Ore Train - Ore is brought to the facility by train
Taconite Pile - One of several huge piles of taconite pellets at the site
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

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

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
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 on Oct. 16, 2001
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
Joseph L. Block - A frequent visitor loads on July 27, 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 on July 27, 2001
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.
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 H. Thompson - Is the first vessel of the season to load taconite pellets on March 18, 2000
Mesabi Miner - The 1004-foot-long Mesabi Miner is the first outside visitor to Escanaba 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 L. Block - Loads on June 29, 2001
Steam Engine - Up the road in Gladstone, MI is this Soo Line 4-6-2 "Pacific"-type steam engine
Steam Engine - Another view of the steam engine...this type of engine was typically used for passenger service
Kaye E. Barker - Loads taconite pellets on May 30, 2002

Kaye E. Barker - At the loader on May 30, 2002
Kaye E. Barker - Close-up of the Kaye E. Barker on May 30, 2002
L. E. Block - A sad sight...the L. E. Block rusts away in Escanaba, MI - photo taken May 30, 2002
L. E. Block - Stern view of the L. E. Block - photo taken on March 24, 2002
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?)

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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 ... Did I mention that this is my FAVORITE SHIP?

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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

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