Below is video, in four parts, of the EDGAR B. SPEER's arrival in Erie on Saturday.
Video of the PRESQUE ISLE will be posted tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
EDGAR B. SPEER ARRIVES
Great Lakes Fleet's EDGAR B. SPEER arrived in Erie at 0830 this morning and entered port for winter layup. The SPEER proceeded past the PRESQUE ISLE and into Presque Isle Bay, where the vessel turned and backed into the Old Ore Dock. The SPEER's arrival drew a crowd about half of the size of the crowd on hand to see the PRESQUE ISLE on Thursday, with most of the crowd arriving to see the SPEER back through the icy slip at the Old Ore Dock.
This is the 1981-built SPEER's first-ever visit to the port of Erie. The SPEER, with its short unloading boom, can only unload at Gary, Indiana or Conneaut, where the vessel spent yesterday unloading. Unloading at other ports requires the SPEER to unload into another ship, something that it has done on a couple of occasions. Earlier this season the SPEER travelled to Nanticoke, Ontario where it unloaded into the CSL TADOUSSAC.
I will post video of both the SPEER and PRESQUE ISLE later tonight or tomorrow; editing the video always takes more time than I expect it to.
EDGAR B. SPEER inbound.
Passing the lighthouse.
In the channel.
Stern view.
Passing the PRESQUE ISLE.
Turning into the bay.
Turning in the bay.
Overhead view approaching its winter berth.
Backing into the slip.
Alongside the dock.
SPEER pushes tons of ice backwards as it inches along the dock.
Nathan and David, budding boatwatchers, watch the SPEER.
Close to the layup dock.
Finished with engine.
This is the 1981-built SPEER's first-ever visit to the port of Erie. The SPEER, with its short unloading boom, can only unload at Gary, Indiana or Conneaut, where the vessel spent yesterday unloading. Unloading at other ports requires the SPEER to unload into another ship, something that it has done on a couple of occasions. Earlier this season the SPEER travelled to Nanticoke, Ontario where it unloaded into the CSL TADOUSSAC.
I will post video of both the SPEER and PRESQUE ISLE later tonight or tomorrow; editing the video always takes more time than I expect it to.
EDGAR B. SPEER inbound.
Passing the lighthouse.
In the channel.
Stern view.
Passing the PRESQUE ISLE.
Turning into the bay.
Turning in the bay.
Overhead view approaching its winter berth.
Backing into the slip.
Alongside the dock.
SPEER pushes tons of ice backwards as it inches along the dock.
Nathan and David, budding boatwatchers, watch the SPEER.
Close to the layup dock.
Finished with engine.
Friday, January 15, 2010
SPEER Update
EDGAR B. SPEER should finish unloading in Conneaut, Ohio in the next couple of hours and depart for Erie. The SPEER is expected to arrive in port at 0600, but given delays that can and will likely happen, may arrive in Erie after daybreak on Saturday.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
MANITOU, PRESQUE ISLE ARRIVE; SPEER DUE SATURDAY MORNING
Malcolm Marine's tug MANITOU arrived in Erie at 0230 this morning and broke open the channel and outer harbor before docking at Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair to await wind on Lake Erie and also await the arrival of the PRESQUE ISLE for winter layup.
PRESQUE ISLE, meanwhile, spent much of the day cruising Lake Erie while the crew did cleaning and general pre-layup maintainance before arriving at the piers at 1500. As the PRESQUE ISLE arrived the MANITOU cruised through Erie harbor to break ice in anticipation of the EDGAR B. SPEER's arrival, expected at 0600 on Saturday.
PRESQUE ISLE slowly entered the channel and docked at the Mountfort Terminal in front of a crowd of about 100 people enjoying the beautiful, abnormally warm temperatures. After the PRESQUE ISLE arrived alongside the dock the MANITOU departed, saluting the one remaining onlooker on the pier, and headed back up the lake.
Local media, including the Erie Times-News and WJET TV were on hand to cover the event. However, the vessel did not, as reported by WJET, circle Presque Isle Bay before docking.
MANITOU at dock this morning. The tug's mascot, a dog named Cimarron, is on watch in front of the pilothouse.
PRESQUE ISLE passes Erie's pierhead lighthouse. Note the snowman on the North Pier. He won't be there long if the forecast, with mild temperatures, holds.
Another view.
Close up.
About 3,000 feet from her layup dock, the PRESQUE ISLE has slowed considerably.
Another view.
Lookout on the bow, fitting right in with the icy beard on the bow of the vessel, waves at the crowd.
Tug PRESQUE ISLE.
Crowd on the pier.
Stern view.
Approaching its yearly winter berth.
MANITOU breaks ice in Presque Isle Bay.
Turning.
Coming around.
Stern view.
Passing by the PRESQUE ISLE.
MANITOU passes the PRESQUE ISLE on its way out.
PRESQUE ISLE and the cofferdam.
File photo: Underneath the port propeller of the PRESQUE ISLE, March 12, 2007. This is the view once the cofferdam in the above photo is pumped dry.
Another job well done, MANITOU heads outbound.
Stern view.
I will post video of the PRESQUE ISLE's arrival with tomorrow's update. Video of the MANITOU's departure, including a salute from the tug, is below.
PRESQUE ISLE, meanwhile, spent much of the day cruising Lake Erie while the crew did cleaning and general pre-layup maintainance before arriving at the piers at 1500. As the PRESQUE ISLE arrived the MANITOU cruised through Erie harbor to break ice in anticipation of the EDGAR B. SPEER's arrival, expected at 0600 on Saturday.
PRESQUE ISLE slowly entered the channel and docked at the Mountfort Terminal in front of a crowd of about 100 people enjoying the beautiful, abnormally warm temperatures. After the PRESQUE ISLE arrived alongside the dock the MANITOU departed, saluting the one remaining onlooker on the pier, and headed back up the lake.
Local media, including the Erie Times-News and WJET TV were on hand to cover the event. However, the vessel did not, as reported by WJET, circle Presque Isle Bay before docking.
MANITOU at dock this morning. The tug's mascot, a dog named Cimarron, is on watch in front of the pilothouse.
PRESQUE ISLE passes Erie's pierhead lighthouse. Note the snowman on the North Pier. He won't be there long if the forecast, with mild temperatures, holds.
Another view.
Close up.
About 3,000 feet from her layup dock, the PRESQUE ISLE has slowed considerably.
Another view.
Lookout on the bow, fitting right in with the icy beard on the bow of the vessel, waves at the crowd.
Tug PRESQUE ISLE.
Crowd on the pier.
Stern view.
Approaching its yearly winter berth.
MANITOU breaks ice in Presque Isle Bay.
Turning.
Coming around.
Stern view.
Passing by the PRESQUE ISLE.
MANITOU passes the PRESQUE ISLE on its way out.
PRESQUE ISLE and the cofferdam.
File photo: Underneath the port propeller of the PRESQUE ISLE, March 12, 2007. This is the view once the cofferdam in the above photo is pumped dry.
Another job well done, MANITOU heads outbound.
Stern view.
I will post video of the PRESQUE ISLE's arrival with tomorrow's update. Video of the MANITOU's departure, including a salute from the tug, is below.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
PRESQUE ISLE; SPEER Update
PRESQUE ISLE is currently unloading in Conneaut and should be departing sometime tonight, and is due in Erie tomorrow morning sometime for layup at the Mountfort Terminal.
EDGAR B. SPEER, at the present time, is due in Conneaut at midnight on Friday, which, barring any delays, should put the vessel in Erie on the afternoon or evening of that day.
In preparation for the vessels to arrive, Erie Sand & Gravel has job postings for welders/laborers for temporary full-time positions. More information can be found on their website.
EDGAR B. SPEER, at the present time, is due in Conneaut at midnight on Friday, which, barring any delays, should put the vessel in Erie on the afternoon or evening of that day.
In preparation for the vessels to arrive, Erie Sand & Gravel has job postings for welders/laborers for temporary full-time positions. More information can be found on their website.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
PRESQUE ISLE Update
PRESQUE ISLE passed downbound at Southeast Shoal at around 2230 hours this evening, and should be in Conneaut sometime after daylight on Wednesday. Ice is apparently a concern for the vessel as the tug MANITOU is headed down the lake, also bound for Conneaut, and possibly Erie, to assist the vessels in there.
PRESQUE ISLE, SPEER Update
PRESQUE ISLE is currently due in Conneaut, ice permitting, at 0600 on Wednesday to unload iron ore. The vessel will sail for Erie and arrive on Thursday morning, probably during daylight, for layup. I should have a more definite ETA tomorrow.
EDGAR B. SPEER is due in Conneaut, ice permitting, on the 15th at 0300 to unload, and then due in Erie early Saturday. This will likely change and the SPEER should arrive during daylight hours on Saturday.
Below is video of the VICTORY and JAMES L. KUBER arriving in Erie on November 21. The video is in two parts. Part one shows the duo's entrance to the port and Part two shows the vessel docking.
Part one:
Part two:
EDGAR B. SPEER is due in Conneaut, ice permitting, on the 15th at 0300 to unload, and then due in Erie early Saturday. This will likely change and the SPEER should arrive during daylight hours on Saturday.
Below is video of the VICTORY and JAMES L. KUBER arriving in Erie on November 21. The video is in two parts. Part one shows the duo's entrance to the port and Part two shows the vessel docking.
Part one:
Part two:
Monday, January 11, 2010
SPEER, PRESQUE ISLE Update
The latest update on ETAs for the EDGAR B. SPEER and PRESQUE ISLE has the PRESQUE ISLE arriving sometime on Thursday and the SPEER on Saturday. Ice in the St. Clair River has delayed traffic and is expected to delay the PRESQUE ISLE on its downbound voyage. The PRESQUE ISLE, which under normal circumstances would pass through the river sometime tonight, will now not be allowed to pass down through the rivers until sometime Tuesday, which will put the vessel in Conneaut on Wednesday sometime.
Below are photos from the winter of 2005-06. The JOSEPH H. THOMPSON/THOMPSON JR. are shown arriving on January 1, 2006; the PRESQUE ISLE on January 10, and the CASON J. CALLAWAY on January 16.
THOMPSON inbound on a rainy New Year's Day.
Stern view.
Docking at Erie Shipbuilding.
PRESQUE ISLE inbound on January 10.
Docking.
CALLAWAY inbound on January 16.
Stern view.
Docked next to the THOMPSON later that afternoon.
Below are photos from the winter of 2005-06. The JOSEPH H. THOMPSON/THOMPSON JR. are shown arriving on January 1, 2006; the PRESQUE ISLE on January 10, and the CASON J. CALLAWAY on January 16.
THOMPSON inbound on a rainy New Year's Day.
Stern view.
Docking at Erie Shipbuilding.
PRESQUE ISLE inbound on January 10.
Docking.
CALLAWAY inbound on January 16.
Stern view.
Docked next to the THOMPSON later that afternoon.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
PRESQUE ISLE, SPEER UPDATE
PRESQUE ISLE is currently underway for Conneaut and expected there during the afternoon of January 12 to unload iron ore before sailing to Erie for layup. The EDGAR B. SPEER is due to load in Superior today, and will arrive in Conneaut on January 14 to unload before sailing to Erie for layup. This will put both vessels in here by next weekend, weather permitting.
This will be the first time in ten years, since the winter of 1999-2000, that two thousand-foot long vessels have spent the winter in Erie. That year, the JAMES R. BARKER spent the winter at the West Slip and the MESABI MINER spent the winter at the Old Ore Dock.
EDGAR B. SPEER arriving in Conneaut on October 14.
This will be the first time in ten years, since the winter of 1999-2000, that two thousand-foot long vessels have spent the winter in Erie. That year, the JAMES R. BARKER spent the winter at the West Slip and the MESABI MINER spent the winter at the Old Ore Dock.
EDGAR B. SPEER arriving in Conneaut on October 14.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
SPEER; PRESQUE ISLE ON FINAL TRIPS
Both of the vessels scheduled to spend the winter in Erie, the EDGAR B. SPEER and PRESQUE ISLE, are on their last trips of the season before laying up in Erie. The PRESQUE ISLE is due into Two Harbors, Minnesota at 1600 hours on Friday to load taconite pellets for Conneaut, where the vessel is scheduled to arrive on the 12th at noon. That should put the vessel in Erie, assuming no delays, sometime on Wednesday, January 13.
EDGAR B. SPEER, meanwhile, is due in Superior to load taconite for Conneaut on Friday evening, which will reportedly put the vessel in Conneaut next Thursday and in Erie on Friday or Saturday. All of these times are subject to change and likely will, depending on ice and weather. Last year both the PRESQUE ISLE and ROGER BLOUGH were delayed for nearly two days due to adverse weather conditions and ice.
Below is video of the HARBOUR CLOUD arriving in Erie on November 27, 2009 to load biodiesel.
EDGAR B. SPEER, meanwhile, is due in Superior to load taconite for Conneaut on Friday evening, which will reportedly put the vessel in Conneaut next Thursday and in Erie on Friday or Saturday. All of these times are subject to change and likely will, depending on ice and weather. Last year both the PRESQUE ISLE and ROGER BLOUGH were delayed for nearly two days due to adverse weather conditions and ice.
Below is video of the HARBOUR CLOUD arriving in Erie on November 27, 2009 to load biodiesel.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Season Wrap-Up
The poor economy is to blame for making 2009 probably the most forgettable season in the history of the port of Erie. The season saw only 18 stone deliveries to the port, down from 22 in 2008, 43 in 2007 and 41 in 2006. The season saw a total of 36 commercial vessels visit the port (excluding passenger vessels and Coast Guard vessels), which is down from 46 in 2008, 63 in 2007, and 56 in 2006. These commercial visits included vessels arriving with cargo, to wait weather, or arriving for repairs.
Among other cargoes, the number of salt deliveries to the port (four) remained the same as in 2008, due to the harsh winter conditions generally expected in the Erie region. This was up from three in 2007 and two in 2006. Sand deliveries to Presque Isle for beach replenishment totaled three in 2009, up from two in 2007 and 2008, but down from four in 2006.
Biodiesel shipments from the port fell from seven in 2008 to only two this season. Likewise, miscellaneous cargoes (machinery, paper products, etc.) fell from three in 2008 to two in 2009.
The once-familiar black, silver and red bands of the stacks of American Steamship Company vessels became a rarer and rarer sight in the port of Erie in 2009, replaced by the Indian-headed grey and black funnels of Lower Lakes Towing and its affiliate Grand River Navigation, which logged 14 visits to the port in 2009. For the second year in a row Lower Lakes led the port in visits, having logged 13 visits in 2008, a total which narrowly nudged out American Steamship’s 12. American Steamship tied with K&K Integrated Shipping for second place in number of visits this year with only five.
K&K Integrated Shipping’s tug and barge VICTORY/JAMES L. KUBER was the leading visitor to the port of Erie in 2009, with five visits. The KUBER’s five visits equal the total the vessel made to the port in 2006 as the steamer RESERVE, and are the most since its conversion to a barge in 2008. The CALUMET and MANISTEE tied for second place with four. In 2008, the CALUMET led the port with four visits. In 2006 and 2007 the leading visitor was the AMERICAN COURAGE with seven visits per year.
First time visitors to the port of Erie this year included the ROBERT S. PIERSON, SEDNA DESGAGNES, HARBOUR CLOUD, and CLIPPER LOYALTY. The next expected vessel traffic to the port will be the winter layup arrivals of the PRESQUE ISLE and EDGAR B. SPEER in mid-January.
Coming tomorrow: a look back at the top stories of 2009 and a look ahead to 2010.
Among other cargoes, the number of salt deliveries to the port (four) remained the same as in 2008, due to the harsh winter conditions generally expected in the Erie region. This was up from three in 2007 and two in 2006. Sand deliveries to Presque Isle for beach replenishment totaled three in 2009, up from two in 2007 and 2008, but down from four in 2006.
Biodiesel shipments from the port fell from seven in 2008 to only two this season. Likewise, miscellaneous cargoes (machinery, paper products, etc.) fell from three in 2008 to two in 2009.
The once-familiar black, silver and red bands of the stacks of American Steamship Company vessels became a rarer and rarer sight in the port of Erie in 2009, replaced by the Indian-headed grey and black funnels of Lower Lakes Towing and its affiliate Grand River Navigation, which logged 14 visits to the port in 2009. For the second year in a row Lower Lakes led the port in visits, having logged 13 visits in 2008, a total which narrowly nudged out American Steamship’s 12. American Steamship tied with K&K Integrated Shipping for second place in number of visits this year with only five.
K&K Integrated Shipping’s tug and barge VICTORY/JAMES L. KUBER was the leading visitor to the port of Erie in 2009, with five visits. The KUBER’s five visits equal the total the vessel made to the port in 2006 as the steamer RESERVE, and are the most since its conversion to a barge in 2008. The CALUMET and MANISTEE tied for second place with four. In 2008, the CALUMET led the port with four visits. In 2006 and 2007 the leading visitor was the AMERICAN COURAGE with seven visits per year.
First time visitors to the port of Erie this year included the ROBERT S. PIERSON, SEDNA DESGAGNES, HARBOUR CLOUD, and CLIPPER LOYALTY. The next expected vessel traffic to the port will be the winter layup arrivals of the PRESQUE ISLE and EDGAR B. SPEER in mid-January.
Coming tomorrow: a look back at the top stories of 2009 and a look ahead to 2010.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Lakeshore Towing Finishes Dredging; Announcing Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair; Notes on Donjon Marine; Miscellaneous News and Notes
Lakeshore Towing Services completed dredging of the Old Ore Dock on Friday. Although the job was not complete ice is beginning to form in the harbor and is making it impractical to continue to dredge. However, the company was able to get quite a bit of dredging done.
The Old Ore Dock will likely have to be dredged every few years, as ships docking there stir up sediment with their propellers and that sediment is deposited along the east side of the dock, where ships dock to unload. With more sediment deposited there ships must load less cargo to dock there, and dredging is a cheaper alternative to getting more ships into the dock.
Donjon Marine has announced the formation of their new shipyard, Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair (DSR). DSR has purchased the assets of Erie Shipbuilding and is working under a new long-term lease with the Erie Western-Pennsylvania Port Authority to establish a shipbuilding and ship repair facility at the yard. No word as to yet as to what their first projects will be, or what will become of the tug CLYDE VANENKEVORT and barge ERIE TRADER that were under construction at the yard. Rumors floating around were that the tug would be finished and go to the ocean to push an oil barge, but I'm not sure if that will happen.
Longtime readers of the Erie Shipping News will recall that Donjon is the largest customer Erie Shipbuilding ever had, with their order for a dumpscow (WITTE 4003) and five deck barges (WITTE 1401, WITTE 1402, WITTE 1403, WITTE 1404, and WITTE 1405). In addition, their then-subsidiary Port Albany Ventures ordered several other deck barges. Less than a month ago Donjon sold their 1/2 interest in PAV to their partner. I'm not sure if that was related to their purchase of ESB, but sources tell me that Donjon is extremely serious about making the shipyard the best facility possible. The only disadvantage DSR will have is that the facility only has about 4,000 feet of dock space, some of which is falling apart, particularly on the east side of the property adjacent to the Old Ore Dock.
Donjon also operates a full-service marine operation that includes towing and salvage.
In other harbor news and notes, EDGAR B. SPEER and PRESQUE ISLE should be arriving in Erie sometime after the first of the year for winter layup. PRESQUE ISLE will, as usual, be going to the Mountfort Terminal where the cofferdam will be installed on the vessel to allow for replacement of the ever-problematic shaft seals.
The Old Ore Dock will likely have to be dredged every few years, as ships docking there stir up sediment with their propellers and that sediment is deposited along the east side of the dock, where ships dock to unload. With more sediment deposited there ships must load less cargo to dock there, and dredging is a cheaper alternative to getting more ships into the dock.
Donjon Marine has announced the formation of their new shipyard, Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair (DSR). DSR has purchased the assets of Erie Shipbuilding and is working under a new long-term lease with the Erie Western-Pennsylvania Port Authority to establish a shipbuilding and ship repair facility at the yard. No word as to yet as to what their first projects will be, or what will become of the tug CLYDE VANENKEVORT and barge ERIE TRADER that were under construction at the yard. Rumors floating around were that the tug would be finished and go to the ocean to push an oil barge, but I'm not sure if that will happen.
Longtime readers of the Erie Shipping News will recall that Donjon is the largest customer Erie Shipbuilding ever had, with their order for a dumpscow (WITTE 4003) and five deck barges (WITTE 1401, WITTE 1402, WITTE 1403, WITTE 1404, and WITTE 1405). In addition, their then-subsidiary Port Albany Ventures ordered several other deck barges. Less than a month ago Donjon sold their 1/2 interest in PAV to their partner. I'm not sure if that was related to their purchase of ESB, but sources tell me that Donjon is extremely serious about making the shipyard the best facility possible. The only disadvantage DSR will have is that the facility only has about 4,000 feet of dock space, some of which is falling apart, particularly on the east side of the property adjacent to the Old Ore Dock.
Donjon also operates a full-service marine operation that includes towing and salvage.
In other harbor news and notes, EDGAR B. SPEER and PRESQUE ISLE should be arriving in Erie sometime after the first of the year for winter layup. PRESQUE ISLE will, as usual, be going to the Mountfort Terminal where the cofferdam will be installed on the vessel to allow for replacement of the ever-problematic shaft seals.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
DONJON MARINE LEASES SHIPYARD
Donjon Marine, owners of Erie-built WITTE 4003 and several deck barges built here, signed a long-term lease with the Port Authority today to take over the former Erie Shipbuilding property. All of the company's employees will hopefully be back to work sometime in the near future.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Dredging Begins at Old Ore Dock
Lakeshore Towing Services began dredging work at the Old Ore Dock yesterday, marking the second time since 2007 that the slip has been dredged. The Old Ore Dock silts badly as ships use their propellers when approaching the dock, which stirs up sediment on the bottom and deposits it along the east side of the slip.
Dredging is supposed to be completed by the end of December. Weather, however, may delay that, and is expected to shut crews down for the rest of the week.
I will post photos of today's activities later today.
Photo caption.
Dredging is supposed to be completed by the end of December. Weather, however, may delay that, and is expected to shut crews down for the rest of the week.
I will post photos of today's activities later today.
Photo caption.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
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.
1985- Erie Sand's CONSUMERS POWER lays up in Erie for the last time. In May 1988 the vessel is towed overseas for scrapping.
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