See Old Lakers for some other "bridge on the bow" boats that I have seen.
A view of the stern of the sister ship Fairless shows it "pushing water."
(new window) This video has an informative narration, so it has earned a position near the beginning of the notes.
Leon Fraser was retired from iron-ore service in 1982. Her four sister ships of the 1942 "supers" class were scrapped in the 1980s. But this ship was shortened, converted to a self-unloader and renamed Alpena for starting cement service in 1991. [DuluthNewsTribune]
She hauls cement to the Twin Ports about once a month. [DuluthShippingNews (lots of photos)]
More about the recent fire mentioned in the above video This article implies that it is still a steamship. That would explain why it has "one of the loudest whistles on the lakes."
Steve Vanden Bosch posted four photos with the comment: "Mail Delivery Early 1900's on the Detroit River to the Alpena."
[But this was not the converted Leon Fraser. This one was built in 1909 by Detroit Shipbuilding.]
Bob Biaggio posted two photos with the comment: "The Alpena departing Green Bay September 16, 2019." (source)
David Kaye posted three photos with the comment: "Happy River and Alpena meeting in the Soo Harbor. 10-24-19"
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Two of the six photos posted by Marty Floré of Alpena passing Detroit with the comment: "The oldest vessel on the Great Lakes the Alpena. 12/10/22".
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| U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District posted Happy 75th Birthday [in 2017] to the Grand Old Lady of the Lakes. The oldest freighter still operating on the Great Lakes launched on this day [June 21] in 1942 as the Leon Fraser and was the longest boat on the Great Lakes at the time. She was shortened in 1991 for a new career as a cement carrier but is still one of the most popular and beautiful boats on the lakes. Three long and two shorts to the Alpena! |
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| Michael Konczak posted Leon Fraser at Fraser Shipyards waiting to be converted to the Alpena, November 1989. Photo by Michael Konczak [The elevators in the background are the Cenex-Harvest States Grain Cooperatives.] |
(new window) This video has an informative narration, so it has earned a position near the beginning of the notes.
Leon Fraser was retired from iron-ore service in 1982. Her four sister ships of the 1942 "supers" class were scrapped in the 1980s. But this ship was shortened, converted to a self-unloader and renamed Alpena for starting cement service in 1991. [DuluthNewsTribune]
She hauls cement to the Twin Ports about once a month. [DuluthShippingNews (lots of photos)]
More about the recent fire mentioned in the above video This article implies that it is still a steamship. That would explain why it has "one of the loudest whistles on the lakes."
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| NTSB [The aft winch suffered an electrical fault (short) and there was no circuit breaker per 1941 codes. By today's code, a circuit breaker would probably have prevented this fire. "(According to the Coast Guard, planned postaccident modifications to the Alpena would feature additional circuit protection in accordance with current regulations.) "] |
Steve Vanden Bosch posted four photos with the comment: "Mail Delivery Early 1900's on the Detroit River to the Alpena."
[But this was not the converted Leon Fraser. This one was built in 1909 by Detroit Shipbuilding.]
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| Michigan Film Photographer Karl Wertanen posted
The classic "Alpena" (1942) downbound on the St Clair River headed for Detroit Lafarge 10/11/19.
Oldest freighter on the lakes.
As always... I'm grateful for those who take the time to like and share my images! I appreciate your support!
Archival Fine Art Prints starting at $20!
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| Jim Hoffman posted The Leon Fraser downbound at the Soo. She sails today as the cement carrier Alpena. Photo taken by Jim Hoffman. |
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| Liam Hoffmann commented on Jim's posting |
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| Screenshot Alpena downbound Leaving the MacArthur Lock. 10-24-19 [The end is worth watching because it is riding high and you can see the top of the rudder and some propwash.] |
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| 2:54 video @ 0:53 (source) ALPENA - Upbound Port Huron, Michigan 12-10-2022 [It is headed under the Blue Water Bridge.] |
Two of the six photos posted by Marty Floré of Alpena passing Detroit with the comment: "The oldest vessel on the Great Lakes the Alpena. 12/10/22".
[It was posted on the same day as the above video so it must be the same trip.]
Marty Floré share
Marty Floré share
The oldest vessel on the Great Lakes the Alpena. 12/10/22
Janey Anderson: Oh these shots are all so amazing!! I sweat her colour changes depending on the light the pictures are taken in. She looks a bit greenish here.
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| Bjornberg Photography posted Steaming by: It was a blue bird kind of day late as I captured a close up of the Alpena's smokestack when she passed underneath the Duluth lift bridge late last year. Amazing to see an 80-year-old ship (the oldest operating on the Great Lakes) in such great condition! 2023 Calendar: tinyurl.com/ShipsontheGreatLakes23 Prints: BjornbergPhotography.smugmug.com |
Lincat Photography posted two photos with the comment: "Old to the new the Alpena docked under the Gordie Howe bridge Detroit River"
Mike Mishler shared
[I'm lucky that the Lafarge cement terminal is next to the bridge and that old freighters carry cement because the old freighters attract boatnerds who include the bridge's construction.]
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| Brian R Maghran commented on Mike's share Here is the Arthur Anderson docked there. |
Lincat Photography posted two photos with the comment: "Old to the new the Alpena docked under the Gordie Howe bridge Detroit River"
Mike Mishler shared
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| more common as MRC cuts up more freighters.] |
On the day I saw the above share by Mike, I saw this post by Liam.
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| Liam Hoffmann posted Alpena discharging cement at LaFarge in Superior. 10/18/23 |
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| Tony Bidigare posted I just love seeing the SS Alpena passing by the USS Silversides as she pulls into Muskegon. She is the oldest steamship on the great lakes having been built in 1942. Donny Blair: I thought the lee a tregeurtha was also built in 1942. Tony Bidigare: Wikipedia has the Alpena as the oldest steamship on the great lakes. Maybe LAT is a diesel or perhaps built later the same year. Donny Blair: Tony Bidigare alpena feb 42 lat june 42. Charlie Campbell: Tregurtha was a steamship until 2005 when she was converted to diesel. Ken Zimmerman: Donny Blair The Alpena (formally the Leon Fraser) was built here on the lake. The Lee A Tragurtha was originally built as a WW2 tanker (the Chiwawa I believe) then converted to a lake freighter after the war. Interesting tidbit, she was present in Tokyo Bay during the signing ceremony ending WW2. Ron Harner: how long before Alpena leaves? Tony Bidigare: Ron Harner She is a self unloader so it shouldn't take more than eight or nine hours at the most. [Toney is wondering if he can catch her with a 2 hour trip.] [The comments include additional photos of the Alpena.] Nick Breznai shared James Torgeson: Originally the Leon Fraser, one of five “Supers” built for USS to handle the tremendous increase in ore traffic generated by WW2. |
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| Dan Tucker posted The Alpena in Alpena… Merry Christmas! ⚓️🎄🎄⚓️ Marty Welser-Dougherty: So many of the ships used to decorate when I was a child, Dad used to take us for a drive along the River to see them. |
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| Tony Rogers posted Still a beauty at 82 years old [in 2024] |
2 of 4 photos posted Master Sergeant Media LLC with the comment: "The Alpena arrives in Green Bay, WI."
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| Master Sergeant Media LLC posted The Alpena arrives in Green Bay, WI. [Walnut Street Bridge] |
David Kaye posted two side views of the Alpena.
Drone photo of Alpena arriving in Alpena for the Lafarge Cement Plant. It is a cement plant. It looks like they have three older rotary kilns and two newer ones.
1995 Flickr of Alpena west of the Skyway
Drone photo of Alpena arriving in Alpena for the Lafarge Cement Plant. It is a cement plant. It looks like they have three older rotary kilns and two newer ones.
1995 Flickr of Alpena west of the Skyway
There are several photos of Alpena in Milwaukee Jones Island because that is one of the ports to which Alpena delivers cement.
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