Freighter makes its final trip

After more than four decades traversing the Great Lakes, the Algomarine has embarked on one last voyage.

Dana Andrews, the vessel’s chief engineer, has been using his Facebook account to document the trip, which began on Monday.

“Very emotional for me and all the hundreds of good men and women that have sailed on her,” writes Andrews, a St. Joseph Island resident, in a post.

The Algomarine, a 730-foot self-unloading lake freighter owned by Algoma Central Corp., left Goderich Monday morning with its final load of salt. It will make its way to Montreal, to be towed overseas and scrapped in Turkey.

Boat watchers have been tracking the voyage and posting photos to the Fans of 'Know Your Ships' Facebook group. 

“When I found out the Algomarine was going to be scrapped, I thought 'That’s one of the most beautiful boats that’s on the seaway, and if we’re going to see it, we’ve got to go,'” said Darryn Shabley, of Ridgetown, Ontario.

Shabley made the nearly three-hour journey with his wife, Melissa, and two sons, Owen, 5, and Cameron, 10, to the Welland Canal to see the Algomarine pass through on Tuesday.

Cameron held up a banner reading 'Farewell Algomarine. Best Wishes' for crew aboard the boat.

Shabley, a farm equipment mechanic, said he and his sons have recently taken up boat watching.

“1000 footers are cool, but there’s nothing that looks as nice as a classy lake freighter,” said the father.

Brett Massender now works aboard the Algoma Discovery, but spent three seasons on the Algomarine, which he managed to photograph as the two vessels passed in the Welland Canal on Tuesday.

"It was great to see her pass by one last time. Its amazing it worked out the way it did. Almost a shot in the dark to be able to pass by so close," said Massender. "I spent three great seasons on her which kind of started my career with Algoma. So It even though it wasn't my first ship it was definitely the most memorable."

The Algomarine was originally launched in 1968 as the Lake Manitoba. It was purchased by Algoma Central Corp. 1986, and shortly thereafter renamed.

Until recently, the bulk carrier was a regular visitor to Essar Steel Algoma and Ontario Trap Rock in Bruce Mines.