Copeland Cut (Wiley-Donero Canal)

Relatively familiar with the section of St. Lawrence River between the Eisenhower and Iroquois Locks, yet had never heard of the "Copeland Cut" portion of the Seaway Channel.

The Wiley Dondero Canal
Bypassing the old system of locks and canals
between Farran's Point and Cornwall.

Not visible from the Canadian side, the "Copeland Cut" is located in the "Wiley Dondero Canal".

Saltwater vessel BBC OREGON
heading down the Wiley-Dondero Canal

This straight cut between "Cat Island Shoal" and Eisenhower Lock became the modern-day shipping channel in 1959 with the flooding of the Seaway.

The report mentions "Copeland Cut" as "avoid-meeting area".

Originally stumbled upon "Copeland Cut" while reading about the collision between two familiar vessels: CAPT. HENRY JACKMAN (1) and QUEBECOIS (December 17, 2008).

The actual incident between these two vessels occurred in the Beauharnois Canal in Quebec.

TSBC report: http://tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/marine/2008/m08c0081/m08c0081.html

"Crosscurrents in the Copeland Cut Reach of the Wiley-Dondero Canal make navigation difficult during periods of high flow with accompanying low water levels.

The problem area is located in Lake St. Lawrence approximately 3 miles west of Eisenhower Lock . "

https://hdl.handle.net/11681/10668

The area is also mentioned in the Government of Canada Sailing Guide from Montreal to Kingston.

"Currents, Wiley-Dondero Canal – Crosscurrents with velocities to 2 knots have been reported in the WileyDondero Canal. These currents set NE along the lower end of the Long Sault Islands and ESE at the upper end of the islands."
https://www.charts.gc.ca/documents/publications/download/SD/CEN301Eng.pdf

More Classics... (ALGOWAY & CEDARGLEN)

Ships ALGOWAY & CEDARGLEN
passing on Welland Canal (9:00)
by RightInNiagara
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsRBND38q9s

A cool YouTube video that captures the ALGOWAY and CEDARGLEN still in active service, shortly before their retirement.

From the sides of the Welland Canal, the video offers a beautiful closeup look at these now classic vessels.

Two completely different ships; ALGOWAY being a self unloader with the forward pilothouse. CEDARGLEN has a much more complicated history...

CEDARGLEN
by RightInNiagara

Originally built in 1959 as ocean-going vessel EMS ORE with the superstructure amidships.

One of three sister ships that underwent re-construction, having the pilothouse and cabins moved towards the stern. The trio were easily identifiable on the horizon from miles away.

This one was re-christened MONTCLIFFE HALL after being acquired by the Hall Corporation.

She became CARTIERDOC after joining N.M Paterson & Sons in 1988. Purchased by CSL in 2002, she continued to operate as their CEDARGLEN until the end of the 2018 season.

Crysler Park Marina...

Even nearing the middle of January, I still can't pass by the river without stopping to check it out.

Looking southeast from Crysler Park Marina, spotted three piles of stones protruding from the water in one of the many inlets...


















Checking out the rock piles on Google Maps, pretty sure they're the remains of pre-Seaway foundations.

Bit of a trail or road connecting them. Even a few possible foundations near the shore. Gotta check 'em out when the snow is gone...












The River still flowing nicely, ice only forming on the rocks. Waves splashing on the rocks, creating countless layers of "tempered ice".



















Looking further out, small chunks of ice could be seen drifting downriver.

In the distant background, it almost looks like a big island. Possibly Coles Creek State Park, which actually has a fairly large part of river flowing out of it.

Sign outside the Marina. "Dredging Marina... No ice fishing..."

Ice and Fishing... Two of my favorite words, with a big "NO" in front of them.

Just the fact that there's a sign telling us not to makes me feel compelled to do it...













Excavator on a barge, along with a tugboat. Presumably making the channel deeper in certain spots.

Seems like a tedious process, even with a great big wide trenching bucket.















Had never actually seen this firsthand, was pretty neat to see the big splash and spray as the crane arm plunged into the water for another scoop.

















Absolutely beautiful. Why people pack up and go south for the winter is beyond me. If they hate this country so much, why live in it?

SALVAGE MONARCH & COASTAL TITAN

Salvage Monarch/Coastal Titan (2:30)
by Michel Gosselin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvoDr1kvalk

Didn't get to see this unique vessel, which transited the Seaway a couple of times in 2021.

SALVAGE MONARCH is a heavy lift vessel-turned barge, pushed by tugboat COASTAL TITAN.

The pair were downbound September 13, with an upbound trip on September 18, 2021.




Only knew about this dynamic duo because they were on the schedule for a boat-watching day spent by the river... The vessels didn't reach my area until nightfall.

Not only do they have awesome names, but it's a one of a kind type of "ship" that you certainly don't see everyday.

Luckily, this short video popped up on YouTube.

Salvage Monarch/Coastal Titan
by Michel Gosselin

The tug/barge combination, COASTAL TITAN being the large crane ship, pushed by the tugboat SALVAGE MONARCH.

Hard to fully appreciate the size of the cranes on a computer screen, but they still look massive.

Each crane  has "216 TONS" painted on the side.





Neat little article with more info: https://tugster.wordpress.com/tag/coastal-titan/

The "Fish Islands"

Today the radio stations have been playing all kinds of music by the band Rush (in honor of drummer Neil Peart, who passed away Jan 7, 2020).

For years, I had misheard the lyrics to one of the most famous Rush songs, "Limelight".

The line "Living in a fish-eye lens" always sounded like "Living in the fish islands".

The concept of "The Fish Islands" always conjured up images of a beautiful sparkling sea full of fish, and countless islands begging to be explored.

"Limelight" also contains one of my favorite lyrics, and new life philosophies:

"One must put up barriers to keep oneself intact".

Narine Island...

Decided to take another peek at Aultsville from the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary...

Had never actually been to Narine Island, better known as the Bird Sanctuary campsite.

Not much to be seen of the submerged Lost Village, but the view was still spectacular. (Ault Island can be seen in the background, far right)
















A large bird could be seen making passes around the Canada Geese taking refuge near the shallows...

Couldn't make out the coloring, even with binoculars. My first guess was a Vulture, but the way it was harassing the Geese, it could have been an Eagle...
















Looking at the shipping channel, towards the permanent markers that identify Cat Island Shoal.






















Pile of rocks and tree stumps... Had never ventured to this part of the Sanctuary before, unsure if the trees were from before or after the Seaway...

A huge mass of cloud about to overtake the sun made an interesting composition.

What's Become of Me Ship? (TEXACO BRAVE / LE BRAVE / ALGOEAST)

Algoma tanker ALGOEAST in wintry weather on the
St. Lawrence off Verchères on December 21, 2005
by Marc / PHOTOSHIPS
https://www.shipsnostalgia.com/media/algoeast.247417/

Before the internet age of instant information, it was always a surprise when a ship with a brand new name appeared on the Seaway...

With a fresh coat of paint and sporting the name ALGOEAST, I was completely oblivious to the fact that I'd seen this navy blue tanker before - As the red-hulled Soconav vessel LE BRAVE (built in 1977).

I just enjoy the look of this ship. She was a beauty in red, but the dark blue makes her look even sleeker. The unique forecastle on this ship somehow looks awkward and dainty, but I still like it.

Also can't recall ever seeing yellow-painted deck cranes on a tanker...









Another great page for ALGOEAST is the second part of this article which details the career of this vessel, along with some great snapshots of the hull painted in various company colors.
http://shipfax.blogspot.com/2014/12/stlawrence-seaway-season-finale-brings.html


It appears that 2014 was the final season for ALGOEAST.
The fate of this vessel can be found in an article by Skip Gillham:
https://www.toronto.com/opinion-story/6196492-aging-tanker-laid-to-rest-in-sydney/

Cornwall Canal...

Looking west towards the Moses-Saunders Power Dam.

Although it's been there for decades, I have never actually taken the opportunity to explore this neat little part of local history in Cornwall, Ontario.

Frigid and cold, but with almost no wind, it was a perfect day for me to walk around the grounds and take in the view.

Beautiful calm blue water at the old canal in Cornwall, Ontario.

Pair of "mighty" Mallard Ducks swimming in the canal...

Most people would say that the water must be "freezing". Obviously that's not true, otherwise it would be solid ice.

Looking east towards the City of Cornwall.

Can't get enough of that calm blue water!

These hardy conifers are growing right out of the stone walls.

Part of the old weir dam, similar to what can be found in Cardinal, Ontario...

However this section Canal in Cornwall is full of Eastern White Cedar trees.

Smoke on the Water, Fire in the Sky...

Sunrise over the fishing huts just outside Hoople Bay

The steam or "sea smoke" rising from the river looks like burning fire.

View from the causeway between Long Sault and Ingleside (Ontario) on modern day County Road 2, just west of Wales Island...

Frigid temperatures from the previous night makes the ice shacks just a tad safer.

It also makes the air MUCH colder than the water...

Another sunrise along the river.

A more distant view, with the scattering of ice huts.

Wales Island visible on left, the islands of the Long Sault Parkway in the background.