(1883) 1884                                  Athabasca                                  1947

Steel package freight and overnight passenger vessel

Built at Whiteinch, Scotland by Aitken & Mansel, Hull 123
Launched July 3, 1883

270’ LOA, 255’ LBP, 38’ beam, 24’6” depth
2 decks, coal-fired compound engine, 1225 IHP

British registry 263.5 x 38.2 x 23.3, 1774 GT, 1147 NT     Br 85764     to:
Canadian Pacific Railway Co., Montreal QC (home port probably Glasgow, Scotland)

Cleared Glasgow, Scotland Aug 24, 1883 with coal for Montreal QC  Returned with leaking boilers and cleared again Sept 1.  Arrived Montreal Sept 23, 1883

Cut in two at Montreal QC by Cantin Shipyard and towed to Buffalo NY, where she was rejoined by Union Dry Dock Co.  Wintered at Port Colborne ON, where permanent cabins were installed

Arrived Owen Sound ON May 13, 1884 and cleared Owen Sound May 15 on maiden voyage to Port Arthur ON

Enrollment transferred to Canada before 1887     Can 85765     (home port to Montreal QC)

Remeasured about 1892 to 2268 GT, 1544 NT

Lengthened 36’  1910 at Collingwood ON. by Collingwood Shipbuilding Co.
Remeasured to 298.8 x 38.2 x 23.3, 2784 GT, 2349 NT

Repowered 1913 with another compound engine at Port Arthur ON by Western Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Co.

Reduced 1916 to freight only service

Withdrawn from service after 1943 season and laid up at Port McNicoll ON

Sold 1947 to Steel Company of Canada for scrap.  Towed to Hamilton ON May 1947 and scrapped there 1947-48

See history in Scanner Feb 1974 (#37)
Also in Great Lakes Ships We Remember II p. 14 

(Note:  According to Glasgow newspapers of the day, this vessel apparently was launched as Athabaska but cleared for Canada as Athabasca, which name was on her bows for her entire career.  However, she does appear in the Canada List of Shipping as Athabaska for the years 1886 and 1902-1931 – (as Athabasca all other years).

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