Category Archives: Trains & Boats & Planes

In The News, December 28

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Ranger Bob

Bayfield County Press, December 28, 1936 Ordeal in Lake – Bayfield Men Stranded Five Days Without Food Two Bayfield fishermen, Leo Boutin and his nephew Morris, told today how a snowstorm stranded them on Stockton Island in Lake Superior without … Continue reading →

Posted in Apostle Islands, Trains & Boats & Planes | Comments Off

For The Last Day of Chanukkah: S.L Goldish, Captain

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Ranger Bob

For David and Rachel, on the eighth day of Chanukkah 2011. On September 4, 1930, a 56-foot wooden boat burned at a dock in Waukegan, Illinois. Though it bore the name Island Queen, the newspapers reported that it had gained … Continue reading →

Posted in Apostle Islands, Trains & Boats & Planes | 5 Comments

Off Little Sand Bay Right Now: MV Edgar A. Speer

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Ranger Bob

All Photos by Ranger Sue Best guess what it’s doing there: waiting in a cozy spot to take her turn at the Two Harbors ore dock. Guest Commentary: We would see them in East Bay once in a while; usually … Continue reading →

Posted in Apostle Islands, Trains & Boats & Planes | 2 Comments

And In The News, December 9

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Ranger Bob

Bayfield Press, December 9, 1948 Newcomer in Bayfield Harbor Rams and Sinks Boat The W.W. Hill Late Saturday afternoon the W. W. Hill, a 55-foot diesel-powered boat brought here from Benton Harbor Michigan, rammed Ervin LeBel’s 40-foot Alan L as … Continue reading →

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Keeper’s Log, December 3

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Ranger Bob

Sand Island Lighthouse, December 3, 1905 N gale and cloudy, cold, some snow. At 4:00 P. M. a piece of wreck came ashore. It was new and looked as though it came from the cabben or pilot house of some … Continue reading →

Posted in Keepers' Logs, Trains & Boats & Planes | 2 Comments

Keeper’s Log, November 30

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Ranger Bob

LaPointe Light Station, November 30, 1896 SSW smoky on the water. Still cold and thick. The bay is mostly froze over. Tonight will finish it. One steamer went out 5 P.M. Ther. at AM 15 below zero. At 12:30 PM … Continue reading →

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Another Whaleback

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Ranger Bob

Lisa G commented on my previous post, noting that the Christopher Columbus looked top-heavy, and I could not agree more. Since streamlining was a defining characteristic of the whaleback ship, the Columbus was not at all a representative example of … Continue reading →

Posted in Trains & Boats & Planes | 2 Comments

Meanwhile, In Our Neighborhood

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Ranger Bob

Sad: Worker dies on boat off Apostle Islands Duluth News-Tribune, Aug. 9, 2010 A worker was fatally injured Sunday aboard the 1,000-foot laker Stewart J. Cort off the Apostle Islands. The Bayfield County Sheriff’s Department indentified the victim as Denton … Continue reading →

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May The Schwartz Be With You

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Ranger Bob

Monster at the Washburn marina the last couple of evenings: the Corps of Engineer’s giant derrick H.J. Schwartz. So how does one move very large rocks into position on a Lake Superior breakwater? Use the Schwartz, Luke!

Posted in Cheeseland, Trains & Boats & Planes | Comments Off

Of Tows And Consorts

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Ranger Bob

My friend Lisa G. asked a question about the use of the term “consort” in the Raspberry Island log entry from July 5, 1893: Whaleback steamer and consort was aground abreast of Light at 8:30 A.M. First, let’s establish one … Continue reading →

Posted in Matters of History, Trains & Boats & Planes | Comments Off

Happy Birthday To A Notable Bridge

Posted on July 2, 2010 by Ranger Bob

I got a message this morning letting me know that Sunday will mark the 175th anniversary of the dedication of the Thomas Viaduct on the original main line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This multi-span masonry arch was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bridges, Trains & Boats & Planes | Comments Off

Just For Gene

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Ranger Bob

A Springer Spaniel with a finely developed aesthetic sense. Duluth Air Show, 2002.

Posted in Dogs, Trains & Boats & Planes | 1 Comment