Grain from the Lakehead

 The first shipment of western Canada grain arrived today, May 1, on the Radcliffe R. Latimer. The ship wasted no time, and using its own self-unloading gear, began to discharge at Pier 25-26. A shoreside hopper leads to a conveyor system that transfers the grain to the Port's grain elevator.

Soon after the St.Lawrence Seaway opens for the season each year there is usually a cargo of grain, and in recent years it has been delivered by the Algoma Central Corp's Radcliffe R. Latimer. This year the ship looks a little different. In February it went for its five year survey to Veracruz, Mexico where it also received a refresh of its hull paint.

This is what the ship looked like late last year:

Ships get lots of wear and tear using the St.Lawrence Seaway locks, and so are given some extra rubbbing strakes, but still suffer from "lock rash". The lower portion of the hull is covered with "bottom paint" that is an antifouling coating that prevents the build up of marine life. Since they release copper or biocides as they wear, they tend to look ratty even though they are still functional. Most hull paint, including botom paint is expected to last five years, and aside from possible patch touchups, is only repainted in drycock.

Since leaving Mexico the Latimer has called in Belledune, NB, March 28 and 29; Port Cartier, QC, April 6 to 8; Montreal April 11, then up through the Seaway and Great Lakes to Thunder Bay, ON where it loaded April 20 to 22. It then repeated the process non-stop to Halifax. 

The Radcliffe R. Latimer began life with the name Algobay when it was built by Collingwood Shipbuilding in 1978. It was built to near maximum Seaway size as a self-unloder but could make extended voyages beyond the Great Lakes region. Initially constructed to "Nova Scotia" class standards, it was upgraded to "Caribbean class" in 1987-88. After operating overseas under foreign flag from1994-97 on charter to CSL and with the name Atlantic Trader, it returned to its original name and Canadian flag. 

In 2008 it was towed to China where a new forebody, built by Chengxi, was insalled. At the same time the ship was re-powered with new Cat engines that can operate on heavy fuel or marine diesel. Its new tonnage figures beame 24,102 gt, 37,257 dwt.

In 2012 the ship was renamed in recognition of the former Chairman of Algoma Central Corporation.  After delivering grain it has often loaded gypsum as a backhaul. 

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