There was a time in the early 1900′s when the world’s elite travelled to the Muskoka Lakes (Ontario, Canada) in summertime to experience the beauty aboard majestic wooden steamships. The SS Bigwin is the last remaining steamship of the original fleet. It served as the ferry boat for vacationers and golfers to the famous Bigwin Island Resort – one of the most spectacular summer resorts in North America.
With the decline of the resort half a century ago, the SS Bigwin fell into disrepair. After years of neglect, the boat sat partially submerged on the bottom of her slip at Bigwin Inn. A coalition of Lake of Bays cottagers, residents and organizations conducted a massive fundraising and restoration project to return this precious part of lost heritage for residents and visitors to Lake of Bays.
On Saturday November 17th, 2012, at approximately 10:30 am, the SS Bigwin set sail on Lake of Bays and passed its preliminary engine tests. The ship launched officially to the public in July 2013, and is available to be enjoyed by everyone today and future generations tomorrow.
