I voyaged to Duluth, Minnesota, with my son for Memorial Day Weekend. I had been wanting to visit here for quite some time. For many years I have been fascinated by those 1,000-foot freighters that silently make their way through the oceans, rivers, or Great Lakes. Duluth seemed to be the place to see these behemoths of maritime construction. Besides, the Edmund Fitzgerald, the most famous American ship disaster, sailed from here on its last voyage. Wisely, I booked a room at the Fairfield Inn & Suites-Duluth Waterfront. My hotel room overlooked the harbor and had a view of these giants arriving or departing from one of the two entrances to Duluth Harbor. From the harbor, the lock connects with Lake Superior. My son and I were not disappointed. Here is one of the ships we spied as it left the harbor, as we looked on from our hotel room. The Walter J. McCarthy, Jr. (a 1,000-foot diesel Lake freighter).
We also walked to the end of the pier on the lock and watched ships arrive. Here is a 1,000-foot lake freighter, The MV Indiana Harbor.
These ships are almost silent and quite majestic. They may be going to other ports, but only as far as the Saint Lawrence seaway. Toledo, Cleveland, or Two Harbors (MN) may be their next stops. Some will return to Duluth within the week with a new load to be off-loaded. The two pictures below are the drawbridge each of these entering or exiting freighters must pass underneath, and the lighthouse at the end of the pier signals all these ships.
Now, as far as going on these ships...that brings us to the SS William A. Irvin, a 610 foot freighter, served in the Great Lakes from 1937 to 1978. This ship was retired because it found itself too small as shipyards were turning out 1,000 foot freighters. The ship is now a museum, fully restored to its 1970s glory.
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As most of these freighters do, guest quarters are provided for VIP guests who may sail along on their voyages. The accommodations are quite nice for executives and their families from the shipping companies. Here are some board room, guest quarters, and parlor pics.
The restoration and the maintaining of The Irvin is terrific. Here's a view from the bridge looking towards the stern across the hatches.
Two last shots of the Irvin, from the rear and then a captain's quarters view over the ship.
These ships are fascinating. If you are wondering if you can book the guest quarters on current ships, for Great Lakes cruises, the 1,000-foot ones...the answer is yes. I'm told the food is terrific.
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