Edgar B. Speer - Caution! Oversized Vessel in Two Harbors

Here is the Edgar B. Speer arriving in Two Harbors, Minnesota on the morning of June 2, 2024. She was arriving empty to load taconite pellets from the Canadian National dock for delivery to scenic Gary, Indiana.

The video starts as the Speer enters past the breakwall which protects the harbor from Lake Superior's waves. The Speer pushes her nose a little past the dock, then stops to make a sharp pivot. Once she is parallel with the dock, her powerful engines push her forward until she is aligned under the ore-loading booms. It's a delicate operation that we've seen before on this channel, but it's still impressive no matter how many times you see it. The massive size of the Speer only adds to the complexity of the docking, as there is little room for error. Sometimes you get the feeling these freighters should have a "Caution: Oversized Vessel" sign painted on the back of them!

I don't get the opportunity to capture Big Red Ed in action very often, as it requires an extra trip from Duluth to see her at her favorite loading spot in Two Harbors. Often she comes in late at night or at times when I simply am not in the area. At best, I capture her on video once or twice a year. So it's always a pleasure when I do get to see her. The lack of a long self-unloading boom on her deck gives her an appearance that is somewhat unique among the 1000-footers. She almost looks like a "straight decker" until you notice the small shuttle boom just in front of the pilot house.

The 1004-foot Edgar B. Speer was launched in 1980. She is powered by two Pielstick V-18 cylinder 9,630 horsepower diesel engines driving 2 controllable pitch propellers. She can carry up to 73,700 tons of cargo in 5 cargo holds that are accessed by 20 deck hatches. Her self-unloading system consists of a 52-foot shuttle boom mounted in front of the pilot house. The boom can extend out over either side of the ship. While this unloading system is much more compact and results in less clutter on her deck, this system also restricts her to carrying only iron ore pellets (taconite). In contrast, most of the other 1000-footers on the lakes can also carry coal.
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