Ships Featured On This Page (Ships names in italics indicates a ship not featured before on this site):

Algolake, Algonorth, Algontario, Algosteel, Algowood, American Fortitude (ex-Courtney Burton), American Integrity (ex-Oglebay Norton), American Valor (ex-Armco), Arthur M. Anderson, Atlantic Erie, Beluga Expectation, Roger Blough, Burns Harbor, Gregory J. Busch, Canadian Provider, Canadian Transport, Chief Shingwauk, Stewart J. Cort, CSL Niagara, Fairlift, Federal Elbe, Frontenac, Edwin H. Gott, Herbert C. Jackson, Walter J. McCarthy Jr., Mesabi Miner, Michipicoten, Neebish Islander IV, Ojibway, Presque Isle, CCG Samuel Risley, Edward L. Ryerson, Reserve, Saginaw, Spar Garnet, Edgar B. Speer, Stefania-I, Lee A. Tregurtha, Voyageur Pioneer, H. Lee White, and Xenia

... and now the good stuff:

Thursday June 28:

Mesabi Miner - As I headed to the Soo I found the footer loading taconite pellets in Escanaba, MI.
Herbert C. Jackson - Downbound in Upper St. Mary's River above Algoma Steel Export Dock
Michipicoten - Heading upbound from Algoma Steel
Swordfight - Ex-fleetmates do some friendly sparring as they pass - The Herbert C. Jackson sails for Interlake and the Michipicoten once sailed for the same company under the name Elton Hoyt 2nd
Frontenac - Downbound in the Upper Soo Locks Approaches

Frontenac - Downbound at Mission Point
Herbert C. Jackson - Stern view downbound at Mission Point
Frontenac - Stern view downbound past the beach at 4-Mile
Federal Elbe - Docked at Algoma Steel's Export Dock
Xenia - Silhouetted downbound in the Upper St. Mary's River

Gregory J. Busch (& barge) - Docked at the Carbide Dock in the Lower St. Mary's River
Xenia - Downbound in the Upper MacArthur Lock Approach with a bright sun behind
Edgar B. Speer - Downbound in the Upper Soo Locks Approaches as the sun sets
Xenia - Stern view downbound in the Upper MacArthur Lock Approach

Friday June 29 - Engineer's Day:

Algowood - Upbound in the Poe Lock just before the grounds open for the festivities
Beluga Expectation - Downbound in the MacArthur Lock as the gates open out into the locks grounds
Beluga Expectation - Company logo of the flukes of a whale on the smokestack
Presque Isle - The first "footer" of Engineer's Day is the Presque Isle tug & barge unit entering the Poe Lock upbound
Presque Isle - Just about raised in the Poe Lock

Presque Isle - Departing the Poe Lock with the Federal Elbe in the background
Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. - The next footer prepares to enter the Poe Lock upbound after the departure of the Presque Isle
Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. - Inches its way into the Poe Lock
Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. - Just about raised and ready to depart
Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. - A view from astern before it departs

Walter J. McCarthy - Departing the Poe Lock as onlookers watch
Edward L. Ryerson - Here comes my favorite ship downbound above West Pier
Edward L. Ryerson - Downbound just before passing under the International Bridge
Edward L. Ryerson - Approaching the MacArthur Lock
Edward L. Ryerson - Partially in the Lock

Edward L. Ryerson - Still coming in as a huge crowd watches
Algosteel (in Poe Lock) & Edward L. Ryerson (in MacArthur Lock) - Algosteel is upbound and Ryerson is downbound
Algosteel - Ready to depart the Poe Lock as the gates are now open
Edward L. Ryerson - Oh, Yeah!! That's what I'm talking about (and everyone else, too, apparently)!!
Edward L. Ryerson - (L to R) U.S. Merchant Marine pennant, Edward L. Ryerson commissioning flag, Denver Broncos flag (Captain is a huge Bronco's fan), and University of Michigan flag

Edward L. Ryerson - Partially lowered (taken from the gates of the MacArthur Lock)
Edward L. Ryerson - There is a huge crowd on this side of the lock also
Edward L. Ryerson - The Edward L. Ryerson Fan Club appreciates the beauty of her stately bow

The Edward L. Ryerson was the last ship through the Soo Locks during the Engineer's Day Open House. The following photos are still from Friday June 29, but after the grounds were closed:

The following photos are taken from over 200-ft. up atop the Tower of History in the Soo:

Edward L. Ryerson - Passing the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers' base after departing the MacArthur Lock
Edward L. Ryerson - Passing the U.S. Coast Guard Base at the Soo
Edward L. Ryerson - Meets the upbound Edwin H. Gott
Edward L. Ryerson - The meet with the Gott continues in front of the Valley Camp Museum Ship
Edward L. Ryerson - Stern view as it heads for Mission Point down-river
Edwin H. Gott - Approaches the east end of the Lower Poe Lock Approach

More photos from June 29 after leaving the Tower of History:

Edward L. Ryerson - Side view at 4-Mile Beach (you can partially see the old "Inland Steel" which once adorned its sides)
Edward L. Ryerson - A view of its stately bow (the most beautiful and graceful on the Great Lakes)
Edward L. Ryerson - The stern of the great ship
Edward L. Ryerson - Stern view at 4-Mile Beach
Edward L. Ryerson - Close-up starting to make the turn at Neebish Island lining up for the Rock Cut
Edward L. Ryerson - Finishing the turn at Neebish Island into the famous "Rock Cut"

Neebish Islander IV - The ferry to Neebish Island makes a run
Canadian Provider - Makes the turn at Neebish Island lining up for the "Rock Cut"
Chief Shingwauk - Downbound at Mission Point on the annual "Boatnerd Cruise"
Chief Shingwauk - Returning upbound at Mission Point
Arthur M. Anderson - Downbound at Mission Point as the setting sun reflects off its side

Arthur M. Anderson - Stern view of the ship below Mission Point
American Valor (ex-Armco) - Upbound at Mission Point as the sun sets
American Valor - Stern view upbound at Mission Point

Saturday June 30:

Reserve - Upbound in the Upper St. Mary's River after leaving the Poe Lock
Algonorth - Downbound in the Upper St. Mary's River below Algoma Steel
CCG Samuel Risley - Canadian Coast Guard ship upbound preparing to enter the Poe Lock
Algonorth - Most of the way into the MacArthur Lock
Stewart J. Cort - The first Great Lakes "footer" downbound in the Upper Poe Lock approach on a gorgeous day

CCG Samuel Risley - Side view of the Canadian Coast Guard ship in the Upper Soo Locks Approach after departing the Poe Lock
Algonorth - Stern view downbound at Mission Point
Algonorth - Downbound approaching 4-Mile Beach
Stewart J. Cort - Downbound at Mission Point
Stewart J. Cort - Stern view downbound at Mission Point

Stewart J. Cort - Meets the upbound saltie, Stefania-I, well below Mission Point
Stefania-I - Passes the Rock Pile upbound just below Mission Point
Stefania-I - Upbound off the Carbide Dock in the Lower St. Mary's River
H. Lee White - Picturesque view under the trees downbound in the Upper Soo Locks Approach
H. Lee White - Downbound at Mission Point meets the upbound American Fortitude (ex-Courtney Burton)

H. Lee White - Stern view below Mission Point
American Fortitude (ex-Courtney Burton) - Upbound at Mission Point
American Fortitude - Upbound about to enter the MacArthur Lock
American Fortitude - Upbound in the Upper Soo locks Approach after departing the MacArthur Lock
Lee A. Tregurtha - Upbound at Mission Point

Lee A. Tregurtha - Pulls into the Carbide Dock to pick up some parts (a heavy-lift crane was on hand to make the transfer of a huge crate)
American Integrity (ex-Oglebay Norton) - Downbound in the Upper Poe Lock Approach as dusk sets in
Algolake - Upbound off the Carbide Dock as darkness approaches
Algolake - Stern view silhouette in the Lower St. Mary's River

Sunday July 1:

Atlantic Erie - Downbound at Mission Point
Roger Blough - Downbound under the International Bridge in the Upper Poe Lock Approach
Burns Harbor - Upbound at Mission Point
Burns Harbor - Stern view upbound at Mission Point
Roger Blough - With the supply ship , Ojibway, alongside in the Lower St. Mary's River

Ojibway - Prepares to lift a load of barrels off the Roger Blough
Ojibway - Down come the barrels (these transfers are made "on the fly")
Ojibway - A crewmember shifts the sling over a pile of goods to be lifted aboard the Roger Blough
Ojibway - The load is ready to be lifted aboard
Ojibway - ... and up she goes!

Roger Blough - Side view in the Lower St. Mary's River
Fairlift - This is a "Heavy-Lift" ship downbound in the Upper St. Mary's River after delivering windmill parts to Duluth
Michipicoten - Trailing the Fairlift in the Upper St. Mary's River
Fairlift (with tug) & Michipicoten - In the Upper Soo Locks Approaches
Michipicoten - Stern view below Mission Point

Fairlift - Side view passing Mission Point
Fairlift - Stern view of this interesting ship downbound at Mission Point
3 Ships below Mission Point - The upbound Frontenac passes the downbound Michipicoten and Fairlift
Frontenac - Upbound at Mission Point
Frontenac - Stern view upbound in the Lower St. Mary's River

Spar Garnet - Saltie upbound in the Lower St. Mary's River near the Carbide Dock
Canadian Transport - Upbound in the Lower St. Mary's River above Mission Point
CSL Niagara - Following the Canadian Transport in the Lower St. Mary's River

Monday July 2:

Saginaw - in the Lower St. Mary's River on "get-away-day"
Algosteel - Downbound in the Lower St. Mary's River approaching the Saginaw
Voyageur Pioneer -... And over at the Soo Locks I found this one in the MacArthur Lock
Presque Isle - ... while this one was heading downbound into the Poe Lock!
Algolake - ... Meanwhile, this ship is over at the Algoma Steel Export Dock

Federal Elbe - Downbound in the Upper St. Mary's River passing Algoma Steel
Federal Elbe - Downbound at West Pier
Voyageur Pioneer - Upbound in the Upper St. Mary's River
Algontario - ... And my last ship is one I have been hoping to catch for the last couple years since she was put back in service (shown here downbound in the Upper St. Mary's River)
Algontario - Downbound (along with a flock of geese) at West Pier


Well, that's it - the end of a wonderful trip. What a "Get-away-day!!! Usually I am lucky to find 1 or 2 ships around before I leave; today I found SEVEN!! WOW!! Hope you enjoyed viewing the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them! Until next time...