Canadian Century – John D. Leitch
1967-Present
Specs
Build Information
Year Built: 1967
Builder: Port Weller Dry Docks, Port Weller, Ontario
Hull #41
Registry: CAN 326395
IMO #6714586
Laid Down: December 22, 1965
Launch Date: April 15, 1967
Commissioned: 1967
Construction
The Canadian Century was constructed in 1967 for Upper Lakes Shipping at their Port Weller Dry Docks shipyard. The Century was constructed to maximum seaway limits at the time. Her boxy design helps maximize cargo capacity and efficiency. The Canadian Century was constructed as a result of Upper Lakes being awarded a massive coal-hauling contract for Ontario-Hydro at the time.
The Canadian Century was originally equipped with a bow-mounted bucket-style self-unloading system, with a box type hold design with a single belt in the middle and reclaimer system. This was rebuilt to feature a loop-belt system at the bow later on. Her self-unloading equipment now consists of a single hold belt leading to an forward loop-belt system to a 250′ deck-mounted boom. Her cargo hold bottom is flat, and the Leitch utilizes a pair of front-end loaders to move cargo to her conveyor belt after the cargo is unable to flow via gravity to the belt.
Modifications
- Self-unloading system rebuilt, 1976.
- Widened by Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catharines, ON, 2002.
- Self-unloading system rebuilt, Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catharines, ON, 2002.
General Stats
As Constructed
Length Overall: 730′
Length Between Perpendiculars: 722′
Breadth: 75′
Depth: 45′
Loaded Draft: 29’08”
Capacity: 20,343 Gross Tons, 14,529 Net Tons
Vessel Type: Bucket Elevator / Loop-Belt Self-Unloader
Self-Unloading Boom Length: Bow-Mounted; 250′
Number of Cargo Holds: 1
Number of Hatches: 22 [Dimensions: #1-5 – 52’11”x14′; #6-22 – 52’11”x20′]
Primary Operations: Ore, Coal, Salt Trades
Propellers: 1 Controllable Pitch Propeller
Rudders: 2
After widening, 2002.
Length Overall: 730′
Length Between Perpendiculars: 722′
Breadth: 77’11”
Depth: 45′
Loaded Draft: 29’08”
Capacity: 34,127 Tons
Vessel Type: Loop-Belt Self-Unloader
Self-Unloading Boom Length: Bow-Mounted; 250′
Number of Cargo Holds: 1
Number of Hatches: 22 [Dimensions: #1-5 – 52’11”x14′; #6-22 – 52’11”x20′]
Primary Operations: Ore, Coal, Salt Trades
Propellers: 1 Controllable Pitch Propeller
Rudders: 2
Engineering Equipment
Original
Engine
Engine Type: Diesel Engine
Engine Manufacturer: Burmeister & Wain, Copenhagen, Denmark
Engine Model: 574 VT2F 160
Number of Engines: 1
Rated HP: 7500 BHP
History
Lineage
Canadian Century – 1967-1993
Owner: Upper Lakes Shipping, Toronto, ON
Operator: Upper Lakes Shipping
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Toronto, ON
Canadian Century – 1993-2002
Owner: Upper Lakes Shipping, Toronto, ON
Operator: Seaway Marine Transport [Partnership between Upper Lakes Shipping and Algoma Central Corp.]
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Toronto, Ontario
John D. Leitch – 2002-2011
Owner: Upper Lakes Shipping, Toronto, ON
Operator: Seaway Marine Transport [Partnership between Upper Lakes Shipping and Algoma Central Corp.]
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Toronto, ON
John D. Leitch – 2011-Present
Owner: Algoma Central Corp., St. Catharines, ON
Operator: Algoma Central Corp.
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Toronto, ON
Her Story
The Canadian Century was built in 1967 for Upper Lakes Shipping. The self-unloader was constructed after Upper Lakes Shipping was awarded a coal-hauling contract for Ontario-Hydro. The coal runs for Ontario-Hydro dominated most of her early life. The Century loaded her first cargo of iron ore in 1986.
Over the winter of 1975-1976, the Canadian Century‘s out-of-date bucket-style self-unloading system was removed and replaced with a modern loop-belt system.
In 1993, management of the Canadian Century was taken over by Seaway Self-Unloaders, later Seaway Marine Transport, a partnership between Algoma Central Corporation and Upper Lakes Shipping to maximize efficiency and profits.
The Canadian Century went back to her builders yard in 2002 for a mid-life refit. While in drydock, her side tanks were cut out, and rebuilt to extend another 1.5′ over each side. Her cargo hold was rebuilt to a box-shape with a single belt running down the middle. Her self-unloading system was also refitted. After the rebuild, the Canadian Century was rechristened John D. Leitch in honor of the chairman of ULS Group.
The John D. Leitch and her fleetmates were sold to Algoma Central Corporation in early 2011. The Leitch has retained her name and continued as an active trader in the Canadian Great Lakes fleet. In February 2019, the Leitch underwent a refit and inspection a Port Weller Dry Docks in St. Catharines, ON. She continues to be an active in the coal and ore trades.
Compiled By Brendan Falkowski
Updated on April 9, 2020
Gallery
Sources
Berry, Sterling P. “Canadian Century”. Great Lakes Vessel History: Vessel Histories of Sterling P. Berry. N.d. Accessed 9 April 2020. <https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/c/canadian-century>
Devendorf, John F. Great Lakes Bulk Carriers, 1869-1985. John F. Devendorf, 1996. Pp. 186.
Greenwood’s Guide to Great Lakes Shipping 2016, Harbor House Publishers, 2016. Pp. 4.12.
“John D. Leitch”. Algoma Central Corporation. N.d. Accessed 9 April, 2020. <https://www.algonet.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/JDLEITCH-201409.pdf>
Wharton, George. “John D. Leitch”. Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping Online. N.d. Accessed 9 April 2020. <http://boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/JohnDLeitch.htm>
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