Atlantic Huron - Storm of the Century Survivor
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- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- Here is the Atlantic Huron seen departing Superior, Wisconsin on the morning of May 2, 2022. She had picked up a load of iron ore at the Burlington Northern #5 dock and was scheduled to deliver it to Quebec City. As the Atlantic Huron backed away from the BN5 dock, the sun poked through the clouds to cast a warm glow on the ship's hull. Unfortunately that sunshine was short-lived and we saw the remainder of her departure under heavy overcast skies. On her way out of the canal, she sounded a hoarse salute from her bow-mounted horn. We're grateful for any salutes from CSL ships on the Superior side of the harbor, as that is a somewhat rare occurrence. (Truth be told, I actually like the hoarse-sounding horn! It gives her character.) As the Huron makes her way onto Lake Superior, we see two of her CSL fleet mates, the Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin and the Frontenac, sitting at anchor waiting for their turn to load.
The Atlantic Huron was launched in 1983, originally named the Prairie Harvest. She was part of the Caribbean Class of freighters and was the last straight-decker built for Canada Steamship Lines, though she was later converted to a self-unloader in 1988 to make her more efficient. The Atlantic Huron is 736-feet long and can carry 34,600 tons of cargo in five holds. She is powered by one Sulzer 6-cylinder diesel engine which produces 11,094 bhp, driving a single controllable-pitch propeller.
During her life, she has alternated between a wide variety of cargo runs, working on both the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean, hence her name that reflects both types of waters she traveled. She started out hauling grain from ports on the lakes down the seaway. She then worked the phosphate trade from the Gulf States to Mexico and also the iron ore trade down the Orinoco River in Venezuela, transferring cargo to giant ocean freighters. She returning the Great Lakes in the early 90s to haul iron ore between Superior, Wisconsin and Hamilton, Ontario, before shifting again to the Atlantic Ocean to carry salt and aragonite from the Bahamas. During this time, she was caught in the March 15, 1993 storm that was called the "Storm of the Century." The intense rolling from the storm caused significant damage to her engine room and accommodations, but she survived and brought her crew home. This same storm was responsible for the sinking of the ship Gold Bond Conveyor, with a loss of the 33 crew members. (The Gold Bond Conveyor had previously survived the 1991 "Perfect Storm" that was depicted in the movie of the same name.) After being repaired in 1997, the Atlantic Huron again resumed trades on the Great Lakes, hauling a variety of cargos between ports on the lakes.
Her days on the Great Lakes are likely numbered, as the other vessels of her class have made their final trips to the scrapyard. When she does retire, she will be remembered for safely bringing her crew home during the biggest of storms. Until that day comes, may she continue to safely sail and serve her crew well... just as she has done for nearly 40 years.
The Atlantic Huron....a stunning initial shot of her as the sun breaks through the cloud bank.... she eases out and we get another great view as she makes her pivot. So quiet except for the sound of waves against the shore. Then we hear her raspy salute, but one with character.
A wonderful silhouette of her fleetmates on the horizon against a cloudbank as she pushes on. Shes seen a lot, traveled through ocean storms and brought her crew home safely....so Superior looks welcoming to her on this day. Safe travels again Atlantic Huron...you have done your job well. A great video of a ship that's earned her scars...from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic. Thank you for bringing this!
Thanks Carolyn!
She has such a beautiful look and a one of a kind horn! Great ship! Thank you!
Great piece. The red and white livery really pops in those lighting conditions.
cool video
Thank you for the info of this amazing ship. Also for the bridge lift part, as I enjoy those every time, since I can no longer travel great distances to see these wonderful ships. Take care!
Glad you enjoy the videos! 🙂
Wow! A real CSL party going on out there!
What a story the Atlantic Huron has lived! What an incredibly blessed thing that she survived that horrendous storm and although damaged, was still strong enough to bring her crew and Captain safely into port. These ships amaze me, and the image of her sailing off somehow makes me very sad. As always, again, thank you so much for bringing this to us!
It had to be a frightening experience to go through that storm. With every big wave you would wonder if that’s the one that will break the ship in two. 😳
@@1Long2Short I was imagining the same thing...especially horrible at night in black water. God Bless and Keep Them. And you!
I remember when she departed Duluth earlier this year, the museum said something about her cargo section being expanded and strengthened, and that it was the reason she wasn’t scrapped with her sisters. Can’t find any more information on that though…
But anyway, almost certain they scrapped the others after the Algoport broke in two on her way to be refitted. Those ships I believe shared the same hull design.
Edit- fascinating how one ship survives an infamous storm and a nearly identical one breaks apart and sinks in a lesser storm
I hope she won't be retired before her 40th birthday..she is one strong old vessel, one of the last of her kind with the other being Radcliffe. CSL certainly stabilized their saltwater fleet with the addition of the Nukumi.
Hope I can see the Nukumi while her paint is still fresh!
The Latimer made it past 40 so I can't see why the Huron can't make it one more year! If an Algoma ship is able to outlive one of your ships you know you've done goofed.
The sunbeams were beautiful! Like you, I'm worried about her longevity and am dreading future news. But what a career! Stay safe everyone!🖖🐢👣
My guess is they will retire her when her next five year inspection is due. Unless the rebuilding they did in 1997 has somehow extended her life so she’s good for another 5-10 years.
Staunch ship to survive the occasional 30 meter wave that storm reportedly produced.
Scary as hell as it happens, but one hell of a story to tell the grandkids.
I wonder... how would modern shps have faired in the 1913 Great Storm on the Lakes? Part of the issue was limited space - ships had to make death-defying turns in 30-40 foot waves or go aground.
I’m not sure if today’s ships are necessarily stronger (though the hatch covers are better now than they once were). We’re so much better at predicting and tracking the weather now that ships take shelter before the waves get too high.
@@1Long2Short yeah, the old hatch covers were made of wood, and held down with clamped tarps to make them watertight. Did not take much to get hatch covers to pop loose in those days.
The other issue with that era ships was the woeful lack of HP in the engines.
any idea why her horns are (or at least seem) so quiet as opposed to every other freighter out there? she’s quiet enough i feel like it could be a hazard, though i have no idea how loud she actually is in person.
She actually has two horns. The second horn is much louder. I’m not sure why the one horn is so quiet… my assumption is that it’s kind of worn out. But it’s still kind of cool. 🙂