THE MARINE MUSEUM OF MANITOBA (SELKIRK) INC.
ANSWERS
1.
The “M.S. Keenora” was built in 1897 for the Rainy River Navigation
Company of Rat Portage, Ontario. It was named for the three towns in
the area: KEEwatin, NOranda, and RAt Portage. Later the town of
Rat Portage was renamed after the boat, but to avoid confusion, one
“E” was dropped from the town’s name to make “Kenora”
2.
The “Keenora” burned wood until about the 1950’s, then she burned
coal until diesel engines were installed about five years before she
was taken out of service.
3.
The “Keenora” was originally used for service on Lake of the Woods
between Rat Portage and Fort Francis, Ontario. In 1917 she was cut in
half and shipped to Winnipeg where she was reassembled with a 50
foot section added to the middle.
4.
During the tourist season the “Keenora” operates with a crew of about
26. The crew includes the Captain, the First Mate, a number of deck
hands, waitresses, an engineer and a cook or two.
5.
The “Keenora” was taken out of service because of the rising costs of
updating and providing safety standards for the passengers and crew.
6.
Early in 1966 the current owner of the “Keenora”, Marine Transport
Ltd., announced that the boat would no longer carry passengers. It
operated that season before being transferred to the Selkirk slough to
rest until 1973.
7.
The “C.G.S. Bradbury” was built in 1915. “C.G.S.” stands for
Canadian Government Ship.
8.
The “Bradbury” was mainly used by the Federal Government. For a
short time between 1930 and 1952 the Manitoba Government
operated her. However due to rising operation costs, the province sold
her to a private owner.
9.
Originally the “Bradbury” was used a fishery patrol vessel, a
lighthouse tender, and an icebreaker. After her re-commissioning in
1952 she continued in these capacities, and was also used as a dredge
tender and a transportation vessel for government officials
10.
In 1952, the Federal Government rebought the “Bradbury” and had
her re-commissioned, installing two Kalenburg diesel engines,
weighing 20 tons each, and new navigational gear.
11.
As she neared retirement, the “Bradbury” was unable to continue her
duty as an icebreaker because of a weakening in her wrought-iron
hull.
12.
The crew of the “Bradbury” performed many jobs that went beyond
the call of duty. In 1917 she broke through half a foot of ice while
carrying doctors and medicine to a northern settlement which had
been struck by a flu epidemic.
13.
The “Bradbury” replaced the “S.S. Baldur” as a fishery patrol vessel,
but she was somewhat less successful than her predecessor, as she
burned coal instead of wood. The black smoke from her funnel
allowed poachers to spot her coming from miles away, with the
result that she never managed to apprehend Lake Winnipeg’s illegal
fishermen.
14.
The lighthouse was built and put into operation in 1898.
15.
The lighthouse came from Black Bear Island, located about 100
miles north of Selkirk. It was moved to the Marine Museum by
Marine Transport Ltd. on September 28, 1988.
16.
In clear weather, the light from the lighthouse could be seen by
passing ships up to 20 miles out. However, during fog and poor
visibility conditions, the foghorn was used to signal ships of
impending danger.
17.
The “Jackie S.” was built in 1952 in Selkirk, MB, by Gus Stephanson
who named the boat for his daughter. This boat was the last all wood
whitefish boat used on Lake Winnipeg.
18.
The tugboat “Granite Rock” was built in 1913 for the Brown &
Rutherford Company.
19.
The “Granite Rock” was used on Lake Winnipeg to haul granite
stone and lumber.
20.
“Chickama” is a Cree word meaning “of course”
21.
The “Keenora” was too large to handle the shallow rocky waters of
Play Green Lake, therefore she would offload to the “Chickama II”.
22.
The “Chickama II” carried passengers and freight/cargo to points
between Warren’s Landing and Norway House.
23.
The “Chickama II” was built by the Purvis Company in Selkirk in
1942.
24.
M.S. stands for motor ship and S.S. stands for steam ship.
25.
The “M.S. Keenora” and the “C.G.S. Bradbury” were both
prefabricated in Sorel, Quebec.
26.
In 1944 the “M.S. Northland Lady Canadian” was built by the Purvis
Company for Canadian Fish Products.
27.
The “Lady Canadian” was mainly a fish freighter, but she was also
used as a survey boat for Manitoba Hydro.
28.
The “Peguis II” was a government tug built for Public Works in 1955.
It operated on Lake Winnipeg from 1955 until 1974 as a dredge
tender, assisting in the movement of barges loaded with sand, mud,
and silt from the dredging of harbors and channels.
29.
The York boat was one of the earliest means of transportation in the
rivers and lakes and was powered by men and oars.
30.
The dry-dock is used for building ships, and also to raise them out of
the water. This makes it easier to repair the hull, as well as annual
refitting. The dry-dock located behind the Marine Museum was
instrumental in the raising of our boats to restore and preserve, for
future generations, out nautical history.