Q.S.M.V. Abegweit

Q.S.M.V. Abegweit (HMW3D)

Location: Chicago, IL 60601 Cook County
Buy Illinois State flags at Flagstore.com!
Country: United States of America
Buy United States of America flags at Flagstore.com!

N 41° 53.046', W 87° 36.742'

  • 0 likes
  • 0 check ins
  • 0 favorites
  • 659 views
Inscription

"Queen of The Northumberland Strait"

— Prince Edward Island Service —

Builder: Marine Industries Limited, Sorel, Quebec, Canada
Launched on June 28, 1947
Hull Number: 144
Length: 372.6 ft.
Width: 62 ft.
Gross Tons: 7,600
Service: Operated by Canadian National Railway for service from Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick to Borden, Prince Edward Island, August 14, 1947 until March 2, 1983
Compliment: 65 crew, One complete passenger train, 60 autos and 960 passengers.
Ship's name: Pronounced (a-beg-wit), meaning "Cradled on The Waves".
Miles Steamed: 1,145,585

On a warm spring day in June 1947, Mrs. J. Walter, wife of the Premier of Prince Albert Island, swung the traditional bottle of Champagne to christen this ship and fulfill a dream for the people of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Year-round service was now possible from Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick on the mainland. Ice in the Northumberland Strait can be 18 feet thick or more. A ship of this magnitude was needed for continued support of the islanders. The Abegweit was constructed as the world's largest icebreaker with a hull an inch and one quarter thick, identical to the "Queen Elizabeth" of the Cunard Line. Her interiors of walnut, mahogany, and oak paneling with solid brass fixtures are reminiscent of that great age of trans Atlantic passenger service. The name "Queen of the Northumberland Strait" comes from these similarities. Her sixteen diesel electric engines delivered 15,400-horse power to her massive, 13-foot nickel-plated propellers.

On January 9, 1963, at 2:16 am, the Aberwit was called for her most famous rescue. Sixteen year old Kenneth Blacquiere was trapped and lost on the ice in the Strait. With her carbon arc search lights blazing, the boy was found mid-channel on his way into the North Atlantic. Captain Kean maneuvered the 7,600 ton Abegweit to the boy's feet without mishap, forever endearing her to the Islanders.

On March 2, 1983, Columbia Yacht Club took posession [sic] of the Abegweit from Canada National Railways. A volunteer crew from the railway and Columbia members sailed the "Little Queen" the 2,000 miles to her new home at the foot of Randolph Street.Today, Abegweit has become an international star with true historical links to the people of Prince Edward Island and all of Canada. A portion of the history of Canada and Chicago are brought together here for everyone to admire and remember.
Details
HM NumberHMW3D
Tags
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Friday, September 19th, 2014 at 6:44pm PDT -07:00
Pictures
Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.
Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)16T E 449193 N 4637089
Decimal Degrees41.88410000, -87.61236667
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 41° 53.046', W 87° 36.742'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds41° 53' 2.76" N, 87° 36' 44.52" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)312, 773, 630
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 178 U.S. Bicycle Rte 37, Chicago IL 60601, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

Is this marker missing? Are the coordinates wrong? Do you have additional information that you would like to share with us? If so, check in.

Check Ins  check in   |    all

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.

Comments 0 comments

Maintenance Issues
  1. Is this marker part of a series?
  2. What historical period does the marker represent?
  3. What historical place does the marker represent?
  4. What type of marker is it?
  5. What class is the marker?
  6. What style is the marker?
  7. Does the marker have a number?
  8. What year was the marker erected?
  9. Who or what organization placed the marker?
  10. This marker needs at least one picture.
  11. Can this marker be seen from the road?
  12. Is the marker in the median?