EDWARD JOHN Loses Steering

This evening while inbound Erie after an afternoon charter fishing excursion, M/V EDWARD JOHN lost steering off of Erie. Lakeshore Towing's tug DON HENRY is en route to the scene and should be arriving there shortly to tow the EDWARD JOHN back to its berth in the East Canal Basin.

This is the second time this month that the EDWARD JOHN has suffered a mechanical breakdown; the first one turned out to be an electrical problem. It is also the third time since last September that DON HENRY has been called on to tow the vessel.

HERBERT P. BRAKE Arrives for Tow

Port Albany Ventures' tug HERBERT P. BRAKE arrived in Erie this morning to tow one of the newly constructed deck barges, the SUE B., from Erie Shipbuilding. The tug BRAKE, at 60 feet length, came up the New York State Barge Canal, and the Erie Canal to Lockport, through Buffalo harbor and across the lake to Erie. There is no word yet on when she'll leave, and with the windy weather conditions she may be in port a while.


HERBERT P. BRAKE tied up in the West Slip this afternoon.


Another view of the BRAKE..


Local harbor patrol/tour boat LADY KATE, high and dry near Liberty Park. Owner Tom Macalauso's LADY KATE and business Presque Isle Boat Tours are for sale, as he is retiring. The radio waves in Erie harbor will never be the same.


Charter fishing boat EDWARD JOHN high and dry near LADY KATE.

Charter fishing boat EDWARD JOHN suffers breakdown; returned to dock by Lakeshore Towing

While attempting to return to port this afternoon after the morning fishing expedition, charter fishing boat EDWARD JOHN suffered a mechanical breakdown, necessitating a tow from Lakeshore Towing's towboat DON HENRY. The tow passed through the channel at 1545 hours this afternoon and proceeded into the harbor, where DON HENRY turned EDWARD JOHN, taking her "on the hip," or alongside into the East Canal Basin, securing the EDWARD JOHN alongside the dock by 1615.

Lakeshore Towing is a multipurpose marine services company that performs a great deal of work around Erie harbor. In addition to tows such as this they do diving, marine contracting, salvage work, and run Wolverine Marina and the Presque Isle Fuel Dock. The company also is used by Erie Shipbuilding to move vessels around the yard. More information can be found on their website.


DON HENRY moves EDWARD JOHN into the East Canal Basin and toward dock.


Close up of DON HENRY.


Backing toward the dock.


DON HENRY on the hip.


Workers from Lakeshore Towing and the crew of the EDWARD JOHN work to secure the vessel as DON HENRY backs away.


Another job well done, DON HENRY departs.

AMERICAN COURAGE Visits; Today in Erie History

The AMERICAN COURAGE arrived in Erie today at approximately 0700 and docked at the Old Ore Dock to unload stone from Port Inland. The COURAGE departed at approximately 1230 this afternoon, passing the inbound J.S. St. JOHN outside of the harbor.

Charter fishing boat EDWARD JOHN was placed back into the water today as her owners prepare for her third season of "party fishing" in Erie.

Today in Erie history:
May 1, 1972- The face of the Great Lakes shipping industry changes forever as the first 1000-foot supercarrier, STEWART J. CORT, departs Litton Industries in Erie, Pennsylvania on her maiden voyage. As such, watch for a special "Erie Connections" on this blog featuring the CORT within the next week.


COURAGE unloading at 0800.


Unloading at noon.


Another view

Finished.


Backing away from the dock.


Backing into Erie harbor.


Preparing to turn outbound.


Outbound.


Stern view


Passing the lighthouse.


Into Lake Erie.


St. John inbound.


Inbound.


Another view.


Stern view.