User:Geo Swan/Navigation on the Magnetawan River

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From pre-columbian times the canoe navigation on the Magnetawan River provided a route connecting the Ottawa River to Georgian Bay.[1]

The headwaters of the river lie in Ontario's large Algonquin Park, one of Canada's first wilderness parks.[1] Rapids on the upper reaches of the Magnetawan are enjoyed by fans of whitewater transit.

Steamship period[edit]

Steamships were employed on the Magnetawan River from the late 19th century until 1934.

Dams and locks were built to extend the portion of the Magnetawan River that was navigable.

Tugboats towed rafts of timber down the river. A tug named Mike was the last vessel to travel on the river. The Northern Belle was struck by a devastating fire in Byng Inlet, on November, 10, 1898.[2]

Selected ships that plied the Magnetawan River[edit]

Selected ships that plied the Magnetawan River[3]
image name start finish notes
Pioneer 1879 1884
  • Built in Magnetawan for local resident AA Morris.
  • Just 34 feet (10 m) long
Wenonah 1886 1908
  • Propelled by both sidewheels and screw propellers, until a refit
  • Destroyed in a fire
Cecebe 1886 1890
Lady Katrine 1886 1891
Emulator 1890
Wanita 1896
Glenrosa 1891
Gravenhurst 1902
  • The Gravenhurst was constructed in its namesake town, Gravenhurst, Ontario, where it served on Muskoka's system of connected lakes, before being moved overland to the Magnetawan in 1902
Glenada 1904
Armour 1906
Mike 1934
  • A well known tugboat that towed timber.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "HISTORY OF THE MAGNETAWAN RIVER". Retrieved 2018-09-06. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |trans_title= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Fred Holmes (2008-07-16). "Remembering the Northern Belle - Byng Inlet's favourite vessel" (PDF). Parry Sound North Star. Retrieved 2018-09-06. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |trans_title= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "Magnetawan River Steam Navigation". Ontario Historic Plaques. Retrieved 2018-09-07. The first steamboat on the Magnetawan River was the 10 m "Pioneer", built in 1879 for service between Magnetawan and Burk's Falls, a distance of 32 km. In 1886 a lock was completed at Magnetawan enabling steamer service to be extended an additional 16 km to Ahmic Harbour. Other steamers came into service, notably the "Wenonah" (1886), "Glenrosa" (1891), "Wanita" (1896), "Glenada" (1904) and "Armour" (1906). These and others provided the only efficient means of transporting passengers and freight from this landing at the railhead in Burk's Falls to the scattered settlements along the river. However, the advent of the automobile doomed these colourful craft, the last of which, the "Mike", ceased operation about 1934. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |trans_title= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links[edit]

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