Carlz Boats: Chemical Tanker ELISALEX SCHULTE

Carlz Boats: Chemical Tanker ELISALEX SCHULTE: Back to Canal Days 2012 in Port Colborne and here we have the Malaysian chemical tanker ELISALEX SCHULTE slowly making her way out Lock 8 ...

Chemical Tanker ELISALEX SCHULTE

Back to Canal Days 2012 in Port Colborne and here we have the 476' Malaysian chemical tanker ELISALEX SCHULTE slowly making her way out Lock 8 and then touching up her speed as she clears Bridge 21 on her way up Lake Erie to Nanticoke ON. Soon she would receive the ceremonial salute, a loud 'boom' from a cannon on one of the tall ships in the harbour, an ongoing tradition that's granted to any ship that passes by during this popular annual festival. To show her appreciation, the SCHULTE responds with a long blast from her horn. Hopefully local bylaw doesn't get too many noise violations during the festival, at least not for this welcoming ritual.

Carlz Boats: HMCS ONONDAGA (S73)

Carlz Boats: HMCS ONONDAGA (S73): I can't say how many times over the years I've been in Halifax and have seen one of our submarines sitting high and dry on the elevated dr...

Oberon-class Submarine HMCS ONONDAGA (S73)

I can't say how many times over the years I've been in Halifax and have seen one of our submarines sitting high and dry on the elevated drydock at HMC Docks. In this photo which I took back in the late 60's, one of our three Oberon class boats was getting the facelift or whatever then. Built in Chatham, England, and commissioned between 1964-68, our Oberons consisted of the OJIBWA (S72), ONONDAGA (S73) and OKANAGAN (S74), and were said to be the best conventional submarine class of its time. They remained in service until 2000 when four Upholder class subs were purchased from the Royal Navy. However, to date, only one sub from that purchase, HMCS VICTORIA, is actually in service while the others are currently high and dry getting refitted or repaired.

Two years ago while driving to Gaspésie, I found HMCS ONONDAGA (S73) sitting high and dry (no surprise there) at Pointe-au-Père near Rimouski where it is now a museum. The 295' ONONDAGA was assigned to Canadian Maritime Forces Atlantic, and serviced for 33 years which was longer than any other submarine in the RCN. 

Meanwhile, sister boat OJIBWA which my son Andrew snapped (right) in Halifax in 1996, also currently sits high and dry as a maritime museum in Port Burwell, Ontario. However before eventually making long journey to Lake Erie, the OJIBWA also performed as a Russian sub in the movie 'K-19 The Widowmaker'. OKANAGAN, which I had the pleasure of touring in Toronto during its Great Lakes cruise in 1990, coincidentally also ended up high and dry like her sisters, unfortunately though while being dragged ashore to be scrapped in Port Maitland ON in 2011.

Carlz Boats: Bulk Carrier SHOVELER

Carlz Boats: Bulk Carrier SHOVELER: Toronto's Harbourfront may be the place to be for condominium dwellers and tourists with its many shops, marinas and entertainment act...

Bulk Carrier SHOVELER

Toronto's Harbourfront may be the place to be for condominium dwellers and tourists with its many shops, marinas and entertainment activities along and near Queen's Quay.  However, most of its commercial wharfs lay idle with the exception of the Lafarge cement carrier ENGLISH RIVER (http://carlzboats.blogspot.ca/2012/05/as-shown-in-background-of-my-blog.html) regularly arriving from their plant at Bath, on Lake Ontario and huge salties laden with sugar cane from the Caribbean at the Redpath Sugar Refinery.

This past weekend, I took a few snaps of the Cyprus flagged 609' bulk carrier SHOVELER from at the Redpath Sugar dock which has been been turning raw cane into sugar here since 1958. While other waterfront enterprises have been replaced with bachelor or two bedroom suites with a view of Lake Ontario and commuter planes landing at the Island airport, Redpath just continues to flourish and in doing so, keeps the character and stigmatism of having a 'working port' alive for Toronto. For that I believe it's awfully sweet of Redpath, don't you?

Carlz Boats: Saltie-Laker BIRCHGLEN

Carlz Boats: Saltie-Laker BIRCHGLEN: Alas, the CSL bulk carrier BIRCHGLEN appears, slowly clearing the Seaway's eastern entrance piers, along with its many narrow locks and ch...

Saltie-Laker BIRCHGLEN

Alas, the CSL bulk carrier BIRCHGLEN appears, after passing through the Seaway's many narrow locks and channels, now she slowly clears its eastern entrance piers and Montreal's Mont Royal in the background. Didn't think we were going to see her again so soon. Last week's upbound transit through Iroquois Lock didn't work out, and when these photos we taken on Aug. 19, we were hoping to view her at the nearby St. Lambert Lock (that's another story and you can check it out in my THALASSA DESGAGNES post http://carlzboats.blogspot.ca/2012/08/tanker-thalassa-desgagnes.html), or not.

Like the KAMINISTIQUA (http://carlzboats.blogspot.ca/2012/07/salty-laker-kaministigua.html), the BIRCHGLEN is also 730' long and known as a 'Saltie-Laker'. Built in Scotland for Misener Transportation in 1983, she was christened as CANADA MARQUIS and designed to service the grain and ore trades in the Great Lakes, and switch to salt water operations in the three month off-season. Prior to CSL purchasing the vessel in 2002 and re-naming her BIRCHGLEN, she virtually saw the world while being owned by various Fednav Ltd. of Montreal worldwide divisions and was named FEDERAL RICHELIEU, FEDERAL MACKENZIE, and then just MACKENZIE.

Regardless of her name, the bulk carrier BIRCHGLEN is one busy ship. Since dropping her load of grain further downriver this week, she has already made her way back upbound and is currently on Lake Superior destined for Thunder Bay, Ontario. Keep at it when can girl before your trading days comes to an end. c):-((

Carlz Boats: Tanker THALASSA DESGAGNES

Carlz Boats: Tanker THALASSA DESGAGNES: Now I know what it means when they say, "you can't get there from here". When you look in the history books about the opening of the St. ...

Tanker THALASSA DESGAGNES

Now I know what it means when they say, "you can't get there from here". When you look in the history books about the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959, the photo you see often is that of the Queen's yacht BRITANNIA in St. Lambert Lock with hundreds of people lined up on either side of the lock wall looking on. You'd think it would be a National landmark and that it would be easy to find for any tourist or boat lubber so inclined to check it out. I guess I should have known when the tourism office in Rigaud QC couldn't tell how to get there nor where to view the lock from the road, that this wasn't going to be the usual Sunday afternoon drive. It wasn't like we were in any kind of hurry. The CSL bulk carrier BIRCHGLEN wasn't due at St. Lambert lock until 3:25. However, to make a long story very short, may I suggest that if you plan to visit the lock anytime soon, don't take Pont Jacques Cartier Bridge, or make your way to Ile Notre Dame via Ile St. Helene (both former EXPO 67 sites) for a peek unless your are on a bicycle, and don't expect easy access to the lock from Route 132. When we took that ramp, we ended up having to take Pont Victoria Bridge across the St.Lawrence back to Montreal. Then after turning around at the nearby Costco, we headed back across the river on Pont Victoria Bridge and then as anticipated, there was a roadway right to St. Lambert Lock. Only problem was that the BIRCHGLEN was nowhere to be seen. She was still above in transit and now not due in at St. Lambert for another hour. Hence 'Plan B' went into effect which included a much needed pitstop and another confusing adventure to get to some parkland on Chemin de la Rive (River Road) in Longueil in hopes to see the BIRCHGLEN leave the Seaway and make way down river. Good plan and while we were waiting for her with a cold brew in hand, along came the 441'upbound Canadian tanker THALASSA DESGAGNES, making good time past a Montreal AML river cruise ship, and the 'BIG O' (Olympic stadium) in the background of the above photo. Instead of entering the Seaway entrance, the built in 1976 THALASSA DESGAGNES continued pushing water toward Montreal's Old Port, and past the in-famous 'Cross' atop Mont Royal.

After many lessons learned, we finally got to see the BIRCHGLEN but you'll have to wait for those photos and story until the next Carlz Boats blogpost, or NOT c):-o

Carlz Boats: Tall Ship EMPIRE SANDY

Carlz Boats: Tall Ship EMPIRE SANDY: As long as I've been going to Canal Days in Port Colborne, the tall ship EMPIRE SANDY has been there. The former 200' deep sea tug was bu...

Tall Ship EMPIRE SANDY

As long as I've been going to Canal Days in Port Colborne, the tall ship EMPIRE SANDY has been there. The former 200' deep sea tug was built in 1943 and served in WWII for the British Admiralty. Now based in Toronto, the converted schooner has been providing chartered tours for the public on Lakes Ontario and Erie since 1982. My wife and I took an excursion around the bay on the SANDY in 2009 during Canal Days. Last time I was on that side of the Welland Canal entrance breakwall, was back in the 60's on the RCSCC sailing cutter VALIANT. The VALIANT was a converted lifeboat that had a drop keel, a cabin and a main and a jib for sails. It wasn't the fastest boat afloat but it was a lot fun.

Meanwhile, some may consider the SANDY as a glorified 'party boat', but she was a huge prop in the 1999 made for HBO movie 'VENDETTA'. Based on actual events, the historic city of Kingston ON, the Royal Military College located there, and the SANDY were made up to look like the 1891 port of New Orleans. In the one opening scene, the EMPIRE SANDY is arriving at the late 19th century looking RMC jetty with a boatload of immigrants from Italy. In that scene, you'll see my son, Andrew who as an extra, played a very young Don Corleone, eagerly making his way off the SANDY, and the wharf and onto the land of opportunity and free enterprise. 

To prevent myself from being 'wacked' anytime soon, I may have exaggerated slightly about my son playing the future 'Godfather', but here's Andrew in authentic looking attire (nice hat) next to Clancy Brown (Shawshank Redemption) and actress, Laura Snedden (other gigs unknown). Other unknowns in the flick, were Christopher Walken, Kenneth Walsh, and Joaquim de Almeida. I maybe prejudiced, but I believe it was my son's part and the EMPIRE SANDY that made the movie. Judge for yourself!! c);-b

UPDATE - 18.08.2023

Though no exclusion around the bay this time, I did catch EMPIRE SANDY meet the gone but not forgotten Algoma self unloader ALGOSTEEL while attending the 2013 Brockville Tall Ships Tour. She was tied off with the brigantine-rigged sail training vessel ST. LAWRENCE II at the Brockville Tall Ships Tour last year tour too. 

Carlz Boats: Straight-deck ALGOMA MONTREALAIS

Carlz Boats: Straight-deck ALGOMA MONTREALAIS: I felt like a kid again as I saw the downbound ALGOMA MONTREALAIS glide past us near Prescott ON on Canada Day. The last time I recall se...

Straightdecker ALGOMA MONTREALAIS

I felt like a kid again as I saw the downbound ALGOMA MONTREALAIS glide past us just after sunset near Prescott, Ontario on Canada Day. The last time I recall seeing her she was simply known as the MONTREALAIS. She had a black hull then too, but her stack was light blue and displayed the unique Papachristidis Co. logo which was the Greek letter pi, '∏'. 
Built in 1962, she was the fifth largest bulk carrier on the Great Lakes, and the first of six 730-foot straightdeckers for the Montreal based company that had a fleet of ocean-going freighters. In 1972, the MONTREALAIS was sold to Upper Lakes Shipping of Toronto, who kept her name but her stack displayed the 'white diamond' ULS logo on a red & black background just like the JAMES NORRIS's (http://carlzboats.blogspot.ca/2012/08/self-unloader-james-norris.html). However, when Algoma Central purchased her in 2011, the prefix "ALGOMA" was added to her name while her stack bow became adorned with Algoma Central's "Bear" logo . Meanwhile, Papachristidis went on to expand his saltie fleet of primarily huge tankers, one of which, the HELLESPONT FAIRFAX, you may recall seeing featured on the Discovery Channel program, 'SUPER SHIPS'. Though she may not be the world's largest double-hulled tanker like her distant sister the HELLESPONT FAIRFAX, the old MONTREALAIS, was a 'Super Ship' in my eyes, and it was really nice to see her motoring by instead of being towed overseas for scrap. 

Carlz Boats: The Steamship JAMES NORRIS

Carlz Boats: The Steamship JAMES NORRIS: The end of the line and more outstanding, the end of an era. Named after the co-owner of the once great Upper Lakes Shipping, the stea...

The Steamship JAMES NORRIS

The end of the line and more outstanding, the end of an era. Named after the co-owner of the once great Upper Lakes Shipping, the steamship JAMES NORRIS went into service in May 1952 as a straight-deck and was the largest and first new-built bulk carrier of the Upper Lakes fleet. Not knowing what the exact maximum length would be for the yet to be completed St. Lawrence Seaway locks, her length was 656'. When the Seaway was was opened in 1959, the maximum length for its locks was 730' and despite its smaller size compared to most other new lakers, the NORRIS held her own while plying the upper lakes servicing the coal, grain and iron ore trades. She was converted into a self-unloader in 1981 and spent much of her time on Lake Ontario carrying limestone from Colborne on the east of the lake to Clarkson at the other end for St. Lawrence Cement. Prior to being sold to Algoma Central Corporation in 2011, the JAMES NORRIS was the oldest of the Upper Lakes fleet and the last registered steam powered lake boat still in service. However, for what seems to be out of respect of the former owner and shipping company that existed for over 80 years, Algoma allowed the JAMES NORRIS to retain her name, and continue to sail with the previous owner's banner on the self-unlaoding boom and familiar logo on her stack. 

Today the JAMES NORRIS is moored next to another doomed self-unloader, the MAUMEE at International Marine Salvage's wharf at the entrance to Port Colborne harbour and the Welland Canal. Both patiently lay waiting for the end, positioned like sentinels from the past as newer fleets pass them by, doing business as usual until someone decides they can do so no more. 

Carlz Boats: Bulk Carrier GARGANEY

Carlz Boats: Bulk Carrier GARGANEY: It was all ahead slow as the 656' bulk carrier GARGANEY from Hong Kong inched her way out of Lock 8 in Port Colborne and as the east wall ...

Bulk Carrier GARGANEY

It was all ahead slow as the 656' bulk carrier GARGANEY from Hong Kong inched her way out of Lock 8 in Port Colborne and as the east wall was cleared, her speed was slowly increased. Shortly after passing under Bridge 21 and Port Colborne's outer harbour, it would be open water with no more narrow locks to deal with all the way to Chicago. Sorry for the poor photo quality. It's not my fault. It was a long drive to check out the boats at Port Colborne's Canal Days Festival and since the bridge was up, we had no choice but to stop and take a few photos or twenty. Regardless of the hour, you do what you have to do. 'Know what I mean, Jelly Bean?'

Carlz Boats: Tween-decker ELBEBORG

Carlz Boats: Tween-decker ELBEBORG: GREAT!!+*#@!!  Canoeing up Shit Creek and you lost your paddle. No problem for this imaginative canoeist off Morrisburg who simply hoisted...

Tween-decker ELBEBORG

GREAT!!+*#@!!  Canoeing up Shit Creek and you lost your paddle. No problem for this imaginative canoeist off Morrisburg who simply hoisted a sail and let the breeze do the work. Might also want to include a rudder and some sort of drop keel or you could end up either going nowhere fast or all wet. I hate it when that happens.

Meanwhile, the  ELBEBORG from The Neatherlands gracefully motored on by downbound with a load of grain from Duluth. Built last year in China, according to ship owner, Royal Wagenborg, the 424' vessel is classified as a multi-purpose 'tween-decker' which allows the decks and/or bulkheads to be rearranged depending on the need of the cargo.  Now isn't that convenient. And thanks for your comment Dennis DeBruler.