H. M. Griffith – Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin
1973-Present
Specs
Build Information
Stern Section [Original Hull]
Year Built: 1973
Builder: Canadian Shipbuilding & Engineering Collingwood Shipyards LTD., Collingwood, ON
Hull #203
Registry: CAN 346833
IMO #732445
Laid Down: —
Launch Date: July 12, 1973
Commissioned: October 31, 1973
Forebody [Cargo Section & Forward]
Year Built: 2000
Builder: Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catharines, ON
Hull #78
Laid Down: —
Launch Date: March 26, 2000
Commissioned: —
Construction
The H. M. Griffith was constructed as a self-unloading bulk carrier for Canada Steamship Lines. She was designed with a rounded bow and a square stern to maximize efficiency and capacity. She featured a C-Loop style self-unloading system with a three-belt cargo hold layout.
She was the second of five similar sister ships constructed during the 1970’s, the others being the J. W. McGiffin [CSL Niagara, 1999], Algolake, Louis R. Desmarais [CSL Laurentien, 2001], and the Jean Parisien [CSL Assiniboine, 2005].
The Griffith was rebuilt in 2000, and her self-unloading equipment consists of a dual hold belt leading to an aft loop-belt system to a 246′ deck-mounted boom.
Modifications
- Rebuilt with a new forebody, Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catharines, ON, 2000.
- Repowered, 2013.
General Stats
As Constructed
Length Overall: 730′
Length Between Perpendiculars: 720’06”
Breadth: 75′
Depth: 46’06”
Loaded Draft: 30’03”
Capacity: 22,775 Gross Tons, 16,398 Net Tons
Vessel Type: Loop-Belt Self-Unloader
Self-Unloading Boom Length: Stern-mounted; 246′
Number of Cargo Holds: 5 [Hatch-Hold Arrangement: 4-5-5-5-5] AR
Number of Hatches: 22 BR; 24 [Dimensions: 54’x10’11”]
Primary Operations: Ore, Coal, Stone, Grain, Salt Trades
Propellers: 1 Controllable Pitch Propeller [In Kort Nozzle]
Rudders: 1
After Rebuild, 2000
Length Overall: 739’10”
Length Between Perpendiculars: 730’10”
Breadth: 78′
Depth: 48’05”
Loaded Draft: 31’04”
Capacity: 37,696 Tons
Vessel Type: Loop-Belt Self-Unloader
Self-Unloading Boom Length: Stern-mounted; 246′
Number of Cargo Holds: 5 [Hatch-Hold Arrangement: 4-5-5-5-5]
Number of Hatches: 24 [Dimensions: 54’x10’11”]
Primary Operations: Ore, Coal, Stone, Grain, Salt Trades
Propellers: 1 Controllable Pitch Propeller [In Kort Nozzle]
Rudders: 1
Engineering Equipment
Original
Engine
Engine Type: Diesel Engine
Engine Manufacturer: Pielstick, Beloit, WI
Engine Model: 10PC2-V-400
Number of Engines: 2
Rated HP: 9,000 BHP
Repower – 2013
Engine Type: Diesel Engine
Engine Manufacturer: MaK/Caterpillar, Kien, Germany
Engine Model: 6M32C
Number of Engines: 2
Rated HP: 8,060 BHP
History
Lineage
H. M. Griffith – 1973-2000
Owner: Canada Steamship Lines, Montreal, QC
Operator: Canada Steamship Lines
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Collingwood, ON
Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin – 2000-Present
Owner: Canada Steamship Lines, Montreal, QC
Operator: Canada Steamship Lines
Flag: Canada
Home Port: St. Catharines, ON
Her Story
The H. M. Griffith was constructed in 1973 as a self-unloading bulk carrier for Canada Steamship Lines. She sailed on her maiden voyage on October 31, 1973 bound for Thunder Bay, Ontario to load ore for the Stelco Hamilton mill. The Griffith was very active in the Lake Erie coal trade in her early years, hauling coal out of Ohio ports bound for Canadian power plants and steel mills.
The H. M. Griffith opened the Welland canal for the 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, and 1994 seasons. She was also the first self-unloader to unload into the new hopper at the Robin Hood elevator at Port Colborne in 1987.
The Griffith laid up on December 24, 1999, at Port Weller Dry Docks for a rebuild. She was soon placed in drydock where her hull was cut just forward of the aft accommodations block. Her forebody was removed from drydock and later scrapped. A new forebody was built in the drydock and attached to the stern section. The newly-rebuilt vessel was christened Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin on March 20, 2000, emerging from drydock on March 26, 2000. Her new forebody featured a state-of-the-art self-unloading system with completely automated controls, as well as a completely automated engine room.
The Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin was repowered in 2013 with new diesel engines. She grounded in the St. Lawrence Seaway above the Iroquois Lock on October 6, 2019, being freed on October 11. The following winter, she was drydocked for repairs at Port Weller Drydocks.
The Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin remains active in the ore, coal, stone, grain, and salt trades.
Compiled By Brendan Falkowski
Updated on April 21, 2020
Gallery
H. M. Griffith in ice at the Soo Locks, 1973. Photo by Roger LeLievre 
H. M. Griffith on Maumee Bay, 1987. Photo by Jim Hoffman 
H. M. Griffith on the St. Marys River, 1990’s. Photo by Roger LeLievre 
Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin on the St. Marys River after her rebuild. Photo by Jim Hoffman 
Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin at Toledo, September 2005. Photo by Jim Hoffman 
Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin on the St. Marys River, July 7, 2002. Photo by Roger LeLievre 
Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin on the Welland canal, June 29, 2013. Photo by Isaac Pennock Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin on the Welland Canal, June 30, 2015. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin, May 25, 2019. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin high and dry at Port Weller Dry Docks, February 14, 2020. Photo by Isaac Pennock
Sources
Ahoy & Farewell II. Marine Historical Society of Detroit, 1996. Pp. 20.
Berry, Sterling P. “Griffith, H. M.”. Great Lakes Vessel History: Vessel Histories of Sterling P. Berry. N.d. Accessed 21 April 2020. <https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/g/griffith-h-m>
“Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin”. Canada Steamship Lines. N.d. Accessed 21 April, 2020. <https://www.cslships.com/sites/default/files/rt._hon_paul_j_martin_-_new_version_2017.07_0.pdf>
Devendorf, John F. Great Lakes Bulk Carriers, 1869-1985. John F. Devendorf, 1996. Pp. 188.
Greenwood’s Guide to Great Lakes Shipping 2016, Harbor House Publishers, 2016. Pp. 4.13.
Wharton, George. “Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin”. Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping Online. N.d. Accessed 21 April 2020. <http://boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/martin.htm>
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