Algontario/2002



Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Algontario

By Kristian Jetzer

The Algontario is one of the bulk carriers operating in the Seaway Bulk Carriers fleet. She was built at Schlieker - Werft in Hamburg West Germany, launched as the saltie Ruhr Ore March 16, 1960.

In late 1976 she was sold to Hall Corporation (HALCO) and taken to Davie Shipbuilding where in 1977 she was lengthened 184 feet. This was accomplished by removing and replacing the hull's fore body from the engine room forward.

The vessel received numerous updates and new equipment, including moving the mid-ship pilot house to the stern. She was renamed Cartiercliffe Hall in November 1977. She was the first of 3 ocean bulk carriers converted by Davie for HALCO to carry ore to Hamilton. On June 5, 1979 while loaded on Lake Superior a fire broke out in the crews quarters which killed 7 men. The vessel's damaged cabins we stripped away and the vessel was rebuilt at a cost of $6 million cdn. She re-entered service in May, 1980.

Because of difficult economic times and unexpected expenses, ownership of the entire Hall Fleet was surrendered in 1986. The vessel was sold to Canada Steamship Lines and renamed the Winnipeg.

In 1994 she was sold to Algoma Central Marine and renamed the Algontario. She like her sisters have 'Algo' as the Prefix but this time Algoma used 'Ontario' as the suffix. She is a favorite to many even with her "boxy" appearance.

In April of 1999 the vessel ran aground in the St. Marys River seriously damaging the vessel. The Algontario was refloated and continued on to Duluth to unload its cargo of cement. After unloading, the vessel sailed to Thunder Bay, Ont. where it entered lay-up with out have repairs completed. It has remained in this condition since that time and it is likely that the Algontario will never sail again.

Overall dimensions

Length: 730'00"

Beam: 75'09"

Depth: 40'02"

Capacity (tons): 29,100