Russel Brothers Limited OWEN SOUND, ONTARIO Steelcraft Boat Builders
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| Cliff M.
Canadian List of Shipping 1956: Cliff M. [C.179202] registered Montreal; built at Owen Sound in 1947. 37� 9 x 10� 5 x 4� 8; 13 g.t.; 9 n.t.; 125 hp. Owned by The Canadian International Paper Co., Ltd., Montreal. Canadian List of Shipping 1970: Steel tug Cliff M. [C.179202] registered Montreal; built at Owen Sound in 1947. 38�; 13 g.t. Transport Canada List 2003: Owned by Jerry Gagnon, Wilson�s Cove, Qu�bec. Doug Gagnon notes (Oct. 2007): The Cliff M. is in Gracefield Qc,and. is owned by Richard St-Jacques ( the same guy that ownes the Joan Carol). A previous owner had done some modifications to her cab and now she just sits on the bank of the Gatineau river in Gracefield.
This small tug was built in 1947 by Russel Brothers as Cliff M. for Canadian International Paper. She was later purchased by Jerry Gagnon of Wilson�s Cove, QC. Eventually, she was sold to Ocean Group of Quebec, QC.
Type: Single Screw Tugboat
Year Built: 1947
Builder: Russel Bros. Ltd., Owen Sound, ON
Horsepower: 125 bhp
Length: 37' 11?
Breadth: 10' 06?
Depth: 4' 09?
Port of Registry: Montreal, QC. |
From Russel company brochure: SALVAGE EQUIPMENT.
Gerry Ouderkirk archive. |
National Post (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
17 Sep 1949, Sat
Page 36
WHAT MAKES A JOB TOUGH?
Constant bumping ... breaking up log jams ... 25-ton warping jerks. That's when Steelcraft logging tugs 'pay off' ... moving logs at low cost. On the Gatineau River, winding up through Quebec Province, many STEELCRAFT tugs such as the "Cliff M" are sluicing and towing with the minimum of manpower and operating expense. This is work which demands a sturdy design, capable of taking big stresses in all directions, and a powerful, dependable and economical diesel.
STEELCRAFT logging tugs powered with CUMMINS diesels are a "proven" team, tackling many such tough jobs all over Canada.
National Post
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
22 Sep 1951, Sat Page 47
IF you could "look-in" on all the lakes and rivers in Eastern Canada when the log harvest is on, there's a good chance you would see one of these Steelcraft . . . built in Owen Sound.
They are not just ordinary boats . . . but craft specially designed to fulfill the special needs of logging operators. It's tough work being pounded by logs, but Steelcraft can take it.
It's tough on engines too, but Cummins "Dependable" diesels and Russel "heavy duty" gasoline engines are built to take the tough jobs in their stride and are the most widely used engines for marine logging work. We can take pride in saying that over 800 Steelcraft logging boats are helping the drive of logs to the mills.
John Pomeroy notes (Mar. 2018): "From left: Non-powered refueling barge, the H.D. Freeze, The E. Champagne, The Skimmer, The Cliff M., and, although unclear, likely The Siskin, and two winch boats, one of which would be the Nellie S." |
TUG BOAT CLIFF M. TOWING LOG BOOM AT BURNETT, CHELSEA, C.1975
http://outaouais.quebecheritageweb.com/image/tug-boat-towing-log-boom-burnett-chelsea-c1975
Tugboats working on Gatineau River, 1987.
Non-powered refueling barge and the Cliff M.
http://www.cantley1889.ca/english/echo/echocantley_2013-09.html
Cliff M. towing Siskin (she had a fouled prop), Gatineau River above Chelsea Dam, 1991. Photo by John Pomeroy.
JP notes: Cliff M. ashore at CIP Chelsea QC Dam base, Cantley, QC, May 1993.
JP notes: BEACHED BUMS! Left to right: Siskin, H.D. Freeze, Skimmer
and Cliff M. ashore at Chelsea Dam base, Cantley, QC, spring 1993.
Photos by Dan McKay, Mar. 1, 2008, Gracefield, QC. Hull 743.
Click to enlarge to 600 pixels.
For more Russel exhibits visit Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum 1165 1st Ave West, Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K8
(519) 371-3333  http://marinerail.com |
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