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Nestled at the head of the largest inland waterway in the world, and near the geographic centre of Canada and North America, Thunder Bay has a long history as a vital trade link.

Thunder Bay's role commenced in the late 1700's, when the North West Company arrived seeking the North West passage and the riches of the fur trade. In 1807, during an annual meeting of the Company, the partners changed the name of the busy fur trading post at the mouth of the Kaminiskwia River, to Fort William. A few miles north of this post a military staging area and deep water port was also growing. In 1870, "The Station" was renamed Prince Arthur's Landing, after Queen Victoria's son Arthur. In 1884, when the village was incorporated as a town, it was renamed Port Arthur.

The twin towns, and then cities of Fort William and Port Arthur continued to grow through the 19th and20th Centuries until, in 1970, they were amalgamated to form the new City of Thunder Bay.

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RECREATION
Need to get off the boat? Try going for a relaxing walk through some of the 4,000 acres of parkland in the city and surrounding areas. Alternatively, why not paddle a canoe on a quiet lake or a rushing river? Or step back into the fur trade era at old Fort William, or just enjoy a harbour tour. Although you can't ski in mid-summer, Thunder Bay ski facilities are first class and were the site of the 1995 World Nordic Skiing Championship. Maybe a quiet seat in a park listening to the sounds of a symphony orchestra are more your style, if so, the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra has many outdoor concerts that you can attend. Perhaps you would rather golf on one of Thunder Bay's eight courses.

A special trip would take you to just outside of Thunder Bay to uncover your very own amethyst. The stone comes in beautiful shades, clear or opaque, and local artisans work it into intriguing gifts.

Also just a short ride from Thunder Bay is the Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, or you can visit the awesome Ouimet Canyon with its unique biological sub-culture containing a variety of plants normally found on the shores of Hudson Bay. A little nearer town is 400 foot high Mount McKay lookout, with its magnificent views of Lake Superior, or you could head for the mountains - the mighty Nor-Wester Range of flat topped, steep sided mountains filled with lakes and legends. Also available for nature exploration is the magnificent Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, and the picturesque Silver Islet at the Giant's Toe.

For the birdwatcher, Thunder Bay's Mission Marsh will delight and entertain as a variety of species call this sanctuary, in the middle of the port, home.

HISTORIC THUNDER BAY
The heavenly smell of fresh bread baking fills the air. The clipped notes of a young fiddle player echo from main square, Voyageurs and native guides unload their furs from a 24 foot canoe at the wharf on the Kammistiquia River.

This is old Fort William, the world's largest reconstruction of an original fur trading post, just as it was in the early 1800's. Now it is a historical playground with a working farm, traditional trades, native encampment, apothecary, interpretive centre and much more. There are 42 authentically reproduced buildings in all, and costumed interpreters to explain life in this pioneer outpost.

SHOPPING
Browse through a selection of native and regional crafts in over 20 specialty gift, arts and craft stores. Find traditional blanket coats, authentic bead and straw work, sweet jams and jellies. There is much more in unique shopping districts like that developed by the Finns of Thunder Bay - the largest established community of Finnish speaking people living outside of Finland. Traditional shopping is also available in several community shopping centres.

FISHING
If you are a fishing enthusiast, you may never leave Thunder Bay. Hundreds upon thousands of clear, cool lakes and rivers around Thunder Bay and throughout Northwestern Ontario are filled with your favourite catch - walleye, trout, bass, pike, perch and more.

There are tourist outfitters, fishing lodges and full service resorts to suit any need. Fly-in fishing guarantees an exciting and rewarding adventure for the avid angler.

Lake Superior offers another special opportunity - freshwater salmon and lake trout fishing charters. To supplement the natural population, the active stocking program of Thunder Bay's Salmon Association is resulting in 8-12 pound chinook salmon. Lake trout in the 3-4 pound range abound, with a number of 10-12 pounders. Twenty five pounders are also not uncommon.

The Details

Port Authority

Thunder Bay Port Authority
100 Main Street
Thunder Bay, Ont. P7B 6R9
Mr. Dennis Johnson, Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Timothy Heney, Director of Terminal Operation
(807) 345-6400 Fax: (807) 345-9058

Sailing Directions

Chart No. 2314 - Canadian Hydrographic Services
Location: North West Coast of Lake Superior
Radio: Canadian Cost Guard VBA, Thunder Bay Channel 16 Thunder Bay Harbour Commission, VDX-30, Channel 12
Pilotage: Compulsory Contact Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, Cornwall, Ontario

Accommodation

Thunder Bay Port Authority
Keefer Terminal Complex
Length - 1,880 feet and 660 feet
Depth Alongside - 24 feet and 26 feet
Water, telephone, garbage pick-up available

Tugs

Required by Pilots in Thunder Bay Harbour

Companies and Contacts:

Gravel and Lake Services
Mr. Paul LeCuyer
(807) 345-7305 Fax: (807) 345-8377
3 tugs, 600 HP, 1200 HP and 1200 HP

Thunder Bay Tug Services
Mr. Roger Hurst, Mr. Gerry Dawson
(807) 343-4784 Fax: (807) 768-1239
Cell: 807-626-4845
3 tugs, 600 HP, 1200 HP and 1700 HP

Charges

Pilots - Contact Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, Cornwall, Ont.
Tugs - Tugs available 24 hrs/day @ approx. $1,000/operation
Harbour Dues - 0.0315/GRT
Berthage - $175.00/day
Passenger Fee - $1.50 per person

Agents

Lake Superior Shipping Ltd
Mr. Sandy Henderson
(807) 623-1171 Fax: (807) 623-6034

Lakehead Shipping Company Ltd.
Mr. William Hryb
(807) 345-1494 Fax: (807) 345-0467

Marine Surveyors

PKB Scania Cargo Surveyors (807) 345-5392

SGS Supervision Services Inc (807) 475-8955

Federal Agencies

Canada Customs (807) 626-1603

Citizenship & Immigration (807) 346-2150

Ship Services

Marine Bunkers and Lubricating Oils

Petro Canada Inc. (807) 622-8701

Air Condition/Ventilation/Refrigeration

D. Beebe and Company
(807) 623-4181 Fax: (807) 623-2551

Polar Cooling/Heating
(807) 623-1525 Fax: (807) 623-3023

Fab Air Metal Industries
(807) 622-6808 Fax: (807) 623-5031

Ship Chandler Services

Frank’s Locker Service
(807) 346-8388 Fax: (807) 344-1585

Marine Contractors

Fabmar Metals Inc.
(807) 623-5212 Fax: (807) 623-5807

PASCOL Engineering
(807) 683-6261 Fax: (807) 683-3607

Electrical Contractors

Westinghouse
(807) 475-0375 Fax: (807) 475-0966

Waste Oil Disposal/Sewage Disposal

A-1 Sewage Services Ltd.
(807) 939-2712

Potter Pumping Services
(807) 939-2994

Garbage Disposal

Thunder Bay Marine Service
(807) 344-9221

Electronics

Fiber-Tel Electronics
(807) 622-0100 Fax: (807) 626-8282

CRC Communications
(807) 622-3328

Underwater/Diving Services

Thunder Bay Marine Service
(807) 344-9221

Seafarers’ Services

Missions to Seamen
(807) 344-8241

Motor Coach Transfers

Charterways
(807) 475-4500 Fax: (807) 475-8450

Happy Time Tours
(807) 473-5955 Fax: (807) 473-4365

Iron Range Bus Lines
(807) 345-7387

Security Services

Apex Investigation and Security
(807) 344-8491 Fax: (807) 345-4667

Custom Brokers

Cole International
(807) 622-5861 Fax: (807) 623-6513

Livingston International
(807) 344-5797 Fax: (807) 345-6177

Airport

Thunder Bay Airport (approx. 10 km from port)
(807) 473-2601

Passenger Service Enquiries
Tourism Thunder Bay
Rosemarie Tarnowskie
Visitor Service Coordinator
(807) 625-2564
Fax (807) 623-3768
Toll free: 1-800-Most Fun
Email: rtarnowskie@city.thunder-bay.on.ca
Web: www.visitthunderbay.com