PORT WELLER DRY DOCKS

St. Catherines ON

Most recent update: July 14, 2021.

Port Weller Dry Docks was established in 1946, near Lock 1 of the Welland Canal, on a site which had originally been developed in the 1930s, as a dry dock for the Canal's equipment.  At first the company concentrated on repair work, but after WWII it began lengthening and rebuilding vessels, and expanded by operating subsidiary shipyards at Port Dalhousie and Toronto (Toronto Dry Dock Co.)  It went bankrupt in 2006, however, and was restructured as Seaway Marine & Industrial Inc., but went bankrupt again in 2013.  In 2017, it was bought by Heddle Marine and reopened.  See the shipyard from the air on Google here.
Hull # O.N. Original Name Original Owner Vessel Type GT Completed Disposition
11 193632 Scott Misener Colonial Steamships Ltd Laker 13,081 Jun-51 Later John E. F. Misener 1954, scrapped 1986
12 194831 John O. McKellar Colonial Steamships Ltd Laker 13,884 Sep-52 Later Elmglen 1984, scrapped 1990
13             Not used
14 194832 Scott Misener Colonial Steamships Ltd Laker 15,279 Jul-54 Scrapped 1990
15 193754 A. F. Fifield J. P. Porter & Co. Tug 118 1955 Built at Port Dalhousie, later D. Lauder, J. Manic, foundered off Cap du Cormoran 1994
16   J. J. Bomboir/Constructor Dravo Corp. Tug 30 1954 Built at Port Dalhousie, Kim R. D. 1986, active
17   Bert Verge Port Weller Dry Dock Co. Tug 22 1956 Built at Port Dalhousie, active
18 198009 Griffon Beaconsfield Steamships Co Canaller 2,292 1956 Later Franquelin 1967, Eva Desgagnes 1987, Telchac 1989, scrapped 1992
19 198025 Tecumseh Beaconsfield Steamships Co Canaller 2,293 Apr-56 Later New York News 1967, Stella Desgagnes 1986, Beam Beginner 1993, Wolf River 1995, scrapped
20 198223 MCNCO No. 23 McNamara Construction Dump Scow 219 1956 Active
21 198224 MCNCO No. 24 McNamara Construction Dump Scow 219 1956 Active
22 198225 MCNCO No. 25 McNamara Construction Dump Scow 219 1956 Active
23 188756 C.D. 123 Canadian Dredge Dump Scow 381 1956 Active
24 189894 Frank A. Sherman Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 15,157 Jul-58 Scrapped 1987
25 311399 Seaway Queen Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 16,053 Jun-59 Scrapped 2004
26   Sir Andrew Russell Construction Dredge 258 1957 Later Le Heron, closed
27 189887 Andrew B Russell Construction Dredge 388 1958 Closed 1996
  348352 Merganser   Dredge 23  1958 Closed 2015
28 311463 Red Wing Upper Lakes Shipping Laker Forebody 17,813 Jul-60 Jumboization of a T2 tanker, scrapped 1987
29   Federal Palm Fed. of the West Indies Psgr./Cargo 3,196 Sep-61 Later Cenpac Rounder 1972, scrapped 1979
30 188774 Sir John Crosbie Chimo Shipping Cargo Ship 1,859 Jul-62 Later Terra Nova 1980, Holsten 1992, foundered 1992
31 318762 Nelvana Upper Lakes Shipping Yacht 61 1963 Suspended 2008
32 319263 Imperial Lachine Imperial Oil Tanker 734 Jun-63 Later Josee M. 2003, Murex 2003, Arca 2003, Arca I (Panama) 2016, active
33 319264 Imperial Verdun Imperial Oil Tanker 734 Aug-63 Later Sillery (St. Vincent) 1979, active
34 322191 James E. McGrath Port Weller Dry Dock Co Tug 90 1963 Closed 2008
35 318773 Cape Breton Miner Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 18,809 May-64 Later Conveyor 1969, Cape Breton Miner 1962, Mazahua 1983, scrapped 1987
36 188775 C. E. Ted Smith DomTar Ltd Tug 52 Aug-63 Later Fred Scandrett, closed 2016
37 322194 Ontario Power Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 20,623 Jul-65 Later Thornhill 1983, Akalli Seri 1984, Kalli 1986, scrapped 1987
38 322192 Chesley A. Crosbie Chimo Shipping Cargo Ship 1,961 Nov-64 Later Terra Nordica 1982, Northern Star 1992, Tica (Bolivia) 1995, Sandakan 1997, no trace 2011
39 326037 Imperial Acadia Imperial Oil Tanker 7,068 Apr-66 Later Algoscotia 1998, Ralph Tucker 2001, Capt. Ralph Tucker 2001, Ralph Tucker 2004, scrapped 2004
40 320967 E. E. Prince Dept. of Fisheries  Research Trawler 406 1966 Later Lady Kimberley I, Heitee, yacht Maria II, active
41 326395 Canadian Century Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 20,343 May-67 Later John D. Leitch 2002, active
    Pitts Centennial C. A. Pitts Eng. Co. Scow 319 May-67 Subcontract from Toronto DD, closed
42 328087 Tracy Canadian Coast Guard Buoy Tender 963 Apr-68 Sold 2017 as Ocean Tracy, active
43 326392 Grand Prince Bonavista Cold Storage Co Trawler 535 Jan-67 Closed 1996, scrapped
44 328731 Grand Baron Bonavista Cold Storage Co Trawler 539 Jul-67 Later Sea Reefer I 2010
45 328732 Grand Count Bonavista Cold Storage Co Trawler 540 Sep-67 Scrapped 2008
46 328733 Grand Knight Bonavista Cold Storage Co Trawler 539 Nov-67 Scrapped 2009
47 328088 Limnos Dept. of Fisheries Research Trawler 460 May-68 Active
48 328735 Canadian Progress Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 21,436 Aug-68 Later Algoma Progress, scrapped 2014
49 330799 Betsiamites Atlantic & Pacific Barge Co. Barge 5,396 Mar-69 Closed 2017
50 330800 Sault au Cochon Atlantic & Pacific Barge Co. Barge 5,395 Jul-69 Closed 2011
51 330798 Atlantic Atlantic & Pacific Barge Co. Tug 438 May-69 Later Laval, now Ocean Echo II
52 330099 S.M.T.B. No. 7 Shell Canada Tank Barge 607 1969 Active
53 344887 Thomas Haviland/Vacationland Ministry of Transport Ferry 3,038 1970 Later Fundy Paradise 2001, active
54 344866 William Pope/Holiday Island Ministry of Transport Ferry 3,037 Apr-71 Active
55 337383 Laurentian Forest Burnett Steamship Co Ro-Ro Ship 16,380 Nov-72 Later Grand Encounter 1980, Laurentian Forest 1985, Federal Seaway 1988, Cape Lobos 1988, scrapped
56 337392 Avon Forest Burnett Steamship Co Ro-Ro Ship 16,382 Jun-73 Later Federal Lakes 1986, Cape Lambert 1988, scrapped 2015
57 348195 Imperial St. Clair Imperial Oil Tanker 7,964 Apr-74 Later Algosar 1998, Genesis Explorer 2005, scrapped 2011
58   Wolfe Canadian Coast Guard Icebreaker Forebody 2,171 1974 Scrapped 1989
59 347522 Sir Robert Bond Ministry of Transport of Nfld. Rail/Truck Ferry 10,433 Oct-75 Closed 2019
60 348355 Canadian Olympic Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 22,887 Nov-76 Later Algoma Olympic, scrapped 2018
61   Wheat King Upper Lakes Shipping Laker Midbody 4,373 1976 Scrapped 1989
62   YBZ 62 Dept. of Nat. Defense Tank Cleaning Barge 726 Apr-77 Active
63 348357 Arctic Fednav Ltd. Laker 19,420 Jun-78 Scrapped 2021
64 348360 Canadian Transport Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 23,399 Apr-79 Later Algoma Transport, active
65 391204 Canadian Enterprise Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 23,395 Dec-79 Later Algoma Enterprise, scrapped 2021
66   Canadian Navigator Upper Lakes Shipping Laker Forebody 18,788 Apr-80 Later Algoma Navigator, scrapped 2016
67 395424 Canadian Pioneer Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 24,194 Oct-81 Later Pioneer 1988, scrapped 2014
68 802160 Des Groseilliers Canadian Coast Guard Icebreaker 6,098 Oct-82 Active
69   James Norris Upper Lakes Shipping Laker Conversion 12,962 Jul-83 Conversion to self-unloader, scrapped 2011
70 802349 Canadian Ambassador Upper Lakes Shipping Laker 24,230 Jul-83 Later Ambassador 1986, Algosea 2000, Ambassador 2000, scrapped 2014
71   Canadian Explorer Upper Lakes Shipping Laker Conversion 16,353 Oct-83 Joining stern of vessel 'Cabot" to forebody of laker 'Northern Venture', later Canadian Transfer, Algoma Transfer, scrapped
72   Canadian Ranger Upper Lakes Shipping Laker Conversion 16,358 Apr-84 Joining stern of vessel 'Chimo" to forebody of laker 'Hilda Marjanne', scrapped
73   Arctic Fednav Ltd. Laker Conversion 19,420 1985 New side shell, scrapped 2021
74   Arctic Fednav Ltd. Laker Conversion 19,420 1986 New bow, scrapped 2021
75 803748 Northern Ranger Ministry of Transport of Nfld. Ferry 2,565 Sep-86 Active
76 814082 Jiimaan Ministry of Transport Ferry 2,830 Jun-92 Active
77   CSL Niagara Canada Steamship Lines Laker Forebody 23,983 1999 Ex-J. W. McGiffin
78   Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin Canada Steamship Lines Laker Forebody 23,980 2000 Ex-H. M. Griffith
79   CSL Laurentian Canada Steamship Lines Laker Forebody 24,024 2001 Ex-Louis R. Desmarais
80   CSL Assinniboine Canada Steamship Lines Laker Forebody 23,445 2005 Ex-Jean Parisien
81   Frisian Spring Boomsma Shipping B.V. Cargo Ship 4,060   Completed by Peters SB, Kampen, Netherlands
82   Frisian Summer Boomsma Shipping B.V. Cargo Ship 4,060   Completed by Peters SB, Kampen, Netherlands
83     Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd. Cargo Ship 4,060   Cancelled
84     Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd. Cargo Ship 4,060   Cancelled
85     Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd. Cargo Ship 4,060   Cancelled
86     Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd. Cargo Ship 4,060   Cancelled
87     Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd. Cargo Ship 4,060   Cancelled
Major Conversions
none   Transinland Transit Tankers & Term. Ltd. Laker 1,946 1948 Conversion to tanker
none   Valley Camp The Valley Camp Coal Co. Laker 2,878 1950 Lengthening 53' section
none   Black River Quebec & Ontario Tptn. Laker 3,587 1952 Conversion from barge to s/p laker (584gt increase), later Tuxpancliffe, scrapped 1983
none   Pic River Quebec & Ontario Tptn. Laker 3,569 1953 Conversion from barge to s/p laker (590gt increase), scrapped 1978
none   Wheat King Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd. Laker 12,339 1960 Tanker converted to bulk carrier
none   Chicago Tribune Quebec & Ontario Tptn. Laker 3,859 1962 Lengthening, 69' section, 630 gt increase
none   Algomarine Algoma Central Corporation Laker 18,339 1988 Conversion to self unloader, ex Lake Manitoba, Davie Hull # 665, scrapped 2016
501   Algosteel Algoma Central Corporation Laker 18,424 1990 Conversion to self unloader. ex Algogulf ex A.S. Glossbrenner, Davie Hull  658, scrapped 2018
502   Atlantic Huron Canada Steamship Lines Inc. Laker 23,054 1989 Conversion to self unloader ex Prairie Harvest, Collingwood Hull # 227, active
503   Senneville Algoma Central Corporation Laker 18,845 1990 New double bottom, St John Sbdg Hull # 1084, later Algoville (see # 507), active as Tim S. Dool
504   HMCS Terra Nova Canadian Armed Forces     1989 Refit
505   HMCS Nipigon Canadian Armed Forces     1990 Refit
506   Capt. Henry Jackman Algoma Central Corporation Laker 19,643 1996 Conversion to self unloader,  ex Lake Wabush, Collingwood Hull 223, scrapped 2019
507   Algoville Algoma Central Corporation Laker 18,700 1996 Hull widening ex Senneville, St. John Hull # 1084, active as Tim S.Dool
508   Canadian Navigator Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd. Laker 18,788 1997 Conversion to self unloader, see also hull # 66, renamed Algoma Navigator, scrapped 2016
509   Algoway Algoma Central Corporation Laker 16,817 1997 Hull widening, Collingwood Hull # 200, scrapped 2018
510   HMCS Athabaskan Canadian Armed Forces     1997 Refit, scrapped
511   Algorail Algoma Central Corporation Laker 16,157 1998 Self Unloading Refit Collingwood Hull # 189, scrapped 2018
512   Algowest Algoma Central Corporation Laker 19,853 1998 Conversion to self unloader, Collingwood Hull # 226, renamed Peter R. Cresswell, scrapped 2016
513   Canadian Transfer Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd. Laker 11,120 1998 Joining of stern & forebody from two different vessels, renamed Algoma Transfer, scrapped 2011
514   Algoeast Algoma Central Corporation Tanker 7,886 1999 Tanker double hull installation, ex Imperial St. Lawrence, scrapped 2017
515   Agawa Canyon Algoma Central Corporation Laker 16,290 1999 Self Unloading Refit, Collingwood Hull # 195, scrapped 2010
516   CSL Tadoussac Canada Steamship Lines Inc. Laker 20,101 2001 Hull widening, ex Tadoussac, Collingwood Hull 192, active
517   Canadian Century Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd. Laker 22,080 2002 Midbody reconstruction, later John D. Leitch, active 
518   Atlantic Huron Canada Steamship Lines Inc. Laker 23,054 2002 Hull widening, ex Prairie Harvest, Collingwood Hull # 227, active
519   Le Vent  McKeil Marine Inc. Tank Barge 6,888 2001 Conversion of hopper barge into tank barge, now McCleary's Spirit, active
520   HMCS Haida HMCS Haida Society     2003 Refit, WWII Destroyer Museum Ship
521   Griffon Canadian Coast Guard   2,212 2003 Refit, active
522   HMCS Halifax Canadian Armed Forces     2003 Refit, active
523   Module M01       2004 Topside Module
524   Jean Parisiene Canada Steamship Lines Inc. Laker 22,772 2005 See hull # 80
525   Module    Laker   2004 Topside Module
526   Traverse Rene Levasseur McKeil Workboats Ltd Ferry Barge 253 2004 Sectional Ferry Barge,  now Viateur's Spirit
527   Griffon Canadian Coast Guard   2,212 2008 Refit, active