Algocen/2002



Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Algocen

By George Wharton

Launched as the ALGOCEN(2) on June 18, 1968 for Algoma Central Corp., Sault Ste. Marie, ON; this traditional styled straight deck laker was built by Collingwood Shipyards, Collingwood, ON. The vessel is powered by 4 Canadian built Fairbanks Morse 38D 8 1/8 12-cylinder diesel engines burning marine diesel oil with a total installed horsepower of 8,000 b.h.p. She is equipped with a bow thruster and carries a crew of 24. Her 17 hatches feed into 6 holds where she can carry 26,150 tons at maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and is capable of carrying 28.400 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 27 feet 9 inches.

The "ALGOCEN" name has been associated with Algoma Central since 1935. The name is derived from the first two words of the owning company's coporate title: ALGO from Algoma and CEN from Central. The first ALGOCEN was launched as the JOHN J. BARLUM(2) in 1909 built by American Ship Building Co., Lorain, OH. Her dimensions were 524'(loa) x 54' x 39'08". The vessel became part of the Algoma Central and Hudson Bay Railway Co. fleet and was renamed ALGOCEN in 1935. The ALGOCEN(1) continued to sail for the Algoma fleet until being sold for scrap in 1968. On the exact date of the ALGOCEN(2)'s launch, her predecessor departed Quebec City, PQ under tow for scrapping overseas. The ALGOCEN(2) was also the last traditional styled (fore/aft cab design) straight deck bulk carrier built at the Collingwood Shipyards.

The current ALGOCEN set a corn record at Milwaukee, WI in 1971 be being the first vessel to load in excess of one million bushels. She was note to have run aground in the St. Lawrence River near Ogdensburg, NY in August of 1975 with resulting serious bottom damage. After refloating, she was taken to Port Weller Dry Docks where a 600 foot section of bottom plating was in need of repair. After a month in dry dock and 750 tons of steel later, the ALGOCEN was sent back into service. Since this mishap, the ALGOCEN has had no serious reportable incidents.

She continues to sail today for Algoma Central under the management of Seaway Marine Transport, St. Catherines, ON (partnership of Algoma Central and Upper Lakes Group). Unlike the fate typifying many straight deckers, this bulker saw active service through the entire 2000 navigation season. The ALGOCEN's season began in early April with a load of cement from Clarkson, ON to Duluth, MN. She became the first laker of the 2000 season to load grain at Duluth-Superior by loading under the chutes of the Peavey-Connors Point elevator for Quebec City on April 14. From Quebec City, she proceeded to Port Cartier, PQ to load iron ore for Hamilton, ON; then back to Clarkson for more cement for Duluth. Her cargoes throughout the season were concentrated in the grain, iron ore, and cement trades. Her ports of call included Clarkson, Hamilton, Prescott, Sarnia, and Thunder Bay, ON; Baie Comeau, Havre St. Pierre, Pointe Noire, Port Cartier, Quebec City, Sept Isles, Sorel, and Trois-Rivieres, PQ; Toledo, OH; Duluth, MN; and Superior. WI. Depending on the season though; the ALGOCEN's activities, like other straight deckers, can be subject to lay-ups due to fluctuations in the grain industry.

Overall dimensions

Length: 730'00"

Beam: 75'00"

Depth: 39'08"

Capacity (tons): 28,400