During the depression of the 1930s the rail connection between Orillia and Lindsay was abandoned. The CPR's older steamers, "SS Alberta", "SS Athabaska" and "SS Manitoba" continued to run from Owen Sound until the mid-1930s when the "Alberta" and "Athabaska" were withdrawn from service. With an increase in the handling of package freight, these two ships were pressed into freight-only service from Port McNicoll, until the end of the war. The "SS Manitoba" was retired in 1950, following the "SS Noronic" disaster.