• Thursday-What'sUP July 12 - 09:28 pm

According to Rod Burdick, today's photos from the ore docks at Marquette's Upper Harbor, are of the newest addition to the U.S. lakes fleet, Tug/Barge Ken Boothe Sr./Lakes Contender. They were in port for a load of iron ore to be transported out of Marquette, to another port on the Great Lakes somewhere. Quite an interesting looking pair, especially with the blue coloring and height of the "bridge" on the Tug portion of the duo.

If you're interested in more technical information about the pair, you can find it here: ATB Ken Boothe, Sr./Lakes Contender.

Superior pictures! Love those big freighters!

Always enjoy the pictures from Marquette ~ thanks!!

Figured these would be Rod's pictures!! Thanks, Rod!! Love boat pictures!

Did you know that the system that connects the barge to the tug and makes the total assembly into a ship is made right here in Da UP? It was built in Escanaba at Northern Machine.
They also did many other ship parts for this and it's sister ships. UP proud on the lakes.

Great photos! Like the blue color too!

Great Pic's, Like Jbuck, Oh, to be back in Marquette!

As a retired engineer, I can appreciate the mechanics and efficiency of these tug/barge combos. They move more ore with less people and fuel. However, as an old guy, I share the opinion Eddyfitz stated about the aesthetics of these creatures which was neither complimentary nor politically correct. I much prefer the lines of strait deckers of the '50's & '60's.
This is in no way a criticism of Rod's fine photos. Let's all hope the lakes trade continues so that today's generation can look back with nostalgia at tug/barges.

I love Marquette Harbor. Great pics as always!

Thanks for the photos, Rod! I've often wondered how the tug/barges behave when the seas are high and rough.

Great photos! Hope to see a vessel at the Upper Harbor ore docks in a couple of weeks, while we're visiting the Presque Isle Park in Marquette.

While visiting with my brother a little west of the Soo we saw the Lake Contender downbound. I told him recently I had seen another freighter
with a barge pushing it. He told me that they were much more efficient to operate. I told him they sure look ODD sailing on the lake. I like the blue color of the barge.

I do enjoy all the great photos that Rod captures.
Thank you Rod.

A big thank you to all for the post and comments yesterday on the berry photos. It made me berry happy to scout for them, pick them and photograph them.

I'll bet you were berry happy to eat them too, Brenda. ;) I didn't post a comment yesterday, but wanted to tell you that they were beautiful photos. Better late then never, as they say.

ahem..."than" :}

Man, that is a long freighter

Alex
The barge is 740 feet long.