The arrival of the Queen Mary 2 for the first time each year brings out the crowds for both the ship's arrivals and its departures. This year's arrival on July 1 was seen by very few as the harbour was socked in with thick fog accompanied by rain showers. The weather caused the cancellation of many Canada Day events, including the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo parade. The usual fireworks over the harbour were postponed for a week. The Queen Mary 2 passengers would have had a front row seat. The ship also arranged to stay in Halifax overnight and passengers were treated to a bright sunny day today, July 2.
While tied up at Pier 21-22 the ship was tended to by divers from the work boat Allen Clipper. HMCS Oriole also took a close up look outbound for sea.
Departure today was in ideal conditions. The ship also obliged by sailing north about and east of George's Island, making a fine sight.
A perhaps less anticipated arrival each year is the first shipment of grain from the Great Lakes. That usually occurs soon after the opening of the St.Lawrence Seaway in April, or perhaps in May. A June 30 arrival is unusually late, but that was the case this year when the Algoma Mariner arrived.
The Algoma Mariner has been the regular carrier for the past several years. It began to unload immediately on arrival, using its own self-unloader system at pier 26. The ship is due to sail shortly after midnight July 2-3.
Grain is for local consumption by the P+H flour mill (which is also supplied by rail). There is very little grain exported from Halifax anymore.
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