SUMMARY OF EVENTS IN PHASE II December 11/02 - After clearing Lock #1 of the Welland Canal, HAIDA was swung around and put into the dry dock stern first. This task was completed around 22:30. The gate was closed and the water level was lowered about 7 feet.
December 16/02 - The process to power wash the hull in order to remove zebra mussels, commenced today.
After power washing, HAIDA's 1000 hull plates were assessed using an ultrasonic thickness measuring technique which will determine the exact thickness of each plate. Based on the results of that assessment, Port Weller Drydock will either propose that the hull plates be replaced, or alternately, that the hull be externally clad with new metal over top the existing structure.
December 30/02 - A small crew of workers was hot washing the forward fuel tanks. The resulting bunker fuel and water was then vacuumed out to a waiting tank truck. The tanks were cleaned out prior to any welding that might take place because some areas of the hull and and fuel tanks share common metal.
January 8/03 - The power washing of the hull was completed today.January 11/03 - Work to clean out the fuel tanks continues.
Some preliminary information about HAIDA's hull is now known. According to the original drawings, the thickest (heaviest) hull plate weighs 20 lb per square foot which is just over 7/16 inch. This weight of plate was used for the bottom of the hull. Lighter plates, weighing 8 lbs per square foot were used in other parts of the structure. The thinnest plates are 5.5 lb per square foot
A "plate map" of the ship has been completed which shows the original thickness and the current readings. According to Lloyd's of London standards, over 50% of the 1,000 plates are on the thin side. A plate is considered to be thin, when it has lost more than 15% of its original thickness.
Feb 2/03 - There is not much visible activity in the drydock. A wind baffle has been erected directly in front of the bow. Welding cables have been affixed to the ship's hull in preparation for further work. A sample piece of the hull , about 4 in by 12 in. was cut out in order to show officials how much it had thinned out.
Feb 15/03 - The first of HAIDA's plates are removed.
March 8/03 - Plate replacement continues and this task is in an advanced state. Plates at the waterline and below are being cut out and removed and replaced with new plates depending on the level of wastage that has occurred. Plates with the most wastage are being replaced and in some cases those with less wastage are being strengthened with doublers. A wind baffle has been erected at HAIDA's stern and the Welland Canal has been filled with water.
April 12/13 - The drydock is temporarily flooded to admit another vessel into the drydock.
April 23 - The balance of the plate work is being completed. Primer has been applied in many areas. Painting to follow.
May 6/03 - Haida is out of the drydock. Now waiting for the superstructure work to commence.
July 19/03 - Back into the drydock for more hull work.
Aug 28/03 - HAIDA leaves the drydock.
Dec 12/02 - The water in the drydock is almost drained with approximately another 6 inches to go right at the moment the photo was taken. At first sight, HAIDA's hull looked mostly free of marine growth but closer inspection revealed a huge amount of zebra mussels. (Photo by Jim Brewer )
On closer inspection, the zebra mussels infestation of the Great Lakes is very much in evidence on HAIDA's hull. (Photo by Chris Anderson)
Before and after photos of the port propellor shaft showing the zebra mussel encrustation and how it was cleaned off. In the "after" photo, it is now possible to see the threads on the end of the propellor shaft. (Photo by Jim Brewer)
The hull plates have been identified with chalk in prior to measurement of thickness. (Photo by Jim Brewer )
Feb 2/03 - A wind screen is placed directly in front of the bow to make conditions more bearable for the workers. (Photo by Jerry Proc)
Feb 15/03 - The first of HAIDA's plates are removed on the starboard side at the bow. (Photo by Jim Brewer)
Feb 22/03 - The first of the new plates have been welded in place. (Photo by Jim Brewer)
March 8/03 - Plate replacement is well under way. (Photo by Jerry Proc)
April 13 - The drydock is flooded temporarily in order to admit the ferry from Pelee Island, Ontario for her five year checkup. HAIDA will be back on the blocks by this evening along with a companion. The plan is to bring out HAIDA and the ferry in approximately two weeks in order to provide space for HMCS HALIFAX. This is the first daylight photo of HAIDA floating in the drydock since she entered that facility on Dec 11/02. Once out of drydock, HAIDA will be berthed at dockside to complete her repairs. (Photo by Jim Brewer)
April 24 - Haida and the Pelee ferry are still in the 'dock but the ferry needs to head back to home port. On April 27 the dock was flooded to let the ferry out. Haida will was repositioned and the dock was drained once again. The remainder of the welding will soon be finished and the aft quarter needs to be sandblasted and painted. In this photo, the forward bottom portion of the hull is already wearing zinc primer. Soon the drydock will be occupied by HMCS Halifax. (Photo by Jerry Sullivan)
May 10 - It is a tranquil scene as HAIDA is berthed at the Port Weller Drydock jetty. Behind her are HMCS Halifax and CCGC Griffon. Photo by Marg Mathers)
May 17- Now that Griffon and Halifax are in the drydock, HAIDA has been relocated closer to the main dockyard area. (Photo by Jerry Proc)
July 19 - Around the beginning of July, HAIDA was moved into Port Weller's "big" drydock for some final work on her hull. In Hamilton, she will be displayed with pennant 215 which has already been applied to both sides and the stern". (Photo by Jim Brewer)
Aug 16/03 - The drydock has been partially flooded with the ship not yet in buoyancy. This will likely be the last view of HAIDA's rudder, prop shafts and 'A' frames for quite some time to come. (Photo by Jerry Proc)
Nov 6/13 Back to Restoration Page
