Imagine a ship a giant of the Great Lakes. This is the SS Howard L Shaw. Right here before us lies its final resting place. It’s not quite the watery grave you might expect. Instead it’s a breakwater at Ontario Place.
The SS Howard L Shaw wasn’t always a breakwater. For nearly 70 years she plied the Great Lakes. She carried cargo a vital link in the region’s economy. She was launched in 1900 a marvel of engineering for her time. Her 451 foot length and 4901 gross tonnage were impressive. She was a bulk freighter powerful and capable. She was a workhorse of the lakes.
In 1900 a record was set. The Shaw loaded 260000 bushels of flax in Duluth. This was a new port record. The cargo was valued at a staggering $468000. The Shaw was truly a vital part of the Great Lakes shipping industry.
The SS Howard L Shaw’s journey wasn’t without incident. She experienced collisions and groundings. She even survived a dynamiting in Chicago. This was a result of a labor dispute. A two foot hole was blown in her side. She was later repaired. This amazing vessel endured.
In 1940 the Shaw was sold to a Canadian company. She became registered in Canada. Her Canadian identification number was C172356. She continued her work on the lakes.
Then came her final chapter. In 1969 the SS Howard L Shaw was deliberately sunk. This was to become a breakwater at Ontario Place. She wasn’t alone. Two other vessels joined her in this unusual final resting place. They are the Douglas Houghton and the Victorius. Together they form a unique breakwater a testament to a bygone era.
Today we stand before a piece of maritime history. The SS Howard L Shaw isn’t just a breakwater. She’s a monument to the strength and resilience of the Great Lakes freighters. She’s a reminder of the human endeavor and the industry that shaped this region. She is a silent sentinel guarding the shores of Ontario Place. So remember her story the next time you see this amazing structure.