The Courtney Burton, A Great Lake Freighter

Buffalo may not have the shipping industry that it once had, but one can still find the occasional freighter loading and unloading down by the towering grain elevators. The Courtney Burton paid a visit to Buffalo this weekend, and brought with it recollections of the city's bountiful past. The Courtney Burton was built in 1953 at Lorain, Ohio. The ship's original name was the Ernest T. Weir before its owners converted her to a self-unloader in 1981. The S/S Courtney Burton of the Oglebay Norton fleet of Great Lakes bulk carriers is an impressive sight for those interested in paying her a visit. Like Times Beach, the freighter is best observed down by The Pier and Seven Seas Sailing.
Cargo D. Wt. Capacity (G.T.) 21650 ****Horsepower 7000 Max. Unloading Rate (N.T. per hr) 6000 ****Coal Capacity (N.T.) 16000 Boom Length (ft.) 260 ****Overall Length (ft.) 690 Distance-Stem to Boom Rotation Pin (ft.) 531 ****Beam (ft.) 70 Maximum Boom Rotation (deg.) 180 ****Depth (ft.) 37 Maximum Vertical Angle of Boom (deg.) 18 ****No. of Compartments 4 Distance Above Deck (ft.) 76 ****No. of Hatches 19 Approx. Speed (MPH) Light 16 ****Approx. Speed (MPH) Loaded 15

The other evening I happened to run into Mike Higgins, former fireboat captain of the Edward Cotter, and he shared with me a vision of what The Cotter home could some day look like. It seems as if there is a big push to build an appropriate home for one of Buffalo's greatest treasures. The historically designated, century old Cotter fire-boat, is the oldest operational fireboat in the world. It has battled fires on the Lake Erie shores for over a hundred, and in that time it has b …
I'm already comforted to know that a new coffee shop opened yesterday on Elmwood (see original post). Not because I need more coffee... it's more about a business coming onto the street and occupying a space that has been empty for many years. I must say that I didn't realize how much of a dead spot that storefront actually was until the café opened. Now the fabric awning is up, the lights are on and there are people in the window. What a difference.
The interior reminds me of …
These two houses are virtually identical in design. They are part of a row of similar brick houses built in the late 1800's, probably from the hand of one builder / developer. They are simple, well built houses of a type created for a newly growing middle class.
They are not extravagant, but do have a few Victorian flourishes to announce their owner's comfortable status. The house on the left (as well as some others in this area) has been meticulously cared for and continues …
With three states and Canada sending metal artists and artwork to the first annual Great Lakes International IronFest, it will surely be a sight Buffalo has not seen before. The public is being invited to attend this event, held at the Worthington Business Complex.
Artists from WNY, PA, Ohio, and Ontario will have limited admission to their demonstrations as they conduct their forging. Tickets will be available to be purchased on site. The above picture is of Kim Thomas, one of … 
