KEEWATIN Continues Her Journey Out Into Lake Michigan
KEEWATIN video by Roger LeLievre
King Co. of Holland tugs towed the 1907-built ship stern-first out of the channel, passing the Saugatuck pierheads at about 12:30PM and into Lake Michigan. Another tug from St.James Marine Co. took over to tow. KEEWATIN will go first to Mackinaw City then on to Port McNicoll, Ontario.
Five days ago the 350-foot Edwardian liner was stuck in the soft mud of Kalamazoo Lake, but today tugs pulled her through the shallow Saugatuck harbour.
KEEWATIN needed some strong help getting through the shallows and mud, but will soon be on her way to be the center of a redeveloped waterfront park in Port McNicoll, Ontario, her new home. The vessel will become part of a complex with a movie theater, social center and restaurants and part of the Georgian Bay maritime history museum.
Port McNicoll, Ontario expects to see KEEWATIN on June 23.
Special thanks for Roger LeLievre, Peter Knego
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Thanks for sharing this nice video and photos. My last visit aboard the KEE was in August, 2010, and I’m glad for the many times I’ve spent time on her–not so sure that Port McNicoll will be as accessible to many in the future, but I do wish her well and a successful career there!
Rich Turnwald
Hi Martin, I have two questions. When you called the KEEWATIN a liner, did you mean an ocean liner, lake liner, or just liner in general. My other question is about the fact that KEEWATIN has been docked and in the water for 40+ years. I can only think of so many ships that slipped to a watery grave. Like STELLA POLARIS sank while being towed to Sweden. Or the CONSTITution and BRITANIS heading to the scrapyards. Of course, a ship heading to be scrapped is different since they are often in poor shape. Did the owners inspect the KEEWATIN before moving it? I’m assuming they did considering it’s over 100 years old and they would want to make sure it was safe to move.
She looks like she has a list to port in all the photos I’ve seen. Is it my imagination?
Hi Hank:
Thanks for your questions. I used the term “liner” in this case to refer to the vessel as one built for carrying passengers on a regular route. I know she has not done so for a long time, but was designed for such use.
And to your second question, it is true that towing an old ship is indeed a risky business, there is a long list of lost vessels. I read that the Coast Guard was involved in education on open water towing, ballast discussions, and that they gave their permission for the tow.
I wish them safe passage for this lovely ship.
And Jeff, yes, a pronounced list is visible. -best, martin
The KEEWATIN has been in fresh water all its life, and in the old days they used a paint called red lead which has been outlawed for many years. most of the old great lakes ships that used this paint are darn near like new if you chip it off. Seen a few of the old lakers built in the 20’s that was in almost new condition. thats one reason they are still floating today.
KEEWATIN passed under the Mackinac Bridge today. Beautiful!
I don’t know why people don’t seem to think of these things but there is a marine insurance company behind this tow and they have been in on all the plans and a thorough ship inspection. The ship would not have left Douglas had insurers not been happy. My own interest is that when I was 17 I served as a waiter on sister ship s.s. Assiniboia – the two ships met twice a week at The Soo heading in opposite directions. I was lucky enough to get in on the last year of passenger service (1965) before I entered university. The next year a few of us student waiters from the Keewatin and Assiniboia were sent out to Vancouver to work on Canadian Pacific’s Alaska cruise ship Princess Patricia(herself now long since gone).
I watched her come home today. My compliments to the American tug crews who did an outstanding job bringing her home.
For anyone interested, the current issue of Classic Trains has an article with photos of the ship safely docked at Port McNicoll