The SS Springdale

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 Springdale, a Newfoundland and Labrador coastal boat that operated from 1948 to 1973.

Named after the central Newfoundland community with the same name, the vessel had a length of 214 feet, 27,000 cubic feet of cargo space and capacity for 90 passengers. For many people, the SS Springdale was considered a lifeline for the remote communities it served and was a welcome sight following the harsh winter and ice conditions experienced each year. During its years in service, the SS Springdale was described as a workhorse that performed honourable service to coastal residents.