This unique traditional styled Great Lakes, self-unloading bulk carrier was built by Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catharines, ON (hull #41). She was christened Canadian Century for Upper Lakes Group, Inc., Toronto, ON on April 15, 1967 by Mrs. G.E. Gathercole, wife of the Chairman of the Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario. The Leitch is powered by a Burmeister & Wain type 574 VT2F 160 diesel engine rated at 7,394 b.h.p. at 115 r.p.m. burning intermediate grade 180 fuel driving a controllable pitch propeller giving the vessel at service speed of 14.5 knots. She is equipped with a 1,000 horsepower bow thruster. Her enormous single hold is fed by 22 hatches. She can carry 25,700 tons at maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and is capable of carrying 31,600 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 29 feet 4 1/2 inches. Capacities include 465 tonnes of fuel oil, 75 tonnes of diesel oil, 186 tonnes of potable water, and 17,348 tonnes of water ballast.
