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Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catherines ON

Most recent update: August 2, 2010.


Port Weller Dry Docks was established in 1946, near Lock 1 of the Welland Canal.  The site had been originally built as a dry dock for Canal equipment in the 1930s.  At first the company concentrated on repair work, then began lengthening & rebuilding vessels in 1947.  There is no obvious reason why the numbering sequence started at Hull # 11.  The company operated subsidiary shipyards at Port Dalhousie and Toronto (Toronto Dry Dock Co.).  It was restructured following bankruptcy in 2006 and is now known as Seaway Marine & Industrial Inc. and is currently engaged in ship repair only.  See the shipyard from the air on Google here.

Hull # Original Name Original Owner Vessel Type GT Completed Disposition
11 Scott Misener Colonial Steamships Ltd Laker 13,081 Jun-51 Later John E. F. Misener 1954, scrapped 1986
12 John O. McKellar Colonial Steamships Ltd Laker 13,884 Sep-52 Later Elmglen 1984, scrapped 1990
13           Not used
14 Scott Misener Colonial Steamships Ltd Laker 15,279 Jul-54 Scrapped 1990
15 A. F. Fifield J. P. Porter & Co. Tug 118 1955 Built at Port Dalhousie, later D. Lauder, J. Manic, closed 1994
16 J. J. Bomboir/Constructor Dravo Corp. Tug 30 1954 Built at Port Dalhousie, later Kim R. D., active
17 Bert Verge Port Weller Dry Dock Co. Tug 22 1956 Built at Port Dalhousie, active
18 Griffon Beaconsfield Steamships Co Canaller 2,292 1956 Later Franquelin 1967, Eva Desgagnes 1987, Telchac 1989, scrapped 1992
19 Tecumseh Beaconsfield Steamships Co Canaller 2,293 Apr-56 Later New York News 1967, Stella Desgagnes 1986, Beam Beginner 1993, Wolf River 1995, active
20 MCNCO No. 23 McNamara Construction Dump Scow 219 1956 Active
21 MCNCO No. 24 McNamara Construction Dump Scow 219 1956 Active
22 MCNCO No. 25 McNamara Construction Dump Scow 219 1956 Active
23 C.D. 123 Canadian Dredge Dump Scow 381 1956 Active
24 Frank A. Sherman Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 15,157 Jul-58 Scrapped 1987
25 Seaway Queen Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 16,053 Jun-59 Scrapped 2004
26 Sir Andrew Russell Construction Dredge 258 1957 Later Le Heron, closed
27 Andrew B Russell Construction Dredge 388 1958 Closed
  Merganser   Dredge 23  1958 Closed
28 Red Wing Upper Lakes Shipping Laker Forebody 17,813 Jul-60 Jumboization of a T2 tanker, scrapped 1987
29 Federal Palm Fed. of the West Indies Psgr./Cargo 3,196 Sep-61 Later Cenpac Rounder 1972, scrapped 1979
30 Sir John Crosbie Chimo Shipping Cargo Ship 1,859 Jul-62 Later Terra Nova 1980, Holsten 1992, foundered 1992
31 Nelvana Upper Lakes Shipping Yacht 61 1963 Suspended
32 Imperial Lachine Imperial Oil Tanker 734 Jun-63 Later Josee M. 2003, Murex 2003, Arca 2003, active
33 Imperial Verdun Imperial Oil Tanker 734 Aug-63 Later Sillery, active
34 James E. McGrath Port Weller Dry Dock Co Tug 90 1963 Closed
35 Cape Breton Miner Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 18,809 May-64 Later Conveyor 1969, Cape Breton Miner 1962, Mazahua 1983, scrapped 1987
36 C. E. Ted Smith DomTar Ltd Tug 52 Aug-63 Later Fred Scandrett, active
37 Ontario Power Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 20,623 Jul-65 Later Thornhill 1983, Akalli Seri 1984, Kalli 1986, scrapped 1987
38 Chesley A. Crosbie Chimo Shipping Cargo Ship 1,961 Nov-64 Later Terra Nordica 1982, Northern Star 1992, Tica 1995, Sandakan 1997
39 Imperial Acadia Imperial Oil Tanker 7,068 Apr-66 Later Algoscotia 1998, Ralph Tucker 2001, Capt. Ralph Tucker 2001, Ralph Tucker 2004, scrapped 2004
40 E. E. Prince Dept. of Fisheries  Research Trawler 406 1966 Later Lady Kimberley I, closed
41 Canadian Century Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 20,343 May-67 Later John D. Leitch 2002, active
  Pitts Centennial C. A. Pitts Eng. Co. Scow 319 May-67 Subcontract from Toronto DD, closed
42 Tracy Canadian Coast Guard Buoy Tender 963 Apr-68 Active
43 Grand Prince Bonavista Cold Storage Co Trawler 535 Jan-67 Scrapped
44 Grand Baron Bonavista Cold Storage Co Trawler 539 Jul-67 Active
45 Grand Count Bonavista Cold Storage Co Trawler 540 Sep-67 Scrapped
46 Grand Knight Bonavista Cold Storage Co Trawler 539 Nov-67 Active
47 Limnos Dept. of Fisheries Research Trawler 460 May-68 Active
48 Canadian Progress Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 21,436 Aug-68 Active
49 Betsiamites Atlantic & Pacific Barge Co. Barge 5,396 Mar-69 Active
50 Sault au Cochon Atlantic & Pacific Barge Co. Barge 5,395 Jul-69 Active
51 Atlantic Atlantic & Pacific Barge Co. Tug 438 May-69 Later Laval, now Ocean Echo II
52 S.M.T.B. No. 7 Shell Canada Tank Barge 607 1969 Active
53 Thomas Haviland/Vacationland Ministry of Transport Ferry 3,038 1970 Later Fundy Paradise 2001, active
54 William Pope/Holiday Island Ministry of Transport Ferry 3,037 Apr-71 Active
55 Laurentian Forest Burnett Steamship Co Ro-Ro Ship 16,380 Nov-72 Later Grand Encounter 1980, Laurentian Forest 1985, Federal Seaway 1988, Cape Lobos 1988, laid up in US Reserve Fleet
56 Avon Forest Burnett Steamship Co Ro-Ro Ship 16,382 Jun-73 Later Federal Lakes 1986, Cape Lambert 1988, laid up in US Reserve Fleet
57 Imperial St. Clair Imperial Oil Tanker 7,964 Apr-74 Later Algosar 1998, Genesis Explorer 2005, scrapped
58 Wolfe Canadian Coast Guard Icebreaker Forebody 2,171 1974 Scrapped 1989
59 Sir Robert Bond Ministry of Transport of Nfld. Rail/Truck Ferry 10,433 Oct-75 Active
60 Canadian Olympic Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 22,887 Nov-76 Active
61 Wheat King Upper Lakes Shipping Laker Midbody 4,373 1976 Scrapped 1989
62 YBZ 62 Dept. of Nat. Defense Tank Cleaning Barge 726 Apr-77 Active
63 Arctic Fednav Ltd. Laker 19,420 Jun-78 Active
64 Canadian Transport Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 23,399 Apr-79 Active
65 Canadian Enterprise Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 23,395 Dec-79 Active
66 Canadian Navigator Upper Lakes Shipping Laker Forebody 18,788 Apr-80 Active
67 Canadian Pioneer Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 24,194 Oct-81 Later Pioneer 1988
68 Des Groseilliers Canadian Coast Guard Icebreaker 6,098 Oct-82 Active
69 James Norris Upper Lakes Shipping Laker Conversion 12,962 Jul-83 Conversion to self-unloader, active
70 Canadian Ambassador Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 24,230 Jul-83 Later Ambassador 1986, Algosea 2000, Ambassador 2000, scrapped
71 Canadian Explorer Upper Lakes Shipping Laker Conversion 16,353 Oct-83 Joining stern of vessel 'Cabot" to forebody of laker 'Northern Venture', now Canadain Transfer, active
72 Canadian Ranger Upper Lakes Shipping Laker Conversion 16,358 Apr-84 Joining stern of vessel 'Chimo" to forebody of laker 'Hilda Marjanne', active
73 Arctic Fednav Ltd. Laker Conversion 19,420 1985 New side shell, active
74 Arctic Fednav Ltd. Laker Conversion 19,420 1986 New bow, active
75 Northern Ranger Ministry of Transport of Nfld. Ferry 2,565 Sep-86 Active
76 Jiimaan Ministry of Transport Ferry 2,830 Jun-92 Active
77 CSL Niagara Canada Steamship Lines Laker Forebody 23,983 1999 Ex-J. W. McGiffin
78 Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin Canada Steamship Lines Laker Forebody 23,980 2000 Ex-H. M. Griffith
79 CSL Laurentian Canada Steamship Lines Laker Forebody 24,024 2001 Ex-Louis R. Desmarais
80 CSL Assinniboine Canada Steamship Lines Laker Forebody 23,445 2005 Ex-Jean Parisien
81 Frisian Spring Boomsma Shipping B.V. Cargo Ship 4,060 Feb-07 Completed by Peters SB, Kampen, Netherlands
82 Frisian Summer Boomsma Shipping B.V. Cargo Ship 4,060   Completed by Peters SB, Kampen, Netherlands
83   Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd. Cargo Ship 4,060   Cancelled
84   Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd. Cargo Ship 4,060   Cancelled
85   Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd. Cargo Ship 4,060   Cancelled
86   Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd. Cargo Ship 4,060   Cancelled
87   Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd. Cargo Ship 4,060   Cancelled

 

Major Conversions
Hull # Official # Name Owner Tonnage Year Notes
  Before After  
none 190468 Transinland Transit Tankers & Terminals Ltd.   1946 1948 Conversion to tanker
none 149427 Valley Camp The Valley Camp Coal Company 2351 2878 1950 Lengthening 53' section
none 158269 Black River Quebec & Ontario Transportation Co. Ltd 3003 3587 1952 Conversion from barge to s/p laker (584gt increase), later Tuxpancliffe, scrapped 1983
none 158268 Pic River Quebec & Ontario Transportation Co. Ltd 2979 3569 1953 Conversion from barge to s/p laker (590gt increase), scrapped 1978
none 185358 Wheat King Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd.   12339 1960 Tanker converted to bulk carrier
none 160889 Chicago Tribune Quebec & Ontario Transportation Co. Ltd 2960 3859 1962 Lengthening, 69' section, 630 gt increase
none 329344 Algomarine Algoma Central Corporation 17820 18339 1988 Conversion to self unloader, ex Lake Manitoba, Davie Hull # 665 active
PWDD began a separate numbering series for major conversions in 1990
501 323016 Algosteel Algoma Central Corporation 17955 18424 1990 Conversion to self unloader. ex Algogulf ex A.S. Glossbrenner, Davie Hull  658, active
502 800815 Atlantic Huron Canada Steamship Lines Inc. 23263 23054 1989 Conversion to self unloader ex Prairie Harvest, Collingwood Hull # 227, active
503 328536 Senneville Algoma Central Corporation 18845 18845 1990 new double bottom, St John Sbdg Hull # 1084, later Algoville (see # 507), active as Tim S. Dool
504 DDE 259 HMCS Terra Nova Canadian Armed Forces     1989 Refit
505 DDH 265 HMCS Nipigon Canadian Armed Forces     1990 Refit
506 383539 Capt. Henry Jackman Algoma Central Corporation 19699 19643 1996 Conversion to self unloader,  ex Lake Wabush, Collingwood Hull 223, active
507 328536 Algoville Algoma Central Corporation 18845 18700 1996 Hull widening ex Senneville, St. John Hull # 1084, active as Tim S.Dool
508 305488 Canadian Navigator Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd. 18788 18788 1997 Conversion to self unloader, see also hull # 66
509 331090 Algoway Algoma Central Corporation 16817 16817 1997 Hull widening, Collingwood Hull # 200, active
510 DDH 282 HMCS Athabaskan Canadian Armed Forces     1997 Refit, active
511 325747 Algorail Algoma Central Corporation 16157 16157 1998 Self Unloading Refit Collingwood Hull # 189, active
512 372057 Algowest Algoma Central Corporation 20310 19853 1998 Conversion to self unloader, Collingwood Hull # 226, active as Peter R. Cresswell
513 323003 Canadian Transfer Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd.   11120 1998 Joining of stern & forebody from two different vessels 
514 371941 Algoeast Algoma Central Corporation 7886 7886 1999 Tanker double hull installation, ex Imperial St. Lawrence  
515 331081 Agawa Canyon Algoma Central Corporation 16290 16290 1999 Self Unloading Refit, Collingwood Hull # 195, now active 
516 325750 CSL Tadoussac Canada Steamship Lines Inc. 20634 20101 2001 Hull widening, ex Tadoussac, Collingwood Hull 192, active
517 326395 Canadian Century Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd. 20343 22080 2002 Midbody reconstruction, later John D. Leitch, active 
518 800815 Atlantic Huron Canada Steamship Lines Inc. 23054 23054 2002 Hull widening, ex Prairie Harvest, Collingwood Hull # 227, active
519 822797 Le Vent  McKeil Marine Inc. and K-SEA  Tptn. Co.   6888 2001 Conversion of hopper barge into tank barge, now McCleary's Spirit, active
520   HMCS Haida HMCS Haida Society     2003 Refit, WWII Destroyer Museum Ship
521 328110 Griffon Canadian Coast Guard 2212 2212 2003 Refit, active
522 FFE 330 HMCS Halifax Canadian Armed Forces      2003 Refit, active
523 none Module M01       2004 Topside Module
524 368347 Jean Parisiene Canada Steamship Lines Inc. 22772 22772 2005 See hull # 80
525 none Module        2004 Topside Module
526 826484 Traverse Rene Levasseur McKeil Workboats Ltd   253 2004 Sectional Ferry Barge,  now Viateur's Spirit
527 328110 Griffon Canadian Coast Guard 2212 2212 2008 Refit, active