Edgar B. Speer - Caution! Oversized Vessel in Two Harbors
Here is the Edgar B. Speer arriving in Two Harbors, Minnesota on the morning of June 2, 2024. She was arriving empty to load taconite pellets from the Canadian National dock for delivery to scenic Gary, Indiana.
The video starts as the Speer enters past the breakwall which protects the harbor from Lake Superior's waves. The Speer pushes her nose a little past the dock, then stops to make a sharp pivot. Once she is parallel with the dock, her powerful engines push her forward until she is aligned under the ore-loading booms. It's a delicate operation that we've seen before on this channel, but it's still impressive no matter how many times you see it. The massive size of the Speer only adds to the complexity of the docking, as there is little room for error. Sometimes you get the feeling these freighters should have a "Caution: Oversized Vessel" sign painted on the back of them!
I don't get the opportunity to capture Big Red Ed in action very often, as it requires an extra trip from Duluth to see her at her favorite loading spot in Two Harbors. Often she comes in late at night or at times when I simply am not in the area. At best, I capture her on video once or twice a year. So it's always a pleasure when I do get to see her. The lack of a long self-unloading boom on her deck gives her an appearance that is somewhat unique among the 1000-footers. She almost looks like a "straight decker" until you notice the small shuttle boom just in front of the pilot house.
The 1004-foot Edgar B. Speer was launched in 1980. She is powered by two Pielstick V-18 cylinder 9,630 horsepower diesel engines driving 2 controllable pitch propellers. She can carry up to 73,700 tons of cargo in 5 cargo holds that are accessed by 20 deck hatches. Her self-unloading system consists of a 52-foot shuttle boom mounted in front of the pilot house. The boom can extend out over either side of the ship. While this unloading system is much more compact and results in less clutter on her deck, this system also restricts her to carrying only iron ore pellets (taconite). In contrast, most of the other 1000-footers on the lakes can also carry coal.
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Пікірлер: 30
The captain makes it look so easy! I've heard that the mark of a professional is someone who makes what they do look easy. The captains of these boats are truly that1
@1Long2Short
Ай бұрын
Well said. 🙂 Let’s also tip our cap to the wheelsman and other crew members. Definitely a team effort. 👍
The ease of manuevering these huge vessels never ceases to amaze me. As always, a great catch and info by you. Thank you. 👍
@1Long2Short
Ай бұрын
Thank you! The crews do a fine job of making it look so easy. 🙂
Thank you. This is only the 2nd time I've watched a ship dock. It gives me another perspective from going through the canal, although Like that too.
@1Long2Short
Ай бұрын
Thanks Ellen! I try to capture a little extra whenever possible. 🙂
Thank you so much for these videos, one long two short!
@1Long2Short
Ай бұрын
Thank you for watching them! 😊
Amazing how the captain manoeuvres this monster
grew up watching these boats come in every day in the summer. never got tired of seeing them move in and out of the harbor. at that time the tugboat seen in the video helped the boats in and out of the docks. that was before the boats had bow and stern thrusters. still love seeing these boats move in and out of the harbors.
My home port!
Nice!
Thank you
We don’t see her as much as we do the Gott. It’s nice seeing both of them when we can though.
First off, that is one huge ship!!! And uh is there supposed to be water coming out of the back of the ship?? Idk how the Captain's navigate such a huge ship and make it look so easy?? Excellent video my friend!! I really enjoyed being able to see how close the ships get to be able to get loaded up.... Did I mention how huge it is?? Wow!! ❤
@1Long2Short
28 күн бұрын
The water coming out the back is water that was used for cooling the engines. 🙂
Huge ship...maybe they all need tugs with big banners "huge ship ahead", like the semis with the Wide Load warning trucks that escort them. Wow this is a great video, and I love the mariners who ran back to the ship's ladder to help the last man onto solid ground. This is wonderful, makes me want to finesse my tractor parking! Thank You
@1Long2Short
Ай бұрын
Thanks! 😊 I had to chuckle that they let the ladder go and then realized someone was still on it! Oops! 😁
@cris_261
Ай бұрын
I have to do a lot of backing with the delivery truck I drive, and I sometimes will get a compliment from a passerby watching me negotiate a curve or two. Lots of practice makes it look "easy." 😄
@oceansoul3694
Ай бұрын
@@cris_261 Lord Bless the Truckers, without you we all starve!
@cris_261
Ай бұрын
@oceansoul3694 Thank you. I work for a company that fills and delivers compressed gas cylinders. I'm on the delivery end, which means I get to visit construction sites, labs, hospitals, fabrication plants, universities, and other places. It makes for an interesting, if sometimes challenging, job. And as I've mentioned before, it would be nice to have a bow or stern thruster on my truck, but that's not really an option on dry land. 😄
@oceansoul3694
Ай бұрын
@@cris_261 😂🤣🤗
Expertly done.
@1Long2Short
Ай бұрын
Thanks Greg! 🙂
That's one rickety looking ladder! I think I'd rather ride the Bosun's chair, although that probably wouldn't work being so close to the dock.
I wonder why they don't use the other loading docks where it might be easier for it
@1Long2Short
Ай бұрын
Only one of the ore docks is still used in Two Harbors anymore. The side the Speer went to has shiploader booms that swing down over the cargo holds. On rare occasions a ship will load under the gravity chutes on the other side, but that’s an even tighter fit for ships to dock there.
@drforjc
Ай бұрын
@@1Long2Short Marquette MI still uses the gravity chutes! I just love those!