1812 Tall Ship coming to Marquette today

Marquette, MI—Cliffs Natural Resources will celebrate the Marquette LS&I ore dock’s 100 year anniversary this weekend at Marquette’s Lower Harbor.  In honor of the 100-year milestone, the U.S. Brig Niagara, a tall ship from Erie, Pennsylvania, will sail into the Lower Harbor on at approximately 4:00 pm today, following a cannon salute at the ore dock.  
 
In an arrangement with the Niagara, Cliffs was able to include approximately 60 passengers to sail on board the Niagara from Munising to Marquette. Among them, ABC 10 reporter Dan Gualdoni. Also sailing on the ship will be 22 participants from Marquette’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marquette and Alger Counties as well as several employees from the LS&I Railroad and Cliffs Michigan Operations.  
 
The U.S. Brig Niagara will be closed to the public on Friday while the ship prepares for a private reception that evening.  The ship will also be closed to public tours on Saturday as part of a private celebration for Cliffs’ employees and their family members.  
 
Public tours will be available on Sunday, July 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The cost of the tour is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children 12 years of age and younger.  Proceeds from the public tours will benefit the Marquette Maritime Museum.  
 
“This is a very unique and exciting event for our employees and the community,” said Jennifer Huetter, Cliffs’ district manager, public affairs in Michigan.  “Cliffs is very proud of the ore dock’s significant milestone and 100 years of service. We are pleased to be able to include the public in part of this celebration, and to provide a fund raising opportunity for the Maritime museum.”  
 
Approximately 10 million tons of iron ore pellets are moved across the ore dock each shipping season, making the dock a vital part of Cliffs Michigan Operations.