(1944) 1960 Red Wing 1986
Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter
Built at Chester PA by Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Hull 335
Launched Feb 12, 1943
Built as Class T2-SE-A1 tanker Boundbrook (US 245195) for U. S. Maritime Commission during World War II. Registered at 507.6 x 68.2 x 39.2, 10317 GT, 6168 NT. 520’ LOA, 68’ beam, 39’ depth. Sold 1947 to Imperial Oil Ltd. and renamed Imperial Edmonton (Can 177867). Sold Nov 1958 to owners below and laid up at Sorel QC. Towed into the Great Lakes May 1959 after the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Renamed Hull 28 for inbound voyage.
Converted to Great Lakes bulk freighter at St. Catharines ON by Port Weller Dry Docks Ltd., Hull 28. New keel laid Nov 2, 1959 and hull forward of her machinery spaces replaced by new forward section. Rechristened Red Wing July 23, 1960.
730’ LOA, 710’ LBP, 75’ beam, 39’3” depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 24’, oil-fired boilers, steam turbine engine, 6600 SHP
Enrolled at
711.4 x 75.2 x 34.2, 17813 GT, 13672 NT Can 311463 to:
Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd., Toronto ON (home port Toronto ON)
Entered service Aug 13, 1960 clearing St. Catharines ON light for the Upper Lakes
Laid up Dec 15, 1984 at Toronto ON and did not operate in service again
Sold for scrap 1986 to Taiwanese shipbreakers. Sailed under her own power to Quebec QC. Cleared Lauzon QC Oct 27, 1986 with str. Frank A. Sherman towed by Canadian tug Canadian Viking. Tow arrived Kaohsiung Taiwan April 30, 1987
IMO 5291367
6004
I have heard a story that Gordie Howe and perhaps a couple of other players from the Detroit Red Wings came to St. Catharines for the launch of the ship.
Is there any record of this?
Thanks DR
i have a scatch built model of the red wing. built from photos taken at thorald canal and St catherine canal. I would like to know if anyone would like the model as it only was in water 3 times. It was built when my brother and i were quite young as we used to go see i t in the welland canal in st catherines.
Hello. I came across your post and am wondering if you still have the model and are still looking part with it.
My Father worked on this ship as a draftsman for Imperial Oil when it was rechristened Redwing.
We have a framed picture of that was presented to Dad.
Charles Frederick Flint.
R.I.P.
I just showed my 8th grade class the movie “Paddle to the Sea”, made in 1966, which shows the Red Wing in one of its scenes. 🙂
Good for you! I watched this movie in school back in the early to mid 70’s. I have a copy of it and am still watching in. I’ll be 59 in the fall.
I have a photo of this ship in my basement. It was passed on from my father who captained The Red Wing from time to time. Under his supervision, I was given the opportunity to wheel it down the Detroit River in one of the summer months as a teenager that I had the opportunity and good fortune to sail with him.
I would love a photo of your photo if you are so inclined. Either way, nice post.
I spent Christmas eve on board the Red Wing on Lake Erie around 1975. We would run grain from Thunder Bay to Baie Comeau, pick up iron ore in Sept Iles and run it down to the steel mills in Hamilton. Once hit a lock wall in the Welland Canal putting a 30 foot gash just above the water line. Spent a few days in Quebec City getting repairs.
I worked on the Red Wing from 79 to 83. Good ship, too bad the steamers used so much fuel and have almost all disappeared. I’m long out of the sailing industry but still have good memories from those times.