American Century - Belly Full of Fuel, Now Hungry for Iron Ore

Here is the American Century seen departing Duluth, Minnesota on the morning of May 15, 2023. She had made a brief visit to fill up her tanks at the Cenovus fuel dock near Port Terminal. But her cargo holds were still empty, so she departed to make her way to Two Harbors, Minnesota to fill up on taconite (iron ore) pellets. On her way out, she made a jog to starboard to make way for another 1000 footer, the James R. Barker, who was coming into port.

The early morning twilight was especially scenic for this departure, with a crescent moon hanging in the sky overlooking the action. We didn't get a salute from the American Century, but she typically withholds salutes during hours which nearby residents might be sleeping. But she makes up for by being generous with her salutes during daytime hours. If you keep watching, you might even see a video in the coming days where we hear her horn in action!

The 1000-foot American Century was launched under the name Columbia Star in November 1980, making her the twelfth of thirteen 1000-footers built for Great Lakes trade. She originally sailed for Oglebay Norton. In June 2006, she was sold to American Steamship Company and obtained her current name at that time. She is powered with four V-20 cylinder 3,560 horsepower G.M. diesel engines and has a cargo capacity of 78,850 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 34 feet. Cargo is stored in seven holds that are accessed by 34 hatches on deck. Her 260-foot self-unloading boom can discharge up to 10,000 tons per hour.

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