Topic starter
29/11/2011 1:27 pm
Steamboating colleagues:
Press releases this week confirm that Saugatuck, Michigan will lose the classic 350 Ft. SS KEEWATIN, built at Coban, Scotland on the River Clyde in 1906. Mr. Roland 'R.J.' Peterson, 85, owner of Tower Marina in nearly Douglas, MI purchased the classic Edwardian steamship in 1967 CANADIAN PACIFIC vessel to keep her from heading to the scrappers. Peterson cites his age and the vessel's need for intensive repairs/renovations after 44 years in his care. 'Skyline International Development Co.,' a huge Toronto based operation in hotels, resorts, convention work plan to tow the vessel to Port McNicoll on the south end of Georgian Bay where she operated for some 60 years. The deal is to be signed this Thursday. Silting of present Lake Kalamazoo will require $1,000,000 in dredging to move the ship. Though lightened in draft with no fuel [coal in her day], water, cargo, KEEWATIN will need a 12 ft. channel depth.
Those on this web who have visited the ship can testify to her fine lines, interior beauty, fittings with an on-board museum. I recall seeing the KEEWATIN steaming years ago with her stern somewhat 'down' with bunker coal. Her one buff funnel topped in black bore the PC logo. CANADIAN PACIFIC in its peak years operated grand hotels, railways, steamship/steamboat lines claiming, "With CANADIAN PACIFIC you can circle the entire world with us by rail, ship, boat." Her sister in operation had been the SS ASSINIBOIA.
The beautiful oak dining room was manned by waiters famed for taking all meal orders, never writing a menu selection down. Her galley manned by 10 Chinese cooks with only one speaking English in her last days. Though hating to see the KEEWATIN depart Michigan, I wish her well returning to her old home. For years the ship hosted surviving officers, crew, family members from PC days arriving by bus from Canada similar to a Great Lakes Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen meeting. Though not an inland river steamer, the K. is one big 'steamboat.' Well, what do I know?
R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.
29/11/2011 3:20 pm
Let's hope some disaster doesn't befall her during the move! I have seen this happen too many times!
29/11/2011 4:16 pm
The KEEWATIN is one of the boats featured in David Plowden's book, "Farewell to Steam". Pictures of her cpativated me as a youngster when I was "just bit" with steamboat fever.
On a side note, David Plowden wrote an article several years ago in a magazine I take (American Heritage? not sure) wherein while on a vacation he was trying to show his kids some steamboat and telling them the story of it. After about 10 minutes, it was "Dad, can we go now?", much the same response I get, regrettably, when I try to do the same thing.
29/11/2011 4:53 pm
Thanks Dale for pointing out the moving of the "Kee". I saw an article some time ago about this being a real possibility and I guess now it's really taking shape. I've been on her many times over the past 15 years or so and really fell in love with her. The detailed woodwork of her cabin reminds me of the DQ. I'm with Jim
in hopes that she's capable of making the trip over the border. Hopefully whomever tows her will take the same care on the trip as the SNYDER got when she went to drydock. Reminds me again of the STE. GENEVIEVE and her ill fated trip to Tall Stacks. Fingers will be crossed for safe passage. Will have to plan a trip a'way up North one of these days to see her after restoration is completed.
Aaron
Topic starter
29/11/2011 4:57 pm
*RE: SS KEWATIN sale*
Hi, Jim & Bob,
Glad you recalled Plowden's book FAREWELL TO STEAM. That a classic and I promptly pulled down from my library shelves to review. In spite of close editing one or two photos got confused with the DELTA QUEEN, KEEWATIN etc. No big deal.
The KEEWATIN and ASSINIBOIA, steamed the Atlantic, down to the Weland Canal where there were cut in twain, bulkheaded, locked and rejoined. The Coban yard Scotland built fine, strong, ships/steaboats similar to DENNY BROS. at Dumbarton with the DELTA KING/DELTA QUEEN
29/11/2011 5:18 pm
I remember visiting her some time back and was just in awe. The construction of her hull,the exquisite detailing of the woodwork in her cabins,and that beautiful quad in the engine room,also my one and only glimpse of hand fired coal burning scotch boilers. (I missed getting to ride the CHIEF WAWATAM so never saw it done for real). She has some sheer to say the least and probably one of the tallest stacks I have ever seen. . .thank goodness for guy wires!
02/12/2011 8:38 pm
So what did happen to the Ste. Genevieve? I seen her picture a few years ago when i was looking on Little River Books pictures but I never found the story
29/12/2011 6:05 pm
Bob Reynolds;28264 wrote: The KEEWATIN is one of the boats featured in David Plowden's book, "Farewell to Steam". Pictures of her cpativated me as a youngster when I was "just bit" with steamboat fever.
You're not the only one. According to an article about the Keewatin in the SSHSA magazine "Steamboat Bill" in the early 80's, "Farewell to Steam" was actually Mr. Peterson's inspiration for saving the ship in the first place. His wife had given him a copy of the book as a Christmas present, and he was impressed with Keewatin from the photos. According to the notes in the back of the book, the ship had already been sold for scrap, but he called the scrapyard and found she was still intact, so he arranged a visit and bought her.
29/12/2011 6:30 pm
Jim Sutton;28270 wrote: I remember visiting her some time back and was just in awe. The construction of her hull,the exquisite detailing of the woodwork in her cabins,and that beautiful quad in the engine room,also my one and only glimpse of hand fired coal burning scotch boilers. (I missed getting to ride the CHIEF WAWATAM so never saw it done for real). She has some sheer to say the least and probably one of the tallest stacks I have ever seen. . .thank goodness for guy wires!
Jim,
Take a trip up north to Gravenhurst, Ontario to ride the Str. SEGWUN, and you'll see a coal fired Scotch marine boiler fired the old fashion way. There's a lone fireman whom tends the fire, keeps up steam, and hauls ashes. Two fore and aft compound engines keep the old gal scootin' ascoss Lake Muskoka and the sister lakes. The engineroom when I was on her several years ago was spottless and open to any passenger that wanted to take the stairs down to see what makes the SEGWUN tick.
It's well worth the trip up to the Great North and ride this relic, and see the other boats that operate up there. Don't forget the Str. TRILLIUM operates out of Toronto during the summer, and, at least as far as I know, she is the last steam sidewheeler carrying passengers for hire in North America.