2012 Annual Conference September 6-8, 2012

The City of Owen Sound  is the home of the the FRANCES SMITH., the first passenger ship built on Georgian Bay,

Owen Sound was the terminal of the Canadian Pacific fleet until 1912. Thereafter, dozens of smaller craft continued to use Owen Sound to supply  ports along the east coast of Georgian Bay, the North Channel, Sault Ste. Marie and beyond.

Today Owen Sound is the winter home of the CHI CHEEMAUN and a terminal for western grain and cement.

If you look carefully at the photo (left) you can see the CHI CHEEMAUN about to leave the western side of the harbour on its way to Tobermory and Manitoulin Island.

Owen Sound is also a port of call for small craft and the location of the triennial Tugfest where tugs from around the bay meet, race, and show off their craft.

Southampton, on the eastern coast of Lake Huron, is the location of the remains of the GENERAL HUNTER, buried in the sand for almost 2 centuries. Her bones were uncovered in 2004h but have subsequently been reburied to preserve what is left on her.

The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre at Southampton has just completed a major new maritime exhibit - just in time for our meeting.

Southampton's Chantry Island Lighthouse is one of the most distinctive light houses on the Great Lakes. It is one of 6 imperial towers built in the mid 1800's  by a Scottish contractor, John Brown,

The other towers are located at Griffiths Island, Point Clark, Cove Island, Christian Island and Nottawasaga Island. Their initial cost by 1858 was a staggering 223,000 pounds sterling. Brown went broke.

The tower at Chantry is 80 feet tall.

Today a restoration project has almost completed the restoration of the keepers house and the tower.

It is possible for small groups to visit the lighthouse and the keeper's cottage by contacting the Chantry Island Tour owner. Space is limited (9 persons at a time) and subject to time constraints. The island is also a bird sanctuary.

CONTACT FOR TOUR INFORMATION