1908 Assiniboia 1968 (1969)
Steel passenger and package freight vessel
Built at Glasgow Scotland by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Hull 452
Launched June 25, 1907
346’ LOA, 336’ LBP, 43’6” beam, 26’6” depth
3 decks, coal-fired boilers, quadruple expansion engine, 3300 IHP
Enrolled at Montreal QC
336.5 x 43.8 x 23.6, 3880 GT, 2486 NT Can 125984 to:
Canadian Pacific Railway Co., Owen Sound ON (home port Montreal QC)
Sailed to Lauzon QC, cut in two by George T. Davie & Sons Ltd. and towed to Buffalo NY, where she was rejoined by Buffalo Dry Dock Co. Wintered 1907-1908 at Owen Sound ON.
Entered service July 1908
Entire career was spent sailing between Georgian Bay ports (Owen Sound, ON, later Port McNicoll ON) and the Canadian lakehead.
Boilers converted to oil firing 1954 at Midland ON by Midland Shipbuilding Co.
Fleet discontinued passenger service at end of 1965 season. Used only for freight service thereafter.
Sold 1968 for use as a night club on Delaware River and left the Great Lakes under her own power for the Delaware River.
Burned Nov 9, 1969 at her pier at West Deptford NJ while being converted for new service. Hull scrapped 1970
See history in Detroit Marine Historian Feb 1961 (#114)
IMO 5027326
0846
In 1960 I, with my family, traveled on the Assiniboia through a storm from Soo Saint Marie to Thunder Bay. I wonder it there is any written record of that trip, especially one mentioning my family members being on the ship.
Hi Terrance,
Patrick Kennedy here, a retired newspaper reporter who currently freelances a bimonthly column to Postmedia.
As you may or may not know, the SS Keewatin just arrived in Kingston (under tow). It was the sister ship to the Assiniboia.
I’d be interested in your recollections of the latter ship from you trip aboard her in 1960.
My email is: pjckennedy35@gmail.com
Phone: (613) 531-5227
Hi Terrance,
Patrick Kennedy here, a retired newspaper reporter who currently freelances a bimonthly column to Postmedia.
As you may or may not know, the SS Keewatin just arrived in Kingston (under tow). It was the sister ship to the Assiniboia.
I’d be interested in your recollections of the latter ship from you trip aboard her in 1960.
Phone: (613) 531-5227
Hi Kim . i also worked on the Assiniboia, as the night steward cabin watch and as a waiter 1962 63 64 . i am looking for pictures of the summer crew / I presently in evolved with the Keewatin in Kingston (also worked as a waiter ) ; I am a volunteer guide ;
I would love to know if there is docuemntation about the crew. My dad sailed on this ship in the 60″s.
Kim