So here she came into the sixth boro yesterday . . . and after getting a foto–albeit rainy– of Shorthorn Express a few weeks back, I
listened carefully for neighs and whinnies, and
wondered whether this vessel carried pregnant mares, or colt, fillies . . .
Catherine Turecamo and Gramma Lee T Moran
churned the waters to get her into the dock, giving the gulls
Since the sixth boro has no snow on the ground, that pile
has to be the supply at Atlantic Salt dock.
that offloading operations can begin.
When all lines are fast, Gramma Lee heads home to await the next call. Previously, when I inquired, I learned that some of the salt comes from
Carrickfergus, Ireland, which seemed strange given New York state’s salt mines. But then again, maybe not all salt is the same. Certainly, I learned that a mare transporter doesn’t transport mares or anything remotely equine.
All fotos by will Van Dorp.
Related: I went looking for evidence of shipping mares and other equines by water. None found . . . horses go by 747!! Sea voyages are for cattle and sheep. Chickens . . . I guess they travel frozen.
6 comments
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January 29, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Paul B.
You know, it very well might be cheaper to transport that volume of salt from Ireland to NY than from NY state to NYC!
January 29, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Ken
It is transporting the sea…
January 30, 2012 at 8:14 am
Paul B.
BTB, I’ll be going alongside the Shorthorn Express tomorrow evening. I’m praying that they’ve dishcharged cargo and cleaned the holds already! Pretty sure I’ll be relieved and headed home once we tie up, either way.
January 30, 2012 at 8:20 am
tugster
paul–i’d love some closeups if you could do so intrinsically safely. or some details like how many cattle and to which port, onboard feeding, etc . . . thanks.
January 31, 2012 at 6:43 pm
Captain Tim (@Magellan168)
I was involved with this business for many years. The bulk of the salt comes from Chile, about 4 millions tons a year and maybe 100,000 tons from Ireland. The competitive advantage is from the lower shipping rates vs rail freight. I typical delivery from via train is about 1,000 tons.
Hope that helps.
Tim M.
January 31, 2012 at 7:08 pm
tugster
captain tim and paul b–thanks for confirmation. chile! i hadn’t realized we exported more salt from them than from ireland. mare transporter left today . . for new haven.