Monday, February 16, 2009

Wintering Along The Lower Saginaw River

I was back out again today to photograph the vessels wintering in the lower Saginaw River. Starting in Downtown Bay City, we find the Princess Wenonah, West Wind, and Islander. These are all local tour boats working for the Bay City Boat Lines. They are all tied up just upriver from the Veteran's Memorial Bridge.

Princess Wenonah

West Wind

Islander

Group shot in from of the Bay City Hall



The tall ship Appledore IV, home ported in Bay City, is spending the winter tied up on the east side of the river in Wenonah Park, just downriver from the Veteran's Memorial Bridge.

Appledore IV


The Hiawatha is a walking beam, steam powered, side paddle wheel vessel who is spending her winter in the yard at Pier 7 Marina. She spends her summers on the Saginaw River docked at the Kingfish Restaurant and Tiki Bar.

Hiawatha


The Tug Jill Marie, who is owned and operated by Causley Marine Contracting, is in the yard at the Bay Harbor Marina for the winter.

Tug Jill Marie


Finally, MCM Marine has their tugs Mohawk and Madison, along with the dredge, Arthur J, and some other assorted barges, also spending the winter at the Bay Harbor Marina. MCM has been working out in the Saginaw Bay near the confined disposal island. This is the second winter in a row for these vessels at Bay Harbor Marina.

Tug Mohawk

Tug Madison

Dredge Arthur J

Over the past two days, we have covered the Saginaw River from the mouth all the way up to the end of the navigable channel at the Sixth Street Turning Basin in Saginaw. I hope you have enjoyed the series. Keep watching this site for more updates leading up to the start of the 2009 shipping season. Thanks for looking!

-Todd

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Wintering Along the Upper Saginaw River

I was out this morning taking a few shots of the vessels who are residing along the banks of the upper Saginaw River this winter. The past week has brought temperatures much above normal and a large rainfall that has broke up all of the ice in the river and pushed it to 2.68 feet above flood stage on Saturday morning. The water has since began receding, but many of my photo locations are still under water.

This first shot shows the Luedtke Dredge Lucille T and a few work barges moored at the new Confined Disposal Facility along the Bay and Saginaw County borders.


The next shot shows the tug Gregory J. Busch and the little tug Joanne moored at the Burroughs dock in Zilwaukee.


Here is a wide view that shows the Busch, Joanne, and barge STC 2004


Here is a photo of the lonely tug "Statesboro" that is owned by Busch Marine Services. She has been sitting here in Carrollton for a few years.


This shot shows the tug Kurt Luedtke and Derrick Barge 16 tied up at the Peavey Grain Terminal, awaiting spring to begin dredging of the upper river.


Finally, here is a wide view of the Peavey Terminal.


Up next will be a report on the vessels along the Lower Saginaw River for the winter. Watch for it here in a few days.