Seaway Early AM Traffic...

4:30AM

CSL's THUNDER BAY is eastbound on Lake Ontario destined for Johnstown.
ALGOMA SAULT is also headed for Johnstown, ETA (tomorrow) November 11 at 5:00AM.

MIENA DESGAGNES left Johnstown before midnight on November 9, destined for Sorel, Quebec. Anticipated time of arrival there at 4pm on November 10.

FLORAGRACHT is making her way upbound and has cleared the Eisenhower Lock.
LEO A MCARTHUR & JOHN J CARRICK are also upbound.

SPRUCEGLEN is expected upbound during daylight hours.

After nightfall, salties ISABELLE G and MIEDWIE are downbound, along with downbound tanker ALGOTERRA.

ALGOMA GUARDIAN is expected downbound tomorrow (Nov 11).

WILF SEYMOUR & ALOUETTE SPIRIT are on Lake Ontario, destined for Sorel Quebec.
ALGOMA HANSA is on Lake Erie, downbound and approaching the Welland Canal.


Previously upbound saltie EIDER is reaching the halfway point across Lake Erie.

Seaway Traffic (EIDER, ALGOSEA, ALGOMA EQUINOX, WHITEFISH BAY, RT HON PAUL J MARTIN, GAIA DESGAGNES, ALGOSCOTIA)

MIENA DESGAGNES made another trip upriver to Johnstown in the dark early morning hours.


After stopping by the water a couple days in a row, I was eager to get back on the river itself.

Once again, felt I was leaving a bit late...
But was right where I needed to be to catch an upbound saltwater ship...


EIDER
Blue vessel, with smokestack of the CanForNav group.

2010-built EIDER en route to Detroit, Michigan

Needed to research this vessel...
She has CanForNav stack markings - Except the ship has a blue hull instead of the typical green.
The deck cranes are also white (as opposed to yellow).

EIDER with white cranes

Reminded me of REDHEAD or LUDOGORETS.

View of the stern

Diving into the sea of (seemingly infinite) saltwater vessels, discovered that she is a CanForNav ship.
One of two vessels flagged out of Antigua (the other being REDHEAD).

MOST of the green-hulled CanForNav vessels are flagged out of Cyprus.
(Note that CAPE, CHESTNUT, PUNA, SUNDA, WHISTLER, WIDGEON are flagged out of Liberia)

https://www.canfornav.com/fleet/


As for the blue-hulled LUDOGORETS, turns out she's a NAVI-BULGAR vessel.
She appears blue in color (as opposed to black paint like most of her fleetmates) and has white deck cranes (as opposed to the yellow).

https://www.navbul.com/en/fleet/



ALGOSEA

Vessel on the horizon...

Once again, managed to catch a ship that I thought had already gone by...
Spotted a vessel at anchor in the distance that could only be the ALGOSEA.

Within minutes of spotting the ship, there was a big puff of smoke from the exhaust.
Just as I suspected, she was fired up and ready to leave the anchorage.

As ALGOSEA approaches, the hull looks almost black...

It's dark navy blue color that seems to vary based on the sunlight.

1998-built ALGOSEA upbound for Sarnia, Ontario.

Took 35-40 minutes for ALGOSEA to arrive from the anchorage...
It would normally take around 20 minutes.
(ALGOSEA may have been waiting for the downbound WHITEFISH BAY to clear the locks...)




The ALGOMA EQUINOX, right on time...

The EQUINOX on the horozin

It's possible that I've seen the ALGOMA EQUINOX more times than any other vessel this season...
Must to do a final count at the end of the year.

ALGOMA EQUINOX upbound for Hamilton.
Will cross Lake Ontario, arriving in Hamilton.
Anticipated time of arrival is tomorrow afternoon (Nov 10).

Equinox Class meets Trillium Class...

The upbound ALGOMA EQUINOX meets the downbound WHITEFISH BAY.
Both vessels were built in 2013.

Each company's build has it's own look, giving distinct character.


WHITEFISH BAY hasn't been a stranger this year either.

2013-built WHITEFISH BAY downbound for Montreal.

Have encountered this ship a good handful of times this season...

WHITEFISH BAY downbound

Seen her more times than her "Bay Class" sisters, anyway.

WHITEFISH BAY downbound

From a "new" CSL self-unloader to an "old" CSL self-unloader...
Less than two hours after her fleetmate quietly slipped away, could hear the engine of RT HON PAUL J MARTIN for miles away as she approached.

The 1973-built vessel (formerly known as H.M. GRIFFITH from Collingwood Shipyards) was lengthened in 1999-2000.

The stern

1973 built RT HON PAUL J. MARTIN (former H.M. GRIFFITH)

An entirely new hull was attached to the existing stern at Port Weller.
The ship returned to service in 2000 and was re-christed RT HON PAUL J MARTIN. She was the second CSL vessel to have the procedure (after near-sistership J.W. MCGIFFIN became CSL NIAGARA in 1999)




GAIA DESGAGNES
My second encounter with this vessel.

2018-built GAIA DESGAGNES downbound for Sept-Iles, Quebec.

Just happened to catch her on her previous trip upriver...
Here she is downbound laden with cargo.

GAIA DESGAGNES downbound

GAIA DESGAGNES downbound

Always amazed at the brilliant white deck of a tanker...
Must be incredibly difficult to keep it that clean...




On the return trip, met ALGOSCOTIA downbound.

2004-built ALGOSCOTIA downbound for Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Had planned to head further upriver to try and intercept the vessel before dark,
but she made it downriver 20 minutes before dark. Timing worked out great.


First time encountering the ALGOSCOTIA.
She appeared very black in color at first, due to the angle of the sun.
Even the crane and apparatus on the deck looked to be painted black.

ALGOSCOTIA downbound

Noticed that ALGOSCOTIA doesn't have the Algoma logo on her bow (the red circle with the bear).
Have seen pictures with the emblem - Seeming to indicate the hull has been painted.

ALGOSCOTIA was out of action for several weeks during the months of June and July 2022.
The vessel had to dock suddenly after experiencing a problem with her rudder.


Finally, the vessel turns slightly to reveal a yellow crane and foremast.

ALGOSCOTIA with pretty colors just before sunset

Certainly looks darker than ALGOSEA and ALGOMA HANSA - Although the deep-blue ALGOSEA looked pretty dark this morning...


Three tankers, two self-unloaders and a saltie.
That's six ships in daylight hours.

Another "perfect" day at the river.

Spectacular St. Lawrence...

The sun rising on the horizon...

Full moon still in the sky...

Incidentally, saw a Coyote just minutes earlier.

After getting on the water, saw the silhouette of what may have been a Loon.
Also heard the sounds of a Pileated Woodpecker and Barred Owl.

An Osprey was perched on the largest tree.

Every sunrise is different...
Almost seems to be some green in there...

[photo]
Sky filled with Geese

The St. Lawrence River is one big aquarium...

Amazing how clear the water can be.
Looking underwater at a clam shell, appears to be wedged under the rocks...
Top part looks smashed in - Possible damage done by a Gull or other fishing bird?

Broken  piece of clay drainage tile.

This stuff tends to preserve better if it stays underwater, buried with sand.
Faded with no color, this piece has been exposed for a while.

Just as the waves gradually batter and smash down the old Highway, the same waves slowly dismantle what's left of the Lost Villages.

Seagull in flight...

The cliche, worn-out image of a white seagall by a red marker - but I still love it!
Incidentally, this bird appeared to be trying to locate his favorite rock (which is now completely accessible to him because of the high water levels).

Really like the curve of the wing tips...

Johnstown - Prescott (JESSICA B)

Seaway Traffic: Pair of upbound salties:
VITOSHA of the Navi-Bulgar fleet (and former FEDERAL PEARL)
JESSICA B
===

Stopped at Iroquois in hopes of seeing the upbound JESSICA B.
Due to arrive at 10.00 - And it was 10.45.
Takes approximately 45 minutes to transit the locks, so I was hoping to catch the vessel on her way out.

No sign of any activity at the locks...

Heading upriver, had planned to stop at Johnstown because there were FOUR cargo vessels anchored there yesterday afternoon.
(BLAIR MCKEIL, G3 MARQUIS, CAPTAIN HENRY JACKMAN, as well as JOHN D. LEITCH delivering to Ogdensburg across the river)

Those vessels were long gone, but happened to catch up with JESSICA B upon reaching the river.

Even though the angle of the sun wasn't in my favor, just had to snap a photo because a huge ship sailing under a bridge is not something that I get to see everyday.

2003-built JESSICA B
(formerly POCHARD S., PANAREA)

My favorite snapshot of the day...
She still has to navigate through the Thousand Islands before reaching Lake Ontario.

The vessel prepares to head out onto the "infinite beyond".

Heading from the shore and back up the path right between a pair of Cardinals chirping at each other. Normally elusive - But also territorial. This brave little bird is pre-occupied with a rival male on the opposite side of the trail.

Cardinal

Great Lakes Storm of 1913

"White Hurricane"
November 7 to 10, 1913

"a blizzard with hurricane force winds"
-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Lakes_Storm_of_1913

The storm destroyed 19 ships, and stranded 19 others.

Ships that sank with their entire crew killed during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913:
ISAAC M. SCOTT (located 1976)
CHARLES S. PRICE (located 1913)
JOHN A. MCGEAN (located 1985)
ARGUS (located 1972)
HYDRUS (located 2015)
HENRY B. SMITH (located 2013)
JAMES CARRUTHERS
REGINA (located 1986)
WEXFORD (located 2000)
LEAFIELD
PLYMOUTH
LV-82 BUFFALO (located 1914)

The wrecks of three vessels have yet to be located; their exact location is unknown.
JAMES CARRTHERS (Lake Huron)
LEAFIELD (Lake Superior)
PLYMOUTH (Lake Michigan)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBYOnvIFc8Y

The nasty November weather can also be attributed to a pair of other Great Lakes Shipwrecks:

CARL D. BRADLEY, lost on Lake Michigan November 18th, 1958.

And of course the EDMUND FITZGERALD lost on Lake Superior on November 10th, 1975.

Seaway Traffic (BRANT, ALGOMA TRANSPORT)

CAPTAIN HENRY JACKMAN was at the Prescott anchorage (along with THREE other vessels in the area)

ALGOMA TRANSPORT was anchored at Wilson Hill.
ALGOMA HARVESTER and AZORESBORG (both expected downbound) have been delayed.

The only vessel on the move was saltie BRANT.

Got to the river, no sign of any ships...

Fall day at the river, even the water looks cold...

Scanned upriver with the binoculars, and nothing.

Love the blue green color...

A fairly windy day, winds gusting from 30-40km.
The water was moving fast - But no white caps when I arrived.
A shift in the wind, and the water would get choppier from time to time.

Jagged little ripples...

Less than ten minutes later, finally caught a glimpse of BRANT weaving through the islands.

BRANT passing the Murphy Islands

When she got close, could hear the loud rumble of that engine!

Big green saltie

Just love this angle and the view upriver.
A bit of grit with lots of atmosphere.

The mighty St. Lawrence River...

BRANT disappearing off the horizon, and the JACKMAN still anchored at Prescott.
Decided to head downriver and check on ALGOMA TRANSPORT.




The ALGOMA TRANSPORT was still at the anchorage when I got there...

Vessel at anchor...

Minutes later she began to move, heading into the channel.

ALGOMA TRANSPORT traveling upriver past the yellow anchorage buoy.

Passing the big marker at Weaver Shoal.

The 1978 built ALGOMA TRANSPORT
(former CANADIAN TRANSPORT of the now-defunct Upper Lakes Shipping Fleet)

The ALGOMA TRANSPORT was originally expected to transit this part of the river in the morning...
Worked out in my favor, with another chance to see of one of the oldest vessels on the Seaway.

Regrettably, I elected not to follow the ship upriver for a closer look.
One of my digital devices was still running on "fast time" - Incorrectly assumed the sun would be setting within the hour, and still had things to do. (Had assumed that all these toys updated themselves automatically...)

In reality, there were nearly two hours of sunlight left.
There would have been plenty of time.
Lesson learned for next time...

The JACKMAN had been scheduled to transit the Iroquois Lock in the early afternoon, but she anchored in Prescott. By 6pm the JACKMAN was on the move, continuing downriver towards Iroquois.

Seaway Early AM Traffic...

6AM

The following vessels are expected to travel downbound on the Seaway.
They have yet to transit the Welland Canal:

ALGOSCOTIA currently moored on Lake Erie. Will eventually be traveling downriver to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

CSL ASSINIBOINE is on Lake Erie, approaching the Welland Canal, destined for Quebec City.

EVANS SPIRIT is on Lake Erie, traveling at 13.3 knots destined for Port Cartier, Quebec.

KAMINISTIQUA is traveling on Lake Huron, destined for Port Cartier, Quebec.

Seaway Early AM Traffic...

November 6
4:58AM

G3 MARQUIS remains at Johnstown

ALGOMA CONVEYOR has crossed Lake Ontario, downbound passing the town of Cardinal.

OSOGOVO has cleared the Eisenhower Lock, upbound and entering the Wiley-Dondero Canal.
AIS destination possibly out-dated, listed as CA MTR (Montreal?).

BLAIR MCKEIL has cleared the Snell Lock, approaching Eisenhower and is also upbound destined for Johnstown.

Saltie GARDNO is approaching the Snell Lock, upbound destined for Port Weller.

PAUL A DESGAGNES is exiting the system upbound, heading out onto Lake Ontario.





November 6
9:15AM

FEDERAL RIDEAU is on Lake Ontario, travelling at 12.9 knots downbound and heading east for the Seaway, ultimately destined for Dublin, Ireland (anticipated arrival there on November 16, 2022).

ALGOMA HARVESTER is in the Welland Canal, destination Port Cartier, Quebec.

FEDERAL SHIMANTO is on Lake Erie, slowing to 1.1 knots as she approaches the Welland Canal, destined for
Montreal.

AZORESBORG is also approaching the Welland Canal, destination Montreal.

CAPTAIN HENRY JACKMAN, downbound and destined for Bay Comeau, Quebec. Still on Lake Erie heading into the Welland Canal.



JOHN D. LEITCH heading east, downbound and destined for OGDENSBERG is on the western end Lake Ontario travelling at 10.7 knots.

LEITCH is passing the westbound ALGOMA DISCOVERY travelling upbound, past the halfway point across Lake ONTARIO

PAUL A DESGAGNES is also travelling west, halfway across Lake Ontario


Previously upbound salties JUNO, MAMRY and MOTTLER have reached the Toronto area, all three vessels currently moored.

Seaway Evening Traffic...

November 5
8:32PM

ALGOMA DISCOVERY is upbound between Iroquois and Prescott, destined for Thunder Bay

PAUL A DESGAGNES is destined for Oakville, upbound transiting the Iroquois Lock

OSOGOVO of the Navi-Bulgar fleet is making another trip upbound on the Seaway at daybreak.

ALGOMA CONVEYOR has almost finished crossing Lake Ontario, making another trip downbound trip to Quebec City, and should appear on the Seaway during the daytime.

BLAIR MCKEIL is upbound
Saltie GARDNO is upbound
FEDERAL SHIMANTO is downbound


CAPTAIN HENRY JACKMAN is anchored on Lake Erie. Will cross Lake Ontario, destined for Baie Comeau, Quebec.

ALGOMA TRANSPORT will also be returning upriver. Still moored in Quebec City, destined for Port Colborne.




JOHN D. LEITCH is downbound and destined for Ogdensberg.
MANITOULIN is eastbound on Lake Ontario destined for Port Cartier, Quebec.

Seaway Evening & Early AM Passages...

Elected to stay off the river today, with a combination of high wind and few vessels to see - Most of them will transit in the dark.

Evening Passages November 4, 2022:
RADCLIFFE R. LATIMER, ALGOSEA, ALGOMA NIAGARA all downbound



Early AM Passages November 5, 2022:
SPRUCEGLEN and HARBOUR EXPRESS are downbound, while green-hulled saltwater vessel MOTTLER is upbound.

TIM S. DOOL was the only vessel scheduled during daylight hours - And the downbound vessel has since been delayed until late afternoon.

Tanker SUSANA S is also expected downbound in the late morning.

ALGOMA DISCOVERY is now upbound, set to arrive before nightfall.