Invitation aboard the Arthur M Anderson Great Lakes Freighter | Part 2: Full Video Walkthrough

[@emperoring112]

That Captain has to be one of the coolest guys on the Great Lakes, the perfect person to command the legendary Anderson too. Thank you so much for sharing this moment man, not too many get to see what you did. Long Live the Captain and Long Live the Anderson!

[@thomas.salwoski]

I couldn't agree more, the Captain is one of the coolest people I've met, ever. I wish the footage was a little better quality, I didn't realize what I had gotten myself into!! But I'm so glad I got out that pocket cam at the last minute. I hope to see the Anderson going by for many years to come! Thank you for watching

[@rudycarlson8245]

@@thomas.salwoski how long has her captain has been in charge of her?

[@rudycarlson8245]

This was a very rare opportunity to see the legend of the Great Lakes. This was incredibly kind of her captain!

[@thomas.salwoski]

@@rudycarlson8245 If I remember correctly, I believe he said it was his 5th or 6th year as Captain of the Anderson.

[@peggyswander3744]

The Captain of the Anderson must have a grandson who is a truck driver. My husband met the grandson and he was telling my husband about his grandfather and maybe his father working on freighters. I thought that was really cool.

[@miguelsalami]

She looks good especially for her age just needs a little TLC a fresh coat of paint here & there. Absolutely Incredible Iconic Ship ⚓

[@thomas.salwoski]

She is still in incredible condition for sure! The crew was hard at work doing maintenance while loading was going on. A testament to their hard work and dedication

[@Cashcrop54]

There's a Captain that loves, and is proud of, his ship. Saw a huge smile a few times there. I've been on the dock when the Anderson was tied up back in 1978 or so. Had a friend who served on the Reserve and took him to the dock to get onboard and saw many ships like the Fitz and the Anderson. He always smiled when he saw I was impressed with the ship.

[@thomas.salwoski]

No doubt! I've never seen a prouder man explaining his work. Just being on the Anderson was incredible, but the Captain made it even better! We were on board for over 3 hours, he explained how everything worked and I don't think he ever stopped smiling. I can never thank him enough! I was born just a few months before the Fitz went down so I was never able to see her. But my dad started taking me freighter watching when I was very young at the Detroit River quite often.

[@Cashcrop54]

@@thomas.salwoski Awesome stuff. Thanks for response.

[@Rev1Kev]

Thanks for the great tour, the Anderson is one of my favorite ships, with an amazing history, when I see anything from the pilot house, I can almost vision Captain Cooper making that call to the Coast Guard to report the Fitzgerald missing……

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you for watching! The pilothouse had a feeling to it, no doubt. I kept looking at the search lights and radios and wondered if they were the same used that night. A lot of the original equipment was kept on, with much of it still being used!!

[@williamcap2236]

I would die if i got an invitation to see the legend herself ! ❤

[@thomas.salwoski]

I still don't believe it! Many thanks to the Captain for doing this

[@RobertSchildt-vt8yw]

If only that boat could talk about the storm of 1975 ,great walk through!

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! The history of that boat was felt everywhere I looked, it was as if it were talking. It was a feeling I'll never forget.

[@ALVIEDZANE]

I think that boat hasn't stopped weeping yet to have any words.

[@christinayounglove9231]

Truly amazing! I would love to be able to tour any of these ships, it would absolutely be a dream come true. For now, this was enough.😊

[@thomas.salwoski]

I still cannot believe I was able to walk those decks. It was certainly a dream come true for me, and I'm so glad the Captain was kind enough to allow me to share the experience. It was a truly amazing experience I will never forget! Thank you for watching!

[@philabbey3315]

Thank you captain for allowing this gentleman to tour your ship I can't believe what I saw. I love the freighters and especially the history of the Anderson. God bless and safe sailing Captain. Thank you for sharing this video with us, totally awesome.

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoyed it. These ships mean a great deal to me, growing up SCUBA diving many of the Great Lakes wrecks with my dad. It was an absolute dream come true to walk the deck of the Anderson. I don't have enough words to thank the Captain!

[@colincook7452]

Absolutely amazing you’re a very lucky dude, also what an amazing Captain, a true gentleman and a credit to himself and the company he represents, good luck and fair winds.

[@eveb446]

Thank you for taking us along.

[@ALVIEDZANE]

I was trying to imagine another verse to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Something to capture what the crew of the Anderson had to feel that night. Knowing what they'd just barely survived themselves, then watching the Fitz disappear, and being requested by the Coast Guard to go BACK out there and search for a ship they already knew was gone. The legend lives on.... Great tour.

[@thomas.salwoski]

I've been hearing the story my entire life, it still gets me emotional. I cannot imagine how it felt to go back out into those stormy waters to search

[@1royalpalm]

Kudos to the captain for allowing you to take the tour. I enjoyed watching the tour as I've always wanted to see the bridge and engineering spaces, etc. of this fine ship.

[@difreighterwatcher8603]

❤Thanks for sharing the view! So awesome to get the opportunity to Walk on History. The captain was so gracious and proud to show off his ship. I've been a freighter fan ( my family calls me a fanatic) since I was a little girl. Never got to see the inside like this. What a great experience. 👍

[@thomas.salwoski]

You're welcome, I'm glad I was able to share the experience! The Captain was the best, we had a blast together. My Dad was a professional wreck diver/hunter, I have photos of me in 1st grade sitting on boats with Fitzgerald t-shirts on! I eventually became his partner and was lucky to see many of the big wrecks, it was incredible. These freighters have been a large part of my entire life, but going aboard the Anderson (my favorite ship) while docked on Drummond (my favorite place), was just too much!! I still don't believe it happened. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@ronsamborski6230]

Freighter fans unite! 😃

[@freddypflugbeil6]

Wondering how many people it would take to replace one of those belts

[@thomas.salwoski]

@@ronsamborski6230 100%! I've been in Southern Michigan for a bit so I could photograph the eclipse, which meant I missed the start of freighter season. But I'll be home in a few days to start chasing them with my drone again! I cannot wait, and I'm going to try to get aboard another one this summer if I can!!

[@ronsamborski6230]

@@thomas.salwoski Detroit area here (Downriver) and grew up with our dad taking us to the riverfront now and then to watch boats and ships. I was Navy for four years right after high school graduation and have been in the propulsion areas of several different ships. The parts of the video explaining the loading, unloading and powering the ship were very interesting and informative. Hope you get to go up close and personal with more ships the way you did on the Anderson. 👍🏼 Thanks for sharing your channel.

[@BillAlexander-cv6oj]

Thanks for the tour Proud Captain. beautiful Ship.Cannot believe the size of these Freighters inside, and all the Machines needed to run a Boat...looking good for her Age..love this Ship...see it quite often crossing under the Blue Water Bridges always a Fave !!!

[@thomas.salwoski]

A very proud Captain, he was so much fun! The internal machinery was mind boggling. There a miles and miles worth of pipes and cables everywhere. That must be a beautiful site seeing her going under the Blue Water Bridge. Thank you for watching!!

[@bettygilmore611]

You did her justce. I would have been to awed to remember to stop and shoot photographs. That has happened to me so into the moment all I have is memories in my head. Nicely placed music.

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you!! I decided to leave all my gear behind. And as a photographer, it was tough decision! But I wanted to make sure I was in the moment and not fussing with camera settings and gear, this tour meant too much to me. I had my iPhone and a tiny pocket video cam, (which I only grabbed at the last minute!) I just held the cam to my chest the whole time hoping I was getting good shots!! I'm glad you liked it, and the music as well. It's so difficult to make a soundtrack

[@laurenolson8492]

Fabulous! Teared up here!!! The Captain was enjoying showing his baby off!!!

[@thomas.salwoski]

It was very emotional being on board, you could feel the history within the walls and machinery. The Captain was just incredible, he was having so much fun showing us around! Can never thank him enough

[@rudycarlson8245]

@@thomas.salwoski I am hoping that when the Anderson is retired from service, let’s hope that is many many years from now that she is turned into museum ship that can still sail something like the Jeremiah O’Brien, the World War II liberty ship she deserves that at the many many years of faithful service!

[@bettygilmore611]

So clean and well maintained. ❤

[@JimDog794]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Those ships are both massive and incredibly complex in their machinery and equipment. All those levels to explore and see the inner workings of a Great Lakes freighter was very entertaining.

[@alanadair2367]

It’s great to see her I am not an American and don’t live in America but I know the history and events that great ship has seen thanks so much for the video 👍

[@thomas.salwoski]

You're welcome, I'm happy you enjoyed. And I'm glad that her story is known outside of the Great Lakes as well

[@willienelson3460]

❤Absolutely outstanding! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@thomas.salwoski]

You're welcome, I'm glad you liked it. And thank you for watching!!

[@anthonysaggio6551]

Amazing video and an amazing captain we need more people like in this crazy world we live in😊

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you, much appreciated! And I couldn’t agree more. The Captain is one of the best people I’ve met in a lot of years. We had a great time, he was so proud of that ship! Just being on the Anderson was incredible, but he took it to a whole different level with that tour! Could never repay him for that

[@AaronDanieltenni]

Ever since hearing that Bernie Cooper died, I found the Arthur's captain to be a mystery and always wondered what he was like and what he looked like. This is amazing, to step onboard the ship that has been through so much history.

[@thomas.salwoski]

The Anderson couldn’t have a better Captain. I was always curious as well, and he was just the coolest guy ever. You could see how much he loved that ship, the tour was just incredible!

[@AaronDanieltenni]

@@thomas.salwoski Agreed! The energy to that tour impressed my very love for the Anderson and Fitzgerald. I did notice something in the wheelhouse. No wheel, or was I not paying much attention to the detail?

[@Jfk3434]

He was a true hero just doing his job❤️

[@terryboyer1342]

Talk about a dream come true!

[@CarBoH42]

What a fantastic video! I loved every second! Anderson is also my favorite ship and I track it constantly. Lucky you to get the footage! And what a great Captain! He knows what a valuable history he gets to navigate!

[@thomas.salwoski]

The captain was extremely proud of that ship! We had so much fun, he explained every detail of how everything worked. Was just incredible!!

[@JoshFoskett-s2q]

My hope is that, when the Anderson reaches the end of her life as a freighter, she will be preserved for all to see, and honor her historic life.

[@thomas.salwoski]

I agree! We talk about the fate of the Anderson quite a lot here on the island. There is no way they could scrap this icon, it's such an important part of history for the Great lakes, and the world! It needs to be a museum ship in my opinion.

[@kirkrisseler1485]

That was so amazing you got a chance to do that. So cool it gave me chills watching. Thanks for sharing.

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I still get chills every time I watch the video. It reminds me that it really did happen!! Thank you again

[@Jfk3434]

The audio transcript of Captain Cooper speaking with the CG after request made to go back out into the storm of the century was one of the most moving heroic adventures I will ever be privileged to have heard. That crew save for one all voted to go look for the Fitz God Bless them all!!

[@heikedrakakis8988]

Absolutely breathtaking! Thank you and the captain for this amazing tour and greetings from Greece!

[@thomas.salwoski]

You're very welcome! It makes me happy to see the Anderson is known worldwide. It is such an important part everyone's history, the story of the Anderson and the Fitzgerald and its crew should never be forgotten. Thank you!

[@sixramsalot]

That was awesome,thank tom and capt! my thoughts go back to that fateful night every time i see her

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you, I'm glad I was able to share. Same here, I grew up with that story and it meant a lot to be on board! And many thanks to the Captain, he was amazing!

[@tetreaulthank4068]

My appreciation to the captain and the man who videoed this amazing tour of this incredible ship. Thank you so much !!

[@thomas.salwoski]

Glad you enjoyed it! The Captain was incredibly nice, I can't thank him enough

[@heyjoe556]

Thank you so much for sharing your incredible experience. This captain in his casual jeans & NRA T-shirt was simply amazing to offer such generous a tour. I get excited every time I see A.C. Anderson from shore. History floating on by still working, still representing what this great country used to be. My dad would have been 91 yrs now, how I wish I could have watched this with him, but he passed many years ago. He served on a destroyer in Korea. Thanks again good sir, this put a tear in my eye! Just awesome! ❤👍

[@thomas.salwoski]

You are very welcome! The Captain was just an amazing person, one of the nicest people I have ever met. I never imagined he was going to show us the entire ship, I'm eternally grateful to him. I grew up as a shipwreck diver in the Great Lakes with my Dad, he told me the stories of all the ships for as long as I can remember. The Anderson has a spot in the hearts of many people, what an amazing ship. My Dad was never able to see her, he passed away before getting a chance, but I know he was with me. I even told the Captain my Dad is looking down and cursing because he wasn't there! I appreciate your Fathers service in Korea, serving on a destroyer must have been quite an experience!!

[@EricCampbellUAV]

lol @ nra shirt

[@billyjohnson3698]

Thank you for sharing this experience of a lifetime with us!

[@chrisst8922]

There's warships that are floating museums and liners that are hotels. And there's paddle steamers that are now pleasure boats but this ship is still being used for her original purpose and I would think that she's perhaps one of the most famous ships in the world.

[@Jfk3434]

The Captain is understandably proud of his ship!!!

[@thomas.salwoski]

He was the best! We had so much fun with him, he was just beaming with smiles the entire time. I'm glad to know that the Anderson is being piloted by a man so proud to be on board!

[@buckfiden9913]

I've been fishing on the Detroit river for many years. I've seen the Anderson making her way through the shipping channels many times, from Lake Erie to Lake St. Clair. This was very cool to finally see the internal workings of a ship I have seen so many times. Thank you for sharing.

[@ronyantz7349]

Looking at the hatch crane and Captain Cooper saying we are taking green water 12 to 15 feet over the hatch crane really say's a lot of how bad the storm was on the night the Big Fitz went down into history! The Anderson is a national treasure and should never be scrapped !

[@thomas.salwoski]

It was an absolute honor to stand on the decks of that ship. The crew of the Fitz and their story were in my thoughts the whole time.

[@jefesman]

WoW!!! There are no words, just amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[@thomas.salwoski]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I was excited to get this one finished so I could share. Thanks for watching!!

[@Halfstep2024]

I’m speechless man! What an amazing video. And it seemed like the captain was just as excited and happy to be showing off his baby as you were to get to see it!

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! The Captain had so much fun, it made the whole thing that much more incredible. He was soooo proud of that ship! I can never thank him enough. Thanks again for watching!!

[@sharonglazier2552]

That was super crazy interesting wow !!!!

[@Blrtech77]

Thomas You Indeed Are A Very Lucky Man To Get To Tour The S.S. Arthur M. Anderson! The Captain Is Very Proud Of His Vessel and Thank You For Sharing the Video Of Your Tour. Be Safe and Take Care!

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you, much appreciated! The Captain was having as much fun as we were, it was so cool to see how proud he is of that ship.

[@KathyJennings-e4x]

Just wonderful. Thank you.

[@Waterboy831]

Wow! Definitely a historical great lakes ship indeed! I knew that it was originally a steam powered ship but thought it was converted over to a more modern diesel. Still very cool! Thank you for sharing with us all! ⚓️ 🚢

[@thomas.salwoski]

I always assumed the same about a diesel conversion. I was really surprised to walk into the boiler room and see them operating! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for watching

[@robertblithe6333]

I live in new jersey I love the lakes and oceans. So I can just watch the videos of these beautiful ships thank you for sharing. Wish I was born and raised near the Great Lakes

[@thomas.salwoski]

I've only been to the ocean a handful of times, but I was very lucky to grow up with a dad who was a boat captain and wreck diver here on the Great Lakes. This water runs through my blood for sure. Thank you for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@sneaks01]

Thank you for bringing us along! 😊

[@thomas.salwoski]

You're welcome! I'm glad I was able to share the experience, it was incredible.

[@RobertSwickard-o1w]

TO SEE THE PILOT HOUSE ,, THOSE PHONES AND RADIO'S THAT TALK TO THE FITZ BEFORE THE LOSS OF COMMUNICATION ,, THEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE COAST GUARD TO GO BACK AND LOOK FOR THE FITZ AND HER CREW ,,,, IS BEYOND WORDS ........

[@thomas.salwoski]

I couldn't agree more! Walking into the pilothouse, the entire atmosphere changed instantly. There is so much history within that room, it was just incredible to see all of the equipment.

[@d.miller4729]

Nice tour Snuff! It was great seeing the old girl again.

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed! It was amazing having the chance to step foot on such an icon of the Great Lakes

[@MattHudz]

Fabulous. Captain seems like a great person. Glad you were able to experience this.

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you! The Captain was one of the nicest people I've met. I still cannot believe he said yes to allowing us on board!!

[@jumpingjeffflash9946]

I wanted to tour the ship museum docked in Cleveland when I was there but they close it for the winter as I'm assuming due to the cold inside it, missed opportunity to see these things up close on the inside for sure. Great tour of an iconic sailing ship here thanks

[@thomas.salwoski]

Seeing a working ship like the Anderson was a dream come true! I went on the Cleveland museum ship for the first time a few weeks after the Anderson. It's a great tour, the Schoonmaker I think is the name. It's beautiful inside!

[@pdoherty]

Enjoyed it. Thanks. Great seeing something in such great shape after 72 years. Same year as my birth. You did a good job Tom.

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you, I appreciate it! It was a difficult video to edit, I didn't shoot it with the intention of making a tour out of it. I was just hoping for a few good shots to look back on someday. She was in incredible shape, still many years left in her. Thank you for watching

[@carolewoolley7017]

Really nice to observe this classic historic lady in action and her current captain in residence. She is a true jewel nd icon of the fleet of old Lakers that grace the port of Duluth with her many appearances of arriving and departing. Still a hard working ship with decades of productivity carried on with a sense of elegance. Her colorful history preceding her. Always a pleasure!

[@gregmctevia5087]

Tremendous presentation. The captain is obviously loves his job and is very proud of his ship. You deserve consideration for Ship Spotting Video Presentation of the Year, if there is such a thing. Truly remarkable work.

[@thomas.salwoski]

Much appreciation! That sounds like an award I would like hanging on the wall, thank you! The Captain was the best, he had just as much fun as we did. He explained how everything on that ship worked, I cannot thank him enough! Thank you again

[@mikecasey9647]

Just amazing! Like you said, a once in a lifetime. Thanks!⚓⚓

[@thomas.salwoski]

It's a day I will never forget! I'm glad I was able to share it

[@moldings_etc]

What an awesome treat that you gave us! Thank you so much. Brings back memories of my childhood living on lake superior.

[@hypnoticwinds21]

Thank you so much for sharing! 🙌 What a breathtaking opportunity, and many kudos for the captain! She’s such a beautiful ship. 🚢

[@thomas.salwoski]

You're welcome, thank you for watching! And many thanks to the Captain!

[@zodszoo]

How spectacular!!

[@LadyOaksNZ]

WOW never ever thought I'd get to watch a tour of the A.M.A !! Salute to the Captain with huge Respect and aroha for this tour. 🙏❤️🙏 And bless you heartily for filming and sharing! ❤

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad I was able to share the experience. It was such an unexpected thing!! I owe the Captain a great deal, he went above and beyond anything I had expected. I initially asked if I could just put my hand on the hull, and then he gave a tour of the whole ship! He is a great person, and fully deserves to be the Captain of the Anderson! He was so proud of her.

[@Life_With_Lady]

THANK YOU for this video!

[@thomas.salwoski]

You are very welcome! Happy to share, I'm glad you liked it

[@FinsMom]

Wow ! Thanks for sharing your video . Amazing ! It's not every day you get to be on a Great Lakes ship .

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you, and you are very welcome! I was very lucky that day, I'm glad I was able to share it

[@attaat]

Wow, that view into the hold as it was loading was awesome. The way the cargo was falling and filling the hold and the size of the hold!

[@thomas.salwoski]

That was one of my favorite things to see, the sound was so loud! I didn't realize yet that the Captain was planning on taking us inside the ship until we were down looking through that hold door!

[@twisterzman]

The things she has seen... just... wow. Just knowing the absolute hell it went thru that night in November of 75, and the gallant effort of the crew to try and save anyone... I'm lost with emotion to see her in this way. Thank you so much for sharing

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the tour. It was very emotional the entire time, walking into the pilothouse was an incredible feeling. So much history in all of that equipment. I'm glad I was able to share the experience, thanks to an incredible Captain!

[@Jfk3434]

The audio transcript of Captain Cooper speaking with the CG after request made to go back out into the storm of the century was one of the most moving heroic adventures I will ever be privileged to have heard. That crew save for one all voted to go look for the Fitz God Bless them all!!

[@tedzehnder961]

I`ve seen this ship in Cleveland Oh a few times over the decades in the Cuyahoga River.

[@allongman]

That was fascinating we watch these ships on different webcams in and out of Duluth etc but to have a video tour was great Thanks and greetings from central England 😊

[@InTheWindRider]

WOW and double WOW! Absolutely incredible........ thank you for sharing! What an impressive vessel. Very envious of your tour!

[@thomas.salwoski]

You're welcome, thank you for watching!!

[@jaynorris3722]

Brilliant!!! Simply brilliant. Seeing the inside is just well, brilliant

[@jennyramirez2679]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us

[@thomas.salwoski]

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@gotchagee3315]

Amazing video and cool captain. I wish I discovered this video sooner!

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you! The Captain is one of my favorite people ever now, he was beyond nice and had so much fun walking us through the ship.

[@jeffhennings6579]

Very cool we go up to Massenna often my mom grew up there love seeing the ships go by

[@carriemetzler7102]

I teared up as you approached the ship, it was an amazing video of one of the most beautiful ships! Thank You so much for sharing the experience with us.

[@thomas.salwoski]

I was very emotional as soon as she came into view. That was when the realization hit me of what I was getting ready to do! I still don't believe it happened, it was such an incredible experience. I cannot thank the Captain enough for the invite. Thank you so much for watching!

[@kenhoneycutt2046]

A couple of years ago the Arthur M was berthed on the Calumet river in Chicago. I passed by her on my sailboat on the way out to Lake Michigan. It was an erie felling realizing she was the last ship to see the Edmund Fitzgerald.

[@jamesfrommanitoba.1992]

Thank you so incredibly much for this amazing tour, I have been a ship lover/nerd for most of my life. Up to a few years ago I was doing everything in my power to at least get a chance for a tour. I am now in a wheelchair and I will unfortunately never have the opportunity to take a tour like this. You will never know how much it means to me to see it through your eyes. I do my best to get to Duluth to ship watch, maybe one day we will meet. Thanks again.

[@thomas.salwoski]

I'm so glad I was able to get you aboard with the video. I grew up with a father who was a professional wreck diver, I eventually followed in his footsteps and we became dive partners together. He always wanted to see the Anderson but was never able to. This tour meant the world to me, I'm glad I was able to share the experience. This ship means a lot to so many people, I cannot thank the Captain enough for allowing me to film! I would love to get up to Duluth again, it's been a few years. Thank you for watching

[@danielmcfadden1]

Absolutely amazing tour of an amazing historical ship, I enjoyed watching every second of it, thank you for sharing!

[@thomas.salwoski]

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed the tour!!!

[@rickysand1900]

Loved it. Great video composition.

[@thomas.salwoski]

Much appreciated!! It was a difficult video to edit, I just held the camera at my chest the whole time hoping I was getting good shots. I'm glad I was able to share the experience, thank you for watching

[@joecody195]

That was very interesting nd educational, thanks Tom and thanks you Captain.

[@WarpedHorizon]

This is incredible! Thank you for sharing!

[@thomas.salwoski]

You're welcome! I'm glad I was able to share such a unique experience

[@foxtrott99]

Loved the tour ! Incredible 😊

[@thomas.salwoski]

I'm glad to hear it, I appreciate it! Thank you for watching

[@RepellentJeff]

What a vessel. A true titan of industry.

[@leftseat30]

We need to start planning to fund the rescue and museum future of the Anderson NOW...that will be giant task and expense

[@thomas.salwoski]

I agree! We definitely need to keep her around. The Anderson is historical for many reasons, and our next generations need to hear and experience the stories of these ships.

[@rudycarlson8245]

@@thomas.salwoski here an idea to help fund the maintenance on her. I’m sure there are parts and pieces of the Anderson that are replaceable is someone would pay let’s say 25 to 35 bucks apiece for a piece of the legend of the Great Lakes

[@thomas.salwoski]

@@rudycarlson8245 Not a bad idea at all! I would certainly love to have a piece of that ship. I did take a handful of Taconite pellets when we were on the bottom of the ship. I needed some sort of a souvenir!!

[@Jfk3434]

I get upset when I think of the SS United States rotting away. Dont let that happen to this one!!!

[@kathyschauer2114]

As a former Chef I would have enjoyed a tour of the kitchen and living areas

[@thomas.salwoski]

I was asked to not get crew members on camera if possible. They were all in the middle of working and loading the boat, I just tried to stay out of the way! Unfortunately those were two of the areas that always had crew in and out. The kitchen was amazing though, and what an incredible menu line-up for the week!

[@ronsamborski6230]

Considering that the crew is confined to the ship for the amount of time they are, it makes sense to have good food. Imagine not being able to eat elsewhere, and the meals you eat are less than satisfactory. There’s no Door Dash or Uber Eats out on the Great Lakes. 🍕🍔🍟

[@skycvg]

Outstanding!

[@NigelHay]

What a great video, music was a little creepy lol but the tour was great. Nice job, well done and thanks for sharing your day

[@thomas.salwoski]

Music is a tough thing here! But I'm doing them now with little to no music at all. Much better that way! Thank you for watching, and I appreciate the feedback

[@JasonRector-nd4li]

Wow this Is amazing! I liked seeing in the engine room. I would like to see more of the engine room.

[@acousticmikeb8119]

Such a complex, fascinating ship. Still in operation since 1952 as well? Thanks for posting this awesome tour.

[@thomas.salwoski]

The mechanics and machinery were incredible! The amount of maintenance being done while loading was crazy, they keep the ship in pristine condition! Started operation in 1952 and still going strong. I just saw her pass by a few days ago, took some photos on the way by! Thank you for watching, much appreciated

[@craighanks429]

What a tour, to actually get to see the workings inside the legendary ship. I’m kinda close to the Anderson in spirit you might say, I was a baby when she was built, I was born in July of 51. How she survived that horrible storm that took down the already damaged Fitzgerald and keep on sailing the Great Lakes for decades more is awesome in itself. I DID notice towards the end of the video as you all were walking down the deck to leave going past the cargo hatches, only the corner Kessler clamps & a few down the sides of the covers were snapped closed. Do they leave those like that or do they close the rest after the full crew comes aboard? Nothing against the ship, just noticed it.

[@thomas.salwoski]

As a fabricator and mechanic myself, the machinery was just mind blowing! I couldn't believe what it takes to run that ship. I did ask the Captain about the clamps. He said there were different variables that decided how many clamps would be used. Expected incoming weather and such. He also said a different amount of clamps are used between summer and fall seasons. Didn't get the reasons behind that, but they did go through and latch more than what was seen in the video. Thank you for watching, much appreciated

[@peggyschaffer701]

That is amazing. What a privilege. One lucky guy.

[@thomas.salwoski]

Yeah, I think I used up all my luck that day!!! That's ok though, it was worth it. I'm glad you got to see the tour!!

[@ronnybonham1546]

Thanks

[@ronsamborski6230]

Wow Thomas, what a video! And up to now, I just expected videos of bears and deer on your property. 👍🏼🐻🦌

[@thomas.salwoski]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! At least once a day something happens to me on that island that I wish I had recorded. So this year, I'm carrying video gear everywhere I go! I've been away so I could photograph the eclipse further south, but I'll be home in a few days and hopefully creating some new stuff real soon. The bears should be out and about by now! Thank you for watching

[@jeffreyadkins5014]

Beyond amazing.

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

wow, this is so cool... i'm 75 and things like this interest me.

[@thomas.salwoski]

I'm glad you liked it! Freighters have been in my life for as long as I can remember. I'm glad I'm able to share some the experiences here. Thank you for watching!!

[@jonathanellsworth21]

Been hearing rumors that she might be retiring at the end of this season but looking at this she looks very good so that’s hopeful! Guessing they didn’t say anything regarding that at all. Hoping if they give people enough heads up if they ever do retire her that people have enough warning to raise funds for her to keep as a museum ship

[@thomas.salwoski]

I haven't heard anything as of yet about retirement. She sure looked good for many more years to me, that ship was maintained incredibly well! I would think the Anderson is certified as a historical vessel somehow, I'm not sure! But that would save her a trip to the scrapyard. There's just too much history, she needs to be a museum ship!

[@lloyd7962]

A great video - especially great since you didn't bring any camera equipment.

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you! I had a pocket cam the size of a Pez dispenser lol! I just held it to my chest hoping I was getting everything in frame. I'm so glad the footage turned out much better than I had hoped

[@canlib]

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down, of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee....

[@toddmatson4179]

Amazing…Just amazing…Thank You captain

[@thomas.salwoski]

I can never thank the Captain enough, he went through the entire ship with us and he was having so much fun too! A proud Captain, that's for certain

[@UQRXD]

That's an old ship for sure. Looks like asbestos insulation. Thanks for the look inside.

[@mikebarbacovi9851]

Thank you !

[@jasonnolan394]

I wonder if those handsets on the wall of the pilot house are the same ones the captain in 1975 used to talk to the Edmund Fitzgerald. And how much has the vessel changed in all the decades since?

[@thomas.salwoski]

I was thinking the same thing while looking at them. I even got emotional looking at the search light handles in the ceiling, wondering if they were the same ones used while they looked for survivors. So much history within that pilothouse! It seemed they kept much of the original radio equipment on board, but I really didn't want to bring up the Fitz, it felt awkward to me so I didn't ask. It sure seemed to me that much of that ship is original equipment, and still running strong!! Thank you for watching

[@robrichter1236]

What an awesome trip aboard

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you! It was incredible to see, I'll always be thankful to the Captain

[@bobcat6653]

Wow! So, so cool, thank you!

[@williambrouwers5664]

Thank you for this video! It is so cool to see the inside of this very special ship! I was wondering if anyone knows why they have a generator for the boom, and don't simply use the main engines, or an electric engine? Maybe it is a waste of fuel and is overkill to use the main engines for such a "small" task?

[@thomas.salwoski]

Thank you, glad to share the experience! From what I understood about the generators, there are two 16 cylinder Caterpillar engines and they run not just the boom, but the unloading belts as well. That belt had to be close to a half-mile long and looked 3 inches thick! It must take great amounts of power just to run the belt, even without a load.

[@wayneschenk5512]

That’s so cool.

[@edwardzamorski3711]

Very clean inside I expected more dirty down below

[@thomas.salwoski]

For its age and the amount of machinery everywhere, the ship was incredibly clean. Even while they were loading, the crew was working non-stop doing maintenance.