Friday, March 21, 2008

CALLAWAY Departs, Doesn't Get Far; PRESQUE ISLE to Depart Saturday

CASON J. CALLAWAY, after a three-hour delay from her original planned departure time, departed Erie at 1830 this afternoon bound for Two Harbors, Minnesota to load taconite. The crew of the CALLAWAY had spent most of Friday completing last minute fit-out tasks before departing the Old Ore Dock and proceeding slowly past fleetmate PRESQUE ISLE. The vessels exchanged three long and two short whistle blasts - a master's salute - as CALLAWAY picked up speed to get a run for the ice outside Erie harbor.

The CALLAWAY's captain, having been in contact throughout the day with the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker GRIFFON, intended on heading east to Long Point to find a track of open water before turning west for Southeast Shoal and the Detroit River. As of 1845, ice permitting the crew hoped to reach Long Point in 2.5 hours, Southeast Shoal at 0700 Saturday, and run up through the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers during daylight Saturday.

At around 1850, the CALLAWAY told the PRESQUE ISLE that they were making good time and encountering no problems with the ice as they reached a speed of 9 miles per hour. This changed quickly when the vessel hit a windrow of ice, and the vessel came to a halt by 1930 hours in a position of 42' 11.6 N, 80' 02.1 W, about two miles east of the Erie harbor entrance. The vessel has called the GRIFFON for help. The GRIFFON is currently en route to try and break the CALLAWAY free.

CALLAWAY'S departure drew a large crowd to the South Pier this afternoon, including a photographer from the Erie Times-News.

Meanwhile, PRESQUE ISLE is planning to depart tomorrow at noon for Two Harbors.




CALLAWAY at dock at 1645 hours. The vessel did not have to shift forward to take on ballast, as the PHILIP R. CLARKE did last March, thanks to dredging performed in December by Lakeshore Towing.


Coming around the PRESQUE ISLE.


Turning into the channel.


Passing her fleetmate PRESQUE ISLE.


Outbound.


Another view.


CALLAWAY picks up speed on its way out.


Churning water as the 1953-built steamer picks up speed.


Heading for the lake.


Into open water as ice looms ahead, underway for the new season.


Janet Campbell of the Erie Times-News photographs the outbound CALLAWAY.

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