Catching the M.S. Westcott

 One of the things that I like about Riverside Park is that it gives me an opportunity to catch the Westcott in action.  It is pretty neat to watch as they deliver mail or people.  They were delivering mail today.

I had my big lens on, so I couldn't catch her as she went out, but I was able to catch her flag.

As she was returning to the dock.  I have to believe it was pretty cold for them.

One more shot before moving on.

The Kaministiqua Passes By

 It wasn't too long for the ship I was waiting for to appear.  It was a good thing too.  While the temperature said it was in the mid 40's, the wind made it feel much colder.

The Kaministiqua was coming down from Thunder Bay.

I know that because I caught her last Sunday as she was heading up to Thunder Bay.

I think the ships had to take the long way around Lake Superior because of the nasty weather they had last week.   Factor in that it is already a roughly 2 day trip from Detroit to Thunder Bay.

Add in at least 2 days for loading.

So it makes sense that she would be passing Detroit today.  She is heading to Sorel which is in Quebec.

She is approached by the M.S. Westcott.

She passes Windsor.  The M.S. Westcott is behind her.

A relatively clean background between downtown Windsor and the Ambassador Bridge.

She approached the bridge with the M.S. Westcott at her side.

The tower of the Ambassador Bridge at her bow.

Amidships.

And near her pilothouse.

She continues down the River.

The Westcott leaves her.

It is at least two days to Sorel from this point.

The Federal Dart at the Nicholson Dock

 I saw that I was going to be able to catch a ship today.   Sadly, it was only one though.

Well the Federal Dart makes it two.

I decided to take a pair of pictures of her while she was at the Nicholson Dock.  Unfortunately, I was shooting into the sun, so the sky looks a little washed out.  I'm not sure if she was loading or unloading.

And a Bonus Ship

 It's always nice to get a ship that I wasn't expecting to get.

The Kaministiqua was docked.  I think she was getting fuel but unfortunately, she was too far away and that was one of the pictures that had evidence of heat haze.  

As was I watching the other ships, I noticed that she started to move.  I was kind of surprised because I think she just go there.

I'm not entirely sure how long it takes to refuel a ship, so I was kind of surprised to see her moving.

Her AIS lists her destination as Thunder Bay.  That means she is likely picking up grain.

She starts to pass the Finnborg.

I like this shot.  It is not one that I can get often.

She continues on her way.  It might not be a rough ride for her tonight but I think the nasty weather returns.

The Finnborg Comes Down

 One set of ships that I always like to catch is the Wagenborg ships.

They are usually nice looking and it is rare to see rust on them.

The rust in this case is from the anchors and is not rust on the hull.

Her origin was listed as Sault Ste Marie but I'm pretty sure she was coming down from Thunder Bay.

Her destination was listed as Montreal and I think that means she was likely carrying grain.

She is approached by the M.S. Westcott for a pilot change.  Detroit is one of the pilot change points.  The next one is at the entrance of the Welland Canal.

Anyway, like I said, I think these are nice looking ships and they look like they are well maintained.

The are also registered in the home country of the company that runs her.  In this case that is Wagenborg and she is registered in the Netherlands.  Her home port is listed as Delfzul and that is on the northern side of the Netherlands.

She passes the Ambassador Bridge.

She continues on her way.

It is probably likely I will not see her again this year.

Next Up, the Whitefish Bay

 I saw that the next ship was coming up but I wasn't sure if I would be able to catch her but she passed by as I was waiting for the other ship.

Her origin is listed as Port Colborne but that is the last spot she would have visited on the Welland Canal.  So that means I am not sure what she was carrying but it definitely looks like she was loaded.

She was heading to Gary and that means she was likely carrying coal or iron.

But I am not sure.

Anyway, it was pretty cool to catch her.

I like seeing the red hulls.

The add some color.

She continues down the river.

One more shot before the next ship.

The Great Republic on Her Way to Cleveland

 It wasn't too long for the next ship to appear.

The next ship is the Great Republic.

Her Marine Traffic origin is listed as Sault Ste Marie but I'm pretty sure she was coming down from somewhere else.

Typically that would be one of the ports north of Sault Ste Marie.

If I had to guess, I would say either Silver Bay or Two Harbors.

If that is the case, she is likely carrying iron ore.

Her destination is listed as Cleveland.

Normally that would be a ship going to the Cleveland Bulk Terminal but the Great Republic was designed for the Cuyahoga River in mind.

But I'm not sure she is going to do that, even though she could.

Anyway, I think she is a pretty cool looking ship.

She is getting a visit from the Westcott.

The Westcott pulls up alongside of her.

If you look closely at her stern, you can see a window.  She is designed so that the helmsman can see out the back to guide her backwards.

So she will often back into the Cuyahoga.