2006-08-27 ALPENA is transiting downbound Welland Canal; @ 1818 hrs about to enter lock 1. Although a regular in the Great Lakes, she seldom trades in Lake Ontario thus a scarce transittor in Welland Canal.
Constructed as a Great Lakes bulk freighter, this vessel was built by Great Lakes Engineering Works, Rouge River, MI. She was launched Feb. 28, 1942 as the steamer Leon Fraser for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co., Cleveland, OH. The Leon Fraser was the first of five "supers" (also known as "Fraser-class" or "AA-class") launched in 1942 for this fleet. Fraser Shipyards, Inc., Superior, WI acquired the vessel and on Oct. 29, 1989; moved her to their yard in Superior where she was shortened 120 feet (36.58m) and converted to a self-unloading cement carrier for Inland Lakes Transportation, Inc. (Lafarge), Alpena, MI (now Inland Lakes Management). IMO number: 5206362/Call Sign: WAV4647/Type of ship: Self-Discharging Bulk Carrier/Flag: U.S.A./Registered owner: AMERICAN TRANSPORT LEASING/Ship manager: INLAND LAKES MANAGEMENT/Year of build: 1942/Gross tonnage: 8018/ Capacity: 13,900 tons (14,123 tonnes)/Length: 519' 06" (158.34m)/Beam: 67' 00" (20.42m)/Depth: 35' 00" (10.67m)/ Power:(steam turbine) 4,000 s.h.p./Last update: 24-04-2006/ Status of ship: In Service