THUNDER BAY — The historic James Whalen tug will almost certainly never make it back to the water.
In fact, if a recommendation from city administration is approved, the 119-year-old boat will be "recycled," and only certain parts of it will be preserved for some future historical artifact display site.
The tug was moored for years at the Kam River Heritage Park near Syndicate Avenue, but in May 2022 it took on water and remained nearly submerged for several months until it was lifted and relocated to cribbing near the James Street Swing Bridge.
The city paid a contractor nearly $800,000 to move the boat and store it securely for the next two years while longer-term options were explored.
Now, a report prepared for city council proposes leaving the James Whalen on land and maintaining key elements for viewing by the public at an undetermined site and on an undetermined date.
"Our recommended option is to essentially recycle it in place at the current storage location while preserving components of the asset so that they can then be used at a future display site," said Cory Halvorsen, manager of parks and open spaces for the City of Thunder Bay.
Administration also considered returning the boat for display out of the water near the shoreline or at an inland location, and even sinking it in Lake Superior as a diving attraction.
Halvorsen said an evaluation of the tug's structural integrity revealed it is no longer feasible to keep the tug afloat in any case.
The report – to be considered by council next week – also suggests the city release a request for expressions of interest regarding the VIA train that's currently parked at the Kam River Heritage Park, in order "to inform relocation and dispossession decision regarding this asset."
The Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay, which operates the Alexander Henry museum ship at Marina Park, has previously expressed interest in acquiring and relocating both the James Whalen and the VIA train.
With files from Justin Hardy/TBT News
