Russel Brothers Limited   OWEN SOUND, ONTARIO   Steelcraft Boat Builders
HOME
Merganser

Had been sitting ashore several years near Tobermory, Ontario. Hull number 1168 length 30', beam 10', built 1958. Mike Scruton comments (Aug. 2017): "We had an 8-71 in it years ago . It was called the Merganser. It broke a lot of ice one winter in Dunnville on a pipeline job." Owner was Captain Steve Tiernan of Tobermory Aquasports. Mike Cunningham purchased the boat in late 2018 and moved her down to Sarnia.


ENLARGE to 920 pixels wide
HOME

 

All photos by Mike Cunningham. Click to enlarge:

 

 

All photos by Mike Cunningham, Aug. 10, 2017. Click to enlarge:

 

All photos by Mike Cunningham, Aug. 10, 2017. Click to enlarge:

 

Dec. 31, 2017, Tobermory. Photo by Mike Cunningham.

ENLARGE to 920 pixels wide
HOME

 

Merganser, hull 1168, in Tobermory Nov. 20th, 2018. Photos by Mike Cunningham. Mike comments: "There�s no paperwork on it. It is in Steve Tiernan's yard just south of Tobermory, ON. It might have been traded/bartered for services. Rod Anderson of Ram Marine in Tobermory told me it was left on his property and I think he gave it to Steve in exchange for something. It may have been being repo�d off his property one day when he (Rod) was away. Got home and it had fallen off the trailer into the ditch just down the road. Perhaps it went to Steve�s then."

 

Merganser departing Tobermory for Sarnia ON, Aug. 22, 2019. Photos by Mike Cunningham.

 

Grinding and painting... Sarnia ON, Sept. 22, 2019. Photo by Mike Cunningham.

 

Merganser in Sarnia, ON, Nov. 19, 2019. Photo by Mike Cunningham.

 

Merganser in Sarnia, ON. Photo by Mike Cunningham.

 

Merganser in Sarnia, ON. Cable steering mechanism. Like the winch boats and warping tugs, both cables go down the port side on blocks. Photos by Mike Cunningham.

 

Merganser in Sarnia, ON. Mar. 26, 2020. Graffiti discovered upon removing mouldy old insulation: "In case of emergency contact Harry Whitlow 558 Buffalo St. Fort Erie Ontario Capt Mike Ferguson run this boat in 1980 So did Moose 1st Mate." Photos by Mike Cunningham.

 

For more Russel exhibits visit Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum 1165 1st Ave West, Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K8
(519) 371-3333     http://marinerail.com