Roger Blough

This week will be the last opportunity to view the ore boats moving up and down Lake Superior this winter. The locks close due to cold winter weather. Most of the ore carriers are already in winter layup in Duluth.

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Edgar B. Speer 001

The last six will be loading ore in Duluth or Two Harbors this week.

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Edgar B. Speer rounds the corner under the lift bridge in Duluth.

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Indiana Harbor 001

It’s a lot of fun to see the boats at this time of year. The below zero temperatures and high waves coat the front of the huge boats with ice.

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Indiana Harbor 002

The ice takes on many strange patterns as the wind forms icicles that hang more horizontal than vertical.

I watched several ore boats arrive in Two Harbors this week. The Indiana Harbor was the most ice covered. As you can see the workers have warm winter clothing and face masks to help fend off the winter cold as the boat enters the harbor.

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Presque Isle 001

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American Century 001

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American Century 002

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