Philip R. Clarke - Moonlight and Christmas Lights Shine the Way

Here we see the steamer Philip R. Clarke making her departure from Duluth, Minnesota on the evening of November 27, 2023. In another recent video on this channel, we saw her arrival earlier in the day carrying a load of limestone into the Twin Ports. After discharging the limestone at the Graymont dock on the Superior side of the harbor, she made her departure... traveling empty, headed for Two Harbors, Minnesota to load taconite pellets for eventual delivery to Gary, Indiana.
The wind had picked up again for this departure, so I took shelter in the shadow of the maritime visitors center for this video. The nearby Christmas lights at the Bentleyville "Tour of Lights" were reflecting off of the Clarke's hull as she made the turn to line up with the shipping canal. The Clarke fired up her spotlight to lead her way out of the harbor, but she was getting help from the nearly-full moon hanging overhead in the sky.
On her way under the Aerial Lift Bridge, the Clarke gave us a master salute, consisting of three long and two short blasts. The Aerial Lift Bridge did answer in return, but it does not appear in this video as I was in the process of moving my camera and the audio recording of the bridge salute was not "clean." I trust that most viewers have heard the bridge salute countless times in videos on TH-cam, so hopefully nobody is missing it too much!
For the final shot of the video, I stood next to the visitor's center to catch a glimpse of the tugboat Bayfield decorated in Christmas lights, while the Clarke steams off towards Two Harbors in the background. It's nice to see the Bayfield decorated again after having issues with vandalism in 2020 and 2021. They didn't decorate her in 2022... no doubt discouraged by what had happened before. So it was a pleasant surprise to see her lit up in 2023, albeit with fewer lights.
The 767-foot Philip R. Clarke is one of eight AAA class steamers built in the early 1950s... and one of only three still active today that haven't been converted to barges (though another two are in layup and could potentially return to service someday). She was built at the American Ship Building Company, launched in November 1951 and commissioned in May 1952. She is still powered by her 7,700 shp Westinghouse Steam Turbine, making her one of only four active lakers still powered by steam... with the others being the Alpena, Wilfred Sykes, and Arthur M. Anderson. She was originally 647 feet long, but was lengthened to 767-feet over the 1974-1975 winter layup. A bow thruster was added in 1966, with a stern thruster later added in 1988. A self-unloading system was added in 1982 which allows her to unload her cargo without the need of shore-side equipment. Her current cargo capacity is 25,300 tons.
(Note: For part of the video, I had to use some heavy duty image stabilization to counteract the wind shaking my camera. This results in a little image distortion. The segment is short, so hopefully not too distracting.)
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[@stephenpsalm274]

beautiful photography, beautiful audio, wonderful, best ever!

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you Stephen!

[@ellenhalpern1882]

Great video, thanks.

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks Ellen! 😊

[@patkirchner1443]

Love those night videos. So relaxing to watch. Great job as always.

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you Pat!

[@dianebeier8379]

Your videos are always unique, beautiful, and crystal clear, and a bonus...you're not talking constantly, giving us a peaceful experience. U.P.OF MICHIGAN HERE..❤❤👍👍

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks! You definitely wouldn’t want to hear me talk. 😆

[@jamesnelson6980]

There is something about a vessel leaving port that stirs the heart.

[@user-sw1xj4bo1k]

Obsolutely beautiful

[@Rollanotheronemyfriend]

Very nice video

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks!

[@BL-jt3qt]

Just WOW!!!! This is a very impressive video by you with the lighting being perfect. And the Classic Clarke looking very impressive with all of her lights on. Thanks for sharing.

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks! Too bad it was so windy, but I guess that kept the crowds thin. 😆

[@treeandaturd]

so good!

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks!

[@bettygilmore611]

My favorite ship. Greay salute as always. ❤ you do such beautiful videos showing off the port, the ships ,and the mother nature.

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you! 😊

[@user-sw1xj4bo1k]

Beautiful

[@OhioValleyVideo]

I love watching a boat’s spotlights pierce through the air. Fantastic night footage as always

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you!

[@JCLampee]

That was a beautiful picture, thank you

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you!

[@anthonygiglio9860]

Great video😊

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks! 🙂

[@carolewoolley7017]

This gorgeous old girl looks as good as if she were brand new close to being my number one horn. Most always a masters salute and then some. Captain is respomsive to his fans. The Clarke has it all, day or night. Love the search lights on the bow.

[@1Long2Short]

Yes, the Clarke rarely disappoints! 🙂

[@simonolsen9995]

Man. In my humble estimation, you're up there with Edward Hopper and O Winston Link. Not only capturing wonderful, ephemeral and quintessentially American subject matter, but also taking it to a level where the true subject becomes the glorious play of light. Bloody masterful. Thank you.

[@gregmctevia5087]

I couldn’t have said it better myself. I take your view entirely.

[@1Long2Short]

I wish I was in that league, but I appreciate the kind words regardless. Thank you! 😊

[@donnhate9081]

Always a work of art..Good job My friend..:)

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you! 😊

[@chuckg6039]

Hi there. Just wanted to say 'great job' on this video. You captured fantastic lighting situations. I always really like the spots! Again, fine quality work my friend.

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you Chuck! Appreciate the complimentary words. 🙂

[@livingabovethe12th]

Your night videos are unrivalled, they look like a Hollywood movie.

[@1Long2Short]

But without the CGI. 😉 Thanks for nice words!

[@livingabovethe12th]

@@1Long2Short you have expensive set design and dressing 😁 ....selfish request -> night videos playlist. I would leave it on all day.
I may make it myself if I can get some time...

[@1Long2Short]

@@livingabovethe12th Fortunately I didn’t have to pay for the sets! I’ve been meaning to do a “best of” compilation of night videos, but I just need to find the time to actually do it. If only I could retire early, I’d have the time. 😄

[@Tony-1950]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@oceansoul3694]

The night is so crisp and clear, the shadows and blinding flood lights, the water and the moon ~ and the sweet small tug all lit up to say "safe sailing my friend", wow just wow. It's just like being there but happily out of the cold winds. Your nighttime videos are some of your best work, and I thank you!

[@1Long2Short]

Thank you! 😊 Night videos are my favorite to shoot… perhaps it shows in the end result. I take a little extra time to plan out my shots. It also helps to have less people on the piers, so I don’t have to work around others who are in the way. 😄

[@cris_261]

That 'ol moon really lit up the water and the surrounding area. Time for some contemplation and marveling. And it didn't hurt that the bridge's reply to the Clarke was edited out.

[@1Long2Short]

I probably never need to hear another bridge salute again, if I’m being perfectly honest. I don’t hate it, but once you’ve heard it a couple thousand times the thrill is gone. I never get tired of the ship salutes, of course. 🙂

[@OrbitFallenAngel]

I love your night videos!! ❤❤
Omg!
They are always so crisp and clear and literally look like a hollywood film!
And what can I say about the Phillip R. Clarke??
So majestic and I love how it is so quiet and sailing so smoothly through the water and out of the Harbor....
I love how the ships look with their spotlights on!! Almost look like they are something ethereal....❤❤❤
I think that its really beautiful!
With those lights does the Captain manipulate them or does someone else??
Thanks for sharing!! ❤❤❤

[@1Long2Short]

I’m guessing the captain or the wheelsman operates the lights, but I suppose it could be any of the bridge crew.

[@OrbitFallenAngel]

@@1Long2Short Thank you for responding!
It's always neat to learn something new! :)
I'm hoping to learn everything that I can about the Great Lakes Ships!!

[@leehanna4929]

Especially love the going away view with the moon! I read your description first and wondered how a tug’s Christmas lights could be vandalized. Then I saw the video and know.

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks! Maybe I should have been a little more clear with my description. 🙂

[@leehanna4929]

I just didn’t know that the tug sitting there had a name.

[@jeffreyullmer2831]

No salute back?😮

[@1Long2Short]

See the video description. 🙂

[@atsf47legit]

Great video. Just a short question: is the Duluth port the most visited by the Clarke?

[@1Long2Short]

Thanks! Yes, I think she has loaded most often in Duluth this year, but Two Harbors is high on the list. I think Gary, Indiana is probably the most common port for her to unload.

[@gregmctevia5087]

Well, I don’t know what to say about a production like that. I just don’t know.

[@1Long2Short]

You hate it that much? 😆😉

[@gregmctevia5087]

@@1Long2Short Yeah. You know how tiresome I find these night videos. 😂😂😂😂😂😉😉😉😉