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Loading	Rod Burdick

Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Sauniere

By George Wharton

Initially launched as the ocean bulk carrier Brooknes on Sept.2, 1970; this vessel was built by Lithgows Ltd., Glasgow, Scotland for "Langra" Schiffahrsges G.m.b.H. & Co., Hamburg, Germany. Her original dimensions were 520'04" (loa) x 74'10" x 42'00" with a capacity of 21200 tons (dwt). She was powered by two 4400 horsepower 8 cylinder diesel engines driving a controllable pitch propeller giving her a rated service speed of 15 knots and was fitted with a 600 horsepower bow thruster.

The Sauniere was acquired by Algoma Central Corp., Sault Ste. Marie, ON in 1975 after which she was lengthened to her current dimensions by Swan Hunter Ship Repairers, Northshields, England. In 1976, she was renamed Algosea and was converted that year to a self-unloader. Her self-unloading equipment consists of a triple row hopper/belt system feeding a 245 foot stern mounted discharge boom. She has 9 hatches feeding into 7 holds where she can carry 18850 tons at maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and is capable of carrying 23900 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 30 feet 5 inches. May 1982 saw the Algosea repowered with 2 Krupp 4392 horsepower 6 cylinder diesel engines.

Algoma renamed her Sauniere in 1982 after entering into a long term charter agreement with SOQUEM (Societe Quebecoise d'Exploration Miniere), Quebec City, PQ. The Sauniere currently remains under charter to SOQUEM carrying salt between the Magdalen Islands (in the Gulf of St. Lawrence) and Great Lakes ports. April 6, 1999 saw the Sauniere depart the Novadock, Halifax, NS after a lengthy refit. Included in the refit was a complete repainting of her hull with the inclusion of Algoma's crest and 100th anniversary banner but retaining the stack markings of her charterers (SOQUEM).

Overall dimensions
Length	642'10"
Beam	74'10"
Depth	42'00"
Capacity (tons)	23,900