TREGURTHA MISSION....PICK UP AND DELIVERY OF COAL

This entry will be in two parts as I want to share both the pickup and delivery of the coal; however, we did experience the delivery prior to the pickup, so I shall share in that order. 

PART ONE:  The Paul R. Tregurtha freighter delivers coal.  We began our trip in Michigan where the coal is deposited, and we now continue the trip to the source of the coal...Duluth, MI.  Other freighters pick up iron ore ... Taconite pellets... and deliver to various locations.  This trip, the Tregurtha dropped half its load in St. Clair Shores and the remainder in Monroe.  Because the waters around Monroe are very shallow, only a portion of the load can be taken to Monroe. Follows are pictures of the drop off of the coal.  We were on board during the day time delivery of the load of coal which approximated 35,000 tons, and it took 9.5 hours to take it off the freighter via a conveyor belt/self-unloader.  This coal is burned to provide electricity to a wide area. Fascinating process.

This is a coal hold.  There are nine holes and 36 hatches.  The hatch is removed, and the coal comes off the boat, is dropped to a conveyor belt in "the tunnel" below and conveyed through a boom to a tower/silo type structure where it is then dispersed to another area for further transport to the electric plant. 

This is a photo of the boom that carries the coal to the tower shown here. 

This is the boom all tucked in for the evening after unloading the coal. 

This is crushed limestone being delivered in the same area; however, this has been delivered by train to the area.  You can see the trains with coal in the foreground. 

PART TWO:  I now continue from a foggy Duluth, MN...water temperature about 38, air temperature 48....with photos and information on the pickup of the coal which has been delivered to Duluth, MN by rail. 

Arrival in Duluth, Minnesota at 4:30 am! Thanks Jeff and Barb for staying on watch!

Jeff hanging with the men who make the deposit of the coal into the holds of the Tregurtha possible. 

This shows the bottom of the hold into which coal will be deposited and then removed by dropping through the openings at the bottom of the hold and going onto a conveyor belt below which then goes up into the boom shown earlier for dumping in Monroe and St. Clair for use by Detroit Edison.  By the way, the 65,000 (approximate) tons of coal provides energy for two days of power.  (more explanation for this is obviously needed.....is that power to Beaver Island or to Detroit....big difference)

This is a great shot of the hold with the hatch off.  This one has been filled and awaiting the placement of the hatch. 

A marvelous photo by Jeff showing the actual dumping of coal.  Thanks!

A distance shot of the procedure. 

Check out the information on the board and realize the worker monitors and operates the loading of the coat with the remote control in his arms.  

All of the crew graciously let us watch the operation and to them we say thanks.  I expressed how fascinated we all are about what they are doing, the the gentleman said, "It's just a job to us."  Isolated, nearly institutionalized lives they live on board.  More on this later.....