The Seeley's Bay Wharf was important to the village and other villages and hamlets in the area, depending on the wharf for the export and import of goods. It was also a stop to a number of luxury passenger steamers that plied the Rideau Canal in the early years of the twentieth century. Vessels included the Buena Vista, Rideau King, St. Louis, Victoria and the Ottawan. However, not all these called in at the Seeley's Bay Wharf. One of the regular vessels that landed at the Seeley's Bay Wharf was the Rideau Queen. Built in Kingston in 1900 and operated by Rideau Lakes Navigation Company, the Rideau Queen boasted the latest of comforts. Passengers enjoyed steam heat, electricity and running water. Very progressive for the early twentieth century. The room rates ranged from $1 to $5 and for a mere 50 cents, meals could be had in the elegant dining room. As automobiles became more popular and there were subsequent improvements to roads, travel by steam boat declined on the Rideau Canal. The last vessel to provide passenger service on the canal was the Ottawan which ended its service in November of 1935.
