Laker "Queen" Runs Hard Aground

Photo: USCG

The Great Lakes’ largest freighter ran hard aground this week while carrying 62,000 tons of coal on the outbound channel of the St. Marys River.

The USCG said that they received a call at approximately 3:10 a.m. Wednesday morning that the M/V Paul R. Tregurtha had grounded on the west side of Neebish Island in the vicinity of what is commonly known as the “Rock Cut” channel in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Measuring in at just over 1,000, the M/V Paul R. Tregurtha bulk carrier is the current “Queen of The Lakes” title holder, or the largest ship in operation on the Great Lakes.

The Coast Guard says that the initial grounding occurred in way of the vessel’s bow but the ship pivoted and the stern became grounded as well. As of Wednesday night the vessel was hard aground at its bow and stern, and spanning the entire width of the shipping channel. On Thursday morning, salvage crews were able to refloat “her majesty” with the help of two tugs, MISSOURI and FLORIDA of The Great Lakes Towing Company.

No injuries of pollution was reported however the vessel did sustain some damage in the grounding and will proceed to a drydock facility for repairs. The vessel is currently owned by Interlake Shipping Co. of Richfield, Ohio.

In 2010 the M/V Paul R. Tregurtha was featured in the Discovery Channel’s “Mighty Ships” program.

Below are some additional photos of the M/V Paul R. Tregurtha hard aground: