Photo Collection

[Ray]

If those pictures of the Eugene P. Thomas are of it arriving following its engine failure in July 1981, that will be the last time inbound through the canal. It is being towed by the tugs Vermont and North Dakota so I would tend to believe this was its arrival on that last voyage.

As for the Greene and Sterling outbound from oretran, how common was it for Cleveland-Cliffs vessels to load at the coal dock?

What was the story on the engine failure? It looks like they still have steam up in the pictures and cooling water being discharged (at a pretty high rate.) Just wondering as I had not heard of this incident before.

[garbear]

Garbear, Those years on the Clarke, did you have to have a lot of seniority to hold onto that boat? The AAAs, being newer boats with air conditioning and I presume pretty nice quarters, did all the unlicensed crew want those jobs? TIA

No air conditioning. The bosun was on the Clarke when I got there and was still there years after I quit. One watchman was on the whole time I was there. The wheelsman usually changed when a new captain came on. He usually had a couple come over from his last boat. unlicensed crew members had two man rooms with a bathroom. The only deck crew, besides the mates, who had a single room was the bosun and I was senior deckhand, so I had my own room. All rooms were spar deck level. Nothing below the main deck.

[Darryl]

Garbear, Those years on the Clarke, did you have to have a lot of seniority to hold onto that boat? The AAAs, being newer boats with air conditioning and I presume pretty nice quarters, did all the unlicensed crew want those jobs? TIA

[garbear]

If those pictures of the Eugene P. Thomas are of it arriving following its engine failure in July 1981, that will be the last time inbound through the canal. It is being towed by the tugs Vermont and North Dakota so I would tend to believe this was its arrival on that last voyage.

As for the Greene and Sterling outbound from oretran, how common was it for Cleveland-Cliffs vessels to load at the coal dock?

Photos were from 1981.

As for the Greene and Sterling, they were fairly regular visitors at the coal dock.

[Guest]

If those pictures of the Eugene P. Thomas are of it arriving following its engine failure in July 1981, that will be the last time inbound through the canal. It is being towed by the tugs Vermont and North Dakota so I would tend to believe this was its arrival on that last voyage.

As for the Greene and Sterling outbound from oretran, how common was it for Cleveland-Cliffs vessels to load at the coal dock?

[garbear]

On a cool Wednesday in Duluth, here are some more photos. 62 right now in Duluth. It was 84 yesterday. Tomorrow highs mid to upper 50's with rain and wind.

[Duluth Guest]

I only had the chance to see the Clymer once and it was in the late 1980s before she was painted. I believe it was the last time she took ore from Two Harbors. Anyone know why she was idled in 1973 and then brought out again 8 years later? The Rogers City was retired in 1981, just as the Clymer was returning to service. Was there something slavaged from her sister to get her going again?

[garbear]

Here's one I didn't post of the Clymer. I thought I'd put dates on the photos, but I didn't. I'd say 81, because all these photos were taken after I was done sailing.

[Guest]

Hey Garbear is that shot of the Clymer of it leaving Duluth in May of 1981 after being idle for several years? If so, it would return shortly after taking on water through a leaky rivet in rough weather. The water does look a little choppy in the canal.

[garbear]

85 today already in Duluth. Weather people are saying 60 by Thursday. Here are some more photos.

[garbear]

[quote="Guest"]Great Pictures Garber. If that one of the Pontiac is from 1980 that was its last operational season.[/quote

It was 1980.

[Guest]

Great Pictures Garber. If that one of the Pontiac is from 1980 that was its last operational season.

[TBay Guest]

Love the pics Garbear. Especially the one of the Canadian Prospector from the Aft. I remember first time I was on it at Portship in Tbay. Looked at the flow of her lines and said wow. Keep the pics coming.

[garbear]

Post some more on this hot afternoon in the Twin Ports.

[Darryl]

Ford Motor Company sure took care of their boats when they had them. I don't think I ever saw a picture of a Ford boat that wasn't looking sharp with that Blue stack.

[Guest]

Garbear awesome photos, loved the Comeaudoc photo it was so much more fun being a boat nerd back then!

[A J]

Please keep posting them! Any repeats are a bonus!

[Bookworm]

Garbear, So glad you have a shot of Middletown when she was in top shape. My last photo of her (coming under the Bluewater Bridges) shows wear, tear, and an apparent lack of care on her appearance. So sad.

[garbear]

End a hot day in Duluth with some photos. I know I repeat some boats, but they are/were some of my favorites.

[Ray]

I think it was Captain Metz who said he always thought the Fitz and Homer looked like they were wearing hats.

There are subtle differences between pilothouses besides the coaming above the windows as well. Note the ladders and coamings protecting the doors on each of the Homer and Fitz as well, in comparison to the AAA's. Of course, the AAA's have bridge wings now but they didn't when they were launched. The compound curves of the Fitz and Homer pilothouses make them some of the most difficult ones to draw and/or paint and have it appear photo-realisitc.

What was the purpose of that extra superstructure over the pilothouse on the Homer and Fitzgerald? Was it purely decorative, or was it to contain electronics or HVAC or something else?