial shipping industry. Through a partnership with Ferris State University, cadets simultaneously earn their maritime credentials and a bachelor's degree in business administration. Post-graduation, cadets enjoy 100 percent employment.

 

Ship State of Michigan to return to TC

TRAVERSE CITY -- The T/S State of Michigan is expected to return to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy pier Friday morning, June 3, marking the midway point of the 2011 spring training cruise.

The ship left Traverse City on May 17 with a complement of 53 cadets and 10 faculty/ crewmembers onboard. It will remain in Traverse City through Monday in order to restock the vessel for the remaining three weeks of the cruise. The cruise will conclude on June 26. 

The annual spring training cruise is one of three sea projects every Maritime cadet must complete and is an integral part of the training provided to cadets in both the deck and engineering programs. The cadets will complete their remaining sea projects on U. S. flag commercial vessels.  The itinerary is designed so that all cadets in the Deck Officer program will be eligible to sit for their Great Lakes Pilotage Endorsement when they sit for their Coast Guard Merchant Marine Officer's license prior to graduation.

Busy Day on the St. Marys River

I stayed home all day today working in my flower beds.  The weeds always get a head start before we move up here for the summer, so I'm doing part of the beds every day.

A strong thunderstorm blew through about dinner time.  We didn't get hail here but down in DeTour there was hail.  The air is cool with low humidity tonight.  We'll be closing the windows tonight and it will be a great night for sleeping.
 
So being at home allowed me to watch the boats all day.  And it was a busy day.  I spotted 17 boats during the day and into the evening.  I know I don't see every boat that passes but even so 17 makes for a good day.

Here's the list of what I spotted so far today:

Lee A. Tregurtha

CSL Assiniboine

Kaye E. Barker

PML 9000

PML barge

Burns Harbor

American Spirit

Algoma Navigator

Canadian Olympic

Federal Power

Walter J. McCarty Jr.

Edwin H. Gott

Ojibway

American Integrity

Walter J. McCarty Jr.

Indiana Harbor

Grande Mariner

Michiganborg