Captain John's Harbour Boat Restaurant facts for kids
class="infobox " style="float: right; clear: right; width: 315px; border-spacing: 2px; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; line-height: 1.5em;" | 
|} Captain John's Harbour Boat Restaurant was a famous restaurant and banquet hall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. For many years, it was located on the MS Jadran, a former passenger ship. The ship was permanently docked at the foot of Yonge Street in Toronto's waterfront.
Captain John's was a popular spot for almost 40 years. It was open every day, even on holidays like Christmas and New Year's Day. When it first opened, the waterfront area was mostly industrial. Over time, the area changed into a fun place for people and tourists, and Captain John's was a big part of that change.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | MS Jadran |
| Owner | Jadrolinija 1957-1975, John Letnik 1975-2015 |
| Operator | Jadrolinija 1957-1975, John Letnik 1975-2015 |
| Port of registry | Rijeka,  Yugoslavia 1957-1975 |
| Builder | Brodogradiliste "Split" Shipyards, Brodosplit, Split, Yugoslavia |
| Completed | 1957 |
| Acquired | 1957 |
| In service | 1957-1975 |
| Out of service | 1975 |
| Fate | sold in 1975 and operated as floating restaurant in Toronto from 1975-2012; towed from Toronto Harbour May 28, 2015, scrapped |
| Status | Sold for scrapping to Marine Recycling Corporation, Port Colborne, Ontario (May–August) 2015 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | J Class passenger ferry |
| Tonnage | 2564 GT |
| Length | 89.9 m (294 ft 11 in) |
| Beam | 13.1 m (43 ft 0 in) |
| Draught | 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) |
| Decks | 3 |
| Propulsion | 2 x Sulzer Type diesel engines |
| Speed | 18.0 knots (33.3 km/h; 20.7 mph) |
| Capacity | 191 passengers (159 first class, 32 tourist) |
The Story of Captain John's
The restaurant was owned by John Letnik. He came to Canada from Yugoslavia in 1957. He worked hard and became a chef. In the late 1960s, he got the idea to open a restaurant on a boat.
In 1970, he opened Toronto's first floating restaurant on a ship called the MS Normac. The Normac had been a fire boat and then a ferry before becoming a restaurant.
The Arrival of the MS Jadran
In 1975, John Letnik bought a much bigger ship called the Jadran from the Yugoslav government. He paid $1 million for it. He docked it next to the Normac and ran both as restaurants for a while.
The Jadran was a special ship. It was one of three luxury cruise ships built in Split in 1957. These ships were made for Jadrolinija, a shipping company. For several years, the Jadran sailed as a luxury cruise ship in the Adriatic and Aegean seas. It even served as a private presidential yacht for Josip Broz Tito, the president of Yugoslavia, and his guests.
A Waterfront Landmark
The floating restaurants, the Normac and the Jadran, were some of the first attractions in the area now known as Harbourfront. They helped change the waterfront from a busy industrial port into a fun place for recreation, art, and tourism.
Captain John's was a popular place for events. In 1976, it hosted the first CHIN Radio annual bikini contest. The event was held there again in 1977 before moving to Toronto Island.
The Sinking of the Normac
On June 2, 1981, the Normac was hit by the Trillium, a ferry operated by the city. The crash happened because of a problem with the Trillium's engine. Luckily, no one was hurt among the many passengers and diners.
Repairs were made to the Normac, but two weeks later, on June 16, 1981, the Normac suddenly sank. This led to a long legal disagreement between John Letnik and the city. Eventually, the Normac was raised in 1986. After that, the Jadran became the only home for Captain John's restaurant.
Later Years
In the 1970s and 1980s, Captain John's attracted many famous people, including Bob Hope and Brian Mulroney. It was also a very popular place for weddings and other big events.
However, as years passed, the restaurant became less popular. Some people started to see it as old-fashioned.
Financial Troubles and Closure
In 2002, Captain John's faced serious financial difficulties. The owner, John Letnik, owed a lot of money to different people and businesses.
Health and Safety Issues
In August 2008, health officials ordered the restaurant to close temporarily. They found several problems with cleanliness and safety. The owner was fined.
Attempts to Sell the Ship
In 2009, John Letnik tried to sell the restaurant for $1.5 million, but he couldn't find a buyer, even after lowering the price.
By June 2012, the Toronto Port Authority ended the agreement for where the ship was docked. This was because a lot of money was owed for taxes, rent, and utilities. The city also turned off the ship's water supply, which led to the health department closing the restaurant again. The Jadran's engine had been removed years ago, so it couldn't sail on its own. It was stuck in the mud and would need to be towed.
In September 2013, with over $1 million owed, the city started the process to take ownership of the ship. John Letnik said he would not give up the ship.
The Toronto Port Authority set a deadline of August 22, 2014, for the Jadran to be removed and scrapped. There were attempts to sell the ship to someone who wanted to restore it as a restaurant, but these plans did not work out.
The Final Journey
_(17588429944).jpg)
On May 11, 2015, a court approved plans for the Marine Recycling Corporation to take the ship and tow it to Port Colborne, Ontario, to be scrapped.
On May 28, 2015, the Jadran was finally towed out of Toronto's harbour. Many people gathered to watch its departure, and it was even broadcast live on TV. The ship was towed across Lake Ontario and through the Welland Canal to Port Colborne. The journey took many hours.
John Letnik was invited to be on the ship for its last voyage. He waved to the crowd as the ship left. Before it sailed, he was thanked for his important role in making the waterfront a popular place.
Legacy
A part of the MS Jadran, including a porthole and a piece of steel, was used in a monument. This monument remembers British Home Children who died in Canada. It is located at a mass grave in Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto.
Images for kids
-
Remaining part of the superstructure 2018 in Port Colborne
