Ships at the Museum

Opened in May of 1974, the Marine Museum is dedicated to the preservation of nautical history by restoring ships from the colorful past of Manitoba waterways.  A storehouse of artifacts and records from Lake Winnipeg cruisers is housed aboard Manitoba's historic vessels.

S.S. Keenora - 1897

Manitoba's oldest and best loved steamship has returned from anonymity to a concrete throne at the Marine Museum.  This ship had a colorful past before she settled into her deserved place of honour.

Built in 1897, she was a passenger and freight steamship on Lake of the Woods, the Red River and Lake Winnipeg.

The Keenora accommodated 65 passenger cabins in her 158 foot length and travelled up to 15 knots. After coming to Winnipeg, in 1917, a syndicate of Winnipeg lawyers used her for a season as a floating dance hall!

Those who travelled aboard the Keenora in the past, fondly remember her days as a proud lake steamer. She is still in the limelight today as a mecca for those wanting to learn about Manitoba's lake history.

C.G.S. Bradbury - 1915

Prefabricated in Sorel, Quebec, the Bradbury was assembled on the bank of the Selkirk slough in 1915. During her career she served the Federal Government as fishing patrol vessel, a lighthouse tender and an icebreaker until she was forced to retire in 1973.

History records numerous accounts of her valor and distinction. Among them is the 1917 journey through half a foot of ice, taking doctors and medicine to a northern settlement struck by a flu epidemic.

The Bradbury was recommissioned after being idle from 1935 to 1952. She was outfitted with new diesel engines and continued her previous duties as well as becoming a dredge tender, and transportation vessel for Government officials visiting the lake.

She is a boat of distinguished character rich history.