Hamilton, ON: Ontario/Heddle Shipyard

(Satellite) 

(Update: the name changed from Heddle to Ontario. [onshipyards_about])

This is the headquarters of the Heddle Shipyards Co.

HeddleShipyards
For over three decades, Heddle Shipyards’ floating dry docks and production facilities have dominated the waterfront at Pier 14 in Hamilton Harbor. The birthplace of Heddle Shipyards, Pier 14 is home to our corporate headquarters, our project management and engineering offices, three floating dry docks and our fabrication and machine shops.  Located in the heart of the Great Lakes and Ontario’s industrial core, Hamilton Harbour’s strategic location has been a driver in our company’s success.

Floating Dry Dock HM1	250’ x 68’ x 18’ over sill @ 3,000 – ton capacity
Floating Dry Dock HM2	325’ x 93’ x 23’ over sill @ 6,000 – ton capacity
Combined Capacity	9,000 ton
Floating Dry Dock Breton Dock	142’ x 64’ x 18’ over sill @ 1,000 – ton capacity
Fabrication and Machine Shops	30,000 ft2, 2 x 10 Ton Overhead Crane Capacity
Berthage	2,100 ft

Floating Dry Dock HM1

250’ x 68’ x 18’ over sill @ 3,000 – ton capacity

Floating Dry Dock HM2

325’ x 93’ x 23’ over sill @ 6,000 – ton capacity

Combined Capacity

9,000 ton

Floating Dry Dock Breton Dock

142’ x 64’ x 18’ over sill @ 1,000 – ton capacity

Fabrication and Machine Shops

30,000 ft2, 2 x 10 Ton Overhead Crane Capacity

Berthage

2,100 ft

Heddle Shipyards posted
Heddle Shipyards is fully booked for the 2022 winter works season. More than 14 dry dockings and alongside refit projects across our Hamilton, St. Catharine’s and Thunder Bay shipyards will support hundreds of jobs across Ontario.
[They chose a photo of their Hamilton yard for this post.]

Dec 15, 2020: Heddle Shipyards posted
Only half way through December and winter works have already begun.  The @coastguardcan Ile St. Ours, @mckeil_marine Wyatt M and the @heddleshipyards Kingfish all up on the blocks in steeltown.

Jul 8, 2020: Heddle Shipyards posted, cropped
Offshore dry docking of the @coastguardcan Martha L Black yesterday in @hopaports Hamilton Harbour.
Bill Flynn: What's the cycle time to lower and lift the drydock?
Mike Hall: Bill Flynn if I remember correctly it’s around 1.5 hours down maybe less, up is slower 2-3 it’s more about position on the blocks and lining the load up so it doesn’t tip or roll. It’s been a while since I worked there but I think my times are close.
[I presume that the ship will now be moved to one of their wharfs for repairs. Once the drydock is raised, a wharf would not need much draft to accommodate a raised dry dock.]

Kristine Schneider posted three photos with the comment: "The Algoma Compass being repaired in Hamilton Harbour."

[Actually, this repair is not at Heddle. A comment says that E S Fox is doing the repairs. I don't know where it is docked.

A summary of some of the comments. No one was hurt. It hit an abutment in Port Colborne. The hull thickness is 1.25" except for 1.5" around the anchor chute.]

Roger LeLievre shared

Chuck Zentmeyer: I was a little shocked they wanted to put the money into her. It was my understanding that when they acquired her they were gonna run her hard until she was used up and then let her go to the scrappers.

Matthew Carlson: Chuck Zentmeyer cost to repair this would be pennies compared to what they make running it. Even if they only run it for a couple more years this would be payed off probably on its first trip.

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[It looks like they can get the bow completely out of the water by flooding the stern ballast tanks.]

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TheStar
[Fortunately, I got some facts before I hit a paywall. The Algoma Compass allided with the southwest abutment of Bridge #21 on the Welland Canal.]

Janey Anderson posted 16 photos from a tour the of the unloading tunnel of the Algoma Compass.

Screenshot @ 0:25 of 2:25

Screenshot @ 0:28 of 2:25

Screenshot @ 0:34 of 2:25

I'm going to park this in these notes unless I see more port related information.

safe_image for Student history project highlights Ontario port cities for public
“Despite their historical value, ports have received little attention from Great Lakes scholars. A new digital public history project by Brock students aims to change that.”
https://porthistory.ca/

George Johnson posted three photos with the comment: "George R. Peakes in drydock at Heddle marine"

George Johnson shared

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Janey Anderson posted

Canadian Coast Guard Ship - George R. Pearkes at Heddle Shipyards in Hamilton. She sure looks HUGE from up here!

Heddle was awarded the contract to complete the vessel life extension work on her!

She's a 1986 Martha L. Black-class light icebreaker and buoy support vessel named for Victoria Cross-winner George Pearkes.

May 9/23

Janey Anderson: Is that a floating platform at her stern?
Don Huggins: Janey Anderson I believe the floating platform at the stern is a work barge used to transport the wheel blades, tail shafts, rudder, and other heavy parts from the floating dry dock to a work dock near the machine shop. We try not to swing the cranes with a heavy load any further than is required. The parts on the barge are a telescoping structure that extends aft onto the fantail.

Nathan Jarvis posted
Seaway Guardian up on the blocks at Heddle Shipyards, Hamilton today for some repair and maintenance period.

Sharon Logan posted
This is the old Cruise Ship at Hamilton Harbour at Hamilton Ontario. It is being refurbished to the original. Then it will be towed by tugboat to Kingaton Ontario to be used as a Museum. A beautiful old ship.
Aaron B. Wicklam: Not a cruise ship. She is an elegant Edwardian liner.
Ryan Vishnu: It will be departing Hamilton on Sunday 22 October, with a stop in Toronto Inner Harbour en route to Kingston.
Barry Carlson: How long is it? Looks huge.
Kingsley Campbell: Barry Carlson 336ft

Kevin Holmes commented on Sharon's post

1 of 4 photos shared by Janey Anderson of a Heddle post concerning the completion of the GLS Seaway Guardian [the green boat].