RMS Segwun
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RMS Segwun is a small steamship, built in 1887, to cruise the Muskoka Lakes, in the District 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 the Town Dock in Gravenhurst. The Sagamo, converted into a floating restaurant, was destroyed in a fire in 1969. The Segwun Steamboat Museum, moored next to the Sagamo, survived the fire.
From 1972, the Segwun was lovingly restored, and put back into service in 1981. Segwun now provides short sightseeing excursions, lunch and sunset dinner cruises.
The R.M.S. Segwun is the oldest operating steam driven vessel in North America, her wrought iron hull was manufactured in 1887 and originally formed the S.S. Nipissing, a paddle-wheel vessel, in service on the lakes from 1887 through 1915. In 1924 twin screw Segwun was built around that hull. The engines are two Doty compound steam engines and are not the originals. When the Segwun was rebuilt on the hull of the second S.S. Nipissing she was also converted from a side paddle wheel steamer with a walking beam engine into the current two counter-rotating propellers.
A carving of the Phoenix carried atop of Segwun's pilothouse, is a replica of one originally carried on the Segwun in 1925. The first Phoenix statue was carved for a second version of the S.S. Nipissing launched in 1887 to replace the original Nipissing destroyed in a fire the previous year. At the close of navigation season in 1925, the SS Sagamo caught fire while being laid up, so in subsequent years the Phoenix was placed on the Sag' where it was lost by fire a second time in 1969. The Sagamo was not rebuilt, however the Phoenix did arise from its ashes and is now carried by the ship it was intended for.
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.
