More Underwater...

Another ridiculously calm and glassy day, couldn't resist drifting over the ruins.
Much of this was once farmland. Divers have reported finding picket fences.

Raptors' Nest...

Can't believe I never noticed the huge Osprey nest at the railroad tracks...

Close enough to the river for the birds to quickly grab a fish breakfast.

Ironic because on the previous trip, just before dawn, I happened upon a group of young raptors feeding on a fresh kill.

My favorite quote from Jurassic Park:
"You are alive when they start to eat you..."

Ruins of the Lost Villages...

When the water levels are low, the ruins of the Lost Villages can become more visible...
Especially when the water gets displaced by a large passing cargo vessel.

Water gets pulled from the shallows with the displacement caused by the big ship

As the water rolls back in the stone foundations disappear once again.

Seconds later, only the tops of the highest stones are visible.

Seaway Traffic (CANADIAN EMPRESS, ALGOMA INTREPID, CSL ASSINIBOINE, WILF SEYMOUR & ALOUETTE SPIRIT)

Didn't have my camera with me to capture the ATLANTIC HURON - Which I'm sure has a crumpled bow since the last time I saw her.

CANADIAN EMPRESS has just departed Crysler Marina.

Always neat to see the ALGOMA INTREPID.
Still without an amazing snapshot of this vessel, but at least I get to add a new favorite to my collection.

Looking at the forward-mounted boom crane.

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Favorite snapshot of the day has to be CSL ASSINIBOINE.
She's one of the old "classics" from the 1970s, still chugging along.
Could hear the engine from an incredible 5 miles away, the sound reverberating off the water, the land, seemingly everywhere.

WILF SEYMOUR & ALOUETTE SPIRIT downbound

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At the river shortly after sunrise. Today's first ship was an upbound FEDERAL FREEDOM, seen from the highway en route. An omen - a reminder. Finally experiencing some FREEDOM.

Smoothest, glassiest morning yet this far in 2022.

FEDERAL FREEDOM upbound

Checked the AIS at about 4.30 am, it appeared as if ALGONORTH was moored just off Ault Island, as the ship often tends to do for crew rest. It departed downstream mid-morning as the CSL WELLAND was approaching.

I expected to see the colorfully painted superstructre of the ST LAURENT... But it appears as if the CSL WELLAND was also given similar treatment with a mural.

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Following closely afterwards, was the CSL ST-LAURENT.

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Ralized that I did not have my camera with me to snap pictures of downbound tanker SFL MESSER. Had to appreciate the ship oldschool style...


Calm enough in the morning to explore the huge foundation remains of a possible building. It's a huge structure, and although I know it's there, I didn't expect to be fortunate enough to drift right over it while fishing.

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Another "Perfect" day by the river.

Morning sunrise over the islands

 

Spectacular view of upbound tanker IVER BRIGHT

Downbound EVANS SPIRIT passing the upbound IVER BRIGHT

List of Ships Seen July 2022

SOPHIA
FEDERAL CHAMPLAIN
BLAIR MCKIEL
FEDERAL ASAHI
EVANS SPIRIT
SARAH DESGAGNES
ALGOMA EQUINOX
HEERENGRACHT
BRANT
ALGOMA CONVEYOR
IVER BRIGHT
HARBOUR FEATURE
BBC ARKHANGELSK
KAMINISTIQUA
FEDERAL NAGARA
ALGOMA INTREPID
HINCH SPIRIT
CAPTAIN HENRY JACKMAN
FEDERAL SATSUKI
SLOMAN DISPATCHER
VECTIS PRIDE
FEDERAL YOSHINO
IVER AMBITION
RT HON PAUL J MARTIN
G3 MARQUIS
RODOPI
OSOGOVO
DAMIA DESGAGNES
ISOLDA
EVERLAST & NORMAN MCLEOD
HELENA G
FAGELGRACHT
OAKGLEN
ALGOMA HANSA
FEDERAL CLYDE

July Ships (July 8 thru July 29, 2022)

FEDERAL YOSHINO downbound July 8, 2022.
Built in 2001, sistership to FEDERAL KUSHIRO and FEDERAL SHIMANTO.

ALGOMA CONVEYOR upbound on July 11, 2022.
The 2019-built ALGOMA CONVEYOR competes with the surreal blue of the St. Lawrence River. The self-unloader is on her way back upriver after delivering a load to Becancour, Quebec.

A regular on the Seaway, EVANS SPIRIT is downbound on July 16, 2022.
Middle of the St. Lawrence River in the middle of July.

BBC ARKHANGELSK downbound July 14, 2022.
A relatively new vessel on the Seaway, built in 2020.
Reportedly ran aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway near Rivière-Beaudette, Quebec on June 28 2022 after experiencing steering issues. Fortunately the vessel was successfully refloated.

FEDERAL ASAHI downbound for Sorel, Quebec July 20.
Built in 2000, she has MANY sisterships, including FEDERAL HUDSON, FEDERAL KIVALINA, FEDERAL KUMANO, FEDERAL NAKAGAWA, FEDERAL OSHIMA, FEDERAL SETO, FEDERAL WELLAND and FEDERAL YUKON.

VECTIS PRIDE of Douglas upbound for Hamilton on July 22, 2022.
Interesting bow design on this saltie, built in 2012, Ice Class 1A.
One of several vessels operated by the joint-venture of Carisbrooke Shipping (United Kingdom) and their joint-venture partner SMT Shipping. Apparently CSL has also become involved.

OSOGOVO with hatches open, upbound July 26, 2022 for Thunder Bay.
One of several NAVI-BULGAR (Navigation Maritime Bulgare) vessels to transit the Seaway this season.

Upbound Polsteam saltwater vessel ISOLDA meets downbound tanker DAMIA DESGAGNES halfway between the Eisenhower and Iroqois Locks, July 27, 2022.

A dramatic sky as the HELENA G is upbound on the Seaway July 27, 2022.
The vessel is noted as being the last saltie to exit the Seaway system in December 2021.

FAGELGRACHT upbound on July 27, 2022.
Shipping containers and pleasurecraft on her deck, she's destined for Cleveland to unload part of her cargo. Afterwards, she'll continue on all the way to Duluth, Superior.
(On her return tripdownbound she would transit the Seaway August 12, 2022)

Seaway Traffic (OAKGLEN, ALGOMA HANSA, FEDERAL CLYDE, IVER BRIGHT)

Arrived at the river just in time to catch OAKGLEN.
Back of the ship is facing the morning light to reveal the CSL red, while the starboard side of the hull is still in darkness...

OAKGLEN is upbound

Just by her silhouette, OAKGLEN bears a resemblance to the FedNav vessel she once was...
(FEDERAL DANUBE and LAKE ONTARIO)

Also saw the downbound ALGOMA HANSA (a frequent sight on this leg of the Seaway)

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Heard a nearby rumble that could only be an approaching ship... A big red FedNav vessel (FEDERAL CLYDE) followed the upbound CSL ship that had transited less than an hour ago.

The only ship I was actually prepared for was the IVER BRIGHT, another familiar sight on the Seaway.

A set of perfect Seagull tracks.
The angle of the rising sun really made these tracks pop.
The "cover photo" for the day is the first shot I took...

Another favorite shot from the day.
Just love the color!

ISOLDA upbound for Cleveland.
Many of the Polsteam vessels appear to have shiny new blue paint...
The angle of the sun made it difficult to capture it on camera.
Played around with the colors to "re-vive" the photo.