Gladstone, MI - 1887 Soo Line Dock

Type: Timber

Built: 1887

Operated for 13 Years.

Owner: MStP&SSM, later Soo Line

Length: 768 feet with an approach of 914 feet.

Height Above Water: 

Pockets: 

Ended: 1900

Dock Capacity:  16,000 long tons

Photo info: An early photo of the Soo Line ore dock at Gladstone around 1900. This dock existed between 1888 and 1980 and served 3 boats at a time in that era. The merchandise docks of the Soo Line are in the foreground, and the Northwestern Cooperage and Lumber Compan (later Atlas Plywood Corporation) at the top left. [EDP-Emil Nelson]

Notes

The ore dock was built of timber. It was 786 feet long with an approach of 914 feet and had ore pockets on one side of the dock only. The dock was constructed with a plan to extend the MStP&SSM into mining territory and with the desire to host the Milwaukee & Northern railroad with a lake outlet closer to the mines than Marinette-Menominee. The M&N wanted to be a big ore carrier and shipped from the Soo Line dock in Gladstone for 12 years. [EDP-1964-0711]

Prior to the MILW agreement with the E&LS, they hauled their ore to Pembine and operated over the Soo Line to Gladstone. The Soo owned an ore dock at Gladstone and the MILW shipped over the Soo dock. [IOR]

Time Line

1887. Dock built by MStP&SSM.

1900. Destroyed in 1900 by an ore boat collision. A large ore carrying vessel struck the dock in its middle and broke it in two. It was never repaired and dismantled in 1905. The Milwaukee & Northern began using the E&LS railroad from Channing to Wells and established two of their own docks there. These were used until the mid-1930's when they entered into a pooling agreement with the C&NW. They closed their docks and began using the C&NW dock at Escanaba. [EDP-1964-0711]