The following is the complete text of a report on the Trillium's rehabilitation, written by D.G. Champion, P. Eng. All paragraphing, spelling, capitalization, underlining, etc. reflect the original. Series 797, File 7.


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January 14th, 1975.

The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto,
Metropolitan Parks Department,
10th Floor, City Hall,
Toronto, Ontario.

Attention: Mr. S. Nicol.

Reference: Rehabilitation of “Trillium” – HISTORICAL considerations

Dear Sirs:

As requested by Mr. Nicol, we are pleased to review our various meetings and discussions with you relative to Rehabilitation of “Trillium” and maintenance, where practical, of Historical aspects.

We would firstly like to say that our original reports to you emphasized that restoration perse would not be possible as any work undertaken would have to comply with present day Regulations for a “new Ship.” Your Department, therefore, termed the project “Rehabilitation” and we have always understood that our assignment was not for restoration of “Trillium.”

On your behalf we have had many meetings with the Steamship Inspection Service and our first consideration is the desire to obtain a C.S.I. Certificate of seaworthiness. At the same time, we have worked closely with you and with C.S.I. and other interested parties in making sure that all work t be done shall relate to the original features wherever possible and as accurately as possible.

Original Data:

We have worked with numerous people who have been able to provide your Consultants with records and information relating to the historical aspects of “Trillium” to supplement our own records. To this end, we have had numerous meetings with the following:

Mr. John Burton ex retired T.T.C. employee and for many years Chief Engineer of “Trillium” who has provided much explanation of the machinery and its operation, particularly describing the many parts long since removed by vandals.

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Mr. Robert Campbell who produced the five original Polson Iron Works drawings, which have been extremely valuable. Mr. Campbell has also provided us with many photographs and indeed the only ones available that were taken on board and showed details of original items such as seats, benches, engine controls, lifesaving apparatus and so on. Bob Campbell has now very kindly provided us with dimensioned sketches of missing items such as ventilators, lifeboats and seats. He has also provided details of many minor details and features of "Trillium".

Mr. Mike Filey has kindly made available a very fine selection of photographs taken mostly during the years between 1910 and 1940 when a major conversion was undertaken.

Mr. Alan Howard has come up with several very valuable items such as original whistle, ship’s bell, also similar pressure gauges, etc. The writer has had many meetings with Mr. Howard and learned a great deal about the ship’s history, etc.

Captain Waddling has been most helpful as he served as Trillium’s Captain for many years and knows here well and in particular, related to her handling characteristics (or should we say lack of handling characteristics).

Photographs:

A set of 70 professional photographs were taken of "Trillium" before any dismantling took place. Metro Works loaned Mr. Nicol photographs of “Bluebell” which included information that otherwise would not have been available. The T.T.C. have been very co-operative and we have had full access to their Library where records, photographs and drawings have been found.

Materials of Construction:

C.S.I. explained at our very first meeting with them that the wooden decks and superstructure would have to be replaced with steel and/or aluminum because of the fire hazard. Had coal firing been retained, a larger degree of wood would have possible, but we are satisfied that retaining coal firing would have been impractical.

Engine Room:

Commissioner Thompson has long emphasized the desire to refurbish the Main Engine and the Engine Control Platform to conform to its original “open” feature. Present regulations required that this area

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be enclosed in a steel casing similar to the Boiler Room casing and as you know, we hastily visited Ottawa to seek relaxation of regulations and wish to assure you that everything in this area will be as close to original as possible and provide viewing of the area by the public. Our visit to Ottawa resulted in the matter going before the Steamship Inspection Board and we have subsequently received Approval for our Plans.

Main Engine:

The original Main Engine will operate in its original way and drive the original shaft and original paddle wheels. No modification or change will be made to the engine or the paddle wheels or to the paddle wheel feathering system and all of these components have already been completely rebuilt as per original. One improvement will be noticeable in that original "Trillium" brass port lights have been fitted in the paddle box to replace the original small glass peephole.

Superstructure:

Rehabilitation of "Trillium" will be done to provide the same general arrangement and dimensions for the superstructure have been taken from original Polson drawings. Location of stairs, toilets, mooring gear, boiler room casing, stack ventilators, will all be rebuilt in their original location. Special extrusions will be fitted around the curtain plate of the upper decks to reproduct original profile. Railings and bulwark will reproduce the original and include wooden handrail, however, the height of these will differ to comply with present safety regulations.

The original "Trillium" was built mainly in wood, but everything except the handrails was painted over and c an readily be reproduced in a different material and again painted over. Selection of proper paint will be a very important factor and we will be working closely with Metro Parks before finalizing this item.

Generators:

One of the most difficult things to reproduce was the original mode of electrical generation, and the selection of diesel engines for this purpose would have been very advantageous in every respect except noise. Much trouble and expense has been accepted in order to fit "Trillium" with reciprocating steam engines driving 550 volt, 3 phase, 60 cycle generators to ensure that "Trillium"’s smooth quiet operating characteristics would be recaptured.

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Boiler:

Refurbishing the old Scotch boiler, which we understand was not the original, was not practical and we believe the selection of a modern oil fired package boiler was the best choice.

Steam Auxiliary Pumps:

Original preference for the various pumps on board "Trillium" was present day centrifugal pumps driver by standard electric motors and this choice included much cost saving, improved efficiency and reduction in maintenance. We agreed to abandon this feature in order to preserve the “open” Engine Room and "Trillium" will delight the steam enthusiast with her range of early 1900 Duplex pumps, steam engine driven circulating pump, vertical reciprocating air pump, etc.

Windows:

The dimensions of the windows will conform to the pre-1941 version as obtained from photographs. In order to preserve original layout of the main housing, i.e. toilets forward of the paddle box, we incurred considerable expense and jeopardized weight distribution to move the holding tanks from their best location in the after void space to their present location in the forward void space.

Seating:

Actual location of seats will differ only slightly from the original and any rearrangement became essential to obtain best passenger distribution feature when submitting stability data for certification relative to carrying capacity. The design of seat has been the subject of much discussion with your Operational people and your own Planning Department and we understand every effort shall be made to obtain special cast frames and have all seats built to conform to original. As seating represents the largest single feature on the Main and Promenade Decks, the retention of originality should do much to satisfy Historical aspects.

Lifeboats:

C.S.I. rejected our request for retention of the original davits and lifeboat arrangement. Requirements demanded heavy and ugly gravity davits which would have ruined "Trillium"’s 1910 profile. We visited Ottawa and fought for relaxation of regulations and now have the Board’s approval for installing dummy original boats and davits.

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Wheelhouses:

Our desire to retain the original wooden wheelhouses was discussed with Ottawa and met with considerable resistance. It was decided not to force the issue as we would shortly thereafter be seeking relaxation for the use of wood for facings at the main pillars and staircases. It was not possible to obtain a firm price for refurbishing the wheelhouses and it will be necessary to modify the wheelhouses to accommodate additional equipment and provide improved visibility. Aluminum wheelhouses will reproduce the original and incorporate present day requirements, however, the Captain’s lounge will not be reinstated. Weight was also a factor in preferring aluminum.

Miscellaneous – Original Items:

Telegraphs of the original type have been purchased at considerable expense.

Two steering wheels, vintage early 1900, have been secured.

Original "Trillium" capstans and bollards will be used.

The original hand operated fire pump will be refurbished and returned.

Paddle box enclosure, with the original cutouts, will be reproduced.

Loading ramps will follow original design and dimension, but will be made lighter. A very strong case for hydraulic ramps was abandoned in favour of historical consideration.

We trust the above review is in accordance with your requirements. Please let us know before the end of January whether any changes to the present layout are desired, otherwise Plans and Specifications will become final incorporating the above arrangements.

Yours very truly,

D.G. CHAMPION ENGINEERING LIMITED.

D.G. Champion, P. Eng.


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