The firsts of 1999
| March 26: Columbia Star First Duluth-bound vessel to traverse the Soo Locks. |
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A start to the commercial shipping season in the Port of Duluth-Superior
was celebrated March 26 with the arrival of Oglebay Norton Company's
Columbia Star, the first Duluth-bound vessel to traverse the Soo Locks.
The Star loaded fuel at Murphy Oil USA, Inc.'s, new Duluth Marine Terminal,
then proceeded to Superior's Midwest Energy Resources Co. for 60,000
metric tons of coal destined for Muskegon, Mich. Port Authority Board
President Thomas E. Grosser (left) presents Captain Alan Gintz with
a "first arrival award" for a "last first vessel of the
century." The 1,000-foot Star was built in 1981 at Bay Shipbuilding
Corporation, Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Local agent for the vessel was Duluth's
S.A. McLennan Co.
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| April 8: Algosound First commercial vessel to have made the full Seaway transit. |
 Port
Authority Commissioner Bill Kron (left) presents Captain Doug Taylor,
master of Algoma Central Corp.'s 730-foot bulk carrier Algosound, with
a "first arrival" plaque. The Canadian laker Algosound arrived
on April 8 at Duluth's Cargill, Inc., grain facility to load 25,000 metric
tons of corn destined for Baie Comeau, Quebec, for eventual transshipment
overseas. Algoma is celebrating an important anniversary this year - its
centennial. Incorporated in 1899, Algoma Central has operated ships on
the Great Lakes continuously since 1900 and today is the largest inland
shipping company in Canada. The Algosound was built in 1965 at Davie Shipbuilding
Company in Lauzon, Quebec. Local agent for the vessel was Guthrie-Hubner,
Inc., and the stevedore was American Grain Trimmers, Inc. |
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| April 10: Federal Mackenzie First ocean-going vessel. |
 Duluth
Mayor Gary Doty (right) reads a "first arrival" proclamation
to Federal Mackenzie Captain Indar Singh. The Captain's son, Zorawar Singh,
also participated in the celebration. The Chinese-flag Mackenzie arrived
April 10 at Duluth's AGP Grain Limited for 25,000 metric tons of soybeans
destined for Naantali, Finland. The 730-foot bulk carrier, owned by Prominent
Rich Ltd., China, P.R.C., was built in 1983 by Govan Shipbuilders, Ltd.,
of Glasgow, Scotland. Local agent for the vessel was Fedmar International
and the stevedore was Ceres, Inc. The Mackenzie's arrival also qualified
a winner in the "First Ship Contest" sponsored by the Port Authority,
the Duluth Convention & Visitors Bureau and Manney's Shopper. Geraldine
Blaire of Superior won a "Getaway to Duluth" prize package by
guessing closest to the vessel's actual arrival time - 5:04 p.m. |
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