MS Lord Selkirk II
MS Lord Selkirk II was a Canadian passenger and excursion cruise ship that operated on Lake Winnipeg and the Red River in Manitoba.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
MS Lord Selkirk II was a Canadian passenger cruise ship and excursion vessel associated with inland tourism in Manitoba. Built as the successor to the earlier wooden vessel MS Keenora, she was designed initially to serve both freight and passenger traffic on Lake Winnipeg. At 176 feet long and 41 feet wide, she was described as the largest vessel of her type built between the Great Lakes and the Rocky Mountains. The ship could accommodate approximately 130 passengers and 40 crew members, and included passenger cabins, a dining room, a game room, and a lounge used for live entertainment. She also carried refrigerated and freezer cargo spaces and had capacity for approximately 120 tons of cargo and fuel. The vessel was launched on June 7, 1969. Her original commercial purpose reflected the transportation conditions of northern Manitoba, where water routes connected communities that had limited road access. During the early years of her service, however, improvements to roads and the growth of air travel reduced demand for conventional freight and passenger transportation on Lake Winnipeg. By the early 1970s, the ship's role had shifted toward multi-day sightseeing excursions, vacations, and leisure cruises. The Manitoba provincial government acquired the ship in the early 1970s and operated it through the 1978 season as part of Venture Manitoba Tours. During this period, the MS Lord Selkirk II became a prominent regional tourism attraction. She carried thousands of passengers on Lake Winnipeg voyages and hosted notable travelers, including Queen Elizabeth II and Manitoba Premier Edward Schreyer, who later became Governor General of Canada, during a 1970 voyage. After remaining idle at Gull Harbour during 1979, the ship was purchased by a group of investors led by Harold Einarson. That ownership group operated her on Lake Winnipeg through the 1982 season. In 1983, Winnipeg businessmen Jim Gauthier and Bill Harris acquired the vessel and refitted her, continuing operations until 1986. Dr. Joseph Slogan of Selkirk then purchased the ship and operated it through the 1990 navigation season, with the vessel making excursions on the Red River as well as serving the regional tourism market. The ship was retired in October 1990 after approximately 17 years of active sailing. Although substantial engineering and mechanical work was undertaken during the winter of 1990–91 in preparation for a possible return, the planned 1991 season was abandoned. Declining passenger traffic led competing excursion operators Paddlewheel Riverboats and River Rouge Tours to form a joint venture for that season, while the Lord Selkirk II was left idle. She never returned to service. After retirement, the rusting and deteriorating ship remained docked at the end of a slough in Selkirk, Manitoba. She was sold for scrap in July 2010. On June 19, 2012, a fire destroyed the vessel; arson was suspected. A lifeboat and an anchor were recovered and transferred to the Marine Museum of Manitoba nearby. By 2020, these artifacts were reported to be the principal surviving physical remnants of the ship. The MS Lord Selkirk II is therefore remembered less as an ongoing commercial brand than as an important vessel in Manitoba's inland passenger transportation and tourism history.
History
The MS Lord Selkirk II was constructed to replace MS Keenora, an older wooden vessel that had previously served Manitoba's inland transportation network. The new ship was launched on June 7, 1969, and was commissioned for a combined freight and passenger role on Lake Winnipeg. Her dimensions—176 feet in length and 41 feet in beam—made her the largest vessel reportedly built between the Great Lakes and the Rocky Mountains. She could carry about 130 passengers and 40 crew, while her onboard facilities included cabins, refrigerated and freezer cargo compartments, a dining room, a game room, an entertainment lounge, and approximately 120 tons of cargo and fuel capacity. The vessel's original role was shaped by the geography of Manitoba. Lake Winnipeg and connected waterways provided important links among communities that were not well served by roads. As roads were extended and air travel became more accessible, however, the commercial need for regular waterborne freight and passenger transportation declined. By the early 1970s, the ship had increasingly become a tourism asset, offering multi-day excursions and vacation cruises rather than functioning primarily as a transport service. The Manitoba government purchased the ship in the early 1970s and operated it through the 1978 season under Venture Manitoba Tours. During its active years, the vessel carried thousands of passengers and became one of the best-known cruise attractions on Lake Winnipeg. A 1970 voyage included Queen Elizabeth II and Manitoba Premier Edward Schreyer, providing the ship with a notable connection to Canadian public life. The ship was idle at Gull Harbour in 1979 before being acquired by a private investor group led by Harold Einarson. That group operated the vessel through 1982. Winnipeg businessmen Jim Gauthier and Bill Harris bought the ship in 1983, refitted it, and ran excursions until 1986. Dr. Joseph Slogan of Selkirk then became its owner and operator, continuing service through the 1990 navigation season, including operations on the Red River. A return to service was considered for 1991, and engineering and mechanical work was performed during the winter of 1990–91. The plan was ultimately dropped as passenger traffic weakened and the competing operators Paddlewheel Riverboats and River Rouge Tours agreed to operate jointly for the 1991 season. The Lord Selkirk II remained idle and never sailed again. After its retirement in October 1990, the ship deteriorated while moored at the end of a slough in Selkirk. It was sold for scrap in July 2010. On June 19, 2012, a fire destroyed the vessel; arson was suspected. A lifeboat and anchor were salvaged and placed at the Marine Museum of Manitoba. By 2020, these objects were identified as the remaining physical traces of the ship.
- 2012
Destroyed by fire
[1]A June 19 fire destroyed the ship. Arson was suspected.
- 2010
Sold for scrap
[1]The deteriorated vessel was sold for scrap after nearly two decades in inactive storage.
- 1990
Retirement from service
[1]The ship was retired in October after completing its final operating season.
- 1986
Final ownership period begins
[1]Dr. Joseph Slogan of Selkirk acquired the ship and continued excursion operations through the 1990 navigation season.
- 1983
Refit under Winnipeg owners
[1]Jim Gauthier and Bill Harris acquired and refitted the vessel, operating it through the 1986 season.
- 1979
Private investor ownership begins
[1]After an idle period at Gull Harbour, an investor group led by Harold Einarson purchased and operated the ship.
- 1972
Acquired by the Manitoba government
[1]The provincial government acquired the vessel and operated it through the 1978 season under Venture Manitoba Tours.
- 1970
Notable royal and political passengers
[1]Queen Elizabeth II and Manitoba Premier Edward Schreyer were reported passengers during the ship's early operating period.
- 1970
Transition toward excursion cruising
[1]Road and air-travel improvements reduced transport demand, leading operators to emphasize tourism, vacations, and multi-day cruises.
- 1969
Launch and entry into Manitoba water service
[1]The MS Lord Selkirk II was launched on June 7 as a successor to MS Keenora and began its career as a Lake Winnipeg freight-and-passenger vessel.
Products and positioning
A large regional inland cruise vessel positioned first as a combined freight-and-passenger ship and later as a Manitoba tourism and leisure attraction.
Passenger cruise service · 1969
MS Lord Selkirk II passenger cruises
The vessel's principal public offering was multi-day passenger cruising on Lake Winnipeg and later excursion service on the Red River. Voyages combined inland sightseeing with accommodation, dining, onboard entertainment, and access to the ship's lounge and game room.
Inland water transport · 1969
Lake Winnipeg freight and passenger service
The ship was originally designed for a mixed commercial role. In addition to passenger cabins, it provided refrigerated and freezer cargo compartments and substantial cargo and fuel capacity, supporting transportation needs on Lake Winnipeg before tourism became its primary function.
Brand decisions
1991
Decision to idle the ship for the 1991 seasonStrategyBackground
Passenger traffic was declining, while Paddlewheel Riverboats and River Rouge Tours were competing in the river excursion market.
Action taken
Despite winter engineering and mechanical work intended to support a possible return, the vessel was left idle while the two competing operators formed a joint venture.
Aftermath
The MS Lord Selkirk II never sailed again and remained in storage until its later sale for scrap.
- Paddlewheel Riverboats — Joined River Rouge Tours in a 1991 operating venture amid declining passenger traffic.
- River Rouge Tours — Joined Paddlewheel Riverboats in a 1991 operating venture that displaced the planned Lord Selkirk II season.
1970
Shift from scheduled transport toward tourismStrategyBackground
Road construction and expanding air access reduced demand for the ship's original freight and passenger transportation role.
Action taken
Operators increasingly emphasized multi-day excursions, vacation cruises, sightseeing, dining, and entertainment.
Aftermath
The vessel became a regional tourism attraction and carried thousands of passengers during its active years.
Sources1 sources
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