Saginaw River Passage - September 14, 2026: Alpena, Herbert C. Jackson, & Saginaw

These are the moments that you dream of catching.  Why you become a "Boatnerd".  To have three vessels on the Saginaw River is rare, but three classics with a combined 224 years of service?  It might never happen again.  It was so amazing to see in person!  So, here they are, my photos of Herbert C. Jackson, Alpena, and Saginaw, on the Saginaw River, together.  Photos taken 9/14/26

Saginaw River Passage - September 14, 2026: Saginaw & Alpena

With 157 years of combined service, Saginaw & Alpena are still getting the job done.  It was great to see these two house forward classics side by side on the Saginaw River!  Photos taken 9/14/2026

Saginaw River Passage - September 14, 2026: Saginaw

Saginaw arrived on her namesake river Monday morning, visiting for the first time for her new owners, Algoma Central Corp., and with her new stack colors and emblems.  She delivered a split load, lightering first at the Wirt Sand & Stone Dock in Essexville, before traveling upriver to finish unloading at the Wirt Stone Dock in Saginaw.  Saginaw was outbound for the lake Tuesday afternoon.  This was the first visit to the Saginaw River for Saginaw since August 1, 2025.  Photos taken 9/14/26.

Saginaw River Passage - September 14, 2026: Alpena

Alpena was on the Saginaw River Monday morning, calling on the Amrize Cement Dock in Essexville to unload.  I was able to catch her as the sun was starting to come up at the start of what would become a very special day, with the arrivals later in the day of Saginaw and Herbert C. Jackson.  Having three freighters on the Saginaw River at the same time is rare.  Having three classics lined up is unheard of....

Photos taken 9/14/26.