Tecumseh was upbound in the Seaway for the first time on April 9, 2012, heading for Thunder Bay and a new career on the Great Lakes. It was built by Lockheed Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. and launched at Seattle, Wash., on August 22, 1971.

The 641-foot long by 78-foot wide bulk carrier was owned by the Bankers Trust Co. when it began service as Sugar Islander in 1972. The ship has six cargo holds. It was registered at 15,544 gross tons and able to carry 30,124 tons per trip. It was built with two 6,000 bhp Pielstick 12PC-CV-400 diesel power plants.

It became Islander for Islander Shipholding Inc. in 1996, Judy Litrico for the United Maritime Group in 1996, and Tina Litrico in 2006. Prior to coming to the Great Lakes, the ship was sold to Lower Lakes Towing and underwent a refit at Veracruz, Mexico. Renamed Tecumseh (C836045), the ship arrived at Montreal on Dec. 29, 2011, and was equipped with the Port Colborne fairleads from the scrapped Canadian Leader. The 18,049 gross ton bulk vessel can now carry 29,894 tons of cargo at full draft.

The ship has been active in the grain trade during its time on the inland seas.

Adapted with permission from “The Grey Ghosts” by Steven Duff, Buck Longhurst, Skip Gillham.