W&LE Swing Bridge House

/in /by

W&LE Swing Bridge House

Any kind of draw bridge needs a warm and dry place to keep the controls of the bridge.  These can be on shore, on the edge of the bridge, or in the center, as seen here.  The W&LE Swing Bridge house, shown here in the open position, is where the bridge tender operates the swing bridge.  Vessels over 20 feet tall will need to radio to the operator to have the span opened to be able to pass further upriver.

Then

This exhibit is made possible by visitors like you.  Please consider making a donation to the National Museum of the Great Lakes to help us continue our important work of preserving and making know the history of the Great Lakes.

Donate

Rescue Demonstration

/in /by

Rescue Demonstration

In 2012, there were commemorations across the country to remember the War of 1812.  In Toledo that was capstoned with Navy Week in August of that year.  Portions of that event were demonstrations of search and rescue capabilities. Here a MH-65C Dolphin helicopter, from Station Detroit, hovers over the Maumee River just off  “The Docks” in front of spectators.

Then

This exhibit is made possible by visitors like you.  Please consider making a donation to the National Museum of the Great Lakes to help us continue our important work of preserving and making know the history of the Great Lakes.

Donate

Gradel Dock with G-Tugs

/in /by

Gradel Dock with G-Tugs

The Great Lakes Towing Company is a large presence across the Great Lakes.  In Toledo, on the Maumee, their tugs tend to stay docked at Geo. Gradle Company dock.  This image, taken in December 2020, is a perfect end to this exhibit.  The Mississippi was built in 1916 by The Great Lakes Towing. The vessel’s partner, Michigan, was built by the same company in Cleveland in 2019; two vessels built 103 years apart, working in concert.

This exhibit is made possible by visitors like you.  Please consider making a donation to the National Museum of the Great Lakes to help us continue our important work of preserving and making know the history of the Great Lakes.

Donate

Middlegrounds

/in /by

Middlegrounds

While the Port of Toledo is traditionally thought of as a place of commercial and industrial activity, in the 21st century, the Toledo Metroparks have been working hard to also make the downtown area around the Maumee River a place of relaxation and recreation.  New parks like the Middlegrounds Metropark have become a haven for downtown residents, professionals, and explorers looking for peace while viewing ongoing port activity.

This exhibit is made possible by visitors like you.  Please consider making a donation to the National Museum of the Great Lakes to help us continue our important work of preserving and making know the history of the Great Lakes.

Donate

ST. CLAIR Fire

/in /by

St. Clair Fire

On February 16, 2019, there was a fire raging on the St. Clair. 

This fire went on for almost two days causing major destruction to the superstructure as well as the unloading belts. While the vessel’s fate has not been announced, it is believed by many that it is a total loss. Until that time, the St. Clair continues to sit in Toledo to await final disposition.

Then

This exhibit is made possible by visitors like you.  Please consider making a donation to the National Museum of the Great Lakes to help us continue our important work of preserving and making know the history of the Great Lakes.

Donate

Buoy Removal

/in /by

Buoy Removal

While the range light structures are no longer a part of the Maumee Bay entrance, there are still many aids to navigation guiding ships into the Port.  Many of these are seasonal buoys, which are placed each spring and removed each winter by the United States Coast Guard.  On November 30, 2001, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay removed Lighted Buoy 17 for winter storage

Then

This exhibit is made possible by visitors like you.  Please consider making a donation to the National Museum of the Great Lakes to help us continue our important work of preserving and making know the history of the Great Lakes.

Donate

Ice Rescue

/in /by

Ice Rescue

The cold weather in the Great Lakes area can lead to some beautiful sites, and some dangerous situations.  The thick ice that is formed can be used for recreation, like skating or ice-boating – but it also creates serious hazards.  Here on March 3, 2015, the USCG prepares to rescue a boater trapped in the ice.  The immobilized boater had been out trying to rescue another vessel that had sunk. USCG Station Toledo services the Maumee River and Lake Erie year round with specialty training for ice rescues.

Then

This exhibit is made possible by visitors like you.  Please consider making a donation to the National Museum of the Great Lakes to help us continue our important work of preserving and making know the history of the Great Lakes.

Donate

Big Lucas in the 21st Century

/in /by

Big Lucas in the 21st Century

With the introduction of the big cranes to the Port of Toledo in 1962, the Port of Toledo really opened up the world.  Big Lucas and Little Lucas were joined by Muddie and Spike in early 2010.  Although these two new cranes provide  more mobility,  they still haven’t put Big Lucas out of a job yet.  Seen here six months after the introduction of his new little brothers, Big Lucas helps with the cargo from a saltie tied up at Midwest Terminals.

Then

This exhibit is made possible by visitors like you.  Please consider making a donation to the National Museum of the Great Lakes to help us continue our important work of preserving and making know the history of the Great Lakes.

Donate

Oil Spill Training

/in /by

Oil Spill Training

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Toledo holds periodical training for different scenarios. In 2014, they used the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship to simulate a possible oil spill in the Maumee River and Western Lake Erie Area. Over 400 people took part in this exercise which highlighted how to contain a worst case scenario spill and help save the port’s environmentally sensitive areas.

Then

This exhibit is made possible by visitors like you.  Please consider making a donation to the National Museum of the Great Lakes to help us continue our important work of preserving and making know the history of the Great Lakes.

Donate

SAGINAW

/in /by

Saginaw

The Saginaw, a long term Great Lakes freighter sailing down the Maumee.  The 622’ vessel must have either just unloaded a cargo, or is about to pick one up.  It is riding very high in the water with the top of the rudder peeking out of the Maumee River.

The Saginaw was built in Manitowoc, WI as the John J. Boland for the American Steamship Company in 1953.  In 1999, the vessel was sold to the Canadian company, Lower Lakes Towing and was renamed Saginaw.  The vessel remained as a steam powered vessel until 2007 before diesel engines were finally added.

This exhibit is made possible by visitors like you.  Please consider making a donation to the National Museum of the Great Lakes to help us continue our important work of preserving and making know the history of the Great Lakes.

Donate