Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Hey EJB, I don’t know if you will be able to see, read or follow this post and thread? Looking at the AIS maps and tracking your favorite the Spruceglen, I’ve noticed she had arrived up in Goderich, Ontario today on December 19. I am guessing that she is there to load at the Elevator there for a St. Lawrence River or a Seaway Port? Wouldn’t think she would be laying up in Goderich as I’ve never known her to ever layup there in the past to my knowledge anyway. Her arrival in Goderich today I think could be the first time that I’m aware of that she’s ever called at Goderich in her career? I don’t recall her loading there from her earlier days as a saltwater ship or in her early years when she sailed for the Misener fleet? Maybe she did go to Goderich before but I can’t recall of her ever loading from there before? Just wanted to let you know about your favorite the Spruceglen as I know you appreciate any updates on her. I was very fortunate and lucky to see her twice up on the St. Clair River this year. Once I saw her loading in Sarnia and another was just after she had fueled in Sarnia. Two separate times I saw her. On the second time that I saw her on the river, she finished fueling and was headed up to load in Sarnia then. Glad I was able to see her on the river this year. Hope you get the chance to see her someday EJB! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year my friend. All the best to you my friend in 2025!

Heads up EJB as your favorite the Spruceglen just left from Thunder Bay this evening October 3 at 6:15 pm ET and should be at the Soo Locks in the morning hours then on October 4. Based off of their departure time from Tbay I would guess they should be down on the St. Clair River on Saturday, October 5 about maybe late morning to about lunch time or so give or take. If you’re looking to see your favorite EJB, might want to think about taking a drive out to the St. Clair River then on Saturday and you hopefully will see your favorite coming down the river at that point then. Good luck and be and stay well friend!

If I remember correctly Capt..... you sailed all three of the sisters. You mentioned they all handled the same ??

I know what you mean Denny when you wrote about the good days for lake boats in the late 80's and early 90's. I was captain of the Saskatchewan Pioneer from her launching for eight years and this big orange and yellow boat attracted attention wherever she went.
This attention overseas when we had the Canadian crew was extra special showing the capabilities of Canadian crews.

As of 9:00 A.M. on September 29, the Spruceglen is upbound in Lake Erie and is around by Erie, Pennsylvania area as I type this now EJB. Looks like she won’t make it up here then before dark this evening. I know what you mean about the Algoma ships and about the Kaministiqua as well. The Kam ironically was my first ship seen on the river for 2024 then this year. I used to love seeing her in those Pioneer hull colors as those were the good ole days of shipping back then. As far as the Algoma ships go, I miss the Algolake as she was one of my favorites. Captain Anders Rasmussen remember was her skipper for many years and his wife Donna would have a webpage for fans to follow. She always called the ship the “Cool Beans and Captain Anders her sailor guy!” Captain Anders passed away several years ago now and after a long career with Algoma, he then went to Lower Lakes and he captained the Kam for a while. I also miss the Oglebay Norton ships as I really enjoyed them when they were around. A few I liked were the Wolverine, Fred R. White Jr. along with the Oglebay Norton, Courtney Burton and Armco. Those were the good ‘ole days of shipping back then. Stay well my friend and take care.

Been a loooooong time since I have seen her. I'm like you--prefer her in Misener colors..... but still good to see her. It's funny.... the Kam is pretty much identical but not the same interest in her.

Maybe have to take a ride over to the east side to see her one of these days......probably won't be this year though.

We are pretty much the same age.... so I know what you mean. I won't go into it---but the Algoma boats I used to deal with are all gone now with the exception of the Leitch---sort of depressing ! Speaking of Algoma-- The Compass is currently in Muskegon unloading .

Appreciate the heads-up Denny !

The Spruceglen is currently upbound in the Welland Canal as I type this now around 7:30 p.m. ET on September 28. They are headed for Thunder Bay to load next according to their AIS. I would think they might be upbound then on the St. Clair River sometime in September 29 if you can get the chance EJB to head up there and see her then!

Heads up EJB as your favorite ship the Sprucrglen has just entered the Seaway recently heading upbound. Their AIS is showing a Thunder Bay destination. Hope you someday get to see your favorite. Also, I never sailed as a sailor and I did not get into the hobby, interest, past time and the photographing of the ships until the late 1980s more so in the early 1990s after I was out of high school then at that time. So, I missed out on many of the good times and the good old days of lakes shipping. I was born in the early 1970s so unfortunately I wasn’t around in the 1950s and the 1960s era. Stay and be well my friend.

Appreciate the heads-up Denny !

The Spruceglen was downbound early this morning at the Soo Locks along with the Paul R. Tregurtha EJB as I figure each one should be down on the St. Clair River then early on Saturday morning, September 21 between 7-9 AM in that time slot and frame. Too early for me to head out to see them both and besides after working hard all week on yard work, I need a few days off now to rest up and also to recharge and refresh. Hope someday you get to see the Spruceglen EJB. Stay well my friend and Be Safe too!

Hey EJB your favorite the Spruceglen just departed today from Thunder Bay and is now downbound in Lake Superior as I type this now at about 4:00 p.m. ET on September 19. Hope that this helps you out my friend and hope someday you get to see your favorite. I’m still waiting to see mine the Paul R. Tregurtha or PRT someday. Hope we both get to see our favorites. Be and stay well my friend!

Appreciate the heads-up Denny ! You know I've only seen her a few times--- when I've been to your side of the state. We don't see straight deckers over here on the West side unless they come in close as they head north or what not...... heck we usually only see a handful of different boats-- it's actually nice to see CSL boats in Muskegon now......

Thanks again --I'll be following her.

Be well.

To EJB and others, noticed in checking out the Spruceglen it would appear likely now that they are fitting out along with returning to service soon! Their AIS now I think is showing a Baie Comeau destination if I’m correct on my information? With that said, it looks and appears then that the Spruceglen must have shifted from their layup in Thunder Bay to one of their grain elevators to load then for Baie Comeau. Point is, the Spruceglen will soon be out and back in action sailing again! So to EJB, hope you get to see your favorite then sometime this year. Cheers then to you my friend and be and stay well and safe to.

Denny you must of sailed my years to remember meisner vessels with blue hulls. Their house flag with the large m and 3 crowns. The 3 crowns represent Capt Scott meisners 3 sons. If I'm not mistaken Robert s. Pierson was Scott meisners grandson. But I've been known to be wrong!

Sorry EJB didn’t know Spruceglen was your favorite ship to follow. As Guest said in their post, “Spruceglen is up there in Thunder Bay for a mid-season lay-up until demand and business picks back up again for them!” So, rest assure my dear friend as I’m sure the Spruceglen will be back out by the time we get to the Fall Season and the Fall Grain Rush as well. I’ve seen her as Spruceglen and Federal Fraser as far as the only two times and names I seen her at the time. Would’ve loved seeing her in the Misener Blue hull colors. Those were the good ‘ole days of shipping back at that time! Thanks to Guest as well for his info along with their update on the Spruceglen. Very much appreciated!

Mid season lay up, til she's needed

Don't talk like that Denny ............ Spruceglen is my favorite

Anybody know what’s going on with her? She’s been up in Thunder Bay, Ontario now since June 27! Possible lay up maybe due to lack of business or cargoes or perhaps some sort or type of repairs being done to her? Anyone that has any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks.