SS and then MS Norgoma worked for Owen Sound Transportation Company from 1950 until 1974. Now it’s been voted out of town.
I hope something can be learned from the public process that “directs staff to look for options to remove the former steamship.” A public process is to be admired.
All photos by Will Van Dorp, with thanks to Greg for suggesting I look her up.
tugster: a waterblog 
5 comments
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May 27, 2018 at 11:09 am
sleepboot
Here goes another piece of Great Lakes history.
Thank you city council.
Regards
John van der Doe
Fergus,ON.
May 27, 2018 at 8:16 pm
tugster
Thx sleepboot. I understand your feelings. I framed this the way I did because currently in NY state, obsolete boats are being disposed of by fiat, not allowing anyone’s input or anyone’s documentation of the vessel about to be lost by reefing.
May 27, 2018 at 11:32 am
Bill Langham
This is interesting from norgoma’s WikiPedia page: “According to Captain Schrieber, who captained Norgoma, it was the first vessel that he commanded where he witnessed livestock showing signs of seasickness.”
May 27, 2018 at 4:40 pm
Lee Rust
Myself, I know of at least one old boat that could benefit from the judicious application of at least a hundred grand. Norgoma is not alone.
Back during the North American industrial growth phase of the 19th through mid-20th centuries, an obsolete passenger vessel like this would have been routinely and unsentimentally broken up at the end of her service life and a replacement immediately built. Now we understand that these ships are the last of their kind and we cling to the few that remain.
Up through the early 2000’s, there was still enough extra cash sloshing about in private and public pockets to regularly indulge in historic preservation projects like this. These days, not so much. From coast to coast, scores of retired passenger ferries, ocean liners, sailing ships and tugboats float forlornly, waiting for rescue that may never come because money is so tight
May 30, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Steve Lindsey
Canada seems to be divesting itself of its maritime heritage. The MS Norgoma, the SS Norisle and the S.S. Keewatin. There is hope for only the latter. It seems the further away we get from our maritime past, the less appreciation there is of the reminders that survived…