Clyde S. VanEnkevort - Claiming Duluth's Last Load of the Season

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Here is the articulated tug-and-barge combination of the Clyde S. VanEnkevort (tug) and Erie Trader (barge) arriving in Duluth, Minnesota in the early morning twilight hour. They were coming in to load taconite (iron ore) pellets from the Canadian National dock in West Duluth for delivery to Cleveland, Ohio. This would end up being the final cargo haul from a dock in Duluth for the 2025-2026 shipping season.

Sadly, no salute was offered up for this arrival. It was still early-ish in the morning, being just after 7am when Clyde made her way in through the canal. So perhaps the captain didn't want to wake those still in their beds. Or perhaps late season fatigue was setting in and the captain wasn't in the mood to salute those who gathered to see them in. (I was the only person on the south pier, but I could see a handful of people gathered on the north pier to wave her in.)

We had a full run of VanEnkevorts, as their entire fleet ended up visiting Duluth for the final week of the season. Dirk S. VanEnkevort visited first, with the barge Michigan Trader. (Sadly, I wasn't in town to document her visit.) Then we had Joyce L. VanEnkevort visit with the barge Great Lakes Trader. (Her arrival can be seen in a previous video on this channel.) Then we had Clyde S. VanEnkevort and the Erie Trader bring up the rear. While all three tug-barge combos look somewhat similar from a distance, I have a clear favorite among the three. Can you guess which one it is? (Hint: Her horn plays a big factor in my selection!)

The 740-foot barge Erie Trader began her life in April 2012 as the Lakes Contender, while the 135-foot tug Clyde S. VanEnkevort began her life as the Ken Booth Sr. in February 2011. Both were built at Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair in Erie, Pennsylvania. They were specifically designed to work with each other and not mate with any other tugs or barges. Both are owned by VanEnkevort Tug and Barge of Escanaba, Michigan. They were leased by the American Steamship Company until 2017, when the lease ended and their operation went to VanEnkevort Tug and Barge. At the time the lease expired, they obtained their current names... though observant viewers will spot the old names of both the tug and barge in the metalwork. The Erie Trader can carry 38,500 tons of cargo and has a 1000-horsepower diesel-driven bow thruster that helps her maneuver in port. The Clyde S. VanEnkevort is powered by twin 5,400 HP MaK diesel engines driving two controllable pitch propellers.