We’ve had some dandy wind storms lately and some with snow. Deb Simons and Ron were on their way home from Green Bay last Thursday and spotted several freighters waiting out the winds and snow along Chassell Bay and the Lower Entry. The Indiana Harbor, the Walter J. McCarthy and the Mesabi Miner. She said she would look out at the lake and not see anything due to the snow coming down and blowing around, but then it would clear enough for her to snap the first four shots here today, including the Jacobsville/White City Lighthouse through the blowing snow. Deb said she saw others posting photos of a freighter right in Keweenaw Bay, near Baraga and she couldn’t figure out how they missed that one, other than it must have been hidden by blowing snow when they drove through there.

Sierra Bishop was able to snap a good shot of that one in the Bay, though, the John G. Munson. She must have been traveling by there when the winds let up for a bit. Close to shore like this, you realize how big these boats are.

Valerie Holzberger was out at White City/Jacobsville to make a quick video of the three boats that were waiting out the storm near the Lower Entry Harbor, the same three that Deb captured photos of here above.

Looks like the supply-chain, shipping backups
featured in the news lately.

Yes. That was exciting if you love ships,
which I think most of us do. That darn
blowing snow was giving me problems but if
it weren't for that, those ships wouldn't
have been there. Then there'd be no photos.
There were 3 of them sitting in Keweenaw Bay
yesterday also, as well as one out by Bete
Grise. It's nice that the late fall keeps
those ships going. But it's even nicer that
there are instruments available to keep them
safe from any storms. Here's to keeping
those brave sailors safe out there on those
lakes.
And I loved the video. It was nice that the
snow wasn't blowing around then. I would
have loved to be where she was.

From Keweenaw Reports:

Storm plays havoc with commercial transportation
1 hour ago Featured, Local News, News Comments
Offon Storm plays havoc with commercial
transportation 525 Views

A storm system rapidly intensified Sunday causing
winds to howl and some lake effect snow to kick up
across the Upper Peninsula. Gusts reached over 50
miles per hour from Copper Harbor to the Straits
of Mackinac, and that snarled commercial traffic
on the ground and on Lake Superior.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority was forced to close
the five mile span connecting the Lower and Upper
Peninsulas to all high profile vehicles, including
logging trucks and tractor trailers. Even pickups
with items in the bed were included in the order
issued around 5 PM Sunday. Cars, SUVs, and light
trucks were allowed to traverse the bridge at
reduced speeds. The slowdown came as hunters
attempted to return home following the first
weekend of rifle season.

Here in the Copper Country, once visibility
improves it is quite the maritime show on the
leeward side of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Three
vessels (the Victory, Atlantic Huron, and
Michipicoten) have taken up safe harbor in the Bay
of Bete Grise and another three (the American
Century, Walter J McCarthy, and Stewart J Cort)
are anchored from the lower entry down into
Keweenaw Bay. The freighters have sought shelter
from waves registering at 15 feet out in open
water. The readings occurred yesterday evening at
the Stannard Rock Lighthouse.

It is heartening to see these vessels playing it safe on stormy Superior. Lessons learned from the sinking of the Fitz.

Thanks, Donna. That was good information.