Materials handling on the Great Lakes has come a long way since men with wheelbarrows unloaded grain from schooners. Wheat from the self-discharging MV Saginaw pours into the Great Lakes terminal elevator in Owen Sound Tuesday, Dec. 27.

A fresh load of wheat steamed into Owen Sound overnight as the MV Saginaw arrived after a trip from Thunder Bay that began Christmas Day.

Motor Vessel Saginaw was launched in 1953 as the John J. Boland at the Manitowoc shipyards in Wisconsin. It was one of the only three self-discharging vessels constructed on the Great Lakes in the entire 1950s.

Originally designed as a stone carrier, it was taken over by Lower Lakes Towing in 1999, renamed MV Saginaw, and currently carries wheat, salt, coal, aggregates, or stone.

The Saginaw is a typical Lower Lakes lock-sized boat at 623 feet long with a 72 foot beam, and a depth of 36 feet. Its original steam turbine engine was replaced by a modern deisel powerplant, paired with a new controlled-pitch propellor, in 2007.

Grey is the pallete as MV Saginaw unloads wheat Tuesday, Dec. 27, in Owen Sound. A closer look brings out some cheer.

Care is needed along the harbour walls as the walkways are not maintained in winter months.

Winter sets in at the Owen Sound harbour Tuesday, Dec. 23.

- by Hub staff
David Galway