This week’s fifth episode of Slow River captures American Steamship Co.'s American Courage navigating a river bend after passing under/through the Columbus Road Bridge spanning the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, OH.

The original Columbus Road Bridge was one of Cleveland’s oldest lift bridges before a 2013 rehabilitation demolished and replaced most of the structural items from the bridge built in 1940 by builder/contractor Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Engineer/Design: Ralph L. Harding of Cleveland, Ohio. The American Courage is used in general trades, transporting iron ore pellets, coal and limestone.

The American Courage is one of American Steamship Company’s fleet of 12 Great Lakes freighters. The M/V American Courage was built in 1979 by Bay Shipbuilding Corporation, Sturgeon Bay, WI. The M/V American Courage made its maiden voyage in ballast from Sturgeon Bay, WI to Escanaba, MI to load iron ore pellets in May of 1979.

The 635 foot-long, 68-foot wide American Courage is powered by two 3500 HP General Motors Electro Motive Division (EMD) diesel engines. The vessel uses a conveyor system below its cargo holds to transport cargo to an inclined conveyor system that elevates the cargo to the deck-mounted boom conveyor. For maneuvering in port, the vessel is equipped with 1,000 HP bow and 600 HP stern thrusters.

Blazing Paddles Paddlefest makes a triumphant return to Cleveland's comeback Cuyahoga River on Saturday, July 24, 2021 with two options to enjoy Cleveland’s hard-working, scenic, & historic river.
- A relaxed, 8.6 mile (up to) curated paddle up and down the Cuyahoga River. One week before Blazing Paddles you will be e-mailed an electronic map providing you insights into the bridges, industry, and historic sites you'll be passing during your paddle. Registration for the recreational "float/paddle" is ONLY via Race Roster.
https://raceroster.com/.../2021/48834/blazing-paddles-2021
- 2, 5.7 and 13-mile races for more competitive types. Registration is ONLY via Paddle Guru.
https://paddleguru.com/races/2021BlazingPaddlesPaddlefest

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