Duluth Harbor Cam

Friday, May 3, 2019

The "Real Fog Horn of Duluth" - Gone but not forgotten!

The workings of Duluth's foghorn inside the South Breakwater Light Station (img: Zenith City Press)

Duluthians have either loved or hated the fog signal since it was first used in 1885. In 1915 the steam-powered twin whistles installed in 1901 were replaced by locomotive whistles, which in turn were replaced in 1923 by electrically powered twin Type F diaphone horns whose deep “Bee-Oh” tone could be heard for twenty miles. Almost immediately Duluthians complained. The horn was much too loud and rattled windows; in the hillside neighborhood, the horn disrupted conversation and woke the sleeping. In 1968 the Coast Guard retired the horn, replacing it with a much quieter single-tone horn. While some Duluthians rejoiced, others dearly missed the old horn's deep toot and felt the City had lost part of its very identity. They called the new signal a “peanut whistle."

Read the rest of the story at: zenithcity.com

Isolda and Federal Baltic departed Duluth 05/03/2019

Isolda and Federal Baltic departed Duluth overnight loaded with grain.

The world according to Jeffery the Gull!

There goes the American Century, a fine old boat. It's massive propellers churn up fish to the surface where I can get at them easier.

The charter fishing boats are also going back out this morning if the Century breaks a path for them. With any luck, they should be back by noon with enough fish for all us, especially if I sit on the dock and fake an injury - works every time.

Life is good, Springtime has returned! Keep your feathers preened!