Kingston, Ontario

Today we head into Kingston, known as the 'Limestone City' because of the beautiful 19th-century heritage buildings that dominate its urban landscape. The city's abundant access to high-quality limestone in the early 1800's led to the construction of many fine limestone buildings that still stand today, earning its iconic nickname.

The Prince George Hotel

Market Square

SS Keewatin docked at the Great Lakes Museum

Our main goal today is to see the Great Lakes Museum, which is largely a museum about the old steam ship, The SS Keewatin. Built in 1907, she is the last of her kind, and actually older than the Titanic.

Picture of a Picture - Onlookers witness Keewatin's arrival in 2023

Basically the Keewatin arrived in Kingston on October 26, 2023, where it will now serve as a permanent historical attraction. She is one of the world's last remaining Edwardian steamships and is now open for public tours though she is still under extensive interior restoration.   

This picture in the museum shows hundreds of onlookers for the ship's arrival at the Great Lakes Museum in 2023. She was towed here from Michigan, USA and tugs pushed her into her final dock.

Ship graveyards on Lake Ontario

We tour the museum first as the next tour of the ship isn't until 3:45. The museum contains all sorts of old artifacts and lots of very interesting reading. 

This is such an unbelievable picture showing the location of graveyards of ships lost on Lake Ontario. There is hardly a space left...so many marine tragedies. 

Topographic map of the Great Lakes

Old Ship of the British Empire

These ships came in an era of when boat loads of people were coming to this new land in search of a different life. This poster shows what the First Nations peoples and The Metis who had lived on these lands for 100's of years, were up against.

Titanic vs SS Keewatin 

We do the 3:45 (1.5 hour) tour of the ship. It's a great tour that literally takes us back in time with the grandeur of steam passenger travel back in the day. Our guide was exceptional and we each had our own personal audio headset that really added to the experience. These models are seen at the beginning of our tour. The large one is The Titanic and the smaller is the one we are on, The SS Keewatin. Living proof that bigger is not always better :)

Ships radios and equipment

Basically The Keewatin was built by Canadian Pacific Railway to help speed up transport across Lake Superior by bypassing the northern railroad route of Lake Superior. Rather than a train around the massive lake, it was cheaper to build a boat to sail across Lake Superior from Port McNicoll on the Georgian Bay to Port Arthur, now Thunder Bay. The ship would be filled with passengers as well as freight cargo.

Dock hand quarters

We go through the ship and see everything from the ship's crew and deckhand quarters, galleys and shared bathrooms to the luxury of the passengers quarters and dining rooms. Every paying passenger was considered First Class and all treated the same though sleeping quarters were more luxurious for some who obviously paid more.

Newspaper from the era

Dining room for passengers

Galley aka kitchen

Sitting room

The 1.5 hour tour flies by. Being lovers of the water and boats, it was fascinating to hear about the ships history. It's nice she will forever sit in Kingston and continue to be restored.

KYC - Kingston Yacht Club

Onto the Kingston Yacht Club. Earlier we had stopped by quickly to put Chris's name on a list to crew if anyone needs help on their boat for tonight's race. No one has called so we just head back and watch the boats getting ready to head out.

Sitting area at the KYC

Door 20 and Door 20 1/2

We walk the streets for a bit as we love the old buildings and colorful doors. It is starting to get late so we head back to the RV for supper and a chill night.

Beth, Sophie and Gerrit

We keep trying to stay distracted on our trip though the mojo is so off right now. Wishing tears could bring Sophie home to Gerrit and Beth. 

In memory of Sophie....I don't think we will ever get over her tragic loss.