City opts to pursue tourist steamship.

A long-lost part of Thunder Bay's marine transportation history, the antique passenger steamship S.S. Keewatin, may be returning to its former docking site where city officials hope it can be developed into a major tourist attraction at the popular Marina Park.

The S.S. Keewatin and its sister ship the Assinibola sailed between Port Arthur/Fort William (Thunder Bay) and Port McNicholl on Georgian Bay for 58 years from 1907 to 1965. During that time the ships were owned and operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway, which used them as railway links for passengers and cargo.

In 1965 the 350-foot Keewatin was retired from service, and in 1967 sold to R.J. Peterson who docked the ship in Douglas, Mich. Where it operates as a marine museum.

This is not the first time the City of Thunder Bay has tried to get the one-of-a-kind Keewatin back. The last attempt in 1995 was shelved because the total estimated price tag of $2 million, which included towing, was deemed to be too expensive.

This time around the effort to purchase the ship is being led by councilors Rene Larson and Bill Scollie, and it appears that public support for the project is strong in the city. City council has given unanimous support for an expense account of $20,000 to determine if a deal can be made with the owner of the ship.

Although there is not a "for sale" sign on the ship at the present time, Larson says that the timing is right to approach the 81-year-old owner with an offer. There are other groups outside of Thunder Bay who also would be interested in purchasing the Keewatin, but Larson says the current owner wants to be assured that the ship will be properly cared for in the future since it has been his passion for the last 35 years.

City council is expecting to see a business plan that would detail the cost and the potential uses for the ship. The plan is for the ship to house a restaurant, banquet facilities and for it to operate as a bed-and-breakfast destination for tourists. The Canadian Pacific Railway Heritage Fund has also expressed an interest in the project and may be willing to be a funding partner with the city.