Update: Barge Conversion of the Steamer RESERVE

Last summer I wrote about the fate of a frequent Erie visitor, the steamer RESERVE, which was to be converted to a barge.

The conversion was successful, the RESERVE was renamed JAMES L. KUBER and is now pushed by the tug VICTORY. On Monday the duo arrived in Conneaut on one of their first trips to the lower lakes, loaded with stone from Calcite, Michigan.

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Tug VICTORY and JAMES L. KUBER backing into Conneaut harbor.


Another view.


Close up of the barge.


Tug VICTORY.


Backing into Conneaut harbor.


Another view.


The unit turns for the P&C Stone Dock.

Port Authority's state money may mean good news for Erie Shipbuilding, Oglebay Norton for sale, RESERVE due for barge conversion

According to an article in today's Erie Times-News the state's recently passed budget includes $2.6 million for the Erie Port Authority. According to the article some of this money may be used to replace a door on the drydock at Erie Shipbuilding, and replace a dock wall there. I believe the dock wall in question is in the Parade Street slip immediately adjacent to Oglebay Norton's Old Ore Dock.

In other Erie Shipbuilding news, Hull 101, the new dumpscow under construction for an East Coast firm, should taste water for the first time during the second half of August.

Oglebay Norton on Tuesday issued a press release stating that the company, to "maximize shareholder value" is looking into a possible sale or merger of the company. Thursday they announced that they are reviewing New York private-equity firm Harbinger's $31.00 per share offer for the company.

No idea what this means for O.N. Minerals' Erie Operation, which has already been rumored in local maritime circles to be up for sale. What this means for the future of commercial shipping in Erie remains to be seen. I will continue to follow this situation.

Steamer RESERVE, a frequent Erie visitor, has two more trips before laying up in Menominee, Michigan for conversion to a barge.

RESERVE in Port

RESERVE arrived in port at about 0130 on Monday morning, securing bow-in at the Mountfort Terminal to unload stone from Calcite. At around 0800 the vessel shifted to the Old Ore Dock to finish the unload. Lakeshore Towing's barges 501 and 502, which had hosted the fireworks for last week's Boom on the Bay July 4 celebration, are moored together at the east face of Erie Shipbuilding across from the Old Ore Dock, which caused some concern to the captain of the RESERVE, who worried about getting into the dock alongside of them. This proved to be no problem as the RESERVE easily slid up alongside the Old Ore Dock to complete the unload.



RESERVE prepares to leave the Mountfort Terminal.


In Erie harbor approaching the Old Ore Dock.


A push from the bow thruster as the RESERVE approaches the dock.


Lakeshore Towing's 501 and 502 at Erie Shipbuilding.


RESERVE closes in on the Old Ore Dock.


Close up of the bow of the RESERVE. Note the freshly painted pilothouse.


RESERVE crew member Scott Tomlinson prepares a line.


Alongside the Old Ore Dock..


Secured next to Lakeshore Towing's 501 and 502.

RESERVE Due

RESERVE, loaded with stone from Calcite, becomes Erie's first arrival in more than two weeks when she arrives at 0100 Monday morning.

Corrections on the RESERVE Posting

RESERVE is actually the third vessel I've seen back out of Erie. The PRESQUE ISLE has backed out each time she's spent the winter here.

RESERVE Backs Out

RESERVE finished unloading at the Mounfort Terminal at 0800 this morning and then backed out of the harbor. The RESERVE, which had sat almost perpendicular to the channel while unloading, backed away from the dock and slowly out of the channel, turning at the outer buoys at 0930 and heading up the lake to Calcite, where she had also loaded her previous cargo. The RESERVE is only the second vessel I've ever seen back out of Erie. In March 2000 the JAMES R. BARKER, departing her layup berth at Metro Machine, backed out of the West Slip and through the channel due to adverse ice conditions on Presque Isle Bay.

RESERVE Inbound

RESERVE is now inbound for the Mounfort Terminal, with an ETA for the outer buoys of 2335. According to a conversation between the RESERVE and J.S. St. JOHN, there is no more room at the Old Ore Dock for stone until some of the existing stock is sold.

RESERVE Due

RESERVE, with stone from Calcite, makes her second visit of the season to Erie when she arrives at 2230 tonight.

RESERVE and WHITE Visit

The pretty steamer RESERVE arrived in Erie at 2300 on Saturday night loaded with stone from Cedarville. After unloading at the Mounfort Terminal for a few hours the vessel shifted over to the Old Ore Dock at around 0500 to finish unloading. The RESERVE finally departed Erie at approximately 1315 this afternoon after a long unload. Also outbound at the time of the RESERVE was local tour boat LADY KATE, which cut across the bow of the RESERVE in the channel.

On her way out the RESERVE passed the H. LEE WHITE, which arrived at 1100 this morning loaded with stone from Stoneport. The WHITE passed the Brig NIAGARA off of the harbor entrance before entering. The vessel turned in the harbor and docked at the Mounfort Terminal to begin unloading and moved over to the Old Ore Dock later this afternoon to finish unloading before departing at 1940 this evening.