LADY GREY

This scale model of the LADY GREY icebreaker is a replica of a ship built for Canada at the Vickers, Sons and Maxim shipyard, in England, in 1906. It is one of the first Canadian icebreakers. It was named in tribute to the wife of Sir Albert Henry George Grey, Governor General of Canada from 1904 to 1911. At the very beginning of her career, the icebreaker played a part in rescuing victims of the EMPRESS OF IRELAND tragedy in 1914.

The LADY GREY is a steel ship that was used on the St. Lawrence River during the first half of the 20th century. During most of its career, the LADY GREY was the official ship of the Canadian government on the St. Lawrence River. She welcomed several illustrious visitors onboard, such as the Duke of Windsor, British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, the King of Thailand, Japanese Prince Fuchemi and six Governor Generals, including Lord Grey.

In 1943, the LADY GREY was rebuilt to serve on the Atlantic Ocean. But at the end of the process, the ship was the victim of an unfortunate event: docked at the wharf of the Vickers shipyard, the icebreaker capsized and sank in the early hours of July 1st. However, the government wanted to keep the ship. Therefore, the icebreaker was refloated, then equipped with radars and the latest in navigation devices.

In February 1955, the LADY GREY answered the call to free the CITÉ DE LÉVIS ferry from ice on the river. Unfortunately, fog hung over the St. Lawrence River that day and the icebreaker collided with the ferry. The LADY GREY sank across from Beauport, near Québec City. The ship’s crew was saved in extremis by the ferry crew.