The Canadiana

The Organization - Directions and Goals.

A Presentation of

The S. S. Canadiana Preservation Society, Inc.

To all organizations
with an interest in the development
of Lakefront and Maritime Elements
for the purposes of:
Education
Historic Preservation
Lake Access
Charitable Operations
Promoting the Image of Western New York and the Canadian Shore

Index

Contents:

Mission Statement

Progress of restoration effort.

Designations & Credentials

Time table

The Opportunity - Here and Now

Conclusion

Mission Statement

The S. S. Canadiana Society, Inc.

The purpose of The S. S. Canadiana Preservation Society, Inc. is exclusively educational in nature, to wit:

The operation of a museum under the auspices of the New York State Education Department Board of Regents and relating to the history, memorabilia and artifacts of the S. S. Canadiana. ~ To research and document the S. S. Canadiana as a means to the awareness and appreciation of it and our local maritime history in general. ~ To publish and disseminate information on the Canadiana and related subjects including Buffalo Dry-dock where it was built, Crystal Beach to which it sailed and the Maritime Era of its heyday. ~ In addition we work with educators to provide materials for use at various grade levels. ~ These efforts include a soon to be published book length history of the ship, field trips, slide presentations as well as other grade-appropriate materials for instant classroom use.

To collect, preserve, and interpret objects relating to the S. S. Canadiana, Buffalo Dry-Dock, Crystal Beach and the Maritime Era in general. ~ To acquire, restore and refit the vessel Canadiana, using all available construction drawings and documents from 1910, the year of her construction, as the basis for re-construction to sailing condition. ~ To thereafter maintain the vessel Canadiana as a maritime treasure and to operate it as a floating museum and our ultimate artifact.

To engage in all lawful activities, including those which are not otherwise stated in the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation, which are incidental or conducive to the accomplishment of any of the above-stated purposes.

Restoration Progress

After the Canadiana ceased operation in Buffalo in the late fifties, she was leased to others. ~ This began a string of disasters with several close encounters with the scrap yard. The "Friends of the Canadiana" formed in 1984. ~ Through grueling work and over many obstacles, they brought the Canadiana back some 120 miles from her death bed in Ohio to Buffalo for restoration. ~ After all of its previous ordeals, from a collision with a bridge in Toledo to its sinking in Cleveland, it had become an unbelievably ugly and unwanted hulk, but it was the object of love and affection in Buffalo and across the lake in nearby Canada. ~ The group was praised and supported by hundreds of businesses and thousands of people.

As amateur groups sometimes go, there was indecision and inability. ~ Was the ship to be a static display or sail. ~ A split ensued and a lull in activity occurred. ~ When the decision to sail was made, a new flurry of activity occurred with much public approval. ~ Fund raising, publicity, work on the boat all went on with a purpose. ~ The boat was readied for rebuilding under modern day regulations. ~ All wood was removed and she was towed to Port Colborne, ON. to lie in a sheltered slip near a drydock awaiting funds for hull and engine repair. ~ Here again, the effort faltered. ~ The idea the ship was in another country and seemingly ineligible for some funding sources apparently stymied the group into inaction and to a point of near dissolution.

While the above delays are regrettable, they are not a reason to give up. ~ The plain fact is the restoration is just as possible as ever and for all the same good reasons. ~ A new group has now taken control. ~ There is a new name, new direction and new people. ~ Sailing is still the goal but with additions. ~ Profound changes were made to the board and to the corporation. ~ People such as Mr. Edward Patton, director of the W. N. Y. Heritage Institute of Canisius College, Mr. Ross Adams, the Marine Engineer instrumental in the restorations of both the Trillium at Toronto, ON. and the H.M.C.S. Segwin at Gravenhurst, ON. along with other specialists have joined our two boards. ~ Maritime preservation and education has always been a purpose but we will now persue this with emphasis. ~ We are making application to the State Board of Regents to become an Education Corporation. ~ We do meet their criteria and are confident of that status being granted. ~ We have also created a Canadian corporation for a joint American & Canadian effort. ~ There is much support in Canadia as they also see the ways the Canadiana will work in bringing about educational, cultural and tourism exchanges beneficial to both sides.

Designations and Credentials

The corporation was formed in 1983 as the "Friends of the Canadiana, Inc." under Not-For-Profit Law. ~ It was granted 501 (c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

On July 1 1993, the corporation began changes designed to allow a fuller expression of their stated purpose and goals.

The first was to amend the name of the organization. ~ The previous was somewhat nondescript. ~ The new name, "The S.S. Canadiana Preservation Society, Inc.", was chosen to provide a more understandable indication of our reason for being.

The second was to make application to the NY State Education Department Board of Regents for accreditation as an Education Corporation. ~ This will place our organization under Education Law as opposed to Not-For-Profit Law and it will provide us the credentials to operate a full fledged museum with finances, professional staff and methods of operation that are monitored by the Board of Regents. ~ Our name will then be "The S. S. Canadiana Museum, Inc.".

Our finances are looked after by the accounting firm of Lumsden and McCormick, CPA's.

Time Table

1. As our Canadian organization is proceeding to reach not-for-profit and charitable status, the U.S. group will formalize its Education Corporation and museum status with the New York State Department of Education Board of Regents.

2. Particular and favorable corporate donors are being approached for the initial pledges of funding. ~ We will look for those who can easily visualize the good that will occur from this historic ship and our associated educational efforts being part of the overall Buffalo waterfront development.

3. Other efforts towards fulfilling our purposes will be carried out in a continuing process. ~ We have been working on placing the original Canadiana Pilot House in a permanent position of public display. ~ It will be in a prominent location such as near the Lighthouse at the mouth of the Buffalo River and this effort, in conjunction with the City of Buffalo, will preserve and tell of the Canadiana's part in Buffalo history. ~ At this juncture, plans also include the possibility of the Pilot House being used as a ticket office along side the Canadiana when it goes into operation.

4. As we acquire our credentials with the Board of Regents, we will move into a corporate fund drive with more intensity. ~ Museum status and beginning its operation, along with the backing of pledges of support gained earlier, will allow us to approach large corporations, foundations and grant givers that are helpful to organizations of our nature.

5. We expect funding to be reached in Canada whereby the ship will go into drydock within a year. This will occur near the time a book we are publishing is released. ~ A history of the Canadiana, this book is filled with facts and figures along with tales and stories from passengers and crew. ~ A collection of humorous and dramatic events which occurred on and about the ship in her long and eventful life. ~ The book will contain many photographs and will spur memories and support from both the U.S. and Canada. ~ These items occurring in close succession will bring the realization to everyone that the restoration is being done.

6. When the repaired hull and perhaps an already rebuilt engine return to the Buffalo harbor the public will celebrate. ~ That day will signal the start of superstructure re-construction and it will begin the final phase to complete our project. ~ That day everyone will want to help make it happen. ~ That day we begin booking the ship for cruises.

NOTE:
Most of the projections above were written in the fall of 1993 as our new effort was begining to take hold and prior to our ISTEA award. ~ The Canadian Organization is now up and running and has raised approximately $40,000.00 (Can.) towards the ISTEA matching fund. ~ We are on schedule, more or less.

The Opportunity - Here and Now

Niagara Frontier Transit Authority personnel, along with others well known for their efforts at historic preservation, were the ones who originated the return of the Canadiana to the Buffalo waterfront. ~ It was their foresight a decade ago for this grand and historic vessel to grace our shoreline, to enhance the Buffalo waterfront and be put to use as a museum displaying memorabilia of our great maritime history. ~ Those people understood the love we on the Niagara Frontier, as well as our Canadian neighbors on the Niagara Peninsula and all others who have ridden the boat, had for her. ~ They understood how popular a place it would be, the educational value it would have, the institution it could become and the image it would instill on the city.

The original thought was to have it restored to display condition and not to sail. ~ While that was the need for that day, certainly with the current visions for a redeveloped and beautiful new waterfront along with the rest of our up-tempo life and changing times, we now want more. ~ And we can have it. ~ To all that has and is to come, we can add the grand sight of the Canadiana sailing in our harbor.

The S. S. Canadiana Preservation Society, Inc. is working to become a part of the community. ~ In fact, to form one great "Eastern Lake Erie Community" bringing together both sides of the lake. ~ Together with our Canadian corporation, we are working with both sides to form common beneficial interaction. ~ We see the potential for an operation based in Buffalo that can equate to the South Street Seaport Museum of New York City and other great maritime operations in port cities around the country. ~ With an attendant building (the Auditorium?) housing all historic interests, it would be the hub of the Inner Harbor activity with the Canadiana alongside as the crown jewel. ~ Revenue produced from the self sustaining Canadiana could help finance those other efforts within the group.

Assistance and co-operation from American groups and agencies in a position to help, as well as the towns and villages and similar groups on the Canadian side of the lake, who wish to see beautiful things happen must come to bring this all about. ~ We are proceeding along the course we have set but with complete readiness and willingness to adapt and work with others. ~ The amount of our co-operation and commitment is open and commensurate to those others. ~ Look at us and see the tremendous potential. ~ Read the Feasibility Study and its Preface. ~ If the Canadiana does not return, everyone will lose.

Conclusion

We stand at a cross roads where frequently inaction is the only action. ~ To be lamented ever after.

We have at hand an opportunity to return a wonderful element of the past so that it may take part in our future and make it better. ~ To bring joy and happiness to millions of children and adults alike as it did then, for yet another half century and beyond. ~ Going beyond happiness to cause parent/child bonding as it did then. ~ Laughing and squealing children being hugged by their parents as they both are sprayed by bursting waves. ~ These and similar memories are what you are told of when you ask people why they love the Canadiana. ~ It was a common ground for young and old to enjoy together; something we have precious little of now. ~ Our efforts at education, for all its' worth, will pale against those moments. ~ Those moments of "education" that cannot be packaged or taught in a classroom.

It is our desire to bring back the "Crystal Beach Boat". ~ To sail again. ~ To provide the joy it can and will provide. ~ Our cruises and package tours will allow us to self sustain, to re-invest and to support similar efforts. ~ We see our total future in education, historic preservation, cultural exchange and the other areas of mutual benefit for our two countries and the peoples therein. ~ With the S. S. Canadiana as a floating museum and fully restored to its Victorian, turn-of-the-century appearance and operation, it will be brought to where it can be boarded, and cruises taken, by school children on field trips. ~ They will view the ship in action and learn of its operation and history. ~ They will see an earlier technology, an era of steam and mechanical means. ~ They will learn that older is often better and to not disdain the past. ~ Like others who have come before, they will gaze in awe at the gigantic historic triple expansion engine as it drives the boat through the waves, its monstrous crank shaft and other moving parts fully visible with its open construction. ~ They will exhilarate in the crashing waves, the sights, sounds and smells of the lake. ~ For many, their only opportunity.

There is further the vision of preserving this historic vessel for all the worth of that alone but also as a symbol to the City of Buffalo of her great maritime past and at the same time, her modern day rebirth. ~ A symbol to be seen in every skyline photo of the city. ~ A symbol to identify with the city, to bring people to the city, to bring conventions, to bring movie makers, to bring attention. ~ With Buffalo as the center of New York's Niagara Frontier and Ontario's Niagara Peninsula, we will commune with Canada for all the good purposes we are about. ~ The S. S. Canadiana will bring about one great "Eastern Lake Erie Community".

We can and must restore this beautiful, classic and beloved piece of history. ~ She is able to provide much more good for many more years. ~ She has held on since first leaving Crystal Beach with a seemingly human spirit but this is very likely our last opportunity to bring the lady back. ~ We must act. ~ Please lend a hand.

Thank you.

The S. S. Canadiana Preservation Society, Inc.

P.S.
This pitifully small condensation cannot hope to answer all the questions. ~ We have additional details not presented as to ways and means of re-building and operating the S. S. Canadiana and all the wonderful reasons for doing so. ~ We simply hope this synopsis has whetted the appetite of those able to bring back this wonderful ship. ~ If so, please allow us the opportunity of a more complete presentation. ~ Write or call:

The S. S. Canadiana Preservation Society, Inc.

17 Delray Drive
Cheektowaga NY
14225-1619

Telephone (716) 856-0090
Facsimile (716) 833-2999
E-Mail fbaker@webpay.com