Story
This trawler, battle-class was built in 1918 by Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal, QC.
Historical Notes
In 1952 this vesselplaced sixth in Maritime Day tugboat races in Seattle WA and was the only steamer entered.
In 1956 under bareboat charter to Island Tug & Barge Ltd. Victoria BC Canada. This vessel carried one 12-pounder gun. This vessel struck Armentieres Rock (uncharted) in Pipestem Inlet, September 2, 1927 under command of LT C.D. Donald RCN. This vessel was refloated October 26, 1927 by the tug Salvage King and recommissioned the following year. This vessel continued in service as a training vessel, with some customs patrols. During World War Two this vessel served as an examination vessel at Prince Rupert.
In 1925 this vessel was sunk at Pipestone Inlet BC and raised.
In 1958 under command of Captain Hill Wilson.
In 1958 in service between Vancouver, Western Arctic & Mackenzie River.
In 1959 this vessel made her last voyage to Arctic.
In 1959 placed in log barge service by Kingcome Navigation Co.
In 1978 this vessel was engaged in carry tourists from St. Maarten to St. Barts.
In 1980 this vessel was engaged in the drug trade. This vessel was lost somewhere in South America.
Owners & Masters
In 1918 she was owned by the Minister of the Naval Service, Ottawa ON Canada.
In 1923 she returned to Royal Canadian Navy.
In 1926 she was recommissioned as a training ship also doing fishery patrols.
In 1946 she was paid off from naval service.
In 1947-1952 she was owned by Oswald New (Coastal Towing Co. Ltd.), Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1952-1953 she was owned by Oswald H. New Ltd., Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1953-1958 she was owned by Andys Bay Industries Ltd., Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1958 she was owned by Arctic Shipping Co. Ltd., Edmonton AB Canada.
In 1959-1963 she was owned by Island Tug & Barge Ltd., Victoria BC Canada.
In 1963 she was owned by Vancouver Tug Boat Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1962 she was renamed as La Force.
In 1963-1971 she was owned by Vancouver Tug Boat Co., Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1971-1972 she was owned by Seaspan International Ltd., Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1972-1973 she was owned by Michael Skalley, Seattle WA.
In 1972 she was renamed as Polaris.
In 1975 she was owned by West Indies Metal Co., St. Croix US Virgin Islands.
In 1978 she was owned by E.H.B. Enterprises, Phillipsburg St. Maarten.
Masters
Lt. C.D. Donald RCN (1927); Captain Hill Wilson (1958)
Name Significance
After A.G. Garrish, formerly Secretary Treasurer of Coastal Towing Co.
Named Features
Armentieres Rock (BC);
Rebuilds
In 1949 she was rebuilt for freight and towing service 800hp engine.
Repower
500hp engine
References
- Scott, R.B. (1970)
- Government of Canada The Canadian Navy List Ottawa ON
- Freeman, David J. (2000)
- Newell, Gordon & Joe Williamson (1957)
- Photo Courtesy of Nauticapedia Collection
- heritage.canadiana.ca ↗
