Ships Featured On This Page:

Algoisle, Algolake, Algomarine, Algonova, Algowood, Alpena, American Century (ex-Columbia Star), American Fortitude (ex-Courtney Burton), American Integrity (ex-Oglebay Norton), American Mariner, American Spirit, American Valor (ex-Armco), Atlantic Erie, Atlantic Huron, James R. Barker, Kaye E. Barker, Charles M. Beeghly, Roger Blough, John J. Boland, Boomalong (tug), B.W. Bufe (A.C.E. survey vessel), Burns Harbor, Cason J. Callaway, Canadian Enterprise, Cedarglen, Chief Shingwauk, Adam E. Cornelius, Stewart J. Cort, CSL Assiniboine, CSL Tadoussac, Deschenes (tug), Catherine Desgagnes, Diezeborg, Federal Elbe, Federal Hudson, Joyce B. Gardiner (tug), William C. Gaynor (tug), Edwin H. Gott, Indiana Harbor, Herbert C. Jackson, Kelsey T (fish tug), Maritime Trader, Walter J. McCarthy Jr., Milo, Mississagi, Missouri (tug), John G. Munson, Nanticoke, Neebish Islander II, Ojibway (supply ship), Presque Isle, Quebecois, Regan (tug), Saginaw, Edgar B. Speer, St. Clair, Sugar Islander II, Swan (yacht), Paul R. Tregurtha, Valley Camp (Museum Ship), Voyageur Independent (ex-Kinsman Independent), H. Lee White, Woody

... and now the good stuff:

Thursday June 29:

Edwin H. Gott - Departing the Poe Lock upbound
Herbert C. Jackson - Upbound and about ready to depart the MacArthur Lock
Stewart J. Cort - Upbound in the Poe Lock Approach
Sugar Islander II - The ferry runs constantly between the Soo and Sugar Island
Swan - A very nice private yacht upbound at Mission Point

Paul R. Tregurtha - The largest ship on the Great Lakes downbound at Mission Point
Paul R. Tregurtha - Stern view while downbound at Mission Point
Deschenes - Tug upbound at Mission Point
CSL Assiniboine - Upbound at Mission Point
CSL Assiniboine - Stern view at Mission Point

CSL Assiniboine - Passing a group of "Boatnerds" (a group of boatwatchers who frequent the "Boatnerd" website) at Mission Point
CSL Assiniboine & John G. Munson - Upbound CSL Assiniboine has passed downbound John G. Munson in the Lower St. Mary's River
John G. Munson - Downbound at Mission Point
John G. Munson - Stern view downbound at Mission Point
CSL Assiniboine - Upbound in the lower Poe Lock Approach

Missouri & Milo - Tug, Missouri, leads the saltie, Milo, into the MacArthur Lock downbound
Missouri - Close-up of the "G-tug" in the lock
Milo - Close-up of the downbound saltie in the lock
Missouri & Milo - All the way into the lock with the CSL Assiniboine in the Poe Lock (in the background)
Milo - Stern view leaving the lower MacArthur Lock approach wall

Friday June 30 - Engineer's Day:

Indiana Harbor - Downbound leaving the lower Poe Lock approach wall prior to the opening of the grounds for "Engineer's Day"
Federal Elbe - Saltie downbound in the Poe Lock just before the "Engineer's Day" Open House
Federal Elbe - Departing the Poe Lock as "Engineer's Day" Open House ceremonies begin
Poe Lock - Empty lock (taken from the lower gates of the lock) awaiting our first "footer" (1000-ft.-long ship)
Edgar B. Speer & Federal Elbe - Downbound Federal Elbe passes upbound "footer" as a Corps of Engineer's barge passes between

Edgar B. Speer - Approaching the lower Poe Lock approach wall prior to entering the lock
Edgar B. Speer - An Engineer's Day crowd lines the Poe Lock awaiting our first footer
Edgar B. Speer - Approaching the Poe Lock (tight fit)
Edgar B. Speer - Stern view inching into the Poe Lock
Edgar B. Speer - (Stern view) As I said, "tight fit" - actually 30-inches on either side!

Edgar B. Speer - You can see just how tight the fit is
Edgar B. Speer - The crowd looks on as the ship is just about fully raised in the lock
Edgar B. Speer - Departing the Poe Lock upbound to Lake Superior for a load of taconite (iron ore pellets)
B.W. Bufe - Army Corps of Engineer's survey vessel open for visitors
Diezeborg - Meanwhile, the small upbound saltie enters the MacArthur Lock

Diezeborg - Stern view shows that these ships have a LOT more room in the lock
CSL Tadoussac - Downbound and loaded in the Upper St. Mary's River approaching Algoma Steel Co.
Chief Shingwauk - Tour boat upbound pulling into the MacArthur Lock as the CSL Tadoussac heads for the Poe Lock
CSL Tadoussac - In the Upper Poe Lock Approach heading for the lock - this view is ONLY available to the public on the last Friday of each year, known as "Engineer's Day"
CSL Tadoussac - Tied up in the Poe Lock waiting to drop down 21-ft. to the Lake Huron level

CSL Tadoussac - Downbound in the Poe Lock and ready to depart
Poe Lock Lower Gates - Opening to allow the CSL Tadoussac to proceed downbound out of the lock

The CSL Tadoussac was the last ship through the Soo Locks during the Engineer's Day Open House. The following photos are still from Friday June 30, but after the grounds were closed:

CSL Tadoussac - Downbound at Mission Point
CSL Tadoussac - Stern view passing Mission Point
Joyce B. Gardiner - Upbound tug at Mission Point (there are quite a few tugs here for tomorrow's Tug Boat Race)

Kelsey T - Fish tug (converted to pleasure boat?) upbound at Mission Point
Atlantic Erie - Upbound at the rock pile below Mission Point
Atlantic Erie - Stern view passing Mission Point
Mississagi - Upbound at rock pile below Mission Point
Mississagi - Stern view close-up passing Mission Point

Mississagi - Passing a group of Boatnerds at Mission Point
Mississagi - Upbound in the MacArthur Lock waiting to be raised 21-ft. to the Lake Superior level
Mississagi - Partially raised in the lock
American Century (ex-Columbia Star) - Downbound in the Upper Poe Lock Approach
American Century - Downbound at Mission Point

American Century - Stern view downbound past Mission Point (note the American Steamship Co. stacks (AmShip recently purchased this ship (and 5 others) from Oglebay Norton Co.)
American Spirit - Downbound after departing the Poe Lock
American Spirit - Footer downbound at Mission Point
American Spirit - Stern view passing Mission Point
American Spirit - Wide (scenic) view below Mission Point
Presque Isle - Upbound in the Lower Poe Lock Approach

Saturday July 1:

James R. Barker - Upbound in the Lower St. Mary's River
Quebecois - Downbound in the Lower Poe Lock Approach in the Lower St. Mary's River
Two bows meet - Downbound Quebecois passes upbound James R. Barker
Quebecois - Downbound at Mission Point
Quebecois - Scenic stern view passing Mission Point

Quebecois - Stern view close-up below Mission Point
Algowood - Upbound in the Upper Poe Lock Approach
James R. Barker - Upbound in the Lower Poe Lock Approach awaiting its turn in the lock
Mississagi - Downbound in the MacArthur Lock
Mississagi Flags - "Don't Give Up The Ship" is one of them

Mississagi - Downbound at Mission Point
Mississagi - Stern view downbound past Mission Point
James R. Barker - No, the Barker isn't afire at the bow, it is passing Algoma Steel where they burn off excess gasses from the mill
Regan - A tug gets ready for the Tug Boat Races
Boomalong - This colorful tug will also be in the races

William C. Gaynor - One of the larger tugs in the races
St. Clair - Downbound above West Pier in the Upper St. Mary's River
St. Clair - Downbound at Mission Point
Two Ships Pass - The two Great Lakes ships with the oddest dimensions, the upbound Roger Blough (858-ft. long x 105-ft. wide) and the downbound St. Clair (770-ft. long x 92-ft. wide), pass each other below Mission Point
Roger Blough - Upbound at Mission Point

Roger Blough - Stern view passing Mission Point
Catherine Desgagnes - Downbound in the MacArthur Lock
Roger Blough - Upbound in the Lower Poe Lock Approach
Catherine Desgagnes - Downbound in the Lower St. Mary's River
4 Ships below Mission Point - (Front to Back) Upbound American Valor (ex-Armco) and Woody pass downbound Catherine Desgagnes while the upbound Cason J. Callaway makes the turn at 6-Mile Point

...and then there were 5 - The Cedarglen (barely visible off the jut of land at the right) joins the crowd as it passes 9-Mile Point
4 of the 5 - American Valor is out of the picture, but the Cedarglen is now clearly visible in the background (near the big red marker at 9-Mile Point)
American Valor (ex-Armco) - Upbound at Mission Point
American Valor - Close-up of her bow
American Valor - Close-up of her stern with the American Steamship stack - this is another of the 6 ships that AmShip purchased from Oglebay Norton Co.

American Valor (ex-Armco) - Stern view passing Mission Point
Woody - This big upbound saltie is next in line
Woody - Close-up of her stern (MV Woody nameboard) with a colorful stack
Woody - Stern view passing Mission Point
Woody - Stern view close-up showing its (foreign) name

Cason J. Callaway - The upbound parade continues at Mission Point
2 Ships - The upbound Nanticoke follows the upbound Cedarglen as the parade of ships continues to grow
Cason J. Callaway - Stern view passing Mission Point
Cedarglen - Upbound at Mission Point as the line-up continues
Cedarglen - Stern view as it passes the Sugar Island Ferry, Sugar Islander II, at Mission Point

Cedarglen - Close-up stern view passing Mission Point
Herbert C. Jackson - Downbound at Mission Point as the last upbounder approaches ...
Herbert C. Jackson & Nanticoke - Downbound Jackson meets the upbound Nanticoke below Mission Point
Nanticoke - Upbound at Mission Point
Nanticoke - Stern view passing Mission Point

Burns Harbor - Close-up of the deckhouse while downbound in the Lower St. Mary's River (notice that her distinctive vertical brown stripe down the middle of the deckhouse has now been painted white; that stripe had made her one of the easiest Bay-Ship-footers to identify)
Burns Harbor - Downbound at Mission Point
Burns Harbor - Stern view downbound past Mission Point
Maritime Trader (ex-Teakglen & ex-Mantadoc) - Upbound below Mission Point
Maritime Trader - Upbound at Mission Point

Maritime Trader - Close-up of her distinctive blue & white bow
Maritime Trader - ... and her stern with the stylized "M" on her stack
Maritime Trader - Stern view passing Mission Point
Maritime Trader - Getting a "once-over" from a group of Boatnerds aboard Lock Tours Canada's Chief Shingwauk on the annual "Boatnerd Cruise"
Chief Shingwauk - A bunch of happy Boatnerds in the Lower St. Mary's River

Maritime Trader - About to enter the MacArthur Lock heading upbound for a load of grain from Thunder Bay
Maritime Trader - Entering the MacArthur Lock
Maritime Trader - Partially raised in the MacArthur Lock
Maritime Trader - Fully raised in the lock (ground level view)
Maritime Trader - Departing the lock into a setting sun (ground level view)

Sunday July 2:

Algolake - Upbound and partially raised in the MacArthur Lock
Algolake - Just about ready to depart the lock
Capt. Anders - The Algolake's captain is most definitely one of the friendliest captains on the Great Lakes today!
Algolake - Stern view departing the MacArthur Lock upbound
Stewart J. Cort - Downbound at Mission Point

Stewart J. Cort - Downbound approaching a park around "4-mile" (4 miles below the Soo Locks)
Stewart J. Cort - Passing the park, these Boatnerds were about to get good and wet!!
Mini-tsunami - As the ships pass the park, the water is first sucked away from the beach and then comes back with a vengeance!
Mini tsunami continues - A moving wall of water passes us by and floods the beach
Stewart J. Cort - Downbound past the park at "4-mile"

Neebish Islander II - The ferry at Neebish Island Crossing
Coast Guard Station - At Neebish Island Crossing (now abandoned)
Stewart J. Cort - Downbound approaching the Neebish Island Ferry landing south of the Soo
Rock Cut - The north end of the "Rock Cut" as seen from the Neebish Island Ferry landing - this channel is used strictly for downbound ships (except in rare circumstances), the upbound ships pass along the other side of Neebish Island
Rock Cut - Looking north from about the center of the Rock Cut

Rock Cut - ... and the south end from the same vantage point
Stewart J. Cort - Close-up making a turn before entering the Rock Cut
Stewart J. Cort - Wide angle view of the Cort making that turn
Stewart J. Cort - Has just entered the Rock Cut
Stewart J. Cort - Close-up about half-way through the Rock Cut

Stewart J. Cort - Super-close-up
Stewart J. Cort - Stern view heading down the Rock Cut
Stewart J. Cort - Stern view about to depart the Rock Cut
Edwin H. Gott - Downbound past the park at "4-Mile"
Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. - Upbound at Mission Point

Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. - Stern view upbound passing Mission Point
Algonova - Tanker downbound at Mission Point
Algonova - Stern view downbound past Mission Point
3 ships - The downbound Algonova meets the upbound H. Lee White and Voyager Independent (R to L)
H. Lee White - Upbound at Mission Point

H. Lee White - Stern view passing Mission Point
Voyageur Independent (ex-Kinsman Independent) - Upbound at the Rock Pile below Mission Point
Voyageur Independent - Upbound at Mission Point
Voyageur Independent - Close-up of her stately blue & white bow (just like her only other fleetmate, Maritime Trader - see above)
Voyageur Independent - Stern view passing Mission Point

CSL Assiniboine - Downbound at Mission Point
CSL Assiniboine - Stern view passing Mission Point
Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. - Upbound and about to depart the Poe Lock
H. Lee White - Upbound in the Lower Poe Lock Approach
Voyageur Independent - Upbound in the Lower MacArthur Lock Approach

Voyageur Independent - Approaching the MacArthur Lock upbound
Voyageur Independent - Upbound in the MacArthur Lock
Voyageur Independent - Partially raised in the MacArthur Lock
Voyageur Independent - Departs the MacArthur Lock heading for a load of grain at Duluth
H. Lee White - Close-up of her deckhouse upbound in the Poe Lock

Kaye E. Barker - Upbound in the Lower St. Mary's River
Kaye E. Barker - Close-up of her deckhouse
Great Lakes 3-D Map - A topographical map showing the Great Lakes with their deep spots (dark blue areas)
Canadian Enterprise - Downbound in the Upper Soo Locks Approach along West Pier
Canadian Enterprise - Downbound departing the MacArthur Lock

Federal Hudson - Upbound passing Mission Point (from a little over a mile away)
Algomarine - Upbound in the Lower St. Mary's River
Canadian Enterprise - Downbound departing the Soo Locks against a beautiful sunset!!
Federal Hudson - Upbound in the Lower St. Mary's River off James A. Alford Park
2 ships passing - Upbound Federal Hudson passes the downbound Canadian Enterprise in the Lower St. Mary's River

Federal Hudson - Close-up in the Lower St. Mary's River as dusk approaches
Algomarine - Stern view upbound into a setting sun

Monday July 3:

Atlantic Huron - Downbound at Sherman Park in the Upper St. Mary's River
Saginaw - Upbound at Mission Point
Saginaw - Stern view passing Mission Point
Charles M. Beeghly - Upbound in the Upper Poe Lock Approach after departing the lock
Charles M. Beeghly - Stern view upbound past West Pier

Atlantic Huron - Downbound and still waiting out in the river off West Pier - normally, they would have tied up to the north side of the Upper Poe Lock Approach Wall; but there is a problem with that wall, so the ships cannot tie up there right now
3 ships - (L to R) Algomarine loading at Algoma Steel Export Dock, upbound Charles M. Beeghly and downbound Atlantic Huron (all beyond Wesy Pier)
Algomarine - Stern view loading at Algoma Steel Export Dock
Atlantic Huron - Finally ready to enter the Poe Lock downbound
Saginaw - Upbound in the MacArthur Lock

Saginaw (deck view) - Notice that there is no hatch crane aboard this ship; it has some very old-style telescoping hatch covers that fold up like an accordion door. These hatch covers need to be covered with tarps in heavy weather to keep the cargo dry.
Saginaw - Stern view of the ship about to depart the MacArthur Lock
Saginaw - Upbound passing Algoma Steel, which happens to be where she is headed; she will head a little further up-river and then make an almost 180-degree turn into the channel leading to Algoma Steel Corp.
Algomarine - Broadside view loading at Algoma Steel Export Dock
Two bows - The upbound Saginaw passes the loading Algomarine

Atlantic Erie - Downbound in the Upper Poe Lock Approach heading for the locks
Saginaw - The ship has made its turn and is now downbound heading for Algoma Steel
Atlantic Erie - Downbound in the Lower St. Mary's River
American Integrity (ex-Oglebay Norton) - Upbound at Mission Point (yet another of the 6 ships that American Steamship purchased from Oglebay Norton Co.)
American Integrity - Stern view passing Mission Point

Alpena - Scenic view downbound above West Pier
Alpena - Downbound and about to pass under the International Bridge in the Upper Locks approach
Alpena - Stern view after passing under the bridge in the Upper Locks approach
Alpena - Ground-level stern view entering the MacArthur Lock downbound
American Integrity (ex-Oglebay Norton) - View of her deckhouse while upbound in the Poe Lock

Alpena - Downbound departing the MacArthur Lock
Alpena - Viewed from almost dead astern departing the MacArthur Lock
American Integrity - Stern view departing the Poe Lock
American Mariner - Upbound at Mission Point
Alpena - Downbound at Mission Point

American Mariner - Stern view upbound passing Mission Point
Alpena - Downbound at the park at "4-Mile"
Alpena - Stern view downbound past "4-Mile"
Algomarine - Downbound in the Lower St. Mary's River
Algomarine - Downbound at Mission Point as the skies darken

Tuesday July 4 (Happy Fourth of July!):

James R. Barker - Downbound at Mission Point
Valley Camp Museum Ship - Open for tours during the tourist season and well worth the money
Ojibway - The supply ship is provisioning the downbound Presque Isle
Presque Isle - Downbound after departing the Poe Lock with the Ojibway still alongside
Presque Isle - Downbound at Mission Point under a gorgeous sky

2 ships - Downbound Presque Isle meets the upbound American Spirit below the park at "4-Mile"
American Spirit - Upbound at "4-Mile"
American Spirit - Stern view upbound past "4-Mile"
American Spirit - Upbound at Mission Point
American Spirit - Stern view passing Mission Point

American Spirit - Close-up of her massive stern
American Spirit - Stern view upbound beyond West Pier on a very windy day
Adam E. Cornelius - Upbound at Mission Point
Adam E. Cornelius - Close-up of her deckhouse
Adam E. Cornelius - Safety sign on her deckhouse reads "Lifebuoy Light"

Adam E. Cornelius - Stern view upbound at Mission Point
Adam E. Cornelius - Upbound approaching the Poe Lock (shot from the viewing tower at the west end of the Soo Locks - about 1/4 mile away)
Maritime Trader (ex-Teakglen & ex-Mantadoc) - Downbound entering the MacArthur Lock
Maritime Trader - Secured downbound in the MacArthur Lock
Maritime Trader - Downbound in the MacArthur Lock and about ready to depart (notice the boom rising in front of the ship) with the Adam E. Cornelius alongside in the Poe Lock

Adam E. Cornelius - Upbound and ready to depart the Poe Lock
Maritime Trader - Downbound at Mission Point
Maritime Trader - Broadside view downbound at Mission Point
3 ships - Downbound Maritime Trader meets the upbound American Fortitude while the Indiana Harbor makes the turn at "6-Mile" point
3 ships - Another view (close-up)

American Fortitude (ex-Courtney Burton) - Another of the ships that American Steamship purchased from Oglebay Norton Co. recently - upbound near Mission Point
American Fortitude - Bow close-up
American Fortitude - Stern view upbound passing Mission Point
Indiana Harbor - Upbound at Mission Point
Indiana Harbor - Wide view upbound at Mission Point

Indiana Harbor - Stern view passing Mission Point
Cedarglen - Downbound approaching West Pier above the Soo Locks
Cedarglen - Tied up along the south wall at West Pier in the upper approaches to the Soo Locks
American Fortitude (ex-Courtney Burton) - Upbound after departing the MacArthur Lock
2 ships - Upbound American Fortitude passes downbound Cedarglen which is still tied up at West Pier

Algolake - Downbound approaching the park at "4-Mile"
Algolake - Stern view downbound past "4-Mile"
John J. Boland - Upbound in the Lower St. Mary's River having just passed Mission Point
2 ships pass - Upbound John J. Boland has just passed downbound Cedarglen in the Lower St. Mary's River
Cedarglen - Stern view downbound in the Lower St. Mary's River

John J. Boland - Broadside view upbound in the Lower St. Mary's River
Cedarglen - Downbound at Mission Point
John J. Boland - Upbound in the Lower Poe Lock Approach awaiting its turn in the lock
Charles M. Beeghly - Downbound at Mission Point
Charles M. Beeghly - Stern view downbound past Mission Point

Diezeborg - Downbound at Mission Point on a cold, blustery evening
Diezeborg - Downbound past Mission Point (I was darn near frozen by now ... it was C_O_L_D!!!)

Wednesday July 5:

Algoisle - Downbound in the MacArthur Lock on a beautiful day ... wish I didn't have to leave for home today!!
Algoisle - Downbound in the MacArthur Lock (from the viewing tower)
Algoisle - Downbound at Mission Point
Algoisle - Stern view downbound past Mission Point

Well, that's it - the end of a wonderful trip. Hope you enjoyed the photos!! Thanks for visiting!!! Until next time ... Three Long & Two Short!