On August 9, the 629 foot long, 19800 dwt bulk carrier Calumet ran aground on the St. Marys River near Sugar Island, Michigan. The cause of the grounding was not yet reported, but the bulk carrier was headed downbound headed for Brevort, Michigan. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. Traffic on the St. Marys River was halted between the Soo Locks to 6 Mile Point. Divers were requested to inspect the hull of damage.
On April 1, the 40 foot long, 11 gt fishing vessel Dawn sank on Lake Superior at the Portage River Harbor near Houghton, Michigan. The vessel commonly known as a “fishing tug” had sank for some unknown reason. No reports of injuries.
The Coast Guard and a salvage team took over salvage operations. Divers were able to place a sling around the sunken hull to raised the Dawn on April 18. Reports state the vessel was found to be in poor shape and may not be repaired. The Dawn was placed on a barge to be taken to Hancock to be further inspected.
On May 27, the 858 foot long self-unloader bulk carrier Roger Blough ran aground on Lake Superior in Whitefish Bay near Gros Cap Reefs. The Roger Blough had departed from Duluth loaded with iron ore bound for Conneaut, Ohio. The vessel was in fog when it attempted to pass another vessel when it ran aground. The bulk carrier suffered damage in two of the forward ballast tanks. No reports of injuries or pollution released. Authorities placed booms around the stern of the vessel to contain any potential pollution releases. The ore carriers Arthur M. Anderson and Philip R. Clarke were dispatched to the scene to lighter the Roger Blough before it will be refloated. Reports state after the vessel is refloated, the Roger Blough will proceed to drydock for repairs at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
