#shipsofmastodon

Among the fascinating (to me, anyway) items when I toured the Great Lakes freighter William A. Irvin in Duluth Thursday was the woodwork for the staircase in the pilot house. In addition to the captain’s quarters are four guest rooms and a guest lounge; VIPs and celebrities were known to go on mini-cruises as the ship sailed the Great Lakes and did so on other ships as well. The whole thing just … kicked ass. #MuseumShips #ShipsOfMastodon #DestinationDuluth

If this boat nerd is lucky, I might run across something like this when I’m in Duluth later this week; the Stewart J. Cort waits to fuel in Duluth harbor before heading to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe dock to load ore, 30 July, 2026. Photo by David Schauer. #ShipsOfMastodon #GreatLakes #LakeSuperior #DestinationDuluth

Morning fueling in Duluth for the 1,000 foot long (or “footer”) Walter J. McCarthy Jr., 27 June, 2026. Photo by David Schauer. #ShipsOfMastodon #GreatLakes #LakeSuperior “The footer would head to Two Harbors when done fueling.” - David Schauer

The Mark W. Barker makes a rare stop in Duluth arriving with salt for the Envirotech-Hallett Dock 8, 11 April, 2026. Photo by Gus Schauer. #ShipsOfMastodon #GreatLakes #LakeSuperior #DestinationDuluth “After unloading, the newest U.S.-flagged Great Lakes bulk carrier (2022) went out into the lake to wait for fleetmate Oberstar to clear Canadian National Dock 6.” - David Schauer

The first “blue hour” departure from Duluth of the 2026 shipping season for the Mesabi Miner, loaded with iron ore for Cleveland, 23 March, 2026. Photo by David Schauer. #ShipsOfMastodon #GreatLakes #LakeSuperior #NorthernWayOfLife