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Mel Thomson / Mado Ray

Mel Thomson - Canadian List of Shipping 1956: Mel Thomson [C.197587] registered at Sorel; built at Owen Sound, Ontario in 1954. 38' x 12' 1 x 3' 3; 12 g.t.; 9 n.t.; 275 hp. Owned by Beaucage Mines Ltd., North Bay, Ontario. Canadian List of Shipping 1970: Steel tug Mel Thomson [C.197587] registered at Sorel. Built at Owen Sound, ON in 1954. 38'; 12 g.t. Renamed Mado Ray. Ex- Mel Thomson. Canadian List of Ships 1997: Owned by Navigation Arcade Ltee, Pierreville, Quebec. Transport Canada List 2002: Built by Russel-Hipwell Engine Co., Owen Sound, Ont. Owned by Navigation Arcade Ltee, Pierreville, Quebec. Transport Canada List 2003: Owned by Navigation Arcade Ltee, Pierreville, Quebec.


This small tugboat was built in 1954 by Russel Brothers of Owen Sound, ON as the Mel Thomson for Beaucage Mines. She was later sold to Navigation Arcade Ltd. and renamed Mado-Ray. Eventually, Ocean Group of Quebec, QC acquired the tug. Type: Single Screw Tugboat Year Built: 1954 Builder: Russel Bros. Ltd., Owen Sound, ON Horsepower: 275 bhp Length: 38' Breadth: 12' Depth: 3' Port of Registry: Sorel, QC.

 

Steelcraft Are Extra Strong

Canadian Shipping Magazine 1959 advertisement. Features Robert W., Mel Thomson (Mado Ray) and Welland.

ICEBREAKING WORK BOAT - To work between a mine on an island and North Bay, the 40' x 12' MEL THOMSON has a single Cummins 175 horsepower diesel and tows scows, breaks ice and carries supplies.

 

MADO-RAY in the livery of Artlac Dredging Ltd in 1989. Photo by Rene Beauchamp.

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Canada Day 2006, St. Lawrence River, Montreal. Photo by Yves Cloutier.

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Mado-Ray (ex Mel Thomson). Now owned by Ocean Groupe of Qu�bec City,
taken July 27, 2007 at Riviere-du-Loup, QC. Photo by Mac Mackay.

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Mado-Ray (ex Mel Thomson). Now owned by Ocean Groupe of Qu�bec City,
taken July 27, 2007 at Riviere-du-Loup, QC. Photo by Mac Mackay.

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Click photos to enlarge.
November 09, 2007. MADO-RAY at Cap-de-la-Madeleine, QC. Photo by Mac Mackay shipspotting.com
source: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=736984
September 30, 2013. MADO-RAY upbound on the St-Lawrence river in front of Sorel-Tracy. Photo by Martin Palardy, shipspotting.com
source: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1942848
September 30, 2013. MADO-RAY upbound on the St-Lawrence river in front of Sorel-Tracy. Photo by Martin Palardy, shipspotting.com
source: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1942847
September 30, 2013. MADO-RAY at the marina Beaudry, Sorel-Tracy. Photo by Martin Palardy, shipspotting.com
source: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1945717
October 24, 2013. MADO-RAY on the Richelieu River as seen from a bridge at Sorel-Tracy. Photo by Rene Beauchamp, shipspotting.com
source: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1906213
November 20, 2013. MADO-RAY & ROXANE D., Marina Beaudry, Sorel-Tracy. Photo by Martin Palardy, shipspotting.com
source: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1964983
November 20, 2013. MADO-RAY & ROXANE D., Marina Beaudry, Sorel-Tracy. Photo by Martin Palardy, shipspotting.com
source: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1964982
August 22, 2014. MADO RAY downbound on the St-Lawrence river in front off Ste-Anne de Sorel. Photo by Martin Palardy, shipspotting.com
source: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2168850
August 22, 2014. MADO RAY downbound on the St-Lawrence river in front off Ste-Anne de Sorel. Photo by Martin Palardy, shipspotting.com
source: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2168849
August 22, 2014. MADO RAY downbound on the St-Lawrence river in front off Ste-Anne de Sorel. Photo by Martin Palardy, shipspotting.com
source: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2168848

 

April 9, 2017. Le Phil D. ahead, Mado Ray on the hip. Photo by Jean Hemond.
source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/naturepainter/33832369891/in/album-72157611631961250/

 

Mado-Ray at Sorel-Tracy, QC, astern of the dredge Raymond D. Oct. 30th, 2018. Photo by Rene Beauchamp.

 

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