Carlz Boats: Self Unloader JOHN D. LEITCH

Carlz Boats: Self Unloader JOHN D. LEITCH: While driving home after nearly two weeks in Australia, we luckily were able to see the 730' self unloader John D. Leitch, making good...

Self Unloader JOHN D. LEITCH

While driving home after nearly two weeks in Australia, we luckily were able to see the 730' self unloader JOHN D. LEITCH, making good speed upbound near Brockville ON. The first time I saw this ship, she was known as the CANADIAN CENTURY, a name to commemorate Canada's Centennial year, 1967 which was also the year the CENTURY was launched. I remember my dad saying that she had to be the ugliest ship on the Great Lakes, which after seeing her again after so many years, I still have to agree with him. Unlike most ships that appeared to be constructed with a sleek and slender design, the CENTURY, or rather today's LEITCH  appears to be as aerodynamic as a brick. Her bow is straight with no angle to help her slice through the water while her wheelhouse and forward superstructure looks like a high-rise jammed into her bow. Instead of a rounded stern like the SAGINAW which I posted on September 7, hers is flat and compact looking. Actually her unique square hull design offers an increase in tonnage, while reducing wasted space, important factors when hauling coal from Ohio to the Ontario Hydro plant in Nanticoke across Lake Erie or the steel making furnaces in Hamilton ON. Though some still may see her as an 'ugly ducking', after 45 years she's still working hard and is now the oldest Canadian ship operating on the Great Lakes since the JAMES NORRIS retired in 2011.

Carlz Boats: Paddle Boat P.S. DECOY

Carlz Boats: Paddle Boat P.S. DECOY: Here we were standing at a lookout at Kings Park overlooking the majestic skyline of Perth, Western Australia, and as I panned with my bi...

Paddle Steamer DECOY (Revised)

Here we were standing at a lookout at Kings Park overlooking the majestic skyline of Perth, Western Australia, and as I panned with my binoculars along the shoreline of the very wide Swan River below us for a moment I couldn't believe my eyes. In fact I thought to myself, 'is that a paddle boat down there?' It certainly was and as I tried to focus in to see the it's name, P.S. DECOY, but what stood out more on what appeared to be an authentic side-wheeler paddle boat, were the words "FOR SALE" c):-(( . Sure enough as shown clear as day on my photo from atop Kings Park and this one showing her docked along the south shore of the Swan, the proud steamer DECOY was on the market. 

While researching this little beauty's background, I found that there was a paddle steamer named DECOY that was built in Scotland in 1878 and shipped in crates for re-assembly in Melbourne along  the Yarra River. From there she began her career as a tow boat for barges along the Murray River and ports along the South Australia coast. Apparently in 1905 she changed owners and was used to transport miners along the Great Australian Bight to Fremantle bound for the goldfields of Western Australia. Soon after a second deck was added to carry passengers for the excursion river trade along the Murray until 1932 when the ship was then gutted and turned into a houseboat. 
So is the impressive looking paddle boat I photographed last week in Perth, WA a replica of the famous excursion and tow boat or is it the "Real McCoy"? c):-o Beats me, but if you're in area, you may call the number below the 'for sale' signs (9534 7338) to find out for sure, and please feel free to let me know, okay! c):-D

 May 18, 2018 - Well, no one ever updated me about her goings on, but while waiting for another kidney stone to pass today, I read that the DECOY we saw in Perth in 2012, was actually a replica of the "Real McCoy" and built in 1986 in Fremantle, the Indian Ocean seaport located just down the Swan River. Paddle Steamer DECOY is powered by a salvaged and restored 1905 Ransome Sims and Jefferies twin cylinder steam engine, which was totally rebuilt in 1986 with a new oil fired burner and maxitherm boiler fitted. While she was up for sale back during our visit down-under, P.S DECOY is still active and operating as an excursion and party boat that cruises along the beautiful Swan River. Looking forward to seeing her again during our next visit to Perth, Western Australia. Meanwhile, she has a "Jazzy" 🎷🎺🎹 Facebook page. Check it out: (https://www.facebook.com/psdecoy/ )  

Carlz Boats: Excursion Boat JAGUER II

Carlz Boats: Excursion Boat JAGUER II: He he,,  Hey hey!! I've been married 38 years TODAY!! So what should we do for a little  excitement on this special day? The Mrs. has talk...

Excursion Boat JAGUER II

He he,, Hey hey!! I've been married 38 years TODAY!! So what should we do for a little excitement on this special day? The Mrs. has talked about a European river cruise for our 40th anniversary so this year why not an excursion around the bay on the JAGUAR II. Well that's not going to happened because the last time I heard the JAGUAR II was situated along the west wall in Port Dover ON as shown in the above photo taken by my BIL Mark. If you GoogleEarth Port Dover, you'll see her there along the wall all by her lone self. Sorry skipper but you'll have start your three hour cruise without us because the wifey and I still confined to quarters near Perth, Australia more than 9,813 nautical miles away. Meanwhile many visitors of Canada's largest city may have enjoyed an excursion around Toronto Island on JAGUAR II. Like any marriage, there are good times and there are bad times but if you have faith in each other things can work out for the best. Such appears to be the case for the 29 metre JAGUAR II which was built in 1968 in Louisville LA, when I found her tied off to the tugboat SALVAGE MONARCH on a cold day in January 2009 at Ramey's Bend in Port Colborne, a place that is more known for breaking ship apart than offering a safe haven. Two years later she found sitting pretty and proud in Port Dover. Life can be good if you work it. Enough blogging, time to go walkabout. 

Carlz Boats: Self Unloader ALGOWOOD

Carlz Boats: Self Unloader ALGOWOOD: There's nothing worse for a boat lubber like me than driving all the way down to Port Colborne and see a not single ship pass through t...