I wrote about the SS Keewatin back when it was moored in Port McNicoll, ON. Please reference those notes for information about the ship. These notes are about the beginning of its third chapter as a museum ship. In Apr 2023, it was moved to a shipyard in Hamilton, ON, for $2m of repairs and restoration. As I expected, the ship is being moved to a location that has more "foot traffic" to generate the needed financial support. The ship was donated to this museum, and the museum is providing the $2m. [cbc]
This is its trip from its old home to the shipyard for repairs.
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| 1 of 16 photos posted by Michalla Draper MD Photography The tugs are Molly M1 and Manitou. Michalla Draper shared |
The museum used to have the CCGS Alexander Henry in its drydock, but lost it in 2016 when they lost the lease on their building. That boat is now preserved in the City of Thunder Bay where it was built. This museum has now purchased the building that they used to lease. The ship is expected to arrive in Kingston in Fall 2023, but it won't open to the public until Spring 2024. [marmuseum-keewatin] (In the satellite image for the Alexander Henry label, the ice breaker is not moored at the dock.)
Rene Hackstetter posted two images with the comment:
Heading for Kingston for a new extension to Keewatin’s already charmed life. With the full support of the Friends of Keewatin who worked to restore her for the last 10 years, Kingston is the prime location for this incredible Canadian treasure! Tribute should go to the volunteers from “The Friends of Keewatin” who worked continuously for seven days a week for seven weeks to pack her up and get her ready to sail. Also, a salute to “STEVES BOB CAT” who did all the alterations enabling Keewatin to traverse the Welland Canal. Bill Phillips was invaluable as the engineer that made everything work. Also, Kevin Cameron of North American Marine the surveyor who worked with the team to ensure the ship was seaworthy and ready for the Transport Canada inspections that were thorough. The Port Café fed the troops every day and several consultants including Peter Farquharson were invaluable. All materials were provided by Midland Home Hardware. RT Recycling managed all the waste materials. Special thanks to Dave Anderson a marine engineer from Saugatuck who helped with stabilizing documents. The Volunteers provided their labour and knowledge for love of Keewatin and a gift to The Marine Museum of Kingston. Kingston provided all the funds necessary for what was needed and facilitated the speedy completion of this task. Wayne Coombes, President of Friends of Keewatin provided the authority and guidance and Connie Cochrane, Vice President of the FOK orchestrated the entire project. We thank the many individuals from Port McNicoll who visited during the project and were supportive and John Hamelin, a volunteer who gave tours to those who had a good story why they needed one! . We would also like to thank the Tay Township Council who were also cooperative and supportive. This has been a project to be proud of, done by knowledgeable people who know what is best for Keewatin and it will be delivered to an accomplished well financed museum with a very experienced and talented Crew. Ship Ahoy!Eric J. Conroy
Rene Hackstetter shared with the comment: "Thank you Eric Conroy and the Friends of Keewatin for all the hard work in saving the Keewatin for another life!"
Jane Wilcox Pauel shared
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Clayton Healey posted two photos with the comment: "KEEWATIN'S new (forever) home. Note: The Canadian National Museum of Great Lakes Maritime History and Heritage is based in Port McNicoll, ON."
Judy Barnes-DePeal shared
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| Clayton commented on his post |
L.R. Wilson Heritage Research Archives posted two photos with the comment:
They didn't have to cut the Keewatin in half this time!In 1907, SS Keewatin and her sister ship sailed across the Atlantic from the shipyard where they built in Scotland to Montreal. Too large to fit through the locks of the Third Welland Canal, the ships were cut in half at Montreal, and moved by tugs through the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, and the Welland Canal to Buffalo where they were reassembled. The ships were for Canadian Pacific Railway's upper lakes passenger and freight service from Port McNicoll to the lakehead. The tug business at the time was cutthroat, and there was a tremendous amount of competition to see which companies and boats would get the business from the Keewatin tows. Tensions were running high among the tug owners and captains that season, with a lot of ill feeling towards those who got the Keewatin tows. (Want to hear about the consequences of that ill feeling? Be sure to join us on our cemetery tours this spring.)In our Then photo, two tugs work hard to pull the stern section of Keewatin through the east guard lock at Port Colborne. West St. is in the background.
Kristine Schneider shared with the comment: "The Keewatin was in Port Colborne, the Welland Canal today, being towed to Heddle Shipyard in Hamilton for some work, as in the winter of 2023 the Keewatin was donated to the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston Ontario."
[I knew it was going to a shipyard in Hamilton. I'm glad to get confirmation that it is going to Heddle.]
Michelle Vosburgh shared
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| David Burns commented on Michelle's share |
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Fan photos of the trip downbound from Port Huron
More than one Facebook member commented that they had never seen such a large crowd turn out to see a ship pass by.
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| 2:20 video @ 0:21 "Rachel on the River" video of it passing under the Bluewater Bridge. |
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| 1 of 6 photos posted by Charlie Whipp I had a good time intercepting the Ex-Canadian Pacific's SS Keewatin (1907) on its tow down the Saint Clair River eventually ending at her new home in Kingston, Ontario after extensive repairs are completed. There were hundreds of boat nerds out to watch her pass by, assisted by tugs Molly M1 and Manitou. I followed her down as far as Marysville where she passed the up bound Joseph L Block and Paul R Tregurtha. The clouds had moved in south of Port Huron which to me suggested monotone which I used to capture the meeting between the Great Lake's largest vessel and the veteran Edwardian era steamer which has meant so much to so many over the years. I have to say that it was nice witnessing one of these tows that wasn't destined to end in the breakers yard but instead in a new future as a museum ship. 4-26-2023 Charlie Whipp shared |
Passing the St. Clair Power Plant:
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| 1 of 14 photos posted by Windsor Aerial Drone Photography In what will undoubtedly be remembered as the maritime event for 2023, the SS Keewatin headed downstream on her way to her final resting place yesterday. The Keewatin is one of the largest remaining Edwardian era passenger steamers left in the world. She is older than the Titanic and featured 108 staterooms with berths for 288 passengers and manned by a crew of 86. Her final destination is the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston Ontario. We were fortunate enough to be able to document her journey yesterday down the St. Clair River to Detroit and south to Amherstburg. While we have collected hundred of photos and videos, here is just a snippet from the journey. During the course of her journey, enthusiasts were lined up on both shores as the tugs Molly M I and the Manitou occasionally recognized the crowds with salutes. Be sure to follow our Facebook page for more photos as well as a video that will also document the historic journey. Windsor Aerial Drone Photography Aerial Photography and Videography by Windsor Aerial Drone Photography. Residential - Commercial - Industrial - Agricultural - Marine. Licensed by Transport Canada. [His other photos are more photogenic, but I chose this one because it is a new view of the ship and Manitou and because it provides another view of the power plant.He plans to create a video of the trip, so I hope I remember to check his Facebook page later to look for it.] Michael Chase posted Michael Chase posted Michael Chase posted |
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| Rod Burdick posted U.S. tug Manitou assisting the tow of historic Keewatin down the St. Clair River at East China, MI - April 26, 2023. |
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| 1 of 15 photos posted by Bill Urquhart Photos of the Keewatin as she passes Port Lambton on the St. Clair river. This is what photos would have looked like when she was launched. |
As it passes under the Ambassador Bridge:
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| safe_image for S.S. Keewatin, Grand Lady of The Lakes [This article has several more photos of the ship passing Detroit.] "The vessel was 350 feet long and weighed 3,870 gross tons, making it one of the largest and most luxurious ships of its time....The Keewatin was equipped with state-of-the-art features such as electric lights, steam heat, and running water....During the peak of its operation, the Keewatin transported over 1 million passengers and 300,000 tons of freight annually. The ship also played an important role in the growth and development of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which owned and operated the vessel until 1965." |
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| Jim MscKinnon posted, cropped A buddy caught her in Detroit River yesterday! From Windsor side. |
Judging from the tank in the background, Fred was standing close to Jim's buddy.
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| Fred Bultman posted History passing by. Joseph Rennie shared For Random Thursday Keewatin on her way to the Welland Canal and eventually Kingston Ontario |
Traversing the Welland Canal
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| 1 of 7 photos posted by Brad Wood Photography The SS Keewatin arrived under tow this morning in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, and is on its journey down the Welland Canal. The Keewatin was built in 1907 in Scotland and is the last Edwardian passenger ship (Same era as the Titanic). She sailed between Thunder Bay and Port McNicoll, Ontario, for the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1907 to 1965. Fortunately, she was saved from the scrap yard and towed to Saugutuck, Michigan, on the Kalamazoo River, where she lived out the next 45 years at a Maritine Museum. In 2012 she returned to Port McNicoll where she has been lovingly looked after by volunteers and has been on display and open for tours. The ship was recently purchased by the Maritine Museum of the Great Lakes, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada and is being towed to Hamilton to be restored. The restoration work is expected to be completed this fall when the ship will continue across Lake Ontario to live out her next chapter, dazzling more admirers! "The SS Keewatin passing the outer lighthouse (foghorn) at Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada." [I also learned that there are red and green inner lighthouses.] Brad Wood Photography shared |
Janey Anderson posted five photos with the comment:'
KEEWATIN TOW INTO PORT COLBORNE HAPPENING NOW [Apr 28]. (08:30 - 28.04)Tow line is now shortened to bring the Keewatin into Wharf 16 in Port Colborne for her Seaway Inspection now.Pictures from stern of tug Molly M1 showing hydraulic winch bringing in the line.All photos from Luke Hamilton on the job now.
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4 of the 14 photos posted by Wendy Lindberg with the comment: "SS Keewatin coming into Port Colborne, headed for it’s first lock."
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| a [I learned from other posts that it was moored against the canal wall while it was inspected for using the canal.] |
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| b, [Clarence Street Bridge] |
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| c, [Lock #8] |
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| Wendy commented on his post While waiting for the inspection to finish this beautiful loon entertained us. |
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| 1 of 14 photos posted by Karen Limardi The 1907 SS Keewatin in Port Colborne this morning. An interesting perspective seeing her from the Old Locks of the second and third canal. I heard when she was in the canal back in the early 1900's she was so big they had to cut her in half !! She's on her way to Hamilton to be worked on at Heddle Marine and will then go to her permanent home as a museum in Kingston Ontario. |
This was Karen's vantage point.
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| Street View, May 2018 |
Karen also caught some action further downstream. Note the yellow smokestack of the Keewatin peaking above the C in the "CN" on the abandoned railroad bridge.
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| Another photo posted by Karen Limardi Blair McKeil coming through [the Clarence Street Bridge] |
2 of 7 photos posted by "The Canadian National Museum of Great Lakes Maritime History and Heritage." with the comment: "Photos taken by William Dale Robinson wheelsman aboard CSL NIAGARA of S.S. KEEWATIN tied up above Clarence St. Bridge in Port Colborne, ON. Definitely needs some TLC, but she is going to the right place(s)."
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| a The Canadian National Museum of Great Lakes Maritime History and Heritage.: Ironic contrast. MANISTEE about to be scrapped in the background at https://www.marinerecycling.ca [my notes]. |
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Tony took photos from the other side of the canal, so he caught some of the grain elevators in the background.
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| 1 of 6 photos posted by Tony Visca In transit above lock 8 Roger LeLievre shared |
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| 1 of 4 photos posted by Kent Smith "SS Keewatin, built in Scotland 1907, 300 ft, World's last Titanic era passenger steamship, entering the Welland Canal at Lock 8,Port Colborne, headed to ship yard in Hamilton for updating and then to Kingston in 2024 where she will reside and open to tours. Kent Smith shared |
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| 1 of 8 photos posted by Joseph Rennie KEEWATIN at Lock 8, narrow hull. |
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| Bill Jr Salton posted Keewatin floats over East Main Street in Welland, at the hands of Molly MI and Wyatt M. |
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| Haydn Abell posted Allanburg Bridge, Thorold ON at 2:21 P.M. |
3 of 11 photos posted by Bobby Dzz with the comment: "S.S. Keewatin in front of my home between locks 6-7. So many people are coming out to see her."
Bobby Dzz shared
Garnet Reid shared an Erin Fischer post of a 1:53video of it going down in Lock #3.
Roger LeLievre shared
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| a, [Lock #7] |
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| b, [Locks #6] |
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| c, [Locks #6] |
2:18 video of it coming out of Lock #4
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| a Waiting high up in the lock #4 with the Molly M. [I had to study this photo for a while. Neil took it with a long lens from #3. That is why we can see all of the empty Lock #5 behind the Lock #4 that the ship is occupying. and we can even see the embankment for Lock #6.] |
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| b [This would be Lock #3.] |
Here is another post that covers both Locks #4 and #3.
5 of 17 photos posted by Bev Seddon with the comment: "I was down at our canal here in St. Catharines to see this old girl go through. Hundreds of people I’d say turned out to see her go through. Just wish the weather had been better. I was at 2 different Locks to watch and capture these photos."
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| a Dennis DeBruler: I like this establishing shot. It not only let's me see that you are at Lock #4, it shows me how Locks 4-6 "climb the escarpment." |
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| b [Is it giving it all that she has to get it moving again?] |
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| d [Glendale Avenue (#5) Bridge, by the time I'm done writing this, I may have the bridges memorized.] |
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| Patrick Harrison commented on Bev's post she spent many years in Douglas/Saugatuck Michigan and it was a sad couple of days when they moved her. I say 'couple of days' because she had been in the same place for so long that she was stuck and she didn't go without a fight. She also had issues with trim and you can see that she had a small list when they took her out. She had been there many years and it makes me sad every time I see the empty space she left behind when they moved her |
3 of 15 photos posted by Kim Gagne with the comment: "S.S. Keewatin at Lock 3."
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| a, [Glendale Avenue (#5) Bridge] |
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| b [Either the bridge went down fast, or the boat is moving slowly, or both.] |
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| c [This is one of several photos of the boat in the lock.] |
2 of the 8 photos and a video posted by Joe Krushelnicki with the comment: "Several shots of the SS Kewatin leaving Lock 3 of the Welland Canal heading towards the Homer bridge."
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| a, cropped |
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| b, cropped |
Garnet Reid shared an Erin Fischer post of a 1:53video of it going down in Lock #3.
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| 1 of 4 photos posted by Janette Taylor Bourilier SS Keewatin, Lock 2 St. Catharines, Ontario Apr 28/23 Leaving Lock 2 heading to Lock 1, Port Weller. Molly M1 and Wyatt. It was a rainy, cloudy evening. With the help of an umbrella the pictures were taken. |
Hamilton Harbor
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| safe_image for Titanic-era steamship wows crowds in Burlington Canal |
Two of the 11 photos posted by Ron Sumbler with the comment: "Just a few pics I got today."
Shelly Hamelin: When the Keewatin was in Port McNicoll they had tours run by local volunteers who put many hours in restoring her and holding special events. We attended a tour of the ship, a Halloween Haunted Tour and a Keewatin Pull ( they had the community come out and move her down the pier as a strong group pulling the rope! )
I was lucky enough to have sailed on her just before her retirement. My father was a Stationary Engineer on the Keewatin and we did the return trip up to Port Arthur and Fort William ( now know as Thunder Bay)
The Keewatin will be missed in Port McNicoll but we know she will be well funded in Kingston so that they will be able to finish her repairs and preserve her for years to come.
Doug Storey: What is the origin of the name Keewatin? Do you know? We went to Keewahdin Elementary School and I would guess it has some Indian tribe connection.
Janey Anderson: Doug Storey North wind or Blizzard if the North (Cree lamguage). I prefer the last.
Judy Barnes-DePeal shared
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| a [I was confused by the hardhat until I realized that Ron was shooting through a window.] |
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Bryan Hayter posted three photos with the comment:
Keewatin is looking pretty clean and almost ready for primetime! But it might be a bit longer before she can leave Heddle Marine in Hamilton for her new home in Kingston....work remains!Took these today after helping my pal get his sailboat out of the water and on to the hard! The big winter storage facility for pleasure boats in Hamilton Harbour is right beside the busy Heddle docks thus affording some angles most folks cannot get as the area has restricted access!Hope to hear more about her journey to Kingston soon......
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| Jolanta Bak commented on Bryan's post |
A 2:28 video by a TV reporter touring the ship while it is docked in Hamilton. (source)
I was going to pass on what I thought was a seasonal opening for a museum ship. Then I remembered that this would be the first opening of the ship at the new location. That is definitely worth noting.
0:59 video of stills of the trip to Hamilton
Arriving at Kingston
On Oct 26, 2023, it arrived at its new home. I saw several photos of it on its way between Hamilton and Kingston. It is good that it did not have to go through the Welland Canal again because it, and the rest of the St. Lawrence, is closed due to a strike by the 350 lock workers.
Bill Bird added 11 photos.
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| 1 At 4 AM on Wednesday October 25th Keewatin was towed out of Hamilton after more than 5 months of restoration at the Heddle Shipyard in Hamilton. Six hours after leaving, the veteran passenger ship made its' one and only appearance in Toronto before heading down Lake Ontario. Molly M1 the lead tug with Vigilant 1 astern. Photo courtesy Doug McLellan. |
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| 2 As the clock struck 12 noon the following day, Keewatin appeared on scene at Kingston with Molly M1 and a local tug, Amy Lynn D, following. She was built in 1907 and was an active vessel from 1908 through to 1965. |
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| 3 West of the Keewatin's new berth at the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes are the vessel's lifeboats which have been fixed up and will be put on board in the coming months. |
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| 4 As the Kee is maneuvered into place, Molly M1 moves to her starboard side to turn the ship toward the slip. Photo courtesy skeyestream.ca |
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| 5 Another view |
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| 6 Residents of a condo east of the museum taking advantage of the opportunity. |
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| 7 Heading into the slip Keewatin is slowly winched along. |
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| 8 In place at the museum. Keewatin is an indigenous word meaning north wind or Blizzard from the North. There are 2 pronunciations of the word. kee WATT in or kee WAIT in. Either way, this gem of a vessel owned by Canadian Pacific Railway was built to bridge the gap between Georgian Bay and what is now Thunder Bay when there was no rail connection to the west. And the Trans Canada Highway wasn't completed until the mid 60s . One of 5 ships built by Canadian Pacific to haul passengers, freight, and vehicles until her retirement. So happy this piece of Canadiana is still with us. |
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| 9 Chris Whyman is the town crier welcoming those who watched the Kee come in. |
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| 10 While the Princess of Wales Regiment brightened the occasion with bagpipes. |
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| 11 Soon you will be able to book reservations for a tour of Keewatin beginning next year. And hopefully she'll be around for generations to come. |
I was going to pass on what I thought was a seasonal opening for a museum ship. Then I remembered that this would be the first opening of the ship at the new location. That is definitely worth noting.
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| SkEye Stream posted Tours of the S.S. Keewatin start on May 13th! Book your passenger experience by visiting greatlakesmuseum.ca Janey Anderson shared |
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