Thank you David.

Good stuff André!

Having lived in Saint John for the past 48 years subject photo intrigued me. Following up Malcolm Cranfield and gwrdave comments I tried to link ACT 4 and HAZELBANK in port at same time based on photo capture date. I spent some time at city library tapping into local newspaper data base starting with "Hazelbank" and came up with date May 5, 1972. From the library archives I ran a reel of microfilm dated May/June 1972 and the port news reported following activity relative to comments stated below.

May 3 ARAMAR Berthed-Sugar-Cuba
May 5 HAZELBANK (IMO6405941) Berthed-Sugar-Aust.
May 5 ACT 5 (IMO7123382) Berthed-Cont-Aust/NZ
June 1 IRISBANK (IMO6415910) Berthed-Sugar-Aust.
June 15 BEECHBANK (IMO6505856) Berthed-Sugar-Aust.
June 26 ACT 4 (IMO7108162) Berthed-Cont-Aust/NZ

Using the capture date of photo (January 1, 1973) as my 2nd benchmark I started search a couple of months back and ran a reel of microfilm for months Nov-Dec 1972 and ACT 4 was reported as berthed Nov 8. However Hazelbank did not show up in any movements during Nov-Dec '72 time frame.

I ran another reel of microfilm for months Jan-Feb, 1973 and came up with the following.....

Jan 1 GRANTON Berthed-Sugar-Aust
Jan 15 HAZELBANK (IMO6405941) At anch-Sugar-Aust
Jan 18 SERAFIN TOPIC (IMO5320558) At anch-Sugar-Aust
Jan 18 WELSH CITY (IMO5387465) Berthed-Sugar- ?
Jan 27 HAZELBANK (IMO6405941) Berthed-Sugar-AUst
Feb 8 ACT 3 (IMO7052909) Berthed-Cont-Aust/NZ

The Hazelbank was still discharging sugar the day ACT 3 was in port (Feb. 8/73).

With various Bank Line vessels in and out of the port at the time I think Malcolm was spot on with Hazelbank ID.

Saint John handled many sugar imports during the 60's and early '70's.
Interesting era of shipping for the city at the time. There is a photo hanging in library with an overview of the harbour. Undated, however likely mid 60's when Saint John was a very busy winter port. There were 22 freighters berthed the day that photo was taken. By mid/late 70's that scene all but disappeared.

Thanks for further refining the date Malcolm.
Dave

I think that the ship in the background may be HAZELBANK which had arrived at St.John on 11.1.73 from Mourilyan, presumably with a cargo of sugar.

Dave,
Many thanks reply. I remember the ACT vessels calling Saint John in the early 70's. The freighter (unknown) in background tied up at the then sugar refinery pier. The refinery long since demolished as with the sheds visible on west side of the harbour.
brgds.....

On the ACT4 I beleive, normal run was Auckland (to drop off empty freezer boxes) Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Lyttelton, Wellington and Auckland before going through Panama Canal to Norfolk, Charlston, Philadelpia, Newark, Boston and St John, NB. Return was usually Newark and Norfolk and back to Auckland. I was 2nd Engineer in later trips so photography through Panama and most ports was a lot more difficult as the second was usually in the engine room although the ship was bridge controlled and the boilers and turbines all automated. Happy times though and great crews.
Dave,
New Zealand

Nice upload. We’re you on a ship at time photo taken or actually living in Saint John....? The early ‘70’s in Saint John pretty much spelled the beginning to an end as a winter port. With containerization looming as well, Saint John was losing out to other ports such as Montréal, Halifax, etc.

Nice steam tug.

Approx only, date on the mount of the slide.

Regards,
Dave

Great photo, looking good to the end.
She is listed as scrapped in 1972, but seems to have continued longer. Is 1/1/1973 an actual or approximate date?

IMO number 5260526
Name of the ship OCEAN ROCKSWIFT
Former names ROCKSWIFT (1946)
Vessel type Tug boat
Operating status Decommissioned or lost
Gross tonnage 233 tons
Lenght 34 m
Breadth 9 m
Year of build 1945
Description OCEAN ROCKSWIFT is a Tug boat built in 1945. Current status: Decommissioned or lost. Formerly also known as ROCKSWIFT. It's gross tonnage is 233 tons.