Jim Achtenberg www.jachtenberg.com

Lake Superior Agate likes The Footers

[ Footers ] [ Interlake ] [ Rand-American Steamship, Grand River Nav ] [ Great Lakes Fleet-Central Marine-VanEnkevort ] [ Canadian ] [ Salties-Others ] // Click any photo to enlarge

Because access to Lake Superior is crucial for the shipping industry, 13 massive freighters have been built to push the limits of size on the Great Lakes. During the 1970s and early 1980s, freighters over 1,000 feet in length became the gold standard, designed specifically to fit within the Poe Locks maximum dimensions. These giants are so large that they cannot travel beyond the Great Lakes, making them a unique and essential part of the regions maritime industry.



Interlake Steamship Co

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Paul R Tregurtha - 1981
formerly William J DeLancey
1,013 feet 6 inches long, 105 feet wide
The Queen of the Lakes
June 24, 2020 6:12pm
Aune Osborn campground
Downbound from Superior, WI
with coal for St Clair power plant
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Stewart J Cort - 1972
1,000 feet long, 105 feet wide
First 1000-foot freighter
October 21, 2023
Mackinac Island Coal Dock
Downbound towards the Mackinac Bridge
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James R Barker - 1976
1,004 feet long, 105 feet wide
June 9, 2024 4:15pm
In the Rock Cut
Downbound to Burns Harbor
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Mesabi Miner - 1977
1,004 feet long, 105 feet wide
June 23, 2020 10:58am
Aune Osborn campground
Upbound towards the Locks


American Steamship Co
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Walter J McCarthy Jr - 1977
formerly Belle River
1,000 feet long, 105 feet wide
July 14, 2025 5:50pm
Aune Osborn campground
Downbound to Gary, IN
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American Integrity - 1978
formerly Lewis Nelson Foy and Oglebay Norton
1,000 feet long, 105 feet wide
July 8, 2025 5:40pm
Aune Osborn campground
Downbound to Gary, IN
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American Spirit - 1978
formerly George A Stinson
1,004 feet long, 105 feet wide
July 9, 2025 9:16pm
Aune Osborn campground
Upbound to Duluth
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Indiana Harbor - 1979
1,000 feet long, 105 feet wide
June 8, 2025 10:00am
Aune Osborn campground
Upbound to Two Harbors, MN
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Burns Harbor - 1980
1,000 feet long, 105 feet wide
June 7, 2024 12:11pm
Aune Osborn campground
Downbound to Burns Harbor, IN
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American Century - 1981
formerly Columbia Star
1,000 feet long, 105 feet wide
September 27, 2023 1:52pm
Aune Osborn campground
Downbound towards Drummond Island


Great Lakes Fleet
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Presque Isle tug/barge - 1973
1000 feet long, 104 feet 7 inches wide
June 10, 2024 3:49pm
Aune Osborn campground
Downbound to Indiana Harbor
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Edwin H Gott - 1979
1,004 feet long, 105 feet wide
July 17, 2025 6:06pm
Aune Osborn campground
Downbound to Nanticoke, PA
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Edgar B Spear - 1980
1,004 feet long, 105 feet wide
October 7, 2022 11:47am
Mackinac Island Windemeer Point
Upbound to Two Harbors, MN
Miss Margy photobomb


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All original content is Copyright 2026 by James C. Achtenberg. Permission is granted to reproduce for non-profit purposes, with attribution. This site is produced privately. Images are not to be republished or used for any commercial purposes.