Radcliffe R. Latimer (formerly Algobay and Atlantic Trader) is a lake freighter launched in 1978. The vessel is owned by Algoma Central but operated under charter to Canada Steamship Lines from 1994 to 1997. As Algobay, the bulk carrier was involved in a collision with another lake freighter in 1980. In 2009 the vessel was rebuilt in China for service in the Caribbean Sea. The vessel is currently in service.

Bulk carrier Algobay at Toronto in 2005
History
Name
  • Algobay (1978–1994)
  • Atlantic Trader (1994–1997)
  • Algobay (1997–2012)
  • Radcliffe R. Latimer (2012–present)
OwnerAlgoma Central
BuilderCollingwood Shipbuilding, Collingwood, Ontario
Yard number215
Laid down16 August 1977
Launched19 June 1978
Completed11 October 1978
IdentificationIMO number7711725
Statusin active service
General characteristics
TypeLake freighter
Tonnage
Length
  • 222.5 m (730 ft 0 in) oa
  • 216.5 m (710 ft 4 in) pp
Beam23.2 m (76 ft 1 in)
Propulsion1 × diesel engine
Speed14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)

Description

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As built, the lake freighter was 222.5 m (730 ft 0 in) long overall and 216.5 m (710 ft 4 in) between perpendiculars with a beam of 23.2 m (76 ft 1 in). The ship had a gross register tonnage (GRT) of 22,465 tons and a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 35,028 tons. The vessel was powered by a diesel engine driving one propeller giving the bulk carrier a maximum speed of 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph).[1]

In 1988, the vessel was updated so that Algobay could provide ocean coastal service to South America.[2] In 2009, the vessel was reconstructed in China. The ship's length overall became 226.1 m (741 ft 10 in) and 220.1 m (722 ft 1 in) between perpendiculars with a gross tonnage (GT) of 24,102 tons and a deadweight tonnage of 37,257 tons.[1] The vessel also received new engines.[2]

Service history

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The bulk carrier's keel was laid down on 16 August 1977 by Collingwood Shipbuilding at Collingwood, Ontario, with the yard number 215. The vessel was launched on 19 June 1978 and completed as Algobay on 11 October 1978.[1] Algobay served ports in the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway. On 25 June 1980, she collided with the lake freighter Montrealais in the St. Clair River, damaging the bows of both vessels. Algobay was able to sail under her own power to Sarnia, Ontario, for repairs. No one was hurt, though the collision did close the shipping lane and there was a small oil spill.[3][4][5]

In 1994, the vessel was chartered to Canada Steamship Lines and renamed Atlantic Trader. The charter ended in 1997, when the vessel assumed her previous name.[6]

In 2008–2009, Algobay was rebuilt in China as a self-unloading vessel for service in the Caribbean Sea.[2][6] She ran aground on 4 July 2010 near Chippewa Bay, New York, on the St. Lawrence River while carrying a load of Canadian corn. The vessel spent two days aground on a shoal before refloating and continuing on her voyage to Prescott, Ontario.[7][8] On 4 October 2012, the bulk carrier was renamed Radcliffe R. Latimer for a former chairman of Algoma Central's board of governors.[6][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Algobay (7711725)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Johnson, Dave (4 October 2012). "A ship of distinction". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  3. ^ Wharton, George. "Montrealais". boatnerd.com. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Lakers collide in river". Windsor Star. 25 June 1980. Retrieved 1 October 2017 – via Google News Archive.
  5. ^ "Freighters collide in St. Clair River". Weekend Herald. 25 June 1980. Retrieved 1 October 2017 – via Google News Archive.
  6. ^ a b c Wharton, George. "Radcliffe R. Latimer". boatnerd.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Canadian ship freed from St. Lawrence River shoal". 9WSYR. 7 July 2010. Archived from the original on 5 January 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012. The Algobay ran aground Sunday morning in Chippewa Bay in the St. Lawrence County town of Hammond, 100 miles northeast of Syracuse.
  8. ^ "US Coast Guard responds to vessel aground on St. Lawrence Seaway". BYM News. 5 July 2010. Archived from the original on 12 July 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2012. Algobay, carrying Canadian corn, is hard aground near Singer Castle, approximately 0.35 nautical miles west-northwest of Light 165. The grounding of the Algobay is under investigation and the cause will not be known until the investigation is complete.