Victory and Maumee - The Headless Laker Rides into Town

Here is the articulated tug-and-barge combination of the Victory and Maumee seen arriving in Duluth, Minnesota on January 12, 2023 to load taconite pellets at the Canadian National dock in West Duluth. They were taking the berth previously occupied by the James R. Barker, who was seen departing in a previous video on this channel. (Keen-eyed viewers may also spot her in the distance on this video.) On her way into the Duluth shipping canal, the Maumee entertained us with a nice captain's salute with one very long blast followed by two short blasts... with the Aerial Lift Bridge replying in response.

This was only my second time catching the Maumee and Victory in action, despite them being semi-frequent visitors to the Twin Ports over the past couple of years. It just worked out that my visits never seemed to coincide with their visits. One thing that strikes me about the Maumee is the classic lines of her AAA-class hull, but with the lack of a pilot house up front. It gives her somewhat of a "headless" appearance. There's just a tiny lookout hut where her old pilot house used to be. I know many boatnerds are saddened whenever a classic laker is turned into a barge (myself included). But if the alternative is the scrapyard, then I'm happy that at least the hull can live on and continue to sail the Great Lakes.

The 749-foot barge Maumee started her life in 1953 as the "AAA" class laker Reserve. She was lengthened by 120 feet in 1975 and converted to a self-unloader in 1983. Her life as a self-contained ship came to an end in 2007, when she was converted to a barge. This involved the removal of her engine section and pilot house, with a notch built at the stern for mating with the tugboat Victory. She sailed under the new name James L. Kuber until 2019, when she was renamed the Maumee. Her current cargo capacity is 25,500 tons. A diesel-powered bow thruster is located in her bow section to help her maneuver in port.

The 140-foot tugboat Victory was built in 1980 and served for Texaco Marine Services, pushing a 200,000 barrel petroleum barge around to different ports in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2006, she was purchased for work on the Great Lakes. After briefly pushing the barge Lewis J. Kuber, she was then mated to the James L. Kuber (now Maumee) in 2008. Despite her change of ownership and roles, the Victory has maintained the same name throughout her career. When the Victory and Maumee are connected, they are 815 feet in total length. They sail for the Grand River Navigation Company fleet, headquartered out of Traverse City, Michigan.

I wouldn't have to wait long for my third sighting of the Victory and Maumee, as I was able to capture their departure a couple days later... as the last lake boat to depart Duluth for the shipping season. That departure will be featured in an upcoming video.

Видео Victory and Maumee - The Headless Laker Rides into Town канала 1 Long 2 Short