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.