P6962

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Details

ID Number

P6962

Item Name

Image

Title

Landsdowne Railcar Ferry / Traversier de chemin de fer Lansdowne

Title (Fre)

Traversier de chemin de fer Lansdowne

Description

Black and white photograph of the Landsdowne, a Canadian National Railway side wheeler ferry; there are two sets of railway tracks in the foreground of the photograph; the ferry is tied to the dock; it is very long, extending horizontally across the photograph; the right side of the ship consists of a flat platform with a tall raised platform upon which stands a small square cabin with "Landsdowne" painted on its side; the rear portion of the ship has a long dark cabin starting a third of the way from the front and extending to the end of the ship; "Canadian National Rys" and "Landsdowne" are painted on the side; the roof of the cabin provides a second deck and there are lifeboats and smokestacks on top.

History

The Landsdowne had a very long and noteworthy career. Designed by Frank E. Kirby, to utilize the engines built in 1873 for the wooden car ferry Michigan, Landsdowne was built of iron in 1884 by the Detroit Dry Dock Company. She was 294 feet long with a beam of 41.3 feet and depth of 13 feet, measuring 1571 gross tons. Although side wheelers are not usually considered good icebreakers, Landsdowne was an exception. She crossed the Detroit River under her own power until 1970 when one of her antique engines flew apart. After that, she served as a barge on the same run. In later years the Landsdowne served as a floating restaurant on the American side of the river.

Place made

Canada - Ontario - Windsor

Collection Name

Museum Windsor

Topic

Detroit River / Rivière Détroit

Subjects

Canadian National Railway / Chemin de fer Canadian National

Detroit Dry Dock Co.

Ferries / Traversiers

Kirby, Frank E.

Landsdowne / Lansdowne

Lifeboats / Canots de sauvetage

Piers & wharves / Appontements et quais

Railroad companies / Compagnies de chemin de fer

Railroad ferries / Traversier de chemin de fer

Railroad tracks / Voie ferrée

Rivers / Cours d'eau

Side wheelers / Bateaux à aubes