Saginaw River Images

Friday, November 6, 2026

Saginaw River Passage - November 5, 2026: Manitoulin & Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder

Manitoulin outbound on the Saginaw River, passing Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder at the Burroughs North - Essexville Dock. Photos taken 11/5/26.

Saginaw River Passage - November 5, 2026: Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder

Dorothy AnnPathfinder arrived on the Saginaw River early Thursday morning, stopping first at the Burroughs North - Essexville Dock to lighter, before continuing upriver to finish unloading at the Burroughs North/1st Street Dock in Saginaw. There pair completed their unload and were outbound Thursday evening. Photos taken 11/5/26.

Saginaw River Passage - November 5, 2026: Manitoulin

Manitoulin arrived on the Saginaw River during the early evening on Wednesday, November 4th. She traveled up the river to the Sargent Docks & Terminal in Zilwaukee, there unloading Egyptian Salt overnight. Manitoulin was turned and outbound for the lake Thursday morning. There photos were taken right after she passed the waiting Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder at the Burroughs North - Essexville Dock. Photos taken 11/5/26

Thursday, November 5, 2026

Saginaw River Passage - November 3, 2026: American Courage

American Courage arrived on the Saginaw River on November 3rd, traveling up to the Burroughs North/GM Dock in Saginaw to unload. After a lengthy unload, she was back outbound for the lake this morning, a little over 48 hours after arriving. On her outbound trip, American Courage stopped at the Sargent Dock in Zilwaukee to allow the inbound Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder to pass by before continuing her trip outbound. Photos taken 11/3/26.

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Saginaw River Passage - November 1, 2026: Saginaw - Part 4

My fourth and final set of photos featuring Saginaw on the Saginaw River covers her just south of Cheboyganing Creek, passing under the Zilwaukee Bridge and passing Zilwaukee Riverfront Park on her way to the Burroughs North/GM Dock in Saginaw. Photos taken 11/1/26

Following the boats of the Saginaw River and Great Lakes

Here is a little background on my history with the boats: I have been an avid photographer and follower of the big lake freighters that carry their cargoes between the ports of the Great Lakes. During that time, a number of my photos have been used by various shipping companies and in publications from the U.S. Coast Guard, Lake Carriers Association, the Marine Legal Review, and in the annual boatwatchers bible, "Know Your Ships". I also report news and vessel passage information from the Saginaw River to both Boatnerd.com and to the local newspaper, The Bay City Times, and have been fortunate enough to have had the honor of being aboard and taking a trip on a Great Lakes Freighter. I am also a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner, Captain and deckhand for the Bay City Boat Lines, and a Deckhand for Malcom Marine, Inc.

In this blog, you will see information on the vessels that ply the waters of the Saginaw River, photos, and vessel passage information. I hope that you will enjoy what is posted here.