Photographer: Keith W. Churill

Columbia Star

Oglebay Norton Company

Home Port: Cleveland, OH

Type:  Self-unloader / steel

Built:  1981

Engine Type:  Diesel

Cargo Capacity:  78,850 tons

Length:  1,000 ' - 0"

Beam: 105' - 0"

Depth: 56' - 0"

(keel to upper deck )

To the right, a series of photographs shows her passing under the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, MI following just behind the Oglebay Norton on January 6, 2001.

A strong current and sharp left (port) turn while coming in out of Lake Huron make this part of the St. Lawrence Seaway the most challenging to navigate. 

Below you can see the ice built-up on her forward pilot house and deck.