Heritage

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Captain Gerry Ouderkirk of the 100-year-old side-wheeler Trillium, operating in Toronto harbor.

On Wednesday November 10, 2010, the Marine Heritage Society and the Propeller Club held their annual dinner meeting.  As is traditional, the dinner was held at the Walker House in Southampton, home of their weekly meetings.

Some 80 member, staff of the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre and Town Officials came to the meeting to hear the results of the year and the guest speaker Captain Gerry Ouderkirk

The Propeller Club maintains Pioneer Park in Southampton at the Saugeen River Mouth and works on the preservation of Marine Heritage in Saugeen Shores

The Marine Heritage Society includes a Board of Directors who guide the projects undertaken including the popular tours to Chantry Island, the Tour Base facility at the Saugeen River, Range Light restoration, the Boat House behind the old Town Hall in Southampton and the 'fleet' of boats that includes: The Peerless, the barge Seagull and the Tilbury work boat.

Results for the year in summary:

The Propeller Club, who care for Pioneer Park and work on projects had a good year and maintain a current cash balance of $7509.  These funds came from donations, burger flips and donations.

The Marine Heritage Society have a cash on hand position of approximately $37,000.  The year saw gross sales including donations of $43,500.

Income is generated by Tour Base sales and tours to Chantry Island and donations.   This year 1280 tours were taken to Chantry Island at $25/each.

It should be noted that one of the stalwarts of the Marine Heritage has been the Chantry Island Chambettes service group who donated more than $2100.

The Marine Heritage also maintains a balance in excess of $50,000 in the Bruce County Development Fund.

On August 11, 2011, the Marine Heritage Society will mark 10 years of tours to the Island.

The big project in 2011 will be the launching of the new boat to replace the more than 30 year old Peerless.  The acquisition of the Boat requires fund raising and is being custom built by Stanley Aluminum Boats of Perry Sound Ontario

Of primary importance will be the over $100,00 payment for the boat, which is being financed by the  Town of Saugeen Shores and paid back over 10 years by the Marine Heritage Society.  To that end there will be active fund raising over the next few years in many ways that should be good for the community and fun for the members says Rick Smith current chair of the Marine Heritage Society.

Rick Smith introduced the Treasurer of the Propeller Club Alison Kelly and the Marine Heritage Treasurer Tom Mather who gave the results of the year.

An example of a typical Stanley Boat

The 100 year old Trillium

Captain Ouderkirk, one of the original members of the Propeller Club is a celebrated writer and historian.  He gave the after dinner talk.

He has been on the 'seas' 35 years and was on Lake Superior on the night the Edmund Fitzgerald was lost.  He has captained tall ships to the Caribbean and has had breathtaking adventures.

Currently he is Captain of the 900 passenger Trillium unique in North America and a Canadian Treasure.

Captain Ouderkirk was surrounded by well wishers asking for autographs of one of his books.  He has donated some of his writing to the Tour Base Gift shop where it has been very popular.

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Thursday, November 11, 2010