• Thursday-What'sUP May 27 - 07:36 pm

Rod Burdick was at it again, photographing freighters, for those of us that aren't lucky enough to spot them ourselves. I really found the top photo interesting, with the hatches of the Saltie/Laker, Birchlake, opened up like that. This boat trades on the ocean and the Great Lakes and in this photo, is tied up for a rare visit to the CN dock in Escanaba.

Rod was back in Marquette for the remaining two photos, where he snapped the H. Lee White, unloading coal at the Lower Harbor and the Lee A. Tregurtha pulled in at the Upper Harbor dock. It always amazes me in these photos taken at the Upper Harboar ore dock, that the boats are able to pull in that close to the shore. It must be dredged out quite deep in order for boats of this size to do so.

Are these freighters awesome or what? Hoping to catch a serious freighter "fix" while in Duluth next month!

Wow...great pictures!

Bobbysgirl-vessel traffic in the port of Duluth/Superior has picked up quite a bit since last year. Do you check out the Boatnerd web site? That's how I found Pasty Cam/net. Have a great time in Duluth lots to do and the biggest attraction is free, the only thing you owe it is "respect".

I never get sick of "boat" pictures!!!! You made my day!!!

I miss many things about home in the UP so these freighters are a connection I get to feel every day from my window overlooking the Detroit River. The Lee A. Tregurtha holds a very special place as this old girl's lines are beautifully defined and keep her apart from her modern day 1,000 foot sisters. She wears her WWII battle stars as proudy as any vetern of the big war. I miss her old Cleveland Cliffs colors as the Walter A. Sterling, but she's holding her age quite well.

Lakegirl....I have been following Duluth's freighter traffic on line and vacationing Duluth for about 15 years now. It's our home away from home you could say. Love that area and I love the way Duluth welcomes vacationers dogs, as our Scotties travel with us. Glad to hear freighter traffic has picked up!

Boatnerd is a great website for general info about freighters, but if you're specifically looking for current Duluth information, go to the Duluth Shipping News website.
http://www.duluthshippingnews.com/

Rod, thank you for bringing the 'boats' to an ol' land-locked boatnerd! Beautiful pix!

Mary, once a boatnerd always a boatnerd. I see them every day here at the mouth of the Detroit River at our large Lake Erie Metropark. A famous quote taken from a known politician, "I can see Canada from my porch"

Hope all our group have a nice Memorial Day.

The first picture should be "Loading in Escanaba". The CN terminal has no equipment to unload ships. Have a great day in the UP.

How fortunate that I was born and raised on Lake Michigan in Milwaukee! But I never got into the big boat scene until a visit to the Soo years later. I guess I'm like a lot land-locked midwesters enjoying those big ones thru your great photos. Altho our barges and riverboats are a good second. Thanks folks.

I was in Grand Haven yesterday & saw the Calumet leaving the port.I love watching boats & espeically at close range. I agree with Steve, I have a special fondness for the older boats than the 1,000 footers. I like seeing the pilothouse in the front of the boat.

I agree, Kay, we do have the pleasure of seeing the barges and riverboats on the (Ohio) river.

Got a ride on the Paul R. one time. Son's now a mate on the Victory/JL Kuber. I got to visited him and get a tour of the boat a while ago whilst they were fueling in Detroit. Thanks to the JW Westcott.... That Paul R is HUGE. One could get vertigo looking into an empty hold.... Many years ago we picked a cousin off the WW Holloway near the Lower Entry while they were on the way to the C&H coal dock. Ahhh the memories.

Cheryl, I would love to spend an afternoon with you listening to your stories of your life growing up with your dad working aboard these lakers!

I especially like the freighter in the 3rd picture.

My favorite thing as a kid at Grandma's cottage near Copper Harbor was watching the big ships go by out on the lake. I had a $5 spotting scope I found at a yard sale and I tried to read the names off the bows. Very happy when I was successful. At night, all lit up, they were ethereal.