Hon. James L. Oberstar - Watch Her Dry Docking in Action!

Here is the Hon. James L. Oberstar arriving in the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior on the morning of January 15, 2025. She was coming in for winter layup at the end of the 2024-2025 shipping season. Winter layup this year would include a visit to the dry dock at Fraser Shipyard, where she would get her five-year inspection and maintenance completed. (Technically it's a graving dock, but we won't worry too much about semantics here.)
But first, we see the Oberstar arrive in the Duluth shipping canal, where she would exchange a captain's salute with the Aerial Lift Bridge. I then moved over to Fraser Shipyard (after documenting the Lee A. Tregurtha's arrival through the canal, seen in my previous video) to watch the Oberstar enter into dry dock. Before she could enter, time was spent (prior to my arrival on the scene) to sweep as much ice out of the dry dock as possible... as that ice would only be in the way once they pumped the water out. This was done using both the tugboat Missouri and two excavators. As we watch the Oberstar begin to enter the dry dock, the excavators are still doing their best to keep the ice out of the dry dock. Once she was halfway into the dry dock, we finally see the propeller on the Oberstar come to rest as she lets her momentum carry her the rest of the way in. I then moved around to the front to capture some images of the Oberstar as she comes in the rest of the way into the dry dock.
This was my first time capturing a dry dock arrival for this channel, so it was nice to finally document it. As I don't have access to Fraser Shipyard, I can't get up close images of the dry dock, nor could I document the water removal... though that is a pretty slow process that probably wouldn't have made for an exciting video. If you'd like to see nice aerial images of her in the dry dock, David Shauer has them posted on the Facebook group Shipping of the Lake Superior Region.
If we're lucky, we might see the Oberstar emerge from the dry dock with a fresh coat of paint on her. Her fleet mates Mesabi Miner, Lee A. Tregurtha, Stewart J. Cort, Herbert C. Jackson, and Kaye E. Barker all received fresh paint on their most recent five-year inspections. So it seems a good likelihood that the Oberstar will get the same beauty treatment. Interlake Steamship has a lot of pride in their fleet and is willing to make the investment to keep their boats looking sharp. Considering the cost involved to repaint (about $1 million for a boat like the Oberstar), it's admirable that they make the effort!
I also couldn't resist getting a shot of the Michipicoten sitting nearby, as we wait to see what her next move will be. The scuttlebutt is that she had her crack fully repaired while in dry dock in summer 2024... as photos of the removed plating were published... but Transport Canada is requiring some extra inspection and maintenance on other parts of the boat. We may see that occur in the Spring, unless demand is low enough that her services aren't needed. If anything happens, I'll do my best to cover it. In the meantime, she will winter near the Oberstar. If these boats could talk, I imagine they would have a lot of "war stories" to tell. Between them, they have a combined 139 years on the Great Lakes!
The 806-foot Hon. James L. Oberstar started service in 1959, originally named the Shenango II. From 1967 to 2011, she was named the Charles M. Beeghly as she sailed for Interlake Steamship. In 2011, she was named in honor of the former Congressman from Minnesota who supported Great Lakes shipping and the maritime industry in general. In 2008, her steam turbine was replaced with two Rolls-Royce Marine Bergen 6-cylinder B32:40L6P diesel engines each rated at 4,079 b.h.p. A scrubbing system is in place to remove particulates and pollutants from her exhaust. She can carry up to 31,000 tons of cargo in her five cargo holds. Those holds are accessed by 25 hatches. A gravity-fed conveyor system allows her to unload her own cargo, using a 250-foot unloading boom.
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[@hawkeyeten2450]

Fascinating footage! You don't normally get to see the ship's propeller in action like that. Surprised it was already so high out of the water pulling into the dock.

[@1Long2Short]

I think they needed to get her high enough in the water to get over the blocks that she will sit on (once the dock is drained). Otherwise you don’t often see the prop out of the water. 🙂

[@mplsmark222]

They must be pumping out the ballast tanks as they approached the harbor. She wouldn’t want to be out there in rough seas riding that high.

[@jeffdayman8183]

Great to see the dry docking of the Oberstar. Fun to see the prop at work up close while the ship was light. I don't think it's any sort of grave error not calling it a graving dock...8^) anyway I enjoyed the video. Cheers!

[@1Long2Short]

The prop was kind of mesmerizing to watch in person. 😵‍💫

[@oceansoul3694]

thank you, Mark, for bringing this to us. I'm always amazed at the skill of these Captains, and to navigate this huge ship in a tiny space like this only adds to my appreciation of them. Looks like everyone up there is ready for a long winter's nap.

[@1Long2Short]

Yes, I think everyone was ready for this season to be over. 🥱 Less than two months and it all starts up again!

[@gloriakneller8369]

I wouldn't be able to witness this on my own, so thank you for the gift

[@almeadows8277]

My dad used to work for the Snyder Mining Company, a subsidiary of the Shenango Furnace Company, the original owner of the Oberstar. Somehow, he finagled a trip on the Shenango II, for our family, from Duluth to Detroit and back in 1963. Captain Doyle was in charge. It was the trip of a lifetime for a young teenager.

[@1Long2Short]

Sounds like a wonderful memory!

[@janetryan9779]

This was very interesting….gave us unique views of things that we don’t usually see. Thank you.

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks! I don’t normally get to see it either!

[@lie-berry]

Thanks for the video. I'd never seen this process before.

[@1Long2Short]

Me either! 😁

[@ReclinedPhysicist]

As much as I like watching these videos of these old Great lakes freighters, looking at all that ice makes me feel good when I think that it's going to be 80° in Houston tomorrow.

[@1Long2Short]

😎

[@laurenolson8492]

Thank you Mark!!! Seeing the propeller stop was neat! It looked so little to me! I should be in Duluth Wednesday through Saturday and will go by to visit with all of the sleeping beauties there! My last stop!!! Sturgeon Bay, Port Huron, Goderich, Hamilton, Port Colborne, Buffalo, Erie, Conneaut, Ashtabula, Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit (where I saw NOTHING! Their boats are hard to see unless you trespass) and then Superior/Duluth! Got to see Roger Blough and Cuyahoga. Wish I had seen them sail in person.

[@1Long2Short]

Oh wow, you’re really making the rounds! I need to get out and see those ports someday soon. Maybe this summer! 😎 Enjoy your time back in the Twin Ports!

[@laurenolson8492]

​@@1Long2ShortI even fit in Gerald R Ford museum and 2 nights in Niagara Falls!

[@laurenolson8492]

​@@1Long2Shortand a meal at Tony Packos! AMA had already left! 😆 🤣 😂 😹 They were parked for the winter!

[@1Long2Short]

Were they still cleaning up after the crew? 😁😆

[@laurenolson8492]

​@1Long2Short 😂😂😂 not that I saw! The best hot dog ever. And the best cabbage roll which I ate later.

[@cds957]

That's a great video , I loved the close ups of the props. thanks

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you!

[@tomglessing3748]

Man it looks like you spent considerable time in some very cold conditions making this great video, thanks much Mark.

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks Tom!

[@NEAFarmKid4010]

Alrighty, we'll see if the comment works this time lol. First of all, great video! I love the videography skills that go into making shots like this. Duluth is a long long long ways from Arkansas, but mark my words one of these days I'll make it up there to watch some of the classic lakers in the area. I don't know why, but the lines of the classic lakers (Arthur M. Anderson, Philip R. Clarke, Cason J. Callaway, John G. Munson, Kaye E. Barker, James L. Oberstar, Herbert C. Jackson, Wilfred Sykes, Edward L. Ryerson, Michipicoten, Cuyahoga, Saginaw, Alpena and many others) have just always appealed to me the most. Don't get me wrong, I love the other super freighters (Roger Blough, Joseph L. Block, etc.) and I love the Footers (especially the Cort), but the classic lakers have a sense of awesomeness about them. The history lover in me wishes that they could still be steam powered, but of course I understand why they aren't. I guess I miss the sounds of the old Leslie Tyfons, all but gone off of the lakes today (except for the Alpena's dual 300 DVEs). Speaking of steam horns, there is a Facebook page ran by one of the crew members on board the Wilfred Sykes who volunteered for winter layup work and has consequently been posting images from said work. I was just curious (because I know there is evidence on another KZbin channel of the Sykes blowing her steam horns back in 2006 or so) and asked him if the reason they weren't used anymore was just because they were worn out, or if there was another reason. He confirmed my suspicion and replied that they were worn, and the diaphragms are no longer available for them. I had replied saying it was a shame there weren't drawings available for reproductions to be made (I didn't think there would be), but to my surprise he said they did exist. To my dismay though, he said the lines running up to where the horns were mounted in the stack had been cut and plugged off many moons ago. Drats lol. Anyways, thanks for listening to my rambling, and know that all of us who love this kind of history and aren't able to see it ourselves appreciate the work you do!

[@1Long2Short]

Your comment showed up this time! Thanks for the kind words. I agree about the classic ships. As much as I love the footers, it’s the classics that keep me interested in making more videos. I want to document them while they are still around!

[@NEAFarmKid4010]

@@1Long2Short The classics just have a certain look to them. As much as I love the history behind the Footers (and the fact all THIRTEEN originals still survive), I just like the classics. I really hope I can make it to the Duluth area sometime soon enough that I can see the Alpena in all her glory. Far as I know she's pretty much the only laker that still uses her steam horns. Only other one that even still has them fitted as far as I'm aware is the Ryerson. The Munson had to have been a joy to hear when she still had her steam horns. From what I've learned from a channel called "Captain's Salute" she had a trio of horns, two 300 DVEs and a 425 DVE. That had to have been something. Heck, the Oberstar (the Charles M. Beeghly then) had three too, a 200, a 300 and a 425. There are recordings of it thankfully.

[@topgeardel]

Good video and excellent photography. Everything about this video says COLD. In Michigan we just got through with a few days of Polar Vortex.

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you! Yes, it was very cold that day. The video downplays just how biting that wind was.

[@gluhves]

wonderful catch, love these videos

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you!

[@Rainhill1829]

So cool to see that variable pitch prop in action.

[@RelaxingAtmospheresGermany]

Brilliant 🤩👍🏻

[@LinseyBurt-hc4cu]

That was pretty cool. I hope we get to see what they do when they start the new season. You could almost hear the ship give a big sigh when she finally stopped.

[@1Long2Short]

You might have been hearing a big collective sigh from the crew. 😁

[@t.sewell1513]

The contrast of man made objects and natural light and earth are becoming epic.

[@1Long2Short]

🙂

[@donkauer6744]

That was super fun. Right down to the engine stopping. I don't know if it was the cold and the angle of the microphone or both, or...but the horn sounded extra awesome this time in.

[@1Long2Short]

Considering how cold it was that morning, I was surprised the horn worked as well as it did!

[@mrmeyers26]

Any news on the Michipicoten?

[@1Long2Short]

Nothing recent. We’ll probably see something happen in the spring.

[@gregmctevia5087]

That’s some good work right there. The big prop chewing up the ice was impressive. By the way, pleased to finally introduced. All the years we’ve been chatting and never knew your real name. I just assumed 1 long, 2 short was on your birth certificate. 🤣🤣🤣

[@1Long2Short]

Maybe I should legally change my name! 😉

[@gregmctevia5087]

@1Long2Short 😂😂😂

[@workingclasschump]

Thanks for this video! I don't understand though, is it only in the dock halfway? How will they make the dock dry?

[@1Long2Short]

She would eventually make it fully inside the dry dock. Then they close the doors and pump out the water. It’s just a long process that would take a while to see. My numb fingers and toes weren’t up for spending that much time outside. 😉

[@workingclasschump]

@@1Long2Short No kidding. :) Thanks again.

[@dianebeier8379]

Thank you, what a beauty she is...time for a much deserved rest!!😊😊😊😊

[@1Long2Short]

Hopefully she emerges from the dry dock looking even more beautiful! 😁

[@bettygilmore611]

Fasinatung . Thank you.

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks!

[@cris_261]

Huh... I posted a comment earlier on this video, and it disappeared. Wonder what happened? 🤔 Regardless, this is a great video. Thank you for showing the drydocking process. Very interesting! 👍 😎

[@NEAFarmKid4010]

It happened to mine too. I wonder if it has something to do with posting a comment really soon after a video is posted

[@1Long2Short]

Hmmm, that’s odd. I didn’t see anything being held in comment purgatory. It must have just vanished. 🤔

[@1Long2Short]

It’s hard to be certain. But I do appreciate the effort, so thank you! 😊

[@cris_261]

@1Long2Short it was my take on the Oberstar and Michipicoten catching up on things while in drydock. I've had comments dissappear before, only to sometimes return.

[@NEAFarmKid4010]

@ I'll try again and see if it stays this time lol

[@Bobbyo60]

Excellent work!!

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you Bobby!

[@harryscott9533]

🤓🙋‍♂️❤👍

[@1Long2Short]

😁👍

[@harryscott9533]

@1Long2Short ❤👍

[@Rgreenacres]

Amazing how little wake is produced.

[@chrisbrady-t1u]

I would then rent it out for a event space,weddings and bar mitzvahs,receptions,etc.Aint making no money sitting idle.

[@jeremywentworth1833]

Nice to see the michipicoten near the end of the video, is it known what's happening is she been saved or sadly scrapped. She's so old I'm hoping for a reprieve for her & she's back out on the Great Lakes sometime in the near future !!!

[@1Long2Short]

They invested the money to replace the cracked hull plates, but apparently Transport Canada has additional items (perhaps unrelated) they want to see addressed. That will probably occur in the spring, unless demand for Michipicoten’s tonnage has dropped. She is still flying her flags and has several lights on at night. She doesn’t look like a ship due to be scrapped. 🙂

[@zacharywalters8139]

Little bit of prop cavitation 😂

[@1Long2Short]

Just a little! 😉 They were pumping out her ballast so she would sit high going into dry dock.

[@dietmarwiller4522]

Was vor long Shipps????

[@jepsdog3859]

Are bunks pre placed on the Dry dock pryer to the ship moving in to place ? Must be quite a job getting everything perfectly placed.

[@1Long2Short]

Yes, I believe it is all set up in advance when the dock is dry. Then they fill up the dock, bring the ship in, and pump the water back out.

[@jepsdog3859]

@@1Long2Short👍🏻

[@TOTALCAMARO]

Great video. I got to see her quite often in Marquette. I enjoy that. Do they reverse the rotation of that propeller when they need to back up?

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks! I don’t know if they actually reverse the propeller or if they just change the pitch of the blades. I want to say it’s the latter. During that first closeup I did of the propeller, it appeared they had the blades set for a flat pitch… meaning it could spin while not giving the ship a push in either direction. Then they could make fine adjustments to the pitch to maintain their position while they worked to remove ice from the dry dock.

[@Rainhill1829]

Oberstar uses a fully reversable variable pitch prop, so the direction of rotation stays the same, and because she generates electricity off her prop shaft as well the rpm rate often stays the same.

[@TOTALCAMARO]

@@1Long2Short ok thank you 😊

[@TOTALCAMARO]

@@Rainhill1829 thank you just trying to learn more about them

[@ricksadler797]

Ahh the old michy sad to hear about that one

[@1Long2Short]

She may still have some good days ahead. 🙂

[@J70a.m-zg6gi_wha0]

no one loves me

[@1Long2Short]

I doubt that! 🙂