PRESQUE ISLE Arrives

PRESQUE ISLE arrived this afternoon at around 1545 from Conneaut, where the vessel had finally discharged its first cargo loaded in Two Harbors a month ago, and docked at the Mountfort Terminal. The vessel, which turned around in Lake Superior last month and returned to Duluth for repairs to ice damage, has arrived for repairs underneath the vessel. Tomorrow, her cofferdam will be installed to allow repairs to begin.

After numerous ice delays, EDWIN H. GOTT arrived in Gary on the afternoon of April 22 with its first cargo after departing winter layup here on March 23.

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PRESQUE ISLE in the channel.


Passing the pierhead light.


Between the piers.


Close up. Look closely and notice all of the dented plates on the vessel's bow.


With Perry Monument and Presque Isle State Park in the background. Photo by Mary Baugh.


Tug PRESQUE ISLE pushing.


Another view.


Stern view.


PRESQUE ISLE docks.

GOTT Update

After freeing HOLLYHOCK yesterday afternoon, EDWIN H. GOTT slowly proceeded westbound before getting stuck off of Erie. The vessel, with the assistance of HOLLYHOCK, attempted to break free from the heavy, windrowed ice off of Erie until stopping for the night around 2000 Sunday.

This morning, NEAH BAY departed it's base in Cleveland and headed eastbound, meeting up with the duo shortly after noon. In the meantime, CCGC GRIFFON and ALGOEAST passed the GOTT westbound, having a significantly easier time of the ice further north. After freeing HOLLYHOCK and GOTT, NEAH BAY is now proceeding westbound, leading the duo off of Conneaut, Ohio at this time. GOTT is bound for Detroit for fuel before heading to Two Harbors, Minnesota to load.

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GOTT warms her engines at the Old Ore Dock at 1015 on Sunday morning.


Turning the corner at the Mountfort Terminal.


View from the North Pier.


Lined up for the channel.


In the channel.


View from the North Pier.


Another view.


Stern view.


Passing through the piers.


Outbound.


GOTT hits the ice.


North Pierhead lighthouse and EDWIN H. GOTT.


HOLLYHOCK trying to break itself free off of Beach 10.


GOTT off of Beach 10.


Side view in the ice.

LAURENTIEN, GOTT TO DEPART SATURDAY

In a sure sign of spring, CSL LAURENTIEN and EDWIN H. GOTT are both expected to depart Erie sometime on Saturday.

Watch Erie Shipping News for updates.

KAMINISTIQUA ARRIVES, DRYDOCKED WITH YANKEE; WITTE 2302 EMERGES; CSLLAURENTIEN DUE

At around 0730 this morning, tugs RHODE ISLAND and NEW YORK arrived in Erie harbor and began breaking ice around Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair. The tugs arrived from Ashtabula to prepare the graving dock for the arrival of KAMINISTIQUA. In order to drydock the vessel, the Great Lakes Towing tugs were required to move a newly built hopper barge, WITTE 2302, from the graving dock, as well as dock the tug YANKEE inside.

KAMINISTIQUA arrived from Windsor at 0930 for winter layup and proceeded into the harbor, where the vessel anchored to await preparation of the drydock.

At around 1100 RHODE ISLAND and NEW YORK entered the graving dock. RHODE ISLAND took WITTE 2302 on the hip and, with assistance from NEW YORK, slowly backed the barge out of the graving dock. The tugs turned the barge and proceeded west to the east side of Dobbins Landing, where the barge was moored alongside WITTE 2301 at noon.

In the meantime, steadily increasing winds were beginning to blow at 30 knots from the west, causing some concern for the captain of KAMINISTIQUA. Tug crews and shipyard crews stopped and conferred before the decision to move the YANKEE was made.

In a skillful, impressive display of ship handling on the part of the tug crews, RHODE ISLAND and NEW YORK took YANKEE in tow at 1330 today, turned the tug in the harbor and moved it into the building at the south end of the graving dock. YANKEE will undergo conversion to an articulated tug this winter.

KAMINISTIQUA was moved despite the high winds at around 1600 today and is now in the graving dock. The tugs, however, did not depart for Ashtabula due to weather and will probably depart on Thursday.

CSL LAURENTIEN is loaded with iron ore for Nanticoke and due there tomorrow. Reportedly the vessel is then bound for Donjon for layup; LAURENTIEN will be the second CSL ship to undergo work in the yard, following FRONTENAC last year.

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EDWIN H. GOTT inbound on Tuesday morning.


Passing the pierhead lighthouse.


Close up.


Stern view.


In the bay ice.


Headed into Presque Isle Bay.


Turning.


Continuing the turn.


About three hours later, GOTT lines up for the dock.


Backing into the dock.


Alongside.


Lifting steel off of YANKEE.


Stern view.


Another view on Tuesday afternoon.


Shortly before 0800 this morning RHODE ISLAND and NEW YORK break ice in the harbor.


RHODE ISLAND breaks a path toward Dobbins Landing.


Alongside the WITTE 2301.


RHODE ISLAND makes another pass through the harbor.


KAMINISTIQUA approaching the piers.


Inbound.


Close up.


Stern view.


Passing the Mountfort Terminal.


Turning to approach the anchorage.


At anchor.


RHODE ISLAND and NEW YORK work the unpainted WITTE 2302 out of drydock.


NEW YORK races around the tow in Presque Isle Bay.


Both tugs along the port side.


Turning the barge.


Approaching WITTE 2301.


NEW YORK pushes the tug RHODE ISLAND and barge up against the WITTE 2301.


Alongside.


NEW YORK approaching YANKEE.


Making up to move the stern of the tug off the dock. This allowed RHODE ISLAND to slide alongside the port side.


Pulling the tug away in 30 knot winds.


NEW YORK makes up to the bow of the tug.


Starting the tow.


In Erie harbor.


Close up of the YANKEE.


In the graving dock.


NEW YORK comes ahead of the tow to spot the tug RHODE ISLAND.


Photo caption.