(1883) 1884                                  Algoma   1                                  1885

Steel package freight and overnight passenger vessel

Built at Kelvinhaugh, Scotland by Aitken & Mansel, Hull 270
Launched July 31, 1883

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

British registry 263.5 x 38.2 x 23.3, 1773 GT, 1148 NT     Br 85766     to:
Canadian Pacific Railway Co., Montreal P.Q. (home port probably Glasgow, Scotland)

Cleared Glasgow, Scotland Sept 24, 1883 with general merchandise for Quebec QC.  Arrived Montreal QC Oct 8, 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 added

Arrived Owen Sound ON May 10, 1884 and cleared Owen Sound May 11 on maiden voyage to Port Arthur ON

Wrecked Nov 7, 1885 on Greenstone Rock off the eastern end of Isle Royale, Lake Superior.  Enroute from Owen Sound ON to Port Arthur ON in gale.  46 of 62 passengers and crew lost.  Forward portion of vessel sank;  engine and boilers salvaged from stern section and installed in steamer Manitoba, which was built in 1889 to replace her.  (Vessel lost the same day the last spike was driven in the new C.P.R. transcontinental rail line to the Pacific Coast.)

See history in Scanner Feb 1974 (#37)
Also April 1987 (#154) (covering her wreck)
Also in Detroit Marine Historian July-Aug 1955 (#66)
Also in Great Lakes Ships We Remember p. 14

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