There’s a renewed sense of optimism that the SS Keewatin may stay in her home port in Tay Township after all.
“We are determined,” said Wayne Coombes, president and marketing manager for the Friends of Keewatin, which operates the Edwardian-era vessel.
“My, and our, intention is to help keep the Keewatin in Port McNicoll, where her history lives.”
While the spring and summer months featured much uncertainty as rumours started circulating that the ship’s owner, Skyline Investments, might consider selling the Keewatin to a Kingston maritime museum as fencing prohibited volunteers from boarding the ship, there are now renewed hopes the ship will remain.
To that end, the non-profit Keewatin group is resubmitting its application to acquire a Category B designation with the Department of Canadian Heritage to provide Skyline with a tax receipt in exchange for keeping the ship in Tay Township.
“Certainly, having Fred Addis (former curator for Orillia’s Leacock Museum) on board as curator is pivotal, collaboration with Simcoe County crucial, dialog with Skyline Investments welcome,” Coombes said. “We’re pleased to be working with the ship’s owner to help her weather the winter.”
Interest in the ship also remains strong in eastern Ontario with Chris West, board chair of the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston, noting his organization has had discussions with Skyline about potentially acquiring the SS Keewatin.
“The Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston has a long history of successfully preserving and show-casing our former museum ship, the Alexander Henry,” West said, noting the museum’s board of directors believe Kingston would embrace the Keewatin as has occurred in Port McNicoll.
“The Keewatin is a beautiful and historically significant ship and if she were to come to Kingston she would be cared for and given the respect such a ship deserves.”
Closer to home, a petition created by local resident and historian Dan Travers continues to pick up steam with nearly 7,500 people now voicing their opinion that the ship should remain in Port McNicoll.
Many have recounted the rich history of the passenger ship that saw it reguarly travel between Port McNicoll and Thunder Bay.
“My dad was the CPR passenger agent in Fort William (now part of Thunder Bay),” explained J. Sarfield as to why he signed the petition.
“As such, he had much to do with the ship when it was in port. I rode many times, from Fort William to Port Arthur, and once made a crossing from the Lakehead to Port McNicoll," he added.
“As a young lad, I got to see the bridge and got to be in the engine room when that mighty steam engine was running. The Keewatin and her sister, Assiniboia, are true heritage vessels, a part of Canadian History," Sarfield noted. "Assiniboia was tragically lost to fire, after surviving over 60 years, and Keewatin is now 114 years old! Please don’t let this irreplaceable piece of Canadiana disappear. Please keep her in Port McNicoll where she belongs.”
There’s also a commemorative coin produced by the Royal Canadian Mint now available along with a book detailing the ship’s rich history.
The $30 fine silver coin, which was designed by Canadian artist Matt Conacher, features a starboard bow view of the ship on the reverse and a port stern obverse view. Both the coin and book can be purchased together or individually from publisher Colour Innovations.
Added Combes: “Net proceeds go to The RJ and Diane Person Keewatin Foundation, DBA Friends of Keewatin.”
Built in Scotland, the vessel was launched on July 6, 1907, five years before the Titanic. It was retired in 1966 after spending almost 60 seasons transporting passengers.
Since returning to its Port McNicoll home port from the United States in 2012, the Edwardian-era passenger ship has proven to be a bona fide hit with both area residents and those from farther afield.
