The passenger ferry Norgoma may have to leave Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, its home since 1975. The city council voted in late April to sell the historic vessel to a prospective buyer whose stated intention is to restore the ship to an operational passenger ferry and museum ship on the Great Lakes. While the Norgoma is owned and operated by the non-profit St. Mary’s River Marine Heritage Centre (SMRMHC), the contract between the city and Norgoma
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the SMRMHC does allow for the city to buy back the ship at a nominal price, as well as obligating the city to take responsibility for the ship should SMRMHC dissolve or otherwise fail to carry out its stewardship. The city maintains that the ship’s deteriorating condition renders her an eyesore, generating complaints from some citizens, including observations that paint chips from the vessel were falling into the river. As of press time, opponents to the sale were evaluating their options. Norgoma, the last passenger vessel constructed with overnight sleeping cabins on the Great Lakes, was built in 1950 in Collingwood, Ontario, and carried passengers between Owen Sound and Sault Ste. Marie until 1963, following the completion of the TransCanada Highway. Her steam engine was replaced with a diesel engine, and she was converted to a car ferry, operating between Tobermory and South Baymouth, until her sale to the city of Sault Ste. Marie. The city sold her to the SMRMHC in 1981. (www.norgoma. org; www.saultstemarie.ca) … The Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport, Texas, has reopened to the public after almost seven months. The museum, which suffered $600,000 in damages (continued on page 51)
Experienced ship model maker, who has been commissioned by the National Maritime Historical Society and the USS Intrepid Museum in New York City.
Lightship Overfalls Maritime Museum
One of only 17 remaining lightships in the United States, Lightship Overfalls is now celebrating her 80th Year! Open for Guided Tours: June through mid-October, Thursday–Monday, 10am–4pm.
Group Tours also available. Located in Historic Lewes on the Lewes & Rehoboth Canal.
www.overfalls.org
SEA HISTORY 163, SUMMER 2018 49