Harbourmaster Rick Leaney said talks have been held to make Midland a port of call for the S.S. Norisle, a 215-foot-long steamship that will be retrofitted to offer extended passenger excursions around the Great Lakes.
“We’ve just had a very brief discussion with one of the representatives of the owners,” Leaney told The Mirror.
More than double the length of the Miss Midland, the Norisle would carry up to 80 passengers and boast a crew of about 35.
“The owners of the vessel, from what I understand, are looking at changing it to a small passenger ship that would basically … do a turnaround here in Midland and run from here into small ports like Little Current, Parry Sound, possibly Tobermory and (Sault Ste. Marie),” said Leaney.
He noted the amount of work that needs to be done on the vessel to accommodate overnight passengers means cruises will definitely not begin next summer.
“If it’s feasible, and if town council agrees, we’re probably looking at 2011.”
Rob Maguire is a member of the S.S. Norisle Steamship Society. He’s also the economic development officer for Assiginack Township, owner of the Norisle, which currently spends its days permanently docked as a floating museum.
“She’s the last surviving example of her type on the Canadian Great Lakes,” Maguire said, noting the ship has been in Manitowaning on Manitoulin Island since it was retired in 1974. “This ship is a significant piece of Canadian marine heritage.”
The Norisle was the first passenger steamship built in Canada after the Second World War. Built at the Collingwood Shipyards in 1946, the hand-fired, coal-burning steamship provided seasonal passenger ferry service from 1947-74 between Tobermory and South Baymouth, the route since made famous by the Chi-Cheemaun.
The ship was purchased by the Township of Assiginack in 1975 for $1 to serve as a floating marine museum and tourist attraction in Manitowaning.
Leaney said tourism potential is part of the reason Midland would welcome the Norisle as a regular visitor at the town docks.
“One of the big benefits would be a natural draw to people to this area to look at this ship when it’s in,” he said. “It creates a lot of interest for the area ... and you get the passengers coming up and taking in the sights, as well.”
It’s possible the ship would do an overnight layover in Midland, or arrive in the morning and depart later in the day. Either way, passengers would be able to disembark and explore the town.
“A lot of the clientele would be from other countries – whether it be the U.S., Germany, France, whatever – to come and look at this area,” said Leaney. “This is one of the most beautiful water areas in the world.”
He added the arrival of up to 80 tourists would certainly benefit downtown merchants. If the ship had to restock provisions, Midland suppliers would also be in a position to benefit, he said.
Leaney emphasized it is too early to get overly excited about the Norisle coming to Southern Georgian Bay.
Maguire agreed it’s premature to state Midland will be a port of call if and when the Norisle sets sail.
“It is too early to say that,” he said. “However, it certainly … fits into the scheme of things, because the operating scope for the Norisle is the extent of the Great Lakes.”
Before that happens, the ship has to be refitted to comply with current regulations; the plan will also see Norisle converted from a coal-burning steam vessel to one that utilizes biofuel, which Maguire said is more environmentally friendly.
A market feasibility study now underway is due to be finalized by the end of the year.
Maguire, who worked on the ship as a tour guide when he was a youngster, predicted the Norisle will become a significant tourist attraction on the Great Lakes.
“The Norisle will be an asset for Manitoulin Island,” he said. “She’ll be a wonderful asset for the region, but also for the province … and Canada.”
tmealing@simcoe.com
