RMS Segwun
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RMS Segwun is a small steamship, built in 1924, to cruise the Muskoka Lakes, in the county of Muskoka, Ontario Canada.
| length | 125 feet |
| beam | 21 feet |
| propulsion | two reciprocating steam engines, circa 1907, 1914 |
Muskoka is a resort area, with many lakes and rivers. Early in the 20th century Muskoka was poorly served by roads. Vacationers were transported to lodges, or private cottages, via a fleet of steamships, including the Segwun.
Ports of call included Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Port Sandfield, Port Carling, Bala.
Most of these vessels were broken up or lost to fire, when roads were built. The Segwun, and the fleet's former flagship, the RMS Sagamo, the last two remaining vessels in service, were retired in 1958, and spent decades moored at a dock in Gravenhurst. The Sagamo was destroyed in a fire in 1969. The Segwun, moored next to the Sagamo, survived the fire.
The Segwun was lovingly restored, and put back into service, in 1984. Segwun provides short sightseeing excursion, and dinner cruises. The Segwun is notable for being the oldest working vessel in North America to continue to use its original steam engine.
The Segwun's hull and formed the SS Nipising, a paddle-wheel vessel, that was in service on the lakes from 1887 through 1915. In 1924 Segwun was built around that hull.
The S.S. Segwun is the oldest operating steam driven vessel in North America. The engines are two Doty compound steam engines and are not the originals. When the Segwun was rebuilt on the hull of the original S.S. Nippissing she was also converted from a side paddle wheel steamer with a walking beam engine into the current two propeller configuration, according to information given out by ship's crew.
When making reservations, be aware that the Wenonah II was built from scratch in 2002 as a replica of a circa 1907 Muskoka vessel. It holds 200 vs. the Segwun's 99 passengers.
