On 20 July 2024, I had the privilege of attending the ceremony at the museum ship CCGS Alexander Henry designating this former Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker as a National Historic Site by Parks Canada in Thunder Bay, ON.
CCGS Alexander Henry National Historic Site Plague from Parks Canada.
This important designation is due in large part to the volunteers who run the Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay and are the caretakers of this ship. Alexander Henry is the only preserved icebreaker from the 1950’s era, representing Canada’s commitment to ensuring safe navigation on the Great Lakes.
The inscription reads;
CCGS Alexander Henry, Thunder Bay, Ontario
This sturdy ship provided outstanding service to mariners as the main Canadian icebreaker committed to Lake Superior from 1959 to 1985. Launched at Port Arthur in 1958 as a result of a robust civilian shipbuilding plan, the vessel was part of the first Canadian Coast Guard fleet in 1962. The Alexander Henry symbolizes the government’s commitment to marine navigation on the Great Lakes during an era of tremendous expansion in shipping. The iconic red and white vessel broke ice to extend the shipping season, supplied lighthouses, maintained buoys, and performed life-saving search and rescue and other important missions.
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL04869)
The ceremony began with sailors from HMCS GRIFFON, the local Naval Reserve Unit providing the colour party and escort to the Eagle Staff carried by Elder Gene Bannon honouring Thunder Bay’s indigenous heritage.
Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL04857)
Pipes and Drums of Thunder Bay provided stirring music throughout the ceremony.
Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL04852)
Attendance for the dedication ceremony was exceptional. Dignitaries were seated on Alexander Henry’s deck and a large crowd gathered alongside, included members from the local Canadian Coast Guard Base, Canadian Naval Reserve, local Sea and Navy League Cadets and many supporters of the Museum.
“The Alexander Henry has played an important role in history. It’s awesome to see such a great turnout for the local community. It gives us a chance to show off what the coast guard is here for”
-Deputy Superintendent Brian Weston
Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL04861)
Speakers for the event were diverse and emphasized the importance of Alexander Henry in Canadian History, Coast Guard history and local history. From left to right; Connor Kilgour -lead interpreter/curations coordinator Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay, Mayor Ken Boshcoff -City of Thunder Bay, Brian Weston -Deputy Marine Superintendent, Canadian Coast Guard Great Lakes Region, Honourable Patty Hajdu -Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay – Superior North and Michele Solomon -Chief, Fort William First Nation.
Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL04884)
The official plaque was unveiled by Honourable Patty Hajdu and Deputy Superintendent Brian Weston.
“This plaque gives the ship official recognition for the important role it played over the years. “The ship was built in Thunder Bay in 1958, in 1959 it was finished and turned over to what became the Coast Guard in 1962. It opened and closed the port from 1959 until 1985 when she was retired. The more awareness people have that we exist, of course, the more that we can get to do tours which support us and keeps us going. If we don’t keep our history, we lose our history and then how do we know where we came from?”
-Wally Peterson, chairman of the Thunder Bay Transportation Museum
Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay volunteers and directors. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL04868)
The designation of CCGS Alexander Henry as a National Historic Site and the simple fact that the ship continues to be preserved is due to the hard work of the Board Members and volunteers at the Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay.
“The CCGS Alexander Henry played an integral role in supporting the shipping industry and mariners on the Great Lakes. For decades, this former Coast Guard vessel helped ensure safe transit across these inland waters. It is wonderful to see CCGS Alexander Henry be designated a national historic site, in recognition of its contributions to Canada’s maritime history.”
-The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Connor Kilgoar. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL04880)
Connor Kilgoar has dedicated a considerable amount of time researching Alexander Henry providing the legacy of the icebreakers service. Speaking with individuals that served in this historic ship and members of the communities that it served. He spoke of two important meanings of this ship, people recalled that when Alexander Henry first got underway in the spring it meant that the port was once again open for trade and the many associated jobs would begin a new season after a long winter layup. For others, seeing the icebreaker hard at work in the harbour breaking the winter ice, it meant there was only six weeks of winter left. Alexander Henry was a better predictor of spring than any gopher.
Alexander Henry in the drydock at the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston, ON. on 21 July 2015. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL12994)
Additionally Connor added the reason this ship is in such excellent condition is due in large part to the stewardship provided by the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston, ON. Following it’s retirement in July 1985 the Kingston museum had possession of the ship for over 30 years, operating it as a museum and bed and breakfast. When the Kingston museum was suddenly evicted from their facilities they made the Alexander Henry available to Thunder Bay. Thanking the Kingston Museum for the diligence they provided keeping this ship alive and preserving it for future generations
“The Thunder Bay Transportation Museum really were the lead in getting the ship back to Thunder Bay and to the port. They worked really closely with the city and other officials to have the port be able to moor here. The more that we know about our past, the better off we are as people”
-The Honourable Patty Hajdu -Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay – Superior North
Thank you to Parks Canada for inviting me to this event, as the former historian to the Canadian Coast Guard it makes me proud to see the women and men of the Coast Guard recognized for the legacy they continue to build through service. Additionally, a very hearty congratulations to the volunteers at the museum for their dedicated and highly motivated work they willingly give to preserve Alexander Henry and ensure it’s story is accessible to future generations of Canadians!
Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL10647)
I took this photo of a forlorn Alexander Henry on 21 September 2016, the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston had just been suddenly evicted from their facilities and given 30 days notice to vacate. Alexander Henry was towed from the historic drydock in the old Kingston Shipyards, with no options for relocation and a very uncertain fate, the ship was tied to a couple of large trees on the shore of the Bay of Quinte near Bath, ON. Initially the only two options for the ship to come forward was to sink the icebreaker as a dive park or send it to the breakers for disposal. Fortunately a group from Thunder Bay stepped up and made arrangements to have Alexander Henry return to the community were it was built and the Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay was formed to support the ship.
“The history of Great Lakes navigation, from time immemorial with Indigenous travellers through the entire course of Confederation, is in large part the story of this continent. The former Canadian Coast Guard Ship Alexander Henry is a part of that history and it is an honour to officially designate the ship as a national historic site. This vessel stood witness to an era of increased industrial marine navigation for the Government of Canada. National historic designations, like the Alexander Henry, encourage us to acknowledge the full scope of our history and help us reflect on how this history connects us to build a more inclusive society for present and future generations.”
-The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
Additional Reading:
Backgrounder: CCGS Alexander Henry, Thunder Bay, Ontario
CCGS Alexander Henry National Historic Site
Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay
TB Newswatch -Alexander Henry icebreaker designated a national historic site
TB Newswatch -Commemorative plaque celebrates legacy of Canadian Coast Guard ship
