Squelching fears of her scrapping the Great Lakes Freighter PHILIP R. CLARKE returns to work
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- Опубліковано 11 жов 2024
- Squelching fears of her possible scrapping, the 767 foot AAA class Great Lakes Freighter PHILIP R. CLARKE returned to work in late July 2022 after a two year lay-up.
I was lucky enough to catch her at Sault Saint Marie's Mission Point as she made her first trip out of ordinary. Here is the video.
The Clarke was freshly painted in 2020. She was looking sharp when I captured video of her at Two Harbors right before she went into layup. It appears the only paint added this year was the 70th anniversary logo on her pilot house. Legitimate concern still exists for the Callaway, especially if she requires steel work. Hopefully she’ll have the same kind of rebirth that the Anderson had in 2019. The Lakes wouldn’t be the same without her.
Hello 1 Long 2 Short!
The Callaway does need steel work. When she went for her 5-year inspection layup in 2019, alongside the Clarke, they found gaps in her hull plating. As the Callaway went through the lakes, especially in rougher seas, crews apparently reported that there was a visible gap between the plates where you could see daylight. There is speculation that it would be either her or the Blough who would get scrapped, if push came to shove. That for CN (who owns the Great Lakes Fleet) to decide. The entire fleet was up for sale but apparently no one offered. As an avid boatnerd photographer, I hope the Callaway gets repaired and comes back out too!
Its pretty possible both Blough and Callaway will be scrapped. Clarke also might head back to layup as the Presque Isle is nearing the end of her repairs.
@@nhairnuattoa7 Man I hope the Blough doesn't get scraped. But the damage was horrible and it might not be cost possible to repair.
@@yah5690 I've heard rumors that there were people seeing minor repairs taking place but I have no idea if that means anything major when it comes to the future of the Blough.
Sadly I doubt the great lakes fleet will survive much longer, they just tried selling the entire thing which means they are more than willing to let go of the ships, I suspect that a ship like the Anderson would survive a little longer due to it's history but even it will probably get scrapped in the next decade as much as I hate to say it :(
Great sight to see, especially vs the other likely option. Hopefully the Calloway gets the same lease on life.
In the mid 70's. My Dad and I fished the edge of the channel in Lake St Clair for perch. As a boy I got a close look at the big boats. The old straight deckers are still my favorite. Thanks!
Ironically this month I just seen her in Sault Ste. Marie in the Locks and took some very good video of her entering and exiting the poe lock but missed her coming back upbound
If I recall the Anderson was laid up alot longer than the Clark at one point.
As long as the old girls can make profitable revenue runs, we'll keep seeing them.
Excellent video.
Glad so see she is still steaming! I sailed on Her as a GLMA Engine Cadet in 1976. Back in the good old Straight Deck Iron Ore Great Lakes Fleet hauling days - No self unloader to clutter her decks.
F**king Americans. Its pronounced tur-byne. Not tur-bin. Other than that, great video. I think the self unloading gear is ugly too, but it does make life easier.
In the 1980s I worked as a Guard atva university research facility in Milwaukee, the Clarke, Anderson and Speer, along with a couple of then USS fleet mates would do winter layup in the inner harbor
Hey Wes, excellent reporting. A little bird told me the American Valor is getting refitted in toledo. Haven’t seen much news since February. Have you heard anything?
I heard they're gonna be naming her manistee
@@Bald_Cat2007 They are. I just haven't heard about her in a while. She was supposed to return this season
@@_Corndawgg Maybe next season, I also thought that the Valor was going to be re-named as the Mississagi but honestly I'd just be happy to see the ship sailing lol.
Better late in the season than never!!! Thanks for the great video, Wes!
They have crushed so many of these old titans. I'm so glad they saved one. Thanks Wes...sound a little froggy...hope you feel better soon.
Im pretty sure in 2015 a flurry of scrapping activity happened. The classic lakers are the best looking ships on the lakes, ans there’s so few now that during my last visit to Duluth, out of 10 ships, only 1 was a classic freighter (that ship was the Honorable James L Oberstar btw). It’s sad that the companies are destroying such beautiful ships in order to build generic and blocky stern Enders
@@memyye Yes, those ships were scrapped during that time. But the late 20th century still saw plenty of classic lakers operating. They’ve just almost all been laid up and scrapped because their capacities aren’t as high as others. It’s terribly sad to think about
@@falcondragonslayer Also because they need high amounts of maintenance, and are using older equipment. So when a part breaks it’s hard to replace
@@Klappadler7844 Not all of them use older equipment. A lot of classic lakers were retrofitted in the late 20th century to have Diesel engines (like Kaye E Barker).
@@falcondragonslayer I’m saying other parts, like stuff with hatches and other stuff that can’t be replaced
I saw the Clarke go under the lift bridge in Duluth on Aug 7 and loading on the 8th on the harbor boat tour. I uploaded my video this weekend. I captured a great salute 😎
I would love to see the whole fleet in a side by side lineup in order of launch. The Anderson is historic
Sweet video! I was lucky enough to see the ship on it's first trip up the St. Clair River and I also got to hear a master salute from the ship, I really loved seeing the fresh paint! I hope to see it again soon!
Very cool!
Thanks for the story and update, Wes!
She sounds great!
well she managed to escape the scrappers noose. like a good pirate. so she definitely deserves to hoist the jolly Roger! keep sailing and I hope for a 100th anniversary of working for this magnificent ship and all of the last of the wheel house forward Lakers of the past. (truly are the image of a laker to myself)
Thanks 👍
It's good to see the Clarke back on the lakes. I wish to see the Edward L Ryerson back on the lakes so a boatnerd can see that beauty again
I've been hearing many rumors from people the Ryerson will be running again by 2025. Like I said this is just rumors I've been hearing on the internet and I personally think that it's unlikely but I guess time will tell. I do think if it the ship re-enters service again I am very confident that a self unloader will be installed.
@@BlueWaterRailfan the Ryerson as a self unloader would fit on her
one of my favorite ships! glad shes back!
That was great! She look fantastic in her repainted color. Thank for sharing thi.
Thanks for watching!
I read that the Great Lakes Fleet was up for sale, maybe they made this move to prove to prospective buyers that she is lake worthy?
Excellent video, Wes! I’m far from a boat nerd, but I enjoy watching videos of the lakers. Got to visit the Soo in June. Awesome to see them lock through. Took the tour boat, too.
I officially dub you a new boatnerd
@@authorwes 😁
These massive ships are amazing.
They’re even more amazing in person. The super freighters will blow you away with their immensity, and the classic lakers will charm you with their looks. I recently watched the Honorable James L Oberstar enter and depart Duluth, and I can tell you that all the stern Enders on the lakes can’t match the beauty of a classic lake freighter
Good to see there more time for her at few more years
Looking strong ss ever!!💪💪
Hey Wes, love your videos. Could you possibly do a video on the 1907 SS Cyprus? She sank on her second voyage and has a pretty fascinating story. Another interesting story would be the James Carruthers, that went down in the 1913 storm. The wreck hasn't been found, I do believe it's the largest wreck in the Great Lakes that has yet to be discovered.
That one is actually high on my list. There are some odd circumstances too.
Great video Wes! I am curious about the Callaway now. What have you heard?
Not much
I was able to catch her leaving Duluth while i was up there. I wanted to see the Anderson but the Clarke is still a beautiful ship
Next time!
classy paint on classy boats
Great video Wes!
Thanks!
One thing I have thought up is that the Welland Canal and the St Lawrence Seaway should both be widened. The reason being that one day, the Iron will eventually run out, and once it does, then all the lake freighters will have to transition to delivering other kind of cargos, like intermodal freight, and Widening the Welland Canal & the ST Lawrence Seaway would allow larger ships like the Footers to pass through.
Also, I wonder, what was the shortest Great Lake’s Ship to sport the Classic Design for Lake Freighters?
Finally, the Arthur M. Anderson, the Cason J. Callaway, and the Philip R. Clarke are all Fine looking LakeFreighters (and you said they are known as the Triple A class LakeFreighter? I need to know more about all the different classes of lake Freighter).
Is Clyde’s still open? Nice to see the Sugar Island Ferry.
To change a subject have you heard anything about the Ryderson. I'm asking you because you seem to a real wealth of knowledge thank you
Only rumors and some wishful thinking
Our first trip to Duluth this past weekend, and saw her leave on Labor day.
GREAT!
Very Nice Wes,
Any news if the Blough will sail again? Also wonder why the Court didn't sail.
The Clarke has the same capacity as the new Mark Barker. Barker obviously is new and totally modern. Unlike the Clarke. It's also a bit shorter in length for getting into tighter harbors. I love the looks of the Clarke. Sure hope it continues to ply the lakes.
Oh, what were they trying to convey by flying the Jolly Roger flag?
Very cool video!
Surprised to learn she still has her turbine; I figured they were replaced with diesel at some point in the past...
Supposedly, the Clarke was brought out of layup to make up for lost capacity due to the Presque Isle having engine issues that put her out of action for a time this past summer.
Great to see the Clarke back. The Calloway is more complicated - she needs work done metal work on hull/ballast tanks. The decision to repair the Calloway - as well as the final call on the Roger Blough - will likely come from whomever purchases the Great Lakes Fleet.
Correct!
Now it would be cool to see American Valor be restored to working condition and put to work.
Took a really nice photo of the "American Valor" right after I visited the James M. Schoonmaker this June
@@guodzillakaiju5683 pretty awesome museum huh? The Edmund Fitzgerald used to go in winter lay-up in that slip where American Valor sits as far as I've been told. The Manistee used to be tied up there but she just got towed off a couple months ago to get scrapped.
@@mustangmike4078 awesome doesn't begin to describe it. I own two pieces of Charles S. Price coal, and I've gotten a real interest in the Storm of 1913. Until I visited the Schoonmaker I was fearful that there were no more extant survivors of that storm. When I found out the Schoonmaker is one, I was very humbled and thankful at least one still exists!
@@guodzillakaiju5683 I live here in Toledo so I've toured the schoonmaker a few times but this last time I saw that you can be given a hard hat and taken for a guided tour which I would really like to do so I could ask about things like the great storm of 1913 and the role the schoonmaker played in the disaster.
@@mustangmike4078 really? I didn't know that! I was only there for a few hours when I went; I'll try to remember asking about the "extra" tour the next time I go.
Just saw her come into Duluth.....
Hope all 3 AAA freighters get to be Museum ships instead of scrap
A lot of money thats gonna be wasted for 3 museums that will probably barely make money. Especially with 2/3 of them barely afloat
@@fishtug2420 it would be nice see all 3 of them as museums instead of scrap especially the Anderson which would be in Duluth MN
@@jeremycox571 Who knows, I won't hold my breath on it but I would at least hope that either the Anderson or the Lee A. Tregurtha would be saved.
@@BlueWaterRailfan Lee has too many problems to be a museum. Her bow plates are so thin it would be a safety issue and her stern rattles a lot which breaks more plates
Hi Wes. Isn't she the boat that crowded past the Mauthe when you were on it in Lake Erie?
That was the Cason J Callaway
There were two freighters laid up in Huron OH recently. They were there a couple of years. What happened to them?
Great video, are they still for sale?
Depends on who you talk to.
Has anyone heard anything about the Blough or the Stewart Cort?
Yay!
I really hope they do not scrape her she has no reason to be scrapped she looks brand new
I don't think they would scrap the ship that quickly, I'm sure the ship will run for at least a few more years.
@@BlueWaterRailfan that's some good news to hear
Fresh paint hides alot of rust. Some of these boats are bad rustbuckets. I have to think there are plenty of spots you could put your hand through whats left of the steel plate.
Most of the rust buckets are the ones that primarilycarry salt. Iron ore, grain and limestone don't have as bad of an effect as rock salt.
1:56 what is that soo locks boat for?
Its a tour boat
Yep. Tours. My brother used to narrate the tours as a summer job.
What about the callaway?
Metal fatigue. It might return if major repairs are done. It's a 50/50 chance at the moment. She might be done for good
Oh no
Sounds like a truck started up and on neutral transmission
As a graduate of Great Lakes Maritime Academy I would love to see one of these lake boats become the training ship for the Academy. Right now the Academy has the TS State of Michigan which is an old Navy spy boat on loan to the Academy from MARAD. The Academy needs it's own training ship and it needs a training ship which represents the type of ships cadets will sail on after they graduate.
How do they operate without black smoke? Aren’t they still coal fired? How many steamships are left?
There are few steam ships left on the Lakes. Only one, SS Badger, is coal fired. The rest are oil fired. The Badger is a car ferry that operates between Ludington, MI and Manitowoc, WI.
@@brianmcdaid3178 Yes, and if I’m not mistaken, Badger is still got a reciprocating steam engine, is that right?
@@jaybarber68 Yes, she is powered by two four-cylinder compound Skinner Unaflow steam engines and is a National Historic Landmark. It is a very pleasant trip across Lake Michigan.
@@brianmcdaid3178 She’s also a part of US highway 10. Highway runs through Bismarck. Only it was mostly replaced when we got out I-94 Interstate in North Dakota.
@@jaybarber68 Amusing note on US Highway 10. US10 used to run down to Detroit. The run from Pontiac to Detroit was Woodward Avenue. Back in the '50s and '60s Woodward was our cruising strip. Today it is best known for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise.
The Port of Odesa is jammed up with grain desperately needed by Africa and Asia for food. The restrictions placed on the ocean vessels and transportation insurance prohibit many shippers from sending their expensive, smaller bulkers to help clear out the backlog. I wondered if older lakers with tremendous capacity and low insurance costs could be an answer? Of course, crews would have to agree to sail into troubled waters. 🇺🇸⚓️