Seaway Traffic (ISOLDA, SPRUCEGLEN, CSL LAURENTIEN, ALGOMA STRONGFIELD, GRIFFON)

Seem to remember this day being chilly, damp and miserable...

Cloudy when I got to the water. Yet, could have sworn that I woke up to a starry sky - As well as a possible Taurid meteor in the early AM.

Then again, three days in a row at the river can easily blur together. I just know it slowly cleared by late afternoon.


I like the name "ISOLDA".
Apparently, it means "beautiful" or "fair".

Found this day to be anything but.
The warm temperature was negated by the steady wind off the water.


At least there was a ship to watch at first light.
Photos didn't turn out so well, but watching the silhouette of the vessel emerge from the horizon at first light was the best part of this otherwise dreary morning.

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The upbound ISOLDA passes by another vessel that was anchored off Ault Island (possibly a tug & barge). The mystery ship departed and headed downriver mid-morning.

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The 1999-built ISOLDA

At first, the blue paint on the POLSTEAM vessels threw me off...
But it's starting to grow on me.

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Next vessel would be SPRUCEGLEN
The skies were just starting to clear, so I manage to catch a bit of color.
The shape of the stern is particularly interesting.

Look at the profile and lines of this 1983-built vessel.

Before the SPRUCEGLEN disappeared off the horizon, she met the upbound NACC QUEBEC.

Vessels meeting near Bradford Islands

NACC QUEBEC upbound

First time I've seen NACC QUEBEC this year. She's only transited the Seaway a few times in 2022.
Last season, I saw this little ship more times than I can count.

Huge stack...

NACC QUEBEC has a very uniquely shape to her smokestack - Which used to be blue in color.
Another ship sporting new paint since last year.





CSL LAURENTIEN
Hear that engine!

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Re-built with a new bow, she's still a "classic" as far as I'm concerned.

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 Vessel turns the other way, with enough sunlight on the hull to catch some color.

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The CSL LAURENTIEN is the third "sister" to have transited the Seaway System in the past 24 hours...
(The CSL ASSINIBOINE was upbound today in the early AM, with RT HON PAUL J MARTIN downbound yesterday afternoon).
Haven't seen CSL NIAGARA yet this year - She's only transited the system once, with a round trip in early April 2022.





ALGOMA STRONGFIELD
Did NOT hear that engine!
The quiet modern-age vessel nearly got past me before I was ready.

The 2017-built ALGOMA STRONGFIELD

ALGOMA STRONGFIELD

Just love the name if this ship!

While the hull was under construction, the "CWB STRONGFIELD" was purchased by Algoma and they named her "ALGOMA STRONGFIELD". Curious to get a better look at the superstructure to see if I could notice any details that set her apart from her Equinox-Class fleetmates...



Surprise ship of the day - CCGS GRIFFON
Can definitely hear this engine!

CCGS GRIFFON downbound

Great variety of ships today, capping it off with the "Surprise Ship of the Day"... The CCGS GRIFFON.
Undoubtely the oldest vessel in the channel today.



Went to the Iroquois Lock in hopes of catching the downbound BAIE ST PAUL.
No sign of the ship, so decided to call it a day.
She'd arrive approximately 20 minutes after sunset.


The skies had completely cleared by late afternoon.
Just had to stop at the old pre-Seaway canal at Iroquois

The old canal on the left, the modern Seaway channel on right.

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Seaway Traffic (CSL ST-LAURENT, FEDERAL FRANKLIN, ALGOSEA, FEDERAL HUDSON, RT HON PAUL J MARTIN)

Ship on the horizon

Four big red ships today...

Plus, the trifecta of (at least) one vessel from CSL, Fednav and Algoma.

Sunrise 7.29
Sunset 5.59

Wide awake at 3.36 (alarm was set for 3.45)

Cloud cover to start the day.
Sun rose from behind the clouds.

Still managed to get some memorable snapshots for my collection.

Water level still relatively high - although it appears to be dropping.








Was expecting to see ALGOSEA early on - but the vessel must have been delayed. At least I got to see her towards the end of the day.

Spotted my first ship of the day, the CSL ST-LAURENT right on time.
(Positively identified by the giant colored Canadian Goose on her cabins)

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Basically a carbon-copy of other shots in my collection...

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This time, I observed some additional painting (or decals) on the side of her superstructure.
Not sure if those graphics are a new addition this year...

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Had some fun capturing the waves smashing the shoreline.

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Surprise ship of the day was FEDERAL FRANKLIN.
As a kid, I'd look down the channel hoping that a big red ship would magically appear on the horizon...

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The vessel comes into range and is identified as the 2021-built FEDERAL FRANKLIN.
Extra special because I never saw the original FEDERAL FRANKLIN (built in 1995).

FEDERAL FRANKLIN
Not to be confused with her sisterships FEDERAL FRASER and FEDERAL FREEDOM

The dark atmosphere adds some drama to this ocean-going vessel.

Just taking in the sight of her shiny new hull - Before she gets too many scuffs from rubbing on lock walls.

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Managed to capture the flag.

(Majuro) "...the capital and largest city of the Marshall Islands. It is also a large coral atoll of 64 islands in the Pacific Ocean." -Wikipedia





Rain in the distance as ALGOSEA appears.
It's time for me to leave.

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FEDERAL FRANKLIN began to slow to a crawl... Expecting two more downbound ships, this could only mean that she was slowing her pace to wait for the other vessel to clear the lock.

As the FRANKLIN disappeared upriver, her fleetmate FEDERAL HUDSON appeared downbound.

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Met the downbound FEDERAL HUDSON as I was heading upriver.


Soon afterwards, the upbound ALGOSEA came into range.

I love the sea.

ALGOSEA upbound with FEDERAL FRANKLIN visible in the distance.

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ALGOSEA was upbound. Was able to catch ALGOSEA, and then onto Iroquois.

Went to Iroquois to catch RT HON PAUL J MARTIN.
The red light is on as the RT HON PAUL J MARTIN exits the lock...

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The FEDERAL FRANKLIN approaching the Iroquois Lock, while the RT HON PAUL J MARTIN exits.
Possibly my favorite snapshot of the day just because I love the angle...

FEDERAL FRANKLIN has just been given the green light as the other vessel has cleared the lock

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Considered heading back downriver to see the MARTIN meet ALGOSEA, but decided to do some exploring until shortly before dark. (want to check out the other vantage points to watch ships).

Might as well take a look at FEDERAL FRANKLIN in the lock.

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For some reason, I was still expecting to see the FEDERAL HUDSON.
Realized later that the HUDSON had been downbound when I was on my way upriver.
At least I managed to snag a couple images for my collection.
So many ships! Another day with half a dozen vessels of all shapes and sizes.


On the return trip, ALGOSEA was still crawling up the river... Further down, caught up with RT HON PAUL J MARTIN, lights on, approx 25 minutes before sunset.

Darkness looming, but I'll take the scenic route if there's even the slightest chance that I'll get to see a ship.

TIM S. DOOL

TIM S. DOOL upbound with iron ore for Hamilton on October 24, 2022
(sailed previously as SENEVILLE from 1967-1993 and ALGOVILLE from 1994 - 2008).

A classic laker - And just the second vessel be built with a single superstructure, with all cabins and pilothouse aft. (Former fleetmate ALGOISLE (aka. SILVER ISLE) was the first modern Laker with this design.

Built by Saint John Shipbuilding & Drydock Company in New Brunswick.

Originally part of the Mohawk Navigation Company, vessel management was taken over by Misener Transportation in 1969.

The vessel would join Pioneer Shipping in 1980, receiving the distinct red and yellow color scheme.

Acquired by Algoma Central in 1994, she became SENNEVILLE.
In 1996, the vessel was widened by approximately 3 feet to increase carrying capacity..

With the angle of the sunlight, can see on the hull where the ship was widened.

Polsteam vessel SOLINA meets TIM S. DOOL.

Seaway Traffic (HAMBURG, TIM S. DOOL, ALGOMA EQUINOX, NORTHERN SPIRIT)

Missed FEDERAL HUNTER and SARAH DESGAGNES that both traveled downriver in the dark, early morning hours.

Alarm set for 3.45.
Was in a deep sleep, dreaming when the alarm went off.

Got up early so I'd have more time to relax and spend a lazy day by the river...
Just warm enough that I didn't have to keep moving to stay comfortable.

Glassy water to start the day...

Sometime around 11am, the white structure of a vessel appears behind the islands...
Then appears to be going the other way.
Have yet again observed a "zig-zag" in the channel.



Her arrival was approximately 35 minutes from first spotting her - BEFORE she made the first of two "zig-zags" in the channel.


A particularly warm fall day, with many passengers outside the ship along the railing, taking in the sights. Personally found it rather cold out there in the wind - And that's not standing up high on the top deck of a ship! Spectacular view nonetheless.

HAMBURG on a spectacular fall day

Captured the flag...
Bahamas red ensign

As HAMBURG banks around the shoal, can finally see her in full color.

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The "Ship of the Day" was undoubtedly the TIM S. DOOL.
Built in 1967, Saint John, New Brunswick.
Formerly SENEVILLE (and later ALGOVILLE from 1994 - 2008).
A classic laker - And just the second vessel be built with a single superstructure, with all cabins and pilothouse aft.

TIM S. DOOL approaches

In 1996, the vessel was widened by approximately 3 feet.

Former fleetmate ALGOISLE (SILVER ISLE from 1963-1994) was the first modern laker with this design. Just happens that another former Algoma vessel (ALGOSOO) can be noted as the last ship to be constructed with a forward pilothouse.


TIM S DOOL

TIM S. DOOL

Haven't seen this vessel in a long time - at least, not during daylight.
Just glad the sunlight was at a decent angle to capture this 1967 built vessel, possibly the oldest vessel in the Algoma fleet.




Waiting for the EQUINOX to arrive, and finally spotted her between the islands, with TIM S. DOOL behind her, heading the other way.


Finally caught an example of two vessels at the "zig-zag" point.
Glare of the sunlight makes it difficult to see in the photo.

Watching them from the shore, they seem to travel straight down the river... But when you're out there looking down the channel, it's amazing how many "zig-zag" points there are. It can makes it look like the ship is going the other way.
This has often thrown me off when trying to determine a vessels' direction.

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The distant ship is the upbound TIM S DOOL.
Fleetmate ALGOMA EQUINOX is heading downbound.
Both vessels appear to be heading towards the right...
They will each "zag" one more time.

ALGOMA EQUINOX approaches

Plenty of EQUINOX photos in my collection - But none of them lit up with sunlight like this one.

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Surprise ship of the day: NORTHERN SPIRIT
Figured she wouldn't reach me until nightfall.

NORTHERN SPIRIT downbound

NORTHERN SPIRIT passes the Murphy Islands

Finally turned sideways for the best light.

Catching the last vessel before sunset

ANOTHER "perfect" day by the river.
(with island rhythms while watching the final ship)

Evening transits all downbound, with ROERBORG, ALGOMA HARVESTER and KAMINISTIQUA before midnight.