ALGOWEST- PETER R. CRESSWELL

On a beautiful October day, after riding the Algoma Central Railway's Agawa Canyon Train into the wilds of Canada, Elaine and I stopped at the locks in Sault Ste. Marie to do a little boat watching. While we were there we watched the large grain carrier ALGOWEST lumber up the St. Marys River into the McArthur Lock. Standing on the viewing platforms, we watched the waters lift the ship up to the level of Lake Superior. Through the crystal clear water, her single propeller could be seen pushing her out of the lock. It was quite a sight.

ALGOWEST Entering the McArthur Lock

ALGOWEST as with much of the Algoma fleet uses the Algo prefix. West is for western Canada where her cargos of grain originate. She was built in Collingwood ON. and launched in 1982 for Algoma Central Railway-Marine Division. She is powered by 2 Krupp MaK 6M552AK 6 cylinder 4-stroke diesel engines developing 4730 H.P., geared through a single variable pitch propeller.

Going Up

She had one notable serious accident. On June 15,1988 in a dense fog, she collided with the small freighter COUDRES DE L'LLE . The COUDRES DE L'LLE sank with the loss of one life.

In 1997 she was converted to a self un-loader. After the 20 million dollar conversion, she was re-dedicated at the Port Weller Dry Dock. Her new cargoes would be bulk salt, stone, coal, and iron. Two skippers of the ALGOWEST were awarded the traditional "Top Hat" for being the first vessel upbound through the Welland Canal in 1985 and 1999.

On October 14 2001 the vessel was re-christened PETER R. CRESSWELL in honor of the retiring former President and Executive Officer of Algoma Central Corp.

LOA- 730'

Beam 70'10"

Depth 42'

Capacity 31,700 tons

The "SHOWBOAT BRANSON BELLE"

For years I've seen advertisements for the BRANSON BELLE showboat. I thought, another fake steamboat with dummy paddle wheels and a diesel powered prop. The kind that is a dance boat, but with folding tables is a dinner boat that serves rubber chicken. The BRANSON BELLE is anything but fake.

Billed as "Americas Largest Ship Built On A Land-locked Lake." Its grandeur is reminiscent of the by-gone days of traveling showboats. This stern wheeler is impressive. Built and launched on site, she is equipped with the latest in marine technology. Her 24 foot paddle wheels are powered by two electric motors developing 400 horsepower each. Each paddle wheel can work independently of the other at different speeds or even have one in reverse and one in forward. Maneuverability is further enhanced by the 350 horsepower fore and aft bow thrusters. Port and starboard wing stations make docking easy on either side. Three diesel powered generators provide 480 volt 60Hz three phase electricity for the propulsion and the ships electrical systems including the galley and the theater.

 

The 10 foot, solid maple captains wheel is from the C.C. SLIDER, a stern wheeler that worked the Ohio River between 1928 and 1952. The motor and thruster controls are housed in a brass control unit similar to an old ships telegraph.
Launched April 13, 1995, her nine second slide into Table Rock Lake reached 14 M.P.H., faster than she would ever travel on water. The skids were lubricated with bananas, a non-polluting, biodegradable alternative to the standard grease.

She is a Showboat, with a huge 700 seat multi-tiered theater and galley serving gourmet meals. (Up to 2800 meals each day.) The SHOWBOAT BRANSON BELLE is operated by Silver Dollar City Entertainment. For information on lunch or dinner cruises visit http://www.showboatbransonbelle.com/
I am happy to say I was impressed. If you want rubber chicken you'll have to find it elsewere
L.O.A. 278',

Beam 78',

Draft 7.5',

Height 112'3" to top of stacks ,

Top speed 11 m.p.h.,

Weight 2,500,000 pounds