Design #333, Hull 727. 50' x 13'6" Harbour Tug. 150 hp Kahlenberg diesel. Canadian List of Ships 1997: Owned by William Parr, Parry Sound, ON. Transport Canada List 2003: Owned by William Parr, Parry Sound, Ontario. RBF Notes: Hull 727 built 1947. Canadian List of Shipping 1956: Brompton Duchess [C.178684] registered at Port Arthur; built at Owen Sound in 1947. 47'7 x 12'9 x 6'5; 27 g.t.; 16 n.t.; 150 hp. Owned by St. Lawrence Corp., Ltd., Montreal. Russel Brochure: Canadian List of Shipping 1970: Steel tug Brompton Duchess [C.178684] registered at Port Arthur; built at Owen Sound in 1947. 27 g.t. Transport Canada List 2000: Steel tug Mink Isle [C.320152] ex- Brompton Duchess. Registered at Ottawa 07/11/84. Built at Owen Sound in 1947. 26.77 g.t; 15.87 n.t. 14.5m x 3.9m x 2m Built by Russel Brothers, Owen Sound. Owned by William Parr, Parry Sound, Ontario. Transport Canada List 2003: Owned by William Parr, Parry Sound, Ontario. Nov. 2019: Details for registered vessel MINK ISLE (O.N. 178684) Owners
Name ROBERT ALEXANDER COX
Address 1787 TINY BEACHES RD.N.
City TINY
Country CANADA
Postal Code L9M 0H2.
This handsome tug was built in 1947 by Russel Brothers Limited of Owen Sound, ON as the Brompton Duchess for the St. Lawrence Corp. of Montreal, QC. She was later renamed Mink Isle. The tug was eventually acquired by William Parr of Parry Sound, ON. Today, the Mink Isle is owned by Sixth Great Lakes Marine Services of Penetanguishene, ON.
Type: Single Screw Tugboat
Year Built: 1947
Builder: Russel Bros. Ltd., Owen Sound, ON
Hull No.: 727
Horsepower: 300 bhp
Length: 47'
Breadth: 12'
Depth: 6'
Port of Registry: Ottawa, ON.
I know of only three Russel Brothers vessels that were fitted with Kahlenberg engines. Peguis, Granite Bay and the Brompton Duchess (Mink Isle). Jim Munts comments (Jan. 9, 2020)...In the Kahlenberg Brothers records I found that Russel ordered what seems to be just two engines for their tugs over the years. On 1-17-47 Russel ordered a "BF" model for "50' Alligator 'Granite Bay." The tug was "FOR: Alexander-Clark Timber Company, Port Arthur, Ontario." The BF model was a surface-ignition semi-diesel of 4 cylinders of 100-120 hp. Perhaps the most popular of Kahlenberg engines with direct-reversing and tons of torque.
On 3-24-47 Russel ordered a "B5" Kahlenberg of 150 hp for the tug "Brompton Duchess," for the Brompton Pulp and Paper Co. of Nipigon, ON. The B5 was a 5 cylinder version of the BF. A further note indicates a "St. Lawrence Corp" of Nipigon owned the engine.
Oh- on further review, the Granite Bay's engine was SHIPPED on 1-17-47, not ordered. Same goes for the Brompton engine.
In about 1963 both tugs are owned by an "E.W. Cross" of 344 Toledo St. Port Arthur, ON. He seemed to own many tugs with Kahlenbergs at this time, including the Pascol, Handy Andy, Dispatch II, Bradbury, Peguis, Esther S, and Glen G.
The Brompton Duchess / Mink Isle engine was on display in the main lobby of the Norgoma after 1980 and was replaced by a Cat engine.
25' x 9' Utility Runabout (Design #330. Hull #697) in foreground, Brompton Duchess in background, both boats were built in 1947. n.b. - the runabout is quite likely the Abitibi I.
Brompton Duchess sunk at Brompton dock, Nipigon, Ontario. Final photo: Brompton Duchess after it was raised, and the tug Red Rock, in Nipigon, Ontario. Photos courtesy Harold Dampier Jr. and Nipigon Historical Museum.
Various shots of Brompton Duchess, likely late 70's. The first is the tow of the Christine W. Owned by a Mr Falkner.
The Christine W. had a three cyl Kahlenberg engine.
Mr Falkner was a big commercial fish Enterprises.
The last one is a painting, at the St Joseph Island bridge. The only time she was in the North Channel under her own power with the Kahlenberg engine was on return trip to the soo. Photos courtesy Robert Cox.
Robert Cox comments (April 6, 2018): "Pictures from about 1980 at the Soo, told it worked Helen Lake (Nipigon, Ont." Maurice Spooner comments: "Brompton Duchess with the Goki alonside. Pic would have been taken at A. B. McLeans dock probably late 70's". Ginny Flett adds: "If this is the same tug I remember it was on Lake Helen along with another tug called the Dispatch. These were owned by Brompton Paper and were responsible for their storages on Lake Helen and making up and spilling rafts enroute to the mill in Red Rock." Photos courtesy Robert Cox.
Another shot of Brompton Duchess courtesy Robert Cox.
This photo shows the boat before the cabin was rebuilt but after the renaming, so likely early 80s. Article: "Mink Isle coming to Midland for Tugfest
Aug 21, 2014
This fine tug was built in 1947 in Owen Sound by Russel Brothers, one of Canada’s premier boat builders. Its original name was the Brompton Duchess.
Capt. Bob Parr bought the Duchess in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., in 1983 and had it shipped to Parry Sound. It was set up in the parking area of the town dock while Parr got to work stripping its machinery, rust and old paint.
The vessel had an old Kahlenberg engine that was removed to make room for a Caterpillar diesel. The hull was sandblasted and a new wheelhouse and accommodations were constructed..."
https://www.simcoe.com/community-story/4769497-mink-isle-coming-to-midland-for-tugfest/
No engine or fuel 1984 Mink Isle Parry Sound. Photo courtesy Bob Parr and Robert Cox.
Mink Isle spring 1985, after the new CAT engine installation. Left image shows Gen. #1 going in. 2nd image is the New 3406 B . Photos courtesy Bob Parr and Robert Cox.
Summer 2000 at the Tug Races in Sault Ste. Marie. Mink Isle and Regan. Paul Capel Collection.
2003 Great Tugboat Race programme courtesy Jeanette Cox. "The Mink Isle was built by Russel Bros. in Owen Sound, and was used in Lake Superior as a working tug. When Robert found her, she was sitting on a barge in Sault Ste. Marie and she was in terrible condition. He purchased her in 1986 and has made extensive renovations since including removing the old engine and replacing it with a new Cat. deisel."
RBF notes: Mink Isle - Ex Brompton Duchess (Soo, ON July 2, 2004)
Video from The Manitoulin Expositor, published on 13 Jul 2013.
The tugboat flotilla in Little Current, ON, for Bridgefest weekend.
Mink Isle coming to Midland for Tugfest - Aug 21, 2014, Midland Mirror MIDLAND � The Mink Isle is one of the many tugs visitors will see at Tugfest Georgian Bay in Midland this Friday and Saturday.
This fine tug was built in 1947 in Owen Sound by Russel Brothers, one of Canada�s premier boat builders. Its original name was the Brompton Duchess.
Capt. Bob Parr bought the Duchess in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., in 1983 and had it shipped to Parry Sound. It was set up in the parking area of the town dock while Parr got to work stripping its machinery, rust and old paint.
The vessel had an old Kahlenberg engine that was removed to make room for a Caterpillar diesel. The hull was sandblasted and a new wheelhouse and accommodations were constructed.
Parr renamed the boat the Mink Isle and launched it in 1984. Over the next few years, he and his wife, Sandra, used it mostly for pleasure, but the Mink Isle also performed the odd towing job around the bay.
At Tugfest events, the Mink Isle often won trophies for best engine room or most congenial captain. In the tug races, it regularly won the high-power category, as Parr knew how to push his tug to the limit.
Parr grew up in the Parry Sound area and spent most of his summers with his family on the Mink Islands. Right out of school, he joined the Canadian Coast Guard and spent more than 37 years working on various vessels. He was captain of the buoy tender Remy for 10 years.
In 2013, Parr decided to sell the Mink Isle, and an offer came from Robb Cox of Canadian Salvage in Penetanguishene. Parr accepted the offer, happy to know the boat would still be working on Georgian Bay in the rescue and salvage business.
Parr was one of Tugfest�s founding members, and today�s organizers note he always participated with class, energy and enthusiasm. He will no doubt be at this year�s Tugfest in Midland � if not running a tug, then most likely going along on one for a ride.
https://www.simcoe.com/community-story/4769497-mink-isle-coming-to-midland-for-tugfest/
Mink Isle at Parry Sound Tug Fest. Photos by Rick Stout.
Mink Isle heading home on Christmas Day 2016.
Mink Isle at Harbour West Marina, Jan. 2017. Photo by Robert Cox.
Aug. 22, 2017 from Sixth Great Lakes Marine Service Ltd., Penetang, ON Robert Cox on paint brush. Photo courtesy Jen Cox.
Harbour West Marina, Penetanguishene, ON. April 24, 2018.
Capt Rob of the Mink Isle says enough already, let's speed this up...April 21, 2018.
Original Kahlenberg engine in Mink Isle. May 7, 2018. Photo by Robert Cox.
Spring 2018. Photo by Robert Cox.
SIXTH GREAT LAKE MARINE SERVICES Established in 1992, our home port is Harbour West Marina in Penetanguishe at 319 Champlain Rd. 705-527-2164 http://georgianbaysalvage.com/
We take on jobs others may not attempt.
Aug. 9, 2018: We received a message from a cottager on Byng Inlet, North Channel. On Monday night the 'Mink Isle', built in 1947 at Russel Brothers, in Owen Sound, was spotted.
The captain of the Mink Isle had pulled an American cabin cruiser off the rocks on Sunday. That night another significant t-storm dragged the cruiser�s anchor and he was on a different set of rocks. Once again the tug pulled her off.
On Tuesday he began to tow the cruiser to Beacon Bay Marina in Penetanguishene. Those hardworking Russel tugs!!
Mink Isle all cleaned up for TugFest Midland, at Cedar Point-Christian Island Ferry. Aug. 16, 2018. Photo by Robert Cox.
Mink Isle at Tugfest Georgian Bay, Midland, ON, Aug. 18, 2018. Photos by Ryan Carson.
Departing Penetanguishene bound for Port Dover drydock Oct. 1, 2018. Photos by Robert Cox.
Mink Isle in Southampton, Ontario. Oct. 3 & 4, 2018. Photos by Robert Cox.
Mink Isle in Sarnia, Ontario. Oct. 6, 2018. Photo by Robert Cox.
Mink Isle in Sarnia, Ontario. Oct. 7, 2018. Photos by Mike Cunningham.
Short videos of the Mink Isle by Mike Cunningham. Sarnia, Ont., Oct. 7th, 2017.
Mink Isle, St. Clair River October 7, 2018. Photos and video by George Lee.
Mink Isle, Port Stanley October 7, and Port Dover, Oct. 21, 2018.
Mink Isle at Hoover's Marina just outside the village of Nanticoke, ON,, Oct. 26, 2018. Photo by Robert Cox.
Mink Isle at Hoover's Marina just outside the village of Nanticoke, ON, Nov. 2018. Photos by Shaun Vary and Rick Stout.
Mink Isle Feb. 19, 2019. Photo by Helen Bingleman.
Mink Isle back in the water, early May 2019. Photos by Robert Cox.
Mink Isle in Port Dover, May 12, 2019. Photo by Robert Cox.
Mink Isle in Windsor Ontario, May 16, 2019. Photo by Robert Cox.
Arrived Bridgeview Marina, Sarnia ON, May 17, 2019, upbound with George Lee aboard! Photos by Mike Cunningham.
Departing Bridgeview Marina, Sarnia ON, May 18, 2019. Photos by Mike Cunningham.
Arrival at Kincardine, May 18, 2019. Photos by Mike Cunningham.
Mike Cunningham, Jeannette Cox, Robert Cox.
May 19 at 10:10 AM
Upbound Lake Huron aboard Mink Isle.
Arrival at Kill Bear marina near Parry Sound, May 28, 2019. Photo by Robert Cox.
Mink Isle in Midland, Ontario, Aug. 18, 2019. Photos by Ryan Carson.
Mink Isle at Tugfest Georgian Bay in Midland, ON, Aug. 18, 2019. Photo by Mike Cunningham.
Mink Isle at Tugfest Georgian Bay in Midland, ON, Aug. 18, 2019. Photos by Darren Lortie.
Mink Isle at Tugfest Georgian Bay in Midland, ON, Aug. 18, 2019. Photo by Rick Stout.
Mink Isle at Frying Pan Island,
August 2019.
Mink Isle Sept. 6, 2019 at Beaver Stone Bay, KILLARNEY PROVINCIAL PARK. Photo by Robert Cox.
Mink Isle breaking Ice
22 Mar 2020.
Richard Ferguson is with Robert Cox. MINK ISLE First start of 2020 and a little ice breaking fun. Rick Stout comments: "The 48 ft Tug "Mink Isle" skippered by Robert Cox was the first vessel off the dock in Penetang Bay over the weekend. Built in 1947 at Russel Brothers in Owen Sound, the Mink Isle is now part of the Sixth Great Lakes Marine Services and Canadian Salvage fleet based at Harbour West Marina in Penetang. In the fall of 2018, the vessel was sailed to Nanticoke Ontario on Lake Erie where she was dry docked for the winter for extensive maintenance as well as a cage around her propeller to protect her shaft and five foot propeller from debris such as rocks that may be churned up off the bottom during a salvage and ice. She returned to Penetang in the spring of 2019 where she can be seen during the season along with her fleet mate "Canadian Effort" doing salvage work of unfortunate boaters throughout the season."
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
http://marinerail.com
