GHOST SHIP OF THE RIDEAU...

A little story on a forgotten 117yr old vessel lying dormant in the reeds on the Rideau River...anyone passing south of Hurst Marina will recognize her tarnished hull...

Built as the SS Planet in 1903 in Buffalo, NY...

The SS Planet was seized for "Running the Line" a practice that was common in those days. Border disputes over fishing rights and the starting of Prohibition caused the seizure of many a vessel in the early 1900's and in 1909 she was seized by the Canadian Coast Guard.

The steamer was then changed to "Racey" in 1929 - changed to "Paul Evans" in 1957 at Owen Sound - sold to Owen Sound Historical Society in 1975 - sold to H. Gamble, 1980, name changed back to "SS Racey"

In 1989 she was converted back to steam power after being diesel powered...

Using the original 1895 Doty steam engine powered by wood burning boiler, the new “SS PUMPER” operated as a tourist vessel on the Niagara River until around 2004 when it came to rest on the Rideau River near Kars, On.

Now a forgotten floating time capsule, lost in the reeds of time, The “SS Pumper" is the last wood burning steamship to survive in North America...a 117yr old tribute to the bygone steamship days of the Rideau Canal and the mariners of Canadian history.

It’s fate, unknown.

So the next time you boat past by this historic ol steamship, please tip your hat, raise a glass or give a nod to this 117yr old steamship that once made history as being the fastest steamship on the Great Lakes.

Cheers to the SS Planet/Racey/Pumper!