Newsletter | Muskoka Steamships and Discovery Centre

Muskoka Speaks

The Chinese translation of Muskoka Lakes is “Honeymoon Lakes”. Although I don’t know how the translation happens, it does accurately express this area of Ontario. No matter spring, summer, autumn or winter; regardless of sun, wind, rain or snow, as long as you are here, your feeling will always be so sweet like honey.

When I was a child, there was an article, “In Memory of Bethune,” in the school textbook. Through this article, I knew Canada, and I knew there was a Canadian who was very friendly to the Chinese people. The author of “In Memory of Bethune” is Mao Zedong, the founder of New China. Because this article was put into the student textbook, Bethune’s name is well-known in China, and everyone knows his story.

The article said Bethune is a man with a spirit of internationalism, and he is completely selflessness and altruistic. “A person’s ability may be great or small, but if he has this spirit, he is already a noble person, a pure person, a moral person, a person who is free from vulgar interests, and a person who is beneficial to the people.”

When China began to reform and open up, Chinese people could apply to immigrate overseas. Canada, the country that nurtured Bethune, naturally attracted me. Since I was a child, I have had a deep admiration for Bethune in my heart. After I came to Canada, Bethune’s hometown has become a place that I must go. I wanted to discover the place that nurtured such a great person as Bethune.

I visited Bethune Memorial House, learned about Bethune, and my admiration for him has become much deeper. Bethune was a great humanitarian. He is a figure of historical significance to the Chinese people, the Canadian people, and people all over the world.

There are two different experiences: visiting Muskoka or living in Muskoka. In the past four years, I have lived here and felt everything here: the natural beauty and the people.

The natural beauty here: I have observed the spectacular sky, land, water and rocks, the gentle rain and breeze, the multicolored seasons, the distinctive flowers, grasses and trees. Fish are swimming, birds are singing, bears are roaring, frogs are chirping…

The people here: Getting close with my neighbors, Mary, John, Randy, Martin, and others, seeing their love for life, enthusiasm for people, contributions to the community, care for the environment: all of these show the spirit of the people in Bethune’s hometown.

Human life is rich with emotions. If people meet the beauty of natural scenery and they are also touched by humanistic emotions, it will be even more attractive.

Nature is speaking. People are expressing.

In nature, there are rocks and water, trees and flowers; there are birds and fish, bears and frogs… Just imagine, if there was only rocks and no water, only trees and no flowers; if there were only birds and no fish, only bears and no frogs… how could it be vibrant and prosperous in this kind of nature?

In human society, there are different races, different cultures; there are different customs, different languages. Just imagine, if there is no respect and only discrimination, no learning and only self-importance, no cooperation and only fighting, no love and only hatred: where is the warmth and happiness in such a human society?

There is a saying in China: “The unique environment gives distinctive character to its inhabitants.”

There are three big lakes here, three big towns here. Bethune was here, now you are here.

“Tao Te Ching” said three begets all things; all things are in harmony.” Tao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, Three begets all things. All things carry Yin and Yang, and they interact and achieve harmony.” (Chapter 42)

This is Muskoka. Mother Nature has blessed the land for prosperity. The environment here is culturally rich for nurturing outstanding people.

Muskoka speaks！

I love Muskoka！

Kong Xiangchun (Celeste)

August 4, 2024/by Jordan Waines

Newsletter

The Greatest Little Motorboat Afloat

The Disappearing Propeller Motorboat is basically a double ended lapstrake rowing skiff that was converted to a power boat by mounting a single cylinder, low horsepower two-cycle inboard gasoline motor in the centre. The motor was connected by way of a universal joint, to a hinged and elevating propeller shaft that also protected the rotating propeller from underwater impact damage using a curved skeg propeller guard.

The Disappearing Propeller “Device” was invented in Port Carling Muskoka and is attributed (with some controversy) to skiff and launch builder W. J. ”Billy” Johnston Jr. (1881-1968) a resident of Port Carling. With financial and legal support, Johnston applied October 23, 1914 for a Patent that was granted on March 16, 1915.

The “Dispro” was quite different from other inboard launches of that time because of it’s patented Device. The propeller shaft, propeller and skeg could be easily raised by the operator into a cast iron or aluminum housing to be flush with the boat’s bottom for storage, docking or beaching. Additionally, if the hinged skeg was accidentally impacted on rocks, logs etc. while underway, it would automatically swing up into the housing and thus prevent any serious damage. This was an important safety and economic factor in the uncharted recreational boating waters of that time period.

This extremely quiet little motorboat, known later as “The Silent” Dispro, was an immediate success. This was largely due to its timely market introduction, relatively low cost and its special usage features. Considered by many as the “Model T” of the marine industry, it cost about the same as the Ford automobile of that time with models starting at $225 F.O.B. Port Carling. Perhaps for the first time since the introduction of gasoline powered boats, an average income cottage owner or fisherman could afford the pleasure of buying and operating his or her own motorboat.

Original motor for the Dispro was the single cylinder 2 Horsepower, 2 Cycle copper jacketed “Waterman” engine from Detroit, weighing in at just 46 pounds. This gave way to the Canadian copied 2 ½ HP “Kingfisher” and the 3 HP “Silent Dispro” which was by far the most popular in initial production numbers. Later a few Quebec built “Caron” motors and many “St. Lawrence” motors from Brockville were used by Lindsay and Greavette. A 4 HP 2 Cylinder opposed twin 4 Cycle English Coventry Victor motor was used by Greavette on early 1950 and later production. Normal fuel consumption for the Dispro was 25 miles per gallon at a cruising speed of 6 or 8 miles per hour.

In the early 1920s the Dispro boat was produced in large numbers at the Port Carling factory, reportedly producing up to 300 to 400 units per year. A large export demand for the Dispro boat prompted the opening of a franchised American plant in Tonawanda N.Y. which only operated for two years. (1921-1922) A number of boats were reported to have been exported as far away as South America and China.

In 1923, things began to look bleak for the future of The Disappearing Propeller Boat Company for several reasons, including a sudden downturn of the economy following WWI; overly optimistic sales forecasting which resulted in high factory inventory of unsold product; ompetition and many advances in new high speed, low weight Outboard Motors; and serious partnership disputes regarding all of these other factors. The final blow was struck in July 1924 when the Bank of Nova Scotia foreclosed on outstanding debts, forcing the company into bankruptcy.

Following a period of litigation, the assets of the company and the Patent Rights were sold to a Mr. Tom Hodson of Lindsay Ontario. Despite a valiant effort to revive the company in 1925 and 1926 by Hodson and the talented sales and plant manager William G. Ogilvie, they could not generate enough sales orders to keep the boat plant operating and it closed its doors for good in 1926.

A bitter W.J. ”Billy” Johnston and several of his former senior foremen and managers moved to the upper side of the Port Carling locks and built a brand new boat plant, naming it the Port Carling Boatworks. Here they started building the now famous line of Seabird boats. But that is another story for another day.

When the Dispro factory closed in 1927, the assets and Patents were purchased by Toronto businessman Charles J. Barr, who was convinced there was still a market for the Dispro boat on a “build to order” concept, rather than mass production and resulting inventories. Barr made a contractual agreement with skilled boatbuilder Samuel Botting of the Lindsay Boat Company to make Dispros as required when orders were taken.

Fate stepped in again with the Great Stock Crash of 1929. Barr lost all of his many holdings in the devastating market failure. Sam Botting, with help from a struggling young Lindsay lawyer friend named Leslie Frost, was awarded the residuals of Barr’s boat company including the Dispro Patents by reason of default in contractual payment. Botting launched The Lindsay Disappearing Propeller Boat Company and produced a number of fine quality Dispro boats up to 1935. It is estimated that Lindsay Dispro production was approximately 150 boats in total.

The building of the Dispro boat returned to Muskoka when the Greavette Boat Company of Gravenhurst purchased the patterns and patents from Botting in 1936. It seemed rather odd (and was reportedly very unpopular with many employees) that Thomas Greavette would undertake the building of slow old Dispros: after all, Greavette was well known for building its famous Streamliner models and internationally famous Miss Canada series of racing boats for Harold Wilson and his father Ernest Wilson of Ingersoll.

Tom Greavette, it seems, had always had a soft spot in his heart for Dispro, as several of his brothers had worked at the original Disappearing Propeller Boat Company plant in Port Carling. He planned to build the Dispro as a fill-in project between major production of other popular boat models. Greavette builders made several improvements in machinery and hull design of the Dispro, producing approximately 400 units in the Bay Street, Gravenhurst plant between the years 1936 to 1958.

With only a few exceptions, Johnston and Lindsay Dispro boats were constructed with Cypress wood planking and White Oak ribs. Greavette Dispros were – again with only a few exceptions – planked with Western Red Cedar and steamed White Oak ribs. Greavette also introduced the smooth-running electric start English Coventry Victor motor circa 1950. This provided a much smoother and faster ride. Greavette also retrofitted many older model Dispros with the new Coventry Victor motors.

The Dispro was made in 3 basic models. The “Waterford” was 16’- 6” in length with a 49” beam. At times this was alternately known as the “Scout” model. The “John Bull” was 16’- 6” long but had a very wide beam of 59” resulting in larger carrying capacity. The “Uncle Sam” model at 18’ – 6’ length and 56” beam was the largest and most popular model built. It should be noted here that Greavette Boat Company built only the larger 18’ – 6” version for all of their Dispro production.

Advertised as “The Greatest Little Motor Boat Afloat” just over three thousand Dispros were made over the years. Unfortunately, most have succumbed to time and rot. Although originally very well built, the majority were done in by pure neglect, improper care, uncovered outside storage and slapstick amateur repairs. Some are known by the author to have ended up as fuel for a family corn roast or made into cottage flower boxes. Some were even ceremoniously “sunk at sea” to dispose of the unsightly hulk.

The Dispro boat was produced for 44 years from 1914 to 1958, a number thought to be unmatched by any other single design among small motorboats. Certainly, the known production record speaks for itself and defies any suggestion that the Disappearing Propeller Boat was a mere “gimmick”. The self-preserving running gear and high fuel economy was certainly not a gimmick to the many owners who ran them over rocks and logs in Northern Lakes and rivers, some boats lasting for several generations of family.

Combined with the timeless beauty of its skiff design, the Dispros simple and safe motor and propulsion system has clearly earned it a high place of honour. Their nostalgic lines and legendary performance are remembered and held dear in the hearts and minds of many cottagers, boatmen and fishermen, as well as present day owners and enthusiasts.

Joe Fossey

Founding President of The Dispro Owners Association in 1979.

August 4, 2024/by Jordan Waines

Newsletter

Busy as Beavers

This past winter the phrase “busy as a beaver” certainly applies to the volunteers at Heritage Boat Works. However, since they create many items with wood, this phrase might not be appropriate.
Heritage Boatworks is a group of volunteers who work every Wednesday morning year-round repairing items on the RMS Segwun and Wenonah II and building and repairing items for exhibits at Muskoka Discovery Centre. Lately they have added many jobs for Wanda III yacht restoration.

When the Steamship Museum beside the Ticket Office closed in 2006 and all artifacts and exhibits were moved to the Muskoka Discovery Centre, it was decided to make the building a workshop to repair parts from the ships and assist in exhibit building at the Discovery Centre.
Since that time, this group has restored a Greavette boat, a lifeboat from RMS Sagamo, several rowing skiffs, and a Disappearing Propellor Boat, as well as building a canoe. They have repaired many items from the ships, including building a new mast for Segwun and refurbishing Segwun’s Phoenix twice.

At this time, items for Wanda III are taking priority. They have refurbished most of the tables and chairs, updated the lights on the mast, cleaned and painted the original steam engine for display, cleaned and refurbished all the stained-glass lights, and worked on the canvas covering the stern deck. They have ordered and installed an electric actuator that will lower the mast when entering the boathouse and then lift it for cruising.

RMS Segwun work includes fixing, replacing wood, sanding and painting all doors, as well as building and installing a new freight gate.
The binnacle unit from Wanda has been repaired and polish and is now on display at the Discovery Center. The original steam engine from the yacht Naiad and a very old Waterous steam engine are ready for the move to the Discovery Centre for display.
Muskoka Steamships is very fortunate to have these workers and their talents.
John and Mary Storey

August 4, 2024/by Jordan Waines

Newsletter

Muskoka Town Names

Port Carling, ON

Have you wondered how towns and villages in Muskoka got their names? It is acknowledged that many of these communities had Indigenous names used by those who lived here for many centuries. However, most of these communities were given their English monikers when they were granted permission to have post offices. They needed an official label in order to send and receive mail.

Inspired by literature

Some of these place names were assigned by officials in the government. Gravenhurst is a good example of this.

According to the book Gravenhurst: Early Days, Early Ways by C. Porter, it was named by William Dawson LeSueur, who graduated from the University of Toronto with a major in Classics. He became the chief secretary of the provincial post office.

He also became a respected book reviewer for major literary publications in North America and Europe. It is assumed that he read the books titled Gravenhurst, or Thoughts on Good and Evil. These publications were written by William Smith, published in Edinburgh in 1862 and described a fictional place called Gravenhurst. That same year, McCabe’s Landing applied for an official designation and was granted the name Gravenhurst, which became its official title on Aug. 1, 1862.

Gravenhurst, ON

LeSueur seems to have used a similar process to grant a name to the settlement at Muskoka Falls, which became Bracebridge in 1864 when it was designated as a post office. It appears that LeSueur likely chose the name from another novel, Bracebridge Hall, by Washington Irving.

Bracebridge, ON

Named for a place

When Baysville post office was first opened in 1874, it was given its appropriate name: there are four bays in the immediate vicinity on Lake of Bays.

The town of Dorset was formerly known as Cedar Narrows. By 1860, a small English settlement was gradually establishing there. These pioneers chose the name Dorset after their former home in England.

Dorset, ON

Bala is a village situated on Lake Muskoka at the entrance to the Moon River. It was settled by Thomas Burgess in 1868.

Burgess opened a sawmill and store to serve the area’s scattered settlers. He established a post office there in 1872 to which he gave it the name of his hometown in Bala, Wales.

Bala, ON

Honouring people

When the first Huntsville post office opened in 1870, the settlement chose its present name honoring George Hunt, the first European who settled in the area in 1869. He also became its first postmaster.

Dwight, located on Lake of Bays, was regarded as a good hunting area by Indigenous inhabitants. Eventually Europeans discovered this area, and agreed it was a beautiful place to set up their own hunting camps. One of these sportsmen was Harvey Prentice Dwight who was the owner and president of the Great Northern Telephone and Telegraph company.

He installed the village’s first telegraph so that he could spend more time at his hunting camp there and away from his office in Toronto while still being able to do business. Many of his neighbours there took advantage of his capabilities to send and receive messages through his generosity.

When a post office was officially granted to the village in 1885, the settlers decided to continue the use of Dwight’s name on this new system of communication as they had casually done in the past.

In 1871, there was a small settlement in the Port Sydney area on the shores of Mary Lake and the upper North Muskoka River. One of the settlers was David Hogaboam, who became the first postmaster at what was known as the Mary Lake Post Office.

However, that same year, Albert Sydney-Smith acquired 200 acres of land a little farther south with a dream of developing a subdivision. This was the foundation of the village we know today. He opened the post office there in 1874, and named it after himself.

Port Carling was known to the Ojibway who were living there in the 1850s as Obajewanung or Obogawanung. European settlers at first called it Indian Gardens. As settlers moved there in increasing numbers in the 1860s, the Ojibway moved to Parry Sound but continued to summer in Port Carling.

Port Carling, ON

In 1869, Benjamin Hardcastle Johnston established a post office there and named the village after John Carling, who was the Ontario Minister of Public Works at that time. Carling encouraged the building of the locks between Lakes Muskoka and Rosseau, which were completed in 1871.

Port Sandfield boasts a man-made canal that joins Lakes Rosseau and Joseph. A small settlement began there when the canal was being built in 1870. In 1882, the hamlet was named after John Sandfield MacDonald, who was then the Premier of Ontario and who assisted with funding the building of both this canal and the Port Carling locks.

Port Sandfield, ON

MacTier is a lovely small town on the shores of Lake Stewart. As it was halfway between Toronto and Sudbury, the community was created as a division point at Muskoka (Mile 126) for the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was a suitable stop for building a yard and a roundhouse to refuel and to do needed repairs.

As the community grew – mainly with railway men and their families – a Post Office was needed. Between 1909 to 1915, it was called Muskoka Station. However, their mail was getting mixed up with Post Offices in Muskoka Falls and at Muskoka Wharf. Therefore in 1915, the postmaster, Hugh Anderson, asked for permission to change the village name to MacTier after A.D. MacTier, who at that time was assistant to the vice president of the CPR.

Eileen Godfrey, Archives Volunteer

May 27, 2024/by Jordan Waines

Newsletter

Misko-Aki: Confluence of Cultures draws national acclaim with Canadian Museums Association award

The Muskoka Discovery Centre is proud to announce that its acclaimed Misko-Aki: Confluence of Cultures exhibit has received an award for Outstanding Achievement in Exhibitions from the Canadian Museums Association (CMA). There were more than 25 organizations under consideration in a multi-juried process with criteria including potential impact and connection with community. “It is very satisfying for our team to compete successfully with some of the biggest museums in Canada”, said John Miller President of the Muskoka Discovery Centre.

“Dish with one spoon” in Misko-Aki

On behalf of the Muskoka Discovery Centre, Chippewas of Rama Chief Ted Williams and Project Director Tim Johnson accepted the award for Outstanding Achievement in Exhibitions from the Canadian Museums Association. The exhibition, Misko-Aki: Confluence of Cultures, conveys the presence of Indigenous peoples extending back millennia, including the histories and current experiences of the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabek, Métis, and Haudenosaunee peoples.

“The building of relationships are the foundation of our culture, our nature, our people, and all living beings”, said Chief Williams. “Working with the Muskoka Discovery Centre we have supported the development of this exhibit to make a difference in our region and across Canada. As a result, the Centre is now able to present components of the real Indigenous history in an educational and enlightened manner.”

“This kind of project is a game changer because it rounds out the long-established historical narrative of a very important region of the country by adding back the Indigenous stories that were missing,” said project director Tim Johnson. “The curatorial approach of taking visitors on a canoe journey through time and to landing areas where events and issues are revealed, becomes a transformative learning experience”.

Misko-Aki: Confluence of Cultures, emerges as an amazing educational program available to the world through both the physical exhibit in the Muskoka Discovery Centre located in Gravenhurst, Ontario and the digital exhibit found at www.miskoaki.com. The guiding principle was to feature Indigenous stories as told by Indigenous peoples under Indigenous project management. The strategic goal was to weave Indigenous culture and sustainability values into the fabric and identify of the Muskoka region. Misko- Aki: Confluence of Cultures therefore represents the assembling of knowledge and information as determined by Indigenous knowledge holders and elders whose peoples traversed and inhabited the Muskoka region throughout history up to present day.

Misko-Aki Exhibit Hall

“We are extremely proud of the community collaboration and authenticity inherent in this exhibit and thank the Canadian Museums Association for honouring us with this award”, said Wendy Fairbairn, General Manager of the Muskoka Discovery Centre.

To ensure all visitors have the opportunity to enjoy this enriching cultural experience, we are pleased to offer a 20% discount on all online ticket purchases using the promo code SPRING20 if purchased before June 1, 2024. We invite you to immerse yourself in the vibrant stories told at the Muskoka Discovery Centre and discover the rich history of Muskoka’s heritage.

The Muskoka Discovery Centre would also like to recognize the project sponsors who helped make the whole exhibit possible: Presenting Sponsor – Scotiabank, Founding Sponsor – Barry & Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust, The District of Muskoka, Department of Canadian Heritage, Bill & Barbara Etherington, The McLean Foundation, Mawer Investment Management, Weston Family Foundation, RBC Royal Bank, Don Lindsay, and Rotary.

May 27, 2024/by Jordan Waines

Newsletter

New Staff at the MDC

The Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre is pleased to announce Wendy Fairbairn as General Manager and Tom Rose as Curator and Operations Manager of the Muskoka Discovery Centre.

Wendy has a strong leadership background within Muskoka and beyond in the arts and culture field, building annual programming resulting in growth in tourism and community participation.

Her leadership roles at the Orillia Opera House, Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville, Vaughan Playhouse Theatre in Thornhill, and Red Barn Theatre in Jackson’s Point well equip her to direct the future of the Muskoka Discovery Centre.

“I am excited to lead this organization forward, building on its current achievements,” says Wendy. “The Centre is a very special place where families, local and visitors can learn, be entertained and inspired.”

Tom comes to us from the City of Orillia’s Business Development, Culture, and Tourism Department, where he has helped with the continued success of multiple longstanding cultural institutions such as The Leacock Museum National Historic Site and the iconic Orillia Opera House.

He has a diverse professional and educational background, earning credentials from Lakehead University, Georgian College, and Wilfrid Laurier University.

Some of his most recent work includes developing a guided Arts and History bus tour of Orillia with the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH), a project which not only worked to bring the vibrant history of the city to life for those with accessibility concerns but was also incredibly creatively fun to do!

Tom hopes to maintain the fantastic momentum created by the hard work of MDC staff, volunteers, and community partners before him, and to continue to honour the rich and varied cultures of the Muskoka area in his work with the Discovery Centre.

“We welcome Wendy as the General Manager and Tom as Curator and Operations Manager of The Muskoka Discovery Centre,” says President John Miller. “With their leadership and experience we look to expand our tourist and local visitation and our already popular event hosting.”

May 27, 2024/by Jordan Waines

Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre

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