Adventure Log

My time on the Blough came to a positive end, and I’m now enjoying the Holidays with family. Christmas gifts included a variety of pirate books and other taunting about life aboard a ship. My favorite item - an extra large Mr. Potatohead complete with pirate garb.

The shipping season will be over soon, and “winter work” aboard the Edgar B. Speer is my next assignment. While the ship is laid up we will rebuild one of the main engines, a V-18 Colt-Pielstick. A brief excerpt from boatnerd about the Speer:

This twin-screw self-unloading bulk carrier was built in two sections. The forward cargo section was built by American Shipbuilding Co., Toledo, OH and was transferred to the Amship yard in Lorain, OH where it was mated up with the aft section. The thousand footer was launched May 8,1980 and was christened Edgar B. Speer on June 4, 1980 for the Great Lakes Fleet of the United States Steel Co., Duluth, MN. She is powered by two Pielstick V-18 cylinder 9630 horsepower diesel engines driving 2 controllable pitch propellers making her one of the most powerful vessels on the Great Lakes.

(More info at boatnerd.com)

Last winter I drove to work on 35E.  Now my morning routine consists of walking upstairs for breakfast, then down two flights of stairs to the engine room. Threatening weather on the road meant I needed to plan a few extra minutes in case of traffic.  Now, threatening weather has a whole new feel.  Nothing like eating pancakes and watching the beloved Blough head for nasty weather.  This was the start of winter for us - this photo taken a few days ago.

You may wonder – does snow affect ships on the lakes?  The answer might surprise you!  When we encounter snow and ice we simply throw a few shovels of sand under the propeller and we move right along.  (kidding)  The real answer is – no.  At this point in the season there isn’t any ice on the lake, but there is snow and wind.  The snow is not an issue, but the wind can be problematic.  Yesterday we sat at anchor for over 24 hours because the wind and waves interfered with our ability to get past the break wall and into the dock.  Once we make it to the dock – no problem.  Below is a photo of us loading ore in Two Harbors during a good dose of snow.