The company had already built three larger tugs between 1956 and 1961, but they were dedicated to work in Baie-Comeau and Sept-Iles, QC.
And so it was that Davie Shipbuilding in Lauzon, QC received the order for six 1,000 bhp single screw tugs for delivery in 1962, followed by a twin screw, slightly larger variant in 1963.
When Foundation decided to get out of the tug operating business in 1970 the fleet was split up and the tugs went in different directions. All six initially to MILTug under a management agreement with Marine Industries Ltd of Sorel, QC. In 1973 they were all sold, with three continuing to work in Halifax for the newly formed Eastern Canada Towing Ltd (Ectug) as the backbone of the Halifax harbour tug fleet.
1. Point Viking (on the bow) and Point Vim and Point Vigour work the British passenger liner turned cruise ship, Oriana away from the dock in 1979.
2. Point Vim and Point Vigour live up to their names.
Of the 1962 batch of six, three are very much in operation in Canada and are reported to be in excellent condition by their present owners, all still running on their original Fairbanks-Morse engines.
The first four tugs were completed and launched as a batch, with the last two following soon after.
Davie Hull numbers 631, 632, 633 and 634:
Hull 631: Foundation Viscount
3. Foundation Viscount working in Halifax harbour in the 1960s.
In 1973 the tug was purchased MIL's Richelieu Dredging Ltd and renamed C.O.Paradis. However in 1976 in a deal that involved dredges and tugs, it was sold to John S. Latsis of Greece and renamed Ikositria
[meaning "23"] It has been laid up since about 2005, and may well have been scrapped by now.
Hull 632: Foundation Vim
4. Point Vim returns to the Ectug dock in Halifax.
In 1973 the tug was sold to the newly formed Eastern Canada Towing Ltd and renamed Point Vim. It was based in Halifax and Port Hawksbury for a time. It was also modified at Georgetown Shipyard with the addition of a fixed Kort nozzle, and its engine uprated.
5. It's February and Point Vim has a heavy coat of frozen spray while waiting for a ship at pier 36.
Hull No.633: Foundation Vigour
6. Point Vigour heads out for a job in Halifax.
Eastern Canada towing acquired the tug in 1973 and renamed it Point Vigour. It was based in Halifax until 2006. It received the same upgrades as its sister Vim - a Kort nozzle and uprated engine.
7. The tugs were built with a patent quick-release towing hook and a small capstan for recovering towing lines.
Hull No.634: Foundation Viking
8. Point Viking off pier 31 in Halifax.
9. At pier 25-26 in Halifax, Point Viking has just assisted in berthing the Klavenes bulker Balao.
Hull No. 635: Foundation Viceroy
10. Foundation Viceroy nudges up on the Helga Dan at pier 9C in Halifax.
11. Feuille d'Erable tending to a mud scow off Ile-aux-Coudres, QC.
Hull No.636: Foundation Vanguard
12. Foundation Vanguard assisting the CCGS Labradror into the graving dock at Halifax Shiyard.
13. Point Vim and Point Vigour were familiar sights on the Halifax waterfront, and their charming names won them many fans. It was a sad day when they sailed away in 2006, but fortunately that was not the end.
14. and 15. Molly M 1 (former Vigour) pictured on the Welland Canal July 24, 2012. Now fitted with a towing winch, she was about to leave towing a barge with crane components to Iqaluit. This the longest single tow ever for the tug, but she is up to the job even at age 50. [John Vanderdoe photos used with thanks and permission.]
Point Vim looks as good or better. For more on her see this blog from last October:
http://tugfaxblogspotcom.blogspot.ca/2011/10/new-life-in-old-vim.html
Great story about the tugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mac.
Regards,
John Vanderdoe
Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteJanet Davis
Davis Shipping Limited (owners of Point Vim)