The Electric Explorer: How the SS Bigwin Pioneered Sustainable Tourism a Century Ahead of Its Time
A tale of glamour, tragedy, and resurrection that sailed from Toronto’s harbour to Muskoka’s most exclusive waters
In an era where sustainability has become the watchword of luxury travel, one might assume that eco-friendly tourism is a thoroughly modern concept. Yet gliding silently across the crystalline waters of Lake of Bays is a vessel that challenges this notion entirely—the SS Bigwin, a magnificent steamship-turned-electric cruiser that has been pioneering sustainable tourism since 2013, whilst carrying stories that stretch back over a century.
Born in Toronto’s Industrial Heart
The story begins not in Muskoka’s pristine wilderness, but in the bustling industrial heart of Toronto. In July 1910, the prestigious Polson Iron Works—located on the harbourfront at the foot of Sherbourne Street—launched a 66-foot private yacht that would become legend. Named the Ella Mary after the wife of her American owner, James Kuhn of Pittsburgh, this wasn’t merely another luxury vessel; she represented the pinnacle of Edwardian craftsmanship.
Polson Iron Works was renowned throughout the Great Lakes for building exceptional steam engines and vessels. The same shipyard that would later produce the famous Trillium ferry crafted the Ella Mary as a wedding gift—a steam-powered testament to one man’s love for his wife and their shared passion for Muskoka’s waters.
The Golden Years at Belle Isle
Following her Toronto launch, the Ella Mary found her true home in Muskoka’s most exclusive waters. James and Ella Mary Kuhn had purchased Belle Isle, a private retreat north of Beaumaris on Lake Muskoka—one of the area’s most prestigious addresses even today. For fifteen blissful summers, the elegant yacht served as their personal ferry, carrying them through waters that were already attracting North America’s industrial elite.
The Beaumaris corridor, with its magnificent estates and pristine shorelines, provided the perfect backdrop for the Ella Mary’s early years. Here was a vessel born of industrial excellence, serving the leisure pursuits of the wealthy in a setting of unparalleled natural beauty. The juxtaposition would prove prophetic—luxury and nature in perfect harmony.
The Visionary Purchase by CO Shaw
The Ella Mary’s transformation from private yacht to commercial vessel began with tragedy and opportunity intertwined. When the Kuhns faced financial ruin following a banking scandal around 1925, they were forced to sell their beloved yacht for $3,500. Enter Charles Orlando Shaw—an American-born entrepreneur with grand ambitions and the resources to match them.
Shaw, who had already established himself as Huntsville’s most successful industrialist through his tannery operations, recognised an unprecedented opportunity. Having purchased Bigwin Island from Ojibwe Chief Joseph Big Wind in 1910, Shaw was in the midst of constructing what would become Canada’s most opulent summer resort. The struggling Ella Mary represented the perfect solution to a luxury transport challenge.
A Journey by Rail and Water
The Ella Mary’s transition from private yacht to commercial vessel reads like a classic Muskoka tale of boom, bust, and reinvention. In 1925, following the Kuhns’ financial difficulties and loss of Belle Isle, their beloved yacht was sold for $3,500 to the Huntsville Lake of Bays and Lake Simcoe Navigation Company.
What followed was an extraordinary journey that few vessels could survive: the Ella Mary was carefully lifted from Lake Muskoka, travelled by rail to Huntsville, was towed to North Portage, then hauled by steam winch to South Portage on Lake of Bays on June 22, 1925. She was then officially rechristened the SS Bigwin, beginning a new chapter as the exclusive ferry to Bigwin Inn.
The Celebrity Connection
For the next four decades, the SS Bigwin became more than mere transportation—she was a floating salon for the era’s most celebrated figures. Winston Churchill, Clark Gable, Louis Armstrong, H.G. Wells, Greta Garbo, and Ernest Hemingway were amongst the luminaries who enjoyed her elegant passage across Lake of Bays’ pristine waters to the legendary Bigwin Inn. These weren’t simply famous passengers; they were discerning travellers who understood that the journey itself was as important as the destination.
Under Shaw’s stewardship, the vessel that had once carried Pittsburgh industrialists around Belle Isle now transported Hollywood royalty, political leaders, and cultural icons to what was considered one of North America’s most spectacular summer destinations. For today’s luxury property owners in Lake of Bays, this heritage connection offers something invaluable—authentic provenance spanning from Toronto’s industrial might to Muskoka’s most exclusive waters.
The Dark Decades
When the Bigwin Inn closed its doors in the 1960s—years after Shaw’s death in 1942—the SS Bigwin’s fate became tragically intertwined with the resort’s decline. For nearly two decades, this magnificent vessel—which had sailed from Toronto’s Polson shipyard to Belle Isle’s exclusive shores to Lake of Bays’ celebrity-studded waters—sat partially submerged at Bigwin Inn’s crumbling docks.
It’s a poignant metaphor that many cottage country enthusiasts understand: the delicate balance between preservation and progress, between honouring the past and embracing the future. The SS Bigwin’s dark years serve as a cautionary tale about what happens when we fail to steward our heritage properly—whether it’s a historic vessel or the pristine lakes she once so elegantly traversed.
The Community Resurrection
In 1991, a remarkable thing happened – A coalition of cottagers, residents, and heritage enthusiasts recognised that losing the SS Bigwin would mean losing an irreplaceable piece of Canada’s maritime heritage. What followed was one of the most inspiring preservation stories in Canadian tourism history.
The Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation purchased the vessel for just $1, but the real investment was only beginning. The restoration project spanned over two decades, involving countless volunteers, substantial fundraising efforts, and the kind of determination that only comes from true appreciation for something special. This wouldn’t just be a restoration—it would be a reinvention worthy of her remarkable journey.
The Electric Innovation
Here’s where the SS Bigwin’s story becomes particularly compelling for today’s environmentally conscious luxury market. Rather than simply restoring the original steam engine that had powered her from Polson’s Toronto shipyard, the restoration team made a revolutionary decision: they converted her to electric power with diesel backup engines, keeping the original engine for display purposes.
This wasn’t merely a practical choice—it was a visionary one that honoured both her industrial heritage and environmental future. In 2013, when the SS Bigwin officially relaunched, electric boats were still a rarity in commercial tourism. The decision positioned Lake of Bays as a forward-thinking destination that respects both heritage and environmental responsibility.
The electric conversion allows the SS Bigwin to glide almost silently across Lake of Bays at a gentle 5 knots, offering passengers an experience that’s both nostalgic and thoroughly modern. There’s no diesel rumble to disturb the tranquil waters, no emissions to compromise the crystal-clear air—just the gentle sound of water against her hull and the timeless beauty of Muskoka’s shoreline.
The Modern Experience
Today’s SS Bigwin experience offers something increasingly rare in our fast-paced world: the luxury of slowing down. Departing from the Lake of Bays Marine Museum in Dorset, passengers embark on scenic cruises that showcase the lake’s most spectacular shorelines while learning about the area’s rich history from knowledgeable crew members.
The vessel accommodates just 29 passengers, ensuring an intimate experience that larger tour boats simply cannot match. This exclusivity appeals to the same sensibilities that drive luxury property purchases in Lake of Bays—the desire for authentic experiences away from crowds, in settings of exceptional natural beauty.
A Lesson for Today’s Property Owners
The SS Bigwin’s journey demonstrates that true luxury lies not just in grandeur, but in thoughtful stewardship that honours history while embracing innovation.
Shaw’s original vision—to create unparalleled experiences through attention to detail and environmental harmony—resonates strongly with today’s discerning buyers. Her electric transformation shows how heritage and sustainability can work in harmony rather than opposition—much like how the finest cottage properties today blend historical charm with modern environmental consciousness. For those considering waterfront properties in the Lake of Bays area, the SS Bigwin represents something invaluable: proof that this community understands the importance of preserving what makes the region special while embracing innovations that protect its future.
The Sustainable Luxury Movement
The SS Bigwin’s success has broader implications for Muskoka’s tourism industry. As luxury travellers increasingly seek experiences that align with their environmental values, the region’s ability to offer sophisticated, sustainable options becomes a significant advantage.
The vessel’s story also highlights the importance of community involvement in preserving regional character—something that resonates strongly with property owners who see themselves as stewards of lakes that stretch from Belle Isle’s exclusive shores on Lake Muskoka to Lake of Bays’ pristine waters.
Shaw’s legacy lives on not just in the SS Bigwin, but in the understanding that sustainable luxury requires vision, investment, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Today’s property owners in this region inherit that same responsibility and opportunity.
Looking Forward
As we navigate an increasingly complex world, the SS Bigwin offers a simple yet profound reminder: sometimes the most innovative path forward involves honouring the journey that brought us here. From Toronto’s Polson Iron Works to Belle Isle’s exclusive shores to Lake of Bays’ crystal waters, she carries both memories and dreams toward tomorrow—silently, sustainably, and with the grace that only comes from over a century of navigating these remarkable waters.
The SS Bigwin operates seasonally from the Lake of Bays Marine Museum in Dorset. For cruise schedules and private charter information, visit ssbigwin.com. To explore luxury waterfront properties near this remarkable attraction, and throughout the Lake of Bays region where history and innovation converge in perfect harmony, contact me, Jay Richardson.
Key references consulted while writing the article
- SS Bigwin official history page – timeline of construction, over-the-land move to Lake of Bays, electric relaunch in 2013, and current operations.
- Polson Iron Works archive (“Yacht & Ferry Bigwin – Polson Iron Works”) – technical details of the 1910 build as Ella Mary, original length, and the 1925 sale for $3,500.
- Cottage Life feature “S.S. Bigwin: the history of a legendary Muskoka ship” – restoration chronology, role of board chair Matt Gaasenbeek, and decision to convert to electric.
- Muskoka Blog post “The Historic S.S. Bigwin Steamship” – celebrity passenger list (Churchill, Gable, Armstrong) and account of the vessel’s years submerged after Bigwin Inn closed.
- Discover Muskoka article “Cruise Lake of Bays aboard the famed SS Bigwin” – additional confirmation of celebrity guests and post-1960s decline.
- Elco Motor Yachts case study – technical overview of the electric propulsion system installed during restoration.
- Lake of Bays Association PDF “A Link to the Past – SS Bigwin” – background on the 1991 community rescue and early fundraising efforts.