Canadian Pacific Railway
Great Lakes Service
The Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPR) was incorporated 16 February 1881. Within just three years, CPR decided that maritime links would be required, and started its fleet on the Great Lakes. Over the years, CPR and its subsidiaries owned hundreds of vessels from ocean liners down to harbour tugs and barges. This fleet list is strictly limited to their vessels on the Great Lakes Service and is adapted from work by George Musk.
Georgian O/N 80596, 377 Gross tonnage, 130 x 22 x 11 ft. 1cy. 1f. 2 masts, 1864 launched by J. Potter, Georgian Bay for J. C. Graham. 1/4/1884 bought by CPR.
Athabasca O/N 85764, 2,269 Gross tonnage, 263 x 38 x 23 ft. C.l. 1f. 2 masts, 3/7/1883 launched by Aitken & Mansell, Kelvinhaugh. 2/11/1883 left Montreal for Buffalo. 1910 rebuilt at Collingwood, Ontario, lengthened to 299 ft. gross 2,784. 8/1946 sold with Alberta. 1948 scrapped.
Alberta O/N 85765, 2,282 Gross tonnage, 264 x 38 x 23 ft. C.l. 1f. 2 masts, 840p. 12/7/1883 launched by Connel & Co., Glasgow. 10/11/1883 left Montreal for Buffalo. 1911 rebuilt at Collingwood, Ontario, lengthened to 310 ft. gross 2,829. 1940 cargo only. 8/1946 sold to Florida interests as fruit carrier. 1948 scrapped.
Algoma O/N 85766, 1,773 Gross tonnage, C.l. 31/7/1883 launched by Aitken & Mansell, Kelvinhaugh. 4/11/1883 left Montreal for Buffalo. 7/11/1885 wrecked on Isle Royale, Lake Superior. Salvaged and engines transferred to Manitoba.
Manitoba O/N 94879, 2,616 Gross tonnage, 303 x 38 x 15 ft. C.l. 1f. 3 masts, 1889 launched by Polson Iron Works, Owen Sound. Engine transferred from Algoma. 1950 withdrawn. 1951 scrapped.
Ontario O/N 94885, 1,615 Gross tonnage, 297 x 41 x 15 ft., C. paddle. 1890 launched by PoIson Iron Works, Owen Sound. 1924 sold to Newago Co. converted to barge.
Michigan O/N 98904, 1,730 Gross tonnage, 296 x 41 x 15 ft., C. steel paddle. 1890 launched by F. W. Wheeler, Michigan. 1924 sold to Newago Co. converted to barge.
Assiniboia O/N 125984, 3,880 Gross tonnage, 337 x 44 x 15 ft. Q.l. 1f. 3 masts, 25/6/1907 launched by Fairfields, Govan. 3/1951 welded steel bulkheads fitted. 1953 converted to oil fuel. 1955 new boilers fitted. 10/1965 withdrawn from passenger service, but continued in freight service. 26/11/1967 arrived Port McNicoll on completion of her last CPR trip. 19/5/1968 sold to Jal Steamship Line.
Keewatin O/N 125985, 3,856 Gross tonnage, 337 x44 x 15 ft. Q.l. 1f. 3 masts, 6/7/1907 launched by Fairfields, Govan. 3/1951 welded steel bulkheads fitted. 1953 converted to oil fuel. 10/1965 withdrawn from passenger service, but continued in freight service. 8/11/1966 sold to Marine Salvage, Port Colbome. Bought by River Queen Boat Works, Gary, Indiana. To be museum at Saugatuck, on Kalamazoo River, Michigan.