Posted by John Gilmour on September 27, 1999 at 22:08:22:
In Reply to: Re: ship Noronic posted by Fred Addis on March 04, 1999 at 23:31:53:
: : : First, let me say that I stumbled across this site totally by accident while doing research on "Lost Ships". From what I have gathered the people posting messages are well informed and intelligent. So, I figured I would try another approach on a particular vessel that one of you may have info on.
: : : It started when two postcards were donated to the growing collection a friend and I have from various ships and their owners from the past. Amazingly, this collection now includes apprx. 8,000 known vessels, all long gone. Anyway, I degress...
: : : I need any information regarding the Noronic. A passenger vessel that ran the routes along the lakes but was lost to fire in Quebec harbor. All of the information I have is the previous and the dates on my two postcards. The first one was postmarked in the year 1916. The next, if I'm not mistaken, in the year 1946. Can anyone help me. I am also looking for any known images that may exist of this vessel. We need data in order to properly catalogue it within our collection. Incidently, it is a collection we hope to make available via the internet within two months. Thanks for your help. P.S. I am borrowing this e-mail address temporarily, while I add additional hardware to my cpu.
: Have extensive information on s.s. Noronic.
: Launched at Western Shipbuilding and Drydock, Port Arthur (Lake Superior)on June 4, 1913.
: After a shakey start with stability problems and grounding in Detroit River, ship enjoyed a long and successful career.
: Was in the thick of Canadian Seamen's Union strike in 1946. Crew struck ship in Welland Canal and over 500 passengers were bused back to Detroit. When ship returned to Detroit for passengers for next scheduled cruise, it was run out of Detroit in a hurry. Newspaper headlines cryed "No Scab Labour in Detroit."
: Arrived at Toronto, September 16, 1949 on an overnight stop enroute to cruise of Thousand Islands. A fire in a linen closed spread until an inferno engulfed the ship. 119 person died in their beds or trying to escape ship. All except one were U.S. citizens. Court of investigation cited inadequate emergency preparedness, faulty equipment and poor crew training as contributing factors.
: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the tragedy and a historic plaque will be placed on the Toronto waterfront to commemmorate the event and those who lost their lives.
: I'm working on a book so let me know if you turn up anything interesting.
: Many thanks...Fred Addis
My Grandfather was a cabnit maker and worked on the noronic.
My parents have a small inlaid table made of scrap wood from the noronic as she was fitted.
Just for interest sake.........John