Red Fir No. 10

Kodey Herbert recently sent some pictures with an inquiry about vessels owned by the Simpson Brothers. He wrote "I’m related to the Simpson Brothers who operated from Stave Lake BC. I am trying to track down more information on the Red Fir No.10. I have sent the only picture I have of her. ". I am also looking for the Kamel

The Nauticapedia shows that she was built as the R.C.A.F. M.446 Auklet. in 1942 by Vancouver Shipyards Ltd. at Vancouver BC. In 1942 she was built for the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1947 she was renamed as Auklet. In 1947 she was owned by Freeman Logging Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1948 she was renamed as Red Fir No. 10. In 1948–1969 she was owned by River Towing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1969–1977 she was owned by Rivtow Marine Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1977–1979 she was owned by Simpson Bros. Logging Ltd., Mission BC. In 1980–1982 she was owned by A & R Fishing Ltd., Albion BC. In 1982–2001 she was owned by John L. Gerry, Cobble Hill BC. In 2004–2011 she was owned by Bowdy’s Tree Service Ltd., Bella Coola BC.

She was powered by a 165bhp,2nhp diesel engine by Gray Motor Co., Detroit MI USA. In 1999 she sank and was salvaged at Shearwater BC.

The Kamel (Photo from the Kodey Herbert collection.)

The Nauticapedia shows the tug Kamel was built in 1970 by Nanaimo Shipyard Ltd. 9.14m x 3.35m x 2.16m (30.0’ x 11’ x 6.6’) 13.87gt She was powered by a 230bhp diesel engine by Allis–Chalmers Mfg. Co. (Buda Div.), Harvey IL. In 1970–1989 she was owned by Nanaimo Shipyard Ltd., Nanaimo BC. In 1990–1991 she was owned by Harlow Towing & Log Salvage Ltd., Langley BC. In 1992–2005 she was owned by Seymour Narrows Towing Ltd., Campbell River BC. In 2005 she was owned by Rapid Towing Ltd. In 2005 she was sold to Saltair Marine Services Ltd. In 2007–2020 she was owned by Lakeside Pacific Forest Products Ltd., Chilliwack BC.

Kodey Herbert notes "The Kamel is currently having a 400hp Cummins put in it, to replace the 12v71 and is going to stay on Harrison Lake."

The Kamel towing the barge Valley No. 3. (Photo from the Kodey Herbert collection.)

The barge Valley No. 3 (ex–Evco No. 85) was built in 1962 in ESquimalt BC by Uarrows Ltd. In 1962–1964 she was owned by Evans Coleman & Evans, Vancouver BC. In 1965–1979 she was owned by Ocean Cement Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1980 she was owned by Ocean Construction Supplies Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1982–2001 she was owned by Valley Towing Ltd., New Westminster BC. In 2003–2020 she was owned by Lakeside Pacific Forest Products Ltd., Chilliwack BC.

The barge Valley No. 3 towed by the Kamel (Photo from the Kodey Herbert collection.)