MS Norgoma facts for kids
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The MS Norgoma was a special Canadian ship. It worked as a cargo ship and a passenger ferry. It could even carry a few cars! Built in 1950, the Norgoma first used steam power. It sailed from Owen Sound to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. This trip took five days round trip, once a week. It helped connect small towns along the north shore of Lake Huron. Later, the Norgoma was changed to use a diesel engine. It then moved to a busy ferry route between Tobermory and South Baymouth, serving Manitoulin Island. It worked alongside its sister ship, the SS Norisle.
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The Norgoma's Early Years
The Norgoma was built in 1950 at the Collingwood shipyards. The Owen Sound Transportation Company Limited owned it. This new ship replaced an older one called the SS Manitoulin, which had retired in 1949.
For many years, the Norgoma sailed mostly on the North Channel route. This was a very important job. It helped people and goods travel to places that were hard to reach by road.
Changes to the Route
By 1963, things started to change. New highways, like the Trans-Canada Highway, made it easier to travel by car. A new road was even built to Killarney, which was one of the ship's first stops. This meant fewer people needed the ferry for cargo and travel.
At the same time, the ferry route to Manitoulin Island became much busier. More and more cars needed to cross between Tobermory and South Baymouth. The existing ferries, the SS Norisle and MS Normac, couldn't carry enough vehicles.
A New Engine for More Cars
To help with the growing car traffic, the Norgoma got a big upgrade in 1963. Its old steam engine and boiler were removed. A new, more powerful diesel engine was put in its place. This change allowed the ship to carry more cars.
Even with a diesel engine, some parts of the ship still needed steam to work. For example, the winches that lifted cargo and the anchor system used steam. So, a special steam generator was installed. It was like the ones used on railway locomotives.
The MS Norgoma started its new job on the Tobermory route in 1964. Captain Schrieber, who commanded the Norgoma, once shared a funny story. He said it was the first ship he captained where he saw farm animals getting seasick!
Life as a Museum Ship
In 1974, the Norgoma and its sister ship, the Norisle, were replaced. A much larger and more modern ferry, the MS Chi-Cheemaun, took over their route. The new ship could carry more vehicles than both the Norgoma and Norisle combined.
After its ferry days, the Norgoma found a new purpose. It became a museum ship in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. In 1981, the ship was given to a charity called the St. Mary's River Marine Heritage Centre. They helped keep the ship open for visitors to explore.
Recent Challenges
In early 2019, the city council in Sault Ste. Marie asked the charity to move the Norgoma. The charity suggested moving it to Roberta Bondar Park. However, city officials explained that the Norgoma was too big for that dock. It would stick out into the shipping channel, blocking other ships.
So, on June 4, 2019, the Norgoma was moved to a different spot. This new location was on land that used to belong to Algoma Steel. This area was not open to the public. In September 2019, the city took back ownership of the ship. They said the charity had not followed their 1981 agreement. The city then put the ship up for sale.
A company called Dwor Metal planned to buy the ship in January 2023. The owner wanted to fix up the Norgoma for private use. However, the sale did not happen. As of August 2025, the Norgoma is still at the former Algoma Steel property.
