Huron Lay Up

[Guest]

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/news/lo ... page=0%2C0

[clarkjol]

Probably should have used the words front end loader/unloader
for loading RR hopper cars, when was last delivered at Huron.
Sorry about that

[Guest]

I'm assuming you mean the ore unloader was in pieces because the huletts were dismantled long ago.

[clarkjol]

There is a sign just off of Ohio Rt. 6 that says Huron Ore Dock. Last year in early summer a sign was put up next to the dock sign that says
Great Lakes Industrial & Marine Works, a division of Meldrum Mechanical Services and goes onto say "We'll Come To You" and lastly states
Ship Repair, Welding, Machine Shop, Sandblasting.

When I was last there in late September, the large unloader for iron ore was still on the dock as well.

[garbear]

I worked on the ore boats in the '70s so I'm well aware of what happened to the steel industry in southern Lake Michigan. I've also lived in Duluth for 36 years. I've seen Duluth go from an industrial city to a tourist destination. I worked 28 years in retail, a job I retired from. I was lucky. I had a supervisor's job for almost 27 of those years. I know retail jobs rate right up there with tourism jobs as far as pay and benefits go. So if you're trying to give me a lesson on industrial job versus seasonal jobs, save your time. I've lived both sides of the coin. I guess what I was trying to say about Huron was it was a surprise to see a shipping related business go in there after shipping has ceased being a major part of the city. And from what I've read they are trying to be known more as a tourist area. Sorry I got you all wound up about nothing.

[PDBLK25]

Why would a company start a new ship repair business in Huron, when for the most part, it's ceased being a commercial port? Also, I was under the impression the City of Huron was trying to make the waterfront more tourist friendly.

I have no idea why a new ship repair business would start-up in Huron, but as a veteran of the National Park Service's battle with industry near Lake Michigan; can tell you why Huron would rather attract a new industry than encourage tourism. Put simply, industrial jobs pay more, tend to employ for the longer-term, put more local people to work & put more cash into the local economy. I've seen it in N.W. Indiana. National Parkland takes over Steel & Steel-Related industry to "return" it to it's Natural state & develop more Tourism. Those former industrial employees then lose high-paying, good-benefit work for unemployment or low-paying, no benefit, highly seasonal (the Tourist Season only lasts for the 3 Summer months - What do these low-paid tourism-service workers do for the rest of the year?) jobs. Evidently Huron has learned from situations like this, and opted for industry (Hans Hansen & ASC) over more tourism.

[pjmfan]

Manitoulin Laid up in Huron in 2000 with a storage load of grain, We arrived Jan 5/2000.

[ChrisW]

Not sure how many boats have been in the last few years. Here is a shot of the Calloway from 2010 (I think it's the Calloway).

[clarkjol]

Existing electricity is available at Huron's old ore dock.
Remaining structures also have electric power. loose taconite was removed earlier this year for safety reasons. Earlier this year when
I visited several times, there was a tug, work barge and a large
shore based crane available. The sign for ship repairs went up early
in 2014.

[garbear]

How long after the Huletts were removed in Huron was ore still shipped in by self-unloaders? Can't remember when the shipments ceased.

[JayJ]

What type of shore power would they need for 2 boats in winter lay up and possible minor repairs? Is there old hook ups still there or would they bring in new lines just for 10 weeks?

[pcolachap]

Hello Garbear, I was up there to take a look today. Both ASC boats are tied up at the old ore dock side of the slip. There was a sign about a ship repair company, but I don't remember...? Anyway, with the closure of Thunder Bay and Port Weller ship repair facilities, for all intents and purposes, there is a market for certain types of ship repair. The American fleet is certainly aging and needs various types of services to its vessels. There is still nothing on the site of the old grain elevator, other than a small pile of rubble. On the ore dock side, other than a few vehicles, and a small pile of ore?? at the north end, there's nothing there. So I think it still remains "tourist friendly" through the summer season. Many happy memories of Huron, going back to the early 50's. Mike

[wa8wuu]

The John J Boland has now joined the Adam E at the lay-up dock. I don't know about a new ship repair company, but there are several Hans Hansen trucks at the dock today.

[garbear]

Why would a company start a new ship repair business in Huron, when for the most part, it's ceased being a commercial port? Also, I was under the impression the City of Huron was trying to make the waterfront more tourist friendly.

[standuffer]

Sarah Spencer laid up there in the winter of 1997 I believe.

She is visible in Google Earth "Historic imagery View" (1997).

[ChrisW]

Sarah Spencer laid up there in the winter of 1997 I believe.

[Guest]

I remember Misener Steamship laying up one of their bulkers at Huron during the early 1990s. I cannot remember if it was the J. N. McWatters or the John A. France. I would have to look through my old Lake Log Chips to find the exact year. I remember seeing it tied up at the old grain terminal, but unfortunately did not have my camera. Little did I know that within a few years Misener would be gone.

[Guest]

There is a new ship repair facility in Huron at the old ore dock.
Cliffs layer up one ship each winter for decades, last one I saw was
in 1978

[Denny]

The Cornelius is not the only one that will be spending the winter in Huron, Ohio. I see that the John J. Boland will also be spending the winter in Huron as well. The Boland departed Cleveland today and is anchored near Cleveland probably due to weather and heading to Huron for lay-up eventually. Just wonder why ASC decided to layup two vessels in Huron this winter? Usually I would've thought that these two would be in Toledo this winter. Just wonder if this is something new ASC will be doing for layup every winter or if it is just one time only thing?

[pcolachap]

I see the Adam E. Cornelius is laying up in Huron, OH. It must be many years since Huron had a lay up vessel. I remember in the 50s/ 60s you would occasionally see a Cliff boat in there for the winter. Any other recollections? Mike