Nothing like seeing a big laker for the first time in person Several years ago my wife and i moved from Florida to Marquette Michigan. i grew up in michigan and was familiar with the boats having seen them many times on the Detroit river, Port Huron, and Mackinaw Island. and of course, the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald. when we were getting ready to move, i was telling her stories about michigan and the Fitz eventually came up. she listined to the song, and thought i was interesting. while driving across the UP there were billboards advertising the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, with a painting of the Fitz in the storm. "WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL ABOUT THAT DAMN BOAT? IT SANK!" she exclaimed. she just didnt get it. one day we were tooling around Marquette and the James Oberstar was in dock, picking up a load. "Is THAT a laker?" she exclaimed. "Oh Yeah! pull over!" i yelled. we stood there looking at her, and i explained how that was almost exactly what the Fitz looked like. i said imagine that boat in a storm of 30 ft waves, and then it suddenly plunging nose first 500 feet to the bottom and breaking in two in just a matter of seconds, and no one could even call for help suddenly her face changed, as if for a moment she grasped the concept of the incredible power of the water and what it did. "I understand now" she said quietly. the following month we were in Manitowoc WI and visited the little great lakes museum there. they had a small accurate model of the Fitz wreck. she looked at it for a few moments, and almost to herself said "they never had a chance". we were in Duluth the following month enjoying ourselves watching some of the boats come in and out. to our amazement the Anderson came into port. we stood right there by the bridge. "Wasnt that the boat that was with the Fitzgerald when she sank?" she asked. "yes it was, very good!" Suddenly she blew the Master salute. "What was THAT?" she said. in a calm voice i said that was the Anderson saluting and honoring the Edmund Fitzgerald. she does that every time she arrives in Duluth. then it all hit her at once - seeing that huge historic ship, the lines from the song (all that remains are the faces and the names, the church bell chimed til it rang 29 times), just the whole gravity of what happened...... she began to cry. then she saw a crew member on the spar deck waving to our small crowd. she started clapping wildly overhead and waved back. "KEEP SAILING YOU BIG BEAUTIFUL GIRL!" she shouted

You know she's also the ship that came about in a killing storm to help look for survivors of the "Edmond Fitzgerald" at great personal peril after she went down because Conditions were so bad that the Coast Guard couldn't mount a recovery mission? God bless the Arthur Anderson!

The Arthur M. Anderson is probably the second most famous of the great lakes steamers behind the Edmund Fitzgerald.

I remember WELL how Bernie Cooper took the Anderson back out in the storm searching for survivors when the Fitz went down. Nothing but utmost respect for Bernie, crew and all the families of the crew of the Fitz . God Bless and Thanks

Nice video of the Arthur M Anderson 👍. You just can't ever forget about the Fitzgerald every time this ship is shown. They sailed together on that fateful night. R.I.P.

I love the old Lakers, what a ship, beautiful, and the history that goes with her

While visiting Duluth a few years ago , having had lunch at Grandma’s in Canal Park, I and my family walked down near the lift bridge and were surprised to see the AMA pushing through the shipping canal. It was an eerie feeling for me knowing that she was one of the last ships to be in contact with the Edmund Fitzgerald on the fateful night. The AMA is a beautiful laker. Long may she sail

I can't help but to think about the mighty Edmund Fitzgerald and the Arthur M Anderson as one (sisters) in terms of story and legend just amazing

You have definitely hit the ground running in this new shipping season, Mike. Kudos to you.

Yes she definitely needs to be in the discussion of historically significant ships.

What a beautiful legendary ship!

This is such an iconic and amazing ship! The Anderson carries a bit of the Fitz with her..

It’s great to see a ship with a heroic history. Still get a little choked up about the Fitz.

I grew up in Duluth born in 1951 saw the AMA many times beautiful!

Thank you so much for this Sir! I thoroughly enjoyed watching and you inspired me to read up on some very interesting history! Awesome! ❤

I’ve seen the Anderson before it became a self unloaded. Been on it one time for a short time. The ore docks at USSteel loved it when it came in.

I grew up in Detroit and would drive my bicycle to the river to watch the ships. There were more boats on the riverback then. I loved the Cleveland Cliff ships. Even as a adult i would come and watch during my lunch break.

Beautiful video of the Lady of the lakes Mike.. Long may she sail until retirement into preservation which is a must!

Love seeing these majestic Lakers! I live in Sa Francisco, CA and my husband worked loading and unloading "Salties" at the port of Richmond, CA love your videos, thank you

Respect for that ship

All respect to the AMA! I was fortunate to see the AMA pass the James R. Barker in Wyandotte last Saturday. What an amazing sighting it was! You are doing a great job Mike. Thank you!

Wish I were down there to watch these beauties coming in. Glad you are sharing your videos and info.

Afternoon Mike. She IS a beauty. One of my favorites. Thanks for the video and letting us watch the turn. Another thing I love to see. Catch you in the next one.

Thank you, beautiful footage from the opposite pier we normally do not get to see. Noted AMA, old school design, forward pilot house, deck close to the water, and not a mammoth 1,000ft. Also noted how quickly the weather/lake conditions change. Smooth sailing from storms a couple days ago.

Nothing better then watching the AMA in Duluth with a few flurries. Majestic!

What an absolute legend of a ship. God bless the Arthur M

I cant imagine actually living somewhere with that much ice.

Almost became a lake sailor after high schòol. An uncle was a Merchant Navy sailor in the convoys, so I decided to join the Navy instead. Your videos give me a tinge of homesickness.

Talk about coming in when you least expect it. Nice catch on a cold Duluth day!

The AA is a maritime legend! Still going strong. You can still see she looks good from her refit back a few years ago. I just finished Ric Mixter's book 'Tattletale Sounds: The Edmund Fitzgerald Investigations.' Great companion book for the study of one of the most famous tragedies in American history. Thanks for the video!

I remember seeing this boat in dry dock in Superior sometime in the late 50's early '60's.

Wow longtime working this ship..71 years young❤

In reviewing some vids, cant believe I missed this one. When it comes to the Anderson, her history speaks volumes and any comments I can make are redundant and just seeing her each time takes my breath away. I do so love the icons of laker history, the design the magnifivenc

Great entry! 🚢 nice to see! Great video all around 👍🏼🚢

Most Enjoyable. Many thanks & Greetings from Ireland

She’s a classic. Amazing how the ice comes and goes from day to day. Thanks

Thanks for this video! We've been to Duluth many times but have never been able to catch the Anderson.

Great video, nice to see the view from the other side!

I still feel the Spirit of Cooper on her!!

Wowwwww what a beautiful ship nice video ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

The Legend. She should not be scrapped

Awesome ship

Great video Mike appreciate the enthusiastic ship fanning. Love the AMA. I call her purple haze after dark, purple lights on the exhaust plume. 😎

Awesome video...thank you sir!!

You know Mike...you might have to deal with cold, ice and snow, and that can be tough. But your reward is a day like this. Getting to watch first hand a ship as remarkable as the Anderson. And so many other awesome ships and tugs. You are very lucky. And what's neat is you are taking full advantage of your opportunity. As far as the Spring 1975 ship lengthening, I've always wondered whether that really helped the Anderson deal with that massive storm later in the year that sank the Fitz. The added length and associated extra weight must have made a difference. Possibly kept them afloat. Nice video Mike. Really, really nice.

Mike, this was a great video of such a beautiful ship. Also thanks for sharing the link , I just listened to the interview and it was really intense, it must of been heartbreaking that no one survived 😢

Absolutely a beautiful site!❤

Wow! Beautiful 😍

A legendary ship, Involved with another legendary ship if you know you know Edit: She doesn't look too bad for being seventy years old though you can tell her age by the marks on her Hull.

I have a picture of A.M.A. from 1963 coming through Sault Ste. Marie

❤ Lord Bless the crew and ship Arthur M. Anderson.

Majestic, classic Laker! My favorite!

I applaud you for braving that cold for such an awesome video, this is truly loved.; Top 5? For me #1. I own a 1971 Chevelle and as I research some parts for their numbers and such I also look to see when and where they were made. I just can't help but wonder to further extents where the metal came from, which ore carried carried across the lakes. Perhaps, just perhaps some was carried by the Fitz.

Mike you're just pushing it with the phone now 😂. A great demonstration of designed right, built right, maintained right, Incredible to be still earning her keep all these years on. And as someone most definitely not off the Great Lakes, I still know the AMA, because she is the vessel she is.

Her history is amazing. ❤️

That's it dudezilla!!! I am deeming you the OBI WON of Great Lake ships!!!!!

I can remember going into Sandusky a few times with winds grom the northeast. Its a curvy channel and a wgile ride! I yad to be he at the top of my game to steer the channel. I know that canal passage in Duluth. Whoosh with a stern wind!!!!

It's amazing how these people built these huge ships to sell across the ocean and through bad storms, wonderful video Mike and today is birthday too. 🥳⛴⛴

Thank you for all videos you do for all us Boat / Ship friends Darcey

Wow! Very cool!!!!

I enjoyed your video.

'A tall ship and a star to steer her by".................................Thanks!

Looks very cold Mike but I really enjoy watching the great ships going through and ice floating on the water thanks

I love to see these girls "sing".

It sounds like that Arthur M Anderson has a tradition of coming into Duluth harbour ever since the night that Anderson lost sight of Fitz & then going out into that wicked teeth of that storm to look for its friend's 29 crew.....Anderson may have the "we're back alive & well" mentality. Such a lovely remembrance the Anderson has for Fitz. I was 5 yrs old at the time when Fitz sank.

My girl. I still choke up thinking about her turning around in the face of a hurricane west wind and looking for the Fitzgerald.

Lovely to see this ship. What a great video and great commentary. "Pilot House"? Do you mean "The Bridge"? Thank you.

Great Catch!!🚢

Dude, that is epic. What a catch.

WOW! A great salute!

Thank you

Master salute. 🎶🎵

Awesome video

Hi buddy, as always thumbs up. And as always cheers ; - )

Nice job Mike great video

😃 Fantastic!

Very nice

Thanks mike

Great Vid Bud !

Cool video mike!

Thank you Mike, I am aware of her history a bit.

NICE VIDEO THANKS FOR NOT TALKING WHEN THEY WERE BLOWING THE HORNS

I think one difference was the one single cargo hold over multiple holds and the Fitz seemingly more about record hauls than longevity affected the ship

May she sail into eternity for all to enjoy. They don’t make them like this anymore.

Do they ever open up the green gates for the public to walk out to the light beacons on the piers? Have a great day Mike,God Bless!!!😊

Can you imagine how cold it is out on the lake? 😮

Hail Hail

Duluth Der you say? Ya she’s a big’in. This guy reeeeaaaallly likes ships I think.

That's one long ship !!!!!

I wouldn't have guessed that she was still in operation.

now i've got a gordon lightfoot song stuck in my head.

Great video. I visited Duluth several years ago and was enamored with the bridge and ships going by. (I was a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy.) Question: Do the ships bring a harbor pilot on board to assist with navigating into the harbor?

Ole Captain Cooper was concerned about the new work done by adding more length during the storm of 1975 that claimed the Fitz. It's wild to think of Coopers comment that the stern section was completely under water a few times in that storm also waves breaking OVER the pilot house.😬

Dear Duluth, y’all are crazy. Surfing in 25 degrees. - All of Texas. I had no idea the Arthur Anderson was still in service. Very cool.

Since train watchers are known as “foamers” are ship watchers known a sea foamers? I live in Minneapolis and don’t get up to The Twin Ports as much as I’d like, love the area and glad to see Duluth doing so well with industry and tourism.

If The Fitz had been properly maintained and repaired as needed, she could still be on the Lakes today. All people seemed to care about were keeping the records rolling.

You should make a top 5 laker ship’s video

She was behind the Fitzgerald when she was lost

Brillant as usual. Mike, I was wondering, so often we see the first 100 plus or minus feet of the forward fence covered in tarps? Is that to deal with freezing spray off the bow during winter ops?

I broke ice around every ship in the Great lakes and some foreign ships also,USGC.