EYRARBAKKI headed toward Northport Friday afternoon, Nov. 23rd, with lake freighter on the horizon. Jim Rose photo. |
We received our first snowfall of the season Saturday night, a couple of inches. It was the first measurable snowfall since early last March, according to the Channel 5 meteorologist. A cold air mass followed on the low pressure cell that produced strong westerly winds Friday and Saturday.
Friday's trips became more difficult as seas in the Door approached 8-10 feet, short and steep. The day's last round trip was cancelled as a result. Shown above is a photo taken by ticket seller Jim Rose from the Northport dock, around 3 pm. This is what Jim wrote:
The gales of November are not just part of the lyrics to a song, but were a real occurrence on Friday, November 23rd. The Washington Island Ferry Line provided service all day, but was forced to cancel just the last trip of the day. Winds at Northport were recorded as high as 32 knots, with 44 knot gusts, on that day. In terms of miles per hour, that is about 35 and 50 mph. Info from the Northport NOAA weather station may be accessed on line at:
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=npdw3
Photos show the spray over the breakwall, and the Eyrarbakki heading toward Northport, with Pilot Island in the background, and a lake freighter off in the distance.
The high winds depleted water from the shallows of Detroit Harbor once again, with a measurement Saturday morning indicating we reached a new low, even if it is temporary record. Water levels in Detroit Harbor are now at their lowest point, with several weeks before the time in early January when the annual low is often recorded.
This puts the channel depth now at something like 13 feet, or only two feet of water beneath the Arni J. Richter's keel in a loaded condition. This is one reason the Arni J. Richter won't be used until ice enroute makes it our only choice. This morning our crew made a dry run using the side ramp of the AJR at the Potato Dock to determine if levels will work for autos and short trucks. A shoal area about 50 feet north of and parallel to the pier must be dredged before we dare place the ferry bow-in to shore. (And the stern ramp is already too low for loading.) Dredging arrangements are being made, and the WDNR expedited our permit application for this project. We hope to have our marine contractor here within a few weeks to begin work.
Among the impacts to be realized by shifting to the Potato Dock and the use of side loading: Trucks over 30 feet in length could not be carried due to their length. There would be no possibility, with side loading, to load or unload a vehicle such as long as a semi.
In preparation for the very real prospect that ferry operations could well shift to the Potato Dock for part, or most, of this coming winter, operating guidelines are being developed to meet passenger, vehicle and freight logistics from that location.
In the final photos (also by Jim Rose) heavy and oversize equipment is featured. We transported the Gersek Construction gravel crushing equipment from the island days prior to the opening weekend of hunting (approximately Nov. 15-16). The crusher represents one of the heaviest, most concentrated loads we carry, at approximately 100,000 lbs.
Crusher/screening plant backing from the AJR foredeck. (Jim Rose photo) |
These loads represented two extremes of concentrated weight and dimension. Their transport was at the limits of what is currently possible, given water levels.
Elevator takes up deck space, and then some. (Jim Rose photo) |
- Dick Purinton
2 comments:
Channel depth today is L.W.D. -21" which makes the 14' channel actually 12'3". The Arni J.Richter loaded under forced draft draws 11'4" in calm conditions.
VERY interesting post, Dick, though I'll note I enjoy all of them.
That crusher/screener is impressive. I chuckle when I think about what the North Shore and Welcome could transport "back in the day", both side loaders.
Thanks, and Happy Holidays to all!
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