CLARKE Departs

The PHILIP R. CLARKE departed Erie today at 5:00 p.m. bound for Sandusky on her first trip of the season. After spending the morning undergoing final preparations, the CLARKE's crew winched her forward at 11:30 to ballast, because the water near the stern where she had been was too shallow for the vessel to ballast. The CLARKE finally got underway at 5:00, saluting fleetmate PRESQUE ISLE and onlookers on the South Pier on her way out to begin a new season.


CLARKE at her layup dock at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.


Stern view.


Shifting forward to ballast at 11:30 a.m.


Passing the PRESQUE ISLE on its way outbound, 5:00 p.m.


Entering the channel


Final approach to the Erie channel.


Chief Engineer John Bellmore (Left) and another Clarke engineer enjoy the view as the vessel departs.





For more photos of the CLARKE taken today, visit my Webshots album.