Algorail

Algorail was a lake freighter owned and operated by Algoma Central. The ship was built by Collingwood Shipyards in Collingwood, Ontario and was launched in 1967. The ship sailed on the North American Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway delivering coal/coke, aggregates, slag, iron ore/oxides, salt, fertilizers, grain products, gypsum, quartzite, or sand. The ship was scrapped in 2018.

Algorail traveling under a bridge
History
Name: Algorail
Owner: Algoma Central
Port of registry: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario,  Canada
Builder: Collingwood Shipyards, Collingwood, Ontario
Yard number: 189
Launched: 13 December 1967
Christened: 1 April 1968
Completed: April 1968
In service: 1968
Out of service: 2018
Identification:
Fate: scrapped
Status: retired
General characteristics
Type: Self-discharging bulk carrier
Tonnage:
Length:
  • 640 ft 5 in (195.2 m)
  • 620 ft 1 in (189 m)
Beam: 72 ft 3 in (22.0 m)
Draught:
  • 26 ft 0 in (7.9 m) (Seaway)
  • 29 ft 2 in (8.9 m) (maximum)
Installed power:
  • 4 × Fairbanks-Morse 10-38D8-1/8 diesel engines
  • 6,664 hp (4,969 kW) (combined)
Propulsion: 1 shaft
Speed: 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)

Description

The ship was 640 ft 5 in (195.2 m) long overall and 620 ft 1 in (189 m) between perpendiculars with a beam of 72 ft 3 in (22.0 m).[1][2] The ship has a maximum draught of 26 ft 0 in (7.9 m) and a Saint Lawrence Seaway draught of 26 ft 0 in (7.9 m).[2] Algorail had a gross tonnage (GT) of 16,157 and a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 23,320.[1][3]

Algorail was powered by four Fairbanks-Morse 10-38D8-1/8 diesel engines driving one shaft. The engines were rated at 6,664 horsepower (4,969 kW) combined. The vessel was also equipped with one 600 hp (447 kW) bow thruster and one 1,000 hp (746 kW) stern thruster.[2] The ship had a maximum speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).[1] The ship had four holds, 17 hatches and is equipped with a 250-foot (76 m) discharge boom that can swing 105 degrees to either side of the ship and discharges 3,810 tonnes per hour.[2]

Service history

The ship was constructed by Collingwood Shipyards at their yard in Collingwood, Ontario with the yard number 189. Algorail was launched on 13 December 1967, christened on 1 April 1968 and completed that month.[1][2] The second freighter of the name was registered at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario for Algoma Central.[1][2] A self-unloading bulk carrier, she is one of the last lake freighters built in the traditional two-superstructure style, with the bridge at the bow. The ship sails on the North American Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway delivering coal/coke, aggregates, slag, iron ore/oxides, salt, fertilizers, grain products, gypsum, quartzite, or sand.[2]

On 6 October 1972, Algorail collided with the pier at Holland, Michigan loaded with a cargo of salt. The pier tore a 12-foot (3.7 m) hole in her bow, which caused the vessel to sink. The ship was refloated, repaired and put back into service. On 20 April 1999, Algorail ran aground at Green Bay, Wisconsin in the Fox River. The ship was undamaged, but attempts by two tugboats to free the ship damaged the docks at Green Bay.[2] On 25 June 2013 she ran aground with a shipment of salt in the Saginaw River.[4][5] Zilwaukee Dock Manager Jim Cnudde cited Algorail's running aground as an indication that greater efforts should be made to keep the river dredged.[6] The ship was freed after unloading some of her cargo into a barge.[6]

References
  1. "Algorail (6805531)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  2. Wharton, George. "Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Algorail (2)". Boatnerd.com. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  3. "Algorail (6805531)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  4. Jordan, Heather (25 June 2013). "Tugboat ready to assist freighter stuck on Saginaw River in Bay City". Michigan Live. Retrieved 27 January 2017. A lake freighter hauling salt remained stuck on the Saginaw River in downtown Bay City Tuesday, June 25, and now a tugboat from Busch Marine Inc. is at the scene to assist, if needed.
  5. Jordan, Heather (25 June 2013). "Algorail stuck on Saginaw River between Liberty and Veterans Memorial bridges in Bay City". Michigan Live. Retrieved 27 January 2018. A ship hauling salt has been stuck on the Saginaw River between Liberty and Veterans Memorial bridges in Bay City since about 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 25.
  6. Fleishman, Jessica (25 June 2013). "Stuck lake freighter Algorail floats free in Saginaw River after getting help from a barge". Michigan Live. Retrieved 27 January 2018. The freighter Algorail was stuck in shipping channel from about 5 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, after the 650-foot vessel hit the bottom of the waterway between the Veterans and Liberty bridges.
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