THE GREAT LAKES / A SHIP’S WINTER STORY

Algoma Compass

A ship that keeps rewriting its name—and its winters.

Built in Toledo in 1973, this River Class self-unloading freighter has sailed under three names and two national flags. Now Algoma Compass, it has returned to Owen Sound for winter layup more than once; the 2026 arrival required an icebreaker.

Explore documented winters ↗← Back to the atlas
THE MARITIME FIELD JOURNALNo verified ship photograph is displayed.
Historical evidence — never a live AIS positionSee dated records ↗

01 / The story behind the steel

One ship.
Many chapters.

Names, ownership and home harbors may change. A vessel identity stays connected to its sourced seasonal records below; no historic berth should be mistaken for its location today.

Chapter 1

From Roger M. Kyes to Algoma Compass

The vessel entered service as Roger M. Kyes in 1973, became Adam E. Cornelius in 1989, and took the Algoma Compass name after joining Canadian ownership. Its history shows that one ship can accumulate several identities without becoming several different vessels.

Read the original reporting ↗

Chapter 2

The winter Owen Sound needed an icebreaker

In January 2026 the Compass waited near Leith as harbor ice blocked its way. The Canadian Coast Guard's Judy LaMarsh opened a route, enabling the freighter to reach its winter berth January 19.

Read the original reporting ↗

Chapter 3

Why annual records matter

Owen Sound's waterfront museum also records a winter stay in 2025. Linking those separate winters shows a recurring harbor relationship without inventing a continuous route or precise berth location.

Read the original reporting ↗

02 / Dated historical records

Where this ship spent
its winters.

These are only the winters for which this archive has credible individual evidence. Missing years indicate incomplete reporting, not that the ship was sailing.

WinterHarborDocumented berth or facilityConfidenceSource
Winter 2025–26Owen Sound, OntarioOwen Sound harbor — specific berth not verifiedVerified historicalEvidence ↗
Winter 2024–25Owen Sound, OntarioOwen Sound harbor — exact berth not verifiedVerified historicalEvidence ↗

Recorded moments

  1. The Compass tied up for winter layup following a second day of harbor icebreaking.

    Dated record ↗

  2. CCGS Judy LaMarsh entered Owen Sound to break harbor ice so the waiting Compass could come in.

    Dated record ↗

  3. A later news report dates a photograph of the ship after docking at Owen Sound to January 31, 2025; the local maritime museum confirms a 2025 winter stay.

    Dated record ↗

The 2026–27 layup season is not yet populated here. For contemporary AIS positions use the separate live tracker.

03 / Continue exploring

Keep exploring the fleet.

Other biographies from the winter archive.

Lee A. Tregurtha ↗James R. Barker ↗Stewart J. Cort ↗American Spirit ↗

How this history is checked

Every layup record has a dated source. Community reports are distinguishable from port authority and museum records. Harbor coordinates are approximate geographic references; they are not a berth, directions to private shipyards or evidence of live vessel position.

Explore the source policy ↗