Specialized Trade Vessels

The specialized trade vessels at present using the canals are likely to suffer least from competition arising from the Seaway, most of these ships being operated by the owners of the cargoes.

These vessels can be divided into two groups, those operating between major ports and the remainder operating from smaller ports, particularly along the Gulf of St. Lawrence, through the canals to the lakes. In the first case the available drafts, etc., at the major ports are at least equal to the proposed Seaway drafts so that the operators will find themselves operating vessels which are not the most efficient which could be used on the route. Many of these owners are also operating vessels of the Upper Laker type which will presumably be used through the Seaway, the smaller canal vessels being gradually transferred to the lesser ports trade where the available draft is less. Provided cargo volume warrants the change, replacements for these vessels are therefore likely to be larger vessels suitable for the Seaway.

In the second case it is probable that it will be neither feasible nor economical to increase the available drafts etc. to Seaway standards in many of the smaller ports. In addition, as in the case of the package freighter, the cargo volumes will not warrant the use of larger vessels than the canallers now in service. The design of replacements however will be much less restricted than at present.

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This paper was presented at a meeting of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and is reproduced with permission.