Into The Locks…. – On the Road with Don and Paula

**One of the largest “Lakers” is the *Edwin H. Gott*, she is over 1000′ long. There are only about 13 boats of this size, and they were all constructed in the 1970’s**. Even though all of these freighters are “ships’, around here they are traditionally just called “boats”.

Today is your lucky day!

It is time for another Class Trip and fortunately the weather is beautiful because today we’re all going on a Boat Ride!

You all may not be as excited about this as I am (as I will entertain any excuse for a Boat Ride) but I can assure you that this one is VERY interesting!

Seeing as we are here at the Soo Locks, and even though we all saw them from the Observation Deck yesterday, what better way to experience these marvelous engineering works of wonder than to actually get into them and be raised and lowered the twenty-one feet that is the difference between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

We chose for our outing The Original Soo Locks Boat Tour which started in 1934 with a wooden cruiser named Bide-A-Wee. No one (banks) would loan Captain Beechgood the capital that he needed to start this venture up, because the Bean Counters did not think that anyone would want to go through the locks as everything was visible from land. So, the Beechgoods mortgaged their home and bought a boat. 90 years later we sailed on Bide-A-Wee III (built in 1953!) and there were two sister ships at their dock ready to go also. The family still owns and operates these boats 😊

Our two-hour tour consisted of a trip up to the American side of the locks, then we returned by the Canadian side. The Canadian side was once much larger and was the original, but when the American side was built and started operations, it took most of the business away from the Canadian side. The Canadian locks were eventually shortened and modernized to accommodate tour boats, pleasure craft, jet skis, and even kayaks. There is no charge to use any of these locks, even on the American side.

Ok, it’s time to board, please watch your step!

On the American side sits the Union Carbide Hydro-Electric plant that uses the 19′ drop from Superior to Huron as its power source. Erected between 1898 and 1902, it is still the longest horizontal shaft hydro-electric power plant in the world. The new concrete in the foreground is the start of a new Cruise Port that will allow smaller cruise ships to dock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

The arrow points to this building that straddles the canal that brings the water from Superior. The building acts like a dam and the water drops vertically inside the building turning the turbines. The water exits 19 feet lower and come out on the right side and into the St. Mary River (Huron)

Here you can see the tunnels that allow the water to exit the turbines. Please note the care and architecture used in the construction of this building….. check out the vertical embossments on the sides, they are in the shape of lighthouses! **Hurray for the architects of the late 1800’s!**

**Darla and Sandra who live right on the Waterway were on shore watching us go by.**

**And here is the photo of us that they took from the shore! I’m standing (black shirt), Paula directly in front of me.**

We are now entering the smaller of the American Locks as the *Edwin H. Gott* is using the larger one to our right. Up on the left you can see the Viewing Platform that we were on the day before. You will notice that tour boat from the rival “other” company in front of ours. We made sure to book you all on the best tour…. Ours!

Here we can see the *Edwin Gott* in the larger of the two American Locks. This is the only one that can handle this size of ship until the construction of the “new” lock is complete in about ten years. **They are presently combining the 3rd and 4th locks into one gigundo lock that will be able to handle the larger boats also.**

We went through the MacArthur Lock; the Edwin H. Gott went through the Poe Lock. On the left you can see what the new “combined”, larger lock will look like when it is finished. Presently there are two locks there the size of the MacArthur.

We are approaching the *Presque Isle* which has the distinction of being the largest Barge/Tug combination in the world. She is also over a 1000′ long and you will see the next photos how this all works.

Here you can see how this combination works. The tug nestles inside an indentation in the stern of the barge and thus provides the power and maneuvering for it. This allows for a barge to be dropped off somewhere and then tug to be utilized with another barge.

**We will pass the *Saginaw* on our Port side, wait until you see what this actually looks like from the side!**

**The *Saginaw* was built in 1953 and is about 579 ‘ long, quite a bit smaller than the biggies, but still plying the Great Lakes successfully!**

So, what happens to the old ships? Some are sunk on purpose to create artificial reefs, the lucky ones become Museum Ships, but by far the most end up at the “breakers” to be torn down and turned into scrap metal.

I am uncomfortable talking about this.

Here is an example of one being used locally. It was brought to the Canadian side, sunk, and then filled in with slag from the iron smelters, filled over with dirt and is now a sort of ‘dock’ and bulkhead combined. **The hull is from 1903.**

There are two boats in this photo. First, the red hull was once a full-sized ship. When she reached the end of her usefulness, they cut off the bow and stern and removed the deck. The remaking U-shaped hull became a floating dry-dock because her ballast tanks remained and were able to be flooded and discharged to raise and lower her in the water.
The second ship, the *Mississagi* is not so fortunate. She is being broken up as she sits.

**This is the one I want to buy!**
The Norgoma is just itching for a new owner and I’m positive that I can get her for a song! Built in 1950 as a steam-powered boat she was used as a ferry/transport and worked all over the Great Lakes, some voyages were five days long as she sailed from one end to the other. Eventually she was to become one of those Museum Ships in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada but things fell through.
**Isn’t she a beauty!**
**(Don’t tell Paula! It’s a surprise!)**

**Now we’re entering the Candian Lock. (Notice we’re still following that loser boat in front of us.) Also, take note of the small pleasure craft that use this lock also.**

**After being in the much larger locks, you can notice how small this one is, but the Captains of the Tour Boats actually prefer these as they get to know the Lock Masters and local crew!** **(Note how high the water is in the lock)**

**Now note the water level! We shared the lock with a small yacht, the “other” tour boat, and some Wave Runners.**

The inside of the lock gate holding back all of Lake Superior! (in theory!)

And finally, on our way back to our dock we can see the rapids of the St. Mary River that descends that 19′ elevation difference between the Lakes and in which these very large boats would definitely have a problem!

We hope that you have enjoyed your Boat Tour of the Soo Locks, and we hope to see you again on one of our Tours of just about anything that we come across! Remember admission is always free and virtual snacks can be had for the asking!

Stay tuned for some diagrams of how the Locks work. If you have been bored to tears, feel free to exit now before we get really technical!

**This diagram is self-explanatory, but you should know that all the water that is used in any lock system needs to come from “Upstream” so that it requires minimal energy to operate.** **Note the bottom of the lock and the water chambers underneath it.**

**Here is the bottom of one of the Locks after it has been drained for repairs. You can see the slots used for filling and draining.**

The absolute “End”

10 replies on “Into The Locks….”

Hey world travelers, it looks like you’re still have my fun! Miss you.

Thanks Tammie! We’ll get together next time when we stay a little longer!

Probably your most fascinating post ever; and I say that as someone who LOVES your posts.
Thank you for including the diagrams showing how the water is recycled.

Thanks Karen! It’s good to know that you are a fan!

Hi Don

Happy to have you along Sandra!

Hi Darla! Happy you’re aboard!

LUCKY DOG! I love boat rides, and I LOVE locks!! Darla and Sandra are lucky to live right there. Your tour vessel is pretty. Hooray for Mr. Beechwood! Also hooray for the architect who designed the water dropper building!

You must have been in heaven.

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