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‘Lasting impact': Remembering the former Paddlewheel captain
Passengers boarding the Paddlewheel Queen, with Col. Sanders enjoying the view from B deck. Uploaded July 25, 2025. (Esther Nagtegaal-Hawchuk)
A captain who operated vessels on Winnipeg's waters for decades is being remembered for his impact on the lives of millions and his contribution to the province's maritime heritage.
Captain Steve Hawchuk, owner of Paddlewheel Riverboats, passed away earlier this month at the age of 87 after a 44-year career operating the Paddlewheel Queen and the Paddlewheel Princess.
From carrying celebrities such as former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, Col. Sanders and Burton Cummings, Hawchuk carried approximately 2.7 million passengers over 10,475 cruises, according to his wife, Esther Nagtegaal-Hawchuk.
Captain Steve Hawchuk steering the Paddlewheel Queen. Uploaded July 25, 2025. (Esther Nagtegaal-Hawchuk)
Captain Steve Hawchuk steering the Paddlewheel Queen. Uploaded July 25, 2025. (Esther Nagtegaal-Hawchuk)
'Graduations, weddings to corporate functions … and then we had royalty, special bookings and we even had all-star wrestling on the top deck,' said Nagtegaal-Hawchuk.
'Total leap of faith'
Hawchuk's first experience with the riverboat business began in 1969, when he and his half-brother Joe Slogan—a dentist and former MP for the now abolished riding of Springfield—partnered up and purchased the Paddlewheel Queen and the Paddlewheel Princess.
Both knew nothing about the boating or restaurant business, according to Nagtegaal-Hawchuk, adding that 'they just loved the boats' and were raised in the Interlake region.
'Total leap of faith,' said Nagtegaal-Hawchuk. 'And the rest, as they say, is history.'
Hawchuk told CTV News in 2022 that he 'was tired of being a bookkeeper' and began boating operations on July 26, 1969.
Commissioned by businessman Ray Senft, the Paddlewheel Queen and the Paddlewheel Princess were imitation sternwheelers equipped with a rear paddlewheel, with room for up to 400 and 200 passengers, respectively.
The Paddlewheel Queen going through the Bergen Cut-Off Bridge in Winnipeg. Uploaded July 25, 2025. (Esther Nagtegaal-Hawchuk)
The Paddlewheel Queen going through the Bergen Cut-Off Bridge in Winnipeg. Uploaded July 25, 2025. (Esther Nagtegaal-Hawchuk)
Hawchuk ran Paddlewheel Riverboats seven days a week, with cruises on the Red River and Assiniboine River from about May to October, according to Nagtegaal-Hawchuk.
'In the beginning, Steve would work like 18 hours a day. That was the norm for six months.'
Nagtegaal-Hawchuk, who was originally a captain for Paddlewheel Riverboats' competition, said the vessels offered dinner cruises, sightseeing, live music and dancing.
'He would hire at least 60 [staff members], at least every season,' she said.
'And he always used to joke he must have put, I don't know how many people through university.'
Passengers aboard the Paddlewheel Princess. Uploaded July 25, 2025. (Esther Nagtegaal-Hawchuk)
Passengers aboard the Paddlewheel Princess. Uploaded July 25, 2025. (Esther Nagtegaal-Hawchuk)
Throughout the decades, the riverboats would take various routes and operate from several docks, including the Redwood Dock, the Kildonan Park Dock and the Forks and Alexander Dock.
A stop at the Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site also allowed passengers to tour the former fur trade post.
Read more: Former Paddlewheel captain pens book commemorating 44 years on the Red River
'He would bring in captains from the East Coast, West Coast, and then of course, the homegrown captains were the best, and most of them all came from Lake Winnipeg,' said Nagtegaal-Hawchuk.
By 1989, the third deck of the Paddlewheel Queen was removed to fit under more bridges in the city.
Passengers boarding the Paddlewheel Queen. Uploaded July 25, 2025. (Esther Nagtegaal-Hawchuk)
Passengers walking up to the third deck on the Paddlewheel Queen. Uploaded July 25, 2025. (Esther Nagtegaal-Hawchuk)
A joint operation with River Rouge Tours—once the competition—also saw Paddlewheel Riverboats operate the River Rouge ship during the 1990s and early 2000s.
During the winter months, the vessels were brought to rest in the Selkirk Slough—a protected inlet off the Red River—though Nagtegaal-Hawchuk said there were still full-time staff during the winter to assist with bookings.
By 2013, Hawchuk officially retired, having carried just over 7,000 passengers that season—down from the peak of around 80,000 passengers a year during the 1970s.
Col. Sanders (left) and Captain Steve Hawchuk
Col. Sanders (left) and Captain Steve Hawchuk aboard the Paddlewheel Queen. Col. Sanders was in Winnipeg then to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first KFC restaurant in the city. Uploaded July 25, 2025. (Esther Nagtegaal-Hawchuk)
In 2017, the Paddlewheel Princess was damaged beyond repair after vandals set the vessel on fire. Two years later, the Paddlewheel Queen was cut up for scrap metal after a plan to convert it into a barge fell through.
'Captain Hawchuk made a lasting impact on Manitoba's maritime heritage through his years operating the Paddlewheel Queen and Paddlewheel Princess,' reads a statement from the Marine Museum of Manitoba made to Facebook earlier this month.
'His commitment to river navigation and tourism helped keep the legacy of Manitoba's inland waterways alive for future generations.'
Nagtegaal-Hawchuk said after hanging up his captain's hat, he retired to their West St. Paul home, which backs right onto the Red River.
'As long as the Red River flows into Lake Winnipeg, I hope he's remembered.'
