Pretty they're not - but they get the job done

Even casual boatwatchers see the large freighters as they glide through the Harbor's piers. But what about the non-cargo vessels? The working boats dwarfed by the big boys. The grunts of the harbor that keep the waterfront alive with dredging and tugging, delivering and icebreaking, welding and fueling. Nearly 100 such vessels are hard at work in the Twin Ports. Most never leave the harbor and remain unknown except to those who employ or crew them. But next time you're out boat-watching, keep an eye out for them. They're the little guys that keep the Port working in a big way.

The material on these pages is by no means an exhaustive list of the Port's workboats, but serves as a tribute to all.

A.E. Clifford

The last commercial fishing vessel working out of the Twin Ports, she was built in Milwaukee in 1946 by Erich H. Slotty and named for the owner's three sons: Anthony, Earl and Clifford. In 1969 she came to Duluth-Superior to work for the Sivertson family, the vessel's third owner.

Sea Colt

The Sea Colt, shown here taking a short winter's nap, is a tug owned by Sea Service LLC, Superior. Built in 1984 at the Tampa Shipyards, she is most famous locally for her 1995 search for the Lake Superior "mystery barrels" — 1,400 barrels deposited in the Cold War days of the late 1950s and early '60s by a Minneapolis munitions company. She assisted the expedition by carrying high-tech gear and personnel for Oceaneering International, Inc., Houston, Texas. That's the same company that found the Titanic — a bit more exciting find than the scrap metal found in Lake Superior's barrels.

Nancy Ann

This fish tug was built in 1910 as the Chattanooga. She was later sold to Zenith Dredge Co. and converted to a diesel-powered towing tug. She became the company's primary tug after its steamers were retired. Nancy Ann remains hard at work today for Marine Tech, Inc., of Duluth.

Coleman

This steam derrick was the first steel hull launched by the former Marine Iron & Shipbuilding in Duluth and was built in 1923 for the Corps of Engineers. She was sold to Billington Contracting in 1998. In March 2000 fire destroyed her aft superstructure. She was scrapped to the deck and now hauls dredged materials.

Faith

Built in 1906, this steam derrick boat has faithfully served the Great Lakes ever since. Coming from Buffalo, N.Y., in 1934, Faith worked in Duluth for England Towing and later Zenith Dredge Co. with duties such as pile driving and dredging. The old workhorse is now used as a barge by the Duluth Timber Co.

Maxine Thompson

The Maxine Thompson, one of only two "welders" still in service for Fraser Shipyards, is ready for duty with diesel generators, welding equipment, compressors and more. She was built by the shipyard to perform repairs and deliver machinery to visiting freighters.

Allouez Marine

Sometimes mistaken for a bumboat, the Allouez Marine is used to transport food, laundry and engine parts to and from the ships for Allouez Marine Supply, Inc. The supplies are ordered in advance and paid for by the ship owners. In comparison, a bumboat's goods are sold directly to crew members.

Reuben Johnson

This old beauty was built by the Great Lakes Towing Co., Cleveland, in 1912. She is powered by a single-cylinder, 20-inch bore by 22-inch stroke steam engine. She was purchased by Fraser Shipyards in 1965 and, aside from the stack being cut down during her conversion to diesel, her appearance has remained virtually unchanged since the day she was built.