Steel passenger and automobile ferry Ongiara [C.318766] built by Russel Bros., Owen Sound in 1963. Registered at Toronto. 67'; 180 gross tons. Hull 1219. In commission. See clipping file for Pic and Toronto/Ships Present/Fleets/Island Ferries folder for vessel file.
2/23/05 - Toronto, Ont. - This winter's polar vortex was a couple of months late in arriving but it made up for lost time by bringing in sub zero Fahrenheit freezing temperatures and icy winds. This caused a dramatic increase in harbor ice thickness. Early in the week the Ongiara got stuck a couple of times in heavy ice and had to be broken out by the fire boat. Friday the Ongiara was pulled out of service with an ice damaged propeller. Photos by Capt. John Jones. boatnerd source: http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newsthumbs/newsthumbs_112.htm
Ongiara running in fog, Nov. 29, 2005. Photo by Gerry Ouderkirk
City of Toronto Parks & Recreation Passenger & Car Ferry Ongiara (launched 1963) heading to Hanlan's Point with a light load on the final day of the Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival (June 21, 2009). Photo by Joseph Wong.
Source: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=928521
Ongiara builder's plate hanging in the ship June 2018. Photo by Don Hicks.
Ongiara in a 6 week refit at Toronto Drydock. Photos by Don Hicks. Don comments (Nov. 10, 2018): "We've taken about 20 feet out of her Hull and replaced it with new steel, the engine room is a complete refit, the electrical is getting rewired, and she'll get a new coat of paint all the way around. Oh did I mention that the 2 ramps on the bow and Stern are being replaced as well and all the hydraulics as well as I welded up the rudder. I could go on...She's been here 10 days with another 4 weeks to go."
Nov. 17, 2018: "She's coming along nicely." Photo by Don Hicks.
Ongiara, Toronto Drydock, Nov. 21, 2018. The boat is getting an entire electrical refit. Photo by Don Hicks.
Nov. 29, 2018: "We just got the propeller back from Allied Marine who did the repair work to her. She's the original propeller built by Kennedy and Sons of Owen Sound." Photo by Don Hicks.
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