I am fortunate to live in a small port city.  Once a major hub on the Great Lakes, commercial activity has dwindled over the years and while still an open port, it sees significantly less marine activity than it did in its glory days. Despite the somewhat limited shipspotting opportunities, I remain fascinated by the beauty of the freighters and other ships that dock here from time to time.  Their scale, rustic lines and often worn and battered textures make for great photographic fodder. I am drawn to them. 
St Marys Conquest

This ship was built in 1937 as a classic steam powered tanker and was originally christened the Conquest. After being converted to a self-unloading barge in 1986 she has undergone several ownership and name changes and is presently sailing as the St Marys Conquest (St Marys Cement Company). This 436.5’ articulated barge is seen here coming into port at Owen Sound powered by the 155’ pusher tug Bradshaw McKee.

The Conquest
A gaggle of Canada geese stand guard as the St Marys Conquest makes way for Owen Sound harbour. 
HMCS Oriole 

Built in 1921 and commissioned in 1954, the tall ship HMCS (Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship) Oriole is the oldest ship in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). 

Oldest Ship In The Canadian Navy

The 102 foot long vessel was built in 1921 as the flag ship for the Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) in Toronto. It was commissioned by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in 1954 and continues to serve the RCN for training and public outreach.

Tall Ship HMCS Oriole
Normally stationed in Atlantic Canada, the 1921 tall ship HMCS Oriole is seen here docked in the port of Owen Sound while on a promotional tour of the Great Lakes
Vintage Tall Ship Deck
Looking on deck at the vintage tall ship HMCS Oriole
Owen Sound Inner Harbour
The Algoma Compass as seen from the Giche-name-wiikwedong Bridge (aka 10 Street Bridge) in Owen Sound
CCGS Griffon

Canadian Coast Guard Ship Griffon is a high endurance multi-tasked vessel and light icebreaker stationed in Prescott, Ontario, Canada. The Griffon was built by Davie Shipbuilding (Lauzon, Quebec). She was completed and entered service in April 1970. This 234’ ship typically provides icebreaking services along eastern Lake Ontario and upriver along the Saint Lawrence River to Montreal. She is seen here in a rare docking in the Port of Owen Sound.

CCGS Griffon
Canadian Coast Guard Ship Griffon on a short stop over in the Port of Owen Sound
Griffon in the Mist
The CCGS Griffon docked in a cold and misty Owen Sound harbour
CSL Frontenac
The Great Lakes freighter Frontenac docked in the port of Owen Sound during a winter storm.
Frontenac Laid Up For Winter

A wide panorama of the Frontenac (Canadian Steamship Lines) docked near the Miller solo in Owen Sound harbour with the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the background.

The Compass and the Frontenac

The Algoma Compass and the Canada Steamship Lines Frontenac docked for winter layup in the port of Owen Sound.

St Marys and the Saginaw
Lining up the shot as the barge St Marys Challenger powered by the tug Prentiss Brown turns out into Georgian Bay at the same time as the freighter Saginaw sails forward into the Port of Owen Sound​​​​​​​
Algoma Trio: Compass, Sault and Innovator in Owen Sound © Irwin Seidman
Algoma Trio
Algoma Central Corporation Great Lakes freighters, Compass, Sault and Innovator docked in the Georgian Bay port of Owen Sound.
Algoma Sault and Algoma Innovator © Irwin Seidman
Sault & Innovator

Named after the city of Sault Ste. Marie, the 740’ Algoma Sault was built in 2017 (and entered service 2018).  The Equinox Class freighter is seen here docked along with the Algoma Innovator in the port of Owen Sound.

Algoma Sault © Irwin Seidman
Algoma Sault
The 740’ Algoma Sault sailing past the port hand buoy marker and into Owen Sound harbour.  Built for carrying cargoes like ore, grain, or coal, on the Great Lakes, this Equinox class freighter was launched in 2018.
The Compass and the Innovator © Irwin Seidman
The Compass and the Innovator

Algoma Central Corp. bulk carriers Compass and Innovator are seen here in 2021 laid up for the winter in the port of Owen Sound.  

Ice Fishing with the Innovator © Irwin Seidman
Ice Fishing with the Innovator

A lone ice fisher stand in silence looking at the 650' Algoma Innovator from a unique perspective out on the frozen waters of Owen Sound harbour. 

Winter Compass © Irwin Seidman
Winter Compass

Originally launched in 1973 as the Roger M. Kyes, the ship was sold and renamed the Adam E Cornelius on 1989.  In 2017 this 680' bulk carrier was sold to Algoma Central Corp and renamed the Algoma Compass.   She is seen here docked for the winter near the Miller silos in Owen Sound.

Farewell Algomarine © Irwin Seidman
Farewell Algomarine

Launched in 1968 as the Lake Manitoba, this 730’ straight-deck bulk carrier was sold and renamed the Algomarine in 1987. She is seen here in 2015 docked in Owen Sound for what would be her last winter. The following spring she was de-registered and sold for scrap. 

Buffalo Turning © Irwin Seidman
Buffalo Turning

This time lapse composition shows the Great Lakes freighter Buffalo (Algoma) doing a 180° turn out in the bay before it begins its night approach into Owen Sound harbour.

Algoma Great Lakes Freighters Compass and Buffalo © Irwin Seidman
Algoma Great Lakes Freighters Compass and Buffalo

The 680’ Algoma Compass (left) and the 634’ Algoma Buffalo are seen here laid up for winter maintenance in the port of Owen Sound.  

St Marys and the Saginaw © Irwin Seidman
St Marys and the Saginaw (version two)
Lining up the shot as the barge St Marys Challenger powered by the tug Prentiss Brown turns out into Georgian Bay at the same time as the freighter Saginaw sails forward into the Port of Owen Sound​​​​​​​
Loadlines © Irwin Seidman
Loadlines
Loadlines and other markings on the rusted hull of the Algoma Compass
Draftmarks © Irwin Seidman
Loadlines
Loadlines and other markings on the Algoma Compass
Algoway © Irwin Seidman
Algoway

A small flock of Canada Geese do a low level fly by as the Algoma Algoway heads back out on the Great Lakes from the Port of Owen Sound 

Algoma Compass © Irwin Seidman
Algoma Compass
Seen here backing into port at Owen Sound, the search lights of the Algoma Compass search the surrounding waters for obstructions.
Manitoulin Unloading © Irwin Seidman
Manitoulin Unloading

The 664' Manitoulin (Lower Lakes Towing) unloads at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the Port of Owen Sound

Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin © Irwin Seidman
Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin

Canada Steamship Line freighter Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin leaves the port of Owen Sound and heads back out into Georgian Bay

Chi-Cheemaun © Irwin Seidman
Chi-Cheemaun

The Chi-Cheemaun (aka The Big Canoe) is a seasonal ferry connecting Manitoulin Island with the Bruce Peninsula.  She is seen here docked for the winter in her port of registry, Owen Sound.

Mississagi Docked © Irwin Seidman
Mississagi Docked

The Mississagi (Lower Lakes Towing Ltd) is docked in Owen Sound harbour along side the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos.

Mississagi Unloading Aggregate © Irwin Seidman
Unloading Aggregate

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

St Marys Challenger © Irwin Seidman
St Marys Challenger

The 551' articulated barge St Marys Challenger powered by the tug Prentiss Brown docked at the Miller Silo in the Port of Owen Sound

USGS Sturgeon © Irwin Seidman
USGS Sturgeon

Built 1974, the USGS Sturgeon was retrofitted and commissioned in 2004 by the United States Geological Survey (Department of the Interior).  It is part of five vessel fleet belonging to the USGS Great Lakes Science Centre in Ann Arbor Michigan. It primary function is to study the health of Great Lakes ecosystem and environment.  The Sturgeon is seen here docked along the east harbour wall in Owen Sound

Frozen Commander © Irwin Seidman
Frozen Commander
A frozen glaze of water and icicles covers the Great Lakes barge Commander in Owen Sound Harbour
Commander © Irwin Seidman
Commander

The newly converted articulated barge Commander powered by the tug Bradshaw McKee is seen here docked at the Miller silos in the port of Owen Sound. 

CSL Whitefish Bay © Irwin Seidman
CSL Whitefish Bay

The Whitefish Bay was built in 2013.  A 740’ self-unloading lake freighter, she is the third of Canada Steamship Lines Trillium-class ships.  The ship is seen her docked at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the port of Owen Sound.

John D Leitch © Irwin Seidman
John D Leitch

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

Algoma Buffalo © Irwin Seidman
Algoma Buffalo

The Great Lakes freighter Buffalo was built in 1978 by Bay Shipbuilding Co. (Sturgeon Bay, WI).  In late 2017 this 634’ ship was sold to the Algoma Central Corp. (St. Catharines, ON) and renamed the Algoma Buffalo.

Algoma Harvester © Irwin Seidman
Algoma Harvester
The Algoma Harvester docked for the winter in the Port of Owen Sound
Frontenac Docked © Irwin Seidman
Frontenac Docked

The lake freighter Frontenac (CSL) is docked for the winter at the Great lakes Elevator Company silos in Owen Sound harbour.  

CSL Frontenac © Irwin Seidman
CSL Frontenac

Built for Canada Steamship Lines by Davie Shipbuilding (Lauzon, Quebec) in 1967, the Frontenac is a 730’ straight deck bulk carrier.  She is seen here docked at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the port of Owen Sound.

St Marys Challenger © Irwin Seidman
The St Marys Challenger

The articulated barge St Marys Challenger powered by the tug Prentiss Brown makes way for Owen Sound harbour with a load of aggregate

Mississagi Unloading © Irwin Seidman
Mississagi Unloading

Seen here offloading aggregate at Great Lakes Elevator Company site in the Port of Owen Sound, the 620’ Mississagi was originally built in 1943 for the United States Maritime Commission and originally sailed under the name Hill Annex. A L6-S-B1 Maritime Class vessel, she was designed during World War II to carry iron ore to steel mills producing tanks, artillery, aircraft, and other supplies for the war effort. After undergoing a conversion from steam to diesel and several ownership and name changes over the years she was re-registered under the Canadian flag in 2001 and named after the Mississagi Straight in northern Lake Huron.

The Whitefish Bay © Irwin Seidman
The Whitefish Bay

Grey skies frame the Trillium Class Great Lakes freighter Whitefish Bay as she unloads at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silo in Owen Sound.

Winter lay Up: Algoway and Leitch © Irwin Seidman
Winter lay Up: Algoway and Leitch

The 640’ Algoway (Algoma) in winter dock along side the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos along with  the 730’ John D Leitch (Algoma) laid up beside the Miller Silos in the Port of Owen Sound

Algoway in Snow © Irwin Seidman
Algoway in Snow
Algoma Algoway layed up for winter at the Great Lakes Elevator Company dock in the Port of Owen Sound
Winter Owen Sound Harbour II © Irwin Seidman
Winter Owen Sound Harbour II

The Algoway (Algoma Central Corp) and the Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin (Canada Steamship Lines) wintering in Owen Sound harbour

Saginaw in Winter © Irwin Seidman
Saginaw in Winter

Seen here in 2015 at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the port of Owen Sound, the 639’ Saginaw was built in 1953 and originally sailed under the name John J. Boland

CCGS Samuel Risley © Irwin Seidman
CCGS Samuel Risley

Currently assigned to the Great Lakes, this 228' Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker and buoy tender is responsible for keeping an ice-free passage between Port Colborne, Ontario and Thunder Bay, Ontario.  She is seen here docked in the port of Owen Sound after clearing ice and making a path for ships entering the harbour for winter layup.

Risley, Olympic & Chi-Cheemaun © Irwin Seidman
Risley, Olympic & Chi-Cheemaun
Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker and buoy tender Samuel Risley, Great Lakes freighter Algoma Olympic and ferry MS Chi Cheemaun docked for the winter in the Port of Owen Sound
The Manitoulin © Irwin Seidman
The Manitoulin

The Great Lakes carrier “Manitoulin” docked on a snowy January day in Owen Sound Harbour.  (Pictorialized composition with map of Georgian Bay watermarked.)

Snowed In © Irwin Seidman
Snowed In

The 750' Great Lakes bulk carrier "Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin" (Canada Steamship Lines) docked for winter repairs in the Port of Owen Sound

Algoway by Night © Irwin Seidman
Algoway by Night
The 640' Algoma Algoway lit up at night in Owen Sound harbour
Martin and Algoway © Irwin Seidman
Martin and the Algoway

The Canada Steamship Lines  freighter Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin and the Algoma Algoway framed behind the old harbour pilings in the Port of Owen Sound

The Algoma Algoway

This mid-sized Great Lakes self-unloading bulk carrier was launched in at the Collingwood Shipyards in 1972 as the Algoma Algoway. In 2018 she was retired and sadly scrapped for raw materials. The Algoway is seen here on one of her many runs into the Port of Owen Sound.

Battered Algoway © Irwin Seidman
Battered Algoway
A close up of the worn battered and rusted hull of the Algoma Agloway
Algoway Turning

The Algoma Algoway leaving Owen Sound for the last time.  Seen here in 2017, the 640’ Great Lakes Freighter is backing out of port and turning towards the open waters of Georgian Bay.  After serving the Great Lakes for more than 45 years, she was decommissioned and scrapped in 2018.  

CCGS Constable Carrière © Irwin Seidman
CCGS Constable Carrière

Launched in 2013, the 140'Constable Carrière is one of nine Hero-class patrol vessel constructed by Halifax Shipyards for the Canadian Coast Guard.  It is part of a joint effort between the Coast Guard and the RCMP Marine Security Enforcement Team to enhance national security, respond to potential threats, and safeguard and address federal water enforcement issues. The ship is named after RCMP Constable J.L. Francois Carriere who died serving Canada on November 30, 1997.

Algoway on Ice © Irwin Seidman
Algoway on Ice

One of the last photographs of the Algoma Algoway docked in Owen Sound harbour.  The magnificent 640' freighter was decommissioned and sadly scrapped for raw materials shortly after this image was captured.

Whitefish Bay
Canada Steamship Lines freighter Whitefish Bay docked at the grain elevators in the port of Owen Sound
Algoma Olympic © Irwin Seidman
Algoma Olympic

Seen here on one of her last visit to Owen Sound, the 730’ Olumpic is docked along the east harbour wall.  After servicing the Great Lakes for more than 42 years, she was decommissioned and scrapped in 2018.

Cuyahoga at Great Lakes Elevator Company Silos © Irwin Seidman
Cuyahoga at Great Lakes Elevator Company Silos

Originally launched in 1943 as the Mesabi for the United States Maritime Commission, this ship was used in World War II to transport raw materials to the steel mills that were producing tanks, artillery, aircraft, and other supplies for the war effort.  In 1995 she was sold to Lower Lakes Towing Ltd and renamed the Cuyahoga.

Cuyahoga Up Close © Irwin Seidman
Cuyahoga Up Close
The Great Lakes freighter Cuyahoga docked at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the port of Owen Sound 
Late Harbour Snow II © Irwin Seidman
Late Harbour Snow II

An unusual snowy April day made for some interesting photographs. This shot captured four ships docked in Owen Sound harbour. From left to right they are the Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin, the Olympic, the Chi Cheemaun and the Cuyahoga.

Propeller © Irwin Seidman
Ships Propeller 
Controllable Pitch Propeller on Great Lakes freighter
Anchor Chain © Irwin Seidman
Anchor Chain
Anchor chains and load markings on the hull of the Algoma Algoway
The Inner Harbour
Looking north along Owen Sound's inner harbour  - MS Chi Cheemaun, Hon Paul E Martin and Algoma Algoway
St Marys Cement II  © Irwin Seidman
St Marys Cement II 

Looking north from Owen Sound’s inner harbour, this image captures the barge St Marys Cement II (powered by the tug Sea Eagle II) docked at the Miller silo.

The Saginaw and the Swans © IRwin Seidman
The Saginaw and the Swans

This 640' freighter Saginaw was originally launched in 1953 as the John J. Boland. She was sold and renamed the Saginaw in 1999. She is seen here being welcomed by a flock of seven Mute Swans as she sailing into port at Owen Sound.

Tug Prentiss Brown © Irwin Seidman
Tug Prentiss Brown
The tug Prentiss Brown (powering the barge St Marys Challenger) docked beside the Miller solos in Owen Sound harbour 
Cuyahoga Docked © Irwin Seidman
Cuyahoga Docked

The Cuyahoga is the second oldest Canadian registered ship still in active service on the Great Lakes.  In this image she is unloading at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the port of Owen Sound.

The MV Saginaw © Irwin Seidman
The MV Saginaw

The lake 640' freighter MV Saginaw was launched as John J. Boland in 1953.  It is seen here docked at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the port of Owen Sound

Manitoulin © Irwin Seidman
Manitoulin

Sailing under the Lower Lakes Towing Ltd (Port Dover) flag, the 662’ Self Discharging Bulk Carrier Manitoulin
is seen here making a late day docking at the Great Lakes Elevator Company silos in the port of Owen Sound

Cuyahoga Unloading Salt © Irwin Seidman
Lower Lakes Towing Ltd​​​​​​​

Lower Lakes Towing Ltd freighter Cuyahoga unloading salt on the Great Lakes Elevator Company dock in the port of Owen Sound

Risley at Night © Irwin Seidman
Risley at Night
Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley lit up at night in front of the Miller Silo in Owen Sound harbour
Olympic Wintering in Owen Sound © Irwin Seidman
Olympic Wintering in Owen Sound

The 730’ self-unloading bulk carrier Olympic was launched in 1976.  She is seen here in Owen Sound harbour for the last time in 2017. The Olympic sailed the Great Lakes until 2018 when she was taken out of service and scrapped overseas.  Also seen towards the mouth of the harbour is the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley along with two other Algoma ships, the John D Leitch and the Algoway.

Ice Fishing © Irwin Seidman
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing in the harbour at Owen Sound
Canada Steamship Lines © Irwin Seidman
Canada Steamship Lines
CSL Whitefish Bay at the grain elevators in Owen Sound harbour
Goodbye Algoma Olympic © Irwin Seidman
Goodbye Algoma Olympic

The Algoma Olympics ailing out of Owen Sound harbour for the last time.  The 42 year old lake freighter was decommissioned in 2018.

The Paul Martin Steams PastThe Algoway © Irwin Seidman
The Paul Martin Steams Past The Algoway

The 750' Great Lakes freighter Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin (Canada Steamship Lines) disembarks from the Port of Owen Spound.  She is seen here sailing past the Algoway (Algoma) which os still docked at the very edge of the western pier. 

Saginaw Approaching © Irwin Seidman
Saginaw Approaching
The 640' Great Lakes freighter Saginaw approaches Owen Sound harbour
MS Chi Cheemaun © Irwin Seidman
MS Chi Cheemaun

An icon on Georgian Bay, the Chi-Cheemaun (aka ‘The Big Canoe’) is seen here preparing for the upcoming summer season while still in winter dock in Owen Sound  

Huron Explorer © Irwin Seidman
Huron Explorer

Built in 2010, the 65’ Huron Explorer 1 is an Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources research vessel providing assessment and research to support the Great Lakes fisheries.  She is seen here docked in Meaford harbour.

Olympic Gold © Irwin Seidman
Olympic Gold
Golden hour rises around the Algoma Olympic in the Port of Owen Sound
Algoma Olympic © Irwin Seidman
Algoma Olympic

The Algoma Olympic is seen here docked in Owen Sound harbour on her last visit to the Great Lakes port city.  Build in 1976, the 730' lake freighter was taken out of service and sent to the scrapyard in Aliaga, Turkey on 2018.

MS Chi-Cheemaun Heading For Winter Port © Irwin Seidman
MS Chi-Cheemaun Heading For Winter Port

MS Chi-Cheemaun is a passenger and vehicle ferry.  She provides summer service running between Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula and South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island. Nicknamed the Big Canoe, she is seen here heading to winter layup in her home port of Owen Sound.

Algoma Algomarine © Irwin Seidman
Algoma Algomarine
Algoma Central's Algomarine laid up for winter in the Port of Owen Sound 
Cape Discovery and Algoma Innovator © Irwin Seidman
Cape Discovery and Algoma Innovator
CCGS Cape Discovery and Algoma Innovator in the Port of Goderich on Lake Huron
Draftmarks © Irwin Seidman
Draftmarks
Rusted etched markings on the worn and battered hull of the John D Leitch (Algoma)
CCGC Westfort © Irwin Seidman
CCGC Westfort
Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Westfort on shore in Meaford Harbour (Ontario, Canada)
Belay © Irwin Seidman
Belay

"Belay" is a shipping term meaning to secure a rope by winding on a pin or cleat.  (The Brigantine TS Playfair docked in Owen Sound Harbour)

Playfair © Irwin Seidman
Playfair
The Brigantine TS Playfair docked in Owen Sound Harbour
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