Cornwall Canal...

Looking west towards the Moses-Saunders Power Dam.

Although it's been there for decades, I have never actually taken the opportunity to explore this neat little part of local history in Cornwall, Ontario.

Frigid and cold, but with almost no wind, it was a perfect day for me to walk around the grounds and take in the view.

Beautiful calm blue water at the old canal in Cornwall, Ontario.

Pair of "mighty" Mallard Ducks swimming in the canal...

Most people would say that the water must be "freezing". Obviously that's not true, otherwise it would be solid ice.

Looking east towards the City of Cornwall.

Can't get enough of that calm blue water!

These hardy conifers are growing right out of the stone walls.

Part of the old weir dam, similar to what can be found in Cardinal, Ontario...

However this section Canal in Cornwall is full of Eastern White Cedar trees.

River Therapy... (CAPT. HENRY JACKMAN, IVER AMBITION)

What a difference a day makes... Yesterday, this spot was frigid and cold. Today, it was calm and welcoming.

Another contrast was that yesterday I was there to see the oldest vessel in operation...

Today, I was there to check out one of the newest Seaway vessels from 2021...

The blue-hulled CAPTAIN HENRY JACKMAN was nowhere to be seen, but I saw a little red ship disappear around the corner...







Caught up with the red-hulled IVER AMBITION just downriver from the Iroquois Locks.



















Tanker IVER AMBITION is about to enter the Iroquois Locks, while the straight-deck bulk carrier CAPTAIN HENRY JACKMAN is on the way out.

The CAPTAIN HENRY JACKMAN downbound, passing Iroquois Beach.

A great, underrated little spot. Gotta do some more exploring around here.
















Plaque at Iroquois Beach showing the old waterfront before the flooding of the Seaway. The entrance to the old canal (now a marina) is easily visible from the beach.
















The waterfowl are more afraid of humans on foot than the 740 foot vessel approaching.
















A spectacular sight, on an unusually calm St. Lawrence River.

One of the longest vessel names takes up quite a bit of space on the hull.

The bridge seems to stick out unusually far on the straight-deck ALGOMA ships... (First noticed this feature on the ALGOMA STRONGFIELD)

Possibly an optical illusion as the bridge is more visible due to the fact that the ship doesn't have the self-unloading aparatus.

Also noticed what appeared to be a reel of shiny cable above the stern anchor.
Likely the windlass for pulling the anchor chain.

"The Greek scientist Archimedes was the inventor of the windlass."
-Wikipedia

Thunder in Paradise... (CSL's THUNDER BAY)

Tamarack tree beside the river's edge

Was hoping to be at the river in time to see the Canada Steamship Lines-owned THUNDER BAY make her way upstream.

The view is always great, particularly on this cold but clear autumn day.




















Waiting for the ship to arrive, noticed a fairly large group of Mallard Ducks in the bay.

Happened to capture some of them mid-flight.



















The bow of THUNDER BAY (3) appeared first as the vessel emerged from behind an island.

At one time, CSL's "Bay Class" was made up of straight-deck bulk carriers.

The modern-day "Bay Class" is comprised of self-unloaders.

















The ship will continue upriver, but directly ahead of her is a huge pile of road salt, some of which was delivered by her sister ship BAIE COMEAU.

(The ALGOMA COMPASS and ALGOMA INTREPID have also dropped salt here this year)













This is actually the third "THUNDER BAY" to sail in CSL colors. The very first "THUNDER BAY" was originally a barge from 1890, converted to a steamer when she was acquired by Canada Steamship Lines in 1921.
https://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/GreatLakes/Documents/Scanner/10/07/default.asp?ID=s008







The second "THUNDER BAY" (1952) also had a forward pilothouse.

This vessel was initially built as a straight-deck bulk carrier.







THUNDER BAY (2) was converted to a self-unloader (in 1967-68) and bore the name STADACONA (3) with a black hull until she was scrapped in 1991.