In 1909, the Montreal Light, Heat & Power Co., Ltd., established a subsidiary company for the purpose of transporting coal to its Montreal plant. This concern was known as Keystone Transports Ltd. and it began operations immediately by chartering two 230-foot Norwegian freighters to carry coal from Sandusky to Montreal. These ships, DRONNING MAUD and C. SUNDT, appear to have originated the familiar Keystone funnel design.

DEEPWATER, upboundwith a load of pulpwood, at Homer in the Welland Canal on July 8, 1934. Photo by J. M. Kidd

The same year, 1909, three canal type bulk carriers were ordered from the famous British shipyard of Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, at Wallsend-on-Tyne. They were christened KEYWEST, KEYPORT and KEYSTORM, but the last unit of the trio was short-lived as she became a total loss by stranding on Scow Island Shoal in the St. Lawrence in 1912. During the years of World War I when ships were at a premium, several attempts were made at salvaging KEYSTORM but all were unsuccessful.

The company's first and only Canadian-built carrier, KEYBELL, was built for the fleet at Collingwood in 1912. All the other canallers owned by the company came from yards in Great Britain.

During the first war, the Keystone ships hauled coal on the Atlantic coast in the winter months. During the second, they strayed as far from the Great Lakes as the British Isles and the Caribbean.

TREVISA is seen at Milwaukee during the 1930's in this photo by Edwin Wilson

In 1923, the Trevisa Steamship Co. was formed as an affiliate and in 1927 Water Transports Ltd. was incorporated in the same manner. The Trevisa Steamship Co. was absorbed in 1928 into another affiliate, the newly-incorporated Canadian Lake Carriers Ltd. This latter firm swallowed up Water Transports Ltd. in 1935 and was itself absorbed by the original Keystone Transports Ltd., in 1939.

The Province of Quebec (Hydro Quebec) took over all power facilities in that province during 1957. However, the Montreal Light, Heat & Power coke operation at Ville la Salle, Quebec, which was fed by the Keystone ships, was taken over by the Quebec Natural Gas Corp., Montreal (later Gaz Metropolitain), in the same year. At the time of this corporate change, Keystone Transports Ltd. was taken over by the Quebec Natural Gas Corporation's LaVerendrye Line Ltd., of Ville la Salle.

KEYSTATE has just left Welland Canal Lock 8, upbound, in this view taken by J. M. Kidd at Port Colborne, July 2, 1951.

In February 1962, a further change took place. LaVerendrye Line Ltd. was acquired by the Hall Corporation of Canada Ltd. Although several of the Hall canallers were transferred to the newly acquired fleet, the only Keystone ship operated by LaVerendrye after the purchase by Halco, was KEYSHEY. She operated for several months late in 1963 under Hall colours.

During the early years, the "Key" boats were painted a dark olive green colour with orange boot top. Later, the hulls became black. Deckhouses were always white and from inception the stacks were black with a silver band on which was superimposed a red keystone with the letter "K" in white on it.

"Water" ships had black hulls while the stack design was black with a silver band and a white "W" in a red circle. Canadian Lake Carriers vessels also had black hulls, but their stack colours were black, and a silver band with a silver shield, outlined in red, carrying the letters "C.L.C.L." in red in the four quarters. Occasional variations in these colours have been observed.

There follows a listing of all ships owned by Keystone or its affiliates.

KEYBAR (147763) 1923 Smith's Dock Co. Ltd., South-Bank-on-Tees, Hull 778. 250.4 x 42.6 x 16.9. Gross 1723, net 1087. Retired Autumn 1961 and laid up at Kingston. Towed to Port Dalhousie June 1, 1963, and scrapped in drydock October 1963 by A. Newman & Co. Owners: l) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1923-57). 2) LaVerendrye Line Ltd. (1957-63).

KEYBELL (l3111l) 1912, Collingwood Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Hull 37. 258.0 x 42.6 x 17.2. Gross 1730, net 1254. Retired Autumn 1957 and laid up at Kingston. Scrapped at Kingston 1961. Owners: l) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1912-57). 2) LaVerendrye Line Ltd. (1957-61).

KEYDON (a) SWIFTWATER (38) (147749). 1927 Cowpen Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Blyth, Hull 238. 252.0 x 42.6 x 18.0. Gross 1739, net 1044. Requisitioned by Canadian government for Caribbean bauxite trade 1940. Retired Autumn 1958 and laid up at Kingston. Scrapped at Kingston 1961. Owners: l) Water Transports Ltd. (1927-35). 2) Canadian Lake Carriers Ltd. (1935-39). 3) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1939-57). 4) LaVerendrye Line Ltd. (l957-6l)

KEYHOLT (a) STILLWATER (38) (147799). 1928 Smith's Dock Co. Ltd., South-Bank-on-Tees, Hull 839. 253.0 x 43.4 x 18.4. Gross 1796, net 1134. Name TREMARA proposed in 1938 but apparently never made official. Requisitioned by Canadian government for Caribbean bauxite trade 1940. Transferred to U.S. Maritime Commission 1942. Stranded 2 miles off Demarara River Delta, British Guiana, December 1942. Remains are still visible and a navigation light is positioned atop the wreck. Owners: l) Water Transports Ltd. (1928-35). 2) Canadian Lake Carriers Ltd. (1935-39). 3) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1939-40).

KEYMONT (47) (a) DEEPWATER (38), (c) HAMILDOC (II) (147797). 1928 Smith's Dock Co. Ltd., South-Bank-on-Tees, Hull 837. 253.0 x 43.4 x 18.4. Gross 1796, net 1134. Requisitioned by Canadian government for Caribbean bauxite trade 1940. Transferred to U.S. Maritime Commission 1942. Declared surplus 1945. Sold 1946 to Paterson and returned to Lakes 1947. Retired October, 1961, and laid up at Port Dalhousie. Scrapped in drydock 1962 by A. Newman & Co. Owners: l) Water Transports Ltd. (1928-35). 2) Canadian Lake Carriers Ltd. (1935-39). 3) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1939-40). 4) Paterson Steamships Ltd. (later N.M.Paterson & Sons Ltd) (1946-61).

KEYNOR (133558). 1914 North of Ireland Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Londonderry, Hull 58. 250.0 x 42.5 x 17.4. Gross 1806, net 1090. Saw service on salt water during World War I. Requisitioned by Canadian government for Caribbean bauxite trade 1940. Later served in British coastal trade. Returned to lakes 1948. Retired Autumn 1958 and laid up at Kingston. Scrapped at Kingston 1961. Owners: l) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1914-57). 2) LaVerendrye Line Ltd. (1957-61).

KEYPORT (125459). 1909 Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Wallsend-on-Tyne. Hull 818. 250.1 x 42.5 x 17.9. Gross 1721, net 1298. Retired Autumn 1961 and laid up at Kingston, Towed to Port Dalhousie June 5, 1963, and broken up in drydock by A.Newman & Co. 1963. Owners: (l) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1909-57). 2) LaVerendrye Line Ltd. (1957-63).

KEYSHEY (a) CLEARWATER (28), (b) TRENORA (49) (147798). 1928 Smith's Dock Co. Ltd., South-Bank-on-Tees, Hull 838. 253.0 x 43.4 x 18.4. Gross 1796 net 1134. Stranded May 21, 1928, near Trinity Bay, 10 miles east of Port des Monts, Que., in the St. Lawrence River. Abandoned to insurers. Salvaged and returned to service 1928. Retired Autumn 1961 and laid up at Kingston. Stripped 1963 in preparation for scrapping but reactivated Autumn 1963 in Hall colours. Lay idle at Kingston 1963-64 and again stripped 1965. Used to lighter Liberty ship PROTOSTATIS grounded near Kingston on Quebec Head, Wolfe Island, during Winter 1965-66. Towed to Toronto with cargo of salvaged scrap February 1966. Returned to Kingston during Spring 1966 and then to Lauzon, Que. Arrived at Bilbao, Spain, May 24, 1967, in tandem tow with ALGOSOO. Scrapped by Cia Espanol de Demolicion Naval. Owners; l) Water Transports Ltd. (1928). 2) Trevisa Steamship Co. Ltd. (1928). 3) Canadian Lake Carriers Ltd. (1928-39). 4) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1939-57). 5) LaVerendrye Line Ltd. (1957-65). 6) Ship Repair & Supply Ltd. (1965-67).

KEYSTATE (l4776l). 1923 Smith's Dock Co. Ltd., South-Bank-on-Tees, Hull 777. 250.3 x 42.6 x 16.9. Gross 1729, net 1084. Retired Autumn 1961 and laid up at Kingston. Scrapped at Kingston 1963-64. Owners: l) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1923-57). 2) LaVerendrye Line Ltd. (1957-63).

KEYSTORM (129749). 1910 Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Wallsend-on-Tyne. 250.0 x 42.6 x 18.0. Gross 1720, net 1295. Stranded October 26, 1912, on Scow Island Shoal, St. Lawrence River, near Alexandria Bay, while bound with coal Charlotte to Montreal. Salvage attempts unsuccessful. Owners: l) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1910-12).

KEYVIVE (128830). 1913 Smith's Dock Co. Ltd., South-Bank-on-Tees, Hull 551. 250.0 x 42.5 x 17.4. Gross 1768, net 1045. Retired Autumn 1961 and laid up at Kingston. Scrapped at Kingston 1963-64. Owners: l) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1913-57). 2) LaVerendrye Line Ltd. (1957-63).

KEYWEST (I) (125458). 1909 Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Wallsend-on-Tyne, Hull 817. 250.0 x 42.5 x 18.0. Gross 1725, net 1298. Ran down and sank schooner OLIVER MOWAT off False Duck Islands, Lake Ontario, September 21, 1921, with loss of 3 lives. Stranded May 10, 1935, 1/4 mile from Main Duck Island lighthouse, Lake Ontario, during fog. Salvaged. Retired and laid up at Kingston 1946. Scrapped 1947 at Kingston and remains shipped by rail to Algoma Steel, Sault Ste. Marie. Owners: l) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1909-47).

KEYWEST (II), (a) SUREWATER (49) (147750). 1927 Cowpen Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Blyth, Hull 239. 252.0 x 42.5 x 18.0. Gross 1739, net 1044. Requisitioned by Canadian government for Caribbean bauxite trade 1940. Retired Autumn 1958 and laid up at Kingston. Scrapped at Kingston 1961. Owners: (l) Water Transports Ltd. (1927-35). 2) Canadian Lake Carriers Ltd. (1935-39). 3) Keystone Transports Ltd. (1939057). 4) LaVerendrye Line Ltd. (1957-61).

TREVISA (135573). 1915 North of Ireland Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Londonderry. 250.0 x 42.5 x 17.4. Gross 1813, net 1095. Built for lake trade but taken over for war service on delivery. Operated in British coastal trade by Tauve Steam Shipping Co., Cardiff, Wales. Brought to lakes 1922. Requisitioned by Canadian government for Caribbean bauxite trade but immediately transferred to British Ministry of War Transport. Torpedoed and sunk 600 miles off the Irish coast, October 15, 1940. Owners: l) Export Steamship Go. Ltd., (1922-23). 2) Trevisa Steamship Co. Ltd.. (1923-28). 3) Canadian Lake Carriers Ltd., (1928-39). 4) Keystone Transports Ltd.,(1939-40).

We have listed the vessels by their "Key" names as this is the way they were known to most of our members and accordingly a particular ship is easier to locate. Special thanks are due to Jim Kidd for his assistance in helping to sort out this rather involved corporate history.

Unfortunately, not too much information is available on the two original vessels chartered to the fleet. This much, however, is known. DRONNING MAUD was built in 1907 by Laxevaags at Bergen, Norway. She measured 229 x 35 x 16. C. SUNDT was built in 1902 for William Hansen of Bergen and grossed 1105 tons. She was torpedoed and sunk, with the loss of all hands, on March 24th, 1917, while bound from Gothenburg to Hull.

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