Normally it's exciting to head down to the river to see a ship.
It was hard to describe exactly how I felt on my way to see the TIM S. DOOL, lodged on Crysler Shoal.
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The TIM S. DOOL had the misfortune of running aground on Crysler Shoal on November 23, 2024. The incident reportedly occurred due to the ship suffering a mechanical failure. |
Had gotten a chill when I first heard about the incident. Not only is this a particularly difficult section of the river to navigate, but knowledge that the 1970 wreck of the EASTCLIFFE HALL hall is down there added an eerie overtone to the expedition.
The DOOL is in no immediate danger, however the challenge of pulling the stuck freighter off its' strand will be no easy task. Deliberate raising of the Seaway water levels, lightering the cargo - And that's just to start. Expecting to see (at least) two high-power tractor tugs involved in towing her out.
To actually see it there, stranded on the shoal and not moving, gave a sick feeling in the stomach.
It's just a huge hulk of iron lodged on an old island...
But there's definitely something sentimental about these old ships.
Can still remember the first time I saw this vessel, as the red-hulled SENNEVILLE (with bright yellow forecastle). She was sailing with her Pioneer fleetmate SILVER ISLE (aka ALGOISLE, retired 2010).
The SENNEVILLE became ALGOVILLE, eventually being christened TIM S. DOOL.
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| Stranded freighter TIM S. DOOL (built 1967) on the southern side of the St. Lawrence Seaway shipping channel. |
In the foreground, a stretch of gravel protrudes from the river, evidence of a long-abandoned section railway track bed. This is of course from before the Seaway Project raised the water levels.
Originally constructed in the 1800s, the defunct Grand Trunk / Canadian National Railway bed, where the old steam trains once lumbered by. Trains haven't rumbled through here in over half a century...
On this relatively calm and quiet day, the faint sound of the DOOL's engine could be heard across the open water.