Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques
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M.V. Hiawatha
Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted April, 2008
Photo Source - Toronto Marine Historical Society
At the water's edge at the foot of a parking lot for the Royal Canadian Yacht Club at 263 Queen's Quay East at the south end of Parliament Street is this 1995 Toronto Historical Board plaque. Here's what it says:
Coordinates: 43.645260 -79.360385 |
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Hiawatha was built in 1895 by the Bertram Engine Company of Toronto to serve as a tender transporting the members and guests of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club between the city and the island clubhouse. Over the years her distinguished passengers have included: the Duke Of York (1901); Edward, Prince Of Wales (1919); Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh (1983) and Charles, Prince Of Wales (1992). Originally manually coal-fired and steam-powered, though later converted to diesel (1950), Hiawatha remains true to her original appearance, which is typical of a late 19th century launch, having a narrow hull, a plumb stem and a counter stern. Her romantic name was inspired by the Longfellow poem "Song of Hiawatha" and the native street names of the Toronto Island. In 1983, this important example of Canadian shipbuilding underwent a major refit and restoration.
Related webpages
M.V. Hiawatha
Longfellow
Song of Hiawatha
Related Toronto plaque
The Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Toronto Island
More
Transportation
Here are the visitors' comments for this page.
> Posted January 18, 2013
I served as a Captain on the Kwasind and the Hiawatha in 1978. The Hiawatha was put into service whenever the Kwasind required maintenance. It did for an extended period that summer so I had the pleasure of moving club members to and from the island on the Hiawatha. I believe the Sailing Captain (our boss) was Dave Chisholm. Our City side dock at the time was Queen's Quay. Fond memories of this fine vessel that graces Toronto's harbour waters.
Pete Gabany
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