• Friday-What'sUP February 4 - 10:42 am

The Great Lakes shipping season officially closed for the winter months, when the last freighter went through the Soo Locks. That date was January 18th, three days past the original closing date of January 15th. It doesn't sound like much, but to the shipping industry, it meant a big chunk of money for those few days. Thanks to one of our regular "boat watchers," Rod Burdick, we have a few more shots of the last freighters to arrive in Marquette Harbor for this season.

Here are Rod's descriptions of the photos, in the order they appear:
1. - The final vessel arrival of the season on January 16, laker Manitowoc.
2. - "River Class" fleet mates Manitowoc and Calumet secured together, waiting to load ore.
3. - Taconite dust rising during a load into laker Buffalo.
4. - WW II vintage laker Mississagi loading ore.

The Locks are scheduled to re-open on March 25th, so enjoy these shots from Rod, as we won't be seeing any new freighter photos until shipping begins once again.

Great photos, wish I was in Marquette right now!

Thanks for the season closing shots today. Here the port of Monroe has the freighter MANISTEE in winter lay-up, the first one to do so in about 20 years. This weekend I will take the grandkids to see it and they will then be amazed at the size of the ship compared to when we see them go by the park here on Lake Erie.Todays "coal boats" haul on average 4 to 5 times as much as when we grew up in Hubbell, Mason Loc and Houghton.

By Uncle Chuck (Unclechuck) on Friday, February 4, 2011 - 07:18 am:
Great photos, wish I was in Marquette right now!

You can UC; just close your eyes, take 3 bites of a pasty, and say "there's no place like home"!! ;-)

This area looks a lot like those ships this morning. I went out earlier and there's about 1/4 inch of ice on my car and a real fine dusting of snow on top of that. I didn't even think about going to work today and neither did Dr. Nat (both of our offices closed for the day anyways)....

Capt. Paul - there was ice overnight in Copper Harbor, too - ugh! My west windows, including the one the camera looks out of, are covered with a glaze of ice. Looks to me like a good day to stay in and make soup.

Hey UC ~

Did you read about the lock-down at NMU?!

Please remember to cheer for Grand Marais! Only a few days left to make a difference!

Only thing is Sharon, I know the people UP there are used to it and take it in stride. Here, it's a disaster!! I would much rather be sitting in Copper Harbor and share that soup with you. J