Saskatchewan Pioneer – Lady Hamilton – Voyageur Pioneer – Kaministiqua
1983-Present
Specs
Build Information
Year Built: 1983
Builder: Govan Shipyards LTD., Glasgow, Scotland
Hull #258
Registry: CAN 395510
IMO #8119285
Laid Down: September 29, 1982
Launch Date: July 13, 1983
Commissioned: October 12, 1983
Construction
The Saskatchewan Pioneer was constructed in 1983 by Govan Shipyards as a gearless bulk carrier for Pioneer Shipping, a subsidiary of James Richardson & Sons. She was built with unlimited oceans certification, and is designed to operate on both the Great Lakes and the oceans.
The “Saski Pi” was the final of three identical sister ships constructed by Govan Shipyards, the other two being the Selkirk Settler and Canada Marquis.
General Stats
Length Overall: 730’01”
Length Between Perpendiculars: 709′
Breadth: 75’09”
Depth: 48′
Loaded Draft: 32’08”
Capacity: 33,824 Tons
Vessel Type: Gearless Bulk Carrier
Number of Cargo Holds: 7 [Hatch-Hold Arrangement: 1-1-1-1-1-1-1]
Number of Hatches: 7 [Dimensions: #1, 4, 7 – 42’x44′; #2 – 64’x44′; #3, 5, 6 – 84’x44′]
Primary Operations: Ore, Grain Trade
Propellers: 1 Controllable Pitch Propeller
Rudders: 1
Engineering Equipment
Original
Engine
Engine Type: Diesel Engine
Engine Manufacturer: Sulzer, Winterthur, Switzerland
Engine Model: 4RLB76
Number of Engines: 1
Rated HP: 10,880 BHP
History
Lineage
Saskatchewan Pioneer – 1983-1991
Owner: Pioneer Shipping LTD., Winnipeg, MB [James Richardson & Sons]
Operator: Scott Misener Steamships, St. Catharines, ON
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Montreal, QC
Saskatchewan Pioneer – 1991-1994
Owner: Pioneer Shipping LTD., Winnipeg, MB [James Richardson & Sons]
Operator: Great Lakes Bulk Carriers, Winnipeg, MB [Gearless bulk carrier management venture involving Canada Steamship Lines, Misener Shipping, and Pioneer Shipping]
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Montreal, QC
Saskatchewan Pioneer – 1994-1995
Owner: Canada Steamship Lines, Montreal, QC
Operator: Fednav LTD., Montreal, QC
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Montreal, QC
Lady Hamilton – 1996-2006
Owner: Seven Seas Carriers AG, Bergen, NO
Operator: Fednav LTD., Montreal, QC
Flag: Hong Kong
Home Port: Hong Kong
Voyageur Pioneer – 2006-2008
Owner: Voyageur Marine Transports, Ridgeville, ON [McKeil Marine]
Operator: Voyageur Marine Transports
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Hamilton, ON
Kaministiqua – 2008-Present
Owner: Lower Lakes Towing LTD., Port Dover, ON [Rand Logistics]
Operator: Lower Lakes Towing LTD.
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Port Dover, ON
Her Story
The Saskatchewan Pioneer was constructed in 1983 by Govan Shipyards as a gearless bulk carrier for Pioneer Shipping, a subsidiary of James Richardson & Sons. She would be operated by Misener Transportation. She was built with unlimited oceans certification, and is designed to operate on both the Great Lakes and the oceans.
The keel for the Pioneer was laid on September 29, 1982, being launched on July 13, 1983. She departed Scotland in late September and arrived on the Great Lakes in early October, taking on her first load of grain at Thunder Bay, Ontario, on October 13, 1983.
She soon entered service in the Seaway grain trade, primarily loading in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Saskatchewan Pioneer shifted to ocean trades during the winter months while trading on the Great Lakes during the regular season.
In 1991, management was transferred to Great Lakes Bulk Carriers of St. Catharines, Ontario, a partnership between Canada steamship Lines, Misener, and Pioneer Shipping, to operate their gearless bulk freighters.
The Saskatchewan Pioneer was sold to Canada Steamship Lines in 1994, being operated by Fednav LTD., of Montreal. In 1996, she was sold again, this time to Seven Seas Carriers AG of Norway, being renamed Lady Hamilton with management of the vessel remaining under Fednav.
In 2006, the Lady Hamilton was sold to Voyageur Marine Transports of Ridgeville, Ontario, being reflagged Canadian and renamed Voyageur Pioneer. She was repainted in their bright royal blue color scheme, and returned to service for Voyageur Marine on November 12, 2006.
On August 28, 2007, Rand Logistics announced that their Canadian subsidiary, Lower Lakes Towing, purchased the Voyageur Pioneer and her fleetmate Voyageur Independent for $25 Million. She would continue to serve her usual Seaway grain trade routes. She was registered under the name Kaministiqua on February 29, 2008, and sailed to Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for a refit and painting. She entered service for Lower Lakes on April 23, 2008.
The Kaministiqua continues to be an active member of the Lower Lakes Towing fleet, serving the Seaway grain trade.
Compiled By Brendan Falkowski
Updated on September 17, 2020
Gallery
Sources
Berry, Sterling P. “Saskatchewan Pioneer”. Great Lakes Vessel History: Vessel Histories of Sterling P. Berry. N.d. Accessed 16 September 2020. https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/s/saskatchewan-pioneer
Greenwood’s Guide to Great Lakes Shipping 2016, Harbor House Publishers, 2016. Pp. 3.4.
“M/V Kaministiqua”. Rand Logistics. N.d. Accessed 17 September 2020. https://www.randlog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Rand-Vessel-Profile-KAM-8-2019.pdf
Marine News. Toronto Marine Historical Society Scanner, 4. Summer 2006. https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/115998/page/4
Torrence, Andrew. “Kaministiqua”. Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online. N.d. Accessed 17 September 2020. http://boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/kaministiqua.htm
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