Big Cruise For A Big Cause – The Famous 100 Mile Cruise Aboard The RMS Segwun

Vintage 1950 Brochure of the 100 Mile Cruise

This just in from Kathy Rhodes and the nice folks at the Toronto Chapter ACBS about a very cool event that a number of area boat clubs have planned for 2012.

BIG CRUISE FOR A BIG CAUSE
Wooden boaters to recreate the famous 100-Mile Cruise on Saturday, August 18, 2012

Don’t miss your opportunity to recreate a part of history and contribute to cancer research. On Saturday, August 18, 2012, the “RMS Segwun” will depart from the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst, Ontario and follow the route of the “Sagamo” on Lake Muskoka through the locks at Port Carling and on to Little Lake Joe. Along the route, the “Segwun” will be joined by over 100 wooden boats; some will complete the entire journey, others will join en route.

The original 100-Mile Cruise ran from 1922 to 1958 as part of the Muskoka Lakes Navigation Company’s efforts to make the ships more than simply a means of transportation to and from the hotels and cottages on the lakes. Passengers could travel by rail from Toronto, spend the night on board the “Sagamo”, and be ready for departure at about 7:00 a.m. Along the route, other ships such as the “Segwun”, the “Cherokee”, and the “Medora”, bringing additional passengers from Bracebridge, Foot’s Bay, and Rosseau, would meet the “Sagamo”, which also often stopped at Windermere, the Royal Muskoka Hotel, and Clevelands House.

Once all passengers had boarded, the “Sagamo” would continue to Natural Park which had been specifically purchased by the Muskoka Lakes Navigation Company in 1923 to serve as the stopping off point of the cruise. Once at Natural Park, passengers could enjoy the walking trails, beautiful scenery, and a delicious lunch.

In a 1953 Muskoka Lakes marketing brochure, the 100-Mile Cruise is described as “the most famous of its kind on the North American Continent.”

And now the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) – Toronto and Manotick chapters, along with the Trent Severn Antique and Classic Boat Association, the Dispro Owners’ Club, the Muskoka Steamship and Historical Society, and others are working together to recreate that voyage with a goal of 100 passengers aboard the Segwun, and at least 100 wooden boats joining along the way. In addition, this will be a fund-raising event for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Registration details will be available soon on the Toronto Chapter ACBS website and quarterly publication Classicboat – In the meantime, mark the date and don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of history.

The Muskoka Lakes region of Ontario, Canada is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and certainly one of the most historically significant regions for antique & classic boating on the planet. Internationally renowned boat designers / builders such as Minett-Shields, Ditchburn, Duke and Greavette to name a few, were located in the Muskoka Lakes region of Ontario. That rich history lives on in the region today, where many of the original boats can still be found, hidden away in their boat houses.

Recently while searching for images of “RMS Segwun” and the Muskoka Lakes Region for our story today, we discovered MuskokaBlog.com a great website dedicated to “All Things Muskoka” that features some spectacular photography from the region. We contacted the creator of the Blog – Ed Boutilier and he granted Woody Boater permission to use the following images, which help describe the beauty of the Muskoka Lakes. Just a taste of what you will experience on the 100 Mile Cruise next August…

Image Courtesy of MuskokaBlog.com

Monyca Island Image Courtesy of MuskokaBlog.com

Monyca Island Image Courtesy of MuskokaBlog.com

North Jo Image Courtesy of MuskokaBlog.com

Here’s a recent shot of the “RMS Segwun” Steamship in drydock for some winter maintenance. They note “The locks have been drained creating a drydock while they perform the work. The “Wenonah II” is right behind her and will be taking her turn next.” You can click here to go directly to this cool blog dedicated to all things Muskoka Lakes.

HMS Segwun Image Courtesy of MuskokaBlog.com

You can also learn more about the Muskoka Boat & Heritage Center and the history of the Muskoka Cruise Lines and Steamships, including “Segwun” North America’s oldest operating steamship by clicking here.

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