Russel Brothers Limited   OWEN SOUND, ONTARIO   Steelcraft Boat Builders

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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.

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