"Louis R Demarais" Launch, 8 July, 1977

6x7 is a wonder. what a difference, vertical lines are parallel... you hve an important archive, len. this photo is a perfect documentary, very strong

Thanks for your thoughts on this one. At a launch you only get one chance to get the shot; they won't do it again for you. :-) No re-launches! Best, LM.

Wow! What a spectacle that must have been! I found lots to look at in this shot. It's very interesting and my eyes moved around in it a lot. Including the people really demonstrate the scale of the huge ship. I'd love to witness something like that!

Thanks for taking the time. It was indeed a 'big deal'. One of the last ships to be built here as the ship building operation closed up in the 80's. No more chances to view one of these launches at this location. I don't know where they are being built today. I took this from the roof of a building (Kmart or Woolco) that backed onto the property. I think my 'Professional' looking RB67 prevented me being challenged when I headed for the roof. Sometimes BS baffles brains. :-) Best, LM.

Your thoughts\critiques will be gratefully received. Best, LM.

Great shot Len.  The crashing wave on the right.  It looks like it hit that wooden bldg.  Was there any damage?

Alan

Good of you to drop by.  The building was actually brick with heavy wooden shutters placed on the windows for protection. (this wasn't the first ship launched at this location.  In fact, it was one of the last.)  The only damage that I am aware of is where the bow struck the concrete pier. (see this photo) Can you imagine the bath the spectators would have had if the wave had come forward instead of sideways?  :-)  The buildings are all gone now, torn down to make way for some upscale condos.  Ah, yes, the Collingwood Shipyards!  It was quite a ride.  Best, LM.

This ship is not the Algobay, it's the Louis R. Desmarais, built for Canada Steamship Lines (note the company flag on the bowpole).  Launch date was July 8, 1977.

Welcome to Photo.net and many, many thanks for your corrections.  Note that I have changed the information on this post to correspond to your corrections.  Apparently the only thing I knew for sure was that I was at this launch in the late seventies but was unsure of the exact date.  It seems I mixed up these two vessels because this one was launched on 8 July 1977 and the keel for the Algobay was laid a month later on 16 Aug. 1977 with a launch of the Algobay (Algoma Central Corp.) in 1978, on 19 June.  I wasn't savvy enough to clue in to the company flag (Algoma Central flag is similar in colours but more triangular). Regardless, it was quite an experience, enhanced by the damage the bow did to the pier .  Now that you've dipped your toes into the Photo.net waters, so to speak, don't be a stranger.  Best, LM.

Excellent shot, first colour view I've seen of her launch. Her aft end sails today as attached to a new forebody as CSL Laurentien.

Good of you to weigh in here with your comments on this old favourite.  It was quite a memorable experience.  Well, maybe not so memorable that I initially forgot her proper name as Andy properly pointed out.  And thanks for the update on her name change.  Nice to know she's still out there.  Best, LM.

!!!!

Yes, quite a thrill to observe this launch.  Note the contact of the bow with the concrete retaining wall.  Oops! Didn't see that coming.   :-)  Best, Len.