Shipping Season Begins; BLOUGH, PRESQUE ISLE to fit out late

The 2009-2010 shipping season began on the Great Lakes last Saturday, March 14, when the steamer ALPENA departed Cleveland, Ohio bound for her namesake port of Alpena, Michigan to load cement. That same day the CANADIAN OLYMPIC departed Port Colborne, Ontario bound for Goderich to load salt. Since that time, the GREAT LAKES TRADER, JOSEPH L. BLOCK, and AMERICAN MARINER have gotten underway to begin the new shipping season.

Locally, however, the shipping season won't get underway until mid-April. As all of Great Lakes Fleet's vessels have had their fitouts delayed due to weak demand for iron ore. Therefore, engine room crews will not report to the ROGER BLOUGH and PRESQUE ISLE until April 8, and the vessels will be departing on April 15.

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Steamer ALPENA at dock in Cleveland before departure on Saturday March 14.


Departing the LaFarge dock.


Backing around to depart the winding turn in the Cuyahoga. Approaching this dock required the ALPENA to back in and make a 180 degree turn through the Flats in Cleveland to moor at the dock. The Shooters restaurant from which these photos were taken is a popular destination for boaters in the summer, but it is occasionally struck by a passing ship if boaters refuse to move their moored boats.


With the tug IOWA, itself a former Erie visitor, the ALPENA waits for train traffic to pass on the Norfolk Southern Railroad bridge.


ALPENA departs Cleveland to begin the new shipping season.


ROGER BLOUGH at dock on March 17.


Stern view.


PRESQUE ISLE at the Mountfort Terminal.


Close up of the tug.


Another view of the barge.