(1919) 1923                                  Beechbay                                  1938 (1958)

Steel twin-screw St. Lawrence River canal size bulk freighter

One of a fleet of vessels, ten or more, built shortly after the end of World War I for the French government for coastal service in the coal trade.  Cabins aft with twin screws, they were near sisters named for occupations involved in the construction or operation of ships.  Built by six or more different shipyards, they all had slightly different dimensions and tonnages.  Of the vessels brought to the Great Lakes, half were propelled by fore and aft compound engines and half by triple expansion engines.  Ten of these vessels were purchased in late 1922 primarily for the grain trade by Ogilvie Flour Mills, Montreal QC,  renamed for trees native to Canada with –bay suffix honoring their operating company, each vessel owned by a separate company indicating the name of the vessel, and brought to the Great Lakes in 1923.

Built at St. Nazaire France by Chantier de Penhoet, Hull D4
Launched as Riveur (riveter)

230’ LOA, 219’9” LBP, 34’3” beam, 15’7” depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, coal-fired boilers, 2 fore and aft compound engines, 700 IHP

Enrolled at Montreal QC 1923 as Beechbay
218.8 x 34.3 x 13.2, 1219 GT, 658 NT     Can 150843     to:
Beechbay Steamship Co., Montreal QC, Bay Line Steamships Ltd., Mgr. (home port Montreal QC)

Entered Great Lakes service 1923

Managing firm renamed Tree Line Navigation Co. 1924

Sold 1938 for off-Lakes service and left the Great Lakes

Renamed Maria Thereza (Brazil) 1938, Guarapore 1939 and Guaraloide 1943

Scrapped 1958

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