Algosteel (2)/2002



Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Algosteel

By George Wharton

Initially constructed in 1966 as the traditional styled Great Lakes bulk carrier A.S.Glossbrenner; this vessel was built by Davie Shipbuilding Ltd., Lauzon, PQ for Labrador Steamship Co., Montreal, PQ. She is powered by a Sulzer 6RD76 diesel engine rated at 9470 horsepower at 119 r.p.m. and is equipped with an 800 horsepower bow thruster. Fed by 16 hatches, her 6 holds can carry 24800 tons at maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and is capable of carrying 27000 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 27 feet 8 inches.

As part of the Labrador fleet, her main cargo was iron ore from Gulf of St. Lawrence ports such as Pointe Noire, Sept Isles, and Port Cartier, PQ to the U.S. steel mills. Grain loads provided return voyages back to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

In 1971, the A.S.Glossbrenner was sold to Algoma Central Corp., Sault Ste. Marie, ON and was renamed Algogulf(1) in 1987. The Algogulf was converted to a self-unloading bulk carrier in 1990. March 21, 1990 saw this new self-unloader renamed Algosteel(2). The Algosteel's self-unloading equipment consists of a two belt gravity system with 2 loop belt elevators feeding a 250 foot discharge boom that can rotate 90 degrees to port or starboard. It has a designed discharge rate of up to 5440 tons per hour.

The Algosteel sails under the management of Seaway Self Unloaders (partnership of Algoma Central and Upper Lakes Group). As part of this fleet, her cargo could include coal/coke, aggregate, slag, iron ore/oxides, salt, fertilizers, grain products, gypsum, quartzite, and sand. The Algosteel, like all S.S.U. vessels, is equipped with a DGPS (Digital Global Positioning System) precision navigation system.

The modern updates should insure the Algosteel of a long and productive future ahead on the Great Lakes.

Overall dimensions

Length: 730'00"

Beam: 75'00"

Depth: 39'08"

Capacity (tons): 27,400