Quincy Mining Company Dredge Number 2

Posted on December 22, 2016December 22, 2016 by kwschnei

Originally built by the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company in 1913, on Torch Lake, this dredge was sold to the Quincy Mining Company in 1951, prior to closing their reclamation plant in 1952. Quincy then operated the dredge, renamed as Dredge Number 2 (Dredge Number 1 sank in a winter storm on January 15, 1956) until it sank in the winter of 1968. The dredges were used to pump old mine tailings (crushed rock) out of the lake and reprocess them, profitably removing copper missed during the initial processing of years past. Over the years, the Dredge Number 2 has steadily decayed and now sits half sunken on the shore of Torch Lake.

Presque Isle River Gorge

Posted on December 22, 2016December 22, 2016 by kwschnei

This portion of the Presque Isle River is entirely under water during the spring meltoff. Taken from a suspension bridge crossing the river, this shot was especially tough as the slightest motion would set the entire bridge swaying.

Portage Lake Lift Bridge

Posted on December 22, 2016December 25, 2016 by kwschnei

The Portage Lake lift bridge connects the cities of Houghton and Hancock in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. Built in 1959, this it the largest and heaviest double-decked vertical lift bridge in the world.