Saginaw River Passage - September 19, 2026: Saginaw - Part 1

Here is part on of a three-part series that had me chasing Saginaw up the Saginaw River from Essexville to Zilwaukee.  Saginaw is shown here passing Smith Park in Essexville, through the Lake State Railway Bridge, and approaching Independence Bridge in Bay City.  This was the second visit in a row for Saginaw with salt from Goderich, ON destined for the Sargent Docks & Terminal.  This trip also marked the 100th vessel to visit the Saginaw River for the 2026 season.  Photos taken 9/19/26.

Saginaw River Passage - September 19, 2026: Tug Edward H.

The tug Edward H. arrived on the Saginaw River on September 18th, tying up at the Port Fisher Terminals Dock in Bay City.  She arrived to pick up the Dean Marine & Excavating dredging equipment that used this summer dredging the entrance channel between the Front Range and the Confined Disposal Island.  These photos were taken on September 19th as Saginaw was passing by upbound.

Cuyahoga River Passage - September 17, 2026: Robert S. Pierson, Tugs Ohio, & Cleveland

For those who follow my page, you know the Saginaw River has a few tricky spots, plus four drawbridges and two train bridges.  The Cuyahoga River is next level however with extreme tight bends and 24 active road and rail bridges in the navigable lower industrial portion alone!  Ship handling here is incredible.  On a recent trip to Cleveland, I was able to catch the tugs Ohio & Cleveland assisting the Robert S. Pierson on the Cuyahoga at Heritage Park on the West Bank and the Center St. swing bridge.  It was definitely very cool to see, and I will have to go back and chase boats for sure!  Photos taken 9/17/26

Saginaw River Passage - September 20, 2026: Calumet

Sunday morning saw Calumet arriving on the Saginaw River, making her second visit of the season here.  She lightered at the Burroughs North - Essexville Dock before heading upriver to finish unloading at the Burroughs North - Zilwaukee Dock.  Photos taken 9/20/26.

Saginaw River Passage - September 15, 2026: Saginaw

Saginaw outbound on the Saginaw River, passing through Bay City and the Liberty Bridge/Huron & Eastern Railway Bridge on her way to the lake.  I took these photos on September 15th, the day before I took a trip to Cleveland for three days, so I never got a chance to post them, until today.   Saginaw had unloaded at the Wirt Stone Dock in Saginaw overnight on her first of three consecutive visits to the Saginaw River.