OPP's first patrol boat comes home

OPP NEWS RELEASE

***************************** OPP's first patrol boat comes home

'Temagami' now on display at OPP general headquarters

ORILLIA - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Friends of The OPP Museum unveiled the OPP's very first marine vessel today, adding a rare and unique piece of history to the OPP Museum at general headquarters (GHQ).

Built at Niagara-on-the-Lake by Shepherd Boats, Temagami is a 1949 22-foot  Runabout Deluxe Sedan. 

Along with sister boat Kenora, it was one of only two marine vessels the OPP had to navigate Ontario lakes and rivers, and really marks the creation of the OPP's first Marine Unit. 

It was stationed at the Temagami Detachment and was a welcome relief to officers who previously had to rely on whatever local water transportation was available for loan or hire. 

The Friends of The OPP Museum purchased the vessel for the museum in 2010 and following some minor restoration work, is now making its first "re-debut" public appearance. 

Temagami is in excellent condition in light of its age and the more than 20 years she served as an OPP marine unit boat.

With a beautiful mirror-finish mahogany deck, original siren and fenders and even the original chrome name plate letters on the stern, it brings us back to a time when wooden boats ruled the waves.

Temagami is available for public viewing on the main floor of GHQ where it will remain as an OPP Museum display along with Car 1, a 1941 Chevrolet Master Deluxe Coupe that represents the OPP's first cruisers. 

Quotes

"Thanks to the hard work of the Friends of The OPP Museum, Temagami has rejoined the OPP family after all these decades and we are extremely pleased to have this historical vessel connect us to the early days of our OPP Marine Unit." - Chris Lewis, OPP commissioner

"We were very excited to be able to add another first to the museum's collection - Temagami also known as Boat #1, the marine unit's first vessel, will now be proudly and appropriately on public display at GHQ beside Car #1, representing the first cruisers introduced in 1941."  - Doug Cole, president, Friends of the OPP Museum.

Quick facts

- Temagami is 1.52 meters (5 feet) wide and can comfortably carry six passengers.

- It still has its original state-of-the-art Chrysler Vee Drive engine, capable of speeds up to 45 m.p.h. that operates with pedals and gears similar to a car.

- Today, the OPP polices more than 110 thousand square kilometres of lakes and rivers which accounts for 95 percent of Ontario's policed waterways.

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