Arthur M. Anderson 001

The shipping season ends the first week of January on the Great Lakes. This is due to the freezing of the locks at Sault Ste. Marie. This week dozens of ore boats have travelled across Lake Superior moving as much ore as possible before ice over.

We saw two of the ice-covered boats outside of Two Harbors. As they crossed the big part of the lake huge waves and subzero temperatures coated the boats with ice.

There were two boats in the harbor when the Arthur M. Anderson approached Two Harbors so the Anderson anchored outside of Two Harbors between Silver Cliff and Encampment Island. I don’t think I have ever seen an ore boat that close to shore in this area. It made for some great photos.

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Arthur M. Anderson 002

Sea smoke moved across the water from sub-zero temperatures.

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Arthur M. Anderson

The ice has painted a face on the Anderson.

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Presque Isle 001

Later the Presque Isle came into Two Harbors. Its arrival was in the early afternoon so several people watched as it entered the harbor.

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Presque Isle 002

The cold temperatures had iced the harbor requiring the Presque Isle to break ice on entry.

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Presque Isle 003

It had to make two passes to break enough ice to be able to turn into the docks. The sound of the breaking ice was incredible.

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Presque Isle 004

Several of the crew members were on deck making sure everything was going okay as it plowed through the several inches of ice.

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Presque Isle 005

Working the deck of the huge boats in subzero temperatures does not look like a pleasant job.

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Presque Isle 10

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Grand Marais Sunset

The week ended with a beautiful sunset over Lake Superior.

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