You will recall that I ran this picture of what looked like an eyesore of a freighter.
Well, as follow-up our local newspaper “The Island Moon,” ran an article by reporter Dale Rankin because a lot of people were asking questions. The article is very complete, so I am going to use it here.
Around the Island
By Dale Rankin
Rusty old dredge
“We’ve had several questions about the rustic ship making its ponderous way up and down the ship channel in Port Aransas the past week. While the paint-challenged vessel might look like it came straight out of Waterworld, it is really the 8432 ton, 351-foot dredge Stuyvesant from Mobile. It is cleaning up some shoaling in the ship channel. It is called a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge that drags a sled along the bottom and sucks up the silt and stores it in onboard bins until the ship goes out to open water and drops the silt back into the water. The rusty sides are a result of the overfull bins belching out saltwater over the sides. Think of the stains as the red badge of courage.
In the background of the photo, you can see the mothballed drilling platform that arrived a few weeks ago and is being stored on Harbor Island. Now, this may be a Fish Story, but the word around Port A is that the platform brought part of the ecosystem that lived under its steel columns that support it, including a population of rather large Red Snapper which a few locals have been helping to reduce. The person who told us that said to keep it to ourselves, but as we told him, there is no way in the world you are going to keep that a secret in Port A.”
Sorry to have to run the photo again, but now we have an answer.
Fiction Favorites 
A “Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge”? Your area is full of surprises…. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Say that quickly a few times. Ha ha ha. 😀
LikeLike
Very interesting, John. Thanks for sharing. Happy Sunday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jill. I was reluctant to run the picture again but…:-)
LikeLike
Glad you did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brings back memories of my time in Dubai, during the construction of the harbour at Jebel Ali. There were two sets of dredgers: cutter suction dredgers from a locally formed company (Gulf Cobla), the other from the spledidly named Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company (best remembered for a fabulous party they threw when they brought their project to a successful conclusion).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John. That was interesting. Now we all know. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now we know is right. Thanks, Suzanne.
LikeLike
It’s interesting to learn about how things work. Coastal communities like yours are worlds apart from areas along large rivers — and certainly different from inland areas. Just day-to-day things can be fascinating. I’m sure the Gulf coast is even different from communities on the Atlantic or Pacific coasts. Have a sublime Sunday, John. Mega hugs to you and yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Teagan. The day to day is what makes up most of life. Super Sunday to you. Hugs
LikeLike
“Dirty from doing hard work is no disgrace” I’m not sure who said that first, but my father repeated it often. Thanks for thd update, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great saying. Thanks, Dan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chuckled at the mention of Waterworld. So, they’re hoping to help the Red Snapper population? That’s pretty cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are helping themselves to the red snappers. Not sure that will help the snappers.
LikeLike
Well, I’ll hope for a fish revolt. It’s only a matter of time.
LikeLike
It’s only fair. When the dredge goes to sea it will deposit some of the harbor wildlife there. Might as well bring the snappers in.
LikeLike
Interesting, John! Thanks for the follow-up, and have a great Sunday,
Pit
LikeLike
It’s like an old war horse – keeping the seaways clear for the sleeker vessels to play! 🙂 Having a red snapper colony is a bit of a boost for those fisherpeople who like to eat their catches as well – YUM! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to say Red Snapper fresh from the Gulf is my favorite. Thanks, Jan.
LikeLike
I found this very interesting – being a land-lubber all my life, I know next to nothing about these things. Enjoy your Sunday, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John. You enjoy as well.
LikeLike
I guess looks can be deceiving. Who knew this old work-horse was actually accomplishing something important? Three cheers for the journalists who dig out such fascinating stories!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes as opposed to the idiot bloggers who just write what they see. Thanks Debbie. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw!! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Learn something new everyday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know Right?
LikeLike
So true.
LikeLike
That photo is pretty cool, I must admit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Professor.
LikeLike
Thanks, John. And now we know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes we do. Thanks, Michelle.
LikeLike