Slow River Episode 10: The Frieghter Alpena Returns to Cleveland's Cuyahoga River for Winter Layup

Local Great Lakes freighter fans were abuzz on a balmy first day of February when the classic freighter Alpena made its way from Lake Erie to its winter layup on the Cuyahoga River. The Alpena, with a load of powdered cement for LaFargeHolcim’s Cleveland Cement, made a stern first trip into the Cuyahoga River assisted by the Great Lakes Towing Company’s tug New York.

The Alpena’s late arrival to an ice-choked Cuyahoga River gave gulls an opportunity to feast on fish brought to the water’s surface while broken sheets of ice ebbed and flowed during the freighter and tug’s passage. The Alpena was launched Feb. 28, 1942 as the steamer Leon Fraser for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co., Cleveland, OH. More on the Alpena’s history at BoatNerd.com.

The Alpena’s arrival is perfect timing for it to serve as a maritime backdrop for the February 26 return of Brite Winter to the west bank of Cleveland’s waterfront!