The Great Lakes’ Most Historic Ship Arrives (Showing Off Refit!)

The Lee A Tregurtha, a vessel whose historical highlights include battling Nazi U-Boats, escorting an invasion fleet to France, dodging Kamikazes at Okinawa and witnessing the Japanese surrender ceremony in Tokyo Harbor that ended World War 2, all before being cut apart, expanded, rebuilt and put back together multiple times while going on to outlive the entire US WW2 naval fleet, has now been refurbished to near mint condition. After a 2 month drydocking for a multi-million dollar refit which included steel replacement on her lower hull, cargo holds and unloading system, plus painting and inspection, she is now once again sailing! And at 82 years old she looks almost like new! Of course the life of a working freighter on the lakes is not easy, she did get one scratch going through the Soo locks

The old warhorse, still bearing her old combat awards proudly on her pilothouse, arrived in Duluth loud and proud for the crowd gathered to see her. Surprised she came back this early! Last season it took until October or November for her to return to Duluth after laying up for winter here. Now she’s back only a week or two after her last appearance! Hopefully this is a good sign that she might be a more regular visitor here this season!