Walter J. McCarthy Jr. - Hauling an Astounding 136,000,000 Pounds of Coal!

Here is the Walter J. McCarthy seen departing Duluth, Minnesota on the afternoon of September 2, 2024. She had just completed loading 68,000 tons low sulfur coal at the Midwest Energy Terminal in Superior, Wisconsin. The load was to be delivered to two different locations, with St. Clair, Michigan receiving 38,000 tons and Monroe, Michigan receiving 30,000 tons. On her way out, we got to hear two salutes from the McCarthy... one as she passed under the Aerial Lift Bridge and one for the harbor tour boat Vista Star as the McCarthy cleared the canal. (Note: The Aerial Lift Bridge did give a return salute for the McCarthy, but it was much too distorted... so it was edited out for the sake of your eardrums!)
We see the 1000-footers so often in Duluth that we take for granted just how much they are carrying with each load. The 68,000 tons of coal in the McCarthy's cargo hold translates to 136,000,000 pounds! That's a staggering number that defies comprehension. And while one can comprehend the physics of how a large boat floats, it still is amazing how effortlessly it appears to just glide through the canal carrying such a massive load. Of course, what we're not seeing is the massive horsepower that's driving the McCarthy's two giant propellers.
The lighting conditions were less-than-ideal for this departure, as I had to point the camera towards the sun for the McCarthy's turn. But I figured it was still worth it to watch her make that sliding turn to line up with the canal. Plus, it's not everyday we get to hear two salutes from the McCarthy. Usually we're lucky just to get one (very short) salute. Fortunately, the Vista Star was on hand to coax a second salute from the steel giant.
The 1000-foot Walter J. McCarthy Jr. was launched in 1977 and originally named the Belle River. She was the first of the 1000-footers built as Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and was the fifth of thirteen 1000-footers built for the Great Lakes. According to the Boatnerd website, the "McCarthy is powered by four V-20 3600 horsepower GM diesel engines. These engines are arranged in pairs, with each pair connected to a gear reduction box driving a four-blade 17.22-foot diameter controllable pitch propeller. This arrangement permits one engine of each pair to drive each propeller shaft for more economical cruising. She is equipped with 1,500 horsepower bow and stern thrusters. Her 37 hatches feed into seven holds, where she is capable of carrying 78,850 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 34 feet. Her self-unloading equipment consists of a loop belt conveyor feeding a stern-mounted 250-foot-long unloading boom that can be swung 92 degrees to port or starboard and can discharge at a rate of up to 6,000 short tons of coal per hour." The Belle River was renamed the Walter J. McCarthy Jr. on May 25, 1990 in honor of the retired chairman of Detroit Edison.
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[@carolyndavis7476]

The Walter J. McCarthy Jr....and she slides into the turn and stares you down with all the might of the behemoth that she is...A massive ship carrying a massive load. One salute for the Canal and one salute to say goodbye. It's on to St. Clair and Monroe. What a wonderful glimpse of a ship at work in the Northland. Thanks!

[@skycvg]

Sometimes less than optimal lighting adds character. Fascinating facts though. Physics can be amazing lol.

[@Robbie-b8f]

Nice one always amazing to see them sailing so calmly

[@carolr9747]

Omg, turning right into us ! V cool ! It's huge, t y