Can’t Get Away That Easily! Finally Caught Thunder Bay After Many Years of Attempts

This ship was frustrating, and I really wanted to see her! Not because she’s unique or even particularly rare, but because every single time she has visited for the past five years, something comes up. Whether I’m working, out of town, running too far behind, changing plans without warning or it’s the middle of the night, Thunder Bay has been able to avoid me over a dozen times now. There was one time in 2025 I actually was able to catch her in Superior, but a storm moved in and it started to hail as she came past, and did not get much for footage. Now I can finally say I’ve caught her properly, although she seemingly did her best to throw me off yet again! Thunder Bay was scheduled to load in Superior, but with the Joseph L Block already loading at the dock there and needing fuel, the ship diverted to the Duluth Canal for the fuel dock. I was running errands at the time but was keeping tabs on her and saw the change in direction. So timed my return to the Canal area accordingly. Heading down the freeway however, I saw the bridge was already raised, 20 minutes before the predicted arrival time. Since I was driving at the time, had no way to check the ship’s exact location in comparison the bridge or the traffic conditions around the Canal, so rather than risk losing her yet again, I diverted to Bayfront Park to film from the Harborwalk. Ended up working well! Was a bit of a walk but arrived at the sea wall before she reached the bridge. 3 1/2 hours later she left the fuel dock, and although the sun had set I finally caught her at the Canal piers as she departed to wait at anchor for the Block to finish up. Before they left for the bridge they had a very interesting conversation with the Block’s captain about challenging conditions around Superior Entry, the rain producing intense currents around the dock and in the channel and how long they had left to load. The two ships would end up swapping out at 4am, and ultimately Thunder Bay left with iron ore for Quebec City late the next evening. Measuring 740ft long with a carrying capacity of 38,800 tons, Thunder Bay was built in 2013 in China. The second of four sister ships along with Whitefish Bay, Baie Comeau and Baie St Paul, they are most advanced multi-purpose vessels in CSL’s lake fleet. As of yet the ship has not suffered any major incidents. She is a very active laker, hauling grain, stone, ores, salt, and other cargoes. In 2020 she received additional reinforcement in her hull to allow her to sail short distances on the ocean in order to operate runs to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Hope you enjoy!