Stewart J. Cort

[Jon Paul]

What's really amazing is that when LTV went under they basically moved the whole village, homes, buildings and all. It's almost a ghost town now.
When I went their with Interlake in the mid 70's, they were using EMD F9-A units on their ore trains which was a treat to see.
It was one of the fastest loading docks on the lakes and also one of the dirtiest.
I spoke with a buddy over the weekend who had sailed some wth Bethlehem and he said the Cort was built specifically to load at Tac Harbor and unload at Burns.

[Paul A]

This engineer is still impressed by this dock and rail connection. I can't believe it's idle.

[Guest]

A photo from a Lake Carriers Association publication titled "Great Lakes Shipping" circa late 1970s.

[Jon Paul]

Not to get too far off topic but is the oredock and facility at Taconite Harbor totally shut down now?Pardon the question from this lower Laker.

Not a problem, as far as I can tell the ore dock hasn't been used to load a boat since 2001.
In its peak years over 10 million tons plus wrre loaded annually from this unique and for its time, very innovative dock.

[Guest]

Not to get too far off topic but is the oredock and facility at Taconite Harbor totally shut down now?Pardon the question from this lower Laker.

[garbear]

David Schauer said in his Facebook post she was a steady visitor in Taconite Harbor because Bethlehem had a 45% stake in Erie Mining.

[garbear]

Well guys you can’t say that I didn’t tell you so don’t mean to ramble on but guess I was right as in her early days she loaded at Taconite Harbor often and later at BNSF #5 in Superior. Probably never ever loaded in these ports but what about Duluth at the ore dock there or else up in Two Harbors? If she’s never loaded there, it would be interesting to see if it ever does happen! Okay so due to the types of ore and pellets she probably can’t load at those two but cmon can’t I at least think about it and dream and imagine it happening some day? Just my thoughts here!

Like I had stated before. For the Cort's first 5 yrs. of sailing there was no BN #5, so the only option(s) would have been either Silver Bay or Taconite Harbor, so if she never loaded in Silver Bay the only option would have been Taconite Harbor.

[Denny]

Well guys you can’t say that I didn’t tell you so don’t mean to ramble on but guess I was right as in her early days she loaded at Taconite Harbor often and later at BNSF #5 in Superior. Probably never ever loaded in these ports but what about Duluth at the ore dock there or else up in Two Harbors? If she’s never loaded there, it would be interesting to see if it ever does happen! Okay so due to the types of ore and pellets she probably can’t load at those two but cmon can’t I at least think about it and dream and imagine it happening some day? Just my thoughts here!

[garbear]

Taconite Harbor was in full operation at that time and a multiple belt loading system, it's possible the Cort loaded there.
When I was on the Samuel Mather we loaded there and I believe Bethlehem boats did too.
Bethlehem Steel had a 45% stake in Erie Mining Co and the Taconite Harbor Dock

I think I've got an Erie Mining brochure and I think on the cover is a photo of the Cort arriving/departing Taconite Harbor.

[garbear]

These photos of the Cort in Silver Bay are courtesy of David Schauer of Duluth. Thanks again, David.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... ater&ifg=1

[Jon Paul]

Taconite Harbor was in full operation at that time and a multiple belt loading system, it's possible the Cort loaded there.
When I was on the Samuel Mather we loaded there and I believe Bethlehem boats did too.
Bethlehem Steel had a 45% stake in Erie Mining Co and the Taconite Harbor Dock

[pcolachap]

While most of the North Shore Mining pellets seem to be going to Cleveland, the Joe Block has taken several loads, over the years to Burns Harbor. So, I think their AiS destination is correct, although very unusual. I don't see this as a new, regular route, but only a work around for the delays at BNSF in Superior. Mike

[Jon Paul]

Taconite Harbor was in full operation at that time and a multiple belt loading system, it's possible the Cort loaded there.
When I was on the Samuel Mather we loaded there and I believe Bethlehem boats did too

[garbear]

Was just on Facebook with a couple guys who are very knowledgeable with railroads and shipping. They both doubt if she would have ever loaded more than once before in Silver Bay. Was a steady trader into Taconite Harbor, but neither think ever into Silver Bay. David Schauer, who posts a lot of photos on Facebook said he went up to Silver Bay to take some photos of the Cort loading. Interested in seeing them.

[garbear]

The first 1000 footer to load at BN #5 was the Mesabi Miner in 1977. The shiploaders in Two Harbors and Duluth weren't in existence yet, so with the Cort having made her first trip in 1972 that gave you only 2 docks that were conveyor docks. Pretty good bet she loaded at least once before in Silver Bay.

[garbear]

As far as I know, the Cort "Has Never loaded at Silver Bay as she has mostly loaded from BNSF #5 Dock in Superior and mostly has gone to Burns Harbor with those loads!" Can anyone confirm if this rare load from Silver Bay is going to Burns Harbor or perhaps to Conneaut instead? Granted and YES I know the Cort does not go to Conneaut but, since they are loading a rare load in Silver Bay this time I am just curious is all. Definitely a first for them to load up in Silver Bay and just wonder if this may become a new pattern and a new loading port for the Cort in the future? Again just curious is all. Any information is appreciated on this. Thanks in advance to all.

As soon as she got to Silver Bay her AIS was showing Burns Harbor.

[Denny]

As far as I know, the Cort "Has Never loaded at Silver Bay as she has mostly loaded from BNSF #5 Dock in Superior and mostly has gone to Burns Harbor with those loads!" Can anyone confirm if this rare load from Silver Bay is going to Burns Harbor or perhaps to Conneaut instead? Granted and YES I know the Cort does not go to Conneaut but, since they are loading a rare load in Silver Bay this time I am just curious is all. Definitely a first for them to load up in Silver Bay and just wonder if this may become a new pattern and a new loading port for the Cort in the future? Again just curious is all. Any information is appreciated on this. Thanks in advance to all.

[ZenithBoatWatcher]

I've never seen it load there before, Whens the last time she loaded there?

[garbear]

As of 06:00 Central time Saturday on AIS the Cort is inbound Northshore Mining in Silver Bay.