Toronto 
Kingston’s renowned Great Lakes Museum is set to welcome a historic gem, the S.S. Keewatin, into its collection on Monday. This Edwardian-era steamliner, reminiscent of the Titanic era, holds the unique title of being the oldest of its kind in the world.
Constructed in 1907 by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd. in Glasgow, Scotland, the Keewatin has a rich past with CP Rail. S.S. Keewatin, along with other steamships, played a pivotal role in shaping the history of the Great Lakes, transporting tourists, settlers, and cargo until their operations ceased in the 1960s.
With around 3,800 similar ships being built in the UK between 1900 and 1920, it is astonishing to note that only three, including the Keewatin, remain. The ship’s prominence isn’t limited to its age, as it has made appearances in CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries and was even commemorated on a 2020 coin by the Royal Canadian Mint.
After being generously donated to the Great Lakes Museum, the Keewatin has been undergoing meticulous restoration at the Heddle Shipyards in Hamilton. The restoration journey isn’t over yet, with efforts set to continue even after its relocation to Kingston.
Maritime enthusiasts are in for a treat as the S.S. Keewatin journeys from Hamilton to Kingston. on October 23-24, 2023. Embarking from Hamilton on Monday morning (approximately 5 a.m.), the ship is expected to sail past Toronto Harbour on Mon. Oct. 23 around 10 a.m., and arriving in Kingston on Tuesday, October 24, at 1 p.m. Weather and other factors could potentially cause further delays on its 30-hour voyage to Kingston.
By spring 2024, history buffs and tourists will be able to experience the fully restored S.S. Keewatin firsthand in Kingston.
SS Keewatin
What: S.S. Keewatin, the oldest remaining Edwardian-era (Titanic-era) steamliner in the world, will move from the Hamilton shipyard, where it is currently being refurbished, to its new home in Kingston on October 24, 2023.
When: TBA
En route to Kingston, this historic ship will be visible from the Toronto harbour around 10 a.m. on Monday, October 23., 2023. Weather dependent
