Penetanguishene Dock

Relics of the Past An Artical by Susan Read

Have you noticed our new residents docked at the Penetanguishene dock? Sources tell me that because of Toronto's reconstruction of their waterfront, the ships had to move to a new location. Time worn and a little worse for wear, the boats have had a long journey through the years working our waters and now have come to rest as pleasure boats for their new owners.
The PRESCOTONT, built in 1930, was the first of her type constructed in Canada. This diesel tug featured a special remote control designed to allow the pilot to leave the tugboat. The PRESCOTONT would tow a new car float Ogdensburg between the New York Central terminal at Ogdensbur N.Y., and the Canadian Pacific terminal at Prescott, Ont. When the float was ready to leave, the tug noses up, the two boats are tied together, an electric connection is made and then the pilot would leave the tugboat and board the car float. The trip was then made with the pilot on the bridge of the towed boat, all the operation of the machinery on the tug, steering, etc. being controlled from that point. The tug was built by order of the Canadian Pacific Car and Passenger Transfer Co. Ltd. which operated a railway ferry service in the joint interests of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the New York Central Railroad.

The STILL WATCH or what was previously called the VILLE MARIE, was used as a survey vessel in the St. Lawrence ship channel by the Canadian Coast Guard. This diesel electric ship was built in 1960 and was used until it was decommissioned in 1985. Later it was sold as a pleasure boat and renamed the STILL WATCH. She has spent the last 11 years in the Toronto harbour and now calls Penetanguishene her home.

Do you know who built the PRESCOTONT?
Built at the Davie Shipbuilding and Repairing Co.'s yard at Lauzon, Que. - 1930

Do you know who built the STILL WATCH? (formally the Ville Marie)
Russel-Hipwell Engines, Owen Sound - 1960


The original Boat Works was located on the docksite beyond King St. and was started by Mr. J.A. Smith and W.H. Hacker & Sons. They manufactured sail boats and canoes.

In 1912 J.H. Gidley & Sons took over the business expanding their line to include lauches; fishing and tug boats. When Mr. Gidley died his son Warren carried on the business for a while. Part of the Boat Works was on the Dobson property. He was operating the Drydock Marine, railway and building boats as well, so during World War 1 he took over the Boat Works as well.

In 1921, a company was formed with Playfair and White and other leading business men, they purchased the Boat Works from G. Dobson and with Tom McCullough as manager, operated under the name Midland Boat Works. They continued to build commercial craft as well as handled the gasoline supply as far north as Pointe au Baril.

The Boat Works caught fire in 1942 and was later rebuilt with more modern facilities, and continued to operate until the early 1960's.

 
  Did you know?

The first tugboat in Canada was built here by Henry Gidley's Boat Factory.

This area had 3 floating hotels, which were towed to selected holiday sites by tugs.

In 1883 Penetanguishene was incorporated as a town.

Georgian Bay's famous fall gales took many ships to their watery graves, including the Thomas Cranage in 1911. This was the longest wooden vessel lost on Georgian Bay.

The Saucy Jim was a steam tug built in Meaford in 1887. She was kept busy towing, wrecking, and freighting, making her a familiar sight on the bay. On November 18, 1910 her colourful career came to an end when she caught fire at Christian Island.

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