MV Michipicoten - Great Lakes Freighter Visits Duluth - 04-24-2023

MV Michipicoten - Great Lakes Freighter Visits Duluth - 04-24-2023
ABOUT THE M/V MICHIPICOTEN:
This vessel was built as a straight-back bulk carrier in 1952 and launched as the Elton Hoyt (2) for Interlake Steamship Company. The specs on this ship allowed her to manage the trade pattern of other Interlake vessels--mainly hauling iron ore from Duluth or Superior to a variety of lower lakes ports. In 1957 she was lengthened 72 feet, making her overall length 698" and giving her an additional 3,000 tons in capacity. In 1980 the vessel was converted to a self-unloader at American Ship Building Company in Toledo which prolonged the life of this laker. 2003 marked the tenth year of operations for Lower Lakes Towing Ltd. and it was a fitting way to toast the Company's achievements, by christening the newest acquisition renamed S/S Michipicoten. A partnership was maintained with Interlake Steamship to acquire the contract for all of Algoma Steel's waterborne requirements and Lower Lakes was making the most of this opportunity to service a major new customer and further diversify our customer base at the time. In December, 2010 the Michipicoten laid up in Sarnia, Ontario as a steam-powered vessel and after a $15 million conversion, departed May 31, 2011 as a motor vessel. The 1952 vintage 770 shp Bethlehem Steel Co. cross compound steam turbine and two oil-fired Foster-Wheeler water tube boilers were replaced with a moder MaK twin diesel 6000Kw propulsion plan.