Warm Weather Melting Ice

Warm temperatures on Tuesday made quick work of the ice remaining on the eastern end of the bay. As of early afternoon the ice is melting quickly and open water is now once again visible on Presque Isle Bay. The ice should pose no problem when the CASON J. CALLAWAY leaves winter layup later this week.

The melting ice has made it easier for vessels shuttling coal across Lake Erie, as well. Over the weekend the CANADIAN TRANSPORT, CANADIAN ENTERPRISE, and Rt. HON. PAUL J. MARTIN were becoming stuck frequently in ice on Lake Erie.

Ships Beginning to Run

Winter layup is almost over and it won't be long before the four vessels spending the winter under repair in Erie will be leaving.

On the Canadian side of the Great Lakes, CANADIAN TRANSPORT, CANADIAN ENTERPRISE, Rt. HON. PAUL J. MARTIN, and several chemical tankers are running. The ENTERPRISE, TRANSPORT, and MARTIN are all running coal from the nearby ports of Conneaut and Ashtabula to Nanticoke, Ontario. On the American side, the cement carrier ALPENA and a few tug-barge combinations hauling cement or petroleum products are in operation, with the 1000-footer MESABI MINER due to begin hauling coal from Superior, WI to Marquette, MI this weekend before the Soo Locks open on March 25.

As I've written, both CASON J. CALLAWAY and MICHIPICOTEN should leave late next week. The PRESQUE ISLE should leave a few days later.