SS Alpena - Farewell Old Girl... Please Return in the Spring!

[@lucasandresen5238]

She'll be back, she's a staple of the lakes

[@1Long2Short]

No plans to retire her yet, but you never know what can happen in winter layup.

[@Bobbyo60]

A grand old girl, may you sail the waters forever!!

[@skycvg]

Something special about the "Huron Cement Off-White" paint scheme attached to a classic steam whistle. Does it ever get old? No! Anytime I see Alpena coming to town, everything is put on hold till she speaks and then I can return to real life. Never get enough of seeing this classic Beauty!

[@1Long2Short]

Well said! 🙂

[@JCaroleClarke]

Isn't that nice? Just love it when the boats "talk" to each other that way. See you in the spring!

[@herzglass]

The incredible thing about our time is that I can simply search "ships Great Lakes" and find high-quality footage like this, hours of it, captured on different days, in varying weather conditions, and at various times of the day, showing nearly all the major vessels. Just a few decades ago, I would have had to spend hours in libraries or shops to find a DVD or VHS tape with documentaries. Before that, I might have caught a random report on TV or, even earlier, a video presentation in a cinema. Now, from thousands of miles away, I can access it in just a few clicks. Thank you for these recordings and for your continuous efforts in uploading them. It's truly appreciated. Though, admittedly, I came here because I wanted to find out what ship was behind the fog horn alarm clock of Spongebob.

[@1Long2Short]

Yes, it’s amazing what you can find with just a few clicks! Thanks for watching. I’m glad you enjoyed the footage. 🙂

[@officialILikeGT]

Really hope she returns in the spring and hopefully not retired

[@1Long2Short]

I don’t think they have plans to retire her just yet, but you never know what an inspection might reveal. We’ve also seen fires claim several ships in winter layup in recent years.

[@officialILikeGT]

@ from what I know cuyahoga is done

[@1Long2Short]

Yeah, sadly I think so.

[@officialILikeGT]

@@1Long2Short maybe you can make a memorial video of cuyahoga with her saluting at the end for her years of service.

[@1Long2Short]

Unfortunately I only captured the Cuyahoga once on camera in the ten years I’ve been doing these videos. So that one video will have to be my “tribute” to her.

[@jaynorris3722]

There she goes for a well deserved winter nap. See you in the spring sweet lady.😊 Thank you for your videos. I truly appreciate them.

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy the videos. 😊

[@jeffdayman8183]

This one was a treat. I enjoyed it, especially the salutes. Fair winds to the Alpena and look forward to seeing her next year. Cheers!

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks! I’m glad I hit the record button just in time to catch the salutes. 🙂

[@oceansoul3694]

She reminds me of the older ladies who used to sashay behind the counter at the local Walgreens cafeteria, somehow, they shared the same color schemes and grace. I love this ship and I hope both she and I are around next Spring!!! Thank you for this, Mark. It's really a very special video and very poignant essay too!

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you Lisa! You painted a picture in my head of the ladies at the Walgreens cafeteria. 😄 Do they blow off steam too? 😁

[@oceansoul3694]

@@1Long2Short I think they blew off steam by whirling cream in the malted milk mixer? hahaha

[@1Long2Short]

😆

[@audreyjohnson4599]

I love that she acknowledged the Missouri, even though she didn't need the assistance. The grande dame of the lakers giving a nod to the grande dame of the Duluth-Superior Harbor tugs.

[@LinseyBurt-hc4cu]

"The grande dame of the lakers." That's fitting.

[@tomglessing3748]

Thanks again for another great video and for letting the boats and lake speak for themselves without all the chatter. Have a great off season.

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks Tom! I leave the chatting until after the camera is off. 😉 Did you make it up to Duluth this past year? I was expecting to run into you, but our paths didn’t cross this time.

[@samuelfitzgerald2030]

Alpena is my favorite. I've always admired this classic vessel.

[@alexh327]

Beautiful ship! I hope she does return. During the off season I watch Bald Eagle nest cams. In the first part of the video I can hear Bald Eagle chatter! As always, great job 1 Long 2 Short!

[@1Long2Short]

Yes, there was an eagle in a nearby tree who was being very chatty. I see eagles at the Superior entry almost every time I go there. In fact, I saw one there this afternoon. 🙂 🦅

[@Cooper-BK]

She will be back in the spring for sure! She is the same age as the Lee Tregurtha!

[@dianebeier8379]

She is quite a gorgeous gal in her own way!😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@entropyapothecary]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this one. ❤ (Your edits are perfection)

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you! Appreciate the support! 🙂

[@greggrauscher34]

I love me some Alpena! More great high resolution close-up camera work that you do best. Love the footage of her making the turn and the close up of the pilothouse. Thanks again!

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks Gregg! Makes me happy to know people like certain shots or angles. 🙂

[@guyordorff8355]

Its amazing that she's still going

[@f.e.salimi3726]

What a beauty. See you next year.

[@tommcgeethree]

She's a beauty. ⚓ 🛳

[@cris_261]

That was interesting how Alpena's captain referred to his charge as the "steamer Alpena" when he called the lift bridge.

[@1Long2Short]

If you’ve got a steamer that makes you proud, say it loud! 😁

[@Detect-Oregon]

What a Beaut💪🏻 Thanks for sharing🧜🏻‍♂️

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks for watching!

[@mrmeyers26]

My favorite laker. I'm lucky to see her visit the Saginaw River. She delivers multiple times a season there. I have some cool pictures of her.

[@zacharywalters8139]

A ship everyone loves!

[@ellenhalpern1882]

Nice video. Thanks

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks Ellen!

[@machone35]

Gorgeous ship❤

[@harryscott9533]

🤓🙋‍♂️❤️👍

[@1Long2Short]

🙂👍

[@harryscott9533]

@1Long2Short ❤️👍

[@jimmyduris7029]

Even as a young man I remember the Alpena chugging up ad down the Miami River in Toledo