MV Algocape was a Canadian lake freighter operated by Algoma Central Corp.[1][2] Initially constructed for Canada Steamship Lines as Richelieu, the ship was sold to Algoma Central Corp in 2004 and renamed Algocape. In 2012, the ship was sold again to Dido Steel Corporation and renamed Goc and broken up for scrap.[3]

Algocape moored in Toronto in 2008.
History
Name
  • Richelieu (1967–1994)
  • Algocape (1994–2012)
  • Goc (2012)
Owner
Port of registry
BuilderDavie Shipbuilding, Lauzon
LaunchedNovember 25, 1966
CompletedApril 1967
Out of serviceJune 12, 2012
Identification
FateScrapped 2012
General characteristics
TypeLake freighter
Tonnage
Length729 ft 9 in (222.43 m)
Beam75 ft 4 in (22.96 m)
Depth39 ft 8 in (12.09 m)
Propulsion
Speed15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Capacity29,950 long tons (30,430 t)

Design and description

edit

Algocape had a gross tonnage of 17,822 and a deadweight tonnage of 29,709 tons. The ship was 729 feet 9 inches (222.43 m) long with a beam of 75 feet 4 inches (22.96 m). The ship had a depth of 39 ft 8 in (12.09 m).[1][4]

The lake freighter was powered by one 9,470 horsepower (7,062 kW) Sulzer 6RD76 6-cylinder marine diesel engine and had a bow thruster.[1][4] Algocape had a maximum speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).[3] The ship had a capacity of 29,950 long tons (30,430 t).[1][4]

Service history

edit

Built by Davie Shipbuilding at Lauzon, Quebec, she was launched on November 25, 1966, as Richelieu, for Canada Steamship Lines. The ship was completed in April 1967 and her port of registry was Montreal, Quebec.[3]

In 1971 the registered ownership of the ship passed to Pipe Line Tankers Ltd, however the ship remained registered in Montreal. Her ownership returned to the Canada Steamship Lines in 1984, however her port of registry was switched to Toronto, Ontario.[3]

The freighter was renamed Algocape in 1994, when she was acquired by Algoma Central Corp., taking the name of an earlier vessel which was sold that year to P & H Shipping.[1] Duluth, Minnesota, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Hamilton, Ontario, Sept-Îles, Quebec and Baie-Comeau, Quebec were among her regular ports of call.[1][5]

In 1995 one of Algocape's lookouts spotted a large package of illicit drugs bobbing in the water near Thorold, Ontario.[6]

In February 2002 Algocape's engines failed, while she was unloading raw sugar at the Redpath Sugar Refinery at the foot of Jarvis Street in Toronto.[citation needed]

In 2012, the ship was sold to Dido Steel Corporation of Freetown, Sierra Leone and renamed Goc.[3] In August 2012 the ship was towed from Montreal to Aliağa, Turkey, and subsequently broken up.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Algocape, Richelieu". boatnerd.com. 2013. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  2. ^ Taylor, Bill (February 11, 2001). "Like the little engine, the tugboat can". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved January 4, 2012. If you want to be romantic about it, the Algocape is a sleeping giant. On the other hand, you might just as easily compare the ship to a comatose whale. Either way, it's a dead weight, streaked with rust and badly in need of a paint job.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Algocape (6703214)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "ALGOCAPE - IMO 6703214". shipspotting.com. 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  5. ^ "Duluth Shipping News: Blue sky and sunshine greet the Algocape". Duluth News Tribune. May 31, 2009. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2012. This is the Canadian-flagged laker's 69th trip to the Twin Ports since 1996.
  6. ^ "Cocaine in canal worth $20 million". Kitchener-Waterloo Record. October 31, 1995. p. A3. Retrieved January 4, 2012. This week's find started when a crew member of the Great Lakes freighter Algocape spotted something floating in the water near Thorold.[dead link]