Calumet's First Trip Through the Welland Canal (December 18-19, 2009)

In December, the Calumet made it's first trip through the Welland Canal. They had a load of ore from Duluth, MN to take to Hamilton, ON. It was something most of the crew had never experienced before. It took them about 36 hours to transit the canal, unload in Hamilton, then transit the canal again. It was a longgggggg day/night for a lot of the deck crew.

Approaching the first bridge at Port Colborne. Now the fun begins.
Coming through the bridge at Port Colborne

What a bunch of characters. Notice the smiles. They weren't smiling like that at the end of the locks.

Heading into Lock 8

In Lock 8

At Port Robinson

Coming out of Lock 7

Coming out of Lock 1 upbound

The guys working....hard?

Approaching Lock 2

The guys working hard again

Heading into Lock 2

Gates closing

Ship Schedule inside Lock 3 Visitor's Center

Empty Lock 3

Approaching Lock 3

Heading into Lock 3

In Lock 3

Gates closing

Jay, Dom, and Scott working hard.

Up they go!!!

Leaving Lock 3

Other boats in the canal

Richelieu at Port Colborne

Algorail downbound at Port Colborne

Canadian Progress upbound at Port Colborne

CSL Tadoussac upbound in Lock 3

Algorail in downbound in Lock 3

CSL Tadoussac in Lock 6

CSL Assiniboine in the Port Weller dry dock having some repairs done after running aground.

After leaving the canal, I made a quick stop in Niagara Falls.

Rainbow Bridge

Christmas decorations

Pictures some of the crew took