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Banner image: Ice in Duluth-Superior Harbor

Ice Breaking at Duluth-Superior

Alder
Alder makes a wide turn off the Duluth entry after deaprting its Coast Guard dock.
Duluth, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1514
Alder
The Alder heads south along the Duluth inner harbor.
Superior, March 12, 2014, Image 14-0942
NBC News crew
The second coldest winter in memory brings news crews from all over the country. On this media trip
NBC Nightly News reporter John Yang filmed by Emmy winning cameraman Mark Falstad.
Superior, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1569
Superior entry
In NBC's quest for the mythical "edge of the ice pack" the Alder heads onto Lake Superior.
Superior, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1554
Superior Lighthouse
The Superior lighthouse situated at the end of Wisconsin Point. The area around the light is a popular
ice fishing spot in the winter months with anglers fishing for perch, burbot, smelt and northern.
Superior, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1563
<em>Alder</em> on Lake Superior
Heading out into Lake Superior, looking across the buoy deck
Superior, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1576
Lake Superior
NBC news producer Samira Puska of Chicago looks over over the edge of the western ice pack.
Superior, March 12 2014, Image 14-1589
ice field
Circular pieces of ice, known as "pancake" ice, make up a large portion of this part of the ice field.
Superior, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1590
Ice trail in lake
Once clear of the ice, the path made by the Alder quickly fills back in,
a thin thread of a trail marks the course of navigation.
Superior, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1594
USCG vessel <em>Alder</em> in ice
On this day the Alder finds open water 5.5 nautical miles from the Superior entry.
A change in the wind direction can quickly change this demarcation line.
Superior, February 7, 2014, Image 14-0969
Ice chunks
Inside the harbor the ice is beginning to rot. Large pieces churned up the the Alder
are pushed to the side of the hull.
Superior, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1625
East Basin
Large crack in the previously solid ice in the harbor's East Basin are a sure sign
that spring is coming. Duluth's Port Terminal ship berths in the distance.
Superior, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1648
Alder
Looking aft at the main cabin and pilothouse of the Alder.
Superior, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1625
Alder
The Alder cuts a wide swath as they head toward the CN dock and Midwest Energy.
Duluth, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1660
Mesabi Miner
The Mesabi Miner at its winter lay-up berth. the Miner is expected to be the first vessel to load
and depart the harbor for the start of the 2014 shipping season.
Duluth, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1659
Ice breaking
Makes large circular turns in the basin outside the CN ore dock, the Alder churns up
the ice in preparation for the start of commercial navigation at Duluth.
Duluth, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1680
American Spirit
The 1,000-foot American Spirit winter lay-up at the Port Terminal in Duluth.
Duluth, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1731
Cason J. Callaway
Now one of the older vessels on the Great Lakes, the Cason J. Callaway awaits the start
of the 2014 shipping season. The Callaway is one of a dwindling number of steamships
left on the American side of the Great Lakes shipping industry.
Duluth, March 12, 2014, Image 14-1726