Algosound/2002



Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Algosound

By George Wharton

The forward section being built by Davie Shipbuilding Ltd., Lauzon, PQ and the aft section being built by Canadian Vickers Ltd., Montreal, PQ; this traditional styled straight-deck bulk carrier was launched in 1965 as the Don-De-Dieu for Papachristidis Co. Ltd., Montreal, PQ. She is powered by a 9,000 horsepower steam turbine engine and is bow thruster equipped. Her 20 hatches feed into 6 holds. This standard size Seaway vessel can carry 25,200 tons at the maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and is capable of carrying 27,700 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 27 feet 7 inches.

As part of the Papachristidis fleet, Don-De-Dieu's cargos consisted mainly of grain from anadian and American ports on the Great Lakes to various grain elevators along the St. Lawrence River with return loads of iron ore from the Gulf of St. Lawrence for American steel companies.

In 1967, the Don-De-Dieu was sold to Labrador Steamship Co. Ltd. also of Montreal, PQ. She was renamed V.W. Scully at that time but her trade routes remained basically the same.

In 1972, she was acquired by Algoma Central of Sault Ste. Marie, ON where she continued sailing as the V.W.Scully until 1987 when she was renamed Algosound. Her trade routes still remain carrying grain downbound and iron ore upbound although like other grain haulers of her kind, some of her upbound journeys are in ballast due to lack of available cargo. The Algosound is under charter to Seaway Bulk Carriers (partnership of Algoma Central and Upper Lakes Group).

Of recent note; on April 8, 1999 the Algosound arrived at Duluth, MN becoming the first Seaway transit arrival of the 1999 navigation season. She also had the distinction of being the first vessel of the year to load grain at Duluth/Superior receiving 25,000 tons of corn for Baie Comeau, PQ.

As with other straight-deckers of her kind; she is a beauty to behold - a boatwatcher's delight. Hopefully she will remain a viable carrier for her owners for many more seasons to come!

Overall dimensions

Length: 730'00"

Beam: 75'00"

Depth: 39'00"

Capacity (tons): 27,700