Postscript - Kingston Grain Elevator Ships

My previous post covered Kingston's waterfront grain elevator that was served by CN. But the raison d'etre for the elevator was lakers, and earlier, canallers. During our time in Kingston, the enlarging of the Seaway had led to the end of the canallers. But lakers were still prevalent. Straight-deckers, not self-unloaders. We lounged at a picnic table while Coverdale wintered 1969-1970 (L.C. Gagnon top photos). Here's Coverdale in colour in March, 1970:

The Whig-Standard pictured Coverdale on December 22, 1969, with Halco's Stonefax unloading road salt at the Crawford wharf: 

Ten years later, Hall Corporation's Vandoc was docked in the calm waters on the elevator's east side in November, 1979:

The west side was used for laid-up lakers, such as the Canada Steamship Lines former package freighter French River also photographed in November, 1979:

The following summer, Murray Bay was being unloaded, with Helen McAllister tug at the bow in August, 1980. Fort Henry on the west side and another laker waiting to dock, visible just off the stern:

By 1982, as self-unloaders came on the scene and older, obolete boats like Hochelaga were rafted on the west side of the elevator, awaiting an uncertain future. Hochelaga had had mechanical problems and was kept in Thunder Bay as a spare self-unloader before coming to Kingston:

 Hochelaga in July, 1982 (above) along with Fort York and Fort Henry:

The plucky Troisdoc is seen docked closest to shore in July, 1982. Previously docked at the LaSalle Causeway, some ne'er-do-well cut her lines and while the RCMP was investigating, she was moved here. One of the very last canallers in Seaway use:

Two years later, as winter approached, Hochelaga, now flanked outward by CSL ships Nipigon Bay and T.R. McLagan, with the grey-hulled Metis closest to King Street:

In November, 1984 (left to right) Whitefish Bay, Hochelaga, Nipigon Bay, T R McLagan, with Metis closest to camera. Only METIS, WHITEFISH BAY, and T R Mc LAGAN  came back out. The Metis is now a barge, the WHITEFISH BAY went overseas to China in 1989, and the McLAGAN went overseas as OAKGLEN(2) in 2003. HOCHELAGA 1949-1993 overseas to Colombia, and the NIPIGON BAY 1952-1989 overseas to Turkey.

Note CN switch target designated track KM21 (above) leading to the westernmost track. Whitefish Bay is low in the water:

These photos were posted online, showing some unusual ships docked near the elevator. Two Royal Canadian Navy destroyer escorts, with DDE 265, HMCS Annapolis in foreground. We visited HMCS Ottawa docked here in July, 1969. At that time, the Ottawa was docked on the east side, with its bow pointed out into the lake.

a wooden-hulled hulk on a barge:

Running extra...

When Harry Married Meghan. Windsor Castle was the scene of this this morning's wedding.

Up at 4:30 a.m., the coffee was perking and the scones were warming.

An evening of railfanning this past week saw me being treated royally by CN and VIA. Sixteen trains in four hours! CN No 518 ventured east from Belleville with 28 tie gons full of new ties. Safely stashed in Queens, the light power returned west within the hour.

Prairie Branch Line Rehabilitation gons among them (below). Within a few days, I hope to have copies of both Trains & Grains books in hand. They're currently being printed. Profiling the cars, branchlines and the grain elevators they served. How have the mighty fallen (the gons AND the elevators - glad I got there in time)!