The Search for British Columbia’s Oldest Floating Heritage

by John M. MacFarlane 2017 (Updated in May 2019)

Dorothy

The Dorothy when she was still afloat. (Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)

The search for the oldest vessel afloat in British Columbia is a difficult and complicated subject. The list is constantly shifting as vessels disappear and as the wrangle over defining terms such as afloat, or oldest vessel creates debate and disagreement. I would argue that just recently shifting an ancient vessel into BC waters does not create a new entry to the claimant list but that is only an opinion. Here is my attempt to establish the list of oldest vessels for consideration.

The oldest floating vessel in western Canada is reported to be the Alert (V), later Douglas M., later Black Hawk (I) ON126002 built in 1896 at Buffalo NY USA. In 1896 she was owned by USA interests. In 1951–1961 she was owned by Northern Lakes Fisheries Co. Ltd., Winnipeg MB. In 1972–1977 she was owned by Ray Senftt, Winnipeg MB. In 1977–2018 she was owned by Irvin Olafson, Selkirk MB. (While she was in USA Registry she worked as a tug and freighter. She was transferred to Canadian Registry in 1916 based at Southampton ON. In 1944 she was a tugboat based in Port Arthur ON. In 1951 she was moved by rail to Selkirk MB.) So this is probably the oldest vessel afloat in western Canada – but this date is eclipsed by several other older vessels in eastern Canada for the national title.

Alan Keene reports in the British Columbia Nautical History Facebook Group that "There is a sailing vessel named Gladimaris ON 166385 in Sidney BC which was owned by a coworker/shipmate of mine. Mike Camiot owned her in the mid 1970s when I first met him until maybe 2001?". Pippa Mohan states "She is said to be an 1896 Exmouth pilot cutter. She has been continuously in the water and is ready to sail at anytime even though she is a live aboard. Rosemary and John Bowie are fine keepers for this unique cutter." (She is is reported in fine condition and at a mooring.) In 2001 she was owned by David C. Andrews, Black Creek BC. In 2004–2018 she was owned by Linda R. Andrews, Sidney BC. (This vessel needs to be better documented given her age and her potential claim to being the oldest vessel afloat in BC waters.)

In British Columbia the oldest floating vessel (1897) could be the Dorothy ON158956. She is reported to be under a complete restoration in Tony Grove’s boat shop on Galiano Island BC so until she is re–launched (afloat in the water) again she does not count for this list. Dry berthed vessels are not considered as floating heritage – if they were considered then the Tilikum would win handily being built in the 1850s.). The holder of the title "oldest vessel afloat" is very fluid and is changing constantly. When the Dorothy goes back in the water she may hold the title – her registration number is lower than that of the Gladimaris.

Recently (2018) another vessel, the screw launch Louise has been publicized. She is reported to have been built in 1894 In Victoria BC by the Victoria Boat Works. In 2018–2019 she was owned by Hugh Baird and Kandy Besse, Pender Harbour BC. She is 14.5’ x 4.66’ x 2.0’ with a wooden hull, powered by a 2–cylinder gasoline by Buffalo Gas Engine Co., Buffalo NY USA. f the building date is correct she would give the Gladimaris ON 166385 (1896) and the Dorothy ON 158956 (1897) a serious run for the title of ‘oldest vessel in BC still afloat’.

Other Vessels Built Before 1910

The Lisabeth–Vig, later Providence (I), ON392576 built in 1903 at Frederikshaven Denark by N. Neilsen & Sons. In 1903 she was owned by Danish interests. In 1989–2018 she was owned by Peter–Thor Watson, Brentwood Bay BC.

The Maple Leaf, later Constance B., later Parma, later Maple Leaf ON116788 in 1904 at Vancouver BC by Vancouver Shipyards Ltd. In 1904–1916 she was owned by Alex MacLaren, Vancouver BC. In 1921 she was Fredereick R. Springall, & Frederick Brooks, North Vancouver BC. In 1926–1931 she was owned by Gosse Packing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1933–1937 she was owned by British Columbia Packers Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1937–1938 she was owned by Otto H.S. Morner, Sidney BC. In 1942 she was owned by Herman C. Rensvold & Peter D. Parkvold, Vancouver BC. In 1944 she was owned by Peter D. Parkvold (MO), Prince Rupert BC. In 1945–1973 she was owned by Harold S. Helland, Prince Rupert BC. In 1974 she was owned by Sverre A. Hauknes, Prince Rupert BC. In 1975–1979 she was owned by Parma Fishing Co. Ltd., Prince Rupert BC. In 1980–1995 she was owned by Falcon Ventures Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1995–2004 she was owned by Maple Leaf Adventures Corp. (Brian Falconer), Victoria BC. In 2011–2014 she was owned by 0855747 B.C. Ltd., Victoria BC. In 2015–2018 she was owned by Maple Leaf Adventures Corp. (Brian Falconer), Victoria BC.

The Sea Lion, later Sea Lion VI ON117116 built in 1905 in Vancouver BC by Charles E. Robertson. In 1905 she was owned by G. H. French, Vancouver BC. In 1910 she was owned by H.A. Young & Lloyd B. Gore, Vancouver BC. In 1915 she was owned by British Canadian Lumber Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1916–1963 she was owned by Young & Gore Tugboat Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1963 she was by Island Tug & Barge Co. Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1970 she was owned by Harold Elworthy, Victoria BC as a yacht. In 1972 she was owned by Sealion Charters Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1975–1985 she was owned by Seatech Charters Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1985 she was owned by Murray Boy as a liveaboard. In 1986 she was sold to Ernie Kansler of Friday Harbour WA as a yacht. In 2004–2013 she was owned by Living Planet Experiences Un–limited, Calgary AB. Although her registry is suspended in late 2017 donal Fee reports that she is berthed in Maple Bay BC.

The Kingsway (I), later La Pointe (I) ON122938 built in 1906 in Lytham UK by Lytham Steam Boat & Engineering Co. Ltd. In 1906 she was a North Sea trawler owned by UK interests. In 1910 she was owned by William D. Haywood et al., Vancouver BC. In 1911 she was owned by J.W. McFarland, Vancouver BC. In 1912 she was owned by William D. Haywood et al., Vancouver BC. In 1913–1916 she was owned by Steamer Kingsway Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1919–1933 she was owned by the Canadian Fishing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1933–1958 she was owned by Vancouver Towing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1961–1971 she was owned by Vancouver Tug Boat Company, Vancouver BC. In 1972 she was owned by Seaspan International Ltd., North Vancouver BC. In 1973–1974 she was owned by Donald M. Derrick, Gambier Island BC. In 1975–1978 she was owned by La Pointe Marine Industries Ltd., New Westminster BC. In 1979–1980 she was owned by C.C. & R. Towing Ltd., North Vancouver BC. In 1986–1995 she was owned by Lapointe Salvage Co. Ltd., White Rock BC. In 2001–2004 she was owned by Harvey G. Borley, Fort Langley BC. In 2005–2023 she was owned by Edward G. Rustin and Janice K. Ruston, Fort Langley BC. In 2023 she was owned by Edward G. Rustin, Fort Langley BC.

The Aix; later Nan Lea ON126782, later licenced 14K16016 built in 1908 at Westham Island BC by H.J.F. Anderson. In 1908 she was owned by Henry Anderson. In 1916–1918 she was owned by Harry Troup, Nanaimo BC. In 1923–1931 she was owned by Walmis Newman, Victoria BC . In 1947–1949 she was owned by Hugh Rodd, Canoe Cove BC. In 1949–1958 she was owned by Alexander S. Dodds, Sidney BC. Not in List of Shipping 1958–1990. In 1965 she was owned by Robert Richardson as a derelict. In 1982–2004 she was owned by Ron Drinkwater, Victoria BC. In 2011–2012 she was owned by Ernest V. Petersen, Mansons Landing BC. In 2013–2014 she was owned by William A. Thompson, Garden Bay BC. (Last sighted by Glen Bancroft at Gorge Harbour in 2016 this vessel has dropped from view, and may yet be still afloat. Reports of her condition and whereabouts would be appreciated.)

The Knight ON126076 built in 1908 in North Vancouver BC by Wallace Shipyards Ltd. In 1908–1909 she was owned by Knight Inlet Canning Co. Ltd. (R.E. Gosse), Vancouver BC. In 1913–1947 she was owned by H. Bell–Irving & Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1947–1949 she was owned by Axel Hansen, Simoon Sound, BC. In 1953 she was owned by Charles Creek Logging Co. Ltd., Nanaimo BC. In 1957–1962 she was owned by Buckley Bay Towing Ltd., Nanaimo BC. In 1963–1965 she was owned by Knight Towing Ltd., New Westminster BC. In 1966–1972 she was owned by McDougall Towing Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1973 she was owned by Pacific Towing Services Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1974–2014 she was owned by Slam Bang Logging Ltd., Zeballos BC. In 2015–2018 she was owned by Slam Bang Logging Ltd., Kyukuot BC.

The Marabeth, then Kraken (I), then Seeker of Truth ON310294 built in 1908 in Norway. In 1908 she was owned by Norwegian interests. In 1960–1970 she was owned by Maywell Wickheim, Victoria BC. In 1971–1983 she was owned by Sooke Marine Industries Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1984–1999 she was owned by Keith C.A. Cameron (MO), Sidney BC. In 2001 she was owned by Paul E. Cameron, Courtenay BC.In 2003–2013 she was owned by Thomas A. Taylor, Nanaimo BC. In 2016–2018 she was owned by Doreen Jackson, Vernon BC.

The XII, later the Sadie No. 15, ON126743 built in 1909 in Vancouver BC by Wallace Shipyards Ltd. (False Creek), Vancouver BC. In 1919 she was owned by Victoria Tug Co. Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1929–1958 she was owned by Victoria Tug Boat Co. Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1961–1966 she was owned by Victoria Tug Boats Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1967–1972 she was owned by Island Tug & Barge Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1973–2011 she was owned by Seaspan International Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 2011–2012 she was owned by Seaspan Marine Corp., Vancouver BC. In 2013–2018 she was owned by Seaspan ULC, North Vancouver BC.

Vessels Built in 1910

The Rhinegold ON130457 built in 1910 in Vancouver BC by Vancouver Shipyards Ltd. In 1910 she was owned by Theophilus Maxwell Davies, Vancouver BC. In 1912 she was owned by Dr. Glen Campbell, Vancouver BC. In 1919 she was owned by Alan De Brisay, Vancouver BC. In 1923–1982 she was owned by Colin C. Ferrie, Vancouver BC. In 1983–1988 she was owned by Graydon Gibson, Victoria BC. In 1989–1997 she was owned by Ralph Henderson, Vancouver BC. In 1999–2017 she was owned by Wayne G. Hartrick, Vancouver BC. Angus Hunter (British Columbia Nautical History Facebook Group 14/02/2017) advises "The Rhinegold has recently been sold and has been shipped to the east coast of the United States." (She is no longer in BC waters.)

Vessels Built in 1911

The Harriet E., later Queen of Storm (I) ON138781 built in 1911 in Alberni BC by James A. Croll. In 1911 she was owned by USA interests. In 1919–1941 she was owned by Sooke Harbour Packing Co., Victoria BC. In 1942–1961–1975 she was owned by The Canadian Fishing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1976 she was owned by Gerald L. Winston, Halfmoon Bay BC. In 1977–1978 she was owned by Gibco Logging & Contracting Co. Ltd. Vancouver BC. In 1979 she was owned by David J. Brown, Port Hardy BC. In 1980–1988 as a fishboat she was owned by Horst Klein, Pender Island BC. In 1989–1992 she was owned by Unique Sea Farms Ltd., Nanaimo BC. In 1993–2018 she was owned by Frank B. Stoney, Lantzville BC.

The Sterling D., later Tug No. 2, later Vicki (I) ON130693 built in 1911 in Vancouver BC by The Hoffar Motor Boat Co. In 1911–1915 she was owned by John Plowman, North Vancouver BC. In 1915 she was owned by Ocean Falls Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1919–1926 she was owned by Reynolds Timber Shipping & Insurance Agency Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1926–1930 she was owned by Bernard Tug Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1933 she was owned by William J. Kleaman Jr., Vancouver BC. In 1934 she was owned by Arthur P. Dawe, Ladysmith BC. In 1935–1955 she was owned by Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt BC. In 1963–1965 she was owned by Charles G. White, Victoria BC. In 1966–1967 she was owned by Ingvard Peterson, Victoria BC. In 1968 she was owned by Capitol Broadcasting System, Victoria BC. In 1970 she was owned by Victor Dhufreychuck, Vancouver BC. In 1971 she was owned by Claude F. Brickell, Vancouver BC. In 1972 she was owned by Raymond H. White, Surrey BC. In 1975 she was owned by James Turner, North Vancouver BC. In 1977–1988 she was owned by James T.A. Turner, North Vancouver BC. In 1989–1990 she was owned by Gibsons Realty Ltd., Gibsons BC. In 1991–1992 she was owned by Francis J. Boulton, Gibsons BC. In 1993–2018 she was owned by Raymond L. Bertin, Gibsons BC.

Vessels Built in 1912

The Andrew Kelly, later Island Commander ON134745 built in 1912 in Selby UK. In 1912 she was owned by Atlin Construction Co. Ltd., Grimsby UK. In 1914 she was owned by the Canadian Fishing Company. In 1929–1933 she was owned by the Canadian Fish and Cold Storage Co. Ltd., Prince Rupert BC. In 1936 she was owned by Dominion Tug & Barge Co. Ltd. In 1939 she was owned by the Pacific Salvage Co. Ltd., North Vancouver BC. In 1940 she was owned by Vancouver Dry Dock & Salvage Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1941 she was owned by Island Tug & Barge, Victoria BC. In 1941–1944 she was chartered to the US Government in the Aleutians for the US Army Transportation Service. In 1946 she towed the Pamir out of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In 1947–1970 as a tug she was owned by Island Tug & Barge Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1971–2018 she was owned by Island Sea Marine Ltd. (Ken Higgs), West Vancouver BC.

The T.R.N. No. 1, then C.F. Co. 52, then Cullen II ON141031 built in 1912 in New Westminster by George S. McKeen. In 1912 she was owned by Atlin Construction Co. Ltd., Grimsby UK. In 1914 she was owned by the Canadian Fishing Company. In 1929–1933 she was owned by the Canadian Fish and Cold Storage Co. Ltd., Prince Rupert BC. In 1936 she was owned by Dominion Tug & Barge Co. Ltd. In 1939 she was owned by the Pacific Salvage Co. Ltd., North Vancouver BC. In 1940 she was owned by Vancouver Dry Dock & Salvage Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1941 she was owned by Island Tug & Barge, Victoria BC. In 1941–1944 she was chartered to the US Government in the Aleutians for the US Army Transportation Service. In 1946 she towed the Pamir out of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In 1947–1970 as a tug she was owned by Island Tug & Barge Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1971–2018 she was owned by Island Sea Marine Ltd. (Ken Higgs), West Vancouver BC.

The Chief Zibassa, then Western Star (II) ON133719 built in 1912 in Vancouver BC by Vancouver Shipyard Ltd. In 1912–1913 she was owned by Atlin Construction Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1916–1935 she was owned by The Canadian Fish & Cold Storage Co. Ltd., Prince Rupert BC. In 1936 she was owned by Independent Fishing & Transportation Co. Ltd., New Westminster BC. In 1937–1972 she was owned by Nelson Bros. Fisheries Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1973–1997 she was owned by British Columbia Packers Ltd., Richmond BC. In 2001–2014 she was owned by Jim Pattison Enterprises Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 2016–2018 she was owned by Frederick Sound Seafood Co., Kenmore WA USA.

The Gleniffer ON133721 built in 1912 in Hong Kong by W.S. Bailey & Co. Ltd. In 1912–1933 she was owned by Stuart Cameron, Vancouver BC. She was owned by R.M. Maitland, Vancouver BC. In 1937–1943 she was owned by James C. McPherson, Vancouver BC. In 1944–1945 she was owned by Allison Logging Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1946–1967 she was owned by Kenneth Mair, Vancouver BC. In 1968–1980 she was owned by Gustav R. Kroll, West Vancouver BC. In 1982–1989 she was owned by George T. White, North Vancouver BC. In 1990–2018 she was owned by Thomas G. Burnett, Salt Spring Island BC.

The P.R. & G. No. V, later Island Tug 23, later B.A. Vanisle, later Gulf Vanisle ON138787 built in Victoria BC by Producers Rock & Gravel Co. Ltd. In 1912–1919 she was owned by Producers Sand & Gravel Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1931 she was owned by Millerd Packing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1958 she was owned by Producers Sand & Gravel Co. (1929) Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1961–1967 she was owned by Island Tug & Barge Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1970–1982 she was owned by Gulf Oil Canada Ltd., Toronto ON. In 1983–1988 she was owned by Big Spring Sport Fishing Ltd., Coquitlam BC. In 1989–2018 she was owned by Canadian Overseas Estate Inc., Richmond BC.

The Joyful (I), later Westminster Monarch, later Monarch II ON130499 built in 1912 at New Westminster BC by Westminster Marine Railway Co. Ltd. In 1912–1947 she was owned by Canadian Tug Boat Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1948–1958 she was owned by Westminster Charterers Ltd., New Westminster BC. In 1961 she was owned by Westminster Tugboats Ltd., New Westminster BC. In 1962 she was owned by Bridge Towing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1967 she was owned by Seaway Towing Ltd., Campbell River BC. In 1970 she was owned by Egmont Towing & Sorting Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1972–1984 she was owned by Monarch Towing Ltd., North Vancouver BC. In 1985–1989 she was owned by Arthur Noble, North Vancouver BC. In 1990 she was owned by 374107 B.C. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1992 she was owned by Ken Harvey Fox, Cowichan Bay BC. In 1995–2014 she was owned Robert A. Boucher, Hagensborg BC. In 2015–2018 she was owned by Robert Helenius, Williams Lake BC.

The Glenboro, later Montague Straits, later Santa Rita (II). ON130800 built 1912 at Vancouver BC by Arthur Moscrop. In 1912–1914 she was owned by William McRae, Vancouver BC. In 1915 she was owned by Herman Wilbur & Mrs. John H. Speedie, Vancouver BC. In 1918–1919 she was owned by Herman Wilbur and John Speedie, Vancouver BC. In 1927–1929 she was owned by Herman Wilbur, Vancouver BC. In 1930–1936 she was owned by Wilbur Towing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1936–1941 she was owned by Preston–Mann Towing Co., Vancouver BC. In 1942–1960 she was owned by Straits Towing & Salvage Co. Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1960–1961 she was owned by Straits Towing Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1962–1966 she was owned by Rita M. Costanzo, Vancouver BC. In 1967–1971 she was owned by Jennie M. Comparelli, Vancouver BC. In 1972 she was owned by the Minister of Fisheries, Ottawa ON. In 1973 she was owned by Donald J. MacAndrew, North Vancouver BC. In 1974–1978 she was owned by Classic Charters Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1979–1980 she was owned by Santa Rita Dive Charters Ltd., Richmond BC. In 1981–1983 she was owned by Santa Rita Maritime Services Ltd., Richmond BC. In 1984–1990 she was owned by Island Fallers Ltd., Sooke BC. In 1991–2018 she was owned by Tom Phillips & Christine Webb, Victoria BC.

The Swell, later Nautilus Swell, later Swell ON130882 built in 1912 at Vancouver BC by Beach Avenue Shipyard (Arthur Moscrop). In 1912 she was owned by George McGregor as the first tug of Victoria Tug Co., Victoria BC. In 1913–1959 she was owned by Victoria Tug Co. Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1959–1972 she was owned by Island Tug & Barge Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1972–1979 she was owned by Thomas Stockdale, West Vancouver BC. In 1981 she was owned by Island Merchant Marine Ltd., Nanaimo BC. In 1981–1989 she was owned by Westview Dredging Ltd., Powell River BC. In 1990–1997 she was owned by Swell Towing Ltd., Powell River BC. In 1998–2003 she was owned by Swell Towing Ltd., Delta BC. In 2004 she was owned by Big Time Sport Fishing BC Ltd., Nanaimo BC. In 2011–2014 she was owned by Icarus Aviation Ltd., Richmond BC. In 2015–2018 she was owned by Maple Leaf Adventures Corp., Victoria BC.

The Silver Bear (I) ON134645 built 1912 in Nanaimo BC by Jancowski Brothers. In 1912 she was owned by USA interests. In 1931–1953 she was owned by Nootka Packing Co. (1937) Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1961–1974 she was owned by The Canadian Fishing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1978–1987 she was owned by Anthony Capadouca, Richmond BC. In 1988–1991 she was owned by Mark Fishing Co. Ltd., Prince Rupert BC. In 1992–1997 she was owned by Charlotte Ventures Ltd., Victoria BC. In 2001 she was owned by Raymond M. Bewza, Coal Harbour BC. In 2003 she was owned by Lindberg Marine Services Ltd., Cobble Hill BC. In 2004 she was owned by Ropey Fishing Co. Ltd., Salt Spring Island BC. In 2011–2018 she was owned by Ropey Fishing Co. Ltd., Salt Spring Island BC and Donald K. Holness, Cobble Hill BC and Lindberg Marine Services Ltd., Cobble Hill BC.

The T.R.N. No. 1 ON141031 later C.F. Co. 52; later Cullen II built 1912 she was built at New Westminster BC by George C. McKeen. In 1918–1919 she was owned by Vancouver Gas Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1931 she was owned by British Columbia Electric & Power & Gas Co. Ltd. Vancouver BC. In 1958–1963 she was owned by Western Fishing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1966 she was owned by North Coast Fisheries Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1967–1980 she was owned by the Canadian Fishing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1982–2001 she was owned by Hideo Onotera, Delta BC. In 2003–2018 she was owned by Cullen Construction Ltd., Delta BC.

The Walronda ON133710 built 1912 at Hong Kong. In 1912 she was owned by Charles R. Gordon, Vancouver BC. In 1915–1969 she was owned by The Minister of Public Works, Ottawa ON. In 1970 she was owned by Frederick Whitecroft, Vancouver BC. In 1971–1985 she was owned by Horel & Lakberg Logging Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1986–2018 she was owned by James A. McDonald and Judith E. McDonald, North Vancouver BC.

This list is probably incomplete, and any assistance to the author in keeping it up to date would be a great service to nautical history in British Columbia. There is a large number of vessels built in 1913–1914 still afloat.



To quote from this article please cite:

MacFarlane, John M. (2017 and updated in May 2019) The Search for British Columbia's Oldest Floating Heritage. Nauticapedia.ca 2018. http://nauticapedia.ca/Articles/Oldest_Floating_Heritage.php

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