M/V Joseph L. Block

December 1990

The next three photos were taken aboard the M/V Joseph L. Block on the last trip from Duluth, MN for the season. There were gale warnings up for the evening. Most boats in the Twin Ports decided to remain at the dock until the storm had passed. We were the only boat to venture into the lake that night. All the ice you see was formed over night. Every available man was put to work "chipping the ice". Even Engine Dept. crew members could go out for over time. We had taken on so much ice that we were too deep for the Soo. Not being a steamer, the Joe did not have a long supply of hot water. The Sykes or the Ryerson had endless amounts of very hot water. The Joe was warm at best. Sledge hammers, shovels, and wheel barrows worked the best for clearing the ice. Only problem was that, were making it as fast as we could clear it. After taking these photos, I / we