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Banner image: Hon James L. Oberstar
Oberstar at Two Harbors
Hon. James L. Oberstar at Two Harbors North of Two dock.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7707

loading taconite
The Oberstar takes part of its load at the chute dock.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7709

loading taconite
Each pocket on the chute dock holds about 300 tons of ore.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7719

loading taconite
The first shipment of ore was loaded at Two Harbors in 1884.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7715

Two Harbors
After loading at the chute dock the Oberstar shifts to the ship loader to complete loading.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7721

Two Harbors
The Oberstar approaches the shiploader at (South of No. 2) at Two Harbors.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7736

Two Harbors
As the vessel nears the dock the crew prepares to pay out the mooring lines.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7736

Two Harbors
Conveyor shuttles extend over the open hatches to deliver ore into the cargo hold.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7840

Two Harbors
The marble-sized taconite pellets flow into the cargo hold.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7847

Two Harbors
Periodic fire and lifeboat drills are held throughout the shipping season. During this load the vessel
underwent a Coast Guard audit, a new safety procedure. To see more, click here.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7847

Two Harbors
The shuttles on the shiploader extend or contract to help balance the load.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7907

Two Harbors
This side of the ore dock was converted to a shuttle conveyor shiploader in the early 1980s.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7933

Two Harbors
When the loading is complete deckhands release the lines mooring lines on the dock.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7943

Two Harbors
After letting the lines go deckhand Jordan Pilarski of Alpena scrambles up the boarding ladder.
Two Harbors, July 31, 2013, Image 13-7946