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Georgian Bay Ships: A List 

Georgian Bay Ships: A List of all the ships that sailed on Georgian Bay until the 1960s. This list is not complete. If you know of a ship that sailed the waters of Georgian Bay please contact me with information about that vessel, and, if you have a picture that I could post with it, that would be much appreciated. Click here for form to add ship's name.

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  1. A.A. Hudson - My grandfather was a captain , created his own shipping company in midland partnering somewhat with Mr Playfair , he got his own name AA Hudson on his ship in 1939 and sadly he also died in 1939 and his younger brother D"ALTON took over as captain , eventually was called the Hudson trader and then finally scrapped , his ship is on the cover of fleet histories , also D'alton Hudson drove the first ship through the rebuilt locks in the welland canal in 1967 D'alton also sailed the SS Superior and SS Georgian.      submitted by Reid Hudson, Oakville, Ontario
A.A. Hudson
  • Adam Ainslie (Tug) - (1892)
  • Africa (Propeller) -- Owen Sound Steamship Company
  • A.G. Morey (Schooner) -- Built in Chicago in 1861 -- ran aground and sunk June 1883
  • Alberta (Steamer) -- CPR
cpr steamer albertaCPR Steamer SS Alberta - Paul White Historic Postcard Collection

  1. Algoma (Steamer) -- 163' steamer, 758 tons. The renamed City of Toronto (147' x 23', 350 tons), built in Niagara, Ontario, Canada in 1841. Rebuilt (163' x 22', 758 tons) in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. in 1863. Renamed Racine in 1863. Renamed Algoma in 1864. Abandoned in 1877.
  2. Algoma (Steamer) -- CPR -- Wrecked on Lake Superior (1885)
  3. Alice G (Tug) -- wrecked Tobermory -- a Fathom Five dive site
  1. Alice Hackett (Schooner) -- Owner: Captain Hackett. First known wreck on Georgian Bay, in 1828.
  1. Ann Mackenzie (Schooner) -- 100' long. Built at Sydenham (Owen Sound) in 1848. Sailed to England and then to Argentina. 
  2. Annexation (91 ton Schooner) sailing between Owen Sound and Toronto in 1854
  1. Annie and Jane (Schooner) -- Built at York. Owner: Stephen Jeffery. In use by late 1829 or 1930
  2. Annie L. Craig - 900 ton propeller - renamed City of Winnipeg.
  3. Annie Watt (Tug) -- burned off Cabot Head (1889)
  4. Arabia (Barque) -- Built Kingston, Ontario (1853) -- foundered near Tobermory (October 1884)
  1. Asia (Steamer) -- 137' x 28', 613 tons. Built in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada in 1873. Owner: Great Northern Transit Company. Sank September 14th, 1882, near Byng Inlet, Ontario, Canada.

  1. Assiniboia (Steamer) -- (CPR) -- (1907) -- grossed 3,800 tons, freight capacity (147,000 cubic feet) and 181 first-class cabins NB. The second picture shows the Assiniboia after it had been cut in half to enable it to traverse the canals between Montreal and Lake Erie
CPR AssiniboiaCPR Assiniboia - Paul White Photo Collection
assiniboia sailing as half shipAssiniboia Sailing as Half Ship- Courtesy Mark Sprang, Archivist, Historical Collection of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University
  1. Athabasca (Steamer) -- 263' x 38', 2269 tons. Built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1883. Renamed Athabasca in 1903. Rebuilt in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, in 1911 (299' x 38', 2784 tons). Broken up in 1947.
cpr steamer athabascaCPR Steamer Athabasca - Paul White Vintage Postcard Collection


  1. Atlantic (Steamer) -- 147' x 30', 683 tons. The rebuilt Manitoulin. Rebuilt in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada in 1883. Burnt near Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada in 1903. Owner: Great Northern Transit Company.
  2. Avalon Voyageur (Motor ship) -- built Clarenville, Newfoundland (1947) -- stranded and wrecked (October 1980)
  3. Belle McPhee (Schooner) -- Built 1850. Sank in 1854 off the Georgian Bay coast near the village of Thornbury.
  4. Belle of Buffalo (Schooner) -- wrecked off Penetanguishene in 1854.
  5. Beverley (Schooner) -- foundered and wrecked off Cabot Head (December 1856)
  6. B.M. Fraser (Tug) - built by William Marlton of Goderich - (1900)
  7. Bob Foote (Tug) -- Fathom Five dive site
  8. Bonnie Maggie (Steamer) -- owned by Van Every and Rumball of Goderich.
  9. Britannic
  10. Brunette (Schooner) -- sunk off Tobermory November 29, 1901.
  11. Buckeye State (Steamer) -- replaced the Lady Elgin on the Collingwood - Chicago route in 1860.

  1. Cambria (Steamer) -- leased by the CPR from the Canada Transit Company (1888-1891)
  2. Calula -- considered by many to be the first steamer to service the port of Owen Sound in the 1840s
  3. Campana (Steamer) -- formerly the steel-hulled twin screw British steamer North -- leased to the CPR to replace the wrecked Algoma (1885)
  4. Canada
  5. Canadian (Steamer) -- 1859.
  6. CP Edwards Canadian Coast Guard - Built in Collingwood in 1945/46. Submitted by Jim McKean, Orillia Ontario
  7. Carmona (Steamer) -- leased by the CPR from the Canada Transit Company (1888-1891)
  1. Carolina Marsh (Schooner) -- 1856 -- Serviced route between Collingwood and Chicago
  1. Caribou (Steamer) -- 145' x 26' wooden propellor, 597 tons. Built in Goderich, Ontario, Canada in 1904. Owner: Dominion Transportation Company. Rebuilt as a floating hotel in 1946, then abandoned.
  2. Cascaden (Schooner) -- built Southampton, Ontario (1866) -- wrecked off Tobermory (October, 1871)
  3. Charles Jones (Tug) - built by Robert Abbey -(1904)
  4. Charles Minch (Schooner) -- Built Vermillion, Ohio (1867) -- wrecked on rocks near Tobermory (October, 1898)
  5. Chi-Cheeman - Built in Collingwood in 1974. The last combined passenger-freight vessel built on the Great Lakes.
  1. Chicora (Steamer) -- 221' sidewheeler. Owner: Lake Superior Royal Mail Line (1869-1875). Built at Liverpool. Originally Civil War blockade runner called the Let Her Be. Brought to Canada 1868.
  2. China (Schooner) -- built Port Robinson, Ontario (1863) -- wrecked on China Reef (Fathom Five National Marine Park) (November, 1883)
  1. City of Collingwood (Steamer) -- 213' x 34' wooden propellor, 1387 tons. Built by Owen Sound Shipbuilding and Drydock Company (John Simpson) (1893). Owner: North Shore Navigation Company Ltd. Burnt at Collingwood, Ontario, Canada in 1905.
  2. City of Grand Rapids (Steamer) -- built Grand Haven, Michigan (1879) -- burned and sank October, 1907 -- today a popular dive site at Tobermory
  3. City of London -- formerly the Kathleen
  1. City of Midland (Steamer)-- Built by Owen Sound Shipbuilding and Drydock Company (John Simpson), (1890) -135' x 28', 748 tons. Rebuilt in 1893 at 17' x 28', 974 tons. Owner: Great Northern Transit Company. Burnt at Collingwood in 1916.
  1. City of Owen Sound (Steamer) -- 743 ton steamer built by John Simpson in Owen Sound (1875).
  1. City of Parry Sound (Steamer) -- The renamed Favorite (for more information check further down list). Owner: North Shore Navigation Company Ltd.
  1. City of Toronto (Steamer) -- 147' x 23' sidewheeler, 350 tons. Built in Niagara, Ontario, Canada in 1841. Renamed Racine in 1863. Rebuilt in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., in 1863 (163' x 22', 758 tons). Renamed Algoma in 1864. Owner: North Shore Navigation Company Ltd. Abandoned in 1877.
  1. City of Toronto --Launched at the Owen Sound Simpson yards in 1895, the side-wheeler City of Toronto sailed the Collingwood-Georgian Bay route for the North Shore Navigation Company, Collingwood. She was built to replace the side-wheeler Manitou which was taken out of service in 1894. Over the course of 1899 The North Shore Navigation Company merged with the Great Northern Transit Company of Collingwood and the Northwest Transportation Company of Sarnia to form the Northern Navigation Company. The City of Toronto was sold in 1908 and began operating on the St. Lawrence. She burned in Cornwall in 1914.
City of TorontoCity of Toronto
Photo courtesy
Community Waterfront Heritage Centre, Owen Sound
Submitted by: Robert Cotton, Owen Sound

Notice the drydock to the right of the ship, owned by the Owen Sound Drydock & Shipbuilding Company and often called the Simpson yards after shipbuilder John Simpson, a partner in the firm.

  1. City of Windsor
  2. City of Winnipeg - formerly Annie L. Craig - burned 1881.
  3. Clifton (Steamer) -- Owen Sound to Collingwood route in 1854 - sold to Captain W.H. Smith 1860s.
  4. Collingwood (Steamer) -- The renamed Kaloolah (see further down list). In use by 1855. The first steamer to make the trip from a Georgian Bay port to the Lakehead, in July 1857. Wrecked in 1862.
  5. Collingwood (Steamer) -- 61', 50 tons. Built in St. Catharines, Ontario in 1874. Burnt at Byng Inlet, Ontario, Canada in 1878.
  6. Columbia
  7. Constance (Tug) -- Owen Sound Shipbuilding and Drydock Company (John Simpson) - (1891)
  8. Cumberland -- Sidewheeler. Owner: Lake Superior Royal Mail Line. In use by 1871 - wrecked on Lake Superior in 1877.
  9. Detroit (Schooner) -- replaced the Belle of Buffalo after that vessel was wrecked Cape Penetanguishene in 1854.
  10. Doric (2,359 ton Steamer) -- acquired by the Northern Navigation Company (1907)
  1. Edmund Fitzgerald -- Launched June 7, 1958  -- the largest ship at that time on the Great Lakes -- Sank during a storm on November 10, 1975 -- claiming the lives of the entire crew of 29.
Edmund FitzgeraldEdmund Fitzgerald

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. Attribution: Greenmars

Edmund Fitzgerald -- Has become a much-studied and much admired vessel. Pictured below is a young devotee of the "Fitzgerald." It is my hope that the popularity of this legendary vessel will spur youngsters like Rylen (pictured in photos below) to become Great Lakes maritime historians in the future. Thanks to Rylen's mother for submitting and authorizing the use of these pictures.

Rylen - Edmund FitzgeraldRylen
with his version of the
Edmund Fitzgerald
Rylen - Stern View of the Edmund FitzgeraldRylen's
Stern View of the
Edmund Fitzgerald
  1. Elizabeth Broder (Schooner) Built at Sydenham (Owen Sound) in 1848.
  2. Eliza White (Schooner) 1852 sailing from Owen Sound via other Lake Huron ports to Toronto.
  3. Evergreen City (800 ton Steamer) sailed between Collingwood and Chicago (1858) -- taken off route after one sailing season.
  4. Fannie (Tug) - built by John Simpson in Owen Sound (1878)
  5. Fannie Arnold (Tug) - built by John Simpson in Owen Sound (1882)
  6. Favourite (Steamer) -- 130' x 25', 491 tons. Built in Meaford, Ontario, Canada in 1889. Renamed City of Parry Sound in 1895. Owner: North Shore Navigation Company Ltd. Burnt at Collingwood, Ontario, Canada in 1900.
  7. Florence M. (Tug) - 1897
  8. Forest City (Steamer) -- built Cleveland, Ohio (1870) -- sunk in waters of Fathom Five National Marine Park (June 1904)
  9. Fountain City (100 ton Steamer) -- built by Peck and Woosier at Cleveland - 1857 -- sailed between Collingwood and Chicago (1859) -- 1894 converted to a barge -- burned on Lake Michigan in 1897.
  1. Frances Smith (Steamer) -- 182' x 28' sidewheeler, 1324 tons. First steamer built by Melancthon Simpson - Owen Sound in 1867. Renamed Baltic in 1888. Burned at Collingwood in 1896.
Frances SmithFrances Smith - Sidewheeler: Paul White Historic Photo Collection
  1. Germanic (Steamer) -- 184' x 32', 1014 tons. Built in Collingwood, Ontario in 1899. Owner: Great Northern Transit Company. Burnt at Collingwood in 1917.
germanicGermanic - Northern Navigation Co. Steamer - Paul White Historic Postcard Collection

  1. Gore - 125' x 16', 160 tons. Built in Niagara, Ontario, Canada in 1839. Renamed Goderich in 1845. Renamed Gore in 1846. Retired in 1852.
  2. Griffon -- LaSalle
  1. Hamonic (5,265 ton Steamer) - Built at Collingwood (1909) -- Destroyed by fire at Sarnia (Jul 17, 1945)
s.s. harmonicS.S. Harmonic - Paul White Historic Postcard Collection
  1. Harrison (Tug) - built by Robert Abbey (1909)
  2. Henry Pedwell -- purchased by John Tackaberry of Lion's Head, Ontario in 1917 for ferry service between Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Island -- Pedwell renamed the Kegawong by new owner Owen Sound Transportation Company in 1921.
  1. Hibou -- formerly the Alice owned by John Tackaberry in the 1920s and then sold to Dominion Transportation Company who renamed her the Hibou.


Hindman Fleet
(Including the Diamond Ships also owned by the Hindman Company)

The Hindman Transportation Company's home port was Owen Sound on Georgian Bay. For pictures of the Hindman vessels please click here.

  1. PARKER EVANS, 1908 (a) Harry A. Berwind (b) Harvey H. Brown.
  2. PAUL EVANS, tug, 1903 (a) Planet (b) Racey.
  3. BLANCHE HINDMAN (I) 1903 (a) S. N. Parent (b) Voulettes (c) Glenarm (d) Camrose (e) Palmleaf. later (g) Parkdale (I).
  4. BLANCHE HINDMAN (II), 1908 (a) Theodore H. Wickwire (b) Harry Tates (III). ELIZABETH HINDMAN, 1921 (a) Glenclova (b) Anticosti (c) Risacua (d) GEORGE HINDMAN (II).
  5. GEORGE HINDMAN (I) 1902 (a) Tadanac (b) Iroquois (c) Colorado (d) Dornoch (e) Brookton, later (g) Brookdale
  6. GEORGE HINDMAN (II) See ELIZABETH HINDMAN.
  7. GEORGE HINDMAN (III), 1914 (a) William D. Crawford (b) Baird Tewksbury.
  8. HELEN HINDMAN (I) 1903 (a) Robert Wallace (b)Tregastel (c) Glendowan (d) Chandler (e) Aspenleaf, later (g) Grovedale (I).
  9. HELEN HINDMAN (II), See SUSAN HINDMAN
  10. HOWARD HINDMAN (I) 1890 (a) LaSalle (B) Eastrich, later (d) Forestdale
  11. HOWARD HINDMAN (II) 1910 (a) A. A. Augustus
  12. LYNDA HINDMAN, Tug, 1908 (a) William A. McGonagle (b) Marguerite W. (c) RUTH HINDMAN (I)
  13. MARTHA HINDMAN 1905 (a) Lyman C. Smith.
  14. MARY E. HINDMAN, barge, 1941.
  15. RUTH HINDMAN (I) See LYNDA HINDMAN.
  16. RUTH HINDMAN (I), 1910 (a) Norway.
  17. SUSAN HINDMAN, tug 1911 (a) Watchfall (b) Zelda (c) Northern (d) Charles R. Randle, (e) HELEN HINDMAN (I)
  1. Hunter (630 ton Steamer) sailed between Collingwood and Chicago (1858) 
  2. Huron (Tug) - built in Owen Sound by John Simpson in (1882)
  3. Huron -- 72' x 17', 55 tons. Built in Goderich, Ontario in 1898. Wrecked in 1906.
  1. Huronic (3,300 ton Steamer) -- Built at Collingwood (1902)
s.s. huronicS.S. Huronic - Paul White's Historic Postcard Collection


  1. Ionic (1708 ton Steamer) -- Acquired by the Northern Navigation Company (1906)
  2. James C. King (Schooner/Barge) -- built East Saginaw Michigan (1867) -- wrecked while under tow by Wetmore (November 1901)
  3. John and Alice (Tug) -- Fathom Five dive site
  4. John R. Bentley (Schooner) -- foundered and wrecked off West Bluff (also known as Bentley Bluff (1886)
  5. John Harrison (Tug) -- built by John Simpson in Owen Sound (1884)
  6. John Walters (Schooner) -- Built Kingston Ontario (1852) -- thought to have wrecked around 1899.

  1. Kaloolah -- 188' x 25' sidewheeler, 620 tons. Built in Buffalo, New York. in 1853. Rebuilt as the Collingwood. Wrecked in 1862.
  2. Katahdin (Schooner) - built by Owen Sound Shipbuilding and Drydock Company - (1888)
  1. Keewatin (CPR) -- (1907) -- grossed 3,800 tons, freight capacity (147,000 cubic feet) and 181 first-class cabins - Picture below shows the Keewatin being put together in Buffalo New York after being cut in half near Montreal and the two sections sailed through the canals, including the Welland Canal in 1907. 
keewatinKeewatin - Rejoined in Buffalo New York - Courtesy Mark Sprang, Archivist, Historical Collection of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University
  1. Keystone State (1350 ton Steamer) sailed between Collingwood and Chicago (1855)
  2. Kincardine (Steamer) -- wrecked off Cabot Head (November 1892) 
  3. King Edward (Schooner)– 1870s?
  4. Lady Elgin (1307 ton Steamer) sailed between Collingwood and Chicago (1855) -- destroyed in Lake Michigan with a loss of almost 300 lives (1860)
  5. Lake Erie
  6. Lily -- wrecked off Tobermory -- 1852
  7. Lillie Seaman (Tug) - (1907)
  8. Lora (Schooner) – 1852.
  9. Louisiana (777 ton Steamer) sailed between Collingwood and Green Bay (1855)
  10. Lottie Wolf (Schooner)-- Sank in 1879.
  11. Magnet (Steamer) -- Owen Sound Steamship Company (1853)
  1. Magnetawan (Steamer) -- 100'. Owner: "Byng Inlet lumber interests". In use by 1877.
  1. Majestic (Steamer) -- 209' x 35', 1578 tons. Built in Collingwood in 1895. Owner: Great Northern Transit Company. Burnt at Point Edward, Ontario in 1915.
  1. Malta (Schooner) -- 136' x 36', 537 tons. Built in St. John, New Brunswick in 1857 -- Serviced route between Collingwood and Chicago in the late 1850s and 1860s.
  1. Manasoo (Steamer) -- 178' x 24', 529 tons. Built in Glasgow, Scotland in 1888 (then 154' x 24', 459 tons). Originally named Macassa. Rebuilt in Collingwood, Ontario, in 1905. Renamed Manasoo in 1928. Owner: Owen Sound Transportation Company. Foundered off Griffith Island in Georgian Bay in 1928.
manasooManasoo in Owen Sound Harbour - Courtesy Rob Cotton - Owen Sound Harbour
  1. Manitoba -- 338 ton in service for North West Transportation Company - 1871 - wrecked 1883
  2. Manitoba (CPR vessel) (2,600 ton and 300 foot long Steamer) -- Built at Polson Yards, Owen Sound, (1889) -- Largest ship afloat on fresh water at time of launch.
  3. Manitou -- 137' x 24' wooden propellor, 470 tons. Built in Goderich, Ontario in 1903. Owner: Dominion Transportation Company -- sold in 1939.
  4. Manitoulin -- 152' x 30', 706 tons. Built in Owen Sound by John Simpson in 1880. Owner: Great Northern Transit Company. Burned May 17th, 1882 in sight of Manitowaning, Manitoulin Island.
  5. Manitoulin (Steamer) -- Owner: Owen Sound Transportation Company. In use by 1925.
  6.  Maple Leaf (Schooner)
  1. Mary-Ann --Tug named in the death certificates of lake captain Warren Hill and steamboat engineer Alfred Walker, both of whom drowned off the tug Mary Ann on September 7, 1882. near Owen Sound.- submitted by Gwyneth Fatemi 
Mary-Jane


  1. Mary Ward -- 120'. In use by 1872, sank in 1872.
  2. Marion L. Breck (Schooner) -- built Kingston, Ontario (1863) -- struck rocks and sank near Tobermory (October 1900)
  3. May Flower (Steamer) Sailing to Owen Sound from Toronto (1853)
  4. Mazeppa -- Sailed from Parry Sound via Depot Harbour to Shebeshekong and Pointe aux Baril
  5. Meaford - Schooner (186?)
  1. Meaford (Bulk Freighter) – Great Lakes Transportation Company
  2. Mermaid (125 ton) Sailing between Owen Sound and Toronto (1854)
  1. Michipicoten (Steamer) -- formerly the City of Windsor -- owned by the North American Bent Chair Company in Owen Sound -- rebuilding began in Owen Sound in 1920.
  2. Midland King
  3. Midland Prince
  4. Midland Queen
  5. Mills (Tug) - (1903)
  6. Mineola (Tug) - (1893)
  7. Minnette (Tug) - (1898)
  8. Mollie (Tug) - (1901)
  9. Monarch 2,000 ton-class in service for North West Transportation Company - 1882 or 1890 (not sure of date)
  10. Montgomery (1100 ton Steamer) sailed between Collingwood and Chicago (1858) 
  11. Mountaineer (Schooner) – 1873 built by John Simpson.
  1. Neechee (Schooner) -- 1871.
  1. Nellie Sherwood (Schooner) -- 2-masted. 1882.
  2. Newaygo (Steamer) -- Marine City Michigan (1890) -- wrecked in storm off Tobermory (November 1903)
  3. Niagara (1100 ton Steamer) sailed between Collingwood and Chicago (1855) - burned and sank beyond Sheboygan Michigan with a loss of 150 lives. (September 24, 1860?) 
  4. The Niagara (Schooner) was owned by Robert Baird of Kincardine and commanded by Captain McKinnon.
    In 1891 the ship, laden with lumber from Byng Inlet in Georgian Bay, ran ashore in a heavy gale. For several days efforts were made to get the schooner off the rocks but to no avail. She was abandoned, a total wreck. The schooner Ariel took crew, some cargo, booms, gaffs, anchors and canvas to Owen Sound.”I can get the source of this copy if this is the same schooner already listed. Contributed by Deborah Harron-Thomson, Burlington, Ontario
  1. Norgoma (Steamer) -- 190' steel. Built in Collingwood. Owner: Owen Sound Transportation Company. In use by 1950.
norgomaNorgoma -Paul White Historic Postcard Collection
  1. Norisle (Steamer) -- 212' steel. Built in Collingwood. Owner: Owen Sound Transportation Company. In use by 1946. The first combined passenger and freight vessel built on the Great Lakes since before the First World War.
ssnorisleS.S. Norisle - Paul White Historic Postcard Collection

  1. Normac -- 117' x 25', 462 tons. Built in Port Huron, Michigan. in 1902. Previously named James R. Elliott. In use on the Great Lakes by 1936. Owner: Owen Sound Transportation Company. Rebuilt as a floating restaurant and sank in Toronto harbour.

normacNormac - Paul White Historic Postcard Collection
  1. Noronic (Steamer) -- 362' x 52', 6905 tons. Built in Port Arthur, Ontario in 1913. Rebuilt in Lorain, Ohio, U.S.A. in 1915. Owner: Canadian Pacific Railway. Burned in Toronto harbour in 1949.
  1. North American - cruise ship.
  1. Northern Belle -- Owner: Georgian Bay Navigation Company. In use by 1876.
  1. Northern Queen -- 156' single-screw. Owner: Georgian Bay Navigation Company. In use by 1878.
  2. Oak Glen
  3. Oneida (Steamer) -- 1880's 
  4. Ontario (Steamer) -- 1338 ton in service for North West Transportation Company - 1875
  5. Ontonogan (560 ton Steamer) sailed between Collingwood and Chicago (1859) 
  1. Otonabee (Schooner) -- 2-masted. In use by 1880.
  2. Oxford 
  1. Pacific (Steamer) -- 179' x 31', 918 tons. The Owen Sound Drydock & Shipbuilding Company launched the Pacific at Owen Sound in 1883 for the Great Northern Transit Company of Collingwood. The Pacific was moored next to the Grand Trunk Railway shed in Collingwood when it caught fire November 3, 1898.

pacificPacific: courtesy Grey Bruce Image Archives

 Information provided by Robert A. Cotton (Owen Sound)

  1. P.E. MacKerroll (Schooner) – 1875?
  2. Penetanguishene (Steamer) -- Built in Penetang, Ontario in 1833. Owners: Messrs. Thompson and Mitchell. Considered to be the first coastal steamer on Georgian Bay. Retired in 1838.
  3. Penetanguishene (Tug) - (1901)
  4. Philo Scoville (Schooner) -- Built Cleveland, Ohio (1863) -- wrecked off Tobermory (October 1889)
  5. Pioneer (10-ton Schooner) -- wrecked in the entrance to Wingfield Basin (November 28, 1863)
  6. Pittsburgh (Steamer) -- formerly the Carmona -- sailed from Owen Sound in 1900 until it was destroyed by fire in 1902.
  7. Ploughboy (Steamer)-- 170' x 28' sidewheeler, 185 tons. Built in Chatham, Ontario in 1851. Renamed T.F. Park in 1864. Burned in Detroit, Michigan., in 1870.
  8. Primrose (Tug) - built by William Marlton of Goderich (1899)
  9. Prince Alfred -- owned and operated by Captain Andrew Port of Wiarton, Ontario.
  10. Prince Edward (Schooner)
  11. Princess Royal (Steamer) Sailing Owen Sound and Toronto (1853)
  12. P.S. Hiesordt (Tug) - Owen Sound Shipbuilding and Drydock Company (John Simpson) - (1887)
  13. Quebec (Steamer) -- 1404 ton in service for North West Transportation Company - 1874
  14. Queen City (906 ton Steamer) sailed between Collingwood and Chicago (1855)
  1. Queenston (Steamer) -- Colonial Steamships Ltd. -- "She would deliver coal to Depot Harbour." (Information and picture provided by Les of TN
Queenston
  1. Queen of the West (Steamer) -- Sailing between Owen Sound and Toronto (1853)
  2. Rambler (Tug) - (1898)
  3. Rescue (Steamer) -- 121' twin-screw. In use by 1858. The first to provide regular mail service from Collingwood to the head of Lake Superior.
  4. Restless (Schooner) -- 1873
  5. R.J. Hackett (Steamer) -- 1869 - built by Eli Peck - considered the prototype for Great Lakes freighter.
  6. Robert K (Tug) -- Fathom Five dive site
  7. Rover (Tug) -- 1977
  8. Seattle (propeller)- sank off Green Island in Mink Island group - November 12, 1901
  9. Secord (Steamer)
  10. Shandon (14o-foot Schooner) -- built by Melancthon Simpson -- wrecked off Cabot Head (October 22, 1884)
  11. Silver Spray (Steamer) -- owned by Van Every and Rumball of Goderich
  12. Son & Heir (309.5 ton Schooner) -- built in 1857 by Melancthon Simpson at Oakville -- wrecked at Wingfield Basin (November 1869)
  13. Sophia -- (Brigantine) -- Sailing between Owen Sound and Toronto (1852)
  14. South American (Steamer) -- Cruise ship.
  15. Sovereign (Steamer) -- 684 ton in service for North West Transportation Company - 1873
  16. Sparta -- Owen Sound Steamship Company
  17. Stanley (Schooner) -- 51' long, 47 tons. Built at Bayfield, Ontario in 1854.
  18. Stanley Byers (Tug) - built by William Marlton of Goderich (1901)
  19. St. Paul
  20. Superior (Tug) - 1881 - built in Owen Sound by John Simpson
  21. Sweepstakes (Schooner) -- built at Burlington, Ontario (1867) -- stranded at Cove Island, August, 1885 -- towed to Big Tub harbour for salvage (September, 1885) -- sank before salvage complete (September, 1885) -- today popular dive site.
  22. The Fly -- owned by W.C. Boyd -- arrived in Sydenham (Owen Sound) in 1942 -- sold the next year - destination unknown.
  23. Thomas Scott (Steamer) -- wrecked off Cabot Head (September 1914)
  24. Thomas Maitland (Tug) - built by William Marlton of Goderich (1899)
  25. Trade Wind (Schooner) – 1873?
  26. United Empire (last of the wooden-hulled steamers) - 2,000 ton-class - in service for North West Transportation Company - 1882 or 1890 (not sure of date)
  27. Vanderbilt (Steam Barge)
  28. Victoria (Tug) -- wrecked off Cabot Head (August 1896)
  29. Wahnapitae (Tug) -- built (1904-05) and owned by Beck Lumber Company to tow logs from French River and North Shore region -- 1929 sold to Keenan Towing Company of Owen Sound -- 1937 sold to McFadden Lumber Company of Blind River.
  30. Wanderer (Schooner) - Captain Borland serviced the Georgian Bay coastal communities in the 1830s-1840s
  31. Waubic (504 ton Steamer) - Built at Collingwood (1909)
  32. Waubemic (Schooner)
  33. Waubaushene (Wooden Tug) was a logging tug for the Georgian Bay lumber company. It was Built in St. Catharine's in 1882. Waubaushene changed names and owners multiple times. It was out of registry in 1949. Contributed by Nicholas Rijo Waubaushene, Ontario. 
  34. Waubuno -- 135' sidewheeler. Owner: The Beatty Family. Built in 1865 by Melancthon Simpson - in use by 1867. Sank in 1879 en route from Collingwood to Parry Sound.
  35. Wawinet (Steam Screw)-- Official #116762 - Registered 15/1904 Toronto
    HP 9.93 - 87 ft - 67.9 tons - Sunk - Sept 21th 1942. Contributed by Timothy Jaynes, Midland ON, CDN.
  1. W.L. Wetmore -- built in 1871 -- ran aground on Russell Reef off Tobermory on November 29, 1901 while towing schooners Brunette and James C. King -- now a popular Fathom Five National Marine Park dive site.
  2. Wm. Seymour (Steamer) -- owned by Van Every and Rumball of Goderich


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Georgian Bay Shipping

List of Lighthouses on the Great Lakes: If you have names and/or pictures of Great Lakes Lighthouses please submit them along with details of their location.

Georgian Bay Ships: A List of all the ships that sailed on Georgian Bay until the 1960s. This list is not complete. If you know of a ship that sailed the waters of Georgian Bay please contact me with information about that vessel, and, if you have a picture that I could post with it, that would be much appreciated.

1885: A Memorable Summer Job for Owen Sound teenage boys on the Great Lakes would have historic importance, not mention a possible exciting career opportunity.

Hindman Transportation Company was a well-known Great Lakes shipping company for many years. Here you will find pictures of many of the Hindman ships

Owen Sound Harbour – A Photographic History, by Robert A. Cotton is a book that interests my historiographical curiosity.

Commercial Great Lakes Fishing  It is probably safe to suggest that the commercial fishing industry was an important part of the early growth of this region.

A Georgian Bay fishing vacation has long been a popular attraction in the Bruce Peninsula region. During fishing derbies, the regional waterways are dotted with fishing boats of all shapes and sizes. 

The Georgian Bay Mackinaw, designed by William Watts of Collingwood is an example of a Georgian Bay innovator creating a vessel to service the needs local mariners.

Great Lakes fishing is an asset that is protected and developed, not only for its economic potential but also for those who just enjoy spending a day by the side of a river or in small fishing boats trying to catch “the big one”!  

Great Lakes Fishing History is not without its controversy. The impact of the fishing industry was such that it played an important role in the development of communities along the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron shoreline.

Georgian Bay Travel Before the Winter Freeze-Up could be a dangerous time for mariners in the early years in this region.

A Harbinger of Spring on the Great Lakes in pioneer times, was the eagerly awaited news that a lighthouse had been lit and shipping traffic could begin sailing from port to port.

Lumber Hookers  Lumber hookers and tugs were an important innovation to improve the transportation of lumber on Georgian Bay. 

Mapmakers on Georgian Bay were also explorers. They mapped the Georgina Bay shoreline noting safe harbours, dangerous reefs and other guides for sailors and pioneer settlers looking for a place to call home.

Paddling Georgian Bay & Pondering: traversing parts of this great waterway in a canoe leads one to wonder about the ships of a bygone era battling the rough seas they encountered.

Parry Sound Shipping History: The Parry Sound area has always been connected to the southern regions of the Province of Ontario by a system of good roads. Or has it?

Parry Sound’s shipping history 2 is more than the tragic sinking of the Waubuno or the later catastrophe surrounding the sinking of the Asia. 

Sailing Season Closing: A Frantic Time on Peninsula as ships raced from port to port delivering and picking up passengers and produce before the waterways froze.

Ship Captain Andrew Port was not only a dynamic and brave Georgian Bay mariner, he was a personal favourite historical character of mine.

Ships Stuck in Ice: The Oak Glen was icebound in 1996 but this sailing hazard has been impacting vessels on Georgian Bay since the beginning of time.

Lake Huron shipwrecks, the Hibou often occurred in the Georgian Bay region of that Great Lake due to the often violent waters that could strike unsuspecting vessels like the Hibou.

Shipwrecks: The "Asia" wrecked off the eastern coast of Georgian Bay taking all but two of the more than 100 passengers to a watery grave.

Masters, Mates, and Pilots Association created its first Canadian chapter on Georgian Bay, providing maritime safety education, and other seafaring issues to better inform its membership.

Pioneer Travel Aboard the Fly  Tells the story of a sailing vessel as the tenuous link between survival and death in a pioneer settlement in the 1840's in Upper Canada.

Sailing Stories: the Captain Who Smelled his way into Port The Captain Who Smelled his Way into Port details how pioneer seamen on Georgian Bay safely sailed the rough waters without the aid of the modern technological tools so readily used by today's mariners.

Sailing Story: The Voyage of the Prince Alfred the incredible voyage of the Prince Alfred, fraught with danger for both vessel and the crew in the winter of 1880.

Shipbuilding As the southern Georgian Bay region became more populated shipping traffic increased to meet the needs of an expanding market place.

The Summer of 1844 was No Picnic for the early settlers in the pioneer area near what would become Owen Sound on Georgian Bay.

The CPR Grain Elevator Fire of 1911 spelled the end of Owen Sound's role as the eastern terminus of the CPR Great Lakes Fleet.

Georgian Bay shipping occurred long before the first Europeans paddled these waters. But the fur and timber trades opened Georgian Bay to shipping in a big way!