Signed Memorandum of Understanding prioritizes Canadian-produced steel, boosting domestic industry through Seaspan’s heavy polar icebreaker
July 15, 2025 — North Vancouver, B.C. — Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards (Seaspan) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Stigterstaal Canada and Algoma Steel Inc. to explore a strategic partnership aimed at reestablishing a domestic steel supply chain focused on bolstering and expanding shipbuilding in Canada.
The memorandum provides a framework for the three companies to assess the feasibility of Algoma Steel supplying Class and non-Class steel to Seaspan through Stigterstaal, who will act as a commercial and logistical subcontractor. All parties will engage in discussions to evaluate technical, commercial and logistical requirements for Seaspan’s first-in-class icebreaker build. The collaboration also seeks to strengthen Canadian industrial capabilities and support the long-term sustainability of the national shipbuilding sector.
In April, Seaspan began construction on the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) new heavy polar icebreaker. This will be the only heavy Polar Icebreaker to be fully built in Canada and, once delivered, will be the largest and most capable ship in the CCG’s fleet. The ship will be used for scientific expeditions, search and rescue missions, and protecting Canada’s Arctic sovereignty. Capable of breaking 2.5 metres of ice continuously, the ship will be used for year-round operations in the Arctic. The heavy icebreaker is the seventh vessel designed and built by Seaspan under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).
The MoU aligns with Seaspan’s broader efforts to increase the use of Canadian-made materials in shipbuilding under the NSS and foster collaboration across the country’s industrial base. Through the NSS, Seaspan is delivering tangible industrial and regional benefits to the marine industry across Canada. Seaspan’s NSS supply chain now includes more than 800 Canadian companies resulting in more than $3 billion in contracts.
Quotes
“This signed Memorandum of Understanding paves the way for Seaspan, Stigterstaal and Algoma to build on our shared goals of mutual economic benefits to our nation. Seaspan is committed to partnering with Algoma and Stigterstaal for future shipbuilding initiatives, ensuring that knowledge from other shipbuilding and icebreaking jurisdictions is developed in Canada.”
— Kate Morton, Vice President, Supply Chain Management, Seaspan
“At Stigterstaal Canada, we are extremely proud to be part of rebuilding the Canadian shipbuilding industry alongside partners like Algoma. Over the past few years, a significant upgrade has taken place at the mill in Sault Ste. Marie, transforming it into one of the most modern heavy plate mills in the Western Hemisphere. Together with Seaspan, we are committed to maximizing the use of Canadian steel in their future projects. In close collaboration with Algoma, we are taking the necessary steps to make this a reality.”
— Ronald de Groot, CEO, Stigterstaal Canada
“Algoma Steel is proud to support Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy and serve as a strategic supplier to the country’s infrastructure and defense sectors. With the completion of our plate mill modernization and the ongoing transformation to Electric Arc Furnace steelmaking, we are well positioned to deliver high-quality, made-in-Canada steel for critical national projects. This collaboration underscores our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our customers and advancing Canadian industry through reliable, domestically produced steel.”
— Christopher Ford, Chief Commercial Officer, Algoma Steel, Inc.
About Seaspan
Seaspan is a leader in Canada’s ship design, engineering, building and ship repair industry. With modern facilities and a dedicated workforce of about 4,300 people in North Vancouver and Victoria, the company has proven itself to be a trusted and strategic partner on a range of complex projects for both government and the private sector.
About Stigterstaal
Stigterstaal is a global supplier of high-quality steel products, servicing the maritime and offshore industries with a strong focus on customer service and supply chain efficiency. Stigterstaal has committed to meeting 100% Canadian Content on Seaspan’s NSS programs through both direct and indirect investments to support Canada’s Industrial & Regional Benefits (IRB) policies.
About Algoma Steel Inc.
Based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Algoma Steel is a fully integrated Canadian producer of hot and cold rolled steel sheet and plate, serving key sectors such as automotive, construction, energy, defense, and manufacturing. As Canada’s only discrete plate producer and home to one of North America’s lowest-cost hot rolled coil facilities, Algoma is advancing its transition to Electric Arc Furnace technology to deliver lower-emission, made-in-Canada steel. With a legacy of steelmaking and a focus on sustainability, Algoma is helping build better lives and a greener future.
The Wreck of the Eber Ward – Straits of Mackinac
The waters of the Great Lakes have long served as vital transportation routes for the movement of raw materials, manufactured goods, and people. But they have also been treacherous, claiming thousands of ships throughout history. One of the most haunting of these tragedies is the wreck of the Eber Ward, a steel-hulled freighter that met its end in the icy waters of the Straits of Mackinac in the early spring of 1909.
A Ship Built for Industry
The Eber Ward was a steel freighter built in 1888 by F.W. Wheeler & Co. in West Bay City, Michigan. The vessel, named after Eber Brock Ward (one of the original owners of the Detroit-based Ward Line), was designed to haul iron ore, coal, and other heavy bulk materials across the upper Great Lakes. Measuring 213 feet long and 37 feet wide, the Eber Ward was among the more modern vessels of its day, with a robust steam engine and steel construction that allowed for better endurance in rugged lake conditions.
Despite her sturdy build, the Eber Ward would eventually fall victim to the very environment she was designed to withstand.
A Fateful Voyage
On April 20, 1909, the Eber Ward departed from Duluth, Minnesota, carrying a cargo of corn bound for Port Huron, Michigan. The voyage was early in the shipping season, and the crew of 14, led by Captain Tim Kelley, knew they would likely encounter lingering ice in the upper lakes, especially in the Straits of Mackinac—a notorious bottleneck between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
As the freighter neared the Straits, the crew encountered increasingly dense ice fields. Rather than wait or reroute, Captain Kelley made the decision to push ahead. The ship had steel hull reinforcements, and he believed it could handle the conditions. However, this confidence would prove fatal
The Wreck
Around 9:00 a.m., just northwest of Mackinac Island, disaster struck. As the Eber Ward plowed into the ice, the pressure crushed the bow of the ship. Steel plates buckled under the strain, and water rushed into the forward compartments. The impact was so severe that the ship began sinking within minutes.
With the ship doomed, the crew scrambled for lifeboats. The icy water and shifting ice floes made launching them difficult. Only one lifeboat made it to safety. Of the 14 men aboard, five perished in the frigid waters, including the ship’s first mate and several deckhands. A passing vessel, the George Stephenson, which heard their cries for help eventually rescued the survivors.
Controversy and Investigation
An official investigation by the U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service followed the sinking of the Eber Ward. The findings concluded that Captain Kelley had acted with poor judgment in attempting to force the ship through dangerous ice conditions. They found him negligent and suspended his captain’s license for a period. This decision underscored a broader concern about the pressures placed on captains to maintain tight shipping schedules, even at the risk of their crews and cargo.
Rediscovery and Diving the Wreck
Today, the Eber Ward rests upright on the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac in 147 feet of water with her decking at 120 feet, remarkably well-preserved due to the cold freshwater of Lake Michigan. The wreck is located within the boundaries of the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve, an underwater park established to protect and promote the historical legacy of these lost vessels.
Experienced technical divers consider the wreck of the Eber Ward a premier dive site because of its depth and condition. Much of the ship’s structure remains intact, including its bow, stern, and a large section of the deckhouse. The ice crushed the bow, and divers can see the twisted metal, a silent reminder of the ship’s violent encounter.
Cold water has also preserved many artifacts, including the ship’s anchor windlass, its boiler, and even parts of the cargo. In some accounts, corn kernels can still be found scattered in the holds. The lifeboat davits remain visible, giving divers an eerie glimpse into the last desperate moments of the crew.
Legacy
The story of the Eber Ward serves as a cautionary tale in the annals of Great Lakes shipping history. It highlights the dangers of spring navigation, the limits of early steel ship design, and the human cost of poor decision-making under pressure. It also exemplifies the resilience of those who made their living on these waters, battling not only the elements but also economic demands and the unforgiving nature of the Great Lakes.
The wreck continues to captivate historians, divers, and maritime enthusiasts alike. As one of the more accessible and visually striking shipwrecks in the Straits of Mackinac, the Eber Ward offers a rare underwater window into the past, where the story of industry, risk, and loss is etched forever in steel and wood beneath the surface.
Text and graphics by Curt Bowen
Photography by Chris Roxburgh
To see complete story and all photos go to this link: https://advanceddivermagazine.com/eberward.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawLo8IRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFERXZ6U2d0MGh2UFNzbGNxAR6fjeYXMBPqn1F5J7k3f5DxKpRJndOkMtxHLzlw8nAHNVMhwaeKPHzmtiWH1w_aem_0dXzroAGkwyNgvXCDbGBmA
ISMA Grand Lodge Convention Jan. 28-Feb. 1 in Duluth
Lodge # 12 has announced that sponsorships and convention book advertising are now open. For more info about sponsoring or advertising, please visit their website at https://ismalodge12.com
Tickets On Sale for MHSD Detroit River Cruise
Join members of the Marine Historical Society of Detroit aboard the passenger vessel Diamond Belle for a three-hour cruise from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, September 14, on the Detroit River.
We will do our best to get up close to freighter traffic. Snacks and refreshments will be available on the boat, which leaves from the Cullen Plaza at the foot of Rivard Street (1340 Atwater St.) Detroit.There is parking at Cullen Plaza (which often fills up early) and there is street and garage parking nearby.
Tickets are $28.50 (at the dock $30 cash or check only if space is still available). To buy tickets by mail, send a check, payable to the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, to MHSD Cruise, 1020 Iroquois St., Detroit, MI 48214. Late orders will not be mailed; they will be held for you at the dock. To pay by credit or debit card, go to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6672663.
No refunds after September 7. We are limiting the number to 100 passengers so there will be plenty of room to move about the boat. Reserve now!
Marine Historical Society of Detroit
