Being natives to the Twin Ports in Duluth Minnesota and Superior Wisconsin, we are becoming numb to it. Every day for roughly nine months, hundreds of thousands of pounds of natural resources are shipped in and out of our town. Whether big, whether small, whether we notice them at all: the sometimes thousand-foot long freighters that dock just mere minutes from our houses carrying precious cargo. It’s an industry that grosses millions of dollars a year. But what happens when it all falls apart?

On June 8, while sailing near Isle Royale, the 690-foot vessel Michipicoten noticed a near 13-foot slash in its hull. Thus prompting a distress call, as they realized they were taking on water. The call was answered by the U.S. coast guard and fellow freighter Edwin H. Gott helped to escort the distressed boat to port in Thunder Bay, Canada. 

Meanwhile a 180 miles south, Superior High School senior Jack Milliken was viewing the whole debacle intently on his phone.

“It was like 20 minutes after, I was checking the Marine Traffic app and noticed Edwin H. Gott and there were coast guard vessels nearby,” Milliken recalled.

Twelve days later, the ship departed Thunder Bay under its own power bound for Fraser Shipyard in Superior where it has resided since then. Initially, it was believed to have hit an underwater object causing the damage. Upon further inspection it was concluded that the crack was due to stress and old age.

“It’s sad because it’s the Michipicoten, you know? That’s my favorite ship.” Milliken added.

The future of the ship is uncertain. It may be scrapped, it may be preserved. While a lot is still up in the air, it’s important to use the Michipicoten as a cautionary tale for many of these older vessels residing on the lakes. 

So, the next time you’re taking U.S Highway 2 northbound towards Duluth, take a look to your right and look at these impressive ships. They each tell a different story.