Selkirk Settler – Federal St. Louis – Federal Fraser – Fraser – Spruceglen {3}
1983-Present
Specs
Build Information
Year Built: 1983
Builder: Govan Shipyards LTD., Govan, Scotland
Hull #256
Registry: CAN. 802345
IMO #8119261
Laid Down: —
Launch Date: January 23, 1983
Commissioned: April 25, 1983
Construction
The Selkirk Settler was constructed in 1983 by Govan Shipyards as a gearless bulk carrier for Misener Transportation. She was built with unlimited oceans certification, and is designed to operate on both the Great Lakes and the oceans.
The Selkirk Settler was the first of three identical sister ships constructed by Govan Shipyards, the other two being the Canada Marquis and Saskatchewan Pioneer.
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
Selkirk Settler – 1983-1991
Owner: Misener Transportation Inc., St. Catharines, ON
Operator: Misener Transportation
Flag: Canada
Home Port: St. Catharines, ON
Federal St. Louis – 1991-1991
Owner: Ubem S.A., Antwerp, Belgium
Operator: Fednav Ship Management, London, England
Flag: Bahamas
Home Port: —
Federal Fraser – 1991-1994
Owner: Ubem S.A., Antwerp, Belgium
Operator: Fednav Ship Management, London, England
Flag: Bahamas
Home Port: —
Federal Fraser – 1994
Owner: Primera Ship Management
Operator: Fednav Ship Management, London, England
Flag: Bahamas
Home Port: —
Federal Fraser – 1994
Owner: Crimson Line of Japan
Operator: Fednav Ship Management, London, England
Flag: Bahamas
Home Port: —
Federal Fraser – 1994-1995
Owner: Koyo Line of Japan
Operator: Fednav Ship Management, London, England
Flag: Bahamas
Home Port: —
Federal Fraser – 1995-1998
Owner: Prominent Star LTD., Hong Kong
Operator: Fednav Ship Management, London, England
Flag: Hong Kong
Home Port: Hong Kong
Federal Fraser – 1998-2001
Owner: M&N Shipping of Japan
Operator: Fednav Ship Management, London, England
Flag: Panama
Home Port: Panama
Fraser – 2001
Owner: M&N Shipping of Japan
Operator: Fednav Ship Management, London, England
Flag: Panama
Home Port: Panama
Spruceglen {3} – 2002-Present
Owner: Canada Steamship Lines, Montreal, QC
Operator: Canada Steamship Lines
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Montreal, QC
Her Story
The Selkirk Settler was constructed in 1983 by Govan Shipyards as a gearless bulk carrier for Misener Transportation. She was built with unlimited oceans certification, and is designed to operate on both the Great Lakes and the oceans. The ship was launched on January 28, 1983, being christened Selkirk Settler on April 15, and departing on her maiden voyage for Canada on April 25, 1983. She soon entered service in the Seaway grain trade, primarily loading in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Throughout her tenure with Misener Transportation, the Selkirk Settler traded on the Great Lakes during the regular shipping season and shifted to ocean trades during the winter.
In 1991, the Selkirk Settler was sold to Fednav LTD., who in turn sold her to Ubem S. A. of Antwerp, Belgium. She was renamed Federal St. Louis, being managed by Fednav Ship Management of London, England. She was renamed Federal Fraser later that year. In 1994, the Federal Fraser was sold first to Primera Ship Management, then Crimson Lines, then Koyo Lines of Japan. She was sold again in early 1995 to Prominent Star LTD. of Hong Kong. In 1998, she was sold once again to M&N Shipping, all while retaining Fednav Ship Management as her operator. M&N shortened her name to Fraser in 2001.
The Fraser was sold to Canada Steamship Lines of Montreal, Quebec, being reflagged Canadian and renamed Spruceglen {3} in October of 2002. She spent the winter at Toronto undergoing repairs.
The Spruceglen {3} remains an active member of Canada Steamship Lines’ fleet, serving the Seaway ore and grain trades.
Compiled By Brendan Falkowski
Updated on September 16, 2020
Gallery
Sources
Berry, Sterling P. “Selkirk Settler”. Great Lakes Vessel History: Vessel Histories of Sterling P. Berry. N.d. Accessed 16 September 2020. <https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/s/selkirk-settler>
Devendorf, John F. Great Lakes Bulk Carriers, 1869-1985. John F. Devendorf, 1996. Pp. 195.
Greenwood’s Guide to Great Lakes Shipping 2016, Harbor House Publishers, 2016. Pp. 3.4.
“Spruceglen”. CSL Group. N.d. Accessed 16 September 2020. <https://www.cslships.com/sites/default/files/spruceglen_-_new_version_2017.07_1.pdf>
Wharton, George. “Spruceglen (3)”. Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online. N.d. Accessed 16 September 2020. <http://boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/spruceglen.htm>
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