S.S. Ridgetown (1905, Lake Freighter)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: S.S. Ridgetown (formerly S.S. William E. Corey)
• Launch Date: March 24, 1905
• Builder: Chicago Shipbuilding Company, Chicago, Illinois
• Type: Steel-Hulled Lake Freighter
• Dimensions: Length: 175.5 metres (576 feet) Beam: 17.4 metres (57 feet) Depth: 10.7 metres (35 feet)
• Tonnage: Approx. 8,000 Gross Tonnage
• Original Owner: Pittsburgh Steamship Company

Vessel History

Early Career as S.S. William E. Core  Launched in 1905, the William E. Corey was built as the flagship of the Pittsburgh Steamship Company. Cost of construction: $475,000, equivalent to $13.5 million in 2019 dollars. Designed to transport bulk goods such as coal, iron ore, and grain across the Great Lakes.

Mataafa Storm (1905)  Within just three months of service, the William E. Corey was shipwrecked during the infamous Mataafa Storm in November 1905, one of the deadliest storms in Great Lakes history.  The vessel sustained $100,000 in damage, but it was salvaged and repaired, allowing it to return to service.

Ownership Changes

 In 1963, the ship was sold to a British company and renamed the S.S. Ridgetown.  In 1965, it was sold again to Upper Lakes Shipping Limited, a Canadian shipping company that operated freighters on the Great Lakes. The Ridgetown remained operational under Upper Lakes Shipping until it was retired in 1969.

Final Disposition: Port Credit Breakwall

After its retirement, the Ridgetown was first used as a breakwall during the construction of the Ontario Hydro Power Plant in Nanticoke, Ontario from 1970 to 1973.  In late 1973, the ship was relocated to Port Credit, a former village now part of Mississauga, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Ontario.The Ridgetown was partially sunk and filled with tons of rock to secure it as a permanent breakwall, protecting the Port Credit harbour from waves and erosion. Its outline remains visible above the water, making it a local landmark and an enduring piece of maritime history.

Pioneer in Great Lakes Shipping

The S.S. William E. Corey was an early example of a steel-hulled lake freighter, representing a transition from wooden-hulled vessels to more durable and efficient steel designs.  Its involvement in the Mataafa Storm highlights the perilous conditions faced by freighters on the Great Lakes and the advancements in ship design required to withstand such dangers.

Adaptive Reuse

The Ridgetown’s transformation into a breakwall reflects a creative solution for retired vessels, allowing them to serve a new purpose even after their operational lives ended.  As the fourth-oldest lake freighter still in existence, it is an enduring relic of early 20th-century Great Lakes shipping.The Ridgetown is a visible reminder of Port Credit’s maritime history, with its steel structure now embedded in the shoreline.  It has become a point of interest for locals, tourists, and maritime enthusiasts, standing as a monument to Great Lakes commerce and ingenuity.

Resources & Links

• Bruce Forsyth’s Writing: Original Article
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Mississauga Historical Society: Archives may hold records about the ship’s final years and its installation in Port Credit.
• Upper Lakes Shipping History: Books by John O. Greenwood provide insights into the company and vessels like the Ridgetown.

Conclusion

The S.S. Ridgetown, formerly the S.S. William E. Corey, represents the resilience and adaptability of Great Lakes vessels. From its early years as a flagship freighter to its final role as a breakwall in Port Credit, the ship has left an indelible mark on maritime history. Its preserved silhouette stands as a tribute to the legacy of Great Lakes shipping and the enduring ingenuity of those who sailed these inland seas.