Arriving Under Threatening Skies- Arthur M Anderson

Bit of an older video, dating back to early June, but it’s a good one (In my opinion anyway!) Arthur M Anderson, flying a pirate flag, arriving through the canal with heavy rains moving out onto the lake behind her! She was arriving high in the water and empty, a rare sight as she usually hauls in limestone before reloading iron ore before departing. She got a little off course while lining up with the canal and had to correct fairly close, lending to some interesting views. She sailed to the CN ore dock on the Duluth side and departed the next day.
Anderson is one of the most storied ships on the Great Lakes and perhaps one of the best known freighters in the world. Built in 1952, the AAA class steamship is now in her 72nd year of service. She was originally 647ft long and operated as a straight decked ship with no unloading capabilities, but was extended by 120ft to her current 767ft in late 1975 and was converted to a self unloader in the 1980s. Unlike most classic ships, she’s never had an engine replacement and is one of only 4 operating steamships currently on the Lakes. The two overhauls have allowed her to sail well into the 21st century, but was laid up in 2017 after she failed a hull inspection. In early 2019 she was days away from getting towed to the scrapyard when the decision was made to restore the ship instead, leading to a 2-3 month, 20 million dollar overhaul to return her to active service. Despite the massive amount of time and money put into her, she’s looking a bit rough again, leading to fears that if she fails inspection again this winter this might be her last year. If this happens I sincerely hope she can be made into a museum ship and am a little tempted to lead that effort myself if I have to! She’s earned that. Fortunately for the moment this is a mostly baseless concern based on rumors but regardless, always best to appreciate what we have!
Of course none of that is what she is most famous for. On November 10th, 1975 the Anderson was following 10 miles behind the Edmund Fitzgerald when they were hit by hurricane force winds on eastern Lake Superior. The Anderson made it out, the Fitzgerald famously did not. The Anderson was the last ship to see and make radio contact with the doomed ship, and despite the risks returned to the stormy seas after reaching safety to look for the ship and possible survivors. They came up empty, finding only a destroyed lifeboat and other debris, which confirmed the worst had happened. The song Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is partly based on the stories her crew told of the storm. That story has since become legendary, and has been told around the world.
Despite concerns she will hopefully continue to sail for a long time! She is a gorgeous survivor of the classic era, still performing her job as well as ships 70 years newer. Hope everyone enjoys!