Built by Canadian Vickers Ltd., Montreal, QC, Quebecois was launched in 1963 for Papachristidis Co. Ltd. of Montreal, QC. The vessel was equipped with a bow thruster and was powered by a Canadian General Electric Type MD70 steam turbine engine rated at 9,896 horsepower at 103 r.p.m. The traditionally-styled Seaway straight decker had 20 hatches feeding into 5 holds. She could carry 25,600 tons at maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and was capable of carrying 27,800 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 27 feet 8 inches.

While sailing for Papachristidis, the majority of her cargos consisted of grain from Canadian and American Great Lakes ports to grain elevators along the St. Lawrence River with return loads of iron ore from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to American steel companies.

Just prior to the 1972 navigation season, Papachristidis Ltd. sold the Quebecois and her fleet mates Montrealais, Grande Hermine, Hamiltonian and Feux-Follets to Upper Lakes Shipping, Toronto, Ont. As with Quebecois, Montrealais retained her name, Grande Hermine was renamed Canadian Mariner, Hamiltonian was renamed Canadian Hunter and Feux-Follets was renamed Canadian Leader.

The Quebecois was principally engaged in carrying grain and iron ore cargos along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River trade routes.

On February 25, 2011, a formal statement was issued announcing the sale of the privately owned Upper Lakes Shipping fleet and their associated interest in Seaway Marine Transport to Algoma Central Corporation. In early 2012, Algoma formally changed the vessel’s name to Algoma Quebecois with Transport Canada’s registration being changed accordingly.

The days of steam-powered classic straight deckers came to an end for the fleet when Algoma Central introduced new, China-built, fuel-efficient Equinox-class bulk carriers to the fleet. Algoma Quebecois was towed through the Welland Canal from Toronto by the tug Molly M 1 to International Marine Salvage in Port Colborne, Ont., on November 21, 2013 where she was scrapped in 2014.

Written by George Wharton.

   

Ship Particulars
Length 730′ 00″ (222.51m)
Length 730′ 00″ (222.51m)
Beam 75′ 00″ (22.86m)
Depth 39′ 01″ (11.91m)
Capacity 28,716 tons
Engine Power 9,900 shp steam turbine
Previous Names
Quebecois 1963 – 2012
Algoma Quebecois 2012 – 2013