Story
This tug was built in 1898 in New Westminster, BC.
Historical Notes
This vessel was one of first tugs converted to oil burner. On November 16, 1948 this tug, under command of Captain Stanley O. Bell and owned by Coastal Towing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC, was stranded at Port Renfrew BC during a storm, while towing a barge (the S.O.B.C. No. 8) in Port San Juan, during a storm. Her propeller was fouled by the towline. After taking on water this vessel was swamped in heavy waves and three crew members were drowned: Carl Janson (Chief Engineer), J. Leslie Hudson and Levi Arnott.
Owners & Masters
In 1898-1901 she was owned by G.H. French, New Westminster BC and C.E. Robertson, Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1909-1910 she was owned by G.H. French, Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1913-1915 she was owned by L.B. Gore & H.A. Young, Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1916-1923 she was owned by Whalen Pulp & Paper Mills Ltd., Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1924 she was owned by Rasmus A. Johnston & James Aitken, Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1921-1942 she was owned by the St. Clair Towing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1943-1949 she was owned by Coastal Towing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC Canada.
Masters
Captain Stanley O. Bell (1948);
Repower
Repowered with a 27hp engine (1930c)
References
- Transportation Safety Board of Canada (1993)
- Palm, R.S. (1978)
- Canada List of Shipping (1898)
- Nicholson, George (1965)
- The H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest
- List of Shipping Casualties Resulting in Total Loss in British Columbia and Coastal Waters Since 1897 (undated manuscript document)
- The Vancouver Sun (Vancouver BC) Thursday, November 18, 1948 page 1
