Missed FEDERAL HUNTER and SARAH DESGAGNES that both traveled downriver in the dark, early morning hours.
Alarm set for 3.45.
Was in a deep sleep, dreaming when the alarm went off.
Got up early so I'd have more time to relax and spend a lazy day by the river...
Just warm enough that I didn't have to keep moving to stay comfortable.
Glassy water to start the day...
Sometime around 11am, the white structure of a vessel appears behind the islands...
Then appears to be going the other way.
Have yet again observed a "zig-zag" in the channel.
Her arrival was approximately 35 minutes from first spotting her - BEFORE she made the first of two "zig-zags" in the channel.
A
particularly warm fall day, with many passengers outside the ship along
the railing, taking in the sights. Personally found it rather cold out
there in the wind - And that's not standing up high on the top deck of a ship! Spectacular view nonetheless.
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HAMBURG on a spectacular fall day
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Captured the flag...
Bahamas red ensign
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As HAMBURG banks around the shoal, can finally see her in full color.
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The "Ship of the Day" was undoubtedly the TIM S. DOOL.
Built in 1967, Saint John, New Brunswick.
Formerly SENEVILLE (and later ALGOVILLE from 1994 - 2008).
A classic laker - And just the second vessel be built with a single superstructure, with all cabins and pilothouse aft.
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TIM S. DOOL approaches
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In 1996, the vessel was widened by approximately 3 feet.
Former fleetmate ALGOISLE (SILVER ISLE from 1963-1994) was the first modern laker with this design. Just happens that another former Algoma vessel (ALGOSOO) can be noted as the last ship to be constructed with a forward pilothouse.
TIM S DOOL
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TIM S. DOOL
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Haven't seen this vessel in a long time - at least, not during daylight.
Just glad the sunlight was at a decent angle to capture this 1967 built vessel, possibly the oldest vessel in the Algoma fleet.
Waiting for the EQUINOX to arrive, and finally spotted her between the islands, with TIM S. DOOL behind her, heading the other way.
Finally caught an example of two vessels at the "zig-zag" point.
Glare of the sunlight makes it difficult to see in the photo.
Watching them from the shore, they seem to travel straight down the river... But when you're out there looking down the channel, it's amazing how many "zig-zag" points there are. It can makes it look like the ship is going the other way.
This has often thrown me off when trying to determine a vessels' direction.
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The distant ship is the upbound TIM S DOOL.
Fleetmate ALGOMA EQUINOX is heading downbound.
Both vessels appear to be heading towards the right...
They will each "zag" one more time.
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ALGOMA EQUINOX approaches
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Plenty of EQUINOX photos in my collection - But none of them lit up with sunlight like this one.
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Surprise ship of the day: NORTHERN SPIRIT
Figured she wouldn't reach me until nightfall.
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NORTHERN SPIRIT downbound
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NORTHERN SPIRIT passes the Murphy Islands
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Finally turned sideways for the best light.
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Catching the last vessel before sunset
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ANOTHER "perfect" day by the river.
(with island rhythms while watching the final ship)
Evening transits all downbound, with ROERBORG, ALGOMA HARVESTER and KAMINISTIQUA before midnight.
