I’m back after a long weekend hiatus.
This series of photos shows the SS Manitoba leaving Port McNicoll for the last time on June 15th, 1950 – almost exactly 67 years ago today. After the Noronic disaster in 1949 the CPR made the decision to decommission Manitoba as the costs of a retrofit to bring her up to the new standards would have been much too expensive.
These pictures were taken from the roof of the Office/ Dry Goods Storage and former Icehouse building indicating that they were taken by an employee. Unfortunately, we don’t know who.
Take note of the Range light on Bergie Point. This light and its partner which can still be seen on William Street, guided ships into Port McNicoll and Victoria Harbour.
This photo shows diesel locomotives in Port McNicoll to test the trestle. Steam is being replaced by diesel across the CPR, Port will be the last place in Ontario to use regularly assigned steam. Hood unit 4012 is a model FA1 built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1950 and will be retired in 1965, 8598 is a road switcher model RS10 also built by MLW but in 1956 and retired in 1982. The scene is beside the coal trestle & chute in the Port yard. Official were concerned about the weight of the engines affecting the trestle, combined weight was 518,000 pounds.
Huronia Museum 