It was back in 1965 that the Canadian Pacific Railway discontinued its Great Lakes passenger service maintained by KEEWATIN and ASSINIBOIA. The latter ship continued in a freight-only capacity but was withdrawn at the end of 1967. She passed in 1968 to a group of Philadelphia businessmen who hoped to convert her into a restaurant afloat and she amazed followers of the shipping scene by making the entire voyage from Point Edward, Ontario, to Philadelphia under her own power. On Sunday, November 9th, 1969, ASSINIBOIA took fire and was completely gutted while lying at a pier on the Delaware River, She lies with a forty degree list to port and photographs of the wreck leave little doubt that our famous steamer is a total loss. It is with regret that we bid farewell to a good friend, ASSINIBOIA.

Return to Home Port or Toronto Marine Historical Society's Scanner

Reproduced for the Web with the permission of the Toronto Marine Historical Society.