The Lesson of the Fitz learned

CHIPPEWA COUNTY, MI — Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay is a parking lot right now, or, at least that's what they call it in Paradise.

Seven freighters have hunkered down in Whitefish Bay for the moment, presumably waiting for Lower Michigan's first snowstorm of the season to blow over. Big waves and gale conditions were forecast Thursday and Friday on parts of Lake Superior.

As of 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, the Cason J. Calloway, Frontenac, BBC Mont Blanc, Sam Laud, Pineglen, CSL Niagara & CSL Assiniboine were waiting at anchor in the bay, on a general northwest-southeast line between Paradise and Brimley.

The BBC Steinwall is anchored off Bay Mills and the American Integrity is upbound in the St. Mary's River after passing through the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie.

Nikki Craig, owner of the Freighters View of the Bay motel north of Paradise, said it's not unheard of to see multiple vessels at anchor in the bay at one time, but it certainly doesn't happen very often.

In any given year, "you might see this four times at the most," she said.