THE TRAFFIC JAMS in Sturgeon Bay are less likely to happen on the roads than on the shipping channel. It's winter and the large ore boats from the Great Lakes are coming in for docking and repairs. They make their way from Lake Michigan through the canal (blue circle), go under the "Bay View Bridge" (green channel) past our house (black dot) and through The Michigan Street Bridge -also called "the old steel bridge" (red circle) - to the shipyard just beyond the bridge. It's great fun to hear the big low blast of the boats' horns as they approach the bridges. Proudly they make their way through the waterway and slowly maneuver into the docks. You can find out information about some of these Great Lakes ships by clicking on their names or going to boatnerd.com.

Also see: Door County sunsets, barns, and around Sturgeon Bay
The "Bay View" bridge was constructed in 1978. Residents still refer to it as "the new bridge".
The old steel bridge was constructed in 1930. It opens approximately 3600 times per year.
The Arthur M. Anderson passes our resident "retiree", the decommissioned Edward L. Ryerson. (below) A mild winter allows for ship traffic virtually unimpeded by ice. Ship viewing from our living room window.
(below) the Arthur M. Anderson pulls into port on 1/19/06.
Tugs sit waiting to maneuver the big boats into their docks. (below) The decommissioned Edward L. Ryerson is moved to its winter moorings away from the shipyards to make room for the seasonal visitors. (the Ryerson is now back in service 6/06)
(right) The Edward L. Ryerson, Coast Guard boats and tugs in icy waters at sunrise.
(right) The 1013' Paul R. Treburtha sits at Bay Ship awaiting winter rehab.

(below) On 1/20/06 the John G. Munson makes its way through the Bay View Bridge, past the Ryerson and through the Michigan Street Bridge to the shipyard for repairs.
The shipyard really becomes quite a village during the winter months. Up to fifteen huge ships can be docked in and around the yard. There is one graving dock (inland) which the large gantry crane (above) straddles, and one floating dry dock (the large crib in the photo on the left). This dry dock is sunk so ships can float in, then the water is pumped out to raise it with the ship in it.

Repairs are performed around the clock. To left you see (from the left) the Adam E. Cornelius, the Herbert C. Jackson, and the Lee A. Tregurtha docked side-by-side.
(left) 1/24/09 The Articulated Tug Dorothy Ann pulls into port.

(below left) A white articulated tug leaves harbor in the misty fog (minus its payload barge).

(below) The Ryerson snugs up against the wintered Joseph L. Block on the Sawyer Harbor shorline.
(left) Tall ships in the foreground and a freighter behind make for some interesting viewing.
(left) The 858 foot Roger Blough in for repairs, August, 2006.
(below left) The 1000 foot Presque Isle (from Duluth, MN) in for repairs, November, 2006.

(below) Brandywine, an articulated tug moors next to the floating drydock at Bay Ship.
(below) One of the "Double Skin 141" series of petrolium barges is under constuction.
(right and below) Bay Ship in early December, 2006 - prior to the winter fleet coming in for repair.

(below left) The bridge of the Joseph L. Block at sunset.
(above) One of two twin 150 foot yachts recently completed by Palmer Johnson readys for departure.

(below) The Wilfred Sykes comes into Sturgeon Bay during a bitterly cold February morning in 2007. Click here to see the docking.
(below) The John J. Boland, a 680 foot self-unloading bulk carrier leaving Sturgeon Bay. It wintered at Bay Shipbuilding where it was "born" in 1973. Photos in order are: the ship going through the Bay View Bridge, through the 7,000 foot long canal, past the US Coast Guard Station and out into Lake Michigan past the North Pier Light.