North Star Port

pilots modified his plane so that Basgen could shoot through an open window. He'd make a pass or two to line up the shot, and then do a final pass for the camera with the window open. Basgen would often bring his children along on photo-gathering flights above the Port of Duluth-Superior, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and many of the Iron Range open- pit mining operations. "If he were alive today, he'd be flying drones and making photos with them," said Fritz Basgen of his father. "He did love flying." ON THE WATER Basgen also liked boats. He was a member of the Duluth Power Squad- ron and kept a runabout moored in the marina next to the U.S. Coast Guard sta- tion. He'd cruise the harbor, often with his children and a camera in tow, photo- graphing ships in the harbor. "The first Tall Ships regatta back in the 1970s really excited him," recalled Fritz. "He was particularly proud of a shot of the full-rigged, three-masted Christian Radich in the Duluth Ship Canal." Basgen also sought sailboats through his viewfinder. Fritz recalled helping him photograph and film one of the early Trans-Superior sailboat races from on board USCGC Woodrush. FAVORITE SHIP PHOTOS Basgen picked two of his favorites for the Port Authority magazine in 1983, but really, how could anyone pick only two? We're happy to display a few other great shots of his in this edition of In Focus. DULUTHPORT.COM | 17 DULUTHPORT.COM | 17 "If he were alive today, he'd be flying drones and making photos with them," said Fritz Basgen of his father. "He did love flying." Below: Basgen Photography advertisement for Duluthian Magazine, July 31, 1972. Pictured are Judy Basgen, Jean Basgen and Mike Schmid. Top Right: Bird's-eye view of grain elevators nestled alongside the Blatnik Bridge in Superior, Wis. Bottom Right: Curious youngster observes a Twin Ports grain inspector at work. PHOTOS / Northeastern Minnesota Historical Collections, Archives and Special Collections, University of Minnesota Duluth

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