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| The ATLANTIC HURON arriving at Iroquois Locks. |
The ATLANTIC HURON is instantly recognizable by the square anchor port above the base of the white forcastle...
The ATLANTIC HURON was built in 1983 at
Collingwood Shipyards.
Other
Collingwood vessels with this look have since been retired;
ALGOWEST,
JOHN B. AIRD, and the
PATTERSON (aka
PINEGLEN).
ATLANTIC HURON (originally launched as
PRARIE HARVEST) was built in 1983 for
Canada Steamship Lines.
At a whopping
736.5 feet in length, she and the 1984-built ATLANTIC
ERIE (Collingwood Shipyards hull #225 ex
HON. PAUL MARTIN) along with the 1985-built PATTERSON (aka PINEGLEN) were among the longest vessels to transit the Seaway for well over a decade...
Canada Steamship Lines rebuilt four of their vessels in 1999-2000, lengthening them to
739 feet and re-launching them with new names:
H.M. GRIFFITH became the RT. HON PAUL MARTIN
JEAN PARISIEN became CSL ASSINIBOINE
LOUIS R. DESMARAIS became CSL LAURENTIEN
J.W. MCGIFFN becomes the CSL NIAGARA.
In 2012,
CSL began launching brand new "
Trillium Class" self unloaders (made in China), starting with
740 foot fleetmates like BAIE ST. PAUL.
The ATLANTIC HURON (aka.
PRARIE HARVEST) was built for easy conversion to a self-unloader.
After being rebuilt in 1989, she returned to service as the ATLANTIC HURON (2).
Confusingly, the ship previously known as
ATLANTIC HURON became the CSL INNOVATOR.
The "new" ATLANTIC HURON (2) also sailed as
MELVIN H. BAKER II from (1994-1997) before her name of ATLANTIC HURON (2) was restored.
Looks like there's room to spare...
If she's
736 feet long, and the new "
SeawayMax" ships are
740 feet - Surely they can cram a
750 foot vessel in there...
As the ATLANTIC HURON transits the Iroquois Locks, the FEDERAL MONTREAL is still moored to the lower wall below the lock.
Either the FEDERAL MONTREAL suffered damage during the intense windstorm last week, has
some kind of technical malfunction, or otherwise being held by officials
until the issue is resolved.
The big red ocean-going vessel was moving under her own power, only obtaining the assistance of a
tug to dock the ship against the side wall.
Another look at the superstructure. Mix of sun and clouds, but fortunately had ideal lighting conditions for some decent shots of this huge ship.
Another look with the FEDERAL MONTREAL off to the side of the locks, while ATLANTIC HURON is in the lock itself.
Got treated to THREE vessels during one trip to the Locks...
Although the FEDERAL MONTREAL was in the same position as she was two days ago, she made an interesting background piece.
A grey-hulled upbound cement carrier (NACC QUEBEC) is visible behind the mast of the ATLANTIC HURON.
The upbound NACC QUEBEC is next to use the lock...
While I'd liked to have sees that interesting little cement-carrying vessel up close, I had to follow the ATLANTIC HURON downriver...
Anticipating that the huge ship will pull a U-turn in the channel to line herself up for her next delivery - But unsure exactly where
Fortunately, someone in the know pointed me to the spot...
What a difference a day makes... Yesterday, this spot was frigid and cold. Today, it was calm and welcoming.
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.
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.
The bridge seems to stick out unusually far on the straight-deck ALGOMA ships... (First noticed this feature on the ALGOMA STRONGFIELD)
