Author Topic: Activity on Edward L. Ryerson; May Sail This Season  (Read 2989 times)

Offline Chris Mazzella

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Activity on Edward L. Ryerson; May Sail This Season
« on: May 25, 2006, 06:43:04 PM »
Directly from boatnerd.com

5/25 -  The Edward L. Ryerson may sail again, and soon. Workers were busy earlier this week running various tests as well as conducting an inventory of equipment needed before the idle vessel can sail, according to waterfront observers in Sturgeon Bay. Reports also indicate the handsome vessel will be placed in the drydock for hull evaluation sometime next week.

The Ryerson is in need of a five-year Coast Guard inspection before she will be allowed to sail. Radars, removed for use on other vessels, will have to be replaced and AIS will need to be installed.

There has been no official announcement from Central Marine Logistics, which would operate the vessel for owner Mittal Steel.

In lay up since the end of the 1998 shipping season at Sturgeon Bay, it had been widely believed that the career of classic, 730-foot, straight-deck steamer was over, doomed by her lack of self-unloading equipment, high crew size and expensive steam power plant. Improved demand for ore may be behind this renewed interest in the Ryerson.

If plans to refit the vessel go ahead, it is hoped she would be ready to sail by the end of June or early July. Reports indicate her runs would include trips from Escanaba and Duluth to Indiana Harbor.

Offline Magogman

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Re: Activity on Edward L. Ryerson; May Sail This Season
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2006, 04:55:01 PM »
If this happens, and seeing is believing, it will be one of the more sigificant events in recent years for Great Lakes shipspotters.  For those not familiar with the Ryerson, it is a Great Lakes icon and one of the most aesthetically pleasing ships to ever sail on the Great Lakes.

When the Sherwin was inspected earlier this spring it was found that zebra mussels had significantly weakened the hull during its long layup-- I hope that is not the case with the Ryerson but, again, I am not holding my breath.

If it does sail, I will be on the shore watching it!
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Offline Jeff Thoreson

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Re: Activity on Edward L. Ryerson; May Sail This Season
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2006, 01:32:28 AM »
I completely agree. I will be there if she does start to run again.

I'm not holding my breath for great news on the Sherwin, either. My guess is that the Sherwin will probably end up being converted to a barge, if Interlake does even decide to repair the weak spots in her hull, which will still be significantly cheaper than buying or building a new vessel.

Offline Chris Mazzella

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Re: Activity on Edward L. Ryerson; May Sail This Season
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2006, 02:01:37 AM »
I have connections with Fraser Shipyards, who elvaluated her and he said shes not in as bad of shape as rumored. Yes it does need some work of the bottom plates. Other wise she's in suprisingly good condition

Offline Magogman

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Re: Activity on Edward L. Ryerson; May Sail This Season
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2006, 04:29:11 AM »
I guess we need to hold our collective breaths!!!!!!!!!!!

I have never been a groupie before but I might follow the Ryerson from port to port for awhile!
My blog with narrative and more photos is located at:
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read the introduction and also there are about 5 different blogs of ships and railroads

Offline Chris Mazzella

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Re: Activity on Edward L. Ryerson; May Sail This Season
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2006, 01:42:38 PM »
Ryerson was moved into drydock Saturday morning.

 

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