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Marine Museum of Manitoba

4 days ago

Lighthouses were built to guide ships safely through dangerous waters, particularly at night, during storms, or when fog made navigation difficult. Their lights warned sailors of hazards such as rocks, reefs, and shallow water, marked safe routes and harbour entrances, and helped crews determine their location.Lake Winnipeg, the eleventh-largest freshwater lake in the world, stretches approximately 416 kilometres from north to south. For centuries, it served as an important transportation and trade route, carrying Indigenous peoples, fur traders, settlers, commercial fishermen, passengers, and freight between communities throughout the region.But Lake Winnipeg could also be unpredictable and dangerous. Powerful storms and rapidly changing weather have claimed many lives over the years. Near the centre of the lake, the waterway narrows to only about two kilometres wide. It is near this narrow and important passage that Black Bear Island is located.In 1898, the Department of Marine announced plans to construct a lighthouse on Black Bear Island to help vessels safely navigate this section of Lake Winnipeg. The lighthouse was built by John W. Scott of Selkirk. Constructed of wood, the square tower was painted white so it could also serve as a visible landmark during daylight hours.Daniel Matheson became the first lightkeeper in 1899. His responsibilities included maintaining the lighthouse and ensuring its lamp was lit each night to guide vessels through the passage. In 1910, a hand-operated foghorn was added, providing an important warning signal when fog or poor weather obscured the light.Matheson remained at Black Bear Island until 1919. He was followed by A. Coullard, who served from 1919 to 1920, and J.A. McLennan, who became lightkeeper in 1920 and remained in the position until at least 1937.From 1946 to 1966, Ralph Thomas served as the Black Bear Island lightkeeper. Unlike a typical job, being a lightkeeper was a way of life. Ralph's wife, Rose, and their children lived with him in a cottage on the island, isolated from the mainland and dependent upon their boat for transportation.One remarkable event in 1947 demonstrates just how isolated and demanding life at Black Bear Island could be. Rose was pregnant and living on the island with Ralph and their two toddler sons, Lloyd and Howard, when Ralph suffered sunstroke on a particularly hot summer day. He became delirious, and Rose managed to get him into bed in their cottage.Their yawl had been pulled up on shore, leaving Rose with no way to leave the island to seek help. Despite caring for her ill husband and two young children while heavily pregnant, she still had another important responsibility: the lighthouse could not go dark.Rose climbed the lighthouse and lit the lamp for the night.Then a powerful Lake Winnipeg storm swept across the area. The conditions were so severe that no one from nearby Matheson Island could reach the family. Throughout the night, Rose ensured the lighthouse continued shining, guiding vessels through the dangerous waters while her own family faced an emergency on the island.On the morning of July 3, 1947, Rose climbed the lighthouse once again to extinguish the lamp. While descending the stairs, her water broke halfway down the tower.She managed to make her way back to the cottage, where at approximately 9:00 a.m. she gave birth to their son, Patrick.Ralph recovered enough to resume his lighthouse duties, but because of the storm and their isolation, help did not arrive immediately. It was not until three days later that midwife Caroline Williams was able to make the journey from Matheson Island to see Rose and her newborn son.The Thomas family's story is a remarkable reminder that lighthouses were more than navigational aids. They were also homes, workplaces, and isolated outposts where lightkeepers and their families endured difficult conditions to help keep others safe on Lake Winnipeg.After decades of service on Black Bear Island, the lighthouse eventually became part of Manitoba's preserved maritime history. In 1989, the Black Bear Island Lighthouse was moved to the Marine Museum of Manitoba in Selkirk, where it remains today.Its light may no longer guide vessels through the narrow waters of Lake Winnipeg, but the lighthouse continues to serve another important purpose — preserving and sharing the stories of the lightkeepers, their families, and the generations of mariners who depended upon its light to find their way safely across the lake. ... See MoreSee Less

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Marine Museum of Manitoba

1 week ago

On Wednesday, July 29th, the Marine Museum of Manitoba was featured on CTV Your Morning Winnipeg. In our fifth and final segment, we wrapped up the morning outside our flagship, the S.S. Keenora, and shared the story behind one of her most memorable nicknames—the “Ice Cream Boat.” Here is our final CTV segment, sharing a little more of the nostalgia and history that make the S.S. Keenora such a beloved part of Manitoba’s maritime heritage. ... See MoreSee Less

Explore various boats in Selkirk

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The Selkirk Marine Museum is a hidden gem in Manitoba. CTV's Ainsle...

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Marine Museum of Manitoba

1 week ago

On Wednesday, July 29th, the Marine Museum of Manitoba was featured on CTV Your Morning Winnipeg. In our fourth segment, we explored the mysterious side of the museum with a look at our popular Haunted Harbour Ghost Tours. Running Friday and Saturday evenings now through September 6th, these after-dark tours invite guests aboard our historic vessels to hear eerie tales, mysterious legends, and stories connected to Manitoba’s maritime past. Here is our fourth CTV segment, offering a glimpse into the history, mystery, and ghostly atmosphere that make Haunted Harbour Ghost Tours one of our most unique summer experiences. ... See MoreSee Less

Upcoming dinner on a ship in Selkirk

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Prepare to have dinner on the S.S Keenora. CTV's Ainsley McPhail wi...

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Marine Museum of Manitoba

1 week ago

On Wednesday, July 29th, the Marine Museum of Manitoba was featured on CTV Your Morning Winnipeg. In our third segment, we highlighted one of our most anticipated annual events, the Packers Women’s Fashion Traditional S.S. Keenora Dinner. This special evening gives guests the unique opportunity to step aboard the historic S.S. Keenora and experience the nostalgia of dining aboard the 129-year-old steamship while supporting the preservation of Manitoba’s maritime heritage. Here is our third CTV segment, sharing a glimpse of this memorable dining experience and what guests can look forward to this September. ... See MoreSee Less

Haunted Harbour Ghost Tours return

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Get your tickets now for the upcoming ghost tours in Selkirk **S...

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Marine Museum of Manitoba

1 week ago

On Wednesday, July 29th, the Marine Museum of Manitoba was featured on CTV Your Morning Winnipeg. In our second segment, we discussed The Captain’s View, our special evening event offering guests the unique experience of watching the City of Selkirk’s fireworks from the top deck of the historic S.S. Keenora. Originally planned as our Canada Day Soirée, the event was postponed when the Canada Day fireworks were rescheduled due to weather. Here is our second CTV segment, highlighting how we transformed the postponed celebration into The Captain’s View—an unforgettable evening aboard one of Manitoba’s most treasured historic vessels. ... See MoreSee Less

City of Selkirk event August 8

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CTV's Ainsley McPhail learns what's to come in Selkirk for August ...

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