SS Keenora facts for kids
Keenora at Marine Museum of Manitoba
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Canada |
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| Name | Keenora |
| Laid down | 1896 |
| Launched | 1897 |
| In service |
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| Out of service | 1966 |
| Status | Museum ship since 1973 |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 158 ft (48 m) |
| Speed | 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
The SS Keenora is a famous old steamboat that once sailed on Lake Winnipeg. It started its journey on Lake of the Woods in Ontario. Later, it was moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba and put back together. Today, the Keenora is retired and is the main attraction at the Marine Museum of Manitoba in Selkirk, Manitoba.
The Keenora's Journey
The steamboat Keenora was built in 1897. It was made to carry people and goods on Ontario's Lake of the Woods. For over ten years, it helped connect small communities around the lake. Some of these places were as far away as Rainy River.
Around 1901, a new railway was built. This railway made it easier to travel and move goods. Because of this, fewer people needed to use the steamboat. In 1915, the railway was taken over by the Canadian Northern Railway. The Keenora was then sold to a group of lawyers in Winnipeg.
In 1917, the Keenora was taken apart. Its pieces were loaded onto special train cars called flatcars. The train carried the ship's parts all the way to Winnipeg.
A New Life in Winnipeg
Once in Winnipeg, the Keenora was put back together. It was also made longer, with an extra 30-foot (9.1 m) added to its body. This made the ship 158 feet (48 m) long in total.
For a short time, the ship was used as a floating dance hall in downtown Winnipeg. But soon, it went back to carrying people and cargo. This time, it sailed on Lake Winnipeg and the Red River. The ship was updated with 65 passenger cabins and new engines. These new engines allowed the Keenora to travel at a speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).
The Keenora's usual route started in Winnipeg. It would travel all the way to the northern end of Lake Winnipeg. This turning point was at Warren Landing. From there, passengers and goods would switch to a smaller steamboat. This smaller boat would take them the last 30 kilometres (19 mi) to Norway House. The Keenora was too big for the shallow waters of the Nelson River.
Retirement and Museum Life
The Keenora's long career ended in the 1960s. New rules for ships meant it could no longer sail. At first, there were plans to take the ship apart for scrap metal. But thankfully, it was saved!
The Keenora became the most important part of the Marine Museum of Manitoba's collection. Today, you can visit the museum in Selkirk, Manitoba to see this historic steamboat up close. It's a great way to learn about how people traveled and moved goods long ago.
