Respectfully submitted by : The Discoverer of THE MILLS FUR-BEARING TROUT, Edwin W. Mills and reprinted here by permission of his son Ted.
The discoverer of this rare type of trout was made during the course of one of the writer's recent trips into Northern Canada.
Long suspected, the fur-bearing trout was finally verified through an authentic catch which was immediately photographed as shown. ( the photo would not scan ..ed.... but it is a lovely picture)
Some of the circumstances under which the catch was made may be of interest to trout fishermen, viz:
The water in the lake in which these fish are found is very cold, in fact it was below freezing. Nature had therefore taken care of her own by providing the fish with a thick coat of fur. Before a fish could be taken we had to solve the problem of steel hooks, which had a tendency to break upon hitting the water. Finally, this was overcome by heating a hook and when this made contact with the water, the temperature tempered the hook with the result that one fish was finally landed.
The best bait, of course, is an ice worm, but once hooked the fish make an extraordinary fight due to the fact that they ruffle their fur which creates a resistance in the water, making it practically impossible to land them. Contrariwise the fur also acts as an accelerator and when they really step on the gas with tail and fins and fur acting in unison their speed is beyond comprehension, the fur acting as nature intended it to do, as a body insulator from the extreme heat generated by the friction of rapid passage through the cold, heavy water.
The change in pressure and temperature from the water in this lake to the atmosphere above it is so extreme that this species of trout has a tendency to explode upon being taken from the water, the fur and skin coming off in one piece, making it available for tanning and commercial purposes and leaving the body of the fish for refrigeration or eating as desired.
Tests have shown that the body of this fish placed in an ordinary refrigerator will keep the refrigerator cold for two to three months in mid-summer heat without the addition of ice. It might be added that if the fish itself is required for eating purposes, it will require two or three days' cooking to reduce the temperature to a point where ordinary people can dispose of it.
If the fur is made into a neckpiece, it has been found to be an excellent cure for goiter and tonsillitis, the fur stimulating circulation to such an extent that all impurities are removed.
Several persons have pointed to the forked tail and queried as to whether this could be a true species of trout. The answer is that although the fish has been so recently discovered that information regarding its habits are still very meager, nevertheless it has been definitely established that it is a man-eating type and the supposition is therefore that each time a fish eats a man it puts a notch in its own tail.
Taken from page 64-65 of Paddle Pack and Speckled Trout by Edwin W. Mills Tales of Fishing in Northern Ontario in the 1930's and 1940's
First printing Banff Crag & Canyon 1985
Second printing Cowichan Press 2001
Available from the Nipigon Historical Museum gift shop through a generous donation by son Ted Mills.
nipigonmuseum@gmail.com
Saturday 29 December 2012
Friday 28 December 2012
ABITIBI MARINE INDUSTRIES BASE, ORIENT BAY
1936-37
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| Orient Bay, Lake Nipigon, c. 1935 Gus Raita Collection Nipigon Museum Archives nmp418 |
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| nmp419 Vicinity of Abitibi Marine Base Gus Raita Collection Nipigon Museum Archives |
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| Construction of Abitibi Marine Base, Orient Bay 1937-38 Gus Raita Collection nmp420 Nipigon Museum Archives |
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| Marine Railway Construction: Abitibi Marine Base, Orient Bay Gus Raita Collection nmp434 Right side boat is OGIMA Nipigon Museum Archives |
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| nmp433 Marine Industries operations at Orient Bay, Ontario Gus Raita Collection Nipigon Museum Archives |
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| nmp426 Gus Raita Collection Abitibi Marine Base, Orient Bay, Ontario Nipigon Museum Archives |
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| Marine Industries Operations, Orient Bay, Ontario Gus Raita Collection nmp431 Nipigon Museum Archives |
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| nmp430 Gus Raita Collection Abitibi Marine Base, Orient Bay, Ontario Nipigon Museum Archives |
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| Abitibi Marine Base, Orient Bay, Ontario Gus Raita Collection nmp421 |
Monday 17 December 2012
JUST PASSED THE 11,000 PAGEVIEWS
Today, December 17, 2012, you have contributed to the passing of the 11,000th PAGEVIEW
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED INTEREST.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED INTEREST.
DACK
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
A firm of "Toronto Fish Buyers" purchased a 50 foot tug named "Dack" from Fort William, Ontario.
They shipped the vessel to Lake Nipigon in 1925 to enter the freighting of fish and also for visiting the various Indian Reserves for the purpose of buying "Sturgeon".
The tug "Dack" had trouble with both the engine and the boiler for the first two years.
The writer was hired to go to Lake Nipigon and install a more suitable engine in the vessel as well as re-tube the upright boiler. The writer served as engineer in this vessel which after repair of machinery was able to freight and trade the full length of Lake Nipigon.
The writer left this vessel at the end of the 1926 season.
The tug "Dack" carried on various work on Lake Nipigon approximately seven or eight years, finally going out of service somewhere in the northerly end of Lake Nipigon. The writer is told that the boiler and the engine are still with the bones of the tug "Dack".
That is the list known to the writer of the old time craft and crews which had to make their way without the aid of modern instruments. Plus vessels of all steel construction which had sturdy, safe and comfortable crew quarters to compare with the old wooden craft and especially the fishing vessels with the odor of fish soaked into their not too solid wood structure, with most craft leaking enough to circulate all the water in Lake Nipigon into their bilge and out again every few days.
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
A firm of "Toronto Fish Buyers" purchased a 50 foot tug named "Dack" from Fort William, Ontario.
They shipped the vessel to Lake Nipigon in 1925 to enter the freighting of fish and also for visiting the various Indian Reserves for the purpose of buying "Sturgeon".
The tug "Dack" had trouble with both the engine and the boiler for the first two years.
The writer was hired to go to Lake Nipigon and install a more suitable engine in the vessel as well as re-tube the upright boiler. The writer served as engineer in this vessel which after repair of machinery was able to freight and trade the full length of Lake Nipigon.
The writer left this vessel at the end of the 1926 season.
The tug "Dack" carried on various work on Lake Nipigon approximately seven or eight years, finally going out of service somewhere in the northerly end of Lake Nipigon. The writer is told that the boiler and the engine are still with the bones of the tug "Dack".
That is the list known to the writer of the old time craft and crews which had to make their way without the aid of modern instruments. Plus vessels of all steel construction which had sturdy, safe and comfortable crew quarters to compare with the old wooden craft and especially the fishing vessels with the odor of fish soaked into their not too solid wood structure, with most craft leaking enough to circulate all the water in Lake Nipigon into their bilge and out again every few days.
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| Fishing tugs, Lake Nipigon |
ONWEEGO
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
The late Charlie Cox, former mayor of Port Arthur and Fort William, railroaded a gas vessel into Lake Nipigon, named "Onweego" for his wood operations shortly before 1918. The writer is not sure of the length of time the "Onweego" operated, but I do know the "Onweego" was lengthened after going into Lake Nipigon and a new diesel engine of heavier power was installed by C.Cox Co..
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
The late Charlie Cox, former mayor of Port Arthur and Fort William, railroaded a gas vessel into Lake Nipigon, named "Onweego" for his wood operations shortly before 1918. The writer is not sure of the length of time the "Onweego" operated, but I do know the "Onweego" was lengthened after going into Lake Nipigon and a new diesel engine of heavier power was installed by C.Cox Co..
GAS BOATS
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
There were several gas boats that came into the Lake in early First World War days from lake Erie, Lake Huron -Georgian Bay etc.
Very little is known of their end but all came for the fishing industry.
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
There were several gas boats that came into the Lake in early First World War days from lake Erie, Lake Huron -Georgian Bay etc.
Very little is known of their end but all came for the fishing industry.
FLYING PIG
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
Also belonging to the Pioneer days was a small open boat, propelled by steam and the owner was of the same type of man as the "Alice".
This little boat's name was the "Flying Pig".
There was nothing known of their finish but both operated in the days when the writer was on Lake Nipigon in 1916-1918.
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
Also belonging to the Pioneer days was a small open boat, propelled by steam and the owner was of the same type of man as the "Alice".
This little boat's name was the "Flying Pig".
There was nothing known of their finish but both operated in the days when the writer was on Lake Nipigon in 1916-1918.
ALICE
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
There were several very small steam vessels on Lake Nipigon operated by one or two men.
One, the writer knows, railroaded from Port Arthur, Ontario. It was about 25 feet in length with a small upright fire tube boiler and a very small single high pressure engine.
She was named "Alice" and was operated by one man who traded with the Indians and was also a trapper.
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
There were several very small steam vessels on Lake Nipigon operated by one or two men.
One, the writer knows, railroaded from Port Arthur, Ontario. It was about 25 feet in length with a small upright fire tube boiler and a very small single high pressure engine.
She was named "Alice" and was operated by one man who traded with the Indians and was also a trapper.
LILLY - GRACE
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
The fishing tug "Lilly-Grace", a 50 foot vessel, was built at lake Nipigon for the fishing industry in 1926.
It had a triple expansion engine and a scotch boiler.
It went out of service in Lake Nipigon in 1939 and the machinery went to scrap.
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
The fishing tug "Lilly-Grace", a 50 foot vessel, was built at lake Nipigon for the fishing industry in 1926.
It had a triple expansion engine and a scotch boiler.
It went out of service in Lake Nipigon in 1939 and the machinery went to scrap.
A. B. SUTHERLAND
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
The 50 foot steel vessel, "A. B. Sutherland" was railroaded from Rossport to Lake Nipigon.
It had a fore and aft compound engine with jet condenser and a scotch boiler, Fire Tube make.
It came to Lake Nipigon in 1917 and was operated till 1929 when the boat and machinery were sold to scrap dealers.
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
The 50 foot steel vessel, "A. B. Sutherland" was railroaded from Rossport to Lake Nipigon.
It had a fore and aft compound engine with jet condenser and a scotch boiler, Fire Tube make.
It came to Lake Nipigon in 1917 and was operated till 1929 when the boat and machinery were sold to scrap dealers.
JANET B....BLINK BONNIE
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario , 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
The "Janet B." was railroaded to Lake Nipigon from Fort Francis for Commercial fishing. Originally the "Janet B." arrived at Lake Nipigon, 43 feet in length in 1917.
In the winter of 1917 -1918 it was cut in two and 12 feet was added to her length making her now 55 feet in length. Also the name was changed to "Blink Bonnie" and a larger engine and scotch boiler was installed to handle the now larger vessel. The engines now had the speed of 8 nominal horsepower fore and aft, and a scotch boiler. The engine was from Poulson Iron Works in Toronto and the single screw unit was sold to scrap dealers.
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario , 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
The "Janet B." was railroaded to Lake Nipigon from Fort Francis for Commercial fishing. Originally the "Janet B." arrived at Lake Nipigon, 43 feet in length in 1917.
In the winter of 1917 -1918 it was cut in two and 12 feet was added to her length making her now 55 feet in length. Also the name was changed to "Blink Bonnie" and a larger engine and scotch boiler was installed to handle the now larger vessel. The engines now had the speed of 8 nominal horsepower fore and aft, and a scotch boiler. The engine was from Poulson Iron Works in Toronto and the single screw unit was sold to scrap dealers.
Friday 7 December 2012
VIKING
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
From the Nipigon Museum Archives:
The Fishing tug named "Viking" also built in Rossport in 1902, had a length of 50 feet, a fore and aft compound engine and a scotch boiler.
It was shipped to Lake Nipigon in 1917 and was out of service in 1928.
The machinery went to scrap dealers.
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
From the Nipigon Museum Archives:
The Fishing tug named "Viking" also built in Rossport in 1902, had a length of 50 feet, a fore and aft compound engine and a scotch boiler.
It was shipped to Lake Nipigon in 1917 and was out of service in 1928.
The machinery went to scrap dealers.
C. KYLANDER
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
From Nipigon Museum Archives:
Another Commercial fishing tug built in Rossport, Ontario, and railroaded to Lake Nipigon in 1922 was the "C. Kylander".
This was operated as a fishing tug till 1929.
It had a Scotch boiler and a steeple compound engine giving the 57 foot vessel a speed of 8 nominal horsepower.
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
From Nipigon Museum Archives:
Another Commercial fishing tug built in Rossport, Ontario, and railroaded to Lake Nipigon in 1922 was the "C. Kylander".
This was operated as a fishing tug till 1929.
It had a Scotch boiler and a steeple compound engine giving the 57 foot vessel a speed of 8 nominal horsepower.
SEA GULL
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
From Nipigon Museum Archives
An open-deck fishing tug named "Sea Gull" which was railroaded from Lake Erie, Ontario, arrived in 1917 at Lake Nipigon.
It was 53 feet in length, with a steeple compound engine giving 8 nominal horsepower.
This tug went out of service in 1928 and the machinery sold to scrap dealers.
It was operated as a fishing tug while on Lake Nipigon by a Toronto firm, "The White Fish Co.".
Extra Information from Peter Sturdy: Sea Gull built in Goderich in 1890
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
From Nipigon Museum Archives
An open-deck fishing tug named "Sea Gull" which was railroaded from Lake Erie, Ontario, arrived in 1917 at Lake Nipigon.
It was 53 feet in length, with a steeple compound engine giving 8 nominal horsepower.
This tug went out of service in 1928 and the machinery sold to scrap dealers.
It was operated as a fishing tug while on Lake Nipigon by a Toronto firm, "The White Fish Co.".
Extra Information from Peter Sturdy: Sea Gull built in Goderich in 1890
KING FISHER
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario , 1974
From the Nipigon Museum Archives:
The next was a steam tug named "King Fisher".
This tug was a tow tug operating in Pulp and Logging. By 1927 it was the most powerful on Lake Nipigon ranging about 70 feet in length.
It was taken from Lake Nipigon and railroaded to the town of Nipigon being now powered by diesel but out of service. It was moored at Nipigon under the present ownership of Domtar wood Industry .( Buzz Lein has a correction here - "Never owned by Domtar. Nipigon Lake Timber was the last owner. Bought from them and towed to Lakehead by a guy called Saxberg...about 1975."
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario , 1974
From the Nipigon Museum Archives:
The next was a steam tug named "King Fisher".
This tug was a tow tug operating in Pulp and Logging. By 1927 it was the most powerful on Lake Nipigon ranging about 70 feet in length.
It was taken from Lake Nipigon and railroaded to the town of Nipigon being now powered by diesel but out of service. It was moored at Nipigon under the present ownership of Domtar wood Industry .( Buzz Lein has a correction here - "Never owned by Domtar. Nipigon Lake Timber was the last owner. Bought from them and towed to Lakehead by a guy called Saxberg...about 1975."
ARLA
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario , 1974
From the Nipigon Museum Archives:
There was a small, 40 foot steam tug which was built in Rossport, Ontario, named "Arla".
This was purchased by the Department of Indian Affairs office for the Indians to use in their fishing operations of Lake Nipigon.
"Arla" had a fore and aft high pressure engine and upright Fire tube boiler, with speed of approximately 4 nominal horsepower.
The remains of this craft are not clear but at the north end of Lake Nipigon.
This was built for the fishing industry in Rossport, Ontario, about 1907, and shipped to Lake Nipigon by rail in 1912 or 1913.
The engine was built by Mr. Baker who was chief engineer of the government survey boat "Bayfield" which was operating in the vicinity of Rossport in 1907.
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario , 1974
From the Nipigon Museum Archives:
There was a small, 40 foot steam tug which was built in Rossport, Ontario, named "Arla".
This was purchased by the Department of Indian Affairs office for the Indians to use in their fishing operations of Lake Nipigon.
"Arla" had a fore and aft high pressure engine and upright Fire tube boiler, with speed of approximately 4 nominal horsepower.
The remains of this craft are not clear but at the north end of Lake Nipigon.
This was built for the fishing industry in Rossport, Ontario, about 1907, and shipped to Lake Nipigon by rail in 1912 or 1913.
The engine was built by Mr. Baker who was chief engineer of the government survey boat "Bayfield" which was operating in the vicinity of Rossport in 1907.
FISHER
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
From Nipigon Museum Archives:
The writer recalls another craft. This was a sailing craft owned and operated in early days by Hudson's Bay Company before construction of the C.N.R. In 1916 and 1917 it was called the "Fisher" and was no longer owned by the Hudson's Bay Company and was converted to gas.
It spent approximately 15 years in the commercial fishing industry.
The "Fisher" is 40 feet in length.
The writer is uncertain whether this craft can still be seen today or not.
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario, 1974
From Nipigon Museum Archives:
The writer recalls another craft. This was a sailing craft owned and operated in early days by Hudson's Bay Company before construction of the C.N.R. In 1916 and 1917 it was called the "Fisher" and was no longer owned by the Hudson's Bay Company and was converted to gas.
It spent approximately 15 years in the commercial fishing industry.
The "Fisher" is 40 feet in length.
The writer is uncertain whether this craft can still be seen today or not.
MINEWA
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario , 1974
From the Nipigon Archives:
The writer recalls another vessel of the pioneer construction days. This was a scow or barge, (the Minewa ) but operated for the construction of the C.N.R.
This barge I recall was about 55 feet in length. It had a clean deck with only enough housework to cover the boiler and engines, plus the crew quarters.
The writer can not recall the name of this craft. (Buzz Lein did)
Being flat and shallow draught she was equipped as a twin screw having two steam engines, one on each side giving the vessel very easy manoeuvrability in narrow waters due to the vessel having a propeller on each side.
This vessel was not taken out of water but left in a quiet bay in very shallow water. The boiler is still there but the engines were taken by different outfits for different crafts, especially the fishing industry down through the years.
Each of the twin units were of the same engines as that of the "Pewabic". These engines were also built by the 'Polson Iron Works' of Toronto.
As remembered by Adolph King, Rossport, Ontario , 1974
From the Nipigon Archives:
The writer recalls another vessel of the pioneer construction days. This was a scow or barge, (the Minewa ) but operated for the construction of the C.N.R.
This barge I recall was about 55 feet in length. It had a clean deck with only enough housework to cover the boiler and engines, plus the crew quarters.
The writer can not recall the name of this craft. (Buzz Lein did)
Being flat and shallow draught she was equipped as a twin screw having two steam engines, one on each side giving the vessel very easy manoeuvrability in narrow waters due to the vessel having a propeller on each side.
This vessel was not taken out of water but left in a quiet bay in very shallow water. The boiler is still there but the engines were taken by different outfits for different crafts, especially the fishing industry down through the years.
Each of the twin units were of the same engines as that of the "Pewabic". These engines were also built by the 'Polson Iron Works' of Toronto.
Thursday 6 December 2012
PEWABIC
Freight-Passenger-Commercial fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King of Rossport, Ontario , 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
The Pewabic
The next major Vessel was a smaller craft of 52 feet in length named the "Pewabic". Also it was housed full length or nearly so.
It was an early construction days vessel and handled both freight and passengers.
"Pewabic" had only one main deck and no upper deck.
It was propelled by a single screw, fore and aft compound with jet condenser engine built by "Polson Iron Works" Toronto, with an 8 nominal horsepower.
When construction days ended "Pewabic" was pulled on the East shore of Lake Nipigon until the early fall of 1916 when the "Pewabic" was stripped of housework to enter the commercial fishing industry.
The writer, who was serving as Engineer for Fort William Fish Co. who purchased the "Pewabic" was called to Lake Nipigon to fit up the machinery of the "Pewabic" thereby outfitting the first commercial fishing vessel on Lake Nipigon.
The "Pewabic" was operated for two months in the fall of 1916 as the only steam Tug on the Lake. Ombabika and others followed in 1917.
The writer operated in 1917 and 1918, especially 1917, when crafts of all description came into Lake Nipigon by rail from all directions. The "Pewabic" had also come in to Lake Nipigon in Sections and was assembled there.
The "Pewabic's" boiler and engine were sold to the scrap dealers in 1933 and remains in shallow water one mile west of Macdiarmid.
construction = CNR north of Lake Nipigon
As remembered by Adolph King of Rossport, Ontario , 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
The Pewabic
The next major Vessel was a smaller craft of 52 feet in length named the "Pewabic". Also it was housed full length or nearly so.
It was an early construction days vessel and handled both freight and passengers.
"Pewabic" had only one main deck and no upper deck.
It was propelled by a single screw, fore and aft compound with jet condenser engine built by "Polson Iron Works" Toronto, with an 8 nominal horsepower.
When construction days ended "Pewabic" was pulled on the East shore of Lake Nipigon until the early fall of 1916 when the "Pewabic" was stripped of housework to enter the commercial fishing industry.
The writer, who was serving as Engineer for Fort William Fish Co. who purchased the "Pewabic" was called to Lake Nipigon to fit up the machinery of the "Pewabic" thereby outfitting the first commercial fishing vessel on Lake Nipigon.
The "Pewabic" was operated for two months in the fall of 1916 as the only steam Tug on the Lake. Ombabika and others followed in 1917.
The writer operated in 1917 and 1918, especially 1917, when crafts of all description came into Lake Nipigon by rail from all directions. The "Pewabic" had also come in to Lake Nipigon in Sections and was assembled there.
The "Pewabic's" boiler and engine were sold to the scrap dealers in 1933 and remains in shallow water one mile west of Macdiarmid.
construction = CNR north of Lake Nipigon
Wednesday 5 December 2012
OMBABIKA
Freight-Passenger-Commercial Fishing Vessels of Lake Nipigon from 1909
Remembered by Adolph King of Rossport, 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
The largest vessel that sailed the waters of Lake Nipigon in early construction days of the C.N. R. was the vessel "Ombabika" which was shipped into Lake Nipigon via the Town of Nipigon then by the crude short railroad into Lake Nipigon's S.E. end.
The "Ombabika" was shipped as what is known as a "knock-down" unit meaning it had to be put together at the point of destination - in other words the vessel was shipped in sections.
"Ombabika" was 82 feet in length, designed for freight and passenger service having a double deck.
The upper deck consisted of rooms for passengers; also life boats propelled by single screw, staple compound engine and Scotch boiler, horsepower rating of 10 nominal horsepower, giving Ombabika cruising speed of 9 and a half mph.
At the end of construction of the C.N.R. at the North end of Lake Nipigon, "Ombabika" was pulled up on shore on the west side of Lake Nipigon from where she was again put into service for the commercial fishing industry which began in 1917.
The engine of the "Ombabika" was sold to scrap dealers, the boiler is now in about 3 feet of water and can be seen approximately one mile south of Macdiarmid as well as some of the bones of "Ombabika", her final resting place, which came in the early 1930's.
Remembered by Adolph King of Rossport, 1974
Nipigon Museum Archives
 |
| Ombabika |
The largest vessel that sailed the waters of Lake Nipigon in early construction days of the C.N. R. was the vessel "Ombabika" which was shipped into Lake Nipigon via the Town of Nipigon then by the crude short railroad into Lake Nipigon's S.E. end.
The "Ombabika" was shipped as what is known as a "knock-down" unit meaning it had to be put together at the point of destination - in other words the vessel was shipped in sections.
"Ombabika" was 82 feet in length, designed for freight and passenger service having a double deck.
The upper deck consisted of rooms for passengers; also life boats propelled by single screw, staple compound engine and Scotch boiler, horsepower rating of 10 nominal horsepower, giving Ombabika cruising speed of 9 and a half mph.
At the end of construction of the C.N.R. at the North end of Lake Nipigon, "Ombabika" was pulled up on shore on the west side of Lake Nipigon from where she was again put into service for the commercial fishing industry which began in 1917.
The engine of the "Ombabika" was sold to scrap dealers, the boiler is now in about 3 feet of water and can be seen approximately one mile south of Macdiarmid as well as some of the bones of "Ombabika", her final resting place, which came in the early 1930's.
Tuesday 4 December 2012
ARCTIC HUMMING BIRDS
In 1974 L.M. "Buzz" Lein was Chairman of the Nipigon Museum Board.
He was great at drumming up business for the Museum. In March 1974 he came up with this attraction.
"Not long ago, the presence of Arctic Humming birds was reported from White River. I didn't think anything of it at the time because what is so unusual about an Arctic Humming bird in this country? In the latter part of December through the third week in February they simply swarm in this area. What is unusual though, is to have them reported as far south as White River."
"These tiny fragile birds originally got their name in Beardmore, Ontario. Some twenty years ago (1954) they were first observed one night when it was 74 degrees below zero. They were flying up to an overly large outdoor thermometer, clinging briefly to it while they checked the temperature. When it was down in the 70 degree bracket they could be heard giving their slow contented "Hmmm-hmmm-hmmm!" But when the mercury would zoom up to 30 below, the little things would become frantic and the "Hmmm-hmmm-hmmm" would pour forth in a rising crescendo."
"The fragile birds with their tiny bulk, great speed and poor wing control are particularly noticeable in Beardmore-Jellicoe-Geraldton when the ice fog rolls in, heavy and opaque from Lake Nipigon. Then if you are abroad in the land and feel tiny flicks of cold on your face you have blundered into a flock of Humming birds. Since they are so small they are no threat to your health and well being."
"This has been a good winter for them as the ice worms and snow bugs have been particularly abundant."
"We had a pair in the Nipigon Museum for display in our glass fronted deep freeze but the yo-yo who was looking after them forgot to cover them one night. The temperature bolted up to 40 below and the poor things died of heat exhaustion."
"Visit the Nipigon Museum this summer and we'll show you the place where we kept them, but we won't tell you the Yp-yo's name."
Alas, the fire of 1990 destroyed even that evidence.
He was great at drumming up business for the Museum. In March 1974 he came up with this attraction.
"Not long ago, the presence of Arctic Humming birds was reported from White River. I didn't think anything of it at the time because what is so unusual about an Arctic Humming bird in this country? In the latter part of December through the third week in February they simply swarm in this area. What is unusual though, is to have them reported as far south as White River."
"These tiny fragile birds originally got their name in Beardmore, Ontario. Some twenty years ago (1954) they were first observed one night when it was 74 degrees below zero. They were flying up to an overly large outdoor thermometer, clinging briefly to it while they checked the temperature. When it was down in the 70 degree bracket they could be heard giving their slow contented "Hmmm-hmmm-hmmm!" But when the mercury would zoom up to 30 below, the little things would become frantic and the "Hmmm-hmmm-hmmm" would pour forth in a rising crescendo."
"The fragile birds with their tiny bulk, great speed and poor wing control are particularly noticeable in Beardmore-Jellicoe-Geraldton when the ice fog rolls in, heavy and opaque from Lake Nipigon. Then if you are abroad in the land and feel tiny flicks of cold on your face you have blundered into a flock of Humming birds. Since they are so small they are no threat to your health and well being."
"This has been a good winter for them as the ice worms and snow bugs have been particularly abundant."
"We had a pair in the Nipigon Museum for display in our glass fronted deep freeze but the yo-yo who was looking after them forgot to cover them one night. The temperature bolted up to 40 below and the poor things died of heat exhaustion."
"Visit the Nipigon Museum this summer and we'll show you the place where we kept them, but we won't tell you the Yp-yo's name."
Alas, the fire of 1990 destroyed even that evidence.
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| Bird feeder for Arctic Humming birds. I keep it out every winter. They never drink it dry. |
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