Algoisle/2002



Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Algoisle

By George Wharton

Built by Verolme Cork Shipyard, Cork, Ireland; this Seaway sized bulk carrier was launched Nov. 23, 1962 for the Mohawk Navigation Company. After crossing the Atlantic, the vessel was christened Silver Isle at Sept Isles, PQ on May 8, 1963. The Silver Isle has 18 hatches feeding into 6 holds where she can carry 24,900 tons at maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and is capable of carrying 26,700 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 27 feet 5 1/2 inches. She is diesel powered and bow thruster equipped.

Grain products made up most of Silver Isle's cargo on behalf of the Mohawk fleet. Misener Shipping Ltd. took over the management of the Mohawk fleet in 1969 including the hiring of the crew.

Pioneer Shipping Ltd. acquired the Silver Isle and her fleet mate Senneville in 1980. Pioneer Shipping was an affiliate of Pioneer Grain which, in turn, was part of the grain firm James Richardson & Sons, Winnipeg, MB. The Pioneer fleet was easily identified by their red/orange hulls, yellow forecastles, and white cabins. Misener, though, continued to operate and crew the vessel.

The Silver Isle has had an eventful career on the Great Lakes. About a month after her christening, the Silver Isle collided with the smaller Dutch freighter Prins Alexander. The accident occurred on the St. Lawrence River near Kingston, ON. She then ran aground on May 28, 1970 at Bar Point on the Detroit River. The Silver Isle grounded again in the Pelee Passage on June 1, 1975; not being freed until June 4. On April 13, 1977, while laden with iron ore for Gary, IN, she ripped her bow open on the approach wall to the Snell Lock on the St. Lawrence Seaway. After lightering, she sailed to Port Colborne, ON where a 55' x 10' section was repaired. The Silver Isle's most serious accident occurred on April 12, 1991 while upbound in ballast for Thunder Bay, ON when she collided with the Algerian bulk carrier Sersou on the St. Lawrence River just east of Montreal, PQ. She received major port-side damage including a 130' gash at her bow, a smaller gash midship, and superstructure damge to the aft end accommodation area. A lengthy stay at Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catherines, ON followed while repairs to plating, side tanks, support beams, and cabin were completed. The Sersou (built in 1982) was also repaired and returned to service after receiving bow damage as a result of the collision.

Algoma Central Corp, Sault Ste, Marie, ON acquired the Silver Isle and renamed her Algoisle in 1994. The Algoisle sailed under the management of Seaway Bulk Carriers until January 2000 when Seaway Bulk Carriers and Seaway Self Unloaders merged to become Seaway Marine Transport, St. Catherines, ON (remaining a partnership of Algoma Central and Upper Lakes Group). Her activities are focused on the grain and iron ore trades between various Great Lakes ports and ports along the St. Lawrence River. Her sailings, though, are subject to the fluctuations of the grain industry. The 1999 navigation season was a prime example where the Algoisle's first sailing was not until Sept. 25 for the fall grain rush.

Overall dimensions

Length: 730'00"

Beam: 75'10"

Depth: 50'00"

Capacity (tons): 37,800