Great Lakes Ship Photos

USCG Hollyhock Launch - Saturday, January 25th

The USCG Hollyhock was launched at Marinette Marine on Saturday, January 25. The tugs Erika Kobasic and Krystal were on hand to assist in two ways: First they came in a day earlier to break the ice in the launch area and second to handle the Hollyhock once it hit the water. The USCG Mobile Bay also came a day early to assist with the ice breaking. The Kobasic and Mobile Bay worked as a team to clear the ice from the launch area. With the Erika Kobasic in front of the Mobile Bay, it used its propellors to flush the broken up ice back to the Mobile Bay. The Mobile Bay then used its aerators, which are air compressors that push air out of vents in the side of the ship near the waterline, and its propellors to flush the ice completely out of the area.

On the ways on Jan. 17 prior to launch
A bit more complete as it sits on the ways on Jan. 23
Erika Kobasic and Krystal at Marinette Marine after breaking ice
USCG Mobile Bay heads up the Menominee River
Close-up of the Mobile Bay's bow breaking ice

Erika Kobasic uses its propellors to flush ice back to Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay uses its aerators to help flush the ice out of the launch area
...and uses its propellors to finish the job
USCG Hollyhock on the ways ready for launch
On its way into the water

Shaking itself off after launch
The launch mechanism sits empty after the launch

USCG Fir - In the bay of Green Bay during sea trials on April 22
USCG Fir - heads down the Menominee River on her way to Astoria, Oregon
USCG Sequoia - Stern view on the ways prior to its August 23 launch
USCG Sequoia - Bow view on the ways
USCG Sequoia - at Marinette Marine after its August 23 launch
USCG Sequoia - Stern view at its dock after launch

The Launch of the Staten Island Ferry, Guy V. Molinari - Sept. 20

The newest Staten Island Ferry was launched by Marinette Marine on Saturday afternoon. The Guy V. Molinari was christened by his daughter, Susan, who, along with her father, Guy V. Molinari, and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, was among the dignitaries on hand for the event.

An estimated crowd of between three and four thousand people lined both sides of the Menominee River to view the launch. After a round of speeches, the champagne bottle crashed against the ship and it hit the water shortly before 3:30 PM (CDT).

Please forgive the quality of these photos. I was shooting directly into a bright sun and this is as good as I could get. Thanks.

The ferry was "walked out" to the launch area on Sept.6
The twin pilothouses are added by Sept. 10
The ferry is being painted on Sept. 12

The Coast Guard is on hand to control water traffic
The Menominee County Sheriff Dept. is also on hand doing the same
The tug, Erika Kobasic, will handle one end of the ferry
The tug, William C. Selvick, will handle the other end
The new ferry on the ways prior to launch

Many small craft are on hand to watch the launch
Part of the crowd (estimated at 3000 - 4000 people) who also turned out
Another of the support craft on hand for the launch
...and another
The christening ceremony is about to begin

The Guy V. Molinari hits the water
The ferry rights itself
Close-up of the now-righted ferry
The ferry drifted almost to the middle of the river before stopping
The draft marks show it is drawing slightly more than 10-feet of water

Post Launch Photos:

Guy V. Molinari with "Staten Island Ferry" painted on side on Sept. 23
A brighter view of the newly painted ship
Close-up of "Staten Island Ferry" painted on its side
Close-up of name "Guy V. Molinari" and "New York City" painted toward stern

USCG Sequoia - Sea Trials in the bay of Green Bay on Nov. 11
USCG Sequoia - Another view of Sea Trials

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2004 Photos:

Marinette Marine - (From left to right) USCG Sequoia, USCG Alder and (Staten Island Ferry) Guy V. Molinari on Jan. 31
USCG Alder - On the ways on Jan. 31 (notice that the stack, fore mast and main mast are not yet installed)
USCG Alder - One day before launch
USCG Alder - At Marinette Marine shortly after launch on Feb. 7
Guy V. Molinari - The new Staten Island Ferry was towed from Marinette Marine April 21 for sea trials

Guy V. Molinari - Close-up of the tow as it heads down river with tug, Escort, in the lead and the Erika Kobasic trailing
Escort - Basic Marine's tug, Escort, leads the tow through the Ogden Street Bridge
Guy V. Molinari - Ferry passes Waupaca Foundry in Marinette (shot through a chain link fence)
Erika Kobasic - Tug brings up the rear of the tow
Guy V. Molinari - The ferry heads through the Ogden Street Bridge

Guy V. Molinari - Half-way through the bridge, which is being renovated
Escort - Tug leads the tow through the piers toward the bay
Guy V. Molinari - The tugs tow the Molinari out to the bay of Green Bay
Guy V. Molinari - On sea trials ib the Bay of Green Bay on April 23
Guy V. Molinari - During sea trials beyond the lighthouse on April 24

Guy V. Molinari - Heading past the lighthouse as the Chios Pride arrives on April 24
Guy V. Molinari - Another view with the lighthouse and Chios Pride
Guy V. Molinari - Heading into the river needing paint on this side!
Sen. John J. Marchi - New Staten Island Ferry moved out to the launch area of Marinette Marine on April 24
Guy V. Molinari - The tug Erika Kobasic tows the ferry back into port past the lighthouse after another round of sea trials on April 27

Guy V. Molinari - Passing the Viking I on her way back to Marinette Marine (unfortunately, with her flaked-off-paint-side showing)
Guy V. Molinari - The tow continues past the Sen. John J. Marchi sitting on the ways (notice one pilothouse has been added to the Marchi)
Sen. John J. Marchi - Both pilothouses are in place on April 30
Sen. John J. Marchi - Close-up of name
Sen. John J. Marchi launch - New Staten Island Ferry hits the water Saturday morning May 8 under cloudy skies.

Aug. 7 - 11 P.M. UPDATE - The delivery of the Staten Island Ferry, Guy V. Molinari, began from Marinette Marine on Aug. 7 at about 3:30 P.M.; however, unspecified mechanical problems later that afternoon while the ship was just several miles from Marinette have forced a return to the shipyard (ETA Marinette Marine - early Sunday morning after daybreak). It is not known at this time when the Molinari will again attempt to leave for New York. I will post periodic updates here.

Guy V. Molinari - Heads down-river on (what was supposed to be) its delivery run to New York on Aug. 7
Erika Kobasic - The big tug brings up the rear of the Molinari tow through the Menominee River
Guy V. Molinari - Nears the old carferry, Viking I
Guy V. Molinari - Passing the Viking I
Guy V. Molinari - Passing Menominee North Pier Lighthouse for the last(?) time (Guess NOT!!)

Guy V. Molinari - Past the lighthouse with the aid of the tug, Erika Kobasic (tug, Escort, is in front)
Guy V. Molinari - Shortly before being cut loose by the tugs (The ferry will make its own way out to New York from here)
Guy V. Molinari - The tug, Erika Kobasic, stands by as the ferry begins her long voyage.

Aug. 13 - 4 P.M. UPDATE - On Tuesday, Aug. 10, another attempt was made to send the Staten Island Ferry, Guy V. Molinari, on its way to New York. She left port about 4:30 PM, but was back in port about 9 PM for unspecified reasons. After conducting "Sea Trials" on Wednesday evening and then again on Thursday morning, she was pronounced fit to finally head for delivery in New York. She disappeared over the horizon on the bay of Green Bay about 12:45 PM (CDT) on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 12. By 3 PM on Friday, Aug. 13, she was reported passing Detroit, MI. The entire trip of over 2700 miles is expected to take about 3 weeks. She will proceed out the St. Lawrence Seaway into the Atlantic Ocean and finally to New York. Bon Voyage and God-Speed!!!

Guy V. Molinari - The ferry is led down-river by the tugs Escort and Erika Kobasic on Aug. 10
Guy V. Molinari - Passing through the Ogden Street Bridge for the last time on another attempt to head for New York
Guy V. Molinari - The tugs head back to Menominee River and the Molinari heads out on what will turn out to be another aborted attempt on Aug. 10 to get to New York
Guy V. Molinari - (Stock photo from April 2004) As she would have appeared heading over the horizon on Aug. 12 ... New York, HERE WE COME!!!

On Sunday Dec. 5, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy's 224-ft. training vessel "State of Michigan" arrived at Marinette Marine Corp. The former Cold War spy ship is here for a $3.9 million refit. Work is to include increasing cabin capacity and sewage treatment capacity. Currently there is room for only 30 cadets; this will be doubled to 60 cadets. Sewage treatment (which includes water from laundry and showers) will be increased from the present 4000 gallons to 30,000 gallons. Also scheduled is converting the old intelligence gathering room into a classroom and installation of a water treatment system. The ship is expected to be here until Spring 2005.

State of Michigan - At Marinette Marine on Dec. 5
State of Michigan - Stern view at Marinette Marine with the Staten Island Ferry, Sen. John J. Marchi, in the background
State of Michigan - Wide view at Marinette Marine from astern - from left to right: Sen. John J. Marchi, State of Michigan, and the new Staten Island Ferry, Spirit of America (sticking out of the building - was originally to have been named "The September 11th"), which is scheduled for launch on Dec. 18
State of Michigan - Close-up of her twin stacks with the Great Lakes Maritime Academy logo
State of Michigan - Another view from across the river

On Dec. 7, the Staten Island Ferry "Sen. John J. Marchi" began her long delivery run from Marinette Marine to New York.

Sen. John J. Marchi - At dock at Marinette Marine on Dec. 7 before leaving for New York
Sen. John J. Marchi - Heading down the Menominee River with the tugs Krystal (in the lead) and Erika Kobasic )trailing)
Sen. John J. Marchi - Close-up approaching the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
Sen. John J. Marchi - Another view approaching the bridge
Sen. John J. Marchi - Logo near top-center of ferry

Sen. John J. Marchi - Outbound past the bridge with the tip of the bow of the Chios Pride visible in background
Sen. John J. Marchi - The tugs have been turned loose as the ferry heads towards the lighthouse pier
Sen. John J. Marchi - Past Menominee North Pier Lighthouse and on her way to New York ... Bon Voyage!!!

Launch of the Spirit of America on Dec. 18

Spirit of America - Christening the ferry
Spirit of America - ...SPLASH...the ferry hits the Menominee River
Spirit of America - Still rocking after the launch
Spirit of America - Back to an even keel
Spirit of America - 45 minutes after the launch the ferry rests at her dock

Spirit of America - Basic Marine's tugs Erika Kobasic and Escort assisted in the launch earlier
Spirit of America - Wide view of the ferry and tugs

On Friday Dec. 24, the tug Mark Hannah left Toledo, Ohio with the hull of a new barge heading for Marinette Marine Corp. Manitowoc Marine Group, L.L.C. (which owns both Toledo Shiprepair and Marinette Marine) built the hull at its Toledo facility and has sent the new barge to Marinette for completion. The tow arrived in Marinette early in the morning of Wednesday Dec. 29. The new "Double-Hulled Tank Barge" is being built for Hornbeck Offshore Services, a "leading transporter of petroleum products through our tug and tank barge segment serving the energy industry, primarily in the northeastern United States and Puerto Rico." (Hornbeck Company Overview from their website: www.hornbeckoffshore.com)

New Hornbeck Barge - Waits in the bay of Green Bay with the tug Mark Hannah on the morning of Dec. 29
Erika Kobasic - Basic Marine's big ice-breaking tug Erika Kobasic heads out past an icy Menominee North Pier Lighthouse to assist the tow after breaking ice in the Menominee River all the way up to Marinette Marine
New Hornbeck Barge - With the Mark Hannah in the lead and the Erika Kobasic trailing
New Hornbeck Barge - The tow approaches the lighthouse
New Hornbeck Barge - The tow reaches the inner harbor

Mark Hannah - An icy tug leads the tow upriver
New Hornbeck Barge - Close-up of the multi-colored barge
Erika Kobasic - An even icier tug trails the tow looking as if she has been through the battles
New Hornbeck Barge - The tow proceeds upriver past K&K Warehouse/Great Lakes Pulp & Fiber
New Hornbeck Barge - Close-up of the barge docked at Marinette Marine
Marinette Marine - From left to right, the new Hornbeck barge, Spirit of America (ferry) and State of Michigan

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2005 Photos:

USCG Mackinaw (2) - The new Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw (2) is at the launch position at Marinette Marine on March 18. Here the pilothouse is being lowered aboard the new ship. - For more information about the new icebreaker CLICK HERE
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Close-up of the pilothouse
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Close-up of the bow - note that the "waterline" (where the black paint on the hull begins) is at 18-ft.
USCG Mackinaw (2) - The pilothouse is almost in place
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Stern with the new "Azimuthing Propulsion Units"

USCG Mackinaw (2) - Late in the afternoon the pilothouse is now in place
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Bow view on March 20
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Slightly different bow view
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Broadside view
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Stern view

USCG Mackinaw (2) & USCG Biscayne Bay - USCG Biscayne Bay breaks ice in front of Marinette Marine on March 20
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Bow view at Marinette Marine on March 22 with the new Hornbeck Barge and Staten Island Ferry Spirit of America
USCG Mackinaw (2) - With Viking I (at K&K Warehouse Dock), Hornbeck Barge and Spirit of America
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Stern/side view
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Stern/side view with smokestack now attached on March 23

USCG Mackinaw (2) - Another view from astern
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Close-up of pilothouse and stack rising above a building at Marinette Marine
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Looking good on Easter Sunday
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Side view on March 27
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Stern view from the Interstate Bridge Project site

Erika Kobasic - The Erika Kobasic arrived at Marinette Marine on the afternoon of March 29 to break ice in preparation for Saturday's launch of the new USCG Mackinaw (2)
Erika Kobasic - The Erika Kobasic in front of the USCG Mackinaw (2)
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Stern view all decked out on April 1 for tomorrow's launch
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Side view with banners flying the day before the launch
USCG Mackinaw (2) - On the ways prior to launch on April 2

USCG Mackinaw (2) - Shortly after launch on April 2 (I really messed up this launch! I was waiting for the christening, and couldn't see anyone on the platform. Then, all of a sudden the ship is on its way into the water and I was caught completely off-guard) :O(!!!
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Still shaking water off her decks
USCG Mackinaw (2) - Another view
USCG Mackinaw (2) - At Marinette Marine in the afternoon after the launch

Special Guest Photo Gallery - New Mackinaw Launch

Since I really messed up on getting photos of the launch, I am happy to step out of the spotlight for a little while and do something I don't usually do ... Several people have come forward with photos of the launch and were kind enough to give me permission to use them on this site. I would therefore like to say a sincere heart-felt "THANK YOU" to Mr. & Mrs. Jon (Kathy) Cappel of Arkdale, WI, Mr. Bob Page of Gladstone, MI, and Mr. Scott Best of Menominee, MI for the following presentation:

Photos by Mr. & Mrs. Jon (Kathy) Cappel:

(Bow views) - On the ways just prior to launch
Over she goes
...And SPLASH!
Further over on her side

Righting herself
...And rocking back the other way
...And the other way again
Just about through rolling

(Stern views) - Splashdown!
Almost disappearing behind a wall of water
Righting herself as a wave surges across the river
Rolling a bit as the wave continues

Photo by Mr. Scott Best:

Side view of splashdown

Photos by Mr. Bob Page:

On the ways from the Marinette Marine side
Splashdown from the Marinette Marine side

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

U. S. Navy Vessel - This vessel entered the Menominee River on the afternoon of April 28 and proceeded to dock at Marinette Marine
U. S. Navy Vessel - Stern view of this vessel, which is designated an "INLS" (Integrated Navy Lighterage System) vessel There are several configurations of these vessels - motorized unit, open deck barge and a landing-craft type barge.
U.S. Navy Maneuvers - Marinette Marine had three of their new "modular" craft out on a fairly rough bay of Green Bay on May 11. These units are built with different configurations and are made so they can be hooked together to run as an integrated unit. Here you can see three of them (each with a different configuration) hooked end to end battering their way through some choppy waters.
U. S. Navy INLS vessel - Close-up in the river returning to Marinette Marine Corp. from "Sea Trials"
State of Michigan - The Great Lakes Maritime Academy training vessel heading down the Menominee River on June 3 after a winter-long refit at Marinette Marine

Spirit of America - The new Staten Island Ferry was out on the bay of Green Bay for Sea Trials on June 28 and June 29 (shown here at its dock at Marinette Marine on July 2)
Navy INLS tow - This group of Navy craft is about ready to be towed to Chicago from Marinette Marine
Spirit of America - The new Staten Island Ferry rests at dock at Marinette Fuel & Dock on Aug. 23 awaiting departure to New York.
Spirit of America - Dockside view
Spirit of America - All lit up on the night of Aug. 23 at MF&D

Spirit of America - The Staten Island Ferry, Spirit of America, departed for New York late in the afternoon of Aug. 25. (Shown here at dock shortly before leaving)
Mackinaw (II) - Marinette Marine took the new icebreaker out in the bay of Green Bay for its first Sea Trials on Sept. 5 (shown here off Henes Park in Menominee)
Mackinaw (II) - After a full day of Sea Trials, the icebreaker turns around in the river at Marinette Fuel & Dock
Mackinaw (II) - Just about tied up for the night at MF&D behind the William H. Donner
Mackinaw (II) - Another view (from across the river) at the dock

Crew Changes On The (new) Mackinaw

Mid-afternoon on Sept. 13 the Mackinaw (II) appeared to be heading back into the Menominee River; however, she stopped outside the buoys as three smaller boats approached. It appears as if a crew transfer took place, as the two smaller boats soon headed back into port loaded with life-jacket-wearing men.

Mackinaw (II) - The new icebreaker stopped outside the buoys in the Menominee River approach.
Mackinaw (II) - Another view past the lighthouse beyond the buoys
Mackinaw (II) - The first small boat loaded with crew heads for port while the the other two boats wait alongside the ship.
Crew Boat #1 - The first boat loaded with crew heads through the piers
Mackinaw (II) - The Rescue Ranger heads in with more crew
Rescue Ranger - The crew-laden boat heads up-river to Marinette Marine

...and another crew change on Sept. 15 under clear skies...

Mackinaw (II) - Marinette Marine's Rescue Ranger and another small craft effect a crew change out beyond the lighthouse
Mackinaw (II) - Two small craft leave with crew from the Mackinaw
Mackinaw (II) - The Mackinaw gets underway to continue her Sea Trials
Rescue Ranger - These guys look like they are anxious to get back
Mackinaw (II) - The Mackinaw underway beyond the lighthouse
Mackinaw (II) - Stern view as the "Mac" heads out

Mackinaw (II) - At dock at Marinette Marine on Sept. 20 after almost 2 weeks of Sea Trials

New Mackinaw (WLBB-30) open for tours in Menominee on Dec. 7

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Front cover of Tour brochure
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Ship particulars in the brochure
USCG Mackinaw 30 - A view of the "new" Mackinaw from across the river at K&K Warehouse Dock. Kudos to K&K Warehouse for providing dock space for the public to view the ship!!!
USCG Mackinaw 30 - A view from the stern with Marinette Marine (the builder of this ship) in the background. One of our tour guides is at the left.
USCG Mackinaw 83 - If a ship needs a tow, this ship is ready; the tow line would be attached here

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Cables of different kinds in the stern of the ship
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Part of the engine room
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Home (or should I say "ship") entertainment system in lunch room
USCG Mackinaw 30 - "Anyone hungry?"
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Ships cap pins and "coins" were available for sale

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Electronic chart shows ship's position in Menominee (see the bulls-eye)
USCG Mackinaw 30 - One of the Engine Room's modern control panels
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Electronic radar display in Engine Room
USCG Mackinaw 30 - More electronic controls
USCG Mackinaw 30 - ... and more

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Looking aft, you can see the track in the ice broken by the ship this morning
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Wide view looking aft (Marinette Marine at left)
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Walking forward to the bridge (deckhouse)
USCG Mackinaw 30 - One of the modern electronic controls on the bridge
USCG Mackinaw 30 - More electronic displays (this is a "state of the art" ship!

USCG Mackinaw 30 - A view of the interior of the bridge
USCG Mackinaw 30 - An electrician's playground on the bridge
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Captain's chair on the bridge
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Another look at the electronic controls from the opposite side of the bridge
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Looking forward from the bridge (Viking I in foreground)

USCG Mackinaw 30 - More bridge controls
USCG Mackinaw 30 - ... and more
USCG Mackinaw 30 - An electronic positioning chart (like the one in the Engine Room)
USCG Mackinaw 30 - More electronics shows what is happening on the ship
USCG Mackinaw 30 - The ship's bell hangs on a wall in the bridge

USCG Mackinaw 30 - More electronic controls!
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Washing needs to be done sometime
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Base of the huge deck crane
USCG Mackinaw 30 - ... and the crane itself
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Looking up at the bridge from the main deck

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Port-side view of the bow of the ship
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Bow view of the ship
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Stern view (Viking I in background at K&K Warehouse dock)
USCG Mackinaw 30 - It was dark when the last tour ended. Thanks, again to K&K Warehouse for hosting this marvelous event!!!

New Mackinaw (WLBB-30) leaves Menominee on Dec. 8

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Passing the craneship William H. Donner
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Close-up passing Marinette Fuel & Dock
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Not much ice to break today
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Side view after getting a "salute" from the ship
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Stern view

USCG Mackinaw 30 - Midway between the lighthouse and the range light tower
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Approaching Menominee North Pier Lighthouse
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Past the lighthouse
USCG Mackinaw 30 - Making a turn past the lighthouse heading for Green Bay, WI
USCG Mackinaw 30 - A group of well-wishers at the lighthouse say one last "Good-bye"
USCG Mackinaw 30 - One last look with Green Island in the background. BON VOYAGE!!!

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2006 Photos:

USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - The (new) "Mac" comes past the lighthouse on its way to Marinette Marine on April 7
Jimmy L - The tug led the small flotilla into the harbor (silhouette against the rising sun)
William C. Selvick - Another tug brings up the rear
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Stern view heading into the inner harbor ... the ship will be here for about 3 weeks

USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Heading for the Ogden Street Bridge
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - The two tugs ride herd after passing through the bridge
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Even the Coast Guard has fishing boats to contend with
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Beginning to turn around before heading upriver to Marinette Marine
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Still turning

USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Just about around
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Backing upriver to Marinette Marine with the two tugs in attendance
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Close-up with Marinette Marine in the background with the Jimmy L alongside
USCG Mackinaw (2) - At dock at Marinette Marine

Launch of the tug "Brandywine" at Marinette Marine on Sept. 1

Brandywine - Close-up on the ways at Marinette Marine shortly before launch
Escort - Basic Marine's tug is in charge of the bow of the Brandywine when it hits the river
Krystal - Another Basic Marine tug has the stern lines
Brandywine - The launch horn has sounded...
Brandywine - ... and the tug heads for the river

Brandywine - Splashdown!
Brandywine - ... righting itself
Brandywine - A wave heads across the Menominee River as the tug settles
Brandywine - Safely in the river shortly after launch

Brandywine - The raised pilothouse has been added on Sept. 8 (bow view)
Brandywine - Stern view with the new pilothouse
Brandywine - Pieces of the launch mechanism are being put in place for the Sept. 23 launch of the new LCS

USS Freedom - Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Built at Marinette Marine

LCS - Marinette Marine began "walking out" their new LCS, USS Freedom, to the launch area on a rainy Sept. 8. In this photo it is about half-way to the launch area from the building where it was constructed. The launch is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23.
LCS - Bow view at the launch area on Sept. 9
LCS - Stern view at the launch area
LCS - Thursday Sept. 21 on the ways ready for launch this Saturday
LCS - All decorated (on Friday afternoon) for tomorrow's launch

The Menominee side of the Menominee River was jammed with onlookers waiting to see the launch of the LCS on Sept. 23. A friend of mine and I were going to go to view the launch, but he called shortly after 10 a.m. and said the viewing areas were already crowded (the launch ceremonies were not scheduled to begin until 11 a.m. - the ship hit the water around 11:40 a.m.). After talking it over, we decided not to go. I did take a ride around about 11 a.m. and there wasn't an open spot to be found except on the US-41 Interstate Bridge, which would have been a possibility for taking photos EXCEPT for a haze and having to shoot directly into the sun! So, I am sorry I didn't get photos of the launch itself for you. I did, however, get some interesting photos of the ship being turned around in the Menominee River turning basin down-river from Marinette Marine later that afternoon. I hope you enjoy those photos.

LCS - Safely in the Menominee River shortly after its launch around 11:40 a.m. Sept. 23 (Photo Compliments of: Bill Besaw)
LCS - Being turned around in the turning basin later that afternoon (Selvick tugs Jacquelyn Nicole and Cameron O assisting along with Jimmy L {not in photo})
LCS - Turned around and being towed back to Marinette Marine by Jacquelyn Nicole (stern) and Jimmy L (bow)
LCS - Bow view as the tow proceeds upriver
LCS - Close-Up of the U.S. Navy's newest vessel
LCS - Stern view of the tow approaching Marinette Marine

I just received this link to a video of the launch of the USS Freedom from a friend, who gave me permission to place the link on my website. A BIG THANK YOU to Mr. Steve Neal for allowing me to share this video of his with you!! Click Here to go off-site to watch the video.

Brandywine - The new Vane Bros. tug is still at Marinette Marine
Brandywine - The Vane Bros. tug's (Brandywine) stack has been painted with the large "V" for its owners

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2007 Photos:

USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Arrived in Marinette on Feb. 28 to conduct icebreaking trials on the bay of Green Bay for about the next two weeks - night photo at Marinette Fuel & Dock Co. in Marinette, WI,which will be their base of operations during that time
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Sunday March 4, the last day in port before the trials begin
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Close-up at Marinette Fuel & Dock on a partly cloudy afternoon
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Close-up a little later in the afternoon with the sun glinting off the deckhouse under a mostly blue sky
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Returning to the Menominee River inner harbor on Wednesday, March 7

USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Another day of testing is about over
USCG Mackinaw (WLBB-30) - Close-up coming through a track in the ice it has come to know well over the past several days
USCG Hollyhock - Working ATON (Aids to Navigation) replacing the "winter buoys" in the bay of Green Bay off Menominee on May 6
U.S. Navy craft - Marinette Marine took one (well, technically three) of the new U.S. Navy INLS (Improved Navy Lighterage System) craft out in the bay of Green Bay for some sea trials on a beautiful June 13 day (shown here returning to base).
USS Freedom - Marinette Marine's new LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) was towed to the turning basin in the Menominee River, turned around and returned to Marinette Marine last Saturday

Bridget McAllister/Atlantic Trader - INLS craft for the U.S. Navy are being placed aboard the barge on July 13
Bridget McAllister/Atlantic Trader - Another view of the tug and loaded barge on July 14 awaiting thier delivery trip down the Seaway
Atlantic Trader - The barge is loaded and ready to go later that afternoon while the tug nas been moved downriver
Atlantic Trader - Another view of the barge with 6 INLS craft aboard which could leave as early as Sunday morning
Christiana - Marinette Marine has moved the new Vane Bros. tug out into the yard. It will be moved to river's edge for launch soon.

USS Freedom (LCS) - Stern view of the ship with the rear doors open exposing the ramp inside where smaller craft can be launched and recovered while the ship is underway.
Marinette Marine - (L to R) Atlantic Trader, USS Freedom and Christiana (on the dock)
2 Tugs - (L to R) Erika Kobasic and Bridget McAllister wait for tomorrow's tow of the Atlantic Trader and the INLS craft

INLS Tow - The barge, Atlantic Trader, departed Marinette Marine on July 15 at noon CDT with a load of 6 U.S. Navy INLS craft aboard
INLS Tow - The tug, Bridget McAllister, was the lead tug
INLS Tow - ... While the tug, Erika Kobasic, was on the stern
INLS Tow - The tow approaches the Ogden Street (Menekaunee) Bridge
INLS Tow - Stern view of the Bridget McAllister after passing through the bridge

INLS Tow - Stern view of the tow with the Erika Kobasic trailing the tow
INLS Tow - The tow approaches the bend in the harbor as it heads down-river
INLS Tow - The tow approaches Menominee North Pier Lighthouse - Bon Voyage!
Christiana - The new Vane Bros. tug has been moved to the launch area at river's edge at Marinette Marine
Christiana - The new Zane Bros. tug, Christiana, was launched around 11:15 a.m. on July 20 with the aid of the Selvick tugs, Jimmy L and Jacquelyn Nicole. She is shown here just on her way down the ways. I had set my camera to "sequential shot" mode to get a series of shots of the launch; but, when they moved the launch back 15 minutes, I turned off the camera to save the battery. It wasn't until I got home and found that I only had this photo on the camera that it dawned on me that when I turned off the camera it defaulted to its "normal" settings (NO sequential shots)!! GRRRR! Anyway, to see what this launch would have looked like, here is a Link to the launch of its "Sister-tug" Brandywine last year. Sorry about that!

Christiana - In the river at Marinette Marine later that afternoon
Christiana - The pilothouse was added to the new Zane Bros. tug, Christiana on July 24
Atlantic Trader - 5 of the new INLS craft are aboard the barge on Sept. 1 (I think there are a total of 7 to be moved)
USS Freedom - LCS - The Littoral Combat Ship is still in the finishing stages at Marinette Marine on Sept. 1

Atlantic Trader - The Erika Kobasic heads toward the Ogden Street Bridge with the Michaela McAllister pushing the barge on Sept. 8
Atlantic Trader - The barge is carrying INLS craft from Marinette Marine headed for an East Coast port
Michaela McAllister - Close-up of the tug pushing the barge as they head toward the bridge
Atlantic Trader - Broadside view of the tug & barge heading out of the inner harbor
Atlantic Trader - Heads past the lighthouse as the Erika Kobasic returns to port (briefly)

Marinette Marine - A trio of INLS craft remain at Marinette Marine on Spet. 8
USS Freedom - The LCS with side doors open and deck hangar door partly open at Marinette Marine on Sept. 8
INLS craft - The tug, Erika Kobasic, makes up a tow of two of Marinette Marine's INLS craft at KK East Dock on Sept. 14
INLS craft - The tow heads out of the inner harbor going to???

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2008 Photos:

Marinette Marine - Wide view of the dock with INLS craft and the USS Freedom on June 17
Marinette Marine - Close-up of the USS Freedom (LCS-1) with the Selvick tug, Jacquelyn Nicole, near the bow. The engines of the USS Freedom were started up a couple weeks ago; could Sea Trials be coming soon?
Marinette Marine - Close-up of the Jacquelyn Nicole
Marinette Marine - A fleet of INLS (Integrated Nave Lighterage System) craft lines the dock on June 17

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