Here is the Great Republic arriving in Duluth, Minnesota on the afternoon of August 23, 2021 with a load of limestone to be discharged at the Hallett 5 dock in West Duluth. After unloading, she departed Duluth in the early morning hours of August 24, bound for Two Harbors, Minnesota to load taconite (iron ore) pellets. After watching the Great Republic pass through the shipping canal, I then moved over to Rice's Point to watch her continue her journey through the harbor. Unfortunately, the Great Republic moved a little faster I did (thanks to summer traffic in Canal Park), so I only got a short glimpse of her at Rice's Point before she passed behind the old Interstate Bridge, which now serves as a fishing pier. Normally I stand at the end of the pier to get the best views possible, but I simply didn't have enough time to get there!

This is the first time since 2018 that I've been able to see the Great Republic in the daytime hours in the Duluth shipping canal during one of my visits to the Twin Ports, so it was nice to get a clear look at her again. The only thing that hindered this video was a strong wind that had built up over the morning and afternoon hours, making it hard to hold my tripod steady. Fortunately, the wind had died off by the time the Great Republic departed later that night... but that's another video for another day!

The 635-foot Great Republic was launched in 1981 and has a carrying capacity of 24,800 tons. She sailed as the American Republic from 1981 to 2011 under the operation of the American Steamship Company. In 2011, her name was changed to the Great Republic as she began service for the Great Lakes Fleet. The Great Republic is somewhat unique in her design as she has eight rudders, along with Kort Nozzles that surround each of her twin variable-pitch propellers. Two sets of rudders are placed behind the nozzles, while the other two sets are flanking the nozzles in the front. Combined with her bow and stern thrusters, she is thought of as the most maneuverable ship in the world... at least in this size class.

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