The former McIntyre/Frank Purnell/Steelton/Pioneer. And I also learned there were name swaps between two ships regarding the names Frank Purnell and Steelton. The ship here being the original Frank Purnell. Currently rusting sway in South Chicago. I finally had a chance to snap a photo through the fence on my way back from Chicago yesterday!

The wife and I had dinner at the Detroit Renaissance Center and watched the Samuel De Champlain pass us on the Detroit River.

I know that SMET dock in Superior has closed but there have been rumors that one more shipload will be going out of there. Or is it the American century about two months ago that took the last load via vessel? Will there be any more ships taking coal that is left?

2026-10-24

* 2026-10-24

I am very very happy because I absolutely love the Ford Fleet! (if you can’t already tell)

So i know its not active, its currently docked and all that, but does anyone know where? Id like to see the legend

For example, on the Edmund Fitzgerald's last night, was the crew split between opposite ends of the ship with no way to safely travel between due to the heavy weather? If this is correct, how many crew would have been in the front and back 'islands' respectively?

I’ve heard rumours that the Mich is headed to the soo for scrap soon. Can anyone confirm?

You never know what you're going to see in Duluth! Today, October 22nd, around 10:25 AM CT, the Great Lakes tug Helen H arrived in Duluth towing a very unusual looking vessel/barge that had a lot of people watching and wondering what was going on!

The vessel/barge appeared to be carrying a large load of timber and looked somewhat unstable in the water. With northeast winds and waves on Lake Superior, the Helen H met up with it near McQuade Harbor, just up the North Shore from Duluth.

The Helen H is a hardworking Great Lakes tug used for towing and assisting other vessels. From what we could see, it appeared the tug may have been helping this unusual vessel/barge make it safely into Duluth, although the exact circumstances are still unclear.

The entire arrival was captured LIVE today on the Duluth Ship Cam at Canal Park via Vibe with Mike's YouTube channel! Plenty of Boat Friends were watching closely, trying to figure out exactly what was happening as this unusual tow made its way into port.

It's certainly not something you see every day on Lake Superior, and it shows why ship watching in Duluth is always full of surprises!

Does anyone know more about this unusual vessel/barge or what was happening out on Lake Superior today?

Anyone else seen this video or heard news about the Anderson returning to service next season?

https://youtu.be/RXVugPFEMgo?is=7-BQDyoXi5QpJdFp

An incredible arrival in Duluth, Minnesota, as a colorful oceangoing ship carrying industrial machinery from Italy makes its way beneath the famous Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge! Between the powerful horn salute, radio conversations with the Captain, a tugboat assisting, and Lake Superior waves rolling toward shore, there's plenty to see and hear in this video!

The Dutch ocean ship Muntgracht arrived in Duluth at approximately 4:45 PM CT on 10/20/26, carrying industrial machinery from Italy to be unloaded at the Duluth Port Terminal. It's pretty amazing to think about cargo traveling across the Atlantic Ocean, through the St. Lawrence Seaway and into the Great Lakes before finally reaching a port in Minnesota!

The sunshine really brought out the Muntgracht's beautiful green, red, and white coloring as the ship approached the Duluth Ship Canal. The tugboat Kentucky was also on hand to assist this impressive ocean vessel during its arrival.

One of the really interesting parts of this video is the actual marine radio audio! You'll hear the Muntgracht's Captain communicating with the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge operator to coordinate raising the bridge. You'll also hear radio conversations between the Captain of the Muntgracht and the Captain aboard the tugboat Kentucky as they work together to bring the ship safely into Duluth.

And of course, there's that horn salute! As the Muntgracht approaches and passes beneath the raised Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, the Captain sounds the ship's powerful horn, and the bridge operator answers back with a salute of its own. There's something special about hearing an ocean ship exchange horn salutes with Duluth's famous bridge after arriving from overseas!

You'll also see the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge rising, Lake Superior waves coming into shore, and views of the crowds gathered along the North Pier and Salt Pier to watch the arrival. Weather conditions are displayed on the screen throughout the video, giving you a look at what it was like along the Duluth waterfront that afternoon.

A little more about the Muntgracht! This Netherlands-flagged general cargo ship was built in 2012 and measures approximately 466 feet long and 62 feet wide. Owned and operated by the Amsterdam-based Spliethoff Group, the vessel is equipped with three large cargo cranes and is designed to transport everything from heavy industrial machinery to steel products and other specialized cargo.

Ocean ships like the Muntgracht are a great reminder that Duluth, Minnesota, is connected to ports around the world through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. It's one of the things that makes watching ships here so fascinating!

This video was recorded exclusively for Duluth Ship Cam at Canal Park on Facebook and the Vibe with Mike YouTube channel, and posted to Reddit.

Recorded in Duluth, Minnesota, on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026.

Was coming back from Marquette and saw this thing in the river near the channel. It’s so squat and cute! Also anyone know what boat is behind it?

Gonna watch as much as I can and go to rotary park to get more up close.

The Oakglen headed down, passing the Renaissance Center in August.

Better resolution: https://flic.kr/ps/45LLeD

A powerful Great Lakes ship horn salute, Lake Superior waves crashing against the Duluth shoreline, and some great radio conversations between a ship's Captain and the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge operator! There's plenty to see and hear in this departure from Duluth, Minnesota!

The Great Lakes freighter James L. Oberstar was departing the Canadian National ore dock and heading out onto Lake Superior. As the ship approached the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, you could hear the Captain making a Sécurité radio call, letting other vessels in the area know the ship was getting underway.

You'll also hear the Captain contact the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge and request that it be raised for the ship's departure. The bridge operator responds, giving viewers a chance to hear some of the actual communication between these massive Great Lakes ships and the people operating Duluth's famous bridge.

And then comes one of the best parts! As the James L. Oberstar passes beneath the raised bridge, the Captain lets loose with a powerful horn salute, and the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge answers right back! You can also get another view from the Duluth Ship Cam at Canal Park as the ship makes its way out.

Meanwhile, Lake Superior is putting on a show of its own. It's an overcast day in Duluth, and you'll see waves rolling in and crashing against the shoreline and the walls of the Duluth Ship Canal. The combination of the waves, the ship's horn, and the radio conversations makes this a fun departure to experience.

For those who have never watched a Great Lakes ship pass beneath the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, this video gives you a great look at what happens during a departure, including some of the radio communication you don't normally get to hear.