Boatnerd Discussion Forum

If you read the previous posts in this thread this is mostly explained… this ship isn’t going “before her time” by any means. You can’t compare the Atlantic Huron to the Ryerson and others. Apples to oranges.

There could be tax reasons Something about depreciable assets Where I worked they had what we called the bone yard Old tugs and barges tied up for years

It seems such a waste to send this ship to scrap being that it seems in good shape yet and a self unloader, and they don’t send ships like the ryerson,John sherwin,Armco,callaway to scrap after these ships have sat for years except for the callaway which has only been 3 years. Why do these companies hang on to these old ships and yet the canadiens send there ships to scrap before there time.

I went up to the last two Boatnerd picnics at the soo and both times she was passing thru. You've got to have better timing Denny, that's all!

Indeed it is sad Syd bc to see such a laker with a long history and one of the last built ships from the Collingwood Shipyards in Collingwood, Ontario as she’s about one of the last of them built! Definitely will miss her presence on the Great Lakes and Seaway along with on the St. Clair River. Believe it or not as I’ve said before in another post and thread, while I’ve seen her many times on the St. Clair River. Never once, not one time ever did I get to see her in all of my travels, trips and vacations to the Soo! Also, in just a handful of times to where I made trips to the Welland Canal never ever saw her there either! At least I’m glad though that I got to see her many times on the St. Clair River and I’m forever grateful and thankful for that and the memories and pictures I have of her. I wish though I would’ve seen her in her sailing days as the Prairie Harvest however, during that time I was still much too young and not into the ships like I am today and still in school and not driving yet. So, farewell Atlantic Huron and thanks for the many memories. Hope that you get to have somehow, calm seas along with fair winds and sunny skies as your career draws to an end!

She’s on her way to Sheet Harbour NS ETA January 4 th So sad

The afternoon of Dec 30 finds ATLANTIC HURON probably about ready to sail from Quebec City. Destination: Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia and the end of the line.

I agree and second your comments Mr. Clyde and also, she was widened out an extra 2 feet on her width at Port Weller in 2003 and that was just 22 years ago give or take. Thought that they were replacing its side tanks or something then as part of the widening project with her? She doesn’t carry or handle much salt cargoes and I don’t know how much of her career was spent on any saltwater as well? I know she’s had a few issues in the last and past few seasons or so and would that be enough then to warrant CSL then to want to retire her then? You have the Oakglen built in 1980 that’s older than the Atlantic Huron yet CSL is keeping her around for now. The Oakglen was once a saltwater ship before they changed her years ago and CSL still has the Spruceglen built in 1983 that I believe has usually been in great shape also. Like you Mr. Clyde, I too would be very interested in finding out and knowing from others just why CSL finally decided to retire her? Thanks for any info.

She is quite old for a ship that spent much of her life in salt water, and countless trips through locks. Finding spare parts for her machinery is also challenging. Her retirement was well-planned, hence why her stem on the bow was never fixed after recent damage.

Lots of time in salt water and carrying salt The Atlantic Superior looked terrible after a couple of winters on the east coast

She does not seem old but there is important context to consider. Most of the Canadian ships built between 1970 and 1985 have already been scrapped. In fact, the Atlantic Huron has outlasted most of her contemporaries including the Atlantic Erie, Paterson/Pineglen, Atlantic Superior, Nanticoke/Salarium, and many others. Her longevity is especially impressive since she has worked on saltwater for the majority of her career, both in deep sea and coastal trade routes until the last five years when she has come inland and worked only on the Great Lakes. The reason for her out-lasting those other vessels is probably due to her side tanks being replaced when she was widened in 2003. There was probably a lot of rotten steel cut out and replaced at that time. Had that not been done she likely would have been scrapped ten years ago.

She's not that old. Is there a reason why she's being scrapped??

Now on its way to Superior according to AIS.

As of 11 PM on December 12, the Atlantic Huron is upbound in the Welland Canal and at Lock 2. They are loaded with Coke and headed for Burns Harbor to unload at the Steel Plant. From there I don’t know where they will go to next or what cargo they will load? I guess we will all have to wait and see then.

Well, it looks and appears that the Atlantic Huron will be staying with us yet for a little while longer! According to the Port of Hamilton’s website, they are loading Coke yet it lists them going to Burns Harbor to unload and NOT to Quebec. Unless that is an error on the Hamilton website, it appears she’s not done just yet or headed to the scrappers’ torch anytime soon. Anyone have any further information on this or comments to leave? Here’s an interesting fact too for all boatnerds that read my comments on this thread and this subject. Believe it or not, in all of the times and vacations and trips I made to the Soo Locks never ever once did I see the Atlantic Huron at the Soo Locks which is simply amazing an unbelievable and incredible for me to never ever see her at the Soo! Also, in the few times that I also made trips over to the Welland Canal I never saw her in the Welland Canal. As far as seeing her on the St. Clair River? I’ve seen her many times out there in all the years I’ve followed the ships, gone and traveled up to the river and taken photographs. Can someone please provide and post any photos of her here on boatnerd as Atlantic Huron from both the Soo Locks and the Welland Canal? From the Soo, I’m looking for and would appreciate any photos of her as far as her at the Soo Locks itself either up or down on the approaches or at the wall or in the lock. As for the Welland Canal? It can be anything there for photos. Any of the 8 locks or just anyplace at the Welland Canal as far as any up or downbound photos. Would enjoy seeing some photos posted then by anyone of the Atlantic Huron at the Soo and Welland Canal. Another area at the Soo I’d be interested in seeing photos of her is at Mission Point as well. Thanks in advance to anyone that provides and posts any photos of her.

Atlantic Huron heading to scrap Her last load will be from Hamilton to Quebec Then to Sheet harbour NS for scrapping