• Thursday-What'sUP December 11 - 08:44 pm

Lynn Virtanen braved the elements at Sault Ste. Marie to snap some wintry shots of the Edgar B. Speer coming into the locks. Then she kept snapping as it progressed through, so we could get a feel of being right there alongside her. Lynn's second shot, gives us a perspective of the size difference between a man and these big boats, as you can see two of her crew members on deck. Then the boat passes by the lock shack and here again you can see the size of the vessel in comparison to the yellow cart and driver crossing the yard. The last photo was taken as the Speer was preparing to head out of the locks on her way to pick up or deliver another cargo before the shipping season ends for this year.

Our apologies for the picture title glitch. Surely they aren't all "Going in" shots. The last one is definitely on the way out.

Great photos Lynn! I love the freighters and seeing these photos take me right back home. The Soo Locks are a joy to me. An area I spent lots of time at, as a child and still when I go home as an adult. For those of you who have never been... place it on your list of "Places to See." Before the big lock down for security, after 911, I had the opportunity to get a "real tour" of the locks. I was able to go below and under the locks. It was pretty spooky being underneath that Poe Lock when a freighter was locking through. There are tunnels below all the locks.

Love these pics today! The Soo is a great place to visit or be!

Brenda that must have been so interesting. Beneath the locks! The last time we were there it was so different because of 9/11! I could easily watch the whole system for hours and hours. I enjoy watching lock throughs here on the Mississippi too. But that too has limits these days.

I think the last picture should be "Going up". The ship still had to be raised 21 feet or so before "Going out"

The Speer is a very impressive ship....watched it pass by Mackinaw Island in 1997. I've been a fan of the lakers since 1979. Thanks for the scenes from the Soo, Lynn and Mary. I haven't been there since 2000.:(

Thank you so very much Lynn for providing us with today’s photos. When I was growing up mining was the way of life in Dickinson, Iron, Gogebic Counties, my family members worked in the mines. I remember the long trains going through carrying iron ore to Marquette to be loaded on the ore boats. It was common to see quite a few ore boats on the lake. I was always amazed by them. Mining and lumbering (paper mills) are what made our communities thriving when I was growing up. Again, thank you for bringing back some wonderful memories!

My Son worked on that one for a while.

Thank You for the great pictures today Lynn I love looking at those big ships. And Charlie you and Mary do a excellent job with Pasty Cam I dont think that one little header over a pic is going to hurt that:)

He'll be getting a Mates licence soon

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Each year they have an "Engineers Day" at the locks and have tours. The next one is 6/25/10.

Rowdy, congratulations to your son. May he have many years of smooth sailing!

I just love those boats. My grandfather used to sail for Reiss brothers many, many years ago. I got the boat bug from him. Now my son and I live outside of Duluth, MN and enjoy watching them and getting bridged off the point by them. I give a lot of credit to the folks that make their living on the the inland seas or any sea/ocean. These people give up a lot (family wise) to bring the cargo in, so we can enjoy the goodies made from coal, ore, wheat, etc. These people work in some pretty tough work enviroments and everyday put their lifes on the line. My hat and heart go out to these people. Winter weather is tough on the great boats!

I really do enjoy the photos!! Its nice to see them out and about, not laid up.

Sailing the lakes can be both exciting and boring and lacking of a home life. By the age of 21 I had sailed into 44 ports on all 5 of the great lakes. It was a great experience but still glad that I became a landlubber after only 3 years aboard 3 different ships. The SPEER is 1,004' long and that is equal to 3 and 1/2 football fields in length. The ENGINEERS DAY at the Soo is the only day that the general public can go and walk about the locks beyond the viewing platform. It is a BOATNERD holiday.

Have the broiled whitefish at the Lockview Restaurant right across the street.

Speaking of broiled whitefish, I have family around the Door County area of Wisconsin and all I got to say is that I really miss a good trout boil YUM YUM!!! Boats and food what a combination. I had the opportunity a few years ago to have dinner on the Roger Blough while it was taking on taconite at the DMNR (the name of the dock at the time, now I think its CN)boy, was it good and the experience will be with me forever. It was a unique opportunity and a big learning experience.

A question for Eddyfitz (Eddyfitz), (inspired by Deb's post, just above): In your experience, how was the food on board?

Eddyfitz, I love hearing about your sailing days! And Deb L. My hubby and I visit your city Duluth several times yearly.

Culinary speaking, the provisions can't be beat. On the first ship I sailed on we even had a night cook so when coming off duty one could sit down and order a great breakfast at midnight or 4 a.m. The second and third ship I was on we had the same husband and wife cooks,Bud & Alice LaBadie, and everything was like eating at the Waldorf, except I didnt like corn beef or onions in my potatoes. Every morning at 10 o'clock there would be a full table of fresh donuts and pies in the galley and there was also a freezer that one could look into and find an item for a snack. There are some stories that I wont put in print but overall the time I had aboard the 3 ships was a rewarding experience.

Thanks Eddyfitz (Eddyfitz), I had a hunch that was the case. Glad you could confirm!

Eddyfitz. My best memory heading upbond at night thru the locks when they said I had to ride the boatswains chair, I said you want me to do WHAT. Was quite a drop going up light. Enjoyed my short time on the Lakes too.

Eddyfitz. My best memory heading upbond at night thru the locks when they said I had to ride the boatswains chair, I said you want me to do WHAT. Was quite a drop going up light. Enjoyed my short time on the Lakes too.

Opps

Those Great Lakes ships are really something. I had an uncle who was a wheelsman on one one Summer; the Carl D. Bradley to be exact.

I have an old menu from the Ernest T Weir from in the 50's from my Dad. The men ate like kings espeically on holidays. Turkey & all the trimmings, duck, pheasant, martinis, beer, cigarettes, all kinds of desserts, etc. There was so much to choose from. And like Eddy/fitz said there was food available day or not. My Dad said that if they got a bad cook, he didn't last there long..

Eddyfitz have you kept any kind of journal or written down stories from your experiences? My would I love to read something like that. I often thought what it would be like to be a cook on a ship. A local lady told me a little about her time as a cook on river towboats. Very interesting. But she was often called to work hundreds of miles from her nearby home on last minute needs. Got old fast for her.

Cheryl/Cotton...I can't find your email address to write you. Could you send it sometime? Thanks...Kay

Oh how I love these photos of the ships that sail the Great Lakes.
My dad sailed on them for many years and he told us many stories
about his years on the lakes. My dad has passed away now, but
every time I see one of these ships I feel like I can see my dad, back
on the lake that he loved so much.

Some time back, someone out here was saying that out of 100 plus ships on the lakes only about 60 are presently sailing. Don't remember who or when this was. Obviously the economic climate is a big reason for this. Down along the St. Clair River where we are fortunate to get good vantage of these ships, we haven't seen as many lately. The scuttlebut around is saying they are starting to ship coal and other items overland by rail again! Also much shipping is now going over to tugs pushing large barges. We see these plying up & down the river frequently. Much less crew, more economical. Figures,signs of the times, less expense, more profit.

Enjoyed all the stories- Thanks!