SS Canadiana

The Canadiana during its inaugural trip on May 30, 1910.
History
Name:	SS Canadiana
Owner:	Lake Erie Excursion Company (1910-1924) Buffalo and Crystal Beach Corporation (1924-1947) Crystal Beach Transit Company (1947 - 1956) Seaway Excursion Lines (1958-1959) Toledo Excursion Lines, Inc.(1959-1960) Lucas County Bank (June - December 1960) Pleasurama Excursion Lines, Inc. (1960-1966) S. Parella of Cleveland, Ohio (1966-1967) Mobrays Floating Equipment Exchange Inc. (March 7–15, 1967) Waterman Steamship Corporation (1967-1968) Tropicana Products Inc. (March 20–28, 1968) Sea-Land Service Inc. (March - April 1968) Maritime Administration (April - June 1968) Jim Vinci of Cleveland Ohio (June 1968- May 1983) Northrup Contracting Company (May 1983 - April 1984) Friends of the Canadiana (April 1984 - June 1993) Canadiana Restoration Project (1993- onward)
Builder:	Buffalo Dry Dock Company of Buffalo, New York
Cost:	$250,000
Yard number:	215
Launched:	March 15, 1910
Maiden voyage:	May 30, 1910
Identification:	US 207479
Nickname(s):	"The Crystal Beach Boat"
Fate:	Remaining hull scrapped at Port Colborne, Ontario Canada in 2004.
General characteristics
Class and type:	Passenger ferry
Tonnage:	974 tons gross 427 tons net
Length:	215 ft (66 m)
Beam:	54 ft (16 m)
Height:	16.1 ft (4.9 m)
Decks:	3
Installed power:	Detroit Ship Building Company 1910 Coal fired triple-expansion steam engine Piston #1: 20 in (51 cm) Piston #2: 30 in (76 cm) Piston #3: 50 in (130 cm) Stroke Length: 36 in (91 cm) 1,446 shp
Propulsion:	Single propeller
Capacity:	3,500 passengers (when launched) 1,800 passengers (downrated)

3,500 passengers (when launched)

The SS Canadiana was a passenger ferry that primarily operated between Buffalo, New York and the Crystal Beach Amusement Park at Crystal Beach, Ontario, Canada from 1910 to 1956. The Canadiana was also noted for being the last passenger vessel to be built in Buffalo, New York.

After being sold in 1956 the Canadiana changed owners numerous times and by 1983 she was berthed in Ohio needing major restoration. A nonprofit group, the "Friends of the Canadiana", brought the ship back to Buffalo in 1984 with a hope of restoring her to service. When restoration efforts failed the ship was scrapped at Port Colborne, Ontario in 2004.

The Canadiana was built at the Buffalo Dry Dock on Ganson Street in 1910 and was the last passenger vessel to be built in Buffalo. She was designed by marine architect Frank E. Kirby who would go on later to design the largest side wheel excursion ships built for the Great Lakes, the Greater Buffalo and the Greater Detroit.

The completed ship was 215 feet (66 m) long and a 54 feet (16 m) beam amidships. She was powered by one coal fired triple-expansion steam engine that produced 1,446 horsepower and a single propeller provided propulsion. The Canadiana also had a cutout in the main deck to allow passengers to view the "workings" of the engine.

The Canadiana was fitted with brass railings, red mahogany trim from Honduras and beveled mirrors. She was designed to be a premier vessel designed not only for transportation but also for pleasure. Originally intended to carry 3500 passengers, it was decided by the United States Coast Guard that 1800 was a safer number. With the reduction in passenger capacity, the ship's owners found room to construct the largest dance floor of any steamer ever placed on the Great Lakes.