Seaway Queen

Seaway Queen

1959-2004

Seaway Queen, on the St. Marys River, 1990’s. Roger LeLievre

Specs

Build Information

Year Built: 1959

Builder: Port Weller Dry Docks LTD., St. Catharines, ON

Hull #25

Registry: CAN 311399

IMO #5317018

Laid Down: —

Launch Date: May 30, 1959

Commissioned: June 20, 1959

Construction

Seaway Queen was constructed in 1959 by Port Weller Dry Docks as a gearless bulk carrier for Upper Lakes Shipping LTD. She became the flagship of Upper Lakes Shipping when she entered service, and was built at a cost of over $7 Million

The Seaway Queen was a near sister to the Frank A. Sherman of 1958, which was only 36′ shorter than her.

General Stats

Length Overall: 717’03”

Length Between Perpendiculars: 699’10”

Breadth: 72′

Molded Depth: 37′

Loaded Draft: —

Capacity: 24,300 Tons

Vessel Type: Gearless Bulk Carrier

Number of Cargo Holds: —

Number of Hatches: —

Primary Operations: Ore, Grain Trades

Propellers: 1

Rudders: 1

Engineering Equipment

Original

Engine

Engine Type: Steam Turbine

Engine Manufacturer: John Inglis Co. LTD., Toronto, ON

Engine Model: Double Reduction Geared Cross-Compound Steam Turbine

Number of Engines: 1

Rated HP: 7500 SHP

Boiler

Boiler Type: Oil-fired Water Tube Boilers

Boiler Manufacturer: —

Boiler Size: —

Number of Boilers: 2

History

Lineage

Seaway Queen – 1959-1993

Owner: Upper Lakes Shipping LTD., Toronto, ON

Operator: Upper Lakes Shipping LTD.

Flag: Canada

Home Port: Toronto, ON

Seaway Queen – 1993-2004

Owner: Upper Lakes Shipping LTD., Toronto, ON

Operator: Seaway Marine Transport [Partnership between Algoma Central Corp. and Upper Lakes Shipping]

Flag: Canada

Home Port: Toronto, ON

Her Story

Seaway Queen was constructed in 1959 by Port Weller Dry Docks of St. Catharines, ON, as the new flagship for Upper Lakes Shipping. She was constructed at a cost of over $7 Million, and featured luxurious accommodations for company guests. Seaway Queen was christened and floated from drydock on May 30, 1959, and entered service on June 20, 1959.

Seaway Queen was placed in long-term layup in Toronto, ON, on December 20, 1981. She returned to service in 1988, and even delivered the 100 millionth ton of cargo to the Dofasco Steel Mill at Hamilton, ON, on December 20, 1988.

As older, less efficient Canadian steamers were being phased out due to economic changes, Seaway Queen was laid up at Toronto, ON, on December 22, 1999, alongside her fleetmate Canadian Trader. She would remain in layup at Toronto for the next four years, being retired and stripped of valuable equipment.

In mid-2003, Seaway Queen was sold for scrapping, and towed out of Toronto in October. She was towed out of Montreal on October 17, 2003, alongside the Oakglen {2}. As the tow rounded the Cape of Good Hope in Southern Africa, Seaway Queen popped some rivets and began to leak. Heavy duty salvage pumps were used to keep the water inside the hull at a manageable level. The tow arrived at the scrapyard at Alang, India, on February 11, 2004.

Compiled By Brendan Falkowski

Updated on March 4, 2021

Gallery

  • Seaway Queen, stack detail, at the Soo Locks, 1968. Roger LeLievre
  • Seaway Queen, at the Soo Locks, 4/1975. Roger LeLievre
  • Seaway Queen, in winter layup at Port Colborne, ON, 1980’s. Roger LeLievre
  • Seaway Queen, on the St. Marys River, 1990’s. Roger LeLievre
  • Seaway Queen, on the Welland Canal, 1990’s. Roger LeLievre
  • Seaway Queen, on the Welland Canal, 1990’s. Roger LeLievre

Sources

Berry, Sterling P. “Seaway Queen”. Great Lakes Vessel History: Vessel Histories of Sterling P. Berry. N.d. Accessed 4 March 2021. <https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/s/seaway-queen>

Davidson, Todd. “Seaway Queen”. Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online, N.d. Accessed 4 March 2021. <http://boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/seaqun.htm>

Devendorf, John F. Great Lakes Bulk Carriers, 1869-1985. John F. Devendorf, 1996. Pp. 179.