We were returning from a sunrise shooting at Wisconsin Point when my wife noticed a ship moving under the Blatnick Bridge. A closer look reveled that three ships were on their way out of port.
Tim S. Dool
We quickly drove down to Canal Park to watch the ships steam out into the lake. Since free parking had ended at Canal Park we drove over the Duluth Lift Bridge and parked on the Park Point side.
American Century
We didn’t have to wait long and the lift bridge started to rise. It was the start of rush hour and with three ships on their way out at the same time it was going to be a long delay for those commuters trying to get to work. In Duluth the call it “getting bridged”. I assume it is a common excuse when someone is going to be late for work. I think this was the first time I’ve seen three ships go under the bridge during the same lift.
Tug Spartan and Spartan II
The last ship to go under the bridge was the Tug/barge Spartan and Spartan II. This tug visits Duluth several times a year. It is unusual because tug/barge combinations are not frequently seen in Duluth.
Tug Spartan and Spartan II
Tug Spartan and Spartan II
Philip Schwarz Photography Blog 