Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Starboard bow view of M.V. RUHR ORE at Cardiff Docks.

Built 1960 by Schlieker-Werft at Hamburg with a B&W type 7-cylinder diesel engine built by Krupp GmH, Essen, Germany. She was one of four identical ships operating under charter to the American owned Navios Corporation of the Bahamas, but owned by the German company, Transatlantic Bulk Carriers, and registered at Monrovia. 1976 – Sold to Hall Corporation Shipping (Halco) of Montreal, Canada, together with two sister ships. All the ships were converted to Great Lakes bulk carriers by Davie Shipbuilding Ltd., Lauzon, which involved lengthening, new “tower block” accommodation at the stern, and a complete rebuild of the mid- and bows sections (incorporating diesel bows thrusters), thus changing the entire profile of the ships. This work brought RUHR ORE’s weight to 7770gt, and the unwanted old sections were sold for scrap. The resultant new vessel was renamed CARTIERCLIFFE HALL and she made her maiden voyage in April 1978. A fire in the accommodation block in 1979, killing six of the crew, necessitated another rebuilding of the stern accommodation, which was completed in May 1980. 1988 – Acquired by Canada Steamship Lines following the demise of Halco, and renamed WINNIPEG (managed 1991 – 1993 by Great Lakes Bulk Carriers Ltd.) 1994 – Great Lakes Bulk Carriers collapsed in 1994, and the vessel, along with others, was bought by Algoma Central Marine Group of St. Catharine’s, and renamed ALGONTARIO (managed by Seaway Bulk Carriers, Winnipeg). Hull damage caused by various incidents caused the vessel to be laid up from 1999 to 2004, then following repairs, saw more service until 2009. Laid up at Toronto from 2009 -2011. 2011 – The dead hulk left Toronto under tow in May 2011, arriving at Aliaga, Turkey in the August for breaking up.