Russel Brothers Limited was a Canadian steel boat builder, diesel engine manufacturer and steel fabricator. The company operated in

Fort Frances, Ontario Fort Frances is a town in, and the seat of, Rainy River District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. The population as of the 2021 census was 7,466 Fort Frances is a popular fishing destination. It hosts the annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Cham ...

from 1907 to 1937 and then in

Owen Sound, Ontario Owen Sound ( 2021 Census population 21,612) is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. The seat of government of Grey County, it is located at the mouths of the Pottawatomi and Sydenham Rivers on an inlet of Georgian Bay. The primary tourist ...

from 1937 to 1994. The old site was later used by Fort Frances Steel & Welding and Busch’s Auto Supply before being demolished and now parking lot for LaVerendrye General Hospital along Front Street and Armit Avenue

History

Fort Frances years 1907-1937

Founded in

in 1907 by Colin and Jardine Russel,

Owen Sound years 1937-1994

The company moved to Owen Sound in 1937 and remained there until 1974. After 1950 Russel Brothers became Russel-Hipwell Engines Limited (named of unit founded in 1943). In 1961 the name Russel Brothers Limited reemerged and lasted until 1994. The company built 1200 boats in its lifetime as Russel Brothers and Russel-Hipwell. The company built mostly tugs and logging boats, but made diesel switching locomotives as well. During World War II they made boats used in the D-Day landings. While the company ceased manufacturing boats in 1974, the company continued metal fabrication until 1994. The company went bankrupt and property was sold for condos in 2006, but the land remains vacant for remediation. https://www.owensound.ca/media/bhgnsa5b/due-diligence-phase-i-environmental-site-assessment-update.pdf

Products

* '' Radium Express'', tugboat built for the Northern Transportation Company's ''"Radium Line"'' in 1939 * '' Radium Cruiser'', tugboat built for the Northern Transportation Company's ''"Radium Line"'' in 1939 * '' R.J. Foote'', tugboat built for the Canadian Dredge and Dock Company in 1939 * '' Workboy'', tugboat built for the Canadian Dredge and Dock Company in 1939 *

Toronto Fire Services Toronto Fire Services (TFS), commonly called Toronto Fire, provides fire protection, technical rescue services, hazardous materials response, and first responder emergency medical assistance in Toronto, Ontario. TFS is currently the largest mu ...

''William Mackenzie'' fire boat * ''

Maid of the Mist The Maid of the Mist is a sightseeing boat tour of Niagara Falls, N.Y., U.S.A., starting and ending on the American side, crossing briefly into Canada during a portion of the trip. James V. Glynn is chairman and chief executive officer of Maid ...

'' 2 and 2 (1955-1956) * ''Atomic'' - icebreaker (1946) * ''Okiko'' - Logging Tug, Hull number 608 (1946) * ''Annie Mac'' / ''Bluefin'' - workboat (1934) * ''Beaver's Helper'' - sluicer (1974) * ''Ancaster'' - tug (1951) * ''Missinaibi'' - tug (1952) * ''Trent'' - tug (1948) * Onigara, ferry boat (1963)

Manufacturing Locations

1907-1937 - former machine shop location at Armit Ave and Front Street now residential homes across from La Verendrye General Hospital. *

1937-1994 - 2198 3rd Avenue East, at 22nd Street East (former

Polson Iron Works The Polson Iron Works was an Ontario-based firm which built large steam engines, as well as ships, barges and dredges. Founded by William Polson (Canadian shipbuilder), William Polson (1834–1901) and son Franklin Bates Polson, the firm was i ...

) and now vacant (all buildings demolished) with area around dockyard surrounded by grass *

Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax is the capital and most populous municipality of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Nova Scotia, and the most populous municipality in Atlantic Canada. As of 2024, it is estimated that the population of the H ...

1944 to late 1940s (for war effort) *

Port Arthur, Ontario Port Arthur was a city in Northern Ontario, Canada, located on Lake Superior. In January 1970, it was amalgamated with Fort William and the townships of Neebing and McIntyre to form the city of Thunder Bay. Port Arthur became the district seat ...

1948-? *

Toronto, Ontario Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

1956 - later as head office * St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador 1957-?

References

External links

Russel Brothers Boat Archive
Emergency services equipment makers Defunct manufacturing companies of Canada Manufacturing companies established in 1907 Shipbuilding companies of Canada Former defence companies of Canada 1907 establishments in Ontario Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1994 1994 disestablishments in Ontario {{Canada-company-stub