Story
This tug was built in 1911 by Whalen, W.H. in Vancouver, BC.
Historical Notes
Kyle Stubbs (Email to Nauticapedia March 2025) stated "According to evidence in Merchant Vessels of the United States, BEN CLAIRE, US official # 250364, with a separate page on Nauticapedia, is the same vessel. BEN CLAIRE first appears showing previous names of BOLD MARY and IRIS D in the 1947 MVUS edition, classed as a yacht. According to 'Annals of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club' Chapter 4, BOLD MARY was being referred to as a yacht by 1935 at the latest, while under the ownership of J.A. Johnston. As BEN CLAIRE, vessel was photographed by myself at Hammond, Oregon in 2016. According to a post seen on Facebook, vessel was still afloat near Rosburg, Washington as of circa late 2024."
Owners & Masters
In 1911-1917 she was owned by William H. Whalen, Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1917 she was owned by The British Columbia Sulphite Fibre Co., Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1917-1922 she was owned by Whalen Pulp & Paper Co., Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1922-1923 she was owned by Richard Tench, Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1923-1936 she was owned by John A. Johnston, New Westminster BC Canada. (On July 2, 1936 John A. Johnston died and Margaret J. Johnston was appointed as executor.) In 1936-1937 she was owned by Margaret J. Johnston, New Westminster BC Canada.
In 1937-1938 she was owned by Joseph E. Johnston, Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1938-1940 she was owned by George W. Pearson, Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1941 she was owned by Frederick S. Dyson, Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1948 she was owned by B.F. Rinderknecht, Seattle WA USA.
Repower
Repowered with a 55hp gasoline engine
References
- Merchant Vessels of the United States (1948)
- Canada List of Shipping
- recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca ↗ (website viewed 28/03/2025)
