Winter 2011-12

North Star Port | Winter 2010-2011 1 Reflections on 2011 and the year ahead e’re happy to report that Nearly 40 million tons of iron ore, Volatility our most recent naviga- coal, limestone, salt, cement, grain, Grain Exports W tion season has ended on steel, wind turbines and heavy ma- The key words in today’s grain a positive note, with plenty of activity chinery move through this Port each markets are: drought, floods, climate in the Great Lakes maritime industry. year, helping to keep businesses run- change, government programs, cur- As we look ahead, there are en- ning in adjoining states and along the rency fluctuations, population growth, couraging signs that the U.S. economy U.S.-Canada border. local pricing and quality. In 2010, the is recovering, per- Employment figures reported in Port of Duluth-Superior and Midwest- haps even revving this local study reflect not only those ern farmers profited from disasters up. Forecasts call direct impact jobs related to moving in other parts of the world—floods for modest job marine cargo on the waterfront such in Australia, droughts and wildfires growth, increas- as longshoremen, terminal employ- in Ukraine. With cold, wet growing es in consumer ees, vessel operators, railroad work- conditions in 2011, U.S. farmers them- spending, and ers, truckers and the like; the figures selves suffered low yields and poorer strong global also reflect the indirect employment quality, which resulted in the sec- markets for iron impacts of individuals spending their ond worst grain export tonnage year ore and steel. earnings in grocery stores, restau- through this Port in the last 50 years. We see so many rants and shopping centers as well as Grain is a true world commodity, trad- positive signs that marine-related companies purchasing ing on razor thin margins subject to we’ve begun again goods and services from equipment multiple inputs … you tell me what the to use once-fa- supply companies, contractors and next few years will bring. miliar words and professional service providers. phrases in every- This study used the same meth- Rebounding day conversation: significant, strong, odology for 32 Great Lakes ports (16 Coal Shipments volatile, rebounding, spiking, explo- U.S. and 16 Canadian) and provides a Transloading raw materials in Que- sive growth, on track, accelerating. baseline for comparative analysis and bec for export started with iron ore future study. from Minnesota destined for China Significant and Europe. That process quickly Twin Ports Economic Impact Strong expanded to low-sulfur western coal Following a flurry of activity Iron Ore Shipments moving through Midwest Energy in focused on the release of data from the Our biggest economic driver re- the Twin Ports and then via Quebec first-ever, bi-national economic impact mains the iron ore mining industry of City to Spain and Rotterdam. Midwest study of the entire Great Lakes St. northeastern Minnesota. Throughout Energy has orders on the books for Lawrence Seaway, our local economic the Great Lakes more than 37,000 jobs 1.5 million tons for each of the next impact numbers for the Port of Duluth- are tied to the shipment of iron ore. three years and hopes to expand that Superior were released in November The recently completed 2011 navi- to 4 million by 2014. (Martin Associates, 2011). gation season showed double-digit To no one’s surprise, the impact of increases in iron ore shipments, and Spiking the maritime shipping industry on our 2012 could be even stronger as Min- Wind Turbine Imports local/regional economy is hugely sig- nesota’s taconite plants continue to With the wind energy production nificant. Cargo shipments in and out run at full capacity and both domestic tax credit (PTC) expiring at this year’s of the Port support: and international consumption remain end and no certainty of an extension, • 11,500 jobs strong. (A potential European reces- we are starting to see a flurry of wind- • $545 million in wages sion and a slowdown in Asian manu- related shipping inquiries and cargo • $156 million in taxes facturing could, however, step on even • $1.5 billion in business revenues the best of business plans.) (See Reflections, Page 8)

2 North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 Inside your

www.duluthport.com Winter 2011-12 / Volume 43, Number 4 1200 Port Terminal Drive Duluth MN USA 55802-2609 Tel: (218) 727-8525 / (800) 232-0703 Fax: (218) 727-6888 E-mail: [email protected] A man of many boats Commissioners Steve Raukar, Hibbing, vice president 5 Duluth’s Bob Hom, who never met a boat he Ray Klosowski, Duluth, secretary didn’t like, has lived his life on the waterfront Cal Larson, Fergus Falls, treasurer Lowell Hellervik, St. Paul, assistant treasurer Norm Voorhees, Duluth Rick Revoir, Duluth Chris Dahlberg, Duluth Christmas Tree Ship Administration Executive director: Adolph Ojard 6 With the Mac temporarily sidelined, Duluth’s Chief financial officer: John Kubow USCG cutter Alder served special duty Industrial development: Andy McDonough Trade development: Ron Johnson Facilities manager: Jim Sharrow Public relations: Adele Yorde Clure Public Marine Terminal operator Innovative cargo Lake Superior Warehousing Co., Inc. 8 In December the Port received bags of 1210 Port Terminal Drive beads designed for use in drilling oil wells Duluth MN USA 55802 Tel: (218) 727-6646 Fax: (218) 727-6649 E-mail: [email protected] www.lswci.com 2011: It’s a wrap About North Star Port + This magazine is published by the Duluth Seaway Port 9 This view of the 1,000-foot Edwin H. Gott Authority. Direct comments to Adele Yorde, PR manager. brings our season review to a fitting end The magazine is prepared for publication by Fortner WordWorks; Larry Fortner, editor. North Star Port is printed by ProPrint of Duluth and mailed by BarCodes Plus of Superior. By any name, venerable AAPA celebrating 100th 18 How a Navy oiler launched in 1942 became The American Association of Port a sister ship to a Great Lakes 1,000-footer Authorities (AAPA) is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The AAPA rep- resents deep draft On the covers public port authorities throughout the On the front: PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DULUTH, MN PERMIT NO. 492 United States, Canada, Latin America 1200 Port Terminal Drive The last laker in, the Edwin H. Gott, Duluth, Minnesota USA 55802-2609 www.duluthport.com

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED and the Caribbean. The Duluth Seaway Winter 2011-12 arrived just after dawn on Jan. 18 for Port Authority is an AAPA member, and winter layup at the Port Terminal. its executive director, Adolph Ojard, will chair AAPA’s U.S. delegation this year. On the back: For more information: With a virtually ice-free Duluth Entry, www.aapa-ports.org the Paul R. Tregurtha glided into the www.seaportsdeliverprosperity.org Twin Ports on Dec. 18 to load coal Robert Welton Rober

at MERC. t Welton North Star Port | Winter 2010-2011 1

North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 3 Giant rail car bids farewell to Duluth

When the 36-axle Schnabel (“sh- owned by Westinghouse Electric modifications to re-enter service this NAH’-bul”) car moved out of Duluth Company. spring and start delivering steam gen- on Jan. 4, the Twin Ports bid farewell After leaving Duluth, the car went erators and reactor vessels to nuclear to a piece of history. A giant piece. to Chicago then on to New Castle, plants being built in South Carolina The unique rail car – the largest in Pa., where it is undergoing structural and Georgia. the world – had been headquartered in Duluth on the Port Authority’s Clure Public Marine Terminal for 25 Thanks, Duluth! years. Chartered periodically to make While stationed here, the Schnabel car was deployed on several occasions heavy-haul moves to Canada and the in delivering huge cargoes. The move in 1987 was a record-breaker. That’s U.S., the Schnabel car always came when the Port handled a shipment of five huge reactor vessels from Japan home to Lake Superior Warehousing headed to Regina, Saskatchewan. Four were over 80 feet long, each weighing Co. in Duluth for storage. 750 tons; a fifth was 50 feet long and weighed With it came William Bingman, 450 tons. The size precluded making the move known affectionately as the “Sch- directly to the Canadian West Coast and over the nabelmeister,” the crew chief who’s Canadian Rockies. been with this railcar since it was first For over four years, logistics experts worked put into service three decades ago. to put together a water/rail route that became a The car, built in 1980 in what was classic example of ingenuity. The crane lifts were then West Germany, has a hauling the largest and heaviest ever completed on the capacity of nearly 1.8 million pounds. Great Lakes. They were also the largest ship- Empty it is 232 feet long, with a maxi- ments ever handled by the Burlington Northern DSPA mum loaded length of 350 feet. To and Canadian Pacific Railways. The Schnabel redistribute weight and better posi- car weighed 1,250 tons fully loaded; the full unit ‘Schnabelmeister’ William Bingman says goodbye with a sign and a smile. tion equipment to fit through tunnels, loaded measured longer than a football field. under bridges and around curves, the The car was loaded twice more in Duluth in 1990 and again in 2005. car is equipped with hydraulics that The Port of Duluth is selected for heavy lift cargo for a number of reasons, can shift the load up to 44 inches ver- among them geographic proximity, dock strength and rail and highway access. tically or up to 24 inches either side Schnabelmeister Bingman couldn’t say enough good things about the Twin of center. Ports on his last trip: “My message to shippers is simple. If you want your Today, the specialty railcar is freight handled properly and efficiently … bring it through Duluth!”

The Schnabel car, here moving a cargo in December 2005, comes complete with 36 axles.

4 North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 DSPA / Sam Browman A man of many boats

By Ken Newhams When Bob Hom was eight years old, he removed the working parts of a cabinet radio, patched the holes with roofing tar and launched his first boat into the Duluth harbor from his backyard on Park Point. The boat lasted three days before the veneer peeled off and the craft disintegrated. Hom is still building and launching boats, but now for his grandchildren, Peggy Hom Peggy the offspring of his daughters Keely Bob Hom rows, rows, rows his boat with daughters Amy (aft) and Keely (fore) when they were 8 and 10. and Amy. Keely delivered her first child, a further cementing the relationship Guardian and cruise ships such as son named Rory, last November. In between Bob and Peggy. A year later, the Columbus. In recent years, most of return, Bob delivered a “cradle boat” they were the first couple married on the touring Tall Ships® have moored for Rory. Amy is pregnant now with a Vista Fleet boat. at “Bob’s dock” at the DECC. her first child, who will probably get Hom’s first job with the DECC was The DECC held a retirement party an heirloom (previously used) cra- unloading equipment from the KISS for Hom last year. When the party was dle boat. “Each grandchild does not trucks, and he was soon promoted to over, Bob boarded the Zenith City, need their own cradle boat, but by the stage crew. Before long, he was the 34-foot boat he built in 2006, and age three, they certainly need their second in command at the growing sailed off into retirement. First on own row boat,” says Grandfather Bob. entertainment complex on the the agenda for Bob and Peggy was a Hom’s career might have been Duluth harbor, not far from where he cruise on the schooner American Eagle devoted to building boats, but in 1976 launched that first boat years earlier. out of Rockland, Maine. he met a receptionist at the Duluth The DECC has benefited from Now back from that, Hom contin- Entertainment Convention Center. Bob’s maritime background. The ues working as a deckhand and some- The DECC was hosting a KISS rock DECC operates the William A. Irvin, time engineer on the tugs operated concert and the administration asked retired from the Great Lakes Fleet, in the harbor by Heritage Marine as Peggy the receptionist if she knew as a tourist attraction. The dock at well as overlooking his growing fleet anybody who could help set up the the back of the DECC hosts a wide of cradle and small rowboats. concert hall. “Why not ask Bob?” variety of vessels, including most she responded, thus launching a 33- visiting Coast Guard ships, research year career at the DECC for Bob and vessels such as the Kiyi and the Lake Ken Newhams Peggy and Bob Hom, aboard the USCG cutter Alder.

Ken Newhams is the founder of Duluth Shipping Ken Newhams News. Visit www.duluthshippingnews.com. Bob Hom built the Zenith City and sailed her into retirement.

North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 5 The Coast Guard Cutter Alder is escorted by a boat from the Chicago Fire Department as the cutter prepares to moor at Chicago’s Navy Pier on Dec. 2, 2011. Alder’s crew was acting as Chicago’s “Christmas Ship,” delivering more than 1,000 trees from northern Michigan to be distributed by charity groups to Chicago-area families. USCG Petty Officer 3rd Class George Degener Officer 3rd Class George USCG Petty Alder delivers a special cargo for Christmas

A grand tradition that dates back to the late 1800s was But not forever in the past. In 2003, some Windy City honored once again in 2011 when the Duluth-based U.S. charities and the city’s marine community teamed up with Coast Guard cutter Alder delivered a load of Christmas the Coast Guard to revive the tradition, and the cutter trees to underprivileged families in Chicago. Mackinaw became the new Christmas Tree Ship (now the For years, brothers August and Herman Schuenemann Chicago Christmas Ship). — sons of German immigrants to Chicago — had sailed Beginning that year, more than 1,000 trees have been to northern Michigan to pick up 300 to 400 tons of fresh- distributed annually to families that might not otherwise ly cut evergreens. The brothers then sailed their Yuletide have had the means to purchase one. cargo to Chicago, where thousands waited in eager antic- The Mac continued in that role until 2011, when she ipation. Many trees were sold on the spot as customers was dispatched to Superior’s Fraser Shipyards for repairs boarded the “Christmas Tree Ship,” which would dock on to a bowthruster seal. With that, in stepped the Alder, the Chicago River at the Clark Street Bridge. The Schuen- which performed seasonal buoy retrieval duties in addi- emanns also graciously donated many trees to poor chil- tion to picking up and delivering Christmas trees to Chica- dren of the city. go. The Coast Guard motto Semper Paratus (Always Pre- August perished in 1898, when his ship, bearing Christ- pared) comes to mind. mas trees, went down in a November storm. All aboard The Alder delivered her trees on Dec. 2, and a trea- were lost. Brother Herman, who had stayed behind that sured holiday tradition was honored for another year. year to watch over his wife and their newborn twins, was After tying up in Chicago, Alder’s commanding officer, determined to carry on the tradition. He did so until 1912, Capt. Mary Ellen Durley, delivered a short speech. In an when he, too, died along with his entire crew when his email to this magazine, she said, “Hopefully my words will three-masted schooner Rousse Simmmons was battered by help you understand how honored and privileged the crew another storm and also driven to the bottom of the lake. and I felt to do this humanitarian mission.” Some passages The brothers’ survivors, however — widows and daugh- from that speech: ters — honored the work of the gallant captains for over “We know there is no better way to serve others than to two more decades before times changed and the Christ- see the bright smiles and happy faces of children, knowing mas Tree Ship was relegated to the past. that they will have a Christmas tree in their home to cele-

6 North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 brate this joyous season! The crew and I feel privileged to carry on the tradition of delivering trees to the city of Chicago for the holiday sea- son, just like Capt. Herman Schue- namann of the Rouse Simmons and other vessels did in the 1900s. “With the outstanding logistics coordination of Capt. George Lisner, Alder sailed with 49 crew from our homeport of Duluth and loaded the trees in Sault Sainte Marie, Mich. … “The crew packed and wrapped The USCG Cutter Healy breaks ice for the trees you will take home today the Russian tanker Renda in a life-saving with great care, making sure they mission to Nome, Alaska. were protected … during transit. … USCG The trees on Alder’s deck will go to families, possibly some who have Former Sundew skipper never had a tree before and will have a tree this year, planting the plays key role in drama seed for a new family tradition. “Years from now, the sight and On Jan. 15, the socked-in western village of Nome, Alaska, received scent of a Christmas tree will evoke desperately needed, life-saving supplies of fuel oil and gasoline. the warm memories for those kids The successful mission, reminiscent of the famed serum run of 1925, paired who will have received their first an unlikely couple of vessels — a U.S. Coast Guard cutter, the Healy, with a tree in 2011.” Russian tanker, the Renda. The story of the vessels’ battle through miles of two- In her email, Durley explained, to three-foot ice was dramatic enough in its own right. Making it even more “We loaded the trees in Sault Sainte fascinating for folks thousands of miles away in Duluth-Superior was the fact Marie, and we had approximate- that the heroic tale featured a woman who at one time was one of their own. ly 800 trees aboard. The rest of The commanding officer of the Healy is none other than Capt. Beverly A. the [1,000] trees were shipped in a Havlik, a former skipper of the USCG Cutter Sundew. Havlik took command semi-truck to meet us at the pier in of the Sundew in June 2000 and served in that capacity for about three years. Chicago.” Alaska’s lieutenant governor, Mead Treadwell, was among the high-ranking There, Durley met some recip- public officials and Coast Guard personnel who greeted the crew of the Healy ients at the event stage. “I helped in Nome upon their arrival. “Like the 1925 Serum Run, this voyage captured hand out three trees with the aid of the attention of the world,” Treadwell said. my crew to a little girl with her fami- While still aboard the Healy and plugging away to break a path for the Ren- ly and another little boy and his fam- da and her cargo, Havlik spoke on the air with National Public Radio. Dur- ily. Both children’s eyes lit up, and ing that conversation, Havlik said, “The ice is a pretty dynamic force. It moves [they] said, ‘Thank you for deliver- constantly. There’s always forces from the outside against the ice edge. Plates ing my tree.’ The families were very will move and then press against Renda. We have the horsepower to power appreciative and shook our hands through and come back and make a relief path alongside the ship and release and took pictures with us.” the pressure. So we get back into the track that we’ve just made, and they could Recommended reading: The Historic Christmas follow along behind us again.” Tree Ship / A True Story of Faith, Hope and The fuel was pumped to shore in a few days and then the Healy was tasked Love; by Rochelle Pennington; © 2004. Some information in this story was drawn from the book. with taking the Renda south to open water. With that complete, the cutter could head home to Seattle, which the crew hadn’t seen for more than eight months.

North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 7 Innovative cargo comes to Duluth Thousands of bags of tiny ceramic beads represented seeds — as what might be the next generation of prop- the latest innovative cargo at the Port of Duluth’s Clure pant materials in North Dakota’s Bakken Deposit. Public Marine Terminal in December. Without fracking, the vast Bakken Deposit that lies un- The beads are definitely not the kind you’d use to dec- der much of North Dakota, Montana and Saskatchewan orate your moosehide mukluks. Instead, the beads are de- would not be fueling the current oil and gas boom that signed to serve as a proppant for fracking in the oil patch has created thousands of jobs and nudged the U.S. a step of North Dakota. closer to energy independence. Fracking is the pop- The beads that arrived in Duluth on Dec. 4 were ular word for hydraulic shipped from Ust-Luga, a Russian port on the Baltic Sea, fracturing, a technique aboard the Moezelborg, a Wagenborg vessel. employed in deep (thousands of feet), horizontal (as far as a Tiny beads could play a big role in oil drilling. mile out) drilling that uses water, a proppant and chemicals. Fracking’s pressurized fluids fracture the shale and free the oil and natural gas. The proppant holds fissures open to allow the petroleum to flow more freely out of the deposit. The first proppants used in fracking in North Dakota were grains of natural sand, much of it from pits in Wis- consin and Minnesota.

But now come the tiny ceramic beads — extremely Robert Welton hard and uniform in size and looking much like poppy The cargo of ceramic beads arrived in Port on Dec. 4 on board the Moezelborg.

Reflections, from Page 2 is moving the maritime industry to 56 lakers during winter layup. When bookings as the wind developers are evaluate the use of Liquefied Natural the fleet returns to service this spring, targeting December 2012 to complete Gas (LNG) as a potential low cost, it will welcome a new, 740-foot self- current and proposed projects to take low emission fuel source for ships. In unloading barge capable of carrying full advantage of the PTCs. February, the Great Lakes Maritime 38,000 tons of cargo. Also joining the Research Institute will sponsor a two- fleet will be an integrated tug/barge Explosive day seminar in Cleveland to explore is- unit that previously worked the Gulf. North Dakota Oil sues surrounding the development of In 2011 our Canadian partners New technologies have turned the LNG propulsion throughout the Great christened the MV Algoma Mariner, trend of dwindling oil and gas produc- Lakes-Seaway system. the first new-build in 25 years, and an- tion into an economic boom. In July nounced the construction of an addi- 2011, the Bakken Deposit (see story On Track tional 10 ships to be commissioned for above) yielded 424,000 barrels a day Great Lakes Recapitalization Great Lakes service. More announce- versus Prudhoe Bay’s 453,000 in In the past few years we have seen ments are in the works. These are Alaska. This accelerating growth has the repowering of four U.S.-flag Great long-term investments in the future of spilled over into our Port as new op- Lakes ships; additional repowering the maritime industry and the Great portunities are developing to service and ship renewals are in the works Lakes regional economic revival. the oil and gas industry. Addition- for this winter’s layup. Lakes-wide, Keep watching the markets. Our ally, the surge in natural gas supplies more than $75 million will be spent on maritime stock may be rising in 2012. 8 North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 Notable 2011passages shall befirst And thelast Duluth News Tribune / Steve Kuchera Last Lakerin Last Lakerout Last Saltieout Last Saltiein First Saltiein First Grainout First Lakerin First Lakerout yards for maintenance. moved intoFraserShip- arrived onJan. 5and The The Erieborg(L)was thePort’s onDec. lastoutboundoceangoingvessel, departing 19beneathDuluth’s LiftBridge. Aerial John J. Boland Duluth-Superior —2011 ataglance 12/19/11 12/18/11 4/11/11 4/07/11 3/26/11 The 1/18/12 1/16/12 3/17/12

Mesabi Minerarrived onJan. 17for winterlayup Midwest Energy attheSuperior Terminal. Edwin H.Gott Canadian Transport Erieborg Erieborg Federal Leda CSL Mapleglen R. TregurthaPaul James R.Barker Eight lakers forwinterlayup/maintenance inPort Put ’emtobed VESSEL John J. Boland American Spirit American Century Walter J. McCarthy Roger Blough Blough Roger John G. Munson Munson G. John Mesabi Miner Edwin H. Gott they didnotsailin2011andremainlayup atFraser Shipyards. Note: AlsoinPort aretheAmericanVictory andEdwardL.Ryerson; RIA CARRIER ARRIVAL 1/10/12 1/12/12 1/14/12 1/16/12 1/17/12 1/18/12 1/5/12 1/7/12 mrcnSemhpC.Fraser Shipyards SteamshipCo. American mrcnSemhpC.GarfieldDock C SteamshipCo. American American Steamship Co.Steamship American American SteamshipCo.American Key Lakes/Great Lakes Fleet Fleet Lakes Lakes/Great Key e ae/ra ae le Fraser ShipyardsKey Lakes/Great Lakes Fleet nelk tasi o Midwest Energy Interlake SteamshipCo. Key Lakes/Great Lakes Fleet Fleet Lakes Lakes/Great Key North StarPort | Winter 2011-12 BERTHING LOCATION Elevator M(Superior) Enbridge DockEnbridge (Superior) Port Terminal 4 Berth Port Terminal 1 Berth

9 Lynn Wegner

Robert Welton The Great Republic takes on a late-season cargo of iron ore pellets at Duluth’s CN/DMIR dock. Odd winter puts a wrap on To say that this has been an un- three days by the U.S. Army Corps of Grain shipments were down over usual winter in the Twin Ports is an Engineers, keeping the Poe Lock at 40 percent from the grain surge in understatement of epic proportions. Sault Ste. Marie open through Jan. 18. 2010, reflecting a shift in world grain Temps 15 degrees above normal; a The extension, milder weather and prices as Russia lifted its export ban record high of 47 degrees on Jan. 10; minimal ice cover helped U.S. and and favorable growing conditions in no snow on the ground to speak of, Canadian lakers catch up on cargo Australia and Canada added to abun- and nearly ice-free conditions in the movements that had been delayed by dant global supplies. Likewise, a diffi- harbor and across Lake Superior. gale-force winds on the Lakes toward cult growing season in Minnesota and A meteorologist noted that more the end of the season. “The exten- North Dakota took its toll on wheat snow had fallen in Midland, Tex., than sion was not about moving additional farmers –- a 180-degree pivot from the in Duluth-Superior. As of mid-winter cargo,” noted Adolph Ojard, Port Au- previous year. we had received just 12 inches of thority executive director, “but about snow compared to averages this time making sure that orders already on Similarly, coal shipments declined, of year closer to four feet. the books could be fulfilled.” topping just over 14 million tons for True, Arctic air masses did force Overall tonnage totals for the Port the 2011 shipping season. That was temps to the deep-freeze for a couple of Duluth-Superior were a bit below about 20 percent behind both the of weeks at the end of January, but average. previous season and the five-year nothing hampered the end of the 2011 average. The decline was triggered shipping season — a season extended in large part by Canada’s transition 10 North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 Robert Welton an up-and-down season from coal-burning power plants to ments, the Twin Ports ended the 2011 we had a good year. And, while it’s natural gas and renewables. However, season at just over 37 million short too early to speculate on grain, the Midwest Energy Resources Company tons of cargo — off 7 percent from outlook for 2012 is just as strong if not sought new outlets for its excess 2010. slightly better. We expect to see more capacity, entering the world coal Mark Erickson, CN port man- general cargo, with 10 shipments of market with over 1.5 million tons ager/Duluth ore docks, said in the wind components and other heavy lift in exports to customers in Europe. Nov.-Dec. 2011 Duluthian magazine, units already on the books. Iron ore Additional orders are on the books for “Right now, things are looking re- shipments mirror both demand in each of the next three years. ally good for the mining industry. And the steel industry and pellet produc- that positively affects our business. At tion on Minnesota’s Iron Range. Ab- Limestone, salt, cement and gen- our ore docks in Duluth and Two Har- sent any major changes in the world eral cargo tonnages all stayed on bors, we hired 35 more people within economy, the plants will continue to track. the last two years. Tonnages are also run at maximum capacity. With other up at both our facilities compared to mining-related facilities projecting in- Iron ore rocketed to the top of 2010.” creases in production, the 2012 ship- the charts this shipping season, pro- He added, “We’re at our maximum ping season should be steady and viding a bright spot in this otherwise capacity now and are planning how to strong.” less-than-average year. Buoyed by a meet future demand.” 17 percent increase in iron ore ship- The Port’s Ojard said, “All in all,

North Star Port | Winter 2010-2011 11 A fond look at the season’s close

Photo credits, top row from left: Dennis O’Hara, Carole Lent, Diane Hilden; 2nd row from left: Travis Chadwick, Robert Welton; bottom: Ken Kollodge And that’s the end 12 North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 Dahlberg joins Board Around the Port Chris Dahlberg has been appointed by the St. Louis County Board to a six-year term on the Duluth Seaway Port Authority Board of Commissioners, effective Jan. 3, 2012 Port calendar 2012. Dahlberg, who was elected to the St. Louis County captures unique perspective Board in 2008, served as a member of the Duluth City Few people get to experience the thrill of viewing Council from 1992 to 1994. President Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge from atop a 1,000-footer, but of the Dahlberg Law Office, P.A., that is where Patrick Lapinski captured the image featured he is a graduate of the University of on the 2012 Duluth Seaway Port Authority calendar. Minnesota Law School, with degrees Lapinski shot the winning photo from outside the pilot in public policy from the University’s house of the Indiana Harbor as she passed beneath the Humphrey Institute, political science iconic bridge from the University of Minnesota 2012 Chris Dahlberg on August 11 of Duluth and in Mandarin from the last year. Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif. Photogra- Dahlberg has been a member of the U.S. Army Re- pher and histori- serves for 23-plus years. He currently holds the rank of an Lapinski has major and is with the Brigade Judge Advocate attached been covering Photo by Patrick Lapinski to the 330th Medical Brigade, Fort Sheridan, Ill. He View from outside the pilot house of the Indiana Harbor passing beneath Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH the Great Lakes SMT W T F S SMT W T F S SMT W T F S 123 4567 1234 123 New Year’s Day New Year’s Day served in Baghdad in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004- (Observed) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 789 10 11 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 maritime indus- 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Martin Luther Valentine’s Daylight Savings St. Patrick’s King Jr. Day Day Time Begins Day 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 05. Dahlberg is also active with several Duluth civic and Presidents’ Day Ash Wednesday Spring Begins 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 try for more APRIL MAY JUNE business organizations. SMTWT FS SMTWT FS SMTWT FS 1 234567 12345 12 Palm Sunday Good Friday Passover than 30 years. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 456789 Easter 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Mother’s Day Flag Day 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Victoria Day National Father’s Day Summer Begins (Canada) Maritime Day He recently au- 29 30 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Memorial Day JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER SMTWT FS SMTWT FS SMTWT FS 1 234 567 1234 1 thored Ships of Canada Day Independence Day

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 567 8 9 10 11 23Labor Day 45678 Civic Holiday (Canada) Labour Day (Canada) 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 the Great Lakes: Rosh Hashanah Fall Begins 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Yom Kippur OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER An Inside Look SMTWT FS SMTWT FS SMTWT FS 123456 123 1 789 10 11 12 13 Columbus Day 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 34 5 678 Daylight Savings Election Day Thanksgiving (Canada) Time Ends 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 at the World’s Veterans Day Veterans Day 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Hanukkah Remembrance Day Remembrance Day (Canada) (Observed) 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Thanksgiving Winter Begins 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Halloween 30 31 Christmas Boxing Day (Canada) Largest Inland Fleet, published 1200 Port Terminal Drive • Duluth, Minnesota 55802-2609 USA • 218-727-8525 • www.duluthport.com by Iconogra- fix, Inc. He also is a regular contributor to North Star DSPA Port, Lake Superior Magazine and numerous other Great Federal Leda — 2011’s early bird. Lakes-related publications. For more on his work, visit: First Ship Contest — www.inlandmariners.com. make your predictions Of his winning calendar image, Lapinski said, “The In- diana Harbor was the first ship I was privileged to take Put on your prognosticator’s hat and predict when a trip on, and over the years I have gotten to know many the first ocean-going vessel, or “saltie,” of 2012 will ar- of the crew and officers that have sailed on it. This par- rive in the Twin Ports. Each spring, Visit Duluth and ticular trip, arranged with the vessel’s captain and the the D­uluth Seaway Port Authority co-sponsor a popu- front office of American Steamship Co., was taken to doc- lar First Ship Contest. Prizes include a Duluth Getaway ument some of the aspects of the low-sulfur coal trade.” with great accommodations, delicious meals and tickets Lapinski grew up in the North End of Superior, which to local attractions. Check out www.visitduluth.com for in those days was always full of ships and sailors. Lat- contest rules. er, as his interest in photography grew, he found that he The first saltie of 2011, Federal Leda, passed under was drawn to what he calls “the symmetry and balance the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge on April 11 at 07:10:11. of ships.”

North Star Port | Winter 2010-2011 13 benefits LSMMA Gales ofNovember Yorktown news— 2012 cruise will beonNov. 2-3. the raffle foratripthissummer aboard ofaLifetime” auction anda“Cruise sessions, aminitradeshow, asilent tours,topicalbreakout featured Center.Maritime Visitor Gales theLakeSuperior to support auction atGalesraisedover$5,000 Museum Association.Thesilent funds fortheLakeSuperiorMarine all thingsmaritime,helpedraise event inDuluththatcelebrates ). gust 1-11(DuluthtoDetroit toDuluth)andAu- gust 1(Detroit July21-Au- datesare Cruise more. lin Island, the Soo Locks and much Point, MackinacIsland,Manitou- Whitefish National Lakeshore, Rocks weenaw Peninsula,Pictured experience the Apostle Islands, Ke- to Lake MichiganandHuron LakeSuperior,passengers through willtransport itinerary Seas” cruise —TheBestoftheInland Discovery Lakes Grand or cabins. The “Great specialties and 69 exteri- al culinary - dows, acuisineofAmericanregion win- picture spacious lounge,large sun foot deck, vessel boasts a large linerYorktown. The257- the luxury aboard tween DuluthandDetroit thissummerbe- ing twocruises - isoffer el DynamicsInternational Winter 2011-12 14 NorthStarPort |Winter Gales of November, anannual Visit - lovers!Trav Attention, cruise . This year’s Gales Edwin H. Gott. Thisyear’sGales Around www.traveldynamics.com. is coming the Port Twin Ports rolls onwithnewvans Ministry ing, emergency housing andaccesstocommunications. ing, emergency themwithhospitality, andprovide cloth- recreation, refreshments, Ports Twin docked atvariousterminals. availableonvessels Internet van andadditionalequipmentthatmakeswireless of a 2009 15-passenger van, asecond local contributionsenabledthepurchase ing combined with TheITFfund- Trust. tion (ITF)Seafarers’ Workers’ Federa- national Transport theInter- grant from a secure Ministry thathelpedthe port ted lettersofsup- ganizations submit- and otherlocalor- Authority way Port old andunreliable. vehiclesthatwere twopassengervans,replacing ceived fundingtopurchase - re Theorganization toSeafarers. Ministry Ports volunteers withtheTwin members and CenterinDuluthjustgoteasierforstaff vices attheSeafarers Kron leaves boardafter20yearsofservice 10 as board president. 10 asboard to themaritimecommunity—last fortwodecadesofservice recognized was meeting,Kron the Dec.15board At Authorityboard. his seatonthePort retained Kron ble 32yearsofservice), in2008(afteranota- the countyboard Thoughheleft St. LouisCountyBoard. Authoritybythe appointed tothe Port dated backto1992,whenhewasfirst commissioner ever, longest-serving 20 years. cametoacloseafter time ontheboard BillKron’s Authority President Port ended onDec.31,whenDuluthSeaway The toSeafarerswillhostits Twin Ministry Ports on March 22attheLake SuperiorMaritime CenterinDuluth’sVisitor CanalPark. The Ministry to Seafarers and its Seafarers Center welcome mariners to the Centerwelcomemarinerstothe anditsSeafarers toSeafarers The Ministry The DuluthSea- andser- theirshipstoappointments,stores Shuttling visitingmarinersfrom Kron’s tenure, which made him the whichmadehimthe tenure, Kron’s of service term An extraordinary Generous financial support madethe Seafarers CentervanGenerous financialsupport go. Blessing ofthePort Bill Kron at 4:30p.m.

Seafarers Ministry DSPA Study explores natural gas as Great Lakes fuel Kudos to Could steam-propelled vessels convert to natural gas as their pri- Lake Superior mary fuel? The Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute (GLMRI) will study that question and other issues related to maritime transportation Magazine through an agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Congratualations to Lake Superior Maritime Administration (MARAD). Magazine, a Duluth-based regional One study will analyze issues associated with steamship conversion publication that celebrates the beauty of to natural gas. Another will explore the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sup- this region ply chain needed to support the fleet’s fuel demand. No commercial and the vessels powered by natural gas now operate on the Great Lakes, but maritime Norway has operated natural gas-powered ferries for more than a de- heritage of the cade. Quebec’s passenger-ferry service STQ has announced the con- Twin Ports struction of three new dual-fuel (diesel/LNG) ferries for Gulf of St. Law- and Duluth’s rence service. Great Lake. GLMRI is also working with the Lake Michigan Carferry Service The magazine and engineering experts to use the SS Badger as a demonstration proj- won 15 ect. The Badger is the last coal-fired steamship operating in the U.S. It awards at the sails daily between Manitowoc, Wis., and Ludington, Mich., from mid- Minnesota May through mid-October. The EPA has given its operators until the Magazine and end of the 2012 sailing season to stop discharging coal ash into Lake Publishing Association’s annual awards Michigan. A successful conversion to natural gas could make the Bad- program in November, including a Gold ger one of the cleanest, greenest vessels operating on the Great Lakes. for Overall Excellence.

Bentleyville brightens working waterfront Paul Scinocca Paul

Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge and visiting vessels, like the Canadian-flag Algosteel and two others at anchor — the Lake Ontario (left) and the Zelada Desgagnes — provided a brilliant backdrop on Dec. 9 to the 2011 Bentleyville “Tour of Lights.” Billed as the Midwest’s largest holiday light display, Bentleyville illuminates Duluth’s Bayfront Park each year with nearly 3 million holiday lights and elaborate displays that include a 128-foot steel tree. The free attraction draws thousands of visitors to the downtown waterfront district. Bentleyville is funded through individual donations and corporate sponsorships.

North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 15 Sarah Steinbach purchased the Vista ucts Business Unit. Following Ujka’s Around the Port Fleet in December 2011, taking over move, BNSF split his duties. Elmer operations from Duluth-based ZMC Sadlowsky is the new BNSF terminal Hotels. Justin Steinbach had been manager in Superior, and Joe Buelt is general manager of the Edgewater manager of the Taconite Facility. Be- Resort and Waterpark, and Sarah fore taking on the duties at Allouez, Steinbach had been the Vista Fleet’s Buelt was a value stream manager/ assistant general manager and maintenance supervisor with Cooper director of sales. The couple plans to Power Systems in Waukesha, Wis. continue operating the fleet’s Vista Star and Vista Queen excursion boats Slade joins MEP from the fleet’s current location The Minnesota Environmental behind the Duluth Entertainment Partnership (MEP) has hired Andrew Convention Center and increase the Slade of Duluth as its Northeast number of cruises. Program Coordinator. Slade, an educator, naturalist and author, has long been active in North Shore

LaCoursierre Photography New managers environmental issues. He is the former Sarah and Justin Steinbach at BNSF in Superior executive director of Sugarloaf: The Vista Fleet After nearly five years as BNSF North Shore Stewardship Association Railway’s terminal manager and man- and before that served as director of has new owners ager at the Allouez Taconite Facility, education at Great Lakes Aquarium. One of Duluth’s most popular Stan Ujka has moved to BNSF’s head- MEP is a coalition of 80 conserva- waterfront attractions has been quarters in Fort Worth and is now the tion and environmental organizations sold to a local couple with ties to manager of Planning & Development working to protect and restore the the hospitality industry. Justin and for the company’s Agricultural Prod- state’s natural resources.

Port Passings

Michael Colalillo, 86, of Duluth, Min- Colalillo was retained as foreman by Duluth in 1963 and served in that role nesota’s last Medal of Honor recipient, two companies that managed the termi- for nearly two years. died on Dec. 30, 2011, in Duluth. He nal in subsequent years beginning with Wells was appointed to the Port Au- served in the U.S. Army during World Ceres, Inc., in 1969 and continuing with thority in 1976 — the first woman to War II and was awarded the Medal of North Central Terminal Operators, Inc., serve in that role — and became pres- Honor by President Harry S. Truman from 1977 to 1987. ident in 1979. She served on the Port for his heroic actions during combat. In He was preceded in death by his Authority Board until 1990. addition, Colalillo received a Silver Star, wife, Nina. He is survived by a son and Named 1984 Port Cities Woman two Bronze Stars and a French Cam- daughter, two grandsons and three of the Year, Wells also served on paign Ribbon. great-grandchildren and two sisters. Duluth’s Planning Commission and had After the war Colalillo returned to leadership roles with the Voyageurs Duluth and was employed by Interlake Ingrid Wells, who broke new ground National Park Association. That group Iron Works Company. He served as for women in the Northland in her ser- pushed successfully for the creation of the Clure Public Marine Terminal vice as president of the Seaway Port the national park along the Canadian warehouse foreman from 1968 until his Authority, as Duluth’s acting postmas- border. retirement in 1987. He was originally ter and in a variety of leadership roles Wells is survived by three children, appointed foreman by port director in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Par- nine grandchildren and seven great- David Oberlin when the warehouse was ty, died on Jan. 6, 2012, at the age of grandchildren. operated by the Port Authority. 99. She was appointed postmaster in

16 North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 Mac makes a pit stop for repairs at Fraser The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw seldom visits the Twin Ports, but she spent some time here in December undergoing re- pairs at Fraser Shipyards in Supe- rior. The 240-foot cutter was towed in and out of the shipyard by tug- boats from Heritage Marine. Work- ers at Fraser repaired an oil leak in the Mackinaw’s bow thruster. The last time the vessel visited the ship- Bob Hom yard was in June 2009. The Coast Guard’s Mackinaw moves into Fraser Shipyards on Dec. 7. The recent repair work kept the Mac from her traditional Christ- deliver trees for families in need. (See Alder stepped in and completed the mas Tree Ship voyage to Chicago to Page 6.) The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter traditional holiday mission.

Mn/DOT names new planner managed ARDC’s transportation enhancement and safe The Minnesota Department of Transportation District 1 routes to school programs, worked with the Metropolitan named a new planning director last fall. Bryan Anderson, a Planning Organization and served as executive director of principal planner for 10 years with the Arrowhead Regional North Shore Scenic Byways. The Port Authority works Development Commission, replaced Mn/DOT veteran closely with Mn/DOT to secure permits and move high, Denny Johnson, who retired in 2011. Anderson had wide and heavy cargo.

Lloyd Frey, 93, longtime superin- agerial capacities with the Northwest- ta Duluth and a veteran of the U.S. Na- tendent and general manager of Du- ern-Hanna and C. Reiss Company coal val Reserve and the U.S. Army Signal luth’s General Mills elevator, died on docks. He was an Army Corps of Engi- Corps. He is survived by his wife, Mary, Dec. 7, 2011. A lifelong Duluth resi- neers officer in Europe in World War II. four children and 10 grandchildren. dent, Lloyd retired from General Mills in 1978 after 38 years with the company. Gerald Allen “Jerry” Grandmaison, 78, Ronald Lee Hackensmith, 61, of Gor- During World War II, he served as an long-time vessel agent for S.A. McLen- don, Wis., died Nov. 12, 2011, as a result Army combat engineer in Europe, Afri- nan, died on Nov. 19, 2011. Grandmai- of an industrial accident aboard the St. ca and the Middle East. He is survived son’s 39-year career began with han- Mary’s Challenger. He was a Merchant by a son, his former wife, two stepsons, dling the Ramon de Larrinaga — the Mariner for 19 years and was employed eight grandchildren, a great-grandson first saltwater ship to traverse the new- by Port City Steamship Inc. aboard the and several nieces. ly opened St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959. vessel. Hackensmith was very proud He was a valued member and former of working aboard the boat that held Byron C. Whaley, 94, who spent his ca- board member of the Lake Superior the honor of being the oldest freighter reer in the Duluth-Superior coal and oil Marine Museum Association, a mem- trading on the Great Lakes. He was a industries, died at the Minnesota Vet- ber and past president of the Lake Su- U.S. Navy veteran who served on a tug erans Home in Silver Bay on Dec. 15. perior Harbor Club and a member of in Pearl Harbor. He is survived by his He retired as general manager of Ma- the Propeller Club. Grandmaison was a wife, Jean, three stepchildren, 11 grand- rine Fueling, Inc., after working in man- graduate of the University of Minneso- children and a large extended family.

North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 17 A Navy oiler launched in 1942 has served with honor in the Pacific, Lee A.Tregurtha the Atlantic and on the Great Lakes By Jerry Sandvick to promote and oversee the rebuilding ber 1941, when America was fully in Beginning with the Stewart Cort of America’s decrepit merchant fleet. the war, the demand for new shipping in 1971, a class of large bulk carri- Not only would additional and newer went even higher. It was both good ers known as thousand-footers was ships result, but the boost to shipyard fortune and good planning that by this launched and came into service on the employment in the depths of that era’s time the Maritime Commission had Great Lakes. The last-built of these, economic depression would be more many ship designs set, and shipyard the Paul R. Tregurtha of 1981, is 1,013 than a little welcome. expansion was well under way. feet, 6 inches long and holds bragging By 1939 the Maritime Commission One of the several tanker designs rights as the largest laker, about 9 feet had contracted with U.S. shipyards to was designated T3-S-A1, a vessel with longer than any rival. Often called the build several types of tankers to be a length of 501 feet, beam of 68 feet Queen of the Lakes, she is bet- and draft of 30 feet. Its single ter known and overshadows screw was powered by twin another vessel of the same last steam turbines, giving it a name. The other Tregurtha speed of 15 knots. Its wartime is physically smaller than her crew was 225, and for defense fleetmate, but her history is it mounted a 5-inch gun, four both longer and richer. 3-inchers and several 40 and The Lee A. Tregurtha is 20 mm anti-aircraft guns. owned by Lakes Shipping, a On June 25, 1942, a T3 division of the Interlake Steam- tanker, the SS Samoset, was ship Company that owns the launched at the Bethlehem Paul R. Tregurtha, and is Steel Shipyard in Maryland. named for Dorothy Lee An- She was legally owned by derson Tregurtha, wife of Paul Socony Oil, but the Navy R. He is a senior executive in quickly assumed ownership the shipping industry and vice and her name became USS chairman of the board of Inter- Chiwawa (A0-68). The lake; she is a longtime activist commissioning ceremonies in civic and charitable causes. were on Christmas Eve

Her namesake vessel has Diane Hilden 1942. Though the ship was been sailing for a remarkable The modern-day Lee A. Tregurtha swings into Port on Dec. 26. ready, the galley was not well 69 years and is a veteran of the provisioned. One crewman Second World War. bought and operated by companies recorded that Christmas dinner Before the war, the U.S. Navy had like Standard and Mobil Oil but with “consisted of coffee, half-cooked developed “War Plan Orange,” which the proviso that the Navy would take potatoes and Spam sandwiches.” posited a Pacific war with Japan. It was them over in wartime. The year 1940 The Chiwawa’s wartime service obvious, given the distances and likely saw the war spread in Europe and spanned three years, from early 1943 size of the fleet that would have to be Britain standing alone and in desper- to 1946. She primarily hauled petro- involved, that supplying fuel would be ate need of help. Assistance came in leum to Gulf, Caribbean and East critical. This fact put a high priority March 1941 with the passage of the Coast ports but did manage two trips in on acquiring tankers, or “fleet oilers.” Lend Lease Act, which promised that convoy to the Mediterranean and two At this same time, 1936, President America would send all aid short of others to Britain. Her first convoy was Roosevelt sought, and Congress cre- war to beleaguered Britain. That aid attacked by U-Boats and four ships ated, the U.S. Maritime Commission included shipping, and after Decem- were sunk. Chiwawa was unscathed,

18 North Star Port | Winter 2011-12 and now entitled to wear a battle star. lantic at 3 to 5 knots by a Dutch tug, was added to make her a more eco- In May 1945 she went to Norfolk for an was handed off to Great Lakes tugs at nomically viable self-unloader. overhaul and then to the Pacific, where Montreal and finally pulled to Lorain, The Chiwawa/Walter A. Sterling she supplied fuel to the U.S. fleet re- where it was welded together with the was destined to sail under two more turning from the victory over Japan. rebuilt bow and stern segments of the names before the end of the 20th cen- Chiwawa returned to San Francisco old T3. tury. in January 1946 and was decommis- The new vessel was 730 feet long In 1985 the ship was sold to Rouge sioned in May. with a 75-foot beam and named Walter Steel, a subsidiary of the Ford Mo- Ownership now briefly reverted A. Sterling when she started work in tor Company, and renamed William to the Maritime Commission, which May 1961. Cleveland Cliffs operated Clay Ford. Four years later Ford got sold the Chiwawa to Cities Service the Sterling until 1985, making sev- out of the shipping business, and the Oil, which used the veteran tanker on eral improvements and marking one old boat’s new owner was Lakes Ship- Caribbean and East Coast business mishap during that time. In April 1983 ping, an affiliate of Interlake Steamship Ken Thro Collection, Lake Superior Archives, UWS Archives, Superior Lake Thro Collection, Ken

The former Chiwawa, now a robust 730 feet long, started to work in May 1961 as the Walter A. Sterling. The self-unloader was added later. until 1960. And then the big changes the Sterling was downbound in the Company. The ship was renamed Lee came. The Cleveland Cliffs Steamship St. Mary’s River when she hit a never A. Tregurtha. Company needed more capacity for identified submerged object. She took The most recent modification carrying iron ore pellets and, while a on a reported 18 feet of water forward came in January 2006, when the Bay new lake freighter would cost about and was deliberately beached to avoid Shipbuilding Company of Sturgeon $9 million, the old tanker could be anything worse. After temporary re- Bay, Wis., took out the original steam converted for half that. And so into dry pairs and transfer of cargo (iron pel- turbine power plant and replaced it dock she went. lets) she made her way to Lorain for with two six-cylinder Bergen-Rolls From November 1960 to May 1961 permanent repair. Royce diesels of about 4,000 h.p. each. she was in the hands of American Ship- Improvements were made in these The ship’s original power had lasted building, mostly at the Lorain, Ohio, years, including bow thrusters (1966) for 63 years, and much of the old yard. The tanker’s deckhouse was ex- and stern thrusters (1982). But the Chiwawa carries on in 2012 as the Lee tensively rebuilt and moved forward, most obvious modification was an- A. Tregurtha. The ship is a testament new crew accommodations were in- other lengthening and conversion to a to much about American shipbuilding stalled and the original oil tankage area self-unloader. Fraser Shipyards in Su- and the maritime industry, but perhaps was cut away and scrapped. Mean- perior added a 96-foot center section more than anything else speaks to the while, Schlieker Werft of Hamburg, in 1976, making the ship one of the work of the men and women who built Germany, built a 510-foot center sec- Lakes’ longest at 826 feet. A year later ships for victory in World War II. tion to carry Great Lakes bulk cargoes. she went back to American Shipbuild- This section was towed across the At- ing in Lorain, where a 250-foot boom Jerry Sandvick is a history professor emeritus.

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