Six hours earlier we were checking the U.S.S. dock for any activity. Ahoy! The Roger Blough unloading ore into a transfer hopper. You can see the unusual shuttle boom arrangement on the right of the photo tossing ore into the hopper.
We came back through right on time found the Blough just about clear of the breakwater, the Captain has just called down for a little more speed and the engines respond with a little smoke and she's away.
The Blough is an oddball of sorts. At 858 feet she was to have been the largest laker in operation. But a deadly fire during construction delayed the launch by over a year and in the meantime the 1000 ft. Stewart J. Cort was launched. As for me, if they cut her in two and added 142 feet, she'd be far and away the most beautiful footer afloat.
As a railfan, I can appreciate the rareness of this event. Two boats in the right place, the right time, in good light and calm weather. This must be the Holy Grail of boatnerding.
A few more shots in the wings...