Ecorse, the Maj Ragne, and the St. Lawrence Seaway
The Ecorse Advertiser consistently published stories about ships passing through or sojourning for a while for repairs and rest and relaxation at the Nicholson Terminal and Dock in Ecorse. The front page of the Ecorse Advertiser of Thursday, April 17, 1969, featured the story of the Maj Ragne, the first overseas ship of the navigational season which arrived in Ecorse without fanfare on Saturday, April 12, 1969.
Miss Icebreaker of 1969 welcomed Captain Orjangard at the dock with a kiss and Ted Coden of Heublein, Inc. stepped forward to give him a traditional bottle of Scotch. The Captain accepted the McMaster’s and Hudsons trophy given each year for the first overseas ship into Detroit. Besides the trophy he received a 150 McMaster cash award donated by Heublein, Inc. The award was named for Tom McMaster of Detroit, a veteran liquor importer.
Two bagpipers also serenaded the ship’s captain, crew, and onlookers, adding to the festivities on the dock. The Maj Ragne had also been the first into Cleveland, Erie Toronto and first through the St. Lawrence Seaway at Montreal.
Captain Orjangard’s wife Elke, who accompanied him on his overseas voyage, was delighted with the Ecorse reception and the welcome the Maj Ragne received in the ports along the Seaway. “Who said women were bad luck? She asked. “We had a smooth crossing, and we’ve been first five times.”
On to Milwaukee and Distant Ports
After a Sunday stopover in Ecorse, Maj Ragne cleared Detroit at 5 a.m. Monday, April 14, 1969. Her crew unloaded a cargo of paper, wood, aluminum, and fruit and boarded a large amount of export cargo, but the Maj Ragne did not stay in Detroit for the celebration of her arrival.
The Captain expected the Maj Ragne to be more than halfway to Chicago by the time the official civilian celebration was scheduled for Detroit Monday, April 14. He wanted the Maj Ragne to be first into Calumet Harbor. as it had been in Detroit, Cleveland, Erie, Toronto and Montreal.
The Maj Ragne scored another first in Milwaukee. A Milwaukee Sentinel story dated Monday, April 14, 1969, quoted Port of Milwaukee Director John Seefeldt as saying that his last check of ships bound for Milwaukee showed that the Maj Ragne probably would be the first overseas ship in port. She continued her seafaring career under names including East Rainbow, Tesira, and Ananas until she was broken up in Huangpu China 1992.
Tonnage figures from the St. Lawrence Seaway have fluctuated since the Maj Ragne opened navigation along its ports. According to the St. Lawrence Seaway Website, since 1959 more than 2.5 billion tons of cargo estimated at $375 billion dollars have moved to and from Canada, the United States, and nearly fifty other nations. Almost 25 percent of Seaway traffic travels to and from overseas ports, especially in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Countless ships and cargo have passed through Ecorse and sojourned at Nicholson Terminal and Dock Company in Ecorse.
Links to more information about the Nicholson Terminal and Dock Company
Miss Icebreaker of 1969 welcomed Captain Orjangard at the dock with a kiss and Ted Coden of Heublein, Inc. stepped forward to give him a traditional bottle of Scotch. The Captain accepted the McMaster’s and Hudsons trophy given each year for the first overseas ship into Detroit. Besides the trophy he received a 150 McMaster cash award donated by Heublein, Inc. The award was named for Tom McMaster of Detroit, a veteran liquor importer.
Two bagpipers also serenaded the ship’s captain, crew, and onlookers, adding to the festivities on the dock. The Maj Ragne had also been the first into Cleveland, Erie Toronto and first through the St. Lawrence Seaway at Montreal.
Captain Orjangard’s wife Elke, who accompanied him on his overseas voyage, was delighted with the Ecorse reception and the welcome the Maj Ragne received in the ports along the Seaway. “Who said women were bad luck? She asked. “We had a smooth crossing, and we’ve been first five times.”
On to Milwaukee and Distant Ports
After a Sunday stopover in Ecorse, Maj Ragne cleared Detroit at 5 a.m. Monday, April 14, 1969. Her crew unloaded a cargo of paper, wood, aluminum, and fruit and boarded a large amount of export cargo, but the Maj Ragne did not stay in Detroit for the celebration of her arrival.
The Captain expected the Maj Ragne to be more than halfway to Chicago by the time the official civilian celebration was scheduled for Detroit Monday, April 14. He wanted the Maj Ragne to be first into Calumet Harbor. as it had been in Detroit, Cleveland, Erie, Toronto and Montreal.
The Maj Ragne scored another first in Milwaukee. A Milwaukee Sentinel story dated Monday, April 14, 1969, quoted Port of Milwaukee Director John Seefeldt as saying that his last check of ships bound for Milwaukee showed that the Maj Ragne probably would be the first overseas ship in port. She continued her seafaring career under names including East Rainbow, Tesira, and Ananas until she was broken up in Huangpu China 1992.
Tonnage figures from the St. Lawrence Seaway have fluctuated since the Maj Ragne opened navigation along its ports. According to the St. Lawrence Seaway Website, since 1959 more than 2.5 billion tons of cargo estimated at $375 billion dollars have moved to and from Canada, the United States, and nearly fifty other nations. Almost 25 percent of Seaway traffic travels to and from overseas ports, especially in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Countless ships and cargo have passed through Ecorse and sojourned at Nicholson Terminal and Dock Company in Ecorse.
Links to more information about the Nicholson Terminal and Dock Company