Public Lecture
Connecting Communities:
The Ferry Boat Tradition
You may have heard about tall ships sailing these waters, but have you ever considered how ferry boats helped shape life, commerce, and tourism along the Lake Huron coast?
Cast off with guest speaker Richard Thomas into that story with big screen photographs of the grand succession of vessels that served Georgian Bay, along with timeless newsreel footage – from thundering shipyard boat launches to scenes of multi-generation crews at the helm.
The journey spans from timber shipwrights building the little Kagawong (formerly the SS Charles Lemcke) in Lion’s Head, to the sparks and steel of Collingwood Shipyards forging the giant MS Chi-Cheemaun. This floating highway links the mainland at Tobermory to Manitoulin Island, supported by a behind-the-scenes operational and maintenance base in Owen Sound.
Along the way come the human tales: a nine-year-old who watched The Big Canoe’s hull first meet the water and would one day become her captain… weddings, passenger parties, and even babies aboard… plus the charming family twist behind the contest that named the ship. And what do a racehorse, a lottery draw, and Point Pelee have to do with it all?
This Marine Heritage Society Explorations public lecture navigates more than a hundred years of ingenuity on these waters – steering tourism, industry, and culture in ferry-boat tradition.
Presented by:
Tickets are free but seats are limited. Please reserve your seats on Eventbrite here.
[Link to Come]
Please be seated at least 15 minutes before the presentation begins at 2:30 PM.
Unclaimed seats may be given to those on the waitlist after that time.
This multimedia presentation and Q&A is designed for growing families with youth aged approximately 12 and up who are comfortable participating in a 90-minute group learning experience.
About the Speaker
Richard Thomas is a respected local history aficionado whose professional and creative life have been rooted in storytelling.
A former news reporter in Thunder Bay and Owen Sound, Richard spent the 1980s and 1990s as the Regional Correspondent for CTV News in Southwestern Ontario (then CKCO-TV News), covering Bruce and Grey Counties.
He has researched and written more than twenty books about Owen Sound and the surrounding region, including works on train and boat services that helped drive tourism, agriculture, and commerce around Georgian Bay. Notable titles include The Jewel of Georgian Bay: Celebrating 50 Years of the Chi-Cheemaun.
His most recent publication, A Magnificent Failure: The Story of the King’s Royal Hotel and the Balmy Beach Dance Pavilion, chronicles an ambitious 1902 effort to create a luxury resort to rival the Muskokas – just a ten-cent ferry ride from Owen Sound.
Richard’s writing also extends into fiction. Detective novel enthusiasts may know him from Gas Head Willy, shortlisted for the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel in 1996 and now part of a continuing series. All of his books are available via The Ginger Press.
In addition to his literary work, Richard has contributed significantly through public service. He served two terms as an Owen Sound city councillor, chaired the Tom Thomson Art Gallery Advisory Committee and the Community Development, Tourism, and Culture Committee, and supported key riverside development projects, including improvements to the Owen Sound Market. Richard led the fight to save Owen Sound’s beloved Marine and Rail Museum, and was the founding president of the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre. He has been the chair of the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library Board for more than twenty years.
His heritage leadership has earned him recognition from the City of Owen Sound, Grey County Historical Society, as well as the Ontario Historical Society’s prestigious Carnochan Award for outstanding service to Ontario’s heritage community (2018).
Richard looks forward to sharing his love of the Lake Huron–Georgian Bay region and the stories of adventure and ingenuity on these waters aboard generations of ferry boats.
This Festival public lecture is the second MHS Explorations event designed to enhance the Lake Huron coast’s rich network of historical groups and events. Based on audience interest, organizers hope to continue offering annual talks - and potentially additional multimedia lectures during the year - sharing inspiring stories, adventures, and achievements with maritime enthusiasts both regionally and, perhaps, online.
Back to Marine Heritage Festival page.