Roger M. Kyes – Adam E. Cornelius {4} – Algoma Compass
1973-Present
Specs
Build Information
Year Built: 1973
Builder: American Shipbuilding Company, Toledo, Ohio
Hull #200
Registry: US 550520 [1973-2018] CAN 841545 [2018-Present]
IMO #7326245
Laid Down: —
Launch Date: March 31, 1973
Commissioned: August 22, 1973
Construction
The Roger M. Kyes was constructed as the second of ten vessels constructed for the American Steamship Company under Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970, being built at a cost of $14 Million.
Her construction was the result of a swap of ships between American Steamship Co. and American Shipbuilding’s Kinsman Marine Transit Co. After American Steamship purchased the former Gartland, Red Arrow, Redland, and Reiss Steamship Co.’s, they were ordered by the U.S. Justice Department to sell off a number of their newly-acquired vessels as a result of an antitrust suit. Seven ships were dealt to Kinsman Marine Transit, which is owned by American Shipbuilding, as partial payment for the construction of the Kyes.
The Kyes was one of the first American vessels to be built with all accommodations aft. She is of similar design to the William R. Roesch and Paul Thayer of 1973 and the Wolverine of 1974, but was constructed to larger dimensions.
Her self-unloading equipment consists of a single hold belt leading to an aft-incline belt system to a 250′ deck-mounted boom.
Modifications
- Bow strengthened for ice breaking capability, American Shipbuilding Company, Toledo, Ohio, 1976.
- “Canadianized”, Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair, Erie, Pennsylvania, April 2018.
General Stats
Length Overall: 680′
Length Between Perpendiculars: 664’06”
Breadth: 78′
Depth: 42′
Loaded Draft: 27’11”
Capacity: 29,200 Tons
Vessel Type: Incline-Belt Self-Unloader
Self-Unloading Boom Length: Aft-Mounted; 260′
Number of Cargo Holds: 4 [Hatch-Hold Arrangement: 5-5-5-5]
Number of Hatches: 20 [Dimensions: 49’06”x11′]
Primary Operations: Salt, Stone, Sand Trades
Propellers: 1 Controllable Pitch Propeller
Rudders: 1
Engineering Equipment
Original
Engine
Engine Type: Diesel Engine
Engine Manufacturer: General Motors Electro-Motive Division, Chicago, IL
Engine Model: 20-645-E7B
Number of Engines: 2
Rated HP: 7200 BHP
History
Name/Ownership History
Roger M. Kyes – 1973-1989
Owner: American Steamship Co., Buffalo, NY
Operator: American Steamship Co.
Flag: United States
Home Port: Wilmington, DE
Adam E. Cornelius {4} – 1989-1994
Owner: American Steamship Co., Buffalo, NY
Operator: American Steamship Co.
Flag: United States
Home Port: Wilmington, DE
Adam E. Cornelius {4} – 1994-1998
Owner: American Steamship Co., Buffalo, NY
Operator: American Steamship Company [Under charter to Inland Steel, Chicago, IL]
Flag: United States
Home Port: Wilmington, DE
Adam E. Cornelius {4} – 1999-2017
Owner: American Steamship Co., Buffalo, NY
Operator: American Steamship Co.
Flag: United States
Home Port: Wilmington, DE
Algoma Compass – 2018-Present
Owner: Algoma Central Corp., St. Catharines, ON
Operator: Algoma Central Corp.
Flag: Canada
Home Port: St. Catharines, ON
Her Story
The Roger M. Kyes was constructed as a self-unloading bulk carrier by American Shipbuilding Co. for the American Steamship Co. She was the second of ten vessels constructed for American Steamship over the next 8 years under Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970. Her construction was the result of a swap of ships between American Steamship Co. and American Shipbuilding’s Kinsman Marine Transit Co. After American Steamship purchased the former Gartland, Red Arrow, Redland, and Reiss Steamship Co.’s, they were ordered by the U.S. Justice Department to sell off a number of their newly-acquired vessels as a result of an antitrust suit. Seven ships were dealt to Kinsman Marine Transit, which is owned by American Shipbuilding, as partial payment for the construction of the Kyes. The Kyes was launched on March 31, 1973, and entered service on August 22, 1973, sailing from Toledo bound for Escanaba, Michigan to load ore. Roger M. Kyes was of identical dimensions to American Steamship’s Charles E. Wilson, constructed at Bay Shipbuilding, though her appearance reflected the Kinsman river-class ships that followed in 1973 and 1974.
The Kyes grounded several times during the 1970’s and 1980’s, several of which required extensive repairs. Most notable was her grounding in the Trenton Channel on the Detroit River on August 23, 1984. After going crossways in the river, she lightered part of her cargo into fleetmate Richard J. Reiss and was freed with the assistance of 10 tugs. She proceeded to unload her cargo then went to Sturgeon Bay, WI, for drydocking and repairs.
The Roger M. Kyes was renamed Adam E. Cornelius {4} on June 15, 1989, at Buffalo, New York. The renaming followed the sale of the previous Adam E. Cornelius {3}. The Adam E. Cornelius was chartered to Inland Steel for the 1994-1998 seasons, finally returning to the service of American Steamship Company in 1999.
The Adam E. Cornelius saw sporadic layups during the early 2000’s due to low demand. She spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons at the wall at Toledo, returning to service in late 2014. She laid up for the final time in American Steamship colors on January 6, 2015, at the former ore dock at Huron, Ohio.
The Cornelius was sold to Algoma Central Corp. along with her fleetmates Buffalo {3}, American Valor, and American Victory in late 2017. The Cornelius was renamed Algoma Compass and reflagged Canadian, sailing to Erie, Pennsylvania on April 7, 2018 for dry docking and to be painted in Algoma fleet colors. She returned to service in mid May 2018.
Algoma Compass hit a structure in the Welland Canal in the fall of 2022, necessitating repairs to her bow while in winter quarters in Hamilton, ON.
She returned to regular service in mid May, 2018, serving the salt, stone, and sand trades for Algoma Central Corp.
Compiled By Brendan Falkowski
Updated on April 18, 2023
Gallery
Sources
Ahoy & Farewell II. Marine Historical Society of Detroit, 1996. Pp. 25.
“Algoma Compass”. Algoma Central Corporation. N.d. Accessed 27 April, 2020. https://www.algonet.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Algoma-Compass.pdf
Berry, Sterling P. “Kyes, Roger M.”. Great Lakes Vessel History: Vessel Histories of Sterling P. Berry. N.d. Accessed 27 April 2020. https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/k/kyes-roger-m
Greenwood’s Guide to Great Lakes Shipping 2016, Harbor House Publishers, 2016. Pp. 4.8.
“M/V Adam E. Cornelius”. American Steamship Company, N.d. Accessed 27 April 2020. <URL Unknown>
Marine News. Toronto Marine Historical Society Scanner. https://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/documents/scanner/04/01/default.asp?ID=c003
Wharton, George. “Algoma Compass”. Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping Online. N.d. Accessed 27 April 2020. http://boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/AlgomaCompass.htm
Shipwatcher News Great Lakes Ships 