Russel Brothers Limited   OWEN SOUND, ONTARIO   Steelcraft Boat Builders
 
The Réjean Boisvert Collection
Yves Cloutier procured and scanned this collection of photos from
Réjean Boisvert, who works at the museum at Grand Piles, Qc.

YC notes: The Henry Sorgius and the Rapide-Blanc operated on the La Trenche Reservoir. The Amisk, the La Trenche, The Flamand,
The Coucoucache and The Rapide-des-Coeurs were operation on the Rapide-Blanc reservoir. There is only 14 mile road between Rapide-Blanc and La Trenche. I guess that on the River, only 7 miles separate the two dams.

 
Bostonnais   1940

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Cape Crow   1951

Ville class tug.

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Cape Crow   1951

Ville class tug.

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Cape Crow   1951

Ville class tug.

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Delivery   1941

The 1941 rail arrival of La Tuque, Bostonnais, and La Croche at Fitzpatrick, Qc.

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Jos Denoncourt   1947

The Jos Denoncourt pulling a long boom in.

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Nikauba   1952

Nikauba breaking up a huge jam in 1981 at Grand Piles, Qc.

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Nikauba   1952

Nikauba breaking up a very late jam in 1986 at Grand Piles, Qc.

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Nil Bouchard   1947

Arrival at Grandes Piles, Qc. on Nov. 10, 1989, of the Nil Bouchard
(soon to be renamed Jos Denoncourt).

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The Piles   1947

1991: Full steam ahead! Ain't afraid of no logs!

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Rapide Blanc   1951

Boom Jumping: The front of the boat almost completly out of the water after hitting a 42 in. piece of boom. Notice the water coming on the back of the boat....Picture taken at La Trenche Qc., in 1973. We had also to jump on occasion 4 piece booms (56 in. wide)..... It's recommended to hit square and to push the throttle to the max after the hit if you don't want to get stuck.
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La Trenche   1950

Pushing the logs.

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La Trenche   1950

When repairs were needed, the crane would just lift the stern!

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La Trenche   1950

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The Life of the Rapide des Coeurs
on the St-Maurice River

Notes by Yves Cloutier, photos from Rejean Boisvert

The Rapide des Coeurs with it's first cabin in 1948 The Coucoucache is behind, both tugs were converted and remotorised at the same time in 1952 and in the late 70's.

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From the Archives of the CN...

1952, after a new cabin, engine ( 4 cylinder Cummins) and transmission were installed by my father Roger Cloutier.

Last pict, the Rapide des Coeurs with new windows, and a noisy but compact Cummins V8. Seen here cleaning the River at Shawinigan. When the V8 was instaled, the boat got a nickname "Le ravageur du St-Maurice" The V8 Sound was very different from the 6 of all the other boat in service on the Rapide-Blanc Reservoir. Rapide des Coeurs was a bit shorter and less stable than the other boats based at Rapide-Blanc he spent 44 years on the reservoir. After being remotorised the boat was often moved where it's services were needed and was used at Grande Piles and Shawinigan.

Rapide des Coeurs last moment on the St-Maurice on oct 21 1998 after 64 years of service on the River. I think the STMRD had it's money's worth with this one and the Coucoucache. Still pulling itself on the flatbed truck . Destination Québec the new and current owner, le Groupe Océan. Notice the hull... no more logs to keep it clean!

 

 
Réjean Boisvert fixing the propellor guard on La Trenche, 1957.

 

 

For more Russel exhibits visit Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum 1165 1st Ave West, Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K8
(519) 371-3333     http://marinerail.com