Breaking out the Ships at Frasier Shipyards

This was the second time we had the good fortune to be at Frasier Shipyards when tugs were working to break out the ships from winter layup. We had planed to drive over to Frasier Shipyards to take a few photos of the ships that were in winter layup and in for repair. When we arrived we discovered that a tug was working to free the ships from the ice so they could begin the shipping season. The Kaye E. Barker had already been freed from the ice

The Tug North Carolina was working to free  the Lee A. Tregurtha.

The Tim S. Dool was in Frasier for major overhaul,

The William A. Irvin was moved to Frasier from its dock in Duluth last fall for a much needed refurbishing. It is a major tourist attraction in Duluth.

One last shot of the ships as the tug was finishing its work.

Herbert C. Jackson

The Herbert C Jackson has been in Fraser Shipyards since mid January undergoing a major upgrade. It was converted to a diesel-propulsion system. It also received a new paint job. This was a huge project for Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wisconsin. Unfortunately things went south and the shipyard was slapped with huge fines because workers on the Jackson were exposed to high lead levels.

Leaving Winter Layup

On Sunday morning my wife and I were heading out for a walk along the Duluth waterfront when I check the Marine Traffic on my phone and noticed that the Heritage Marine Tug the Nels J was out breaking ice. We decided to forgo the walk and drive out to Rice’s Point to watch the tug work.

Helen H

When we arrived the tug was working at the Calumet Fuel Dock which is a secure area where we couldn’t photograph. I assumed that a ship was going to move from winter layup to refuel before the start of the shipping season and the Nels J was breaking up ice around the dock. I was having problems following the Nels J with my Marine Tracker and discovered the app hadn’t been updated in some time so I updated it. When It came back on I noticed the Nels J was heading to Rice’s Point. I grabbed my camera but was a little late to get any good photos. Just about then my wife noticed another Heritage Marine tug, the Helen H sail out from Howard’s Pocket where the Frasier Shipyards are located. We watched as the Helen H moved back into Howard’s Pocket.

We jumped in the car and drove down to Conner’s Point which offers a good view of the ships in winter layup at Frasier Shipyards. Sure enough the Helen H had already broken ice to free the John G. Munson from the ice. As was getting up steam to move out of winter layup. This was a far cry from last year when we watched most of the day while the Helen H and Nels J tried to free the Munson from the heavy ice.

John G. Munson and Helen H

Duluth has a good collection of Boat Nerds that show up whenever there are boats moving. Many of the folks that were watching the Munson leave were also on hand to watch the Indiana Harbor arrive to end the shipping season at Wisconsin Point.

Indiana Harbor

We watched as the John G. Munson slowly backed out of Howard’s Pocket and under the Blatnick Bridge. It was followed by the Helen H in case it ran into trouble. He Nels J was waiting at out in the Saint Louis River in case it was needed to help turn the Munson.

Helen H and John G. Munson

The Munson then sailed under the Blatnick Bridge past Rice’s Point before turning and then backing into the Calumet Fuel Dock where it spent several hours refueling. The Nels J was on hand in case it needed help docking.

John G. Munson and American Integrity-

 

 

Winter Layup Duluth/Superior Harbor

When the Lake Superior shipping season ended the third week of January some of the ships that ply the great lakes head for Duluth/Superior for winter layup. This season a smaller number of ships than normal are in winter layup. Five ships in all can be seen this winter. A sixth ship, the Edwin H. Gott , was scheduled to layup but it could not make it through the Soo Locks before they closed.

The John G. Munson was the last ship to come into port on January 20th and is in Fraser Shipyard for winter layup.

The Kaye E. Barker is in dry dock also at the Fraser Shipyard.

The Mesabi Miner came in on Monday morning, January 19, 2015 and can be found at the Midwest Energy Resources dock.

The American Integrity was the first of 6 vessels scheduled to arrive in Duluth/Superior for winter layup. She arrived on January 7and can be found at the Carrier Port Terminal Berth 1.

The Indiana Harbor arrived January 17th entering the Superior entrance and is at the Enbridge Ogdensburg Pier. We happened to be at Wisconsin Point when the Indiana Harbor arrived.

Lake Superior shipping should resume in about a month.