Harbor News

After four vessels (SIDSEL KNUTSEN, MANITOWOC, MISSISSAGI, and AMERICAN REPUBLIC) in as many days, Erie's harbor traffic has quieted off with nothing due in the immediate future.

Yesterday, Lakeshore Towing tugs FLATTOP and DON HENRY completed a tow of local charter fishing vessel EDWARD JOHN from Walnut Creek back into the port of Erie. EDWARD JOHN became disabled and required a tow, which is the second time since last September Lakeshore has towed the vessel.

As I wrote previously, the U.S. Brig NIAGARA was to be used in a documentary about whaling. Those plans fell through, as apparently Steeplechase Films lost their grant
to film the documentary, resulting in the loss of the grant.

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MISSISSAGI inbound on Friday night.


Stern view.


AMERICAN REPUBLIC departs the Old Ore Dock on Saturday morning bound for the Mountfort Terminal.


In Erie harbor turning for the Mountfort Terminal.


REPUBLIC straightens out to come alongside.


Alongside the Mountfort Terminal.


REPUBLIC swings the boom out.


AMERICAN REPUBLIC is ready to unload.


2008-built motor yacht BELLE ASHLEY is spending Sunday night moored at Wolverine Marina.

MISSISSAGI, REPUBLIC IN PORT

MISSISSAGI arrived in Erie last night at 2100 during a terrible downpour and ended up anchoring in Presque Isle Bay for about two hours to wait wind before turning in the harbor and docking at the North Pier to unload sand from Thessalon.

The AMERICAN REPUBLIC arrived in Erie at 0300 this morning and docked at the Old Ore Dock with stone from Calcite. The REPUBLIC unloaded there until 0900 and then shifted to the Mountfort Terminal, where she unloaded for about 40 minutes before clearing outbound.

Photos to follow later this evening.

MISSISSAGI, AMERICAN REPUBLIC DUE

MISSISSAGI is due at 2015 tonight with sand from Thessalon. Meanwhile, AMERICAN REPUBLIC, with stone from Calcite, will be arriving at 0300 Saturday morning. The REPUBLIC should depart sometime on Saturday morning after daylight.

CALLAWAY, AMERICAN REPUBLIC Collide in Straits

CASON J. CALLAWAY and another past Erie visitor, the AMERICAN REPUBLIC, collided Friday in the Straits of Mackinaw, which connect Lakes Huron and Michigan. Reports are that the downbound CALLAWAY, loaded with iron ore for Gary, Indiana on its first trip of the season, was passing close to the REPUBLIC, stuck fast in ice, to try and break it free. The CALLAWAY apparently was pushed by the ice into the REPUBLIC, holing the REPUBLIC in its number one ballast tank, and the CALLAWAY above the water line.

Both vessels are headed for Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and Bay Shipbuilding Company for repairs.

AMERICAN REPUBLIC Arrives

AMERICAN REPUBLIC arrived in Erie at 1345 this afternoon, proceeding slowly through the channel to the Old Ore Dock to unload stone from Cedarville. This is the REPUBLIC's first visit to Erie this season, and it comes 366 days after her last visit on September 15, 2006. On that visit the REPUBLIC delivered stone from Calcite to the Mountfort Terminal.

The AMERICAN REPUBLIC's visit means that 11 vessels from the 18 vessel American Steamship fleet have visited Erie. Excluding the five 1000-foot members of the fleet, and the 770-foot ST. CLAIR, none of which ever carry stone, the only vessel to not visit Erie this year from the American Steamship fleet is the AMERICAN MARINER. With three months left in the season, it is very possible the the MARINER will make a visit yet this season.


AMERICAN REPUBLIC inbound.


Passing the lighthouse.


In the channel.


REPUBLIC passes through the channel.


Into the bay.


Lining up for the Ore Dock.


Approaching the dock.


Stirring up the seagulls as the REPUBLIC comes alongside.

AMERICAN REPUBLIC Due

AMERICAN REPUBLIC, with stone from Cedarville, is due in Erie at 1215 tomorrow.

Erie Shipbuilding Job Opening; Historical Arrivals

Erie Shipbuilding has an ad in today's Erie Times-News seeking a Project Planner/Scheduler. According to the ad the position's duties will include the complete scheduling of labor and materials for all ongoing projects and proposals. The candidate needs to be proficient in Microsoft Project software and have a knowledge of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Excel, along with having excellent written and oral communication skills. The ad states that salary will commensurate with skill and experience level, and that shipyard experience is a plus, although not required. Interested candidates should send resumes to:

Erie Shipbuilding LLC
Attn: Ken Boothe Jr.
220 East Bayfront Parkway
Erie, Pa 16507

Historical arrivals in the port on this date:

2006: WOLVERINE arrives with stone from Cedarville for the Mounfort Terminal and Old Ore Dock.

2003: AMERICAN REPUBLIC unloads stone from Calcite at the Mounfort Terminal.

1959: BEN E. TATE arrives with stone from Calcite.

Calcite's Season Opens

The port of Calcite, Michigan's ON Minerals loading dock will open April 1 with the arrival of the AMERICAN REPUBLIC to load. The dock at Calcite ships the majority of the stone brought to the port of Erie, so Erie will likely be due for a load any time now.