The SS Scotia I

Marine Atlantic, its predecessor CN Marine, and pre-confederation Newfoundland coastal boats have a strong and proud history serving the people of Atlantic Canada through ferry terminals, passenger vessels and rail service.

In this week’s blog posting we highlight the SS Scotia I that carried freight and passengers across the Strait of Canso and Northumberland Strait between 1901 and 1955.

While the SS Scotia I was actually a self-propelled barge designed to carry train cars, passengers and freight, it was one of the main connections between Cape Breton and mainland Nova Scotia for several decades. The SS Scotia I was also used to supplement the Northumberland Strait service to Prince Edward Island when required. With the opening of the Canso Causeway in 1955, the SS Scotia I was not regularly used and was subsequently retired from service.