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Karl R. Josker | profile | all galleries >> Buffalo >> Canadiana: Finis tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Canadiana: Finis

For the Canadiana, the end has come. The cutters are at work on the hull, and expect to finish cutting her up by late April 2004. The wheelhouse remains, but is crumbling; it's time is not long. An ignominious end to what was once one of the brightest jewels in the crown of the "Queen City of The Great Lakes."
Canadiana
Canadiana		 Canadiana
Canadiana		 Canadiana
Canadiana		 Canadiana Wheelhouse
Canadiana Wheelhouse
Rear Interior of Wheelhouse
Rear Interior of Wheelhouse		 Interior Roof View...
Interior Roof View...		 The C in Canadiana...
The "C" in Canadiana...		 Wheelhouse Sideview
Wheelhouse Sideview
Captain's Bunk
Captain's Bunk		 View of Wheelhouse...
View of Wheelhouse...		 View From Wheelhouse...
View From Wheelhouse...		 Another Interior Rear View
Another Interior Rear View
Looking Down Into The Captain's Cabin...
Looking Down Into The Captain's Cabin...		 The Cutter
The Cutter		 Almost Gone
Almost Gone		 Finis
Finis

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Bob Kohtz 09-May-2016 19:08
Hi all....something's a bit amiss here in that My Father Edward Kohtz owned the Carole Diane and was a partner with Red Harding back in the early 60's for I know this to be true as my Dad and I, when the Canadiana sat at the far end of the Cuyahoga river for several years, went deep into her bowls, along her keel and with a flashlight and ice pick, examined several of her steel plates...Dad then towed her with the Carole up to the Buffalo dry docks to further examine her hull, soon discovering at that time she needed 23 plates replaced at a cost of $1500.00 per which turned cost prohibitive for Red and my Dad so she was towed back to Cleveland..My Father designed the East 55th Marina where the idea was to have her towed to and permanently moored on the east side of the marina, filling her hull with water and turn her into a full restaurant and night club, the dance floor and full stage was awesome, too however the Fire Marshall would not pass her inspection in that her super structure was all wood which is when my Dad decided to make his exit from the partnership with Red Harding...I can't honestly recall what ever happened to the Carole Dianes for I know my Dad prior to 60 took her down to Florida, in the mid 50's, running an excursion business, I believe it was in the Ft. Lauderdale area..getting back to the Canadiana, I recall when she was moored in the Cuyahoga river, my Dad had managed to fire up one of the two boilers as well and the engine and she purred! The other boiler was shot...yes, Red then sold her to Jim but as I understood it he was encouraged not to put any more $$ into the Canadiana where she sat for several years near collision bend and had sunk to her water line occurring several times until Jim passed..this entry is made with the intent of honoring my Father, whose name has never been mentioned as he put so much time, effort and resources into the Canadiana with my being a part of it all. I don't know the accuracies of Pat Harding's for quite frankly this is news to me so far as ownership of her Dads involving the Carole Dianes, perhaps that was after my Father owned and operated her in the 50's...as a side note my Brother Johnny skippered the Goodtime, for the Fryan Brothers back in the 60's until he was hit by a drunk driver in Mentor one evening, being killed instantly.
Guest 30-Oct-2015 18:44
O
I worked for Jim Vinci, and was good friends with his wife rida, and daughter rosemary. To the guy who said he got on the ship and took things.... Jim had vicious dogs on that ship to protect it. No way in hell you got on there! I was on it and was shown around by Jim. She must of been a beauty at one time. He wanted to turn her into a floating restaurant. Put a lot of money into her over the years he had her. Had heard of her demise, and was sorry she never became the dream Jim had of her.
Guest 07-Jun-2015 16:52
Cleveland, OH: My father owned the Canadiana. He also owned the Carol Diane I & the Carol Diane II.

There was a BIG mistake on another blog where my father's secretary said that the Canadiana was going to be renamed the Carol Diane. That is absolutely NOT TRUE. He bought the Candiana from Toledo, then created a corporation called Pleasurama Excursion Lines. He was going to rename the SS Canadiana the SS Pleasurama. [He was inspired by the name of the Aquarama cruise ship which berthed nearby on the Cleveland shoreline].

Again, everyone: the Canadiana was going to be named the Pleasurama, NOT Carol Diane. I have the incorp papers as proof!!!!! I am sorry to disappoint the woman whose name is Carol Diane, but my father's secty is/was confused.

When they weren't carrying passengers, my dad used the Carol I or II as tug boats when he needed to move the Canadiana & his other boats around. He always liked the CD I & CD II because they were so well built & easy to maneuver.

My dad bought the CD I and the CD II from Erie, PA (Nolan Boats, I think). He never changed their names, much to everyone's confusion. All wondered why he did not rename them after his wife or daughter. He always said he liked the sound of their original names.

Sorry, but again, once more: the Canadiana was NOT going to be called the Carol Diane. It WAS going to be called the Pleasurama!!!

Patricia Harding
daughter of "Capt Red" Herald S Harding
Port of Cleveland
Bill Darpel 16-Feb-2014 19:49
I just watched the episode of Rte 66 and there is no way that the Carol Dianne in that show was the Canadiana. The Canadians was 216 feet long and the Carol Dianne wasn't half that. I remember the Carol Dianne II and was on it at least twice as a boy and remember going up the River on her. I saw the Canadiana rotting
on the river on later Good time cruises.
Guest 02-May-2012 17:14
Can anyone comment as to Who owned this ship, Canada or U.S.?
Carole 04-Oct-2011 15:03
All:
I was named after her! I am Carole Diane - with a new married surname, but the first and middle names are hers and mine. My dad would take our family of 5 to Lake Erie from New Castle, PA for fishing, swimming at Presque Isle near Erie, PA and watching ships and boats on the Lake. I'm sad to learn at this late date of her fate; I wish I had thought to Google her sooner so I could have made a trip to visit my namesake. Thank you for all the stories.
Carole
Tom 02-May-2011 22:02
Rick,
I have not been back on this site in years. I noticed you might be interested in the 2 life vests I still have...Please email me if your still active contact me at imgoinsailing419@aol.com.
Guest 12-Apr-2010 05:15
You do know that this boat was featured in the Route 66 episode, "Two on the House", filmed in 1961.
Kathy Buckley 29-Jun-2009 18:39
I have a number of the ladder back rush seat chairs that were on the first deck along the rail. They appear to be oak and they were removed a long time ago - they're in good shape. I so miss Crystal Beach and looking at that boat. If anyone is interested in purchasing the chairs please feel free to email me at kathleenb9770@roadrunner.com.
S. John Obringer 08-Jun-2009 01:25
John

Every year our school would ride the Canadiana from Buffalo to Crystal Beach to celebrate the end of school and the coming of summer. Many of the students were much more excited about the boat ride than they were of Crystal Beach, but that was great also. I remember how proudly she would stand at her berth on the waterfront in downtown Buffalo. The roller coaster, Comet, was usually the first site you saw as you approched Crystal Beach. As I kid, I always was amazed at the accuracy of her docking, almost lot pulling into a parking lot. Of course a few guys always over did it at Crystal Beach and got sea sick on the return home. I always thought it was special that my parents and grandparents rode the same glorious old ship that I did when they were younger. Because of that, it is heart breaking to view her final days.
Mark 21-Mar-2009 04:20
I'm not certain, but if the Canadiana was parked/abandoned in the Cuyahoga River behind and to the south of the Terminal Complex and May Co in downtown Cleveland in the early to mid 1980s, I have an antique glass lamp chimney that came off of a lamp that was on either side of the forward bar on either the 2nd or the 3rd deck. A friend in Cleveland has the other one. Years ago he and I went onto the abandoned ship and helped ourselves to a little memorabilia. Somewhere I have a shot glass from that bar too though I don't know where it is now. It was odd having an old passenger ship full of antique furniture just sitting abandoned. It was parked straight west and downhill from Ontario St, where Jacobs Field is now. I know that the ship later sank, was refloated, and towed to Buffalo, but until today I never knew the name or history of the ship. The photos of the Canadiana look a lot like my memories of the old passenger ship that was parked in the Cuyahoga back then.
Rick Doan 11-Mar-2007 20:44
Hi Tom
You said below you have 2 of the Canadiana Lifevests. I would be interested in them but you didn't leave a phone number or email adress. Mine is below as I describe that we have saved the Propeller, Bollard and Capstan and we have it on permant display at Waterfront Park in Crystal each Ontario, right across from where the Candiana docked.
Rick Daon
Rosemary 10-Jan-2007 19:30
My father Jim Vinci once owned this beautiful boat in fact he spent over 500k on her restoration. I have a fab book of photos on her from many different years. I am sorry to hear that she will never float again and is being cut up.If the politics in Cleveland were different she may have never left and would have been the start to a new type of floating entertainment on the Cuyahoga. That being said goodbye to the Canadiana and thank you for the memories.
Guest 06-Oct-2006 20:18
I just picked up an original Mills slot machine, from the Canadiana. It is in its original condition and works great. Are there any picture of the slot machine area, from the Canadiana?? Please email me at below...

Thanks Jim

jdick@buffnews.com
Tom 18-Jul-2006 22:09
Part of the belongings of my father's estate I received are 2 cork style life jackets with CANADIANA stamped on them. Is there a museum or collector that might be interested in them?
Susan 13-Jul-2006 18:41
I was told by my Grandmother that my Great-Grandfather, Capt. James P. Fontaine once captained the Canadiana. Does anyone know where I can find confirmation of this?
Dale 12-Apr-2006 14:18
Where can I find a set of plans for the CANADIANA?
Tom MacLennan 28-Nov-2005 20:32
Many the summer day I rode this wonderful ship to Crystal Beach. I also recall that there used to be Sunday dances with Harold Austin and his Orchestra. Although I now live in North Carolina, the memories (mostly from the 1950s) of going to and fro on the Canadiana are some of my most treasured memories of growing up in Buffalo. As it states in the text, it was the brightest jewel in the crown of the "Queen City of the Great Lakes." At least she lives on in photographs.
mary jane vargo 20-Jul-2005 02:19
thank you so much for your tribute to the carol diane/canadiana. When C-D Navigation co had this boat they renamed it the Carol Diane. back in the 80's i worked for jim vinci aka diamond jim. he had a small restuarant/bar off superior ave. this was after the second attempt to raise the ship. i know the kitchen equipment came off the boat and was at the small bar on superior avenue.. possible more items are here and there. the other location named Diamond jims the bar burned down but the restuarant was still intact during 80's. i actually filled in for big events at resturant but at that time did not pay as much attention to items decorating resturant as i would have today. thank you again i also regret she could not be saved.
Ted Perez 27-Jun-2005 04:32
Hello, My great uncle Jim Vinci was once the owner of the Canadiana and he had great plans for her, but sadly they never panned out. She partially sank in 1983 and was refloated in 1984 with hopes of being restored. It certainly would have been nice to see that happen. The stories I have read about the Canadiana gave great insight on the history of this steam ship from the race riots of the fifties to the millions of people that had the pleasure of cruising on her during the Cyrstal Beach days. To all involved in the planned restoration, sorry for your loss.
Rick Doan 13-May-2005 01:13
Hi, I'm Rick Doan, Chairman of The Canadiana Group of Canada. Currently we have the propeller and 13 feet of driveshaft being restored in St. Catharines Ontario. The restoration includes re-attaching one of the 2,000 lb blades that had broken off. There is still one blade of the 4 missing, but will still make a great display. As well we have restored one of the 2 Capstans. It must have been used when they put it on the Canadiana in 1910 as the date cast into it is 1892. We also have restored one of the Bollards. We are working with the Town of Fort Erie to have a cement pad built at Waterfront Park, which is in-between the Palwood Hotel in Crystal Beach and The former Crystal Beach Park. We will be erecting a plaque with the history the the steamship and will include the names and businesses of those that contributed $300.00 (CAN) or more toward the restorations. There is still room on the plaque for more names. Contact Rick Doan @ 1-905 894 1342 or Paul Kassay @ 1 905 894 0842. My Friend Harvey Holzworth (who is 80) is still as of today (May 12 2005) working to get a broker, so he can take the triple expansion steam engine from the Canadiana back to Buffalo for display!
Pat Harding 13-Oct-2004 22:55
Thank you for the Canadiana photos, though her demise is tragic & the sight of her distressing. My father (Capt. Red Harding)owned her for a time, with great hopes of running her Cleveland to Buffalo &/or to Cedar Point. He never could raise the money to do the restoration & just tinkered with her himself when he wasn't too busy with his other boats in Cleveland (at the East 9th Street Pier). When he brought her to Cleveland, he towed her with one of his sturdy little boats, the "Carol Diane." Even though I was a child, I can remember seeing that tiny boat (held 90 passengers) towing the Canadiana across Lake Erie on her way to the Cuyahoga River, with just my dad & another couple men to assist. Dad was the original "do-it-yourselfer!" I also remember visitng her in Rockport, NY on the canal when she was berthed there near a marina (where my dad later took his paddlewheel boat, "The Showboat," for a season's run on the upper Niagara in the late 1960's). What a joy for a child to explore, though even then there were a few holes in the floors & mom was worried I'd disappear into one of them! But the carving & interior wood was still intact, & the beauty of her mahogany wood showed through, even then. The bandstand was still there, as were benches,some chairs, lifejackets, & a box of "tourist" items that consisted on combs with the ship's name imprinted & other such things. During one bad winter, a stray dog gave birth to 6 puppies on board & dad just happened to go up to Buffalo to check on the Canadiana's moorings, etc. He brought all the pups back, we kept one & found homes for the others. That pup lived 17 years!

For a time, one of dad's former partners owned her (Sam Parella of Cleveland) & eventually another friend, Jim Vinci, of Diamond Jim's restaurant in the Flats, Cleveland, bought her to turn her into a floating restaurant. He put over $100,000 into her (or was it $200K?), but faced insurmountable fire, city & other codes. He gave up, then was murdered in his club. The Canadiana had settled to the bottom of the Cuyahoga River by then...I used to go look at her when I was in high school, my heart broken... The years passed, & Buffalo brought her home, but she couldn't be saved. What a terrible loss to maritime history on the Great Lakes. How lucky anyone is to have ridden her in her heyday -- what wonderful memories you must have! Again, thanks for the photos -- and the memories.
Dan 18-Apr-2004 18:00
Nice job. I rode this ship when I was about nine years old, in the last year of operation 1958 I believe. I thought it was the grandest ship of all time. Then I happened to be on the "Skyway" the day they hauled it in from Ohio(I think) to begin restoration. Watched as progress was made when I was in Buffalo, then progress stopped. She will live in my memories. Thanks for tribute. Dan
Mark Primavera 05-Apr-2004 11:32
Very surprised to see these images! This is my home town, what a nice surprise. I used to ice fish at this location when I was a kid. You did a great job with these images!

Mark
Guest 02-Apr-2004 18:10
Beautiful photos :)
click on thumbnails for full image