Algoma Navigator

The Algoma Navigator moored in Toronto in 2014 -- note her long grey self-unloading boom.
The Demeterton on the St. Lawrence River in 1974.

The Algoma Navigator is a Canadian bulk carrier currently operated by Algoma Central.[1] Like other bulk carriers her potential cargos include: coal/coke, aggregates, slag, iron ore/oxides, salt, fertilizers, grain products, gypsum, quartzite, or sand.

She has had three owners.[1] She was built in the United Kingdom, and was first owned and operated by Cambay Steamship Company, from 1967 to 1975 as the Demeterton. Even though she was built for ocean commerce she saw service on the St Lawrence Seaway.[2] Cambay enlarged her from 567 feet (173 m) to 647 feet (197 m) in 1969.

When she was purchased by the Upper Lakes Group in 1975.[1] Upper Lakes renamed her the St. Lawrence Navigator. In 1980 Upper Lakes lengthened and rebuilt the vessel. A new bow section was added, with a 1,000 horsepower (750 kW) bow thruster. After the rebuild she was renamed the Canadian Navigator. After the rebuild she was 729 feet (222 m) long -- the maximum length of a vessel that can fit in a St Lawrence Seaway lock. In 1997 a boom was added making her capable of self-unloading.

Upper Lakes operated her from 1975 to 2011, when they sold their entire fleet to Algoma Central.[1] After her purchase she was renamed the Algoma Navigator.

She is powered by a single 9,680 horsepower (7,220 kW) diesel engine, which can propel her at 14.5 knots (26.9 km/h).[1]

Several earlier vessels named Demeterton operated in the United Kingdom, one being sunk by a u-boat during World War 2.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 George Wharton (2011). "Algoma Navigator -- (Demeterton 1967 - 1975; St. Lawrence Navigator 1975 - 1980, Canadian Navigator 1980 - 2011)". boatnerd. Archived from the original on 2013-02-03. Retrieved 2015-01-11. April 14, 1980 saw the St. Lawrence Navigator renamed as the Canadian Navigator following an additional lengthening with the installation of a new bow and cargo section including a 1,000 horsepower bow thruster completed at Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catherines, ON.
  2. ↑ "DEMETERTON passing Vercheres". Maritime History of the Great Lakes. Archived from the original on 2015-01-11. This is DEMETERTON, now named ST. LAWRENCE NAVIGATOR, as she looked passing Vercheres on November 23, 1974.