Many people know the world renowned Titanic. Do you know that S.S. Keewatin was built in Scotland in 1905, 5 years earlier than Titanic for the Canadian Pacific Company to connect the Eastern Canada with Western Canada using the Great Lakes? In 1965 Keewatin retired and was sold as a floating museum in Douglas on the Kalamazoo Lake in the States for another 45 years. Now the 350-foot ship was sold again and delivered to the purchaser, a Canadian private investment and management company. On 31 May 2012, Keewatin left Douglas and set sail back to Canada. On 23 June at 1:30pm, Keewatin arrived Port McNicoll. Thousands of people flocked to the Port McNicoll to get the view of the historical Keewatin and they were part of the ceremony to greet the returning ship. The developer will make the site an attraction landmark and Keewatin a museum.
On 28 June I first visited Port McNicoll for photography. I passed the square accidentally and was attracted by the gorgeous ship. I drove into the parking square and learnt about the history of the ship from the visitors. I was lucky to have met the historical Keewatin just 5 days after her returning home.
Photo equipment:
Nikon D200, Nikkor AF12-24mm f/4.0, Nikkor AF18-200mm f/3.5-5.6, Nikon GP-1 GPS, Ricoh Digital GR3
許多人認識聞名世界的鐵達尼郵輪，但你可知道「桂花田」郵輪於1905年在英國蘇格蘭建造，比鐵達尼更早5年，為加拿大太平洋鐵路公司在北美五大湖內提供連接東西兩岸的水上行程。1965年郵輪退役，但於1967年轉售，在隨後的45年在美國卡拉米蘇湖的杜格拉斯市成為海上博物館。今年，350呎長的郵輪再次易手，由加拿大一間私人投資及管理公司收購。2012年5月31日郵輪再次啟碇，離開杜格拉斯，重返加拿大，於6月23日下午1時半抵達Port McNicoll。當日碼頭萬人空巷，參與郵輪重返舊碼頭的儀式，再窺郵輪的風采。發展商將會在郵輪停泊的廣場，發展成為旅遊景點，使郵輪繼續成為海上博物館。我在6月28日首次往Port McNicoll 旅遊獵影，無意中駕車經過郵輪停泊的廣場，被郵輪的雄偉外形吸引了。駛車進入廣場，打聽之下，才知道郵輪的歷史。有幸在其抵達後五天便能一窺其風釆外貌。
 |
| The old photo of Keewatin becomes a wall painting of a building to celebrate the return of the ship. Ricoh Digital GR3, 28mm 1/2000sec @f/8.0, ISO 766 郵輪當年的舊照被繪製 |
 |
| The entrance of the square. Developer is also selling residential lots there. Nikon D200, Nikkor AF18-200mm @38mm (= 57mm in 35mm film), 1/250sec @f/14.0, ISO 200 郵輪廣場的入口，發展商也在旁邊售賣住宅地 |
 |
| S.S. Keewatin Nikon D200, Nikkor AF12-24mm @12mm (= 18mm in 35mm film), 1/250sec @f/10.0, ISO 200 「桂花田」郵輪 |
 |
| Keewatin in a sunny afternoon Nikon D200, Nikkor AF18-200mm @18mm (= 27mm in 35mm film), 1/250sec @f/13.0, ISO 200 當日下午陽光普照 |
 |
| Panoramic view of the aft Nikon D200, Nikkor AF12-24mm @12mm (= 18mm in 35mm film), 1/250sec @f/12.0, ISO 200 尾部全景 |
 |
| The gorgeous Keewatin Nikon D200, Nikkor AF18-200mm @18mm (= 27mm in 35mm film), 1/200sec @f/14.0, ISO 200 郵輪風釆 |
 |
| close shot Nikon D200, Nikkor AF18-200mm @95mm (= 142mm in 35mm film), 1/250sec @f/14.0, ISO 200 特寫 |
 |
| The Kee's mark Nikon D200, Nikkor AF18-200mm @38mm (= 57mm in 35mm film), 1/180sec @f/14.0, ISO 200 「桂花田」標誌 |
 |
| The historical Keewatin has returned home! Ricoh Digital GR3, 28mm, 1/1700sec @f/9.0, ISO 800 歷史郵輪「桂花田」回 |
 |
| Keewatin anchored at Port McNicoll Nikon D200, Nikkor AF12-24mm @22mm (= 33mm in 35mm film), 1/250sec @f/14.0, ISO 200 「桂花田」 郵輪停泊的廣場 |
Click to open more photos 點擊更多照片 »
Photo Gallery of National Post 國家郵報照片集 »
Keewatin on Youtube »
More news on Keewatin 更多相關的新聞:
Related news inToronto Star 多倫多星報相關新聞 »
Related news in Toronto Sun 多倫多太陽報相關新聞 »
Related article in Simcoe.com 相關文章 »
Related article in Mlive.com 相關文章 »
So nice!I will go there.Thank you! 3548 By D&X
ReplyDeletePeter, you probably didn't know but would have found out in Port McNicoll that all our cooks were Chinese on these ships. Kevin Griffin, ex-waiter s.s. Assiniboia (her sister ship)
ReplyDeleteHi Kevin,
DeleteI am surprised that many Chinese were working on these ships. I am sure there are many interesting stories about their lives on board. Thanks for your information.
Peter..
ReplyDeleteGreat story and picture. I was the one who brought her back and was also a waiter as a teenager on board. Very important to the sucess of the ship was the incredible kitchen staff who were all Chinese. I have tried to reach any of them with no luck. I have even tried the Chinese newspapers but they have ingnored all attempts to reach them. This important Canadian icon needs to make that connection. Perhaps you might be interested in helping me? I too live in Scarborough. Eric 416 318 7186
Hi Eric,
DeleteIt is really amazing to know that you are the one to bring this ship back! This is a history that has to be recognized and recorded. I am interested to get in touch of these overseas Chinese working in North America especially those working on this historical ship. I will get in touch with you shortly as I am busy doing some musical performance these days. Thanks and keep in touch.