You're looking right down one of the two remaining ship-building slips where Collingwood's busy ship-building industry was concentrated for 104 years, ending in 1986 when the last ship, the Coast Guard's Sir Wilfrid Laurier was launched. They built 200 ships in their time, mostly lake freighters plus a group of naval vessels during WWII. As I'll explain in a future post, the entire area is now being redeveloped for townhouses and condos.
It was a side-launch basin, so you'll understand why they named a new craft brewery here the Side Launch Brewing Company. You can't see a ship getting side-launched any more, but you can enjoy a cold Sidelaunch beer.
It was -22°C (-7.6°F) this morning, the coldest day of the year so far. Though that's really not very cold yet; we usually get at least a night or two of -30°C, which helps kill off the bugs. Mind you, with the windchill it was -31°C, which makes it uncomfortably cold for skiing and snow shoeing!
Happy Valentine's Day!.
There is a new program coming this summer (CBC) called LANDSCAPE ARTIST OF THE YEAR CANADA. I noticed they are featuring one episode of Collingwood Harbor. (Makeful channel is broadcasting the series starting this week).
ReplyDeleteWe really enjoyed visiting there last summer when we were on our Round The Bay tour.
Oh my goodness, that is cold!!!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I'm hoping that we skip the -30˚C nights this year! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSo cold, I see one other blog friend had a really cold day too. Side launch, I had not know about that way, so did a Google search.Amazing videos, and an explanation of why that way was used, a much shallower channel can be used. The only boats I have seen launched in a big way was one my Dad built, a 24 foot boat on a cradle that was reversed into a quiet inland bay, by tractor, and one my uncle built, this was bigger and was launched amid much ceremony at one of Aucklands's port wharves. Swung off a gantry I think. The traditional bottle was swung under the front bow by my cousin, this was in 1963, summer time, and ladies in hats, gloves and stockings as we all wore then. This brings back a wonderful memory, as I am the only one living from our combined families there that day. Keep warm.
ReplyDeleteSounds mighty cold.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day.
Happy Valentine's Day -- we love your blog posts.
ReplyDeleteTonight's supposed to be the coldest of the winter -- even though it's not very cold compared to what we used to regularly get 45-50 years ago. Too bad that some people chose not to see the changes in the climate.
Brrr! I look forward to hearing about the changes in the neighborhood. I definitely would be snuggled up inside my blankie in cold like that! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's been that cold here too in recent days, but a bit more moderate today.
ReplyDeletea doctors office with a view and something to photograph, how nice!! let us know how things went at the doctor!!
ReplyDeleteMinus 31 is a good temperature to stay inside with a hot toddy!
ReplyDeleteBrrrr. We do not get much winter where I live. In the lower 70 F, 22C. A blogger friend in Montreal is home on Monday with frostbitten toes. Take care out in the weather.
ReplyDeleteWe've experienced cold below freezing desert nights in America's southwest deserts but like they say it's a dry cold. These cold damp temperatures here further north seem much colder. I'll be interested to read about Owen Sounds ship building history. Have only driven through Owen Sound maybe twice over the years and really don't remember much about it.
ReplyDeleteWe have cold again here and spring seems so far away!
ReplyDelete