The Canadian Coaster

Kingston Shipyards (at the time, the Collingwood Shipbuilding Company, Kingston Yard) launched Canadian Beaver initially known as hull #15 or K-15, its first commercial freighter on December 10, 1919. The Beaver was officially received by the Department of Marine and Fisheries on May 10, 1920. The same year, work was underway on the second such ship built here, the Canadian Coaster,  initiailly known as hull #16 or K-16, slipped down the ways. Both steel vessels were for Canadian Merchant Marine Service and both were 2,400 gross tons with a length of 250 feet. Only ten years earlier, the Collingwood Shipyards had taken over operation of the drydock and shipyard. This 1920 aerial photo shows likely the Canadian Coaster being built at the shipyard:

After World War I, the need for a Canadian built and operated Merchant Marine fleet was identified with 66 vessels built and in service between 1919 and 1922. These photos show the construction and launch of Canadian Coaster. Both vessels built in Kingston were smaller than most of the fleet, and were intended for West Indies trade. Before long, the small size and mix of designs in the fleet, their slow speed and coal-fired power plants, plus the fact that no passengers could be carried rendered them uneconomical to operate.

Early start on the keel and ribs (above). Canadian Coaster was renamed Champlain  in 1929, Kingsley in 1930. Silvestre  in 1943, Santa Lucia in 1950, and broken up in 1966 in Santos, Brazil. An interesting September 24, 1920 in-progress photo which not only shows the lettering on the punch shed but also some of the Kingston skyline and some passing smoke over Ontario Street:

Progress as of February 24, 1921:

I was fortunate to view correspondence from the construction period. The Department of Marine & Fisheries made at least ten instalment payments to Canadian Shipbulding Co. Kingston. This is notice of the ninth instalment for $70,992.50 made on April 1, 1921. The tenth instalment was paid on April 20, 1921.

On the eve of the launch, March 23, 1921:

Launch day, March 24, 1921! The two figures on the bridge superstructure must have some vital function, or are perhaps thrill-seekers holding on for dear life:

Good news travels fast! A telegram was sent to Ottawa mentioning the 10:30 a.m. launch, from a Mr Pemberton to Charles Duguid, Chief naval Constructor at the Department of Marine:

A reproduction of the news item of the day:

A slightly different pre-launch view, with flags flying and support poles removed from the ways:

Trial trips were undertaken, as noted in this letter from the Department of Marine and Fisheries to the shipyard on April 11, 1921:

A further letter from April 21, 1921 noting dock trials two days later:

All photos from the Kingston Shipyards Papers, Queen's University Archives.