Shipspotting has become a very enjoyable but unexpected part of my photographic repertoire. Living near the shores of Georgian Bay in the small port city of Owen Sound has given me the opportunity to see some of these spectacular ships up close. I am drawn to their history and to the beauty of their often worn and battered structures.
The Compass and the Buffalo | ref.no. 7503618 | This wide angle pictorialized panorama features the Algoma Buffalo and the Algoma Compass laid up for the winter in the port of Owen Sound: [on left] Originally named the Buffalo, this 634’ freighter was built in 1978 by Bay Shipbuilding Co. (Sturgeon Bay, WI). In late 2017 she was sold to the Algoma Central Corp. (St. Catharines, ON) and renamed the Algoma Buffalo. [on right] Originally named the Roger M. Kyes, this 680’ freighter was built in 1973 for the American Steamship Co (Williamsville, NY). The Kyes was sold in 1989 and renamed the Adam E. Cornelius, and in 2017 she was again sold, this time to Algoma Central Corp where she was reflagged as a Canadian vessel and renamed the Algoma Compass.
St Marys and the Saginaw | ref.no. 1641479 | Waiting for the shot at the articulated tug barge combo of the St Marys Challenger and the Prentiss Brown turn in behind the Saginaw as it approaches the Port of Owen Sound
The Cuyahoga | ref.no. 1643779 | The Cuyahoga docked at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the port of Owen Sound
Martin and Algoway | ref.no. 1620944 | Owen Sound harbour: The Algoway and the Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin framed behind the old harbour pilings.
Cuyahoga at the Silos | ref.no. 180804 | The 620' maritimer class freighter docked at the Great Lakes Elevator Company Silos in Owen Sound Harbour
Algoway Arriving | ref.no. 1745419 | Algoma Algoway arriving just before sunset in the Port of Owen Sound
The Frontenac | ref.no. 1645267 | Pictorialist style photograph of the Frontenac (Canada Steamship Lines) in Owen Sound on an icy Christmas Day
The St Marys Cement II | ref.no. 187670 | Docked at the Miller Cement silos in the port of Owen Sound, the St Marys Cement II is a non-propelled articulated barge and is powered by the tug Sea Eagle II. Built in 1978, the ship measures 470 ft long by 76 ft wide.
Algoma Harvester | ref.no. 184200 | The 740' long (78' wide) Algoma Harvester docked in the Port of Owen Sound.
The Saginaw | ref.no. 183777 | The 640' Saginaw unloading at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in Owen Sound.
Whitefish Bay | ref.no. 1747355 | Pictorialist style photograph of Canada Steamship Line's 740' Whitefish Bay docked at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the port of Owen Sound
Manitoulin Unloading at Night | ref.no. 181170 | Watching the Manitoulin unload at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos on a beautiful spring night in Owen Sound.
Cuyahoga Unloading | ref.no. 180793 | Seen here unloading at the silos in Owen Sound, the Cuyahoga is the second oldest Canadian registered lake boat still in active service on the Great Lakes
Algoway by Night | ref.no. 1745679 | The Algoma Algoway lit up at night in Owen Sound harbour
Late Harbour Snow | ref.no. 1633242 | Owen Sound harbour on an unusual snowy April day. From left to right: the Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin, the Olympic, the Chi Cheemaun and the Cuyahoga.
Leitch Before Dawn | ref.no. 1745914 | The John D Leitch (Algoma) arrives just before dawn on a cold winter morning in the Port of Owen Sound. The CCGS Samuel Risley, Algoma Olympic and MS Chi-Cheemaun are visible in the far background)
Draftmarks Leitch | ref.no. 1746694 | Draftmarks on the worn and rusted hull of the John D. Leitch.
The Algoway | ref.no. S33572V19 | This 2016 photograph shows the 640' Algoma Algoway docked at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the Port of Owen Sound. In 2018 the Algoway was retired and sadly scrapped for raw materials.
Risley and the Olympic | ref.no. 1745779 | Canadian Coast Guard ice breaker and bouy tenderer Samuel Risley and the Algoma Olympic docked in Owen Sound harbour.
Winter Dock | ref.no. 1745821 | The 640' Algoma Algoway in winter dock near the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in Owen Sound
Early Morning Sentinels II | ref.no. 1635030 | The Great Lakes Elevator Company silos at dawn in the Port of Owen Sound
John D Leitch Winter Lay-Up | ref.no. 1745984 | A frozen John D Leitch (Algoma) arrives in the Port of Owen Sound
Canada Steamship Lines | ref.no. 1747341 | The 740' Whitefish Bay (CSL) docked at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in Owen Sound
Chi Cheemaun Rebranded | ref.no. 1747329 & 1747344 | The ferry MS Chi Cheemaun after her renovations which among other things included her spectacular new Woodland School of Art inspired design
Whitefish Bay Unloading | ref.no. 1747378 & 1747410 | Canada Steamship Line's 740' Whitefish Bay unloading grain at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the port of Owen Sound
Algoway Escort | ref.no. 1747022 | A skein (flock) of Canada Geese escort the Algoma Algoway as she heads back out on the Great Lakes from the Port of Owen Sound
St Marys and the Algoway | ref.no. 1745505 | The barge St Marys Challenger powered by the tug Prentiss Brown joins the Algoma Algoway in the harbour at Owen Sound early in on a rainy winter morning
Algoway Laid Up | ref.no. 162695 | Algoma Algoway laid up for repairs in the Port of Owen Sound
Martin & Algoway | ref.no. 1366411 | The Rt Hon Paul E Martin (CSL) sails past the docked Algoway (Algoma) as she leaves the Port of Owen Sound
Algoma Olympic | ref.no. 164255 & 1634459 | The 730' Algoma Olympic docked along the east wall in Owen Sound harbour (Ontario, Canada)
Olympic at Dawn | ref.no. 164292 | The Algoma Olympic in Owen Sound harbour at sunrise.
St Marys Challenger | ref.no. 164974 | The articulated barge St Marys Challenger powered by the tug Prentiss Brown docked at the Miller Silo in the Port of Owen Sound
Harbour Reflections | ref.no. 1635466 | Double-crested cormorant flying past the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in Owen Sound
Mississagi Unloading | ref.no. 1635660 & 1635633 | The 620' Mississagi discharging a load of mixed stone (from Bruce Mines, Ontario) at the Great Lakes Elevator Company dock in the Port of Owen Sound
The Mississagi | ref.no. 1635651 | The Mississagi at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the Port of Owen Sound
CCSG Constable Carriere | ref.no. 1637840 & 1637854 | Canadian Coast Guard ship Constable Carrière docked in the Port of Owen Sound
The Saginaw and the Swans | ref.no. 1641108 | A surprise moment when a small bevy of swans flew across the bow of the Saginaw far out in Owen Sound harbour
Final Approach | ref.no. 1641311 | The St Marys Challenger and the Saginaw navigate starboard buoys in Owen Sound harbour
St Marys Challenger | ref.no. 1641250 | The ATB (Articulated Tug Barge) St Marys Challenger approaching Owen Sound harbour
Prentiss Brown | ref.no. 1640937 & 1640126 | The tug Prentiss Brown (powering the barge St Marys Challenger) docked in Owen Sound harbour
Cuyahoga Unloading | ref.no. 1643742 & 1643814 | The 620' Cuyahoga unloading salt in the port of Owen Sound
Frontenac Docked | ref.no. 1645267 | Pictorialist style photograph of the 730' Frontenac docking at the grain elevators in the Port of Owen Sound
The Manitoulin | ref.no. 1620375 | Pictorialist style photograph of the 664' freighter Manitoulin in winter dock at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in Owen Sound
Snowed In | ref.no. 1620491 | The 750' foot Great Lakes bulk carrier "Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin" (Canada Steamship Lines) docked on a snowy day in Owen Sound Harbour
Winter Dock | ref.no. 1620843 | The ferry MS Chi Cheemaun, RT Hon Paul E Martin and Algoma Algoway wintering in the Port of Owen Sound
Good Spirits | ref.no. 159993 | The MS Chi-Cheemaun wintering in Owen Sound harbour
Belay | ref.no. 156122 | "Belay" is a shipping term meaning to secure a rope by winding on a pin or cleat. (Plus a full shot of the Brigantine TS Playfair docked in Owen Sound Harbour)
Respect | ref.no. 157011 | Veterans paying respect at Hero-Class Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel CCSG Constable Carriere in Owen Sound harbour
Owen Sound Harbour | ref.no. 157206 | Owen Sound Harbour with CCGS Constable Carrière in background
Risley Redox | ref.no. 159751 | The natural biochemical process of oxidation and reduction, known as "redox" creates interesting texture, colour and patterns in the hull of this Canadian Coast Guard ship
Saginaw | ref.no. 150301 | The Saginaw wintering at the Great lakes Elevator Company dock in Owen Sound Harbour
Coast Guard | ref.no. 159829 | The Icebreaker (and buoy tender) CCGS Samuel Risley in the Port of Owen Sound
Risley Departing | ref.no. 159957 | The Icebreaker (and buoy tender) CCGS Samuel Risley leaves the Port of Owen Sound
East Harbour Night | ref.no. 150163 | Owen Sound's east harbour wall during an unusually mild December
Westfort | ref.no. 151829 | Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Westfort [captured about 25 km east of Owen Sound in Meaford harbour]
Algomarine | ref.no. 150573 & 150302 | Algoma Central's Algomarine laid up for winter in the Port of Owen Sound
USGS Sturgeon | ref.no. 1741672 | American research vessel USGS Sturgeon docked in Owen Sound harbour
Leitch and the Algoway | ref.no. 1746001 | Algoma's John D Leitch & Algoway docked for the winter in the Port of Owen Sound.
