Nearly 50-year landmark on Manitowaning waterfront will be broken up for scrap
MANITOWANING—At long last, the fate of the S.S. Norisle has been sealed. At a meeting last week, citing concerns with the aged ship’s condition, Assiginack council has agreed that the vessel will be removed from its harbour for recycling.
“I think the price estimate is significantly higher than we hoped,” said Councillor Dwayne Elliott of the estimate received. “It is a hard decision, but since this council has been in place, we have been on board with the ship being removed in some fashion.”
Mayor Brenda Reid told council, “I called this meeting tonight as we have received a quote on (the Norisle’s) disposal.” She pointed out there are several safety concerns relating to the ship, including that when it is pumped out in the fall by township staff, hydro on the ship can’t be shut off, as well as environmental concerns. As well, the S.S. Norisle Steamship Society has known council was considering alternatives for disposal of the ship but has not come forward with a proposal.
“This one has been a tough one for me,” stated Councillor Jennifer Hooper. “I have spent sleepless nights trying to figure out alternatives/options we could consider. I don’t know how we would get the $750,000 (to dispose of the ship for recycling), but at this point I can’t think of any other options we could take. I am loathe to put this cost on the taxpayers, but it looks as if we don’t have a choice.”
Councillor Rob Maguire said this is a tough decision for council. “I agree having the ship sitting there presents a potential issue there.” He said the steamship society members are still working on a proposal, looking at it from an environmental view. “I know the timeline and the costs as well.”
Mr. Maguire said the steamship society has made progress. “This is a Canadian heritage vessel and is still registered under Canadian Heritage. I also see the costs are beyond what the township had hoped it would be and am concerned how the costing will affect the budget.”
Mayor Reid told council that Marine Recycling Corporation in their proposal wants to remove the ship before September 31, for recycling.
“I know the cost is high, but for myself, I’m at the point that this is a first light I’ve seen on this issue. With the Steamship Society we have no dates from them as to when they would be able to make a proposal to council,” said Mayor Reid. “I don’t think we can wait any longer.”
“It is a big amount but getting rid of the ship is not going to get cheaper,” said Councillor Hooper. “This has been discussed for many years, repeatedly, and in that time the ship’s condition has become worse. My only question is ‘how are we going to pay for it?’”
Council was told that to borrow the money to have the ship removed will cost roughly about $80,000 per year for 15 years.
“As Councillor Hooper indicated, we are certainly in a conundrum,” said Councillor Maguire. “I’d like communication made to the Steamship Society on what we are considering.”
However, Mayor Reid noted there is no time.
“I think we do have time,” said Councillor Maguire. “Even if we have this motion passed, we owe it to them and the public to hear from them (Steamship Society). We’re at the 11th hour, we need to hear about what the society has done and is proposing. We owe them and the public to do that, regardless of any motion we pass.”
Mayor Reid said she feels the public has spoken, as she said that in her campaign for the municipal election she had spoken to, and heard from, many residents who want the township to take this step.
Countless hours of time and effort have been put into looking into options for the ship, said Councillor Hooper. “If anyone has another viable option, or a way to dispose of the ship cheaper, they have not stepped up. The Steamship Society has known for four months that council was looking at this and we haven’t heard from them.”
“The direction of this council from the start has been to look at options to dispose of the ship. We have only received one letter from the Steamship Society indicating the work they have done,” said Councillor Elliott. “We owe the taxpayers to mitigate the risks around the ship. And we have been waiting to hear options from the steamship society. It is time to move on this.”
Councillor Elliott indicated he would be willing to put forward a motion that council accepts the offer from Marine Recycling Corporation (MRC) for disposal of the ship, with Councillor Hooper saying she would second the motion.
A recorded vote was requested by Councillor Maguire, who said he would not be willing to support the motion until council talked to the Steamship Society.
Mayor Reid said council could contact the Steamship Society letting them know of the motion they have passed while they ask for a formal proposal from MRC to be presented and have the township lawyer look at the proposed agreement.
It was further suggested by Councillor Hooper that a farewell celebration should be held for what the ship has meant to the township in the past and to welcome the future.
“A lot of people grew up with the ship here and saw what it created for the township in the past. But we are a small township, and this step has to be taken,” said Mayor Reid.
Council voted to accept the offer from MRC and dispose of the Norisle. Councillors Elliott, Hooper and Mayor Reid were in favour with Councillor Maguire the lone no vote.
John Coulter, a member of the Steamship Society told the Expositor after the meeting, “We have told council that meetings have been ongoing, and work has been done behind the scenes. For the past 17 years we have dedicated our efforts toward this, after the town had asked if we could assist them.”
“We tried,” stated Mr. Coulter, who pointed out $1 million in investments to date has been provided from governments and others for work on the ship.
“This is the last page in maritime history with this being the last Canadian steam-powered automobile ferry around,” said Mr. Coulter. “It’s sad this heritage will be lost to future generations if council goes ahead and gets rid of the ship. We have done our best and are still endeavouring to do this.”
In a letter to council from Jordan Elliott, president of MRC, he had explained, “we propose to remove the vessel before September 31 of this year. We would be towing the vessel to our certified vessel recycling facility on Lake Erie at Port Colborne.” The total cost will be $743,950 plus applicable taxes.
