It was the end of an era today in Escanaba.

More than 150 years after the first iron ore dock was built in Escanaba the last ship that will haul ore out of Escanaba was in port today taking on it's cargo.

The 678 foot Wilfred Sykes was docked at the Canadian National dock loading the last of the Empire Mine's iron ore. I was told that the ship wasn't full when it left. The load the Sykes took out was the last of everything that could be scraped up in the yard.

The ship made for the bigger water of Lake Michigan proper around 7pm. Many people could be seen along the shore watching the ship loading and heading out when it pulled away from the dock.

The Sykes has been a frequent visitor to the port in recent years and seems like an appropriate ship to haul the last iron ore out of Escanaba and close this chapter in the city's history.