No. 6 Blast Furnace is Commissioned
On July 20th, Algoma’s No. 6 blast furnace was put on blast to replace No. 1 furnace. Expansion continued throughout the steelworks including the construction of Algoma’s first Cold Mill in 1954.
Algoma embarks on a major expansion program
The Company had been working with General Motors since 1949 on a complimentary agreement that met the needs of both companies. In May 1951, this relationship grew into a long-term agreement under which General Motors loaned Algoma Steel $15 million for plant expansion and agreed to purchase steel from Algoma through to 1967. The expansion program included a new combination bar and strip mill which moved Algoma into the flat rolled steel market.
Algoma Endures
The effect of the Great Depression hits Sault Ste. Marie and ultimately forces the Company into receivership.
Algoma Undergoes a Major Expansion
Algoma’s No. 3 blast furnace with a capacity of 450 tons per day was constructed along with a modern gas engine plant, three additional open-hearth furnaces, new docks and several merchant mills were constructed to increase Algoma’s product lines. By 1912, The Algoma Steel Corporation was formed.
No. 1 Blast Furnace is Commissioned
This marked the largest charcoal blast furnace ever built and operated. In its first year, it established a world production record of 173 tons of pig iron in a 24 hour period. By March, Algoma’s No. 2 Blast Furnace was commissioned.
First Steel is Cast
The steelmaking process (Bessemer) went into operation, producing the liquid steel that would be cast into ingots and rolled into the very rails that would ultimately unite the nation from coast to coast.
Algoma is Born
Thanks to the vision of Algoma’s founding father Francis Clergue, February marked the start of construction of the new iron and steel plant, named the Algoma Iron, Nickel and Steel Company. It took almost a year to the day to complete construction. It was an exciting, albeit modest beginning for Algoma: with two small blast furnaces, a 60 ton Bessemer furnace, a 23- inch bloom rolling mill and rail mill.