E. B. Barber 1953 - 1985

Help build this pictorial history
See bottom of page for instructions.

Built by Port Arthur Ship Building Co. Ltd., of Port Arthur, Ont., as hull # 111. Launched as E. B. BARBER on April 11, 1953 for Algoma Central Railway Ltd., of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Sailed on maiden voyage on June 6, 1953. Dimensions: 574' 00" loa x 59' 00" beam x 31' 00" depth 8,619 GRT, 6,056 NRT. Cargo capacity 12,000 tons. Powered by a Parson Marine Turbine Co. triple cross compound steam turbine for a total of 3,300 shp.

Converted to self-unloading vessel with a 225' boom, 8' trunk deck constructed to deepen the hold and a 500 hp KaMeWa bow thruster installed; all of this work was completed at Collingwood Ship Yards of Collingwood, Ont. during the winter of 1963-64. Cargo capacity increased to 13,400 tons after conversion. The E. B. BARBER was the first self-unloading vessel in the Algoma Central Railway fleet.

On October 10, 1964 the E. B. Barber struck an underwater obstruction at Depot Harbor, Ont. causing severe bottom damage. On February 12, 1975 there was a fire in the engine room while laid up at Port Colborne, Ont. The E. B. BARBER collided with the LEWIS WILSON FOY on September 15, 1981 just above the Soo Locks sustaining only minor scratches.

Left Toronto, Ont. under tow of tugs SALVAGE MONARCH and HELEN M. McALLISTER on June 6, 1985 bound for Quebec City, Que. Departed Quebec City along with SAGINAW BAY under tow of Polish tug KORAL bound for Vigo, Spain. Arrived on August 8, 1985 for scrapping by Miguel Martins Periera at Quixar-Vigo, Spain.

April 11, 1953. Launch of the E. B. Barber at Port Arthur Shipbuilding, Port Arthur, Ont. from March 1953 issue of Seaports and the Transport World
(Ron Beaupre collection)

News clip of launch from March 1953 issue of Seaports and the Transport World.
(Ron Beaupre collection)

Postcard view just after launch at Port Arthur Ship Building April 11, 1953.
(From the R. W. White collection)

Postcard stern view just after launch at Port Arthur Ship Building April 11, 1953.
(From the R. W. White collection)

Postcard view of E. B. Barber on Maiden Voyage at Sault Ste. Marie, MI. June 1953.
(Courtesy of John Belliveau)

On Maiden Voyage, June 1953.
(Ron Beaupre collection)

Downbound at Mission Point.
(Photo by Tom Manse)

Postcard view leaving Soo Locks.
(William Forsythe collection)

At Erie Dock in the back channel Cleveland, OH. Mid-1950's.
(Photo by Fred Bultman IV from the Fred Bultman V collection)

With tug Utah at Erie Dock in the back channel Cleveland, OH. Mid-1950's.
(Photo by Fred Bultman IV from the Fred Bultman V collection)

Bow detail Erie Dock in the back channel Cleveland, OH. Mid-1950's.
(Photo by Fred Bultman IV from the Fred Bultman V collection)

With tug Utah at Erie Dock in the back channel Cleveland, OH. Mid-1950's.
(Photo by Fred Bultman IV from the Fred Bultman V collection)

Mid-ship detail and hullets at Erie Dock in the back channel Cleveland, OH. Mid-1950's.
(Photo by Fred Bultman IV from the Fred Bultman V collection)

Stern detail at Erie Dock in the back channel Cleveland, OH. Mid-1950's.
(Photo by Fred Bultman IV from the Fred Bultman V collection)

Stack detail at Erie Dock in the back channel Cleveland, OH. Mid-1950's.
(Photo by Fred Bultman IV from the Fred Bultman V collection)

Stern view at Erie Dock in the back channel Cleveland, OH. Mid-1950's.
(Photo by Fred Bultman IV from the Fred Bultman V collection)

Bow detail at Erie Dock in the back channel Cleveland, OH. Mid-1950's.
(Photo by Fred Bultman IV from the Fred Bultman V collection)

At Erie Dock in the back channel Cleveland, OH. Mid-1950's.
(Photo by Fred Bultman IV from the Fred Bultman V collection)

Upbound at Port Huron, MI.
(Photo by Paul Michaels)

Another view upbound at Port Huron, MI.
(Photo by Paul Michaels)

Postcard view from Ambassador Bridge in Detroit River.
(William Forsythe collection)

In the St. Marys River, 1957.
(Photo by Wesley R. Harkins)

Downbound in the St. Marys River.
(Photo by Tom Manse)

Downbound St. Clair River late 1950's.
(From the J. R. Hoffman Marine Collection)

At Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay), Ont. 1959.
(Photo by A. Schelling from the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

In-ballast. Location unknown 1961.
Photo taken from deck of Algoway (1).
(Photo by S. N. White from the R. W. White collection)

At Port Weller, Ont. June 1961.
(Photo by J. N. Bascom from the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Sailing in-ballast.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

At Imperial Oil Dock, Sarnia, Ont. August 1963.
(Photo by Mary Scott Brookes)

Passing under the Glendale Bridge. New
(Photo by Robert Walton, Skip Gillham collection)

Underway in ballast. New
(Photo by Jim Kidd, Skip Gillham collection)

At Collingwood Shipyards being converted to a self-unloader. February 1964.
(Photo by John Mackay)

Maiden Voyage as newly converted self-unloading vessel. July 22, 1964.
(Photo by Peter Worden from the William Forsythe collection)

Upbound passing under the Bluewater Bridge at point Edward, Ont..
(Ron Beaupre collection)

Loaded in an unknown river.
(Matt Miner collection)

Downbound in the Detroit River 1965.
(Photo by Emory Massman from the R. W. White collection)

Looking aft from the top of the "A" frame of the self unloader equipment 1965.
(From the R. W. White collection)

Officers Dining Room 1965.
(Photo by S. N. White from the R. W. White collection)

Passenger Lounge 1965.
(Photo by S. N. White from the R. W. White collection)

Passenger stateroom 1965.
(Photo by S. N. White from the R. W. White collection)

Upbound at Port Huron.
(Photo by Paul Michaels)

Upbound at Port Huron.
(Photo by Paul Michaels)

Downbound at Port Huron.
(Photo by Paul Michaels from the R. W. White collection)

Upbound on Lake St. Clair, 1968.
(Photo by John G. Mackay)

James E. McGrath towing the Barber out of Lock 2, August 19, 1969. New
(Photo by Alfred Sagon-King, Skip Gillham collection)

Downbound at Port Huron.
(Photo by Jon Paul Michaels)

Downbound at Mission Point, 1970.
(Photo by Tom Manse)

Downbound in the St. Marys River, 1971.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

Downbound in Soo Harbor, August 1971.
(Matt Miner collection)

At Fairport, OH, Spring 1974. Photo taken from the William R. Roesch.
(Photo by Fred Bultman V)

Another view at Fairport, OH, Spring 1974.
Photo taken from the William R. Roesch.
(Photo by Fred Bultman V)

Stern view at Fairport, OH, Spring 1974.
Photo taken from the William R. Roesch.
(Photo by Fred Bultman V)

Another stern view at Fairport, OH, Spring 1974.
Photo taken from the William R. Roesch.
(Photo by Fred Bultman V)

June 1974, location unknown.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Tied up in Port Colborne, March 9, 1975. New
(Photo by Skip Gillham)

Upbound Sault Ste. Marie, MI 1975.
(Photo by Jim Hoffman)

Loading at the Canadian National Ore Dock about 1975.
(Photo by Donald S. Lamke courtesy of Tom Stewart)

Inbound Maumee Bay, Toledo, OH. Late 1970's.
(Photo by Jim Hoffman)

Inbound Maumee Bay, Toledo, OH. Late 1970's.
(Photo by Jim Hoffman)

Approaching C&O Coal Docks, Toledo, OH. Late 1970's.
(Photo by Jim Hoffman)

Approaching C&O Coal Docks, Toledo, OH. Late 1970's.
(Photo by Jim Hoffman)

At the C&O #2 Dock. Toledo, OH waiting to load coal.
(Photo by Jim Hoffman)

Upbound at the Soo. late 1970's.
(Photo by Jim Hoffman)

Upbound at Port Huron. Late 1970's.
(Photo by Jim Hoffman)

Downbound Port Huron, May 20, 1979.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Downbound at Port Huron July, 1979.
(Photo By Lou Gerard Sr.)

Waiting for Lock 2, November 24, 1979. New
(Photo by Skip Gillham)

Upbound in the St. Marys River.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

Just inside the locks of the Chicago River. The E. B. Barber is pointed west, facing downtown. Early 1980's.
(Photo by Rudi Rabe)

Downbound St. Clair River June 21, 1980.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

In the St. Marys River.
(Photo by Tom Manse)

In the Welland Canal near the Allanburg Bridge.
(Photo by Terry McCullough from the John Belliveau collection)

Inbound Port Colborne, Ont. Early 1980's.
(Photo by Jim Hoffman)

In dry-dock at Collingwood, Ont.
(Photo by Wayne Brown)

Inbound Port Colborne, Ont. Early 1980's.
(Photo by Jim Hoffman)

Approaching wharf at Port Colborne, Ont. Early 1980's.
(Photo by Jim Hoffman)

Stern view in ice 1982.
(Photo by Rudi Rabe)

Close up of the stack, 1982. New
(Photo by Skip Gillham)

At Montreal viewed from the Jacques Cartier Bridge. June 28 1984.
(Photo by John McCreery)

Under tow, 1985.
(Photo by Gilles de Villars)

E. B. Barber trip summaries.
(Compiled by Skip Gillham)

A master's discharge book.
(Courtesy Bill Ross)