MISSISSAGI's career comes to an end

20 years ago much to the surprise of shipwatchers, Lower Lakes Towing gave new life to three of the oldest vessels in the United States Steel fleet. Jim Hoffman made numerous trips from Toledo to Sarnia to document the transition of [MYRON C. TAYLOR], [CALCITE II] and [GEORGE A. SLOAN] into Lower Lakes ships and by the spring of 2001 all were back in service as CALUMET, MAUMEE and MISSISSAGI.

Of the three, MISSISSAGI survived the longest and managed to put in another 20 years of service. In 2020 though word came that the end may soon come for the 1943-built Maritimer and by the the early weeks of 2021 the sad news came that indeed it had.

On 1 April 2021 she embarked on her final voyage from her winter layup dock in Hamilton and on the 2nd she was upbound in the Welland Canal for the last time. The following day she arrived in Sarnia where at the very same dock her Lower Lakes career began, it ended.

Today, 8 October 2021 she departed under tow bound for her final port. When she arrives in Sault Ste. Marie, in a few days, her final chapter will be written. Another classic will be lost.

Jim Hoffman captured MISSISSAGI at the very beginning of her LLT career in Sarnia on 26 April 2001..

Photo by Jim Hoffman