The Great Lakes were a means of transportation, initially for canoe then ship. LaSalle’s ship Le Griffon, was the first ship to sail on the upper lakes. The Port of Thunder Bay had its beginnings with the fur trade. The fur trading fort, Fort William, was located in 1805 on the Kaministiqua River in what is called the East End. As Upper Canada was settled in the early 1800’s, locks were built: the Welland Canal connecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, and on the St. Mary’s River at Sault Ste Marie connecting Lake Superior to Lake Huron, which enabled ships to travel from the Lakehead to Montreal.

Prince Arthur’s Landing, the northern part of the Port of Thunder Bay, was going at the time of the Red River Rebellion when troops were sent by ship to the Lakehead and landed. Dawson Road was built from the Lakehead to the Red River in Manitoba to facilitate their movement. The building of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885 gave Fort William its boost. Soon after the Canadian National Railway was built with a station in Port Arthur. The two communities competed with each other, Fort William and Port Arthur, until they amalgamated in 1969 as Thunder Bay.

The ships plying the Great Lakes carrying people and goods were initially sailing vessels. Coal fired steam ships replaced them at the turn of the century. Motor or diesel ships came into being about the time of World War 2. Loading was slow aboard these small ships and they stayed in port a number of days. Crew quarters were cramped, and the hospitality shown seafarers was a hostel.

As part of the large capital projects built by the Federal Government in the 1950’s, the St. Lawrence Seaway was opened in 1959. Previously smaller lakers called canalers took cargo to Montreal where it was loaded onto ocean-going vessels. Once the Seaway was built, larger ships were constructed. These ships had more spacious crew quarters and crew did not need to sleep ashore. Grain elevators were automated, which loaded ships faster. The stay of a ship was shorter and crews had less time ashore; a hostel ministry was no longer needed. The port statistics reflect these changes, 1964 saw the most number of ships visiting the port with 1749 ships and 16,955,937 tonnes shipped, and 1983 saw the most tonnage shipped with 1359 ships and 22,397,940 tonnes shipped.

Keefer Terminal, located in the inter-city area between Fort William and Port Arthur, opened in 1959. It was a package freight terminal, replacing loading docks in Port Arthur and in Fort William along the Kaministiqua River.

In response to the foreign sailors on ocean-going ships that were coming to the Lakehead for the first time, the Missions to Seamen station in Thunder Bay was founded December 6, 1961 St. Nicolas' day.  A trailer was set up at Keefer Terminal to serve as the Seamen’s Centre.

The local Anglican Church Women (ACW) groups from Thunder Bay parishes staffed the Seaman’s Centre in the evening watch. Soccer games were organized for the largely British crews. A sub-group of the Mission called the Harbour Lights organized dances for seafarers, inviting women from parish churches to attend.

In the 1970’s the shipping container revolutionized the shipping industry. Now a container was loaded at a warehouse, and shipped by truck, rail or ship. Vancouver, Montreal and Halifax became large container ports, and containers traveled across Canada by rail. This meant the demise of Keefer Terminal as a package freight warehouse.

Another development during this period was the introduction of flags of convenience. A ship is registered in a country, flies its flag and abides by its labour regulations. This meant that the manning of ships was globalized and crews from the whole globe manned ships, replacing the British domination of shipping. In 1980’s South Koreans crewed many ships, but as their economy grew they became over priced. In the 1990’s the ocean-going ships visiting Thunder Bay were roughly 1/3 Filipino, 1/3 Indian and 1/3 eastern European. The Chinese are poised to replace these crews, but their lack of fluency in English, the working language of ports around the world, has inhibited them so far.

The mid 1970’s to the 1980’s saw the port being the busiest in its history, with 1983 being the peak year. Grain shipments to Russia drove this activity. When the Federal Government ended loan guarantees to Russia, shipments stopped. During the 1980’s the Rev’d Canon David Bradford was port chaplain, full-time during the shipping season. 

The Rev’d Ed Swayze was appointed in 1994 for the Mission to Seafarers and at St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church. A different model of ministry was required: he visited ships in the daytime and made appointments for the van to pick them up. Volunteer Watch Keepers and Drivers were recruited to run the Watch in the evening. Warm clothing was collected to keep seafarers warm in the cold spring and fall.

In the global shipping market shipping rates dropped. Shipping out of the Port of Thunder Bay also declined. The number of lakers dropped, but the number of ocean-going ships visiting the port during the 1990’s actually increased because their rates were cheaper.

Major changes in technology occurred: fax machines, computers, and cell phones were introduced as tools that helped increase productivity in business and with the seafarer’s ministry. The introduction of long distance telephone cards has had a big impact on seafarers’ ministry worldwide. Seafarers could now phone home from a pay phone without coming to the Seafarers’ Centre to use the phone. Some Centres have closed up because seafarers no longer came. The Thunder Bay Mission began to sell a phone card offered by North American port chaplains. Watch Keepers dialing calls for seafarers and estimating the charge became a thing of the past. At Thunder Bay, the Mission responded by putting in computers with web cams and wireless Internet for seafarers to access the Internet and a games table was purchased.

The consequence of 9/11 was that the security at port facilities tightened up. It became more difficult for crew to get ashore and for people from Thunder Bay to help seafarers. The Mission to Seafarers, because it is a recognized member of the Port community, continues to be able to offer assistance and get through to help the seafarers.

New ocean-going ships that fit the Great Lakes locks are constructed every year. They serve the Great Lakes as well as river systems around the world. The Port will continue. The concern over green houses gases is likely to favor ships because they have less impact on the environment than other forms of transportation.

Communications technology will continue to evolve. Ships have the capability for crew to e-mail home daily, however, this capability is not available to crew on many ocean-going ships. Some ships have satellite phones, but until the price of them drops, landlines will still be a necessity.

The value of the Mission to Seafarers is that church people visit most ocean-going ships and offer them hospitality. Transportation is provided, which is especially valuable for the more far-flung berths in the Port. The Mission will continue to welcome strangers into the Port of Thunder Bay in the name of Jesus.

A Brief History of the Mission to Seafarers in Thunder Bay

by Anne Zuliani and Rev'd Ed Swayze
April 20, 2012

Part of an International Mission

Seafarers’ lives are often dangerous and lonely, and have been throughout the centuries, with many lives being lost both in peacetime and in war. Long absences from home and families tend to cause isolation and undo hardships for seafarers as well as their families back home. It is to support these individuals that the Mission to Seafarers exists. It is a worldwide mission of the Anglican Church with Centres in over 230 ports all over the world, whose purpose is to assist seafarers in whatever ways possible. As well, other Christian denominations have a maritime ministry such as the Roman Catholic Apostleship of the Sea or Stella Maris, which often works in association with the Mission.

The earliest beginnings of the Mission was in 1835 in England when a young Anglican clergyman, John Ashley, took it upon himself to start up a ministry amongst the seamen, having noted that they had no other access to clergy during their long periods of time at sea. From this the Mission grew, and in 1856 rules and regulations were drafted for the new Missions to Seamen organization. Before long the Mission became known in ports throughout the British Isles and overseas. Early on the Mission worked to eradicate unfair working conditions for the sailors, as well as providing them with spiritual support. Church vestries were fitted out as reading rooms for the seafarers, and initially this was considered enough to meet the needs of these men ashore. Reading rooms eventually developed into special buildings with facilities for many social purposes. These were known as Flying Angel clubs and often had sleeping accommodations, light refreshments and, of course, a chapel.

The Mission was active during both World Wars, ministering to seafarers from the numerous Auxiliary Fleet and commercial vessels needed for the war effort. The large numbers of vessels involved necessitated a new approach to the work, so that rather than chaplains holding services on board ships, the men were ferried to the clubs where they were entertained, played games, and took part in services in the chapels. With the implementation of the convoy system necessary to transport much needed goods to England and other countries, Flying Angel clubs were established in places the Mission had not previously been, including Halifax, NS. The success of the Mission’s efforts during World War II was thought to be based upon the spiritual foundations of the work itself, the personal nature of the work, and the development of facilities for the welfare of the seafarers where they could find comfort, relaxation and companionship.

Following the war years, and as the shipping industry changed, the Flying Angel clubs also needed to adapt. Ships had quicker turnaround times and improved standards of crew accommodation on board, causing the Missions to move into smaller buildings nearer to the ships. At the same time the Mission gradually expanded its work to new ports in different parts of the world. In the 1960’s political and economic changes led to fewer seafarers from the traditional maritime nations of the West, and a huge rise in seafarers from Asia and Africa, with an estimated two-thirds of the world’s seafarers now coming from Asia. The 1970s saw the growth of co-operation between Christian societies ministering to seafarers, and by the mid-80s the Mission was working ecumenically in over half of its ports world-wide. Chaplains also found themselves working for justice, as they fought to better the plight of seafarers who often had to work in unsatisfactory and sometimes dangerous conditions.

At the start of the new millennium a decision was made to change the name to Mission to Seafarers, emphasizing an organization which cares for all regardless of their gender, nationality or rank.

Royal Arthur Sailors’ Institute - Our Predecessor

The earliest beginnings of the Mission in what is now Thunder Bay can be traced back to 1910 with the Royal Arthur Sailors’ Institute located on Water Street in Port Arthur and run by local churches including St. John’s Anglican Church. The official opening of the Sailor's Institute was written up in the August 20, 1910 issue of the Port Arthur Daily News. In 1912, the larger building (the Royal Sailors Institute) was opened. It was specially built for the Institute and designed by local architect Fred Urry.

This was essentially a hostel for sailors, necessitated by the cramped quarters on board the ships of the day, and by the longer stays in port required to unload and load. It was a non-denominational mission for the 25,000 Great Lakes seamen and longshoremen who worked under frightful conditions, the mandate of which was to spread the word of God. In 1945 Rev’d Gron Morgan, a Baptist pastor, was appointed Superintendent, and carried out this very taxing job for many years. In 1947/48 alone, 24,000 beds were occupied (many supplied free of charge), and almost 2,000 meals were served. Rev’d Morgan was often admonished for working so hard, and, at the age of 58, he died unexpectedly.

Mission to Seafarers: Port of Thunder Bay

The current Mission to Seafarers Thunder Bay opened its doors in response to the larger (foreign ocean-going) ships reaching the Lakehead as a result of the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959. The stays of the ships were short and crews had little time ashore, so while a hostel ministry was not necessary, there remained the need for spiritual and social support. In response to the increase in the number of foreign sailors arriving in the Lakehead for the first time, the Mission to Seafarers was founded in 1961. In May 1961 Rev’d Canon Stanley Smith, the chaplain of the Port of Vancouver visited Port Arthur/Fort William and spoke of his work in Vancouver. He came through the invitation of Rev’d Alvin Thomson of St. John’s Anglican Church. On December 6, 1961, St. Nicolas’ Day (Patron saint of Seafarers), a decision was made to establish a station of the Missions to Seamen and Rev’d Robert Lumley, Incumbent at St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, started as part-time chaplain in May 1962.

A trailer at Keefer Terminal served as the Seamen’s Centre, and the local Anglican Church Women (ACW) groups staffed the Mission in the evenings. Soccer games were organized, and a sub-group of the Mission called the Harbour Lights Institute organized dances for seafarers, inviting women from the churches to attend. Volunteers from different parishes often car pooled in order to ensure seafarers were able to get about; this practice continued until 1974 when a van was first leased and then purchased for the Mission. Often Mission chaplains were assistants at local Anglican churches, or were retired. Rev’d Lumley and Rev’d Swayze were employed full-time as chaplains and as Incumbents of a parish.

The mid 1970s to the 1980s was the busiest period in the history of the port, with 1983 the peak. During this time Rev’d Canon Alvin Thomson was the Port Chaplain, and he was extremely busy during the shipping season. Telephone service was introduced in 1974, which involved pre-arranged calls to family members. Direct dial calls were introduced in 1979, thus setting the Centre on the path towards a very different usage of Mission services. In 1975 Rev’d Thomson initiated a working relationship with the Roman Catholic Church in order to foster ecumenical goals. A close association developed with the Apostleship of the Sea and St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church in particular.

In 1980 David Bradford was appointed Chaplain to the Mission and subsequently ordained. In addition, Rev’d Carol Titotto was appointed the first Apostleship of the Sea Chaplain in Thunder Bay that same year. Rev’d Bradford and Rev’d Titotto often worked together, particularly for ship visits. 

In 1981 the present van and trailer were purchased using funds from the estate of Bishop E. Q. Jennings, first Bishop of the Diocese of Fort William. On July 12, 1981 the dedication of the Centre and the van took place by Rt. Rev’d Frank Nock, Anglican Bishop of Algoma and the Most Rev’d John O’Mara, Roman Catholic Bishop of Thunder Bay. This informal collaborative relationship continues to this day and involves clergy from other faiths as well.

Rev’d Canon David Bradford served the Mission until the early 1990s. He was full-time during the shipping season and was seen regularly on board ships. Many enjoyed his popular weekly feature on local CBC radio called “Harbour News” where he promoted the Mission and made mention of the week’s activities in the port.  Rev’d Bradford was constantly promoting the Mission and its important work.

By the mid 1990’s the Mission had reached a bit of a low point in terms of its organization. Due to the recession, money in general was getting tighter, and it was necessary for the Mission to do more fund-raising. Many of the long standing volunteers were ready to retire. Over the years the ACW involvement in the evening watches had diminished, partially as a result of more women joining the work forces. The clergy who had provided leadership on the Mission’s Executive Committee were retiring as well. Due to reduced parish finances, parishes were not able to hire assistant curates and as a result parish clergy did not have time to devote to the Mission. The evening watch organization essentially stopped functioning.

In 1993 Captain Ernest Scriver (Church Army) was appointed Mission Chaplain, and enthusiastically plunged in to his new career. Captain Scriver set about visiting ships and seafarers in the spirit of his predecessors. Rev’d Ed Swayze was appointed Mission Chaplain and Incumbent at St. Stephen the Martyr Church in 1994 after Captain Scriver’s untimely passing.

At the time Rev’d Swayze took over as Chaplain, the memory of the Mission’s organization had largely been lost and needed reinventing.  A whole new pool of volunteers was recruited to run the evening watches. An annual Volunteer Appreciation Social was initiated and is now held every January at HMCS GRIFFON, Thunder Bay's Naval Reserve Division, to acknowledge the commitment of the many dedicated volunteers. Rev’d Swayze created a Watch Keepers and Drivers Handbook, a handy means of categorizing procedures and policies, and ensured the formal adoption of the constitution and by-laws. 

New ministries were initiated, including the collection of warm clothing to keep seafarers – often not prepared for the cold weather of Lake Superior – warm in the fall and spring. Presentation of Christmas gift bags for all seafarers visiting the Centre in the late fall was started and continues to this day, and is much appreciated by the seafarers who receive them. The chapel was refurbished including making a new altar and Rev’d Swayze also holds a monthly Eucharist at the Centre where all are welcome. 

The annual Blessing of the Fleet has been held every June since 2002, and is an opportunity for all vessels, large and small, to receive a blessing before the start of the sailing season.

Most notable over time are the many changes in technology that have aided the seafarer in connecting with their families back home: long distance phone cards, cell phones, computers, and web cams have made connecting with home much easier and cheaper. Many seafarers now visit the Mission to take advantage of the wireless internet available to them, as well as to relax ashore. Seafarers often mention to the volunteers that they enjoy visiting the Thunder Bay Mission because the Centre is staffed with people they can talk to - a wonderful compliment!

The Mission to Seafarers is part of the maritime community in Thunder Bay, and in keeping with this theme, in 2012 changed the name from Mission to Seafarers: Lakehead Branch to Mission to Seafarers: Port of Thunder Bay. New ocean-going ships that fit the Great Lakes are constructed every year, and as long as these vessels are built to fit the St. Lawrence Seaway there will be a ministry here for the Mission.

Our Track into the Future

The Mission’s Board of Directors is committed to improving the services offered to seafarers in Thunder Bay, as well as improving the profile of the Mission throughout the City and Region. To that end, it is imperative that the base of supporters, both financial and volunteers, continues to grow in order that the important work of the Mission can move forward. The value of the Mission to Seafarers to Thunder Bay is that Christian people continue to visit ocean-going ships in port to offer them hospitality regardless of faith background and a safe environment, as ports can be dangerous. Indeed, the Centre works hard to ensure seafarers from around the world view Thunder Bay as a welcoming and giving place – the city with the Giant Heart!