SOO/PURVIS DOCK

[Michael]

Are there buried pipe lines at the Calcite plant in Rogers City? The Algonova has been there. I assume they are unloading. They have been there a few times this year and it looks like they a heading to Calcite now. Usually when the Algonova leaves they head to Cheboygan, and then back South.

[Guest]

This is only an assumption but the small building located on the dock itself almost exactly within the tankers crane reach may be the pumping facility you inquire about. If it is uphill it would not be by very much I'd think only a few feet at best. Someone else may know better.

[Guest]

There are buried pipelines built into the dock shown and they continue underground several miles to the tank farm located toward the east end of the city. The barges you see moored there are owned by Purvis as that location is one of two where he moors his fleet - both tugs and various barges. Many years ago there was a tank farm immediately adjacent to this property (the large empty lot) and I believe it was owned by Shell Corp. It was removed a long time ago and will likely never be developed due to potential contamination issues.

Interesting observation from the OP. Is there a pumping facility on or near the dock? Can a tanker pump its discharge all the way to the tank farm, which I presume is somewhat uphill, without the assistance of a shoreside pump?

[Guest]

Is that the John Sherwin in the post card picture?

I believe so, the name does not appear to have space for a middle initial as would be the case with the Charles M. Beeghly. As the two ships were originally built for different owners, there may be other differences between the two vessels such as hatch arrangements, cabin layouts, etc.

[Guest]

Is that the John Sherwin in the post card picture?

[Guest]

Referring to the mention of the tank farm in the first response post, this arrangement of fuel storage tanks is clearly visible in many of the photographs and postcards produced up through the late 1970s and in particular to those images taken from the Tower of History facing downstream of the Soo Locks with Canadian shore in the background.

While not the sharpest image, I have attached a scan of an old postcard of the Valley Camp and traffic on the St. Marys River that would be likely from the early 1970s.

[Guest]

Thank you for that information! Based on the satellite view, it seems very exposed and not as regulated as an US terminal.

[Guest]

There are buried pipelines built into the dock shown and they continue underground several miles to the tank farm located toward the east end of the city. The barges you see moored there are owned by Purvis as that location is one of two where he moors his fleet - both tugs and various barges. Many years ago there was a tank farm immediately adjacent to this property (the large empty lot) and I believe it was owned by Shell Corp. It was removed a long time ago and will likely never be developed due to potential contamination issues.

[Guest]

Greetings,
Looking for any information regarding the Soo Ontario Purvis dock that the Algonova tanker calls on. Google earth images show no piping or connections to receive product from the tank vessels and barges that call on that dock just west of the seaplane museum. There is a shed garage on the dock bust no visible sign of any gear for liquid transfer to shore from the vessels.

Purvis dock Soo Ontario

Any insight would be greatly appreciated regarding this setup.
Thanks!