Boatnerd Discussion Forum

As far as I know, the Saginaw is upbound in the Welland Canal today!

The Saginaw departed the anchorage near Hamilton this morning and should be upbound in the Welland Canal today, November 1, 2025.

The Saginaw anchored earlier today near Hamilton due to the weather and I assume winds as well? Not sure yet when she will be up in the Welland Canal now? So, get ready Welland Canal boatnerds with camera ready as soon the Saginaw should be headed up the Canal. It might possibly be your one chance to see her in the Canal this year unless of course she does any more trips then through there before years end. Enjoy her while you can Welland Canal boatnerds since she don’t travel through the Welland Canal very often then.

Heads Up to Seaway & Welland Canal Boatnerds! The Saginaw arrived tonight in Montreal and should be upbound in the Seaway overnight tonight and aldo tomorrow as well. Their AIS is showing Marblehead for now. So, if you missed her downbound trip to Quebec City then you still may have an opportunity then to see and catch her coming back upbound then. Not very often that the Saginaw makes a Seaway trip and run much less even makes a trip then through the Welland Canal either. So, enjoy the Saginaw while you can then as who knows if this will be her one and only trip through the Seaway and the Welland Canal this year or if she will have anymore trips then planned?

Okay boatnerds, last night I spent a considerable amount of time doing research on when the Saginaw last made a trip through the Seaway then? Back in 2022 was the last year and time she made a run through the Seaway and she only did it once that entire season! However, during the 2021 season the Robert S. Pierson made 4 trips that year through the Seaway as they kept her very busy then. In looking at my statistics and information then for 2025, I am not seeing or showing the Robert S. Pierson as making any Seaway trips thus far during the 2025 season. Now however, with 3 out of 4 Lower Lakes ships making runs through the Seaway it will be interesting to see and watch if by chance the Pierson could make it out to the Seaway on a trip and run before the 2025 shipping season closes and ends. Time will tell.

Good call, Denny! Combing through the "Automated Vessel Passages" data revealed a transit through the Snell Lock occurred in December 2022 (I couldn't find destination information related to that trip) and the Cote Ste. Catherine Lock in September 2021 (destination Cote Ste. Catherine). Before this trip, they hadn't traveled further east than roughly Point Pelee this season (en route to Marblehead) so Quebec City is quite a change up!

Well it looks like I’ve answered my own questions in part as far as if she the Saginaw that is going to Quebec or not? Indeed they are as I found that info out on the Port of Quebec’s website. I’m still trying to look up further info but I’m sure someone will more faster knowledge than I have & records will surely know the last time and year that the Saginaw made it all the way then through the Seaway then to unload something. Also, I’m still looking & trying to find out if the Robert S. Pierson has made any trips yet this year through the Seaway or not? So far, the Kaministiqua, Manitoulin and now Saginaw all from Lower Lakes Towing have all made trips through the Seaway this year!

Noticed on the Seaway’s website that the Saginaw is making a very rare trip through the Welland Canal and she’s headed all the way through the Seaway with what appears to be Quebec City per their AIS! If this is true, when then was the last time that the Saginaw made a full transit to the Seaway and back as surely it’s got to be many years ago since she’s normally busy up here in the Upper Regions of the Great Lakes and doesn’t make it too far down other than to Lake Erie ports and destinations. I believe she loaded grain up in Thunder Bay and is taking that to Quebec to unload? With the Saginaw making a trip all the way out to Quebec, I think 🤔 only the Pierson is the last boat from Lower Lakes not to make a trip through the Seaway this year unless I may have missed it and forgotten about it! Anyway, very rare to see the Saginaw making a trip like this. Boatnerds at the Welland Canal and on the Seaway, enjoy her while you can and get all the photos of her while you can then! With the Michipicoten sidelined with an uncertain 🤨 future, Saginaw is for now the oldest Canadian operating ship now sailing on the Great Lakes I believe she is now. Calm Seas, Fair & Sunny Skies to the Saginaw and may they have a safe and successful trip to Quebec and on the return trip back in here as well. 1 Long and 2 Short Salute to the Saginaw!