Radcliffe R. Latimer - A Lick of New Paint

Following from the previous video, here is another "new" vessel that I've captured on video for the first time for this channel. This time it's the Radcliffe R. Latimer seen arriving in Superior, Wisconsin on July 12, 2021 for a load of iron ore from the Burlington Northern dock. While most vessels will pull straight up to the dock for loading, the Radcliffe Latimer made a 180-turn and backed up to the dock. Presumably this makes departure somewhat easier, as it eliminates the need to turn around while fully loaded. Unfortunately, we didn't get a salute from the Latimer on this vist, but that's not unusual for Algoma Central vessels visiting Superior.

Of interest is the fact that someone apparently started to re-paint the Latimer, but it appears they only got far enough to cover the front of her bow near the waterline. It's unknown whether the painting operation was somehow interrupted before they could get further... or if they were just intending to only cover the front of the bow. Either way, it makes for a somewhat odd contrast between the bow and the rest of the ship. Looking closely, it's clear the paint job was done fairly crudely, with the line between the blue paint and silver paint being a little uneven. Also, you can tell where the waterline was when she was painted, as it appears they couldn't paint down any lower... indicating the paint job was likely done while floating (and not in drydock).

The Radcliffe R. Latimer began her life as the Algobay, with her keel laid down in the Collingwood Shipyard as hull #215 on August 16, 1977. (Totally unrelated, but that's also the same day that Elvis Presley died... in case there any fellow music nerds out there.) Her original length was 730 feet. She began service in 1978 and was involved in a head-on collision with the Upper Lakes steamer Montrealais on the St. Clair River in June 1980 which caused damage to both vessels that required extensive repairs. In 1987-1988 she was modified to serve trade routes to the Caribbean and was re-flagged under Liberia for while. In the 1990s, she was chartered by Canada Steamship Lines and carried the name Atlantic Trader for a while before later resuming her original name (and Canadian registry) until she was laid up in 2002. As her cargo section had reached the end of it's lifespan (no doubt due in part to her years serving in saltwater), she was towed to China in 2008 and her aft section was mated to a new forebody. The rebuilt Algobay was launched in 2009 and re-entered service in February 2010, being classified as a Coastal Class self-unloaded. (Her fleet mate, the Algoport, was also due to get a new forebody, but sunk in 2009 in a storm during her tow to China.) In October 2012 when she was named after Radcliffe R. Latimer, a former chairman for Algoma Central.

The Radcliffe R. Latimer is 740 feet in length and has a cargo carrying capacity of 36,700 tons. According to the Boatnerd website, the Latimer "is now powered by 2 new inline 8-cylinder MaK 8M32C long-stroke diesel engines each rated at 5,221 b.h.p. built by Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG, Germany. Capable of burning economical heavy fuel oil (HFO), marine diesel oil (MDO) or diesel oil (DO), these engines feature the ultimate in emission reduction technology and weigh about 46.4 mt each. The power is fed to a new controllable pitch propeller. The newly designed hull has 6 holds serviced by 22 hatches. The self-unloading equipment consists of a variable speed 2-belt gravity system with shear type basket gates, UHMW plastic linings and vibrators throughout feeding to a single loop belt elevator and a stern-mounted 261' discharge boom that can slew to 95 degrees to port or starboard and can discharge at a rate of up to 5,354 tons per hour. The Algobay (Latimer) is also fitted with a new bow thruster and generator sets. The aft end was rebuilt with new navigation equipment in a modernized wheelhouse and updated crew accommodations."

One final note... during the video you'll hear an occasional rumble coming from the ship. This is from the Latimer activating her thrusters. While I've heard thrusters on other ships before, these are definitely the loudest thrusters I've ever heard on a lake carrier!