A Laker, a Saltie... AND then a Salty Laker.
Day of shipwatching started off well.
Anticipating the arrival of SPRUCEGLEN, and spotting her on the horizon.
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SPRUCEGLEN in the distance
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Noticed that her position to be unchanged shortly after clearing Cat Island Shoal.
She would spend the day anchored off Ault Island...
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SPRUCEGLEN's position unchanged
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Also had an eye out for BAIE COMEAU, loading soybeans at Johnstown, hoping to eventually catch the ship downbound.
(She would head downriver in the dark in the early morning hours the following morning)
To not see a ship pass by until the mid-afternoon on this beautiful day could have been frustrating to an avid boatwatcher...
Somehow, just seeing SPRUCEGLEN in the distance, anchored peacefully on the calm water was enough to satisfy the shipwatcher in me.
The G3 MARQUIS stealthily approached...
Still hadn't captured any decent shots of her freshly painted hull this season.
(The shiny paint is a sharp contrast to her scuffed and rusty appearance last December)
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G3 MARQUIS downbound for Quebec City
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Her full length
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G3 MARQUIS heading downriver, the anchored SPRUCEGLEN in the distance
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The downbound G3 MARQUIS passes by the anchored SPRUCEGLEN.
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Downbound G3 MARQUIS approaches SPRUCEGLEN, at anchor
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Before the G3 MARQUIS disappeared into the Wiley-Dondero Canal, the next vessel appeared (upbound saltie JUNO). All three of the ships for the day in the same frame
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| The anchored SPRUCEGLEN with G3 MARQUIS downbound, and JUNO approaching |
JUNO passes SPRUCEGLEN (at anchor) and makes her approach.
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| Saltwater vessel JUNO |
My second encounter with this saltie.
No doubt, she'll eventually receive a blue painted hull like her Polsteam fleetmates.
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| The 2011-built JUNO |
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Closeup of the bow
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The stern section
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| JUNO upbound for Toronto |
Had considered stopping by Ault Island to check out SPRUCEGLEN before dark.
Much to my delight, the vessel was on the move.
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SPRUCEGLEN departs the anchorage
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Perspective is an amazing thing. I've watched ships navigate the channel from countless angles.
Standing on one spot, the course looks completely different than looking at it from another point miles away. Great to take in so many different viewpoints.
Leaving the anchorage, she appeared to be heading downriver from my perspective.
Was relieved when her course turned upriver.
Could hear the engine of SPRUCEGLEN from a couple miles away.
Absolutely love that sound.
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SPRUCEGLEN approaches
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Hatches open to dry the holds, this photo offers a different look of the vessel.
Already had some great SPRUCEGLEN snapshots in my collection...
The impeccable timing of the late-day sun against the hull makes this batch absolutely magical.
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| SPRUCEGLEN upbound for Toledo |
FIVE DAYS in a row on the river.
Absolutely exhausted - but relaxed at the same time.
Just love being out there.
To see it is one thing...
But adding some of these snapshots to my collection is priceless.
Can't imagine a better fall day to be on the river...
With winter looming, hoping to get a few more calm days like this.
First radio song upon returning to land was "I Live by the River!" by The Clash
It's always nice to catch 'em all, but sometimes it's just not in the cards...
Really wanted to see MANITOULIN (1991-built self-unloader with a front-mounted boom). The vessel passed by sometime in the dark around 10pm, destined for Quebec City. Fingers crossed to catch her return trip upriver in daylight. She arrived earlier than originally anticipated - but still not before nightfall.
In the dark, CSL WELLAND would follow CSL ST-LAURENT downbound, both vessels destined for Montreal. Caught the pair upbound in daylight this summer, and I pondered the odds of seeing these two sisters transit consecutively.
Otherwise, yet another "perfect" day by the river.
