For decades, commuters on the QEW have looked for the familiar silhouette of the Jordan Harbour "Ghost Ship." Whether you saw it in the morning mist or the evening glow, its disappearance marks the end of a massive chapter in Niagara’s local landscape.
The iconic 42.67 m (140 ft) silhouette of La Grande Hermine before its 2024 removal.
Illustration by SCG NIAGARA
The Final Voyage of La Grande Hermine
The ship wasn't actually an old pirate vessel, but a 1914 steel ferry originally named Le Progrès. While it was built to look like Jacques Cartier's 1535 flagship, this specific hull was "dressed up" in its wooden replica shell in 1991. After serving as a restaurant and even a haunted house, it was brought to Niagara with dreams of becoming a casino in Chippawa—a dream that ended when the owner passed away.
⚓ Local Fact: Why it didn't sink
The ship wasn't floating; it was grounded. Because Jordan Harbour is shallow, the hull was resting on the bottom, which is why it survived decades of Lake Ontario storms and ice without drifting back out into the open water.
The Timeline of a Landmark:
- 1914: Launched as the steel ferry Le Progrès in Quebec.
- 1991: Converted into the Jacques Cartier replica seen in the harbour.
- 1997: Towed by tugboat from Montreal to Jordan Harbour for temporary storage.
- 2003: An arson fire gutted the interior, leaving the skeletal remains.
- 2021: The masts were removed by the Coast Guard for safety.
- 2024: Final demolition and removal of the hull from the harbour.
Video: Exploring the abandoned La Grande Hermine before its removal.
💡 Fun Fact: The Move to Jordan Harbour
Before it was a "ghost ship," this vessel was a true traveler. Originally built in 1914 as the steel ferry Le Progrès in Quebec, it spent nearly 80 years as a hard-working freighter and passenger boat before being "dressed up" in its wooden replica shell in 1991.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
In 1997, it was literally towed by a tugboat from Montreal all the way to Jordan Harbour. It was never meant to stay there forever; the owner was actually using the harbour as a temporary storage spot while he waited for permissions and funding to move it even further—right into Niagara Falls to open it as a casino or floating restaurant. When the owner unexpectedly passed away, the move was abandoned, and the ship "beached" itself on the shallow harbour floor where it eventually became the landmark we knew.
The Aftermath
While the ship is gone, the harbour remains a significant spot for local wildlife. The double-crested cormorants that once called the rigging home have moved to nearby breakwalls and trees along the shore.
🚨 Niagara Note: A Warning for Commuters
If you're heading down to Jordan to see the empty harbour for yourself, please be aware that the OPP is strictly enforcing "No Stopping" zones on the QEW shoulder.
For decades, the "Ghost Ship" was the ultimate rubbernecking hazard, causing traffic to slow down or drivers to pull over illegally for a quick photo. Law enforcement often allowed a certain amount of leniency because it was a beloved landmark.
However, now that the distraction is gone, the Ministry of Transportation is prioritizing highway safety. The shoulder is strictly for emergencies only. To avoid a heavy fine, park at the legal public access points near Beacon Boulevard and walk to the waterfront trails for a view of the harbour.
Sources: The St. Catharines Standard | Niagara This Week | Ruin Road Archive | The Scuba News
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