Pictures of the arrival: / duluthshipphotography
Origin of the Barker Salute, as told to be by Brad:
I asked him about the timing between the salutes, the reply,
"The timing that people like so much comes from blowing that salute for my dad at D2r, we always talk on the phone, and I start the next “note” when I hear the last one stop in his phone. Over the years that just became ingrained in how I time it. As for the big salutes- when I first started I would only do that for my dad, or my wife and kids- or the owners. (I started doing it up here because my grandkids always watch) but then it got so big that I don’t dare not do it here even if they aren’t watching, or at the Soo, because people actually come to see that… so- that’s it in a nutshell"
Thanks for the info Brad!
About this visit:
The James R Barker arrived Duluth May 15, 2024 at 03:52 in the wee hours of the morning. Cruising through the dark canal waters a a clip of 6.1 kts. Arriving light as usual, heading to the SMET dock to load Coal. They backed into the dock at 04:47 and began loading the coal. At 14:30, same day, they completed loading the coal and departed the SMET dock heading for the Duluth entry. at 15:21 they departed Duluth, a little slower on the departure VS the arrival, they left the canal at 4.7 kts, about 3 miles later they were up to speed. Heading to St Clair to deliver the coal. 1st trip of the season to Duluth!
Statistics
Carrying Capacity 63,300 Gross Tons
Overall Length 1004.0'
Year Built 1976
Hull Depth 50.0'
Beam 105.0'
Engine Horsepower 16,000