Steamboating in Muskoka 1866-1959

Photos by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted October, 2011

Plaque Location

The District of Muskoka
The Town of Gravenhurst
Located along the boardwalk at the Muskoka Wharf on
Bay Street (Road 169), 1 km west of Muskoka Road (Road 18)

Coordinates: N 44 55.213 W 79 23.120

Plaque Text

Steam navigation on the Muskoka Lakes began in 1866, when the paddle vessel "Wenonah" went into service. Built at Gravenhurst, she was owned by A.P. Cockburn (1837-1905), who served as the federal member of parliament for Muskoka, 1872-82, and for North Ontario, 1882-87. The "Wenonah" was the first of a line of ships known after 1872 as the Northern Lakes Navigation Company, and after 1949 as the Muskoka Lakes Line. Its ships were among many which contributed to the early and rapid development of Muskoka as a lumbering and resort region. The steamboat gradually gave way to the automobile, and the last two, "Segwun" (1887) and "Sagamo" (1906) ceased operation in 1958.

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Posted November 5, 2010
I have been on a number of trips aboard the "Segwun" since she re-entered service in 1981. I remember seeing the wreck of the "Sagamo" as recently as 1983.

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