Farewell to Huron's freighter?

HURON — In January 2015, two massive freighters made their maiden voyage into Huron.Fast-forward almost three years later, and it could be bon voyage for the fleet docking in Huron ever again.A news release distributed by Canadian marine transportation services company Algoma Central Corp. indicates it acquired four vessels owned by the American Steamship Co., out of Buffalo, N.Y., at an unknown price.The purchase includes Algoma now owning the 680-foot-long Adam E. Cornelius ship.That particular boat has been docked within a private slip, near the former ConAgra site, in Huron since first arriving almost three years ago. Other boats anchored beside it, including the Sam Laud and John J. Boland, have since left.It appears the Cornelius ship could also be departing, and it might not return."All four ships are former U.S. flag lakers that will be transferred to the Canadian registry for service in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence trade," according to the Algoma news release.It's not known when exactly the Cornelius boat could leave. Private boating companies, such as these two, don't typically announce arrival or departing times. The company didn't disclose any other details pertaining to this ship.The Adam E. Cornelius has been docked in Huron for almost three years.Buffing up on the boatFrom past Register reporting, here is some information about the Adam E. Cornelius:• Ship name: Christened the Adam E. Cornelius, it was named after a co-founder of the American Steamship Co., based in Buffalo, N.Y.• Huron home: For many years, the company docked this freighter and others within its fleet at a port in Toledo. A falling out of some sorts, however, led executives to choose a new docking site for 2015, which ended up being in Huron. The shipkeepers said Huron presents many advantages, including quick, easy access into Lake Erie. It did take a full day just to dock the ships in Huron because of their colossal size.• Winter docking: Lake Erie freezes in wintertime. So to ensure the icy waters don't trap or somehow damage the ship, workers installed a sophisticated bobber system, which agitates the water, to prevent freezing.• Voyages: While in operation, this freighter and others crisscross through the Great Lakes, primarily traveling to ports, marinas, harbors, power plants and rail yards between Cleveland and the fingers of Michigan. The company schedules this ship and others to both pick up and drop off materials for businesses in areas spanning this region. Each ship in operation typically logs a few thousand miles each season.• Transport: The ship primarily carries iron ore pellets, coal, limestone, wheat, grain and corn.• Crew: When the ship is in service, 26 crew members — give or take a couple people — are on board the ship for each trip, largely broken down into two units:1. Front end — reserved for the captain and his or her officers. The captain and officers are responsible for the ship's movement.2. The back end — designated for the dockhands, who clean, maintain and take care of the ship's cargo.The freighter is equipped with a kitchen, common areas and living quarters, featuring deluxe-size rooms for the captain and onboard chef. Crews stay on the ships for several days in a row when a ship is in service.• Value: The Cornelius is valued at anywhere between $10 million to $15 million.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.