LAST .. UPDATED .. March 17, 2012 (Joseph L. Block & more)
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This Gallery is dedicated to the Ore Loading Facility, the C. Reiss Coal and Limestone Dock and the city of Escanaba, MI



Some people have asked me what taconite is ... Click Here to see some taconite (the dime is for a size reference). Taconite is "peletized" iron ore used for making steel.



July 22, 2006 - The Edward L. Ryerson made its first appearance in Escanaba after being laid-up in Sturgeon Bay, WI since 1998! Click Here to see the photos of her first trip in 8 years.


July 7, 2006 UPDATE - The old L.E.Block was towed from Escanaba in the wee hours today under the cover of darkness (no photos). Her destination is a cutter's torch in Port Colborne. Farewell, Fair Lady!!

NOTICE - Sometime in mid May 2005 the L. E. Block was pulled from its long-term lay-up berth at Basic Towing, Inc. The Block was turned around and moved to the opposite side of the slip where it has been berthed for many years. It is not known what this portends for the ship. Rumors are that it may finally be made into a tug/barge unit (if the hull is sound), or possibly be headed to the ship-breakers. Only time will tell. Good luck, Old Girl!!! (Photos below at the beginning of the "2005 Photos")




Featured ships (in the slideshow only): American Spirit, Arthur M. Anderson, Armco, Columbia Star, Great Lakes Trader, James R. Barker, Joseph H. Thompson, Joseph L. Block, Kaye E. Barker, L.E. Block, Mesabi Miner, Middletown, Philip R. Clarke, Presque Isle, Wilfred Sykes

Click the image in the framed box below to go to the Slide Show.

Remember that clicking on the"X" from within the Slide Show
Will bring you back to this page.



For those of you who would rather view the individual photos (listed chronologically), instead of all photos as a "Slide Show",

Click Here (More (and newer) images that are not included in the "Slide Show" are included in this section.)





Escanaba Ore & More

click to view


 

See sample photos below...





Edward L. Ryerson



Escanaba Ore & More Photos:


Click here for Pre-2004 Photos - 2004 Photos - 2005 Photos - 2006 Photos - 2007 Photos - 2008 Photos

2009 Photos - 2010 Photos - 2011 Photos - 2012 Photos




A Look At The Ore Facility & Grounds:

Ore Train - Ore is brought to the facility by train
Taconite Pile - One of several huge piles of taconite pellets at the site
Taconite pile #2 - at south end of the yard (captured from an old 35mm photo)
Taconite Pile #3) - near the north end of the yard (captured from an old 35mm photo)
Stacker/Reclaimer - Regular taconite pellets are reclaimed from the piles in the yard and begin their journey to the loader here
Hopper - From the stacker/reclaimer (in background) the taconite winds its way through the yard to this hopper

Ore Hopper - The ore is transfered from the stock piles to this hopper, which then drops it onto the conveyor...
Conveyor - James R. Barker - The ore then travels on the conveyor belt up to the ship loader...
Ship Loader - The ship loader moves on a track and can be shifted to load the ship without the ship having to move
Ore Facility - View of the whole shoreside facility (sorry it is so dark)
Ore Dock - A view of the ore dock and loader with no ships around




Pre-2004 Photos:

Mesabi Miner - The 1004-foot-long Mesabi Miner is the first outside visitor to Escanaba on March 18, 2000
Joseph H. Thompson - Is the first vessel of the season to load taconite pellets on March 18, 2000
Joseph H. Thompson & Mesabi Miner - The Mesabi Miner waits at anchor until the Joseph H. Thompson finishes loading on March 18, 2000

Joseph H. Thompson & Great Lakes Trader - Two tug/barge units in winter lay-up on Mar. 11, 2001
Joseph H. Thompson - Deckhouse of the Joseph H. Thompson at C. Reiss yard

Joseph L. Block - Loads on June 29, 2001

Joseph H. Thompson - The tug/barge Joseph H. Thompson in mid-season lay-up near the ore dock on July 27, 2001
Joseph H. Thompson, Jr. - The tug part of the Thompson in mid-season lay-up at the ore dock
Joseph H. Thompson - Close-up of the notch in the barge where the tug normally resides
Joseph H. Thompson & Joseph L. Block - (L to R) Joseph H. Thompson, Joseph L. Block, and Joseph H. Thompson, Jr. on July 27, 2001
Joseph L. Block - A frequent visitor loads on July 27, 2001

James R. Barker - The 1004-foot-long James R. Barker loads on Aug. 28, 2001
James R. Barker - The Barker's massive 105-foot-wide bow
James R. Barker - A wider view of the Barker's bow
James R. Barker - A side view of the Barker's bow
James R. Barker - The Barker's rear deckhouse
Ore Facility - View of the ore facility and the James R. Barker from across the bay
James R. Barker - A closer look at the Barker from across the bay
Ship Loader - Close-up of the ship loader and the James R. Barker from across the bay

Armco - Ore isn't the only act in town, the Armco arrives with a load of coal on Aug. 28, 2001
C. Reiss Dock - Is used to store limestone and coal. Here a string of hopper cars loaded with limestone awaits the next outbound train
Armco - The Armco heads past a huge pile of coal already at C. Reiss
Armco & James R. Barker - The stern of the Armco passes the stern of the Barker, which is at the ore dock
Armco - At the C. Reiss dock

Columbia Star - The 1000-foot-long Columbia Star loads 64,000 tons of taconite pellets on Oct. 16, 2001
Columbia Star - A "bows-on" shot of her 105-foot-wide bow
Columbia Star - Two crewmembers head back to their ship...it is almost two-tenths of a mile to the rear deckhouse!
Columbia Star - The pilings from the old ore dock with the ship in the background

Wilfred Sykes - Approaches Escanaba with a load of limestone on Oct. 16, 2001
Wilfred Sykes - her bow kicks up some spray on a windy day in Escanaba
Wilfred Sykes - Passes the channel marker entering the harbor
Wilfred Sykes - The stern with her Central Marine Logistics logo on the stack
Wilfred Sykes - Unloads limestone at C. Reiss dock
Wilfred Sykes - Close-up unloading limestone at C. Reiss dock
Wilfred Sykes - Stern view at the C. Reiss dock on a windy October day

Philip R. Clarke - waits out the weather in (the bay of) Green Bay about 10 miles south of Escanaba on Oct. 16, 2001

L. E. Block - Stern view of the L. E. Block - photo taken on March 24, 2002
L. E. Block - A sad sight...the L. E. Block rusts away in Escanaba, MI - photo taken May 30, 2002

Kaye E. Barker - Loads taconite pellets on May 30, 2002
Kaye E. Barker - At the loader
Kaye E. Barker - Close-up of the Kaye E. Barker

Presque Isle - Loading taconite on a rare run on Oct. 6, 2002
James A. Hannah (tug) - Bow view at the ore dock on Oct. 6, 2002

Arthur M. Anderson - Unloads coal at C. Reiss dock on Oct. 26, 2002

Middletown - Heading for C. Reiss North Dock with coal on June 14, 2003.
Middletown - Close-up of the Middletown's unique pilothouse



2004 Photos:

American Spirit - Tied-up at the ore dock on May 3 to load taconite for Indiana Harbor. It is very unusual to see a 1000-footer backed into the facility; they are usually at the dock with their bow facing the shore.
American Spirit - A view of the ship and the ship-loader from the ore dock
American Spirit - Close-up at the ore dock
American Spirit - Another view from further north
American Spirit - The boom is raised to facilitate loading

American Spirit - Another view of the loading process
American Spirit - Close-up of stern with the loading boom raised and the ore facility's loading rig
American Spirit - Close-up of the loading rig at work
American Spirit - A view at the ore dock from across the bay
American Freedom - Small tour boat at boat yard


2005 Photos:

L. E. Block - (May 28) The L. E. Block was recently towed out of its long-time anchorage, turned around and moved to the opposite side of its slip at Basic Towing, Inc.
L. E. Block - Another view - it is not known what this means for the future of this once-proud ship.
L. E. Block - Side view
L. E. Block - Close-up of the deckhouse
L. E. Block - Close-up of the hatch crane and the stern (a little fuzzy)

2006 Photos:

Burns Harbor - waits out in the fog off the Ore dock on Jan. 22 as the Mesabi Miner and Great Lakes Trader are at the dock (shot from the harbor on Ludington Street/Scenic Drive E)
Great Lakes Trader and Mesabi Miner - (Trader in foreground) at the ore dock (also from the harbor)
Burns Harbor, Mesabi Miner & Great Lakes Trader - Wide view of all three from the ore dock yard
Mesabi Miner - Close-up at the ore dock
Great Lakes Trader - Close-up at the dock

Mesabi Miner & Great Lakes Trader - Bow view at the ore dock
Mesabi Miner & Great Lakes Trader - Another bow view at the dock from ground level
Mesabi Miner - "In your face" bows-on at the dock
Burns Harbor - Waits out in the bay for its turn at the ore dock
Burns Harbor - Close-up of the stern

Fischer Hayden - Tug pulled all the way up in the ore dock slip with its work barge Hannah(?) Avery
Mesabi Miner - One more view at the ore dock with the Great Lakes Trader in the background
L. E. Block - Stern view of the embattled old ship at Basic Marine (The City of Escanaba has taken action to "get rid of that eye-sore") - a sad end to a once elegant ship?
Burns Harbor & Great Lakes Trader - Wide view from across the harbor of the ships at the ore loading facility on March 19
Burns Harbor & Great Lakes Trader - Close-up at the dock with the tug, Fischer Hayden, and barge, Hannah Avery

Burns Harbor - In an icy slip loading taconite pellets on a beautiful day (a little chilly)
Burns Harbor - A little closer to the action at a different angle
Burns Harbor - A "bows-on" view at the ore loader
Burns Harbor - Wide angle view from another location
Great Lakes Trader - Apparently still in winter lay-up on the south side of the dock

Joyce L. VanEnkevort - Close-up of the tug that pushes the Great Lakes Trader
Lake Explorer - on the dock at Basic Marine on March 26; it is the ex Coast Guard Patrol Boat, Point Roberts, built in 1960s. She was once used to recover the boosters from the Space Shuttles and spend most of her Coast Guard life on the east coast of Florida. (Thanks to Brent from Cheboygan, MI for the info)
Chicago Fire Boat - Another rusty old relic on shore near the L.E. Block - Joseph Meddill(sp?)



On July 22, 2006, the Ryerson sailed for the first time in 8 years heading into Escanaba, MI for a load of taconite pellets. (All times listed below are CDT)

Escanaba - Here she comes ... approaching Escanaba around 6:15 PM - WELCOME BACK FAIR LADY!
Escanaba - Another view
Escanaba - ... And another
Escanaba - Broadside view
Escanaba - Scenic broadside view

Escanaba - Close-up of her stern with the "Mittal" logo on her stack
Escanaba - Stern view passing the channel marker light
Escanaba - Approaching the ore dock
Escanaba - Close-up of the ship as it approaches the outer edge of the dock
Escanaba - Rounding the dock heading for her berth

Escanaba - Close-up
Escanaba - Wide view rounding the dock
Escanaba - "Bow's-on" view
Escanaba - A scenic view heading for her berth
Escanaba - Another close-up

Escanaba - Close-up as they tie her up at just about 8 PM!
Escanaba - Close-up of her stately bow
Escanaba - Another close-up at its berth
Escanaba - Side view
Escanaba - Scenic side view from Vinette Boatworks Co. next to the ore facility ... Did I mention that this is my FAVORITE SHIP?



David Z. Norton - A rare visitor loads taconite "Pellet Chips" on Aug. 26, 2006
David Z. Norton - Close-up of the bow and the ore loader
David Z. Norton - Close-up of the stern - this ship was recently sold by Oglebay Norton Marine. The name and colors remain the same, but all Oglebay Norton markings have been removed. It is not known if this ship will eventually be repainted and/or renamed by the new owners.
David Z. Norton - Bow view at the loader
David Z. Norton - Same view from atop a small hill

David Z. Norton - Wide view loading (the wood pilings in the photo are the remains of the old ore docks)
David Z. Norton - Close-up of the loader at work
Lee A. Tregurtha - Loading ore on Oct. 2. This is her first trip of 2006. She received new engines after laying-up for the winter at Bay Shipbuilding. The classic steamer is now deisel powered.
Lee A. Tregurtha - Another view at the ore dock
Lee A. Tregurtha - Close-up of the old converted WWII veteran

James R. Barker - Loading taconite pellets at the ore dock on Oct. 6
Burns Harbor - Loading taconite pellets on Oct. 11

2007 Photos:

Fleetmates - On Jan. 7, 2007 the Wilfred Sykes (foreground) and Joseph L. Block were at the ore loader (from across the bay)
Fleetmates - The Block (L) and Sykes (R) at the ore facility
Fleetmates - Another view of the Block and Sykes
Wilfred Sykes - Stern view at the south side of the ore loader
Joseph L. Block - Bows-on view of the ship at the north side of the ore loader

Joseph L. Block - Side view close-up of the ship
Victory - Close-up of the tug at the C. Reiss north dock(?)
Siscowet - Tug on the grounds of Basic Marine

Joseph H. Thompson - Still in lay-up on March 11 on the south side of the ore facility dock
Joseph H. Thompson - Close-up
Joseph L. Block - Arriving in the bay off Escanaba on a beautiful March 11 day
Joseph L. Block - Close-up of the bow pushing ice in front of it
Joseph L. Block - Close-up of the stern deckhouse

Joseph L. Block - Passing the channel marker
Joseph L. Block - Making the turn into the ore dock
Joseph L. Block - Close-up about halfway through the turn
Joseph L. Block - Bow-view close-up still coming around
Joseph L. Block - Just about straightened up for the ore dock approach

Joseph L. Block - Heading for the ore dock slip
Joseph L. Block - Just about there
Olive L. Moore - Stern view of the tug (with its new raised pilothouse) across the slip from the ore dock. This tug is mated with the barge, Lewis J. Kuber, which is wintering in Menominee, MI. The stern of the tug "Victory" partially obscures the stern of the Olive L. Moore.

Burns Harbor - Burns Harbor loading taconite pellets on Saturday March 24
Burns Harbor - Close-up with her somewhat new coat of black hull paint
Joseph H. Thompson - Still in lay-up, but the engines on the Joseph H. Thompson, Jr. (tug) were running {Great Lakes Trader in background}
Great Lakes Trader - In the background with the bow of the Thompson in left foreground
Olive L. Moore - Unobstructed view of the tug in lay-up across from the ore facility

Great Lakes Trader - Heading into the (south) C. Reiss Coal dock with a load of coal
Joyce L. VanEnkevort - Close-up of the tug that pushes the Great Lakes Trader as the fog rolls in
Great Lakes Trader - Another look at the Trader with the Burns Harbor in the background as the fog lifts again
Joseph L. Block - Starboard side view of the ship at the ship loader on Sept. 2
Joseph L. Block - A view from across the bay

Victory - The tug's pilothouse has been raised (Sept. 2 photo) in preparation for its eventual pairing with the Reserve, which is being cut down to a barge in Menominee, MI
Earl W - The ex-Earl W. Oglebay loads taconite on Oct. 23
Earl W - The loading begins
Earl W - Side view close-up of the ship
Sand Point Lighthouse - The lighthouse is now a museum (photo from Sept. 12)

Sand Point Lighthouse - Wide view of the lighthouse and grounds
Sand Point Lighthouse - Scenic view with the fountain in the foreground
Gazebo - In the park across from the marina in Escanaba
Fountain - Near the gazebo in Escanaba's beautiful park

2008 Photos:

Olive L. Moore - Out on "Sea Trials" near the ore facility on the afternoon of April 16
Olive L. Moore - Stern view close-up
Olive L. Moore - Heading into the ore dock for the night around 6 PM (EDT)
Olive L. Moore - Tying up for the night
Joseph L. Block - Arrived off Sand Point around 7 PM and headed to C. Reiss also on the evening of April 16

Joseph L. Block - Side view passing Sand Point
Canadian Prospector - Arrived out in the bay around 8 PM on April 16
Canadian Prospector - Approaching Sand Point as darkness sets in
Canadian Prospector - Side view passing Sand Point

Manitowoc - Arrived at the ore dock on July 29 (view from across the bay)
Manitowoc - View at the ore dock from the ore facility property
Manitowoc - Wide angle broadside view
Manitowoc - Close-up broadside view
Manitowoc - Close-up of the loader and the bow of the ship

Manitowoc - Bow view
Manitowoc - Close-up broadside view from the Vinette Boatworks Co. property next door to the ore facility

American Courage - Wide view from across the bay as the ship approaches the ore dock on Oct. 23
American Courage - Close-up from across the bay, the ship is the ex-Oglebay Norton ship, "Fred R. White, Jr."
American Courage - Bow view gliding into the dock
American Courage - Close-up bow/side view alongside the loader
American Courage - Close-up of the bow and the loader

American Courage - Wide view at the ore dock
American Courage - Wide view from Vinette Boatworks Co. property next to the ore facility

2009 Photos:

Great Lakes Trader - The Port of Escanaba officially opened for business on March 16 when the barge, pushed by the tug, Joyce L. VanEnkevort, loaded the first load of taconite pellets for 2009 at the ore dock.
Great Lakes Trader - Close-up of the tug/barge, which had spent Winter lay-Up at the ore facility
Joseph H. Thompson - The barge, along with its tug, Joseph H. Thompson, Jr., remains in lay-up at the C. Reiss (north) Dock near the power plant on March 16.

John J. Boland - Loading ore on July 1
John J. Boland - Stern view
John J. Boland - Wider stern view with the pilings from an old ore dock in the foreground

Joseph H. Thompson - Back in Temporary lay-up (vessel has been out for a few different runs this year) at C. Reiss North Dock on Aug. 2
Joseph H. Thompson - Stern close-up showing the stern of the barge and the tug in the notch
Joseph H. Thompson, Jr. - Close-up of the tug

Gladstone, MI: James L. Kuber/Victory drop off a load of coal at Upper Lakes Coal dock on Sept. 22

James L. Kuber - "Bows-on" view unloading in the late afternoon
James L. Kuber - Port-side bow view unloading
James L. Kuber - Close-up of the tug & barge combo
Victory - The tug in the notch of the barge as unloading continues

Escanaba, MI on Oct. 24:

American Spirit - A view from across Little Bay de Noc at anchor, waiting for dock space at the ore dock
Wilfred Sykes - A view from across the bay at the ore dock, once they depart the American Spirit will take their place at the dock
Both ships - Sykes under the loader with the American Spirit at anchor in the bay
Wilfred Sykes - Bow-view close-up loading at the ore dock
American Spirit - Close-up at anchor in Little Bay de Noc

Wilfred Sykes - Side view loading
Both ships - A different view of the two ore boats
Joseph H. Thompson - Back in temporary lay-up at the C. Reiss north dock

2 Ships - Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. loads on Dec. 16 while the Joseph L. Block waits its turn at the north side of the ore dock
Wilfred Sykes - At anchor out in Little Bay de Noc waiting for the McCarthy to depart
Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. - The 1000-ft.-long ship under the loader taking on a load of taconite pellets
Ore Dock - Bow views of the Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. and Joseph L. Block at the dock
McCarthy & Block - A little different view of the pair at the ore dock

All 3 Ships - McCarthy and Block in foreground with Wilfred Sykes at anchor in background
McCarthy & Block - A starboard side view of the two vessels with the bow of the Sykes peeking from behind from Vinette Boatworks next door to the ore facility
Wilfred Sykes - Side profile of the ship from across the bay against an interesting sky backdrop
3 Ships - (L to R) Joseph H. Thompson (bow only), Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. and Joseph L. Block from across the bay
3 Ships - Stern/side wide view of the Walter J. McCarthy, Jr & Joseph L. Block at the ore dock with the Wilfred Sykes at anchor from across the bay

2010 Photos:

Herbert C. Jackson - Pouring on the steam shortly after finishing loading taconite pellets on their first trip of 2010 on March 14
Joseph H. Thompson/Joseph H. Thompson Jr. - Tug and barge still in winter lay-up at C. Reiss North Dock
Herbert C. Jackson - The newly painted ship approaches the green channel marker on its way out of the harbor
Herbert C. Jackson - Past the marker
Herbert C. Jackson - Wide view shows a lot of open water for the middle of March

Herbert C. Jackson - Side portrait looking sharp with a new coat of paint
Herbert C. Jackson - Bow close-up view shows the ship is definitely picking up speed as it passes Sand Point
Herbert C. Jackson - Side view close-up of the stern
Herbert C. Jackson - Starboard stern side-view after passing Sand Point
Herbert C. Jackson - Scenic stern view ... Bon Voyage!!

Joseph L. Block - Wide view loading at the ore dock on March 31
Joseph L. Block - Close-up view loading
Joseph L. Block - Side view of the bow of the ship under the loader
Joseph L. Block - Starboard side view at the ore dock
Joseph H. Thompson/Joseph H. Thompson, Jr. - Port-side view of the tug & barge at C. Reiss North Dock

Joseph H. Thompson, Jr. - Close-up of the tug in the stern notch of the barge, Joseph H. Thompson
Wilfred Sykes - Approaching Sand Point around 6:15 p.m. on March 31 coming from winter lay-up in Sturgeon Bay, WI
Wilfred Sykes - Broadside view of the newly re-painted ship
Wilfred Sykes - Close-up of the bow ... looking sharp!!
Wilfred Sykes - Close-up of the stern

Wilfred Sykes - Passing the green channel marker near Sand Point heading for the ore dock
Wilfred Sykes - Approaching the ore dock where the Joseph L. Block is still loading
Wilfred Sykes - Broadside view beyond the ore dock
Wilfred Sykes - Another view of the 2 ships and the ore dock
Wilfred Sykes - Close-up of the Joseph L. Block with the bow of the Sykes approaching

Wilfred Sykes - Passes the stern of the Block heading north past the ore dock
Wilfred Sykes - Same scenario from a different vantage point
Wilfred Sykes - At anchor out in Little Bay de Noc northeast of the Block and the ore dock (ships use the south side of the dock quite often. It is not known why the Sykes did not tie up there this time.)

Birchglen - May 15: A very rare visit for a Canada Stemship Lines (CSL) vessel - wide view of the ship and ore facility from across the bay
Birchglen - Closer view of the ship in its new red color (used to be black) from across the bay
Birchglen - Extreme close-up of the stern from across the bay (using full Optical and partial Digital Zoom, and then cropping)
Birchglen - Starboard bow/side view at the ore dock
Birchglen - Same location close-up view

Birchglen - Bow-on view of the ship and a good look at the conveyor that loads the ship
Birchglen - Scenic wide-view of the starboard/bow side
Birchglen - Close-up of the starboard side (notice the yellow half circle showing on the hatch cover just ahead of the partially closed hatch - it is part of a helicopter landing area
Birchglen - Another close-up look at the bow (notice that there is a slight dent in the bulbous bow)
Birchglen - Wide angle shot from Vinette Boatworks Co. north of the ore dock

North end of ore facility - Piles of taconite abound around the stacker/reclaimer and part of the huge conveyor system employed in the yard
USCG Biscayne Bay - In the dry-dock at Basic Marine
Basic Marine - Wide view of 4 tugs and the USCG Biscayne Bay in the dry-dock
Holly Anne - Close-up of Holly Marine's tug (last one on the right in the previous photo)

American Spirit - May 16: Wide view of the 1004-ft.-long x 105-ft. wide ship at the ore dock as seen from across the bay
American Spirit - Close-up from across the bay
American Spirit - Stern-view close-up at the ore dock
American Spirit - Stern-view close-up from a different spot
American Spirit - Dead-astern view with a good view of the ore loader

American Spirit - Stern port-side view
American Spirit - Close-up from a different vantage point
American Spirit - Wide view from the previous location
Ore Train - The ore train pushes a string of cars loaded with taconite into the building that hosts the rotary car-dumper
Ore Car - Note the "DM&IR" (Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range) markings on the hopper; CN (Canadian National, which runs the ore dock) acquired these cars late last year from DM&IR as upgrades to there older rolling stock. (Thank you, Gary, for the corrected information)

Ore Train - Wide view of the train (from Sheridan Road), which can be remote controlled
Ore Train - Close-up of the remote control unit (caboose) and locomotive
Ore Train - Close-up of the CN (Canadian National) locomotive
Ore Train - Close-up of the remote control car (an old caboose with "Algoma Central Railway" and "Wisconsin Central" logos)

St. Clair - This ship, which rarely visits Escanaba, arrived at the CN Ore Dock in the early morning hours of Sept. 17 (wide view)
St. Clair - Bow view close-up loading taconite pellets later that afternoon
St. Clair - A nearly bow-on view at the loader
St. Clair - Ground-level bow-view from where one of the old ore docks was located (note the rotted pilings)
St. Clair - Starboard side bow-view from the "walking path" (note the pilings from one of the old ore docks)

St. Clair - Close-up of the loader's conveyor belt as taconite is dropped into one of the ship's holds
St. Clair - Bow view of the ship and the loader
St. Clair - Wide view from Vinette Boatworks Co. north of the ore dock
St. Clair - Wide view from across Little Bay de Noc

American Spirit - Stern scenic view at the CN Ore Dock late in the afternoon on Sept. 29; the ship has just arrived
American Spirit - Stern/port-side view of the 1004-ft.-long ship at the taconite loading dock
American Spirit - Stern view from the remains of one of the old ore docks
Sunset - The photo doesn't do justice to the sunset scene looking west up Ludington Street from the House of Ludington
American Spirit - Dusk has set in for this last starboard-side wide-view photo from across the harbor




A Menominee Kind Of Feel To The CN Ore Dock ON Dec. 22 & 23

On Wednesday Dec. 22, the Lewis J. Kuber/Olive L. Moore (barge & tug) paid a rare visit to the ore dock at Escanaba. The duo was there to pick up a load of taconite. While they were loading later that night, fleetmate, James L. Kuber/Victory (also barge & tug), showed up, going to the south side of the dock. Later yet that night, the Lewis J. Kuber/Olive L. Moore departed and the James L. Kuber/Victory backed out of the south slip and moved over to the north side of the slip, where I photographed them on Thursday morning (most vesels load on this side of the dock). Both vessels are owned by KK Integrated Shipping of Menominee, Michigan.

Also in Escanaba on Wednesday afternoon was the Arthur M. Anderson, which was unloading coal at C. Reiss Coal Co.


Arthur M. Anderson - Stern view unloading coal at C. Reiss Coal Co. dock on Dec. 22
Arthur M. Anderson - Bow view from about 1/3 mile away
Arthur M. Anderson - Broadside view from CN Ore Dock (visitor's path) across the bay
Lewis J. Kuber - Broadside view from across the bay on Dec. 22, the tug & barge was loading taconite (I think this was their first-ever visit to the CN Ore Dock)
Lewis J. Kuber - Bow-view at CN Ore Dock

Lewis J. Kuber - Bow-view close-up
Lewis J. Kuber - Bow-view with the pilings of an old ore dock in the foreground
Lewis J. Kuber - A view from the "Visitor's Path" at the facility (I had to "break a path" in about 6-8 inches of new snow for a couple hundred feet)
Lewis J. Kuber - Close-up from the same place
Lewis J. Kuber - Broadside-view from Vinette Boatworks next door to the ore dock

James L. Kuber - A (bow) view from the CN Ore Dock yard
James L. Kuber - A closer bow-view
James L. Kuber - A scenic bow-view
James L. Kuber - A broadside (bow) view from the "Visitor's Path"
James L. Kuber - A closer view from the path of the vessel and the loader
James L. Kuber - Close-up of just the tug & barge from the "Visitor's Path"




2011 Photos:

Nickelena - The tug, sporting a raised wheelhouse, breaks ice in the harbor on March 14
Nickelena - Approaching the green channel marker near Sand Point Lighthouse
Nickelena - Starboard-side close-up
Philip R. Clarke - (Photographed from across the bay) loading at the ore dock (Joseph H. Thompson & Joseph H. Thompson, Jr. in background)
Bage BMI 192 - A brand new barge sits in the entrance to the Basic Marine/C. Reiss Coal Co. (south) slip

Philip R. Clarke - Close-up from across the bay
Philip R. Clarke - Bow-view close-up at the ore dock
Philip R. Clarke - Starboard-side close-up under the ore loader
Philip R. Clarke - Super-close-up of the loader and the Clarke's hatch crane bearing its name
Joseph H. Thompson & Joseph H. Thompson, Jr. - Tug and barge still in winter lay-up at the C. Reiss Coal Co. (north dock)

Joseph H. Thompson, Jr. - Stern/starboard-side-view of the tug
Nickelena - Breaking ice further out in the bay beyond the ore dock
Philip R. Clarke - A view from the Vinette Boatworks Co. property north of the ore dock
Joseph H. Thompson, Jr. - Stern-view of the tug
CN Train - A Canadian National engine, operated by the remote control caboose behind it, pushes ore cars toward the building housing the rotary car-dumper

CN Ore Hopper - A newly painted train car bears the DMIR (Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range) & CN (Canadian National) markings (I assume these cars may be leased from DMIR)
Erika Kobasic - Coming out of the Basic Marine slip heading for Menominee, MI, where they will assist the tug, Victory (which was recently purchased from KK Integrated Logistics along with the tug, Olive L. Moore, and barges, James L. Kuber and Lewis J. Kuber, by Lower Lakes Transportation Co.), which is to be dry-docked in Escanaba




Victory in Escanaba, MI on April 7


The tug, Victory, which will again be mated with the barge, James L. Kuber, looks to be about ready to return to Menominee, MI. The Victory has been in dry-dock for unspecified repairs in Escanaba since March 15. On Wednesday afternoon, the tug was out of the dry-dock and tied up alongside Basic Marine's new-build crane-barge, BMI 192. The tug should be returning to Menominee soon to pick up its barge. The Victory, formerly owned by KK Integrated Shipping, is now owned by Lower Lakes Transportation, but has not had its stack painted in Lower Lakes' colors just yet as its (tug) fleetmate, Olive L. Moore, did earlier this week.


Victory - Wide view of the Victory lying alongside the barge, BMI 192
Victory - A closer look
Victory - Close-up from a different vantage point




Sailboat - While waiting for the St. Clair (ship) to arrive, this interesting sailing vessel came by
Sailboat - A little later with the sails down
Sand Point Lighthouse - A view from near the left-front of the property
Sand Point Lighthouse - Bay-side view
Sand Point Lighthouse - A view from near the back of the property

St. Clair - The ship comes around the point arriving from an extended stay at Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, WI where a lot of structural work was done to the ship's holds. Unfortunately, the ship was not painted at this time.
St. Clair - Broadside view
St. Clair - Passing the large green & white channel marker near the lighthouse
St. Clair - Wide view off the CN Ore Dock
St. Clair - Closer look out beyond the ore dock

St. Clair - Wide view between the ore dock and some wooden pilings, which are the remains of an old ore dock
St. Clair - Closer look between the ore dock and the remains one of the old ore docks
St. Clair - The ship begins its turn into the slip
St. Clair - Bow-on view while still making the turn
St. Clair - At the mouth of the slip

Birds - An angry Tern chases an Eagle across the bay as the ship comes in to the ore dock! (Photo very slightly blurred as this was a quick "point and hope")
St. Clair - Heading close to the ore loader
St. Clair - A view at the loader from up in the yard
St. Clair - Hazy view from across the bay later on that evening

2012 Photos:

Joseph L. Block - The ship moves through the ice to take its place at the ore loading dock
Joseph L. Block - Ground-level view as the ship ties up at the dock
Joseph L. Block - Starboard-side near-broadside view as the unloading boom is raised so that the rear hatches can be opened
Joseph L. Block - Wide view of the activity
Joseph H. Thompson - The barge and its tug, Joseph H. Thompson, Jr., are still laid-up at the C. Reiss (north) dock

Joseph L. Block - Close-up of the bow as the loader begins the loading process
Joseph L. Block - Wide view of the entire ship and the ship-loader
Great Lakes Trader/Joyce L. VanEnkevort - Near broadside view of the tug and barge which are laid-up at the entrance to the C. Reiss (south) dock after a brief lay-up in Sturgeon Bay, WI for their 5-year survey and a (partial) new coat of paint
Joseph L. Block - A view from across the bay at the ship with the Joseph H. Thompson in the background
Great Lakes Trader/Joyce L. VanEnkevort - Stern view of the tug and barge

Joyce L. VanEnkevort - Stern view close-up of the tug that pushes the barge, Great Lakes Trader
Joseph L. Block - Broadside view of the ship from across the bay

 


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