Lemoyne 1926 - 1969

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Built by the Midland Shipbuilding Co. of Midland, Ont as hull # 16. Launched on June 23, 1926 as GLENMHOR which was soon corrected to GLENMOHR. for the Great Lakes Transportation Co. Ltd. (managed by James Playfair) of Midland, Ont. Dimensions: 633’ loa x 70’ beam x 29’ depth; 10,480 GRT, 7,503 NRT. Powered by a 3,000 ihp triple expansion steam engine and four coal-fired Scotch marine boilers. Before her sea trials were complete the Great Lakes Transportation Co. Ltd. fleet was purchased by Canada Steamship Lines Ltd. of Montreal, Que.

On August 19, 1926 she entered service renamed LEMOYNE and sailed to Sandusky, OH to load a record 15,415 tons of coal. At the time the LEMOYNE was the largest bulk freighter on the lakes and the first with a beam of 70 feet. For over 10 years she held cargo records for coal, ore and grain. On August 6, 1932 the fourth Welland Canal was officially opened with much ceremony when the LEMOYNE, still the largest bulk carrier on the Lakes, locked down the Flight Locks. Her boilers were replaced at Collingwood, Ont. in 1961 with two oil-fired water tube boilers.

The LEMOYNE sailed her last when she arrived at Kingston, Ont. on October 24, 1968 to unload grain and she was converted for storage use. In 1969 the LEMOYNE was sold for scrap and towed overseas along with the GOUDREAU by the Polish tug KORAL to Santander, Spain arriving on June 27. The LEMOYNE was the largest lake freighter to be scrapped up to that time.

Canvas workers installing dodger cloth before launch.
(Photo by J.W. Bald from the Vern Sweeting collection)

Stern view before launch.
(Photo by J.W. Bald from the Vern Sweeting collection)

Glenmhor on the launch ways June 1926. It is believed the gentleman in the long gray coat may be James Playfair inspecting his new ship, his car parked at the bow. The name would be corrected to Glenmohr shortly after this photo was taken.
(Photo by J.W. Bald from the Ron Beaupre collection)

Launch in progress.
(Photo by J.W. Bald from the Vern Sweeting collection)

After launch with Playfair tug guiding ship to final fit-out berth.
(Photo by J.W. Bald from the Vern Sweeting collection)

Miss-spelt name, "Lemoine" (with ";i" instead of"y").
(From the Vern Sweeting collection)

Early view at the Soo.
(Photo by A.E. Young from the Paul C. LaMarre III collection)

Colorized postcard view of previous image.
(From the Post Card Collection of Don Geske)

Postcard view at Midland, Ont.
(From the Post Card Collection of Don Geske)

At the Guard Gate Welland Canal Opening August 6, 1932.
(Photographer unknown from the J. R. Hoffman Collection)

Opening of the fourth Welland Canal on August 6, 1932.
(For the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Opening of the Welland Canal August 6, 1932.
(From the Post Card Collection of Don Geske)

Sailing loaded.
(Photo by Ken Smith from the Ron Beaupre collection)

Arriving at coal dock in Midland, Ont.
(From the Vern Sweeting collection)

Bayport tug docking Lemoyne at Midland elevator for unloading.
(From the Vern Sweeting collection)

Attempting to break ice, Lemoyne and Keewatin leading group of ten boats through windrow at "Giant's Tomb" circa 1941/42.
(From the Vern Sweeting collection)

Underway in the St. Clair River.
(From the Vern Sweeting collection)

Arriving at Huron, OH.
(From the Post Card Collection of Don Geske)

Postcard view loading coal at Huron, OH.
(From the Post Card Collection of Don Geske)

Postcard view in the Welland Canal.
(From the Post Card Collection of Don Geske)

Date and location unknown.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Sailing loaded.
(From the Tom Manse collection)

Upbound St. Clair River at Port Huron, MI.
(Photo by Milton J. Brown from the J. R. Hoffman collection)

In Welland Canal from a Dutch book that was probably meant for Dutch immigrants that went to Canada.
(From the Chris Rombouts collection)

At unknown grain elevator. Thunder Bay, ON?
(From the Tom Manse collection)

Downbound in Lake Huron.
(Photographer unknown from the J. R. Hoffman collection)

Downbound in the Welland Canal.
(Photographer unknown from the J. R. Hoffman collection)

Below Lock 2 in the Welland Canal.
(Photo by Alfred F. Sagon-King. from the J. R. Hoffman)

August of 1957 at Welland Ontario. The Lemoyne is exiting the lock.
The boy on the left is young boatwatcher Terry McCullough.
(From the Terry McCullough collection)

Underway in the Welland Canal.
(Photographer unknown from the J. R. Hoffman collection)

Bridge view upbound Welland Canal.
(Photo by Robert W. Walton from the J. R. Hoffman collection)

Downbound at Mission Point, November 1958. This was the cover photo from the first Know Your Ships book in 1959.
(Photo by Tom Manse)

Downbound at Mission Point, November 1958.
(Photo by Tom Manse)

In the Seaway, date unknown.
(From the Tom Manse collection)

Steamers Lemoyne (left) and Royalton in St. Marys River ice, early 1960's.
(From the Tom Manse collection)

Another view of the Lemoyne and Royalton in ice off Lime Island in the 1960's.
(From the Tom Manse collection)

Stern view "Curteichcolor" postcard image from the Eisenhower Lock in the Seaway.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

In the Detroit River 1961.
(Photo by Gordon Bugby courtesy of MHSD)

Undergoing the replacement of her coal fired boilers at Collingwood, 1961.
(Photo by John G. Mackay)

Lemoyne passes Thomas F. Patton at the Soo Locks, early 1960's.
(Photo by Tom Manse)

Loaded and upbound in the Welland Canal. Summer 1964.
(Photo by Russ Plumb taken from the Irving S. Olds)

In the Welland Canal 1960's.
(Photo by Paul Michaels courtesy of Jon Paul Michaels)

Upbound in the Detroit River. Photo taken from the Ambassador Bridge.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

In the Welland Canal.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

In the Welland Canal.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

In the Welland Canal.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

At Port Colborne, Ont. September 16, 1966.
(Photo by Skip Gillham from the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Downbound in the St. Clair River.
(Photo by Emory Massman from the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

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

Stern view downbound in the St. Marys River.
(Photo by Tom Manse)

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

In the Welland Canal.
(From the Tom Manse collection)

Upbound loaded, St. Marys River. April 27, 1968.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

Fully loaded on a windy day.
(Photo by Dick Metz, Bob Campbell collection)

Passing Port Huron. New
(Nathan Leindecker collection)