The Royal Mail Ship Segwun, the oldest operating steamship in North America and a symbol of Muskoka, has been named “Ship of the Year” by the Steamship Historical Society of America.
The award was given to officials of the Muskoka Steamships Discovery Centre on Aug. 8 in a ceremony on the dock in Gravenhurst, Ontario.
“On behalf of the Steamship Historical Society of America (www.sshsa.org ), I am delighted to announce that R.M.S. Segwun has been selected as our ‘Ship of the Year’ for 2026, our most prestigious award,” said society president Pat Dacey. “As a result of a nomination process by our members and a selection by our awards committee, it was determined that R.M.S. Segwun has distinguished herself through her accomplishments and has significantly contributed to the historical importance of the engine-powered vessel.”
Take a ride on the RMS Segwun out of Gravenhurst. PHOTO COURTESY MUSKOKA STEAMSHIPS & DISCOVERY CENTRE
“In our selection process, we acknowledge Muskoka Steamship as well as the Muskoka Discovery Centre for all your efforts to maintain, restore and operate as well as to educate the public on Segwun’s over 130-year history, as North America’s oldest operating hand-fired steamship,” Dacey said. “We also recognize your organizational leadership as well as the efforts of the crew, administrative personnel and all those who have continued to support the history of the Muskoka Lakes Navigation Company and its’ numerous successors.”
The society said the ability of the Segwun and the Discovery Centre to adapt to 130 years of changes “is a model to us all as North America’s oldest, hand-fired steamship.” It also said the Segwun “is the recognized symbol of Muskoka, with many believing that her haunting whistle sounds out as the official heartbeat which awakens the region each spring.”
The Steamship Historical Society of America presents its “Ship of the Year” Award to the R.M.S. Segwun and the Muskoka Steamships Discovery Centre in Gravenhurst, Ontario.
The Segwun is being renovated top to bottom and should be ready for public sailing sometime in early September.
As you can imagine, a ship launched in 1887 needs a lot of work to stay in good condition. The Muskoka Discovery Centre is raising money with its Come Aboard campaign to help keep her in tip-top shape. By making a donation, supporters become part of Segwun’s remarkable story and help ensure this iconic steamship continues to inspire visitors for generations to come.
Aboard the R.M.S. Segwun on Lake Muskoka. JIM BYERS PHOTO
“We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported the restoration to date,” centre officials said. “Your generosity is helping preserve not just a ship, but an irreplaceable piece of Canadian history.”
To learn more about the restoration or to make a contribution, please visit www.realmuskoka.com/comeaboard.
Editor’s note: I am a member of the board of directors of the Muskoka Discovery Centre, which operates the R.M.S. Segwun, the Wenonah II and the Wanda III, an historic (it once belonged to the Eaton family) and beautiful wooden boat that has been converted to battery power.
