Arrival of James R Barker in (Almost) Real Time - Shipspotting

I need to get working on chores... but when I woke up, I was pleasantly surprised to see that my favorite 1000-footer hadn't arrived into Duluth yet, but was quietly nearing... So, I set up my desktop computer to begin capturing shots. (I will add their video later if they do a compilation.)

The red lighthouse light had turned off for the day by the time I took the second shot, so no pretty red light, I'm afraid!

It would appear (in the next two shots) that the ship has passed us... but this is necessary so that she can correctly align with the path of the ship canal.

I love the sun glinting off the ship here.

The James R Barker was named for the chairman of the Interlake Steamship Company who has owned and operated her since she was built in 1976, the first 1000-footer to be built entirely on the Great Lakes. She is 1004 feet in length, 105 feet in width and can carry over 63,000 tons of cargo in her holds using 16,000 horsepower. Read more about her from Interlake.

James R Barker will have the port to herself until this evening when Paul R Tregurtha arrives.

Now, James R Barker is a lot closer. The small boat will have to move, but is probably just waiting for the bridge to lift which happens when the freighter is 1.5 miles out from the canal.

Now, we switch cameras. After all, James R Barker is known for her two-tone horn, so that has to be on the Canal Cam...

Absolutely stunning this morning - and she gave a classic master's salute (three long and two short) which was brilliant for the large crowd assembled.

I want you to hear this salute... So, I refer you to One Long, Two Short on YouTube.

I switch cameras again...

Here is the compilation video from Duluth Harbor Cam - as they often do, the video includes the radio communication to/from the bridge.

And that's it for this post. James R Barker has arrived to Duluth to unload something (probably limestone) and to load something else (probably taconite/iron ore pellets or coal to take to a plant in Michigan.)

---

Today's images are from:
Duluth Harbor Cam in Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin (the Twin Ports.)

The sharing of the pictures/cameras is encouraged for the education and enjoyment of all. Please take a look at these cameras on YouTube.

Note: Boatnerd also hosts shipping news, huge amounts of data about almost any "laker" and even many of the "saltie" visitors - and even a book called "Know Your Ships". I would encourage supporting his great work, especially as he has plans to add more cameras in 2021.

If you want to be tagged in future shipspotting posts, please let me know and I'll add you to this list.
@jamerussell
(I can also remove you if you wish.)

---

Past Shipspotting Posts

• Watching the Ships in Duluth, Minnesota
• Watching the Ships at Port Huron, Michigan
• Trains and Ships on the Mississippi, Fort Madison, Iowa
• Year's End Shipping in Duluth - Dec 31, 2020 - featuring Algoma Guardian, American Spirit, Baie Comeau, Great Republic and Stewart J Cort.
• Persistence Pays Off - Feb 11, 2021 - featuring Morro Bay, Samuel Risley, Griffon and Algosea.
• The Buddy System - Feb 14, 2021 - featuring Griffon, Hollyhock, Algosea, Morro Bay, Algocanada and Iver Bright.
• Downbound Progression - Feb 18, 2021 - featuring Samuel Risley and Algosea
• Upbound Parade - Feb 18, 2021 - featuring Samuel Risley, Algonova, Leo A McArthur and Katmai Bay.
• A Day on the St. Clair - Feb 25, 2021 - featuring Katmai Bay, Samuel Risley, Algonova and Pride.
• Threefer in Marine City - Feb 26, 2021 - featuring Katmai Bay, Samuel Risley and Algoterra
• 2021 Shipping Season Begins - Mar 1, 2021 - featuring Manitoulin
• Spring Has Come - Mar 21, 2021 - featuring Griffon
• Today's Shipping on the St. Clair - March 22, 2021 - featuring Algonova, Baie Comeau, Iver Bright, Indiana Harbor and Sharon M/Huron Spirit
• U-Turn in the St. Clair - Mar 25, 2021 - featuring Algoma Hansa
• Spring Day on the St. Clair - Apr 12, 2021
• Morning Departures in Duluth - Apr 30, 2021
• End of Shift - June 6, 2021
• Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding - Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin - July 9, 2022
• More Boats at Sturgeon Bay - July 25, 2022
• Tugs Scrambling Through the Michigan Street Bridge - July 31, 2022

Ship Studies

• Algoma Enterprise Farewell post - Jan 5, 2021 - featuring Algoma Enterprise, Algoma Niagara and Joyce van Enkevort - Jan 5, 2021
• Alpena, the Oldest Ship on the Lakes - March 8, 2021
• Federal Cedar - First Salty of the Season Travels the St. Clair - Mar 29, 2021
• Iver Bright - Asphalt and Bitumen Tanker - March 5, 2021
• Katmai Bay - USCGC 101
• Mississagi's Final Voyage - Jan 5, 2021
• Ocean Navigator - Jul 6, 2022
• John Purves Tugboat - July 23, 2022

Freewrites that include ship pictures...

• Winter, Writing and Winging It - featuring Drawsko and Federal Oshima.
• Fish, Farming and the Future - featuring Paul R Tregurtha.

Shipping-based art

• Sailing Into the Night

Shipspotting Buzzes

Lakers:

• American Steamship Company - American Integrity,
• Canada Steamship Lines - Frontenac, Rt Hon Paul J Martin,
• Interlake - James R Barker, Kaye E Barker,

Coast Guard:

• Canadian - Samuel Risley

Salties:

• BBC - BBC Swift

Two or more ships -

• Burns Harbor & Stewart J Cort,
• Jamna, Sinaa, Torrent and Federal Dart,
• USCG Biscayne Bay - 104, CCG Samuel Risley, Michigan w/ Great Lakes and USCG Morro Bay - 106

No Ships... (on these ship cameras)

This category is for when the camera operator finds something else fun to focus on, like the peregrines around Port Huron or the beautiful sunrise over Lake Superior as viewed from the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge.

• Algonac Swans

---

Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
(Buy my work at RedBubble, TeePublic, PicFair and DeviantArt.)
verified author on Goodreads
(Buy my books at Books2Read and at LBRY)

---