SS Algoma: Operational History

SS ALGOMA covered by a thick layer of ice from bow to stern.

Patrie Collection

Operational History

Algoma, completed in March (Thunder Bay Sentinel March 14, 1884), was ready to begin operations in May, 1884. The ports of call on the first voyage were to be Cleveland, Detroit, Windsor, and Sarnia, with a public gathering planned for the arrival at Owen Sound. Before its departure from Port Colborne, some concern was expressed that the new CPR ships had such a deep draft that, even when light, they would be able to enter few of the Lake harbors (Cleveland Herald, May 2, 1884). The ships drew a little over 7 feet when light and could carry 1,000 tons on 12 feet of draft (Cleveland Herald, May 24, 1884).

Thunder Bay Sentinel May 16, 1884:

The appearance of the vessel as she neared the dock was striking. Every available piece of bunting was spread to the wind, and she rode in as stately as any ocean steamer ever entered harbor. The scene which presented itself upon the main deck can only be likened to the appearance of an ocean emigrant ship upon her arrival at an American seaport. Over a thousand steerage passengers were crowding round the gangways ready to land as soon as an opportunity offered. Of the general excellence of the boat herself too much cannot be said in her favor. She is certainly the finest boat that has ever sailed upon these great inland seas, and her superiority over all other Lake craft in every particular is at once apparent. She has a crew of 35 all told, Captain Moore commands her, and her first and second mates are M.S. Hastings and R. McLeod, respectively. George Pettigrew is the chief engineer and his assistant is A. McDermid. R. McKenzie is purser, and G. Taylor is steward (Thunder Bay Sentinel May 16, 1884). See also Owen Sound Advertiser Nov. 12, 1885).

Dining room aboard the SS ATHABASCA, twin sister ship to the SS ALGOMA.

Great Lakes Maritime Collection, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, 14924_14936_F

On May 16, Algoma was the first of the new steamers to arrive at the Lakehead port. The ship had left Owen Sound at 3 am on Sunday and arrived at the Sault River that evening and made Sault Ste. Marie by 9:30 p.m. Along the way ice was encountered. An indication of the speed capability of the new ship was demonstrated when Algoma overtook the steamer Nyack, quickly passing it and in a run of 17 miles, gained four miles on the older vessel. Algoma had 250 tons of pig iron aboard and 16 carloads of baggage (Thunder Bay Sentinel, May 16, 1884). Eight hundred to 1,000 people were waiting on the wharves when Algoma pulled into the Marks' Dock at 8:30 a.m.

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