Rob McCron, the curator and public relations officer at the Orillia Legion, was invited as a guest speaker for the History Speaker Series at the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH). His presentation titled “Fairmile: The Little Ship that Made History” focused on his in-depth research on the Fairmile.
Hunter boats
During World War II, the Fairmiles, wooden torpedo boats, were used for shoreline patrols and submarine detection. Hunter Boats, located on Lake Couchiching waterfront, was contracted by the Canadian government to build seven Fairmiles. They proved their boats could reach St. Lawrence upon completion. Some Fairmiles guarded the Montreal port in St. Lawrence, protecting vital supply-carrying cargo ships. Hunter Boats successfully built seven Fairmiles, with the last one being the Q116. However, on October 13, 1943, while preparing for a trial run, a fire broke out in the Q116, resulting in a tragic explosion. One person died, and six others suffered burn injuries.
Memory of heroism
Rob shared the tragic story of a 16-year-old apprentice and air cadet from the 99th Squadron and praised the heroic efforts of the Orillia Fire Brigade in saving lives, homes, and businesses during the Fairmile incident. The Fairmile’s significance to the local history remains relatively unknown. In an attempt to honour the Fairmiles built in Orillia by Hunter Boats and ensure the memory of the tragedy, sacrifice, and heroism endures, Rob and Rick Purcell have dedicated two years to creating a memorial. They are currently fundraising to erect a monument on the shores of Lake Couchiching, where the Fairmile was constructed.
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Source: Orillia Matters
