Russel Brothers Limited OWEN SOUND, ONTARIO Steelcraft Boat Builders
Frederick Ross
The builders plate is as follows:
SteelCraft
Built by
Russel
Brothers Limited.
Owen
Sound, ONT
Boat
NO. 348
Year
Built 1940
Length
28 Ft
Beam
8Ft 6 In. Owner Wayne Fischer. |
I have attached a photograph of the "Frederick Ross" which was taken when we
had the vessel up in Muskokas a few years ago. The vessel was built as a pound fishing vessel with a gas engine. In the
1950's it was sold to a marine contractor who used it as a work boat on the
St. Lawrence Seaway project. In 2001 a gentlemen by the name of Joe
Caverley converted it to a steam boat. (His grandfather operated a steam
passenger ship steaming out of Huntsville and down the Magnetawan River to
Ahmic Lake.) I purchased it in 2009, and have done some refit work and it
has steamed every year since I have purchased it. For the last four years,
we have had it on the Grand River just North of Caledonia where we can steam
up river approximately 8 1/2 miles. The boat is done up as a 1880's River
launch. The 1906 simple steam engine is rated at 6HP and the wood fired
boiler is rated at 8HP. The top speed is 5 1/2 miles per hour and I get 38
miles to a face cord of hardwood and I am able to bunker enough wood to go
50 miles. The oldest item on the vessel is the steam whistle which was
manufactured in 1885 and is an actual river launch whistle. The cabin has
stain glass windows from a Baptism Church built in 1890's. As it's done up
as a heritage boat we use Hemp ropes (not nylon) and we can take 7 seven
passengers in addition to our two man crew. My wife Judi is at the helm and
I am back stoking the boiler and running the engine.
Wayne Fischer,
President,
Ontario Steam Heritage Museum.
Frederick Ross on the Grand River near Caledonia on Sept 1st, 2021. Photo by Barry Westhouse.
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