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By George Wharton
Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Louis R. Desmarais
Built by Collingwood Shipyards, Collingwood, ON; the self-unloading bulk freighter Louis R. Desmarais was side launched July 8, 1977 for Canada Steamship Lines Ltd., Montreal, PQ. She is powered by 2 Pielstick V-10 cylinder 4,500 horsepower diesel engines feeding through a single reduction gear box to a controllable pitch propeller giving her a rated service speed of 14 knots and is equipped with a bow thruster. The Louis R. Desmarais was built with a flaired bow for winter navigation. She is also equipped with a fitness/recreation room for the benefit of her 32 crew members. Her 22 hatches feed into 5 holds where she can carry 27,200 tons at maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and is capable of carrying 33,000 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 30 feet 3 inches. The Desmarais' self-unloading equipment consists of a gravity flow system feeding a loop belt elevator to a stern mounted 250 foot discharge boom that can be swung 105 degrees to port or starboard. Effective environmental results are achieved with the self-unloader discharge operation with the use of water spraying systems, special dust hoods and trunking arrangements, boom conveyor covers, belt scrapers, and dust extractors. In addition, her hull was fitted for the cement clinker trade in the 1980's.The Louis R. Desmarais has been an active participant in CSL's ship-to-ship coal loading program in the Gulf of St. Lawrence off Sept Isles, PQ. CSL self-unloaders (up to 5 at a time) would meet a giant ocean bulker and load her for overseas destinations. Thus the ocean bulker would not have to enter a port to load and face draft restrictions for load capacities. She has also "topped-off" these giant bulkers in the Canso Strait.
The Desmarais distinguished herself on June 5, 1979 when she spotted the burning Cartiercliffe Hall on Lake Superior and came to her assistance picking up survivors. She, herself, fell victim to an engine room fire on Nov. 27, 1999 on western Lake Ontario when a hydraulic oil line broke spraying oil over the engines. Though a mayday was sent, the crew was able to extinguish the fire with no reported injuries. After repairs and inspections were completed, she was allowed to continue her voyage. At the time, she was carrying a load of cement clinker from Quebec City, PQ to Detroit, MI.
Her current activities for CSL include iron ore from Lake Superior ports to lower lakes ports and cement clinker from various ports to Detroit. Other cargoes have included coal, coke, stone, potash, and grain products.
Overall dimensions Length 730'00" Beam 75'00" Depth 46'06" Capacity (tons) 33,000
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