The Best of Duluth Minnesota

A winter street scene in Duluth shows the Aerial Lift Bridge at night, with snow on the ground and very few cars or people out in the extreme cold.

At dark, the temperature plunged to nearly –35 degrees, and with it being the middle of the week, the streets were almost empty. I’d wanted a clean side profile of the lift bridge for a long time, and I knew this bitterly cold night might be one of the few chances I’d ever get to stand in this usually busy street and make the shot.

Duluth, Minnesota, is the gateway to the North Shore All‑American Scenic Drive, a picturesque route that follows Lake Superior all the way to the Canadian Border under the national All‑American Road designation. Together with Superior, Wisconsin, it forms the Twin Ports, the largest freshwater port in the world, where more than a thousand ships arrive each year. Don’t just pass through on your way to the North Shore—Duluth is well worth a few days of exploring.

A panoramic view of Duluth, Minnesota, showing the city built along the Lake Superior waterfront with neighborhoods rising up the hillside. Numerous communication towers line the ridge above the city. The scene includes a mix of modern buildings, older brick structures, and industrial areas, with calm water in the foreground and a clear blue sky overhead.

Duluth’s hillside rises steeply from the Lake Superior shoreline, a layered mix of historic brick buildings, industry, and neighborhoods climbing toward the ridge lined with communication towers.

There’s plenty to see and do in this vibrant city, but Canal Park is my #1 must‑see. Visit the Duluth Ship Canal to watch ships arrive and depart throughout the day, and don’t miss the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge as it raises and lowers to let massive commercial vessels pass beneath it. Explore the Canal’s three historic lighthouses, then take a harbor cruise for a close‑up look at the working port and a sweeping view of Duluth climbing the hillside from the water.

Three of Duluth’s striking architectural landmarks rise along the hillside in this view from Lake Superior. The Greysolon Plaza, built in 1924 and once known as the Hotel Duluth, famously hosted President John F. Kennedy during a visit. The Historic Central High School, completed in 1892, stands out with its Richardsonian Romanesque design and prominent clock tower. Nearby, the Sacred Heart Cathedral, constructed between 1894 and 1896, showcases late Gothic Revival architecture.

Duluth, the fourth‑largest city in Minnesota with a population of just over 86,000, is sometimes called the “San Francisco of the Midwest” for its dramatic hillside topography, proximity to Lake Superior, and wealth of historic architecture. Located in Northeastern Minnesota at the westernmost point of Lake Superior—about 150 miles from the Canadian Border—it serves as the inland terminus for oceangoing freighters traveling 2,300 miles from the Atlantic Ocean through the Great Lakes Waterway and the Saint Lawrence Seaway to reach the Twin Ports.

The region has been home to the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) for more than 500 years. When Europeans arrived, the Ojibwe became key intermediaries between French fur traders and other Native nations. Over time, they emerged as the dominant Indigenous nation in the Lake Superior region, displacing the Dakota Sioux and Fox and achieving a major victory over the Iroquois.

The Ojibwe name for Duluth is Onigamiinsing, meaning “at the little portage.” The name refers to the short, easy crossing at Minnesota Point between Lake Superior and the western Saint Louis Bay, the protected waterway that forms the Duluth harbor.

A nighttime view of Duluth, Minnesota, seen from across Lake Superior. City lights create starburst effects along the waterfront, reflecting across the calm water. Buildings rise up the hillside, including a tall smokestack and a clock‑tower structure near the center. The sky transitions from deep blue to lighter tones near the horizon.

The nighttime view of Duluth reveals its layered hillside—historic structures, modern buildings, and industrial elements lit against the deepening sky above Lake Superior.

When should you visit?

Because Duluth sits so far north—only a little over 150 miles from the Canadian border—spring arrives late. It’s not unusual to see lingering snow patches into late May, but once the weather turns, the city becomes glorious. June, July, and August are the warmest months, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from the 70s to low 80s. Autumn is especially beautiful: leaves begin to change around mid‑September and usually hold their color until mid‑October, with temperatures in the mid‑50s to low 60s. Unless you enjoy snow sports, December through February are the months to avoid, as temperatures often drop well below zero.

No matter how pleasant the day feels in town, conditions can be very different at the Duluth Ship Canal. Wind funnels through the area, making it feel at least 10 degrees colder along the water. Even in midsummer, I often needed a light jacket or sweater—especially if I planned to stay near the canal after sunset.

A view of the Minnesota Slip Drawbridge in Duluth, Minnesota, seen from the water. The bright turquoise double drawbridge spans the slip near the waterfront. Industrial buildings and two cylindrical water towers stand behind it, with historic brick structures rising up the hillside in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

The Minnesota Slip Drawbridge is seen from the water, its bright turquoise structure spanning the slip in Canal Park. This counter‑weight‑balanced double drawbridge, modeled after designs commonly found in the Netherlands, carries heavy pedestrian traffic along Duluth’s waterfront. Added in 1991, it’s a relatively recent feature of Canal Park, yet its form and detailing blend seamlessly with the area’s historic character, giving it the appearance of a structure that has stood here for more than a century.

Canal Park

Canal Park was once Duluth’s busy waterfront warehouse district. During the 1980s–90s revitalization, many of the old warehouses were transformed into restaurants, shops, hotels, and visitor attractions. The Aerial Lift Bridge and the Duluth Ship Canal anchor this area, making it one of the city’s most recognizable and active waterfront spaces. It’s also the best place to stay if you want to be within walking distance of everything—summer parking can be challenging, and being based in Canal Park makes exploring far easier.

A large cargo ship, the American Century, moves through fog on Lake Superior as it passes the South Breakwater Outer Light at the end of the Duluth Ship Canal. The ship emits dark exhaust, and the lighthouse stands on a concrete pier to the right. The water is choppy under the gray, misty sky.

Saying goodbye to the American Century as she slips past the South Breakwater Outer Light at the end of the Duluth Ship Canal and disappears into the Lake Superior fog.

Navigating Lake Avenue and the Lift Bridge

My first image in this post is a photograph of Lake Avenue, the road that carries you across the Aerial Lift Bridge to Park Point. Once the bridge goes up, traffic backs up for a long time. During the shipping season, the bridge is raised every 30 minutes—on the hour and half‑hour—for small boat traffic. For the giant commercial freighters, it goes up on demand. When traffic finally clears, it’s often time for the bridge to rise again, and congestion can last for hours when a freighter arrives off‑schedule.

Trust me on this: Avoid driving on Lake Avenue unless you’re actually crossing over to visit Minnesota Point. Instead, use Canal Park Drive when entering the area, and take the cross streets Buchanan and Morse to reach the bayside parking lots. During the summer season, it’s also worth considering the Port Town Trolley, which makes getting around far easier.

The Duluth Ship Canal

A view of the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth, Minnesota, seen from the water as the canal opens toward Lake Superior. The steel lift span rises above the Duluth Ship Canal, with the two pier lighthouses on either side—one with a red roof on the left and a white tower on the right. Hillside buildings and a partly cloudy sky appear in the background.

The Aerial Lift Bridge and the paired canal pier lighthouses come into view as we approach the entrance to the Duluth Ship Canal from Lake Superior.

The Duluth Ship Canal is an artificial channel cut through Minnesota Point, providing direct access from Lake Superior into Duluth Harbor. A pair of 1,720‑foot‑long breakwaters, set 300 feet apart, define the passage. These piers extend roughly 1,150 feet beyond the shoreline, creating a protected entryway for vessels. The canal itself is 245 feet wide and 28 feet LWD (Low Water Datum)—the lowest water level typically encountered—ensuring safe clearance for large oceangoing ships.

There are no locks here; most vessels transit the canal under their own power. A tug service is available upon request when weather conditions make maneuvering difficult.

The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge begins to rise at sunset, its steel structure reflecting warm orange and yellow light. A lighthouse stands to the left near the water’s edge, while people gather along the walkway on the right. The canal and sky are illuminated by the colors of the setting sun.

Near sunset, the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge starts its ascent, illuminated by the shifting colors of the evening sky.

Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center and Museum

600 Canal Park Dr

Located right beside the Aerial Lift Bridge and the Duluth Ship Canal, the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center is well worth a stop. Inside, you’ll find an excellent museum and gift shop, and the ship schedule is always posted on the board. Staff monitor time changes throughout the day, and you can also check arrivals and departures online.

Keep in mind that ship times are extremely fluid—changes of several hours, and sometimes even days, are common. If you’re hoping to watch vessels pass through the canal, avoid over‑scheduling your day so you can stay flexible.

The Duluth South Breakwater Outer Light stands at the end of a concrete pier during a sunset with pink and purple tones in the sky. The lighthouse’s red roof and illuminated lantern room are visible, along with a single lit streetlamp on the pier. Calm water surrounds the pier beneath the colorful evening sky.

The Duluth South Breakwater Outer Light glows as the pinks and purples of a magnificent sunset fade from the sky. One of three lighthouses marking the Duluth Ship Canal, the Outer Light was constructed in 1874 and first lit in 1901. Its design is characteristic of early 20th‑century harbor breakwater lights found throughout the Great Lakes. In recognition of its historic significance, Duluth’s Outer Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.

There are three lighthouses positioned along the sides of the Duluth Ship Canal. At the lake end, the North Pier Light and the South Breakwater Outer Light mark the entrance from Lake Superior. Farther inland, the South Breakwater Inner Light works in tandem with the Outer Light as a range light, guiding vessels safely through the channel. At the harbor end, the Aerial Lift Bridge spans the canal, connecting Minnesota Point to the rest of the city and completing this iconic waterfront corridor.

The Duluth Harbor South Breakwater Inner Light stands on a pier at dusk, silhouetted against a sky with deep blue, orange, and pink tones. The moon is visible to the left above the lighthouse, and a few trees line the pier. Calm water reflects the colors of the fading sunset.

The moon rises beside the Duluth Harbor South Breakwater Inner Light as the last colors of a spectacular sunset linger over the Duluth Ship Canal. One of three lighthouses guiding vessels through this historic waterway, the Inner Light was built in 1900–01 to help ships navigate from Lake Superior into the canal and beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, recognizing its enduring role in Great Lakes maritime history.

The Duluth North Pier Light stands on a concrete pier in bright daylight, with several people gathered near its base. Calm water fills the foreground, and the city of Duluth rises on the hillside behind the lighthouse, with buildings, houses, and tall communication towers visible against a clear blue sky.

An eye‑level view of the Duluth North Pier Light comes into focus as our tour boat enters the Duluth Ship Canal from Lake Superior, with the city rising along the hillside behind it. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016, the North Pier Light is a significant landmark, exemplifying the distinctive architectural and engineering design used on early twentieth‑century Great Lakes harbor entry piers and breakwaters. Put into service in 1910 and last used in 1966, it remains one of the most widely recognized landmarks in St. Louis County.

History of the Iconic Aerial Lift Bridge

The cargo ship James R. Barker passes beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge, with a lighthouse on the left and people gathered along the canal walkway on the right. The ship fills much of the channel as it departs, and dramatic, wispy clouds stretch across the bright sky above.

Fresh from refueling, the James R. Barker heads out of Duluth, slipping under the Aerial Lift Bridge as spectators line the canal.

The historic Aerial Lift Bridge is always picturesque, regardless of the time of day or night. It is widely considered the unofficial symbol of Duluth and serves as the western gateway to the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway System. As part of Lake Avenue, the bridge spans the Duluth Ship Canal and connects the city to Minnesota Point, also known as Park Point.

Constructed between 1901 and 1905 under city engineer Thomas McGilvray, the original structure was a transporter bridge inspired by a French design. A gondola car, suspended from the underside of the top truss, carried up to 350 passengers along with wagons, streetcars, and early automobiles. The gondola crossed the canal every five minutes, taking about a minute to travel from one side to the other. It was the first of only two transporter bridges ever built in the United States—the other appeared as an attraction at the Chicago World's Fair.

If you'd like to see more images of the old Aerial Transfer Bridge, the Perfect Duluth Day post is an excellent resource.

A historic view of Duluth’s original Aerial Bridge shows its steel truss structure with the suspended gondola car positioned beneath it. People stand near the base of the bridge along the waterfront, and a lighthouse and several buildings are visible in the background under a clear sky.

This historic image of Duluth’s Aerial Bridge, published by the Detroit Publishing Company, appears to capture one of the earliest ferry‑car crossings over the Duluth Ship Canal. The Library of Congress dates the photograph to 1905, noting the year with a question mark to indicate some uncertainty.

Converting the Transporter Bridge

By 1929, the original transporter bridge no longer met the city’s needs, prompting a major transformation into the vertical lift bridge seen today. The gondola was removed, and the top span was raised 135 feet to make room for a two‑lane elevating roadway across the canal. The redesigned structure functioned like a giant elevator, lifting to allow ships to pass beneath it. Remarkably, this extensive conversion was completed in just one year.

Several additional renovations have taken place since then, each carried out with sensitivity to the defining 1929 lift‑bridge features. The Aerial Lift Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, recognized both as a rare bridge type nationally and as an important example of American engineering.

The Aerial Lift Bridge is illuminated at night, partially raised above the Duluth Ship Canal. Warm lights from the bridge and nearby waterfront buildings reflect across the dark water, and a walkway with streetlights leads toward the bridge under a cloudy evening sky.

It is a quiet night at the Duluth Ship Canal and Aerial Lift Bridge. The bridge is partially raised after a sailboat passed beneath it, with its lights reflecting across the dark water.

The Pilot House and Bridge Operations

The Pilot House, located in the center of the bridge above the roadway, serves as the control hub for all bridge operations. From here, the bridge operator raises and lowers the span, using computers along with radio and satellite systems to monitor vehicle and pedestrian traffic and communicate with approaching vessels. During the boating season, the bridge rises every 30 minutes—on the hour and half‑hour—24 hours a day, seven days a week for public boat traffic. For large commercial freighters, the lift is performed on demand.

The length of the shipping season depends heavily on weather conditions, but it typically runs from late March through mid‑January. Because commercial vessels cannot stop quickly, the bridge must be fully cleared and ready to begin its ascent when ships are still 1.5 miles out. It takes approximately three minutes for the roadway to rise the full 120 feet to its upper position.

The freighter Cason J. Callaway moves through the Duluth Harbor with the Blatnik Bridge visible in the background. The ship’s red and white hull and deck equipment are brightly lit by the sun, and industrial buildings and cranes line the shoreline under a partly cloudy sky.

The Cason J. Callaway is seen here in the Duluth Harbor with the Blatnik Bridge rising in the background. Part of the Great Lakes Fleet, she was built in 1952 and has undergone several major upgrades that have allowed her to remain an active and efficient workhorse on the Great Lakes. In 1974, she was lengthened by 120 feet, bringing her to her current overall length of 767 feet. A 262-foot self-unloading boom was added in 1981, converting her into a modern self-discharging carrier.

In 2002, the Callaway underwent extensive rehabilitation at Fraser Shipyard in Superior. Her steam engine—rather than being replaced—was upgraded, and new automation systems were installed, moving operational control up to the pilot house. Today, the Cason J. Callaway is considered the most advanced steam-powered vessel operating on the Great Lakes.

Captain's Salute to the Bridge

As a ship passes through the Duluth Ship Canal, the captain sounds the traditional Captain’s Salute—a sequence of one long and two short horn blasts offered as a greeting to the Port of Duluth. The bridge operator answers in return, repeating the same pattern using a pair of Westinghouse Airbrake locomotive horns mounted on the Aerial Lift Bridge. It’s always an exciting moment, and it never fails to bring out the kid in me.

Here’s a short clip…

Harbor Cameras and the Dash to the Canal

Several harbor cams are positioned around Duluth Harbor, and their locations are marked on the arrivals and departures map. By clicking on a camera icon, you can often catch a ship moving through the Canal.

While staying at The Suites in Canal Park, I discovered a helpful trick: if I saw the bridge begin to rise on the bridge cam, I usually had just enough time to make it down to the Canal before the ship passed underneath. It required a brisk power walk, but I can’t tell you how many times I did this instead of waiting around the Canal all day. The fastest route is out The Suites’ back door and down the Baywalk, which lets you bypass the crowds entirely.

Ship Watching

The H. Lee White departs Duluth at sunset, heading toward the Aerial Lift Bridge with warm light reflecting across the water. The bridge is partially raised, and people stand along the walkway watching the ship pass under a sky of orange, pink, and blue.

The H. Lee White leaves Duluth at sunset, preparing to pass under the Aerial Lift Bridge and enter the Duluth Ship Canal. Built for American Steamship and named for a former chairperson, this diesel‑powered Lake freighter made her maiden voyage in 1974. Measuring 704 feet long and 78 feet wide, she has a carrying capacity of 35,400 gross tons and transports limestone, grain, coal, and iron ore. Now owned by Great Lakes Fleet, she is small enough to transit the Welland Canal. A bit of a movie star, the H. Lee White even appears in the opening credits of the film Major League.

Lakers and Salties

Two types of ships visit the Port of Duluth–Superior: Lakers and Salties.

Lakers make up about 90% of the traffic. They are bulk carriers too large to fit through the St. Lawrence Seaway, so they remain on the Great Lakes. Painted predominantly black or “hull red”—the natural color of iron ore—Lakers typically have a lifespan of 40 to 50 years. Most are self‑unloaders, equipped with a long boom mounted above their decks, and they feature a vertical bow.

The must‑see vessels are the 13 American supercarriers, massive Lakers ranging from 1,000 to 1,013 feet long and capable of carrying around 70,000 short tons—that’s 140 million pounds. If one of these giants is inbound, drop everything and head straight for the Ship Canal.

Salties are the second type of ship. More colorful than Lakers, they are often painted in shades of blue, green, or red. Salties are limited to a maximum length of 740 feet so they can pass through the St. Lawrence Seaway, traveling between the ocean and the Great Lakes. Because saltwater is highly corrosive, Salties have a shorter lifespan than Lakers. Built for ocean service, they have a deeper draft and lower buoyancy in freshwater, meaning they can only accept partial loads while on the Great Lakes. They usually carry a series of deck cranes and have raked bows that sharply cut away.

My First (and Only) Saltie

I’ve only seen one Saltie in person—The Beatrix. After watching so many Lakers dominate the harbor, spotting a Saltie felt almost surprising. Their colorful hulls and ocean‑built lines stand out immediately, and The Beatrix was no exception. It was a fun reminder that Duluth isn’t just the domain of the big inland carriers; it’s also the farthest‑inland seaport in the world, welcoming ships that have traveled all the way from the ocean.

The cargo ship Beatrix enters the Duluth Ship Canal, moving between the piers under a partly cloudy sky. The ship has a gray and red hull with visible rust near the bow, and its deck cargo is covered with green tarps as birds fly nearby.

The Beatrix enters the Duluth Ship Canal, passing between the piers as she heads toward the harbor.

The Beatrix is a general cargo ship built in 2009. She is 515 feet long and 59 feet wide and currently sails for Wagenborg Shipping out of the Netherlands.

The cargo ship Beatrix passes under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge as she enters the harbor. People stand along the waterfront watching the ship, and a lighthouse is visible near the end of the pier under a mostly clear sky.

The Beatrix passes under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge as she enters the harbor.

The 13 Super‑Carriers

Stewart J. Cort

The Stewart J. Cort may be the most well‑known of the 1,000‑footers; she was the first super‑carrier to launch, entering service in 1972. She proudly displays a #1 on her aft house to mark that distinction. The Cort is also the only 1,000‑footer with a forward‑facing pilothouse and crew accommodations. Nicknamed “Stubby,” her bow and stern sections were originally built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and joined together for the trip north. Once she reached Erie Marine, “Stubby” was cut apart and connected to a newly built midbody. Today, the Cort runs a regular route carrying iron ore between Superior, Wisconsin, and Burns Harbor, Indiana, so she never passes through the Duluth Ship Canal.

Presque Isle

Construction began on the Presque Isle for LTV’s Wilson Transit Company, but the vessel was sold before completion. Launched in December 1973, she is the only 1,000‑foot tugboat/barge combination on the Great Lakes and remains the largest tug/barge unit in the world. Designed as an integrated system, the tug locks rigidly into a specially engineered notch in the barge so the pair can operate as a single vessel. The goal was to take advantage of U.S. Coast Guard safe‑manning rules, but because the tug was not considered seaworthy on its own, the Presque Isle must operate with a full‑sized crew. She transports iron ore, coal, and also supports the stone trades.

James R. Barker passes the North Pier Light as she exits the Duluth Ship Canal on her way out to Lake Superior.

James R. Barker

The James R. Barker, built in 1976, was the third American super‑carrier constructed and the first to be built entirely on the Great Lakes. She measures 1004 feet in length, 105 feet at the beam, stands 50 feet high, and draws 27 feet. Owned and operated by the Interlake Shipping Company, she is named for Interlake’s Chairman of the Board. The Barker is restricted to the upper four Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Ontario—because she is too large to pass through the Welland Canal. She is also the sister ship of the Mesabi Miner.

Paul R. Tregurtha

When Interlake purchased the Paul R. Tregurtha in 1990, they renamed her in honor of the company’s Vice Chairman of the Board. Today, the Tregurtha is Interlake’s flagship. At 1013.5 feet long, she is the longest ship on the Great Lakes and has held the title of “Queen of the Lakes” since entering service. Originally built in 1981 as the William J. DeLancey for approximately $60 million, she features an elevator, guest accommodations, and a 260‑foot boom capable of emptying her five cargo holds in about eight hours.

Mesabi Miner enters the Duluth Ship Canal in Duluth, Minnesota, passing between the canal’s paired lighthouses as visitors line the piers to watch the 1,000‑footer arrive.

Mesabi Miner

The Mesabi Miner is the fourth of the thirteen Great Lakes super‑carriers. Built in 1977 by the American Ship Building Company in Lorain, Ohio, she was constructed for the Interlake Steamship Company and remains one of the fleet’s most recognizable 1,000‑footers. Measuring 1004 feet in length with a 105‑foot beam and a 29‑foot draft, she is the sister ship to the James R. Barker.

The vessel was christened Mesabi Miner in 1977 by Muriel Humphrey, wife of Minnesota senator and U.S. vice president Hubert H. Humphrey. Her name honors the workers of Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range, a region central to the nation’s iron ore industry. Classified as a self‑discharging bulk carrier, she is equipped with three cargo‑hold belts and a 265‑foot unloading boom, enabling efficient offloading at ports throughout the Great Lakes.

Edwin H. Gott

Launched on July 19, 1978, the Edwin H. Gott was the eighth super‑carrier built for Great Lakes service. Known as the fastest freighter on the Great Lakes, she can reach speeds up to 16.7 mph, a remarkable capability for a vessel of her size. Like several of her 1,000‑foot counterparts, she measures 1004 feet in length with a 105‑foot beam.

During a major lay‑up in 1995, the Gott received a new 280‑foot self‑unloading boom, the longest ever installed on a Great Lakes vessel. Her boom extends 15–30 feet beyond those of other lakers, giving her exceptional unloading reach and efficiency.

American Century passes the North Pier Light as she enters the Duluth Ship Canal in Duluth, Minnesota, her dark hull contrasting with the bright sky and calm water.

American Century

Renamed American Century in 2006 after her purchase by American Steamship Company, this 1,000‑footer originally sailed as Columbia Star, a name chosen to honor the Brig Columbia, the first vessel to haul iron ore through the Soo Locks in 1855. Her maiden voyage took place in 1981.

Designed for long‑haul transport of iron ore pellets and western coal, the American Century measures 1000 feet in length with a 105‑foot beam. She uses a loop conveyor system inside the cargo hold to move material to the boom conveyor for unloading, making her a highly efficient self‑unloader within the Great Lakes fleet.

Edgar B. Speer

The Edgar B. Speer, launched in May 1980, is one of the most powerful vessels operating on the Great Lakes. She is best known for her unique stern‑mounted 52‑foot transverse shuttle unloading boom, a system designed exclusively for shore hopper loading. Because of this specialized configuration, she can only unload at two ports: Gary, Indiana, and Conneaut, Ohio.

Her cargo is restricted to taconite pellets, and due to her unloading limitations, she does not visit the Twin Ports. Even so, she remains a standout among the 1,000‑footers for her engineering and power.

Walter J. McCarthy Jr.

(formerly Belle River)

Originally launched as Belle River, the vessel was renamed Walter J. McCarthy Jr. in 1990 to honor a former Chairman of Detroit Edison. At 78,850 long tons, she holds the highest cargo capacity of all thirteen 1,000‑footers.

Put into service in 1977, the McCarthy primarily transports low‑sulfur western coal from Superior, Wisconsin, to Detroit Edison power plants in St. Clair and Monroe, Michigan. Her hull design is shared by several other American Steamship vessels, including Burns Harbor, Indiana Harbor, American Spirit, and American Integrity.

Burns Harbor

The Burns Harbor has been owned by American Steamship Company since 2005. Originally built for Bethlehem Steel, she was named after the company’s fully integrated steel‑making complex in Burns Harbor, Indiana. Like many of her sister ships, she is primarily used for long‑haul transport of iron ore pellets, supporting steel production across the Great Lakes region.

The yellow and blue pilot tug Sea Bear moves through choppy water toward the Duluth Ship Canal, with the white lighthouse on the pier to the right and a large cargo ship visible on the horizon. Several lampposts line the pier, and seagulls fly above the waves under a partly cloudy sky.

Sea Bear returns through the Duluth Ship Canal after dropping the Harbor Pilot off at the Saltie Beatrix offshore on Lake Superior. With rough seas and high winds, the Beatrix Captain requested pilot assistance for the transit. Built in 1959 in Massachusetts for service as a New York pilot boat, the Sea Bear was designed for heavy-duty and hazardous work, featuring reinforced framing, double spray rails, heavy-duty fendering, and specialized pilot safety equipment including a towable Lifesling recovery system, pilot-overboard hoist gear, DSC/GPS distress electronics, and heated non-icing decks.

Indiana Harbor

The Indiana Harbor is the ninth 1,000‑foot freighter built for Great Lakes service, entering operation in July 1979. Considered one of the most capable of the 1,000‑footers, she became the first United States–flagged vessel to carry a satellite communications system in 1983, marking a significant technological milestone for the fleet.

Named for Indiana Harbor, she serves primarily as a long‑haul transporter of iron ore pellets and western coal, supporting steel and energy industries throughout the region.

American Spirit

(formerly George A. Stinson)

The American Spirit began her career as the George A. Stinson, entering service in 1978. When American Steamship Company purchased her in 2003, she was renamed American Spirit to honor the company’s workers and the broader spirit of American industry.

Like the American Integrity, she uses a loop conveyor system to move cargo from the hold to the unloading boom. Measuring 1004 feet in length with a 105‑foot beam, she is primarily used for long‑haul transport of iron ore pellets.

American Integrity

The American Integrity made her maiden voyage in June 1978. She measures 1000 feet in length, with a 105‑foot beam and a 56‑foot depth. Since 2006, she has sailed under her current name as part of the American Steamship Company fleet, after previously operating as the Lewis Wilson Foy and Oglebay Norton.

Like her sister ships, she uses a loop conveyor system that transfers cargo to the deck‑mounted boom conveyor. Her primary cargoes include iron ore pellets and western coal, typically carried on long‑haul routes across the Great Lakes.

Take a Boat Cruise

Fleet Sightseeing Cruises

323 Harbor Drive, Duluth

Vista Fleet offers Sightseeing, Dining, and Specialty Cruises. During the tourist season, they do book up, so I recommend making reservations in advance.

Walking directions: To find the Vista Fleet, take the Baywalk across the blue Minnesota Slip drawbridge. Vista Fleet is located just west of the bridge.

The Vista Star sightseeing boat sits in Duluth Bay near the Aerial Lift Bridge, with the steel bridge structure spanning the waterway and a brick building with a tall chimney on the left. The water reflects the boat and bridge, and the sky is clear and light blue.

Vista Fleet’s sightseeing cruise boats are a familiar sight on the water around Duluth. The Vista Star sits in Duluth Bay, waiting for the Aerial Lift Bridge to rise so she can travel through the Ship Canal and continue out onto Lake Superior.

The narrated Vista Fleet sightseeing cruise was fabulous. The views of the city from the water are beautiful, and I loved seeing how Old Central High School towers over the Duluth cityscape. You simply can’t experience Duluth and Lake Superior the same way from land; the harbor tour offers a fascinating perspective on the city and its working waterfront.

Duluth’s Old Central High School was built in 1892 of locally mined sandstone. Overlooking the Duluth harbor, it dominates the cityscape towering over the city’s business district. At $460,000, it was one of the most costly public works projects of the era. It was designed by local Duluth architects who borrowed from some of the best in eclectic Richardsonian Romanesque design to give the city a school to rival even the master, Henry Richardson’s own work. It features a 230 foot clock tower that was patterned after Big Ben in London. They didn’t miss a detail, from smiling cherubs and grotesque animal figures over the cavernous entrance to the towering clock tower. It’s simply amazing! In 1972, it ceased to be the Central High School but it is still in use by the school district.

Old Central High School was built in 1892 from locally quarried sandstone. Overlooking the Duluth harbor from its hillside location, it dominates the cityscape and towers above the business district. At a cost of $460,000, it was one of the most expensive public works projects of its era.

Designed by local Duluth architects, the building draws heavily from eclectic Richardsonian Romanesque influences, giving the city a landmark that could stand alongside the work of Henry Hobson Richardson himself. Its most striking feature is the 230-foot clock tower, patterned after Big Ben in London. The architects didn’t miss a detail—smiling cherubs, carved grotesques, and elaborate stonework frame the grand entrance, all rising toward the massive tower that anchors the structure.

In 1972, the building ceased to serve as Duluth’s Central High School, but it remains in use by the school district today.

I selected the Grand Sightseeing Tour, a 1 hour and 45 minute cruise and Vista Fleet’s most in‑depth option.

It was a beautiful day, so we went under the Aerial Lift Bridge, through the Ship Canal, and out onto Lake Superior to see Duluth rising along the hillside. We also toured the harbor and the loading docks.

All of the images I shot from the water in this post were taken during my Vista Fleet cruise.

The weathered cargo ship J.B. Ford sits docked in a narrow waterway, its rusted bow facing the viewer with anchor chains and ropes hanging along the hull. The ship’s superstructure rises behind the bow with masts and antennas, and industrial buildings and a hilly landscape appear in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

J.B. Ford was 115 years old when I photographed her in 2018, tied off in a quiet corner of the Duluth Harbor while awaiting scrapping. First launched in 1903, she carried a reputation for being haunted and held a remarkable place in Great Lakes maritime history. Her three‑cycle reciprocating steam engine was the last of its kind still in existence.

At 440 feet long with an 8,000‑ton capacity, the J.B. Ford served the lakes for more than eight decades. She last sailed in 1985, operating as a cement barge before being permanently laid up.

Three green and red tugboats from the Great Lakes Towing Company are moored along a calm waterfront at Rice Point. Utility vehicles and small buildings sit on the dock behind them, and the arched steel span of the John A. Blatnik Bridge rises in the background. Farther back, tall silos and industrial structures line the harbor under a partly cloudy sky.

Great Lakes Towing Company’s tugboats — the North Carolina, Arkansas, and Missouri — are moored at Rice Point with the John A. Blatnik Bridge rising in the background.

Rice Point separates Duluth‑Superior’s outer harbor from its inner harbor and is a focal point of the region’s industrial activity. The Blatnik Bridge connects Duluth, Minnesota, with Superior, Wisconsin, serving as one of the key transportation links between the Twin Ports.

A rusted tugboat pilothouse sits along an overgrown waterfront, with industrial brick buildings, electrical equipment, and power lines behind it. The structure shows peeling paint and weathering, and the surrounding area appears aged and unused under partly cloudy light.

The pilothouse of the Irvin L. Clymer is all that remains of the vessel built in 1917, which once operated with a crew of sixteen. After the ship was scrapped in Duluth in 1994, the pilothouse was cut away and unloaded at the end of the Duluth Timber Pier, where it has remained ever since.

A large Great Lakes freighter, the Arthur M. Anderson, sits alongside an ore dock in long‑term layup. The ship’s hull stretches across the frame, with industrial structures and dock equipment visible behind it under bright, partly cloudy light.

The SS Arthur M. Anderson, a 767-foot Great Lakes freighter, is shown alongside an ore dock where she was placed into long-term layup for maintenance at the end of the 2017 shipping season. She returned to service by the start of the 2019 season.

The Anderson’s most notable claim to fame is her connection to the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. She was the last vessel to maintain radio contact with the Fitzgerald before it sank on November 10, 1975, and she was also the first ship to arrive on scene to search in vain for survivors.

William A. Irvin Ship Museum

The 610‑foot Great Lakes freighter SS William A. Irvin is docked along the waterfront, with its long hull and deck structures visible beneath cloudy skies. Industrial buildings and museum‑ship infrastructure surround the vessel.

The SS William A. Irvin, a 610-foot Great Lakes freighter, served as the flagship of U.S. Steel’s fleet from her launch in 1938, during the depths of the Great Depression, until 1975. She continued as a general workhorse in the fleet until her retirement in 1978. Today, the Irvin is preserved as a museum ship, honoring her place in Great Lakes maritime history.

I never had the opportunity to tour the SS William A. Irvin, though she was high on my Duluth wish list. Unfortunately, during my entire visit she was closed in preparation for an upcoming environmental project that required moving her out of the Minnesota Slip.

I happened to be in Duluth on September 22, 2018, the day they moved her out of the slip to begin the work—an unexpected stroke of luck.

While she was away, the Irvin received a thorough refresh, and she is now back in her slip and open for tours once again.

The 610‑foot Great Lakes freighter SS William A. Irvin is docked along the waterfront, with its long hull and superstructure visible beneath cloudy skies. The surrounding area includes industrial and museum‑ship facilities.

The SS William A. Irvin was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 for her state-level significance in the themes of engineering, maritime history, and transportation.

Everything you need to know about tickets and time is on the website here. Drop me a note and let me know how the tour was.

Crews move the SS William A. Irvin out of the Minnesota Slip at night, guiding the ship through the narrow Minnesota Slip Bridge using winches. The freighter is centered between the tight bridge walls, with bright work lights illuminating the ves

Moving the SS William A. Irvin out of the Minnesota Slip was no simple feat. The historic museum ship had been placed in this spot in 1986, before the Minnesota Slip Bridge was built, and she had never passed through it. The bridge is only 14 inches wider than the ship, leaving almost no margin for error.

To move her, crews used two winches—one to pull and one to brake—advancing the Irvin at a rate of one foot every four seconds. Watching the process was fascinating and, at the same time, a little like watching paint dry. It was slow, deliberate, and mesmerizing in its own way.

Side Trips

View from Wisconsin Point Beach showing the Wisconsin Point Lighthouse in the foreground, with the Superior Entry visible just beyond it. The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge appears in the distance to the left of the Superior Entry Lighthouse, and the small silhouettes of the Duluth Ship Canal lighthouses are visible on the far right.

It’s easy to see why the cities of Duluth and Superior are called the Twin Ports in this image.

Photographed from Wisconsin Point Beach, the Wisconsin Point Lighthouse stands in the foreground. Just beyond it is the opening where ships pass into Superior’s Harbor. Look to the left of the Superior Entry Lighthouse and you’ll spot the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge in the distance. On the far right side of the image, the lighthouses marking the entrance to the Duluth Ship Canal appear tiny from this vantage point.

The Port of Duluth–Superior includes Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, and is often referred to as the Twin Ports. A nine‑mile natural sandbar forms the breakwater here—Minnesota Point on the Duluth side and Wisconsin Point on the Superior side—sheltering the bay’s working waterfront. This is the westernmost tip of Lake Superior and of the entire Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway system. At 2,342 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, it stands as the Great Lakes’ cargo capital and North America’s farthest‑inland freshwater seaport.

If you have the time, visiting Wisconsin Point is a fun side trip. The views of Duluth from the beach are wonderful.

Check out these blog posts about other great side trips that aren’t far from Duluth…

Seven Bridges Road, right in Duluth

Amnicon Falls State Park is just 15 miles east of Superior, Wisconsin

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A rare, crystal‑clear side profile of the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge captured on a night when temperatures plunged to –35 degrees and the midweek streets fell silent. This dramatic winter scene reveals the bridge in a way few ever get to witness—an empty roadway, perfect symmetry, and the unmistakable presence of Duluth’s harbor. A striking, atmospheric print that brings the quiet power of the North Shore into your space.

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