ALGOMA NAVIGATOR
(formerly DEMETERTON, ST. LAWRENCE NAVIGATOR, CANADIAN NAVIGATOR)
Built 1967 by J. Redhead & Sons of South Shields, England.
Originally
constructed as an ocean-going bulk carrier (at 567 feet in length), the
deep-sea freighter DEMETERTON was acquired by Federal Commerce and
Navigation (FedNav).
She was to become FEDERAL TYNE - But that name never appeared on her hull before she was sold again to Leitch Transports (Upper Lakes Shipping) and became ST. LAWRENCE NAVIGATOR.
Her near-sister, the 1963-built CARLTON (was built at Short Bros, Sunderland, England) sailed as FEDERAL TYNE before joining the fleet and becoming ST. LAWRENCE PROSPECTOR.
Both vessels were lengthened in Amsterdam by 80 feet during 1969.
Both ships also being acquired by Upper Lakes Shipping in 1975.
ST. LAWRENCE NAVIGATOR and ST. LAWRENCE PROSPECTOR
sailed until 1978-79, before these two former saltwater vessels were
lengthened to 730 feet - Taking on the dimensions of a traditional
laker.
The cargo holds and bow sections were cut away, with a new forebody.
They emerged as CANADIAN NAVIGATOR and CANADIAN PROSPECTOR, respectively.
It was a relatively new company tradition to have the "CANADIAN" prefix for vessel names.
(existing names included HUNTER, LEADER, MARINER, CENTURY, PROGRESS, OLYMPIC, TRANSPORT, ENTERPRISE)
The NAVIGATOR was converted to a self unloader in 1997 and remained a relatively familiar sight on the Seaway.
She became ALGOMA NAVIGATOR when acquired by Algoma Central in 2011.
Five years of service in Algoma colors before the vessel was finally retired in 2016.
Quite an unusual career for a one-of-a-kind vessel.
She will be missed along the Seaway, as ships of her era slowly disappear to the scrapyard.