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Don Coles |
Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Canadian Prospector
By George Wharton
Launched as the Carlton(2) on Oct.17, 1963 for Chapman & Willan Ltd.,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England; this ocean bulk freighter was built by
Short Brothers Ltd., Sunderland, England. Her original dimensions were
562' (loa) x 73'09" x 43'02" 20,448 tons (dwt) capacity. She is powered
by a 7500 horsepower supercharged 6 cylinder Gotaverken diesel engine
giving her a rated service speed of 14.5 knots. Lengthened with the
addition of one new cargo hold in 1968 at Amsterdam, Holland; her new
dimensions became 642' (loa) 24710 tons (dwt) capacity. The Carlton was
renamed Federal Wear in 1975 after being sold to Burnet Steamship Co.
Ltd. (subsidiary of Fednav, Montreal, PQ). She was sold again in 1975
to Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd., Toronto, ON and was named St. Lawrence
Prospector. Saint John Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. Ltd., Saint John, NB
lengthened the St. Lawrence Prospector to her current dimensions in 1979
along with the installation of a bow thruster. She was christened March
31, 1979 as the Canadian Prospector.
The Canadian Prospector has 16 hatches feeding into 6 holds. She can
carry 26,300 tons at her maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and is capable
of carrying 30,500 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 27 feet 10 1/2
inches.
Currently sailing under the management of Seaway Bulk Carriers
(partnership of Algoma Central and Upper Lakes Group), the Canadian
Prospector's activities are focused on the grain/iron ore shuttle
between various Great Lakes ports and ports along the Gulf of St.
Lawrence. Her sailings, therefore, are subject to the fluctuations of
the grain industry.
On October 12, 2002 the Prospector was damaged in a
head on collision near the Cote Ste. Catherine Lock with the salt water
ship Stella Nova. Both vessels suffered damage, the Prospector received damage
to her bow and was holed below the waterline. The large hole was caused by the
bulbous bow of the Stella Nova.
The accident occurred as the
Stella Nova was upbound and the Prospector was downbound
for Port Cartier. It appeared that the Stella Nova lost
steering, hitting the Prospector. The Prospector was
repaired later that month and into November at Port Weller
Dry Docks.
Hopefully this well traveled vessel will see many more years of
productive sailings for her owners.
| Overall dimensions |
| Length |
730'00"
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| Beam |
75'10"
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| Depth |
40'06"
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| Capacity (tons) |
30,500 |
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Damaged bow of the heavy lift vessel Stellanova at sec M3 Montreal harbor.
Kent Malo |

Anchored. Marc Piché |