The Legacy of the Hallett Tugboat

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At Hallett Brewing, our name is more than just a nod to local history — it’s a tribute to the spirit of hard work, resilience, and community that built Fort Frances. The Hallett tugboat, a legendary vessel that once ruled the waters of Rainy Lake, symbolizes everything we admire about this town’s past and everything we strive for in our brewery today.

The Hallett tugboat was built in 1940 by the Russell Brothers in Owen Sound, Ontario, commissioned by the Ontario & Minnesota Pulp and Paper Company. Designed to meet the rigorous demands of Northern Ontario’s forestry industry, it was disassembled, shipped to Fort Frances by rail, and reassembled on-site — an engineering feat in its own right.

At 60 feet long and weighing 57 tons, the Hallett was the largest and most powerful boat to operate on Rainy Lake. It was equipped with dual Cummins 180HP diesel engines and a 50HP auxiliary engine, giving it the strength to haul massive log booms across miles of water.

From the 1940s through to its retirement in 1974, the Hallett was a vital player in the local economy. During peak years, it made twenty 100-mile round trips annually, towing mile-long booms of harvested logs across Rainy Lake. At its peak, it moved between 70,000 to 90,000 cords of wood each year — a staggering contribution to the pulp and paper industry that once defined Fort Frances.

Its importance to the mill and the surrounding community can’t be overstated. For decades, the Hallett braved rough waters and harsh weather, connecting remote camps and transport routes with the processing heart of the town. It wasn’t just a tugboat — it was a lifeline.

After it was retired in 1974, the Hallett was preserved as a historical artifact and community symbol. It was first displayed in Point Park, and in 2009 was moved to its current home at the Sorting Gap Marina. Today, the restored tugboat stands as a reminder of the town’s industrial roots and the generations of hardworking people who helped build Fort Frances.

Visitors can still walk around the vessel, learn about its operations, and reflect on the town’s connection to the land, the water, and the industries that shaped its identity.

When we were deciding what to name our brewery, we wanted something that represented Fort Frances — its strength, its history, and its future. The Hallett tugboat was a clear choice.

Just like the vessel it’s named after, Hallett Brewing is built to last. It’s the result of hands-on work, strong community support, and an unwavering commitment to quality. We’re proud to brew our beer just a few blocks from where the original Hallett now rests, and we carry that legacy in everything we do — from our small-batch brews to our warm, welcoming taproom.

To us, the Hallett isn’t just a name. It’s a symbol. And every pint we pour is a toast to Fort Frances: past, present, and future.