Story
This snag boat was built in 1884 by W.B. Bolen in Victoria, BC.
Historical Notes
In 1884 this vessel was in service on the Fraser River. This vessel was a snag boat on Stikine River service 1898. Eric Anderson states that "Though this vessel was the smallest of them all, the first Samson had a long and colourful career, including helping the riverside communities when the 1884 freshet raised the river's height by over a foot and almost flooded the Fraser Valley. The first Samson was built almost entirely of wood, and when the wood began to rot, the government requested that a new snagboat be built to replace her.
In 1905, Samson was sold to Gilley Bros, where this vessel was reconstructed and renamed Goliath. This vessel worked at the Gilley Quarry on the Pitt River until 1909." In 1909 this vessel was removed from the registry.
Owners & Masters
In 1884 she was owned by Canadian interests.
Masters
Captain William J. Boyd;
Rebuilds
In 1906 she was rebuilt and registered 100' x 28' x ? 312t.
References
- Affleck, Edward L. (2000)
- Eric Anderson (British Columbia Nautical History Facebook Group 01/03/2017)
- Wilson, Hill (2005) The Marine Pilots of Canada's West Coast
