Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Here are some shots I took of the ice jam just South of Marine City near the Salt Dock Light.

A write-up on the 1984 St. Clair River Icejam was in the May 1984 issue of Scanner: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlak ... sp?ID=s002

I found a couple of photos taken on the Saturday of the 1984 Ice Jam. Tugs Barbara Ann and James A. Hannah were part of the ice breaking operations

Thanks Denny This is a better picture of the Neah Bay, Mac, Des Gesgrosilliers and one more USCG icebreaker the same size as the Neah Bay. We were in convoy and the first to go was the most power full ships and then we left anchorage after a few day's on the way down. We were low on fuel and food when we got into Lake Erie. I am still doing very well. Thanks !

Thank You very much Captain Metz as I knew somebody would have the answers to what other ice breakers were used. I knew the Des one from Canada was one but just wasn't sure of the spelling of her. The Neah Bay I did not remember or recall her being used but as you mentioned in your post, obviously she was. Thanks a million for you letting us all know which ones were used. That had to have been one heck of an experience for you that year and Spring traveling up and down the St. Clair River. I'll bet you and many other captains were all very happy to have had that River ice melt when it did. Looking so forward to seeing more of your stories and if there are other books in the works from you sir someday, you can bet I will have my order sent in someday. I hope I can get an autograph copy as well from you. Thanks again Captain Metz and hope you're doing well!

I remember the 1984 ice jam. the saint clair river was turned into a giant ice cone. the river was plugged up solid with 'slush' ice. the broken ice ran clear to the bottom of the river preventing water to flow. there were no large sheets of ice - just slush ice which caused much flooding along the river. as soon as a boat passed, the ice would close in behind them almost at once. the mighty ice breakers, with all their horsepower, were of very little use in unplugging the river. mother nature finally let the sun shine melt the ice and the party was over !

I was on the old Oakglen in 1984 stuck in the ice. Ice breakers were Mackinaw, Neah Bay and Canada's DesGrosilliers.

I can only think of two off the top of my head. For the USCG, you had better believe the original Mackinaw was definitely one of them as I have proof of that one! My late father, myself and my Mom all took a ride in the Spring of '84 to Algonac and we saw the "Mighty Mac" out there breaking ice and assisting the unbound Columbia Star now of course known today as the American Century. Not sure how to spell it sorry to say but, I also seem to recall another large Canadian breaker known as Des something or other? Surely others will recall and will remember which ones they were but, those two should help get you started at least. Hope that my information has helped you out.

Does anyone have a listing of the tugs and icebreakers that worked the 1984 ice jam in the St. Clair River. I grew up in Algonac and had kept a notebook listing these vessels but it was lost several years ago when I lived overseas.