Canadiana (Steamship)
Encyclopedia
The SS Canadiana was a passenger ferry that primarily operated between Buffalo, New York
and the Crystal Beach Amusement Park at Crystal Beach, Ontario, Canada
from 1910 to 1956. The Canadiana was also noted for being the last passenger vessel to be built in Buffalo, New York.
After being sold in 1956 the Canadiana changed owners numerous times and by 1983 she was berthed in Ohio
needing major restoration. A nonprofit group, the "Friends of the Canadiana", brought the ship back to Buffalo in 1984 with a hope of restoring her to service. When restoration efforts failed the ship was scrapped
at Port Colborne, Ontario
in 2004.
She was designed by marine architect Frank E. Kirby
who would go on later to design the largest side wheel excursion ships built for the Great Lakes
, the Greater Buffalo
and the Greater Detroit.
The completed ship was 215 feet (65.5 m) long and a 54 feet (16.5 m) beam
amidships. She was powered by one coal fired triple-expansion steam engine that produced 1,446 horsepower and a single propeller provided propulsion. The Canadiana also had a cutout in the main deck to allow passengers to view the "workings" of the engine.
The Canadiana was fitted with brass railings, red mahogany trim from Honduras
and bevelled mirrors. She was designed to be a premier vessel designed not only for transportation but also for pleasure. Originally intended to carry 3500 passengers, it was decided by the United States Coast Guard
that 1800 was a safer number. With the reduction in passenger capacity, the ship's owners found room to construct the largest dance floor of any steamer ever placed on the Great Lakes
.
. Nevertheless, Crystal Beach remained its primary destination.
After the completion of the Peace Bridge
in 1927, which allowed automobile traffic between Buffalo and Crystal Beach, some of the popularity of the Canadiana was lost. Ticket prices were kept low in order to attract the necessary patrons to made the ship profitable. During World War II, the Canadiana saw an increase in business. This was due, in part, to gas rationing because of the war. A British pilot, who was flying with the Canadian Air Force, was killed when he lost control of his aircraft while "buzzing" the Canadiana during World War II as well.
In its last year of service an "incident" happened onboard the Canadiana. While returning from Crystal Beach to Buffalo on the evening of May 30, 1956, violence erupted between several youths. The group of belligerents, made up of whites and African-Americans, left little doubt that racism
was a factor in the incident. This incident, along with shrinking revenues, made continued operation of the ship uneconomical. The 1956 season proved to be the last for the Canadiana and she was sold.
After being sold, the Canadiana was involved in an accident on July 30, 1958. While on her normal excursion trip traveling upstream on the Maumee River
from her berth in Toledo
to Bob-Lo Island
, the Canadiana was struck by a railroad swing bridge
and damaged. The Canadiana was sold in 1960 and was towed to Cleveland, Ohio
being unofficially renamed Pleasurama. From 1960 through 1967 the Canadiana was stored at Buffalo, Fairport
and Cleveland
. She sank at her berth in Cleveland on February 17, 1982 and wasn't refloated until May 1983. Following her refloat, she was moved to Ashtabula, Ohio
.
A non-profitgroup called the "Friends of the Canadiana" was formed in 1983 to try to save the ship and restore her to service. A fund raising effort was undertaken and she was purchased by the group. The Canadiana was towed back to Buffalo during September 1984. In July 1988, after being stripped down for restoration to return her to sailing conditions under modern regulations, the Canadiana was towed to the Marsh Engineering Dock at Port Colborne, Ontario for drydocking.
The S.S. Canadiana Preservation Society, Inc.
During 1993 changes were implemented regarding the restoration efforts. On July 1, 1993, the name of the organization was changed to The S.S. Canadiana Preservation Society, Inc. Along with the name change, membership of the corporation board of directors was undertaken and efforts were made for the corporation to be designated as an "Education Corporation". These changes were undertaken by the organization with the eventual goal of being accredited as a full fledged museum.
During the 1990s, a number of studies regaring the ship and its use were undertaken. The S.S. Canadiana Preservation Society applied for, and was awarded on December 8, 1994, a $400,000 grant under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Enhancement Act for the restoration efforts. Following the award, in 1995, the award funding was withdrawn by the New York State Department of transportation and a lawsuit was filed by The S.S. Canadiana Preservation Society. The final outcome of the court case was that the withdrawal of funding by the New York State Department of Transportation
was upheld.
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
and the Crystal Beach Amusement Park at Crystal Beach, Ontario, Canada
Fort Erie, Ontario
Fort Erie is a town on the Niagara River in the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. It is located directly across the river from Buffalo, New York....
from 1910 to 1956. The Canadiana was also noted for being the last passenger vessel to be built in Buffalo, New York.
After being sold in 1956 the Canadiana changed owners numerous times and by 1983 she was berthed in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
needing major restoration. A nonprofit group, the "Friends of the Canadiana", brought the ship back to Buffalo in 1984 with a hope of restoring her to service. When restoration efforts failed the ship was scrapped
Ship breaking
Ship breaking or ship demolition is a type of ship disposal involving the breaking up of ships for scrap recycling. Most ships have a lifespan of a few decades before there is so much wear that refitting and repair becomes uneconomical. Ship breaking allows materials from the ship, especially...
at Port Colborne, Ontario
Port Colborne, Ontario
Port Colborne is a city on Lake Erie, at the southern end of the Welland Canal, in the Niagara Region of southern Ontario, Canada...
in 2004.
Construction
The Canadiana was built at the Buffalo Dry Dock on Ganson Street in 1910 and was the last passenger vessel to be built in Buffalo.She was designed by marine architect Frank E. Kirby
Frank E. Kirby
Frank E. Kirby was a naval architect in the Detroit area in the early 20th century. Kirby was best known for his five huge Lake Erie night boats....
who would go on later to design the largest side wheel excursion ships built for the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
, the Greater Buffalo
USS Sable (IX-81)
USS Sable was a training ship of the United States Navy during World War II. Originally built as the Greater Buffalo, a sidewheel excursion steamer, she was converted in 1942 to a freshwater aircraft carrier to be used on the Great Lakes. She was used for advanced training for naval aviators in...
and the Greater Detroit.
The completed ship was 215 feet (65.5 m) long and a 54 feet (16.5 m) beam
Beam (nautical)
The beam of a ship is its width at the widest point. Generally speaking, the wider the beam of a ship , the more initial stability it has, at expense of reserve stability in the event of a capsize, where more energy is required to right the vessel from its inverted position...
amidships. She was powered by one coal fired triple-expansion steam engine that produced 1,446 horsepower and a single propeller provided propulsion. The Canadiana also had a cutout in the main deck to allow passengers to view the "workings" of the engine.
The Canadiana was fitted with brass railings, red mahogany trim from Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
and bevelled mirrors. She was designed to be a premier vessel designed not only for transportation but also for pleasure. Originally intended to carry 3500 passengers, it was decided by the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
that 1800 was a safer number. With the reduction in passenger capacity, the ship's owners found room to construct the largest dance floor of any steamer ever placed on the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
.
History
After her completion, the Canadiana joined her sister ship, the Americanna, which had been built in 1908. Both ships would make round trip passages between Buffalo and Crystal Beach until the Americanna was sold in 1929. Although the Canadiana was popularly known as "The Crystal Beach Boat", she would occasionally make journeys to other destinations including Port Colborne, OntarioPort Colborne, Ontario
Port Colborne is a city on Lake Erie, at the southern end of the Welland Canal, in the Niagara Region of southern Ontario, Canada...
. Nevertheless, Crystal Beach remained its primary destination.
After the completion of the Peace Bridge
Peace Bridge
The Peace Bridge is an international bridge between Canada and the United States at the east end of Lake Erie at the source of the Niagara River, about upriver of Niagara Falls. It connects the City of Buffalo, New York, in the United States to the Town of Fort Erie, Ontario, in Canada...
in 1927, which allowed automobile traffic between Buffalo and Crystal Beach, some of the popularity of the Canadiana was lost. Ticket prices were kept low in order to attract the necessary patrons to made the ship profitable. During World War II, the Canadiana saw an increase in business. This was due, in part, to gas rationing because of the war. A British pilot, who was flying with the Canadian Air Force, was killed when he lost control of his aircraft while "buzzing" the Canadiana during World War II as well.
In its last year of service an "incident" happened onboard the Canadiana. While returning from Crystal Beach to Buffalo on the evening of May 30, 1956, violence erupted between several youths. The group of belligerents, made up of whites and African-Americans, left little doubt that racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
was a factor in the incident. This incident, along with shrinking revenues, made continued operation of the ship uneconomical. The 1956 season proved to be the last for the Canadiana and she was sold.
After being sold, the Canadiana was involved in an accident on July 30, 1958. While on her normal excursion trip traveling upstream on the Maumee River
Maumee River
The Maumee River is a river in northwestern Ohio and northeastern Indiana in the United States. It is formed at Fort Wayne, Indiana by the confluence of the St. Joseph and St. Marys rivers, and meanders northeastwardly for through an agricultural region of glacial moraines before flowing into the...
from her berth in Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
to Bob-Lo Island
Bois Blanc Island (Ontario)
Bois Blanc Island, commonly called Boblo Island, is an island in the Detroit River located directly west of Amherstburg, Ontario in the Detroit River, on the Canadian side of the border...
, the Canadiana was struck by a railroad swing bridge
Swing bridge
A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
and damaged. The Canadiana was sold in 1960 and was towed to Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
being unofficially renamed Pleasurama. From 1960 through 1967 the Canadiana was stored at Buffalo, Fairport
Fairport Harbor, Ohio
Fairport Harbor is a village in Lake County, Ohio, United States, along Lake Erie at the mouth of the Grand River. The population was 3,180 at the 2000 census....
and Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. She sank at her berth in Cleveland on February 17, 1982 and wasn't refloated until May 1983. Following her refloat, she was moved to Ashtabula, Ohio
Ashtabula, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 20,962 people, 8,435 households, and 5,423 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,775.9 people per square mile . There were 9,151 housing units at an average density of 1,211.8 per square mile...
.
Restoration efforts
Friends of the CanadianaA non-profitgroup called the "Friends of the Canadiana" was formed in 1983 to try to save the ship and restore her to service. A fund raising effort was undertaken and she was purchased by the group. The Canadiana was towed back to Buffalo during September 1984. In July 1988, after being stripped down for restoration to return her to sailing conditions under modern regulations, the Canadiana was towed to the Marsh Engineering Dock at Port Colborne, Ontario for drydocking.
The S.S. Canadiana Preservation Society, Inc.
During 1993 changes were implemented regarding the restoration efforts. On July 1, 1993, the name of the organization was changed to The S.S. Canadiana Preservation Society, Inc. Along with the name change, membership of the corporation board of directors was undertaken and efforts were made for the corporation to be designated as an "Education Corporation". These changes were undertaken by the organization with the eventual goal of being accredited as a full fledged museum.
During the 1990s, a number of studies regaring the ship and its use were undertaken. The S.S. Canadiana Preservation Society applied for, and was awarded on December 8, 1994, a $400,000 grant under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Enhancement Act for the restoration efforts. Following the award, in 1995, the award funding was withdrawn by the New York State Department of transportation and a lawsuit was filed by The S.S. Canadiana Preservation Society. The final outcome of the court case was that the withdrawal of funding by the New York State Department of Transportation
New York State Department of Transportation
The New York State Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S...
was upheld.
Scrapping
When restoration plans were not realized the remaining hull of the Canadiana was cut up for scrap in 2004. The ships engine was salvaged and returned to Buffalo to be part of a planned exhibit. Much of the wooden superstructure was saved including the pilot house. Some of the salvaged wood has been manufactured into various memorabilia.See also
- Frank E. KirbyFrank E. KirbyFrank E. Kirby was a naval architect in the Detroit area in the early 20th century. Kirby was best known for his five huge Lake Erie night boats....
- USS Sable (IX-81)USS Sable (IX-81)USS Sable was a training ship of the United States Navy during World War II. Originally built as the Greater Buffalo, a sidewheel excursion steamer, she was converted in 1942 to a freshwater aircraft carrier to be used on the Great Lakes. She was used for advanced training for naval aviators in...
- MV AquaramaAquarama (ship)The SS Aquarama, formally known as the SS Marine Star, was a World War II troop ship for the United States Navy. In 1952, it was converted into the largest passenger ship ever to operate in the Great Lakes.-Ship History:...
- Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New YorkBuffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
- Crystal Beach, OntarioCrystal Beach, OntarioCrystal Beach is a community within Fort Erie, Ontario with a population of 3,800. It was named for the "crystal-clear" water conditions present when it was founded on the northeast shore of Lake Erie, across from Buffalo....
- Edward M. Cotter (fireboat)