Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature --
Quebecois
By George Wharton
Built be Canadian Vickers Ltd., Montreal, PQ, the Quebecois was launched in 1963 for Papachristidis Co. Ltd. of Montreal, PQ. She is one of only a few vessels that can claim the
distinction of retaining her original launched name. The vessel is equipped with a bow thruster and is powered by a Canadian General Electric Type MD70 steam turbine engine rated at 9,896 horsepower at 103 r.p.m. The traditionally styled Seaway straight-decker has 20 hatches feeding into 5 holds. She can carry 25,600 tons at maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and is capable of carrying 27,800 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 27 feet 8 inches.
While sailing for Papachristidis, the majority of her cargos consisted of grain from Canadian and American Great Lakes ports to grain elevators along the St. Lawrence River with return loads of iron ore from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to American steel companies.
Just prior to the 1972 navigation season, Papachristidis Ltd. sold the Quebecois along with her fleet mates Montrealais, Grande Hermine, Hamiltonian, and Feux-Follets to Upper Lakes Shipping, Toronto, ON. As with the Quebecois, the Montrealais retained her name, the Grande Hermine renamed the Canadian Mariner, the Hamiltonian renamed the Canadian Hunter, and the Feux-Follets renamed the Canadian Leader.
The Quebecois remains active managed by ULS Corp. under charter to Seaway Bulk Carriers (partnership of Algoma Central and Upper Lakes Group) principally carrying grain and iron ore cargos along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River trade routes.
Hopefully this vessel will continue to be profitable carrier for her owners although her oil-fired engine is more expensive to operate. She remains a great sight to a boat-watcher's
eyes!
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