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William A. Irvin Ship to be Restored

(Tentative Departure is September 21, Expected Return is Spring 2019)

[Duluth, MN] – The City of Duluth and the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) anticipates moving the William A. Irvin ship out of the Minnesota Slip to Fraser Shipyard in Superior some time between 7 PM on September 21 and 6 AM on the 22nd. The move is necessary for restoration and repairs of the historic 610 foot laker and is dependent on calm winds and lake conditions, as the ship has no propulsion mechanisms. In preparation for the move, the City is planning to pin the Minnesota Slip Bridge in the up position starting mid day on Friday and plans to resume operations on Saturday after the Irvin’s departure. The City, its contractor and the DECC continue to monitor the weather and lake to determine the ideal start time.

The Irvin will be guided by barges and towed methodically and very slowly to Fraser within the proposed timeframe. This process will take approximately 4 hours, assuming no weather delays or complications. During this move, there will be no marine traffic allowed with the exception of the U.S. Coast Guard vessels and the barges. The Aerial Lift Bridge will not lift for water vessels during this move.

Due to public interest, the City recommends that members of the public who wish to view the event do so from the walkway behind Bellisio’s Italian restaurant in Canal Park. There will be no public access in the immediate vicinity of the west side of the Minnesota Slip and from the Marcus Theatres parking lot to the Minnesota Slip Bridge. A second viewing area is also possible on the grassy area between the DECC and Great Lakes Aquarium as the ship moves further out. Parking is available at the DECC. Stay tuned for updates from the City in case of weather delays or changes.   

The Irvin’s departure will enable much needed restoration of the corroded hull of the ship and receive a new coat of paint to better serve the thousands of visitors and preserve this historic Great Lakes freighter for decades to come. In addition, the vacant slip will make room for the anticipated $11 million remediation project, a cost-share partnership between U.S. EPA and the State of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency under the Great Lakes Legacy Act using funds from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The project will cap about 37,000 cubic yards of polluted sediment to preserve the health of the Lake and waterfront assets. The Irvin will return to the Minnesota Slip in spring 2019.

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