Louis R. Desmarais – CSL Laurentien
1977-Present
Specs
Build Information
Stern Section [Original Hull]
Year Built: 1977
Builder: Canadian Shipbuilding & Engineering Collingwood Shipyards LTD., Collingwood, ON
Hull #212
Registry: CAN. 369048
IMO #7423108
Laid Down: —
Launch Date: July 8, 1977
Commissioned: November 5, 1977
Forebody [Cargo Section & Forward]
Year Built: 2001
Builder: Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catharines, ON
Hull #79
Laid Down: —
Launch Date: April 7, 2001
Commissioned: April 9, 2001
Construction
The Louis R. Desmarais 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 fourth of five similar sister ships constructed during the 1970’s, the others being the J. W. McGiffin [CSL Niagara, 1999], H. M. Griffith [Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin, 2000;], Algolake, and the Jean Parisien [CSL Assiniboine, 2005].
The Desmarais was rebuilt in 2001, 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 by Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catharines, Ontario, 2001.
- Repowered, 2014.
General Stats
As Constructed
Length Overall: 730′
Length Between Perpendiculars: 720’06”
Breadth: 75′
Depth: 46’06”
Loaded Draft: 30’03”
Capacity: 22,716 Gross Tons, 16,598 Net Tons
Vessel Type: Loop-Belt Self-Unloader
Self-Unloading Boom Length: Stern-mounted; 246′
Number of Cargo Holds: 5
Number of Hatches: 22
Primary Operations: Ore, Coal, Stone, Grain, Salt Trades
Propellers: 1 Controllable Pitch Propeller [In Kort Nozzle]
Rudders: 1
After Rebuild, 2001
Length Overall: 739’10”
Length Between Perpendiculars: 730’10”
Breadth: 78′
Depth: 48’05”
Loaded Draft: 31’04”
Capacity: 37,694 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: 10PC2-2V-400
Number of Engines: 2
Rated HP: 9000 BHP
Repower – 2014
Engine Type: Diesel Engines
Engine Manufacturer: MaK/Caterpillar, Kiel, Germany
Engine Model: 6M32C
Number of Engines: 2
Rated HP: 8060 BHP
History
Name/Ownership History
Louis R. Desmarais – 1977-2001
Owner: Canada Steamship Lines, Montreal, QC
Operator: Canada Steamship Lines
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Toronto, ON
CSL Laurentien – 2001-Present
Owner: Canada Steamship Lines, Montreal, QC
Operator: Canada Steamship Lines
Flag: Canada
Home Port: St. Catharines, ON
Her Story
The Louis R. Desmarais was built in 1977 as a self-unloading bulk carrier for Canada Steamship Lines. She departed Owen Sound, Ontario, on November 5, 1977, on her maiden voyage, bound for Thunder Bay, Ontario, to load iron ore for Hamilton, Ontario.
On June 5, 1979, the Desmarais spotted the burning Cartiercliffe Hall on Lake Superior, coming to their assistance to pick up survivors. In 1981, the Desmarais was a participant in Canada Steamship Lines’ operation of unloading cargoes directly into the holds of an ocean ship. On November 27, 1999, the Louis R. Desmarais suffered an engine room fire as a result of a broken oil line. The fire was extinguished with no injuries.
Over the winter of 2000/2001, the Louis R. Desmarais was drydocked at Port Weller Dry Docks at St. Catharines, Ontario, where her old forebody and cargo section was cut off just forward of the aft accommodations. The old forebody was removed from drydocked and towed to the scrapyard in Port Colborne. In its place, a new forebody and cargo section was constructed, bringing the ship to maximum Seaway dimensions. 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 Louis R. Desmarais was rechristened CSL Laurentien in ceremonies with the christening of her fleetmate CSL Tadoussac on March 3, 2001. The Laurentien was float launched on April 7, and entered service on April 9, 2001, bound for Thunder Bay, Ontario, to load grain.
The CSL Laurentien was repowered with new MaK Diesel Engines in 2014. She continues to be an active member of the Canada Steamship Lines fleet, hauling ore, coal, grain, and salt to ports across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.
Compiled By Brendan Falkowski
Updated on May 20, 2020
Gallery
Louis R. Desmarais on the Welland Canal, June 1986. Photo by Jim Hoffman 
Louis R. Desmarais on the Welland Canal, April 26, 1997. Photo by Jim Hoffman 
Louis R. Desmarais on the St. Marys River, June 1999. Photo by Roger LeLievre CSL Laurentien on the St. Marys River, September 3, 2010. Photo by Roger LeLievre 
CSL Laurentien in winter layup at Port Colborne, February 23, 2013. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
CSL Laurentien upbound at Port Huron, July 28, 2013. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
CSL Laurentien on the Welland Canal, June 38, 2015. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
CSL Laurentien on the Welland Canal, June 29, 2015. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
CSL Laurentien upbound on the St. Clair River, July 1, 2018. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
CSL Laurentien in winter layup at Port Colborne, Ontario, February 14, 2020. Photo by Isaac Pennock
Sources
Ahoy & Farewell II. Marine Historical Society of Detroit, 1996. Pp. 17-18.
Berry, Sterling P. “Desmarais, Lewis R.”. Great Lakes Vessel History: Vessel Histories of Sterling P. Berry. N.d. Accessed 20 May 2020. <https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/d/desmarais-lewis-r>
“CSL Laurentien”. Canada Steamship Lines. N.d. Accessed 20 May, 2020. <https://www.cslships.com/sites/default/files/csl_laurentien_-_new_version_2017.07_0.pdf>
Devendorf, John F. Great Lakes Bulk Carriers, 1869-1985. John F. Devendorf, 1996. Pp. 190.
Greenwood’s Guide to Great Lakes Shipping 2016, Harbor House Publishers, 2016. Pp. 4.9.
Wharton, George. “CSL Laurentien”. Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping Online. N.d. Accessed 20 May 2020. <http://boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/csllaurentien.htm>
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