Cape Breton Miner – Conveyor – Cape Breton Miner – Mazahua
1964-1987
Specs
Build Information
Year Built: 1964
Builder: Port Weller Dry Docks, Port Weller, ON
Hull #35
Registry: CAN 318773
IMO #6410104
Laid Down: May 1963
Launch Date: April 25, 1964
Commissioned: May 26, 1964
Construction
The Cape Breton Miner was constructed as an ocean/lake type self-unloading bulk carrier for Upper Lakes Shipping. She was the largest ocean-going self-unloader in the world at the time of her construction. The Cape Breton Miner featured a strengthened hull and a bulbous bow, with a completely automated boiler and engine room.
The Cape Breton Miner was a near sister to the Ontario Power, the second ocean/lake type self-unloader built for Upper Lakes Shipping during the mid-1960’s.
Her self-unloading equipment consisted of a triple hold belt leading to an aft incline-belt system to a deck-mounted boom.
General Stats
Length Overall: 680′
Length Between Perpendiculars: 645′
Breadth: 75′
Depth: 43’09”
Loaded Draft: —
Capacity: 18,809 Gross Tons; 11,547 Net Tons
Vessel Type: Incline-Belt Self-Unloader
Self-Unloading Boom Length: Stern-Mounted; —
Number of Cargo Holds: —
Number of Hatches: —
Primary Operations: Ore, Coal, Grain Trades
Propellers: 1
Rudders: 1
Engineering Equipment
Original
Engine
Engine Type: Steam Turbine
Engine Manufacturer: Canadian General Electric, Mississauga, ON
Engine Model: Cross-Compound, Double reduction-geared
Number of Engines: 1
Rated HP: 9,900 SHP
Boiler
Boiler Type: Oil-fired Water Tube
Boiler Manufacturer: —
Boiler Size: 10,478 sq. ft.
Number of Boilers: 1
History
Lineage
Cape Breton Miner – 1964-1969
Owner: Upper Lakes Shipping, Toronto, ON
Operator: Upper Lakes Shipping
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Toronto, ON
Conveyor – 1969-1972
Owner: Conveyor Shipping Inc.
Operator: Conveyor Shipping Inc.
Flag: Liberia
Home Port: Monrovia, Liberia
Cape Breton Miner – 1972-1983
Owner: Upper Lakes Shipping, Toronto, ON
Operator: Upper Lakes Shipping
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Toronto, ON
Mazahua – 1983-1987
Owner: Marbulk Carriers [Upper Lakes Shipping]
Operator: Marbulk Carriers
Flag: Vanuatu
Home Port: —
Her Story
The Cape Breton Miner was constructed as an ocean/lake type self-unloader for Upper Lakes Shipping at their shipyard at Port Weller, Ontario. She was the largest ocean-going self-unloader in the world at the time of her construction. The Cape Breton Miner was constructed to primarily carry coal from Sydney, Nova Scotia to the Ontario-Hydro power plants on Lake Ontario.
The Cape Breton Miner entered service on May 26, 1964, loading coal at Conneaut, Ohio. She was sold to Conveyor Shipping in 1969, being reflagged Liberian and renamed Conveyor. She was returned to Upper Lakes Shipping in June of 1972, taking her former name of Cape Breton Miner.
In 1980, the Cape Breton Miner had her cargo hold replaced and her unloading system modernized. The next year, she had extensive hull plating renewal and engineering equipment refitted.
In 1981, the Cape Breton Miner was transferred to Upper Lakes Shipping’s Marbulk Carriers, being reflagged in Vanuatu and renamed Mazahua. As the Mazahua, she was engaged in the transport of grain from American gulf ports to Mexico.
The Mazahua was retired in 1987, being sold to Taiwanese scrappers. She arrived at Kaohsiung, Taiwan on May 27th for scrapping.
Compiled By Brendan Falkowski
Updated on April 11, 2020
Gallery
Cape Breton Miner at the Soo Locks, late 1960’s. Photo by Roger LeLievre
Sources
Ahoy & Farewell II. Marine Historical Society of Detroit, 1996. Pp. 58-59.
Berry, Sterling P. “Cape Breton Miner”. Great Lakes Vessel History: Vessel Histories of Sterling P. Berry. N.d. Accessed 11 April 2020. <https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/c/cape-breton-miner>
Devendorf, John F. Great Lakes Bulk Carriers, 1869-1985. John F. Devendorf, 1996. Pp. 184.
Shipwatcher News Great Lakes Ships 