Historical: December 6

On this date in Erie shipping history:

1985- Erie Sand's CONSUMERS POWER lays up in Erie for the last time. In May 1988 the vessel is towed overseas for scrapping.

Historical: Drydocking the PAUL R. TREGURTHA, 1994-95

Another drydocking done by Erie Marine during the winter of 1994-95 was the PAUL R. TREGURTHA. In addition to a five-year survey, the TREGURTHA, the longest ship on the lakes, received a new paint job.


PAUL R. TREGURTHA shortly after being moved into drydock in late January.


TREGURTHA, painted, a few weeks later.

Historical Layups: 1970-71

The following is a list of ships that spent the winter of 1970-71 in Erie harbor:

A.S. GLOSSBRENNER
J.S. ST. JOHN
JOHNSTOWN
LAKEWOOD
NIAGARA
SIDNEY E. SMITH JR.
SPARROWS POINT

Of these, the GLOSSBRENNER today sails as the ALGOSTEEL, the SPARROWS POINT as barge LEWIS J. KUBER, and the J.S.ST. JOHN.

Historical Winter Layup: 1961-62

Below is a listing of the vessels that spent the winter of 1961-62 in the port of Erie:

A.E. NETTLETON
LACKAWANNA
FAYETTE BROWN
LEONARD C. HANNA
LEBANON
POWELL STACKHOUSE
ELBA

None of these vessels existed after the 1970s.

Historical Layups: PRESQUE ISLE

Another frequent winter visitor to Erie, from the time of its build until the mid-1980s, and now, once again a regular winter visitor, was the 1000-foot tug/barge PRESQUE ISLE. In these photos from the mid-1980s, the tug returned to Erie from its five year survey at Port Weller Dry Docks.

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PRESQUE ISLE at the former Litton Shipyard.


The sand dredge EMMETT J. CAREY is at the Erie Builder's Supply Dock across the slip from the PRESQUE ISLE.


Another view.

Historical Layups: BURNS HARBOR, 1985-86

During the winter of 1985-86, the Bethlehem Steel 1000' BURNS HARBOR spent the winter laid up at the former Litton Industries property at the foot of Holland Street. The vessel was laid up early that winter, as these photos, taken in early December, show.

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BURNS HARBOR in layup in December 1985. Jim Thoreson photo.


A distant view shows how much things have changed since then. Today, the right side of this photo is the Intermodal Transportation Center, and on the left would be the Cruise Boat Terminal.

Historical Layups: 1972-73

After posting of the arrival of the LEON FRASER in yesterday's Historical Arrivals, I figured I'd post the full winter layup list for the winter of 1972-73.

STEWART J. CORT
SPARROWS POINT
LEHIGH
STEELTON
JACK WIRT
J.S. ST. JOHN
FRONTENAC
LEON FRASER
ROBERT C. STANLEY

Of these, only the CORT, ST. JOHN, and LEON FRASER still sail today under their own power. As I have written before, the SPARROWS POINT is now the barge LEWIS J. KUBER.

Historical Arrivals for February 9: LEON FRASER

1973: LEON FRASER arrives for winter layup at the Litton Shipyard. The FRASER, of the Pittsburgh Steamship Company, is the latest vessel ever to arrive in Erie for winter layup. The vessel had been running late that year because the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan were kept open for an extended period as part of an Army Corp of Engineers experiment of the viability of winter shipping. This allowed the FRASER and several fleetmates to run between Lake Superior and the lower lakes with iron ore until late in the year.

The FRASER sails today as the cement carrier ALPENA, hauling cement for LaFarge.

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CASON J. CALLAWAY at dock on Friday night.


With the J.S. ST. JOHN.


MICHIPICOTEN at dock on Friday night.


Another view.

Historical Drydockings: J.W. McGIFFIN, 1994-95

During the winter of 1994-95, spending the winter in drydock at Erie Marine Enterprises was the J.W. McGIFFIN. The McGIFFIN, owned by Canada Steamship Lines, was in for its five-year survey.


J.W. McGIFFIN in drydock in January 1995.



Stern view.



A few days later, the propeller, rudder and propeller shaft have been pulled for inspection.



Later in the winter, the McGIFFIN was moved to the Mountfort Terminal.

Historical Layups: 1976-77

The following vessels spent the winter in Erie in 1976-77:

STEWART J. CORT
ARTHUR B. HOMER
LEHIGH
LAKEWOOD
NIAGARA
J.F. SCHOELLKOPF JR.
J.S. ST. JOHN
STEELTON

Of these, the CORT and St. JOHN are the only two still sailing.

Historical Layups: 1973-74

The following vessels spent the winter in Erie in 1973/74:

STEWART J. CORT
J.S. St. JOHN
JOHNSTOWN
LAKEWOOD
J.F. SCHOELLKOPF JR.
PRESQUE ISLE
SPARROWS POINT

Of these, the CORT, St. JOHN, and PRESQUE ISLE are still sailing. The SPARROWS POINT exists today as the barge LEWIS J. KUBER.

Historical Layups: ELTON HOYT II, 1994-95

During the winter of 1994-95, the ELTON HOYT II, of Interlake Steamship, spent the winter in Erie, first at the Sassafras Street dock, and then in drydock at Erie Marine Enterprises. This winter the vessel, now named MICHIPICOTEN and flying the Canadian flag, is spending the winter at Erie Shipbuilding.

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ELTON HOYT II inbound Erie, January 14, 1995. Jim Thoreson photos


A stern view of the HOYT.


Approaching the Sassafras Street dock, then nothing but a barren dock after Erie Sand and Gravel moved from the site about 15 months earlier. Today the site houses the Bayfront Convention Center.

Historical Arrivals: January 22

January 22, 2000: USCGC NEAH BAY arrives in Erie to break ice prior to the arrival the next morning of the JAMES R. BARKER. The BARKER and MESABI MINER both spend the winter of 1999/2000 in Erie.

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NEAH BAY breaks ice in the West Slip, January 22, 2000.


Turning to head back into Presque Isle Bay.

Layups Past: CASON J. CALLAWAY Arrives in 2006

The CASON J. CALLAWAY is shown in the photos below while arriving in Erie on January 16, 2006 for winter layup.

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CASON J. CALLAWAY passes the Erie Pierhead Light inbound at 0758 hours, January 16, 2006.


A closer view of the CALLAWAY.


Stern view.


Passing around the PRESQUE ISLE.


BUCKEYE is shown while being converted to a barge as the CALLAWAY prepares to back into the Old Ore Dock.

Historical Winter Layup: 1967/68

This winter, Erie should see two or three ships spending the winter in the port. By contrast, forty winters ago, during the winter of 1967-1968, the following ships were in the port.

For winter layup: ALPENA, BETHLEHEM, HENRY J. DALTON, ARTHUR B. HOMER, LAKEWOOD, LEHIGH, NIAGARA, POINTE NOIRE, SPARROWS POINT, WALTER E. WATSON.

In long-term layup, having not sailed the previous season: E.A.S. CLARKE, HARRY CROFT, C.H. MCCULLOUGH JR.

And in port for conversion to a sand dredge: J.S. St. JOHN

Historical: Erie Layup, 1966-67

I figured with the shipping season winding down, I'd present some historical tidbits about Erie that I've found while researching lately. Presented below is a layup listing from the 1966-67 winter, 40 years ago.

Alpena
Bethlehem
E.A.S. Clarke*
Harry Croft*
Henry G. Dalton
Harry L. Glucksman***
Lakewood
Lebanon
Lehigh
C.H. McCullough Jr.
Niagara
North American*
Colonel James Pickands
Powell Stackhouse**
Leonard C. Hanna**
Joseph S. Scobell
Steelton

*- Long term
**- Sold for scrapping and will leave in spring of 1967
***- Undergoing reconstruction
Source: Marine Historical Society of Detroit