Once again, the first ship of the day was the "Surprise Ship" of the day.
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ALGOMA SAULT downbound
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Self unloader - And colored beach rocks.
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The ALGOMA SAULT was destined for Johnstown earlier in the day, so I didn't expect to see her this far down the river...
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The stern
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She must have finished in Johnstown - After unloading a partial load of salt there, the rest was to be delivered downriver at Cote Ste Catherine, Quebec.
The ALGOMA GUARDIAN immediately followed fleetmate ALGOMA SAULT (in approximately as much time as it takes to transit the Locks). Must have followed the ALGOMA SAULT through the Iroquois...
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ALGOMA GUARDIAN downbound
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Had originally planned to spend the day off the water because of rain-showers.
The rain was going to hold off until around 3pm - And the ALGOMA GUARDIAN, one of my favorite ships was set to transit the system mid-day.
So for the second day in a row, I headed to the river expecting a single ship - But obviously hoping a few more vessels would fill out the day.
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Built in Croatia, the ALGOMA GUARDIAN
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Have seen ALGOMA GUARDIAN several times - and yet somehow, had never seen her sister (ALGOMA DISCOVERY).
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I like the profile of this ship...
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ALGOMA GUARDIAN downbound for Baie Comeau, Quebec.
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To the anchorage...
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The ALGOMA GUARDIAN traveled downriver and appeared to head into the anchorage.
At the same time, there was another vessel appearing on the horizon, traveling upriver.
Was hoping for MANITOULIN... But the most prominent feature on this distant vessel was a tall bridge sticking right up, resembling that of a tugboat EVERLAST & NORMAN MCLEOD
Couldn't stay and watch this tug and barge, because I hoped to watch a few more vessels further upriver.
If I played my cards right, I could see them all.
Perfect timing with downbound tanker SARAH DESGAGNES approaching.
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SARAH DESGAGNES approaching
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Surprising amount of color on a dull day...
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Riding high in the water, traveling light.
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Upbound tugboat EVERLAST
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EVERLAST managed to catch up quicker than I thought, meeting the DESGAGNES ship.
Continuing upriver, I found WILF SEYMOUR pushing ALOUETTE SPIRIT downbound.
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| WILF SEYMOUR & ALOUETTE SPIRIT |
Bit of deja-vu, as I've encountered this pair at this same spot, at the end of my day, with calm-glassy water...
Last time, it was just at nightfall. Today it was a few hours before sunset - but with dark skies and rain looming, it appeared much later in the day than it actually was.
As much as I enjoy keeping a photo record of vessels I've seen, it's always nice when the scene looks different.
As a result, this snapshot is basically a carbon copy of another one in my collection (Sept 12).
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Tugboat WILF SEYMOUR pushing barge ALOUETTE SPIRIT
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Tug & barge downbound
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Meeting place...
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My favorite snapshot from this set, with the two barges passing by each other in the middle of the river, surrounded by islands.
Got to see EVERLAST meet THREE downbound vessels...
(ALGOMA GUARDIAN, SARAH DESGAGNES and finally WILF SEYMOUR).
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EVERLAST & NORMAN MCLEOD
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She's all lit up. Can even see the lights reflecting on the water.
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| Beautiful... |
Certainly not the prettiest day...
But at least it wasn't too cold - or too hot.
Considering that it's November - And I got to see all the daytime ships on my list (aside for MANITOULIN, unexpectedly delayed).
The first few raindrops while I was waiting for EVERLAST.
Once again, missed out on seeing MANITOULIN. She's been re-scheduled, a day and a half later than originally anticipated (approaching midnight on Nov 12 / early morning of Nov 13)
But got a surprise ship instead, AND got safely off the water before the raindrops started.
Two barges, a bulker, a self-unloader and a tanker.
Consider it another "perfect" day by the river.
