MV Pendozi facts for kids
MV Pendozi docking at Kelowna on Okanagan Lake, 1946
|
|
| History | |
|---|---|
| Canada | |
| Namesake | Charles Marie Pandosy |
| In service | 1939 |
| Out of service | 1958 |
| Status | Sunk 1964, refloated, now clubhouse |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Ferry |
| Length | 147 ft (45 m) |
| Beam | 42 ft (13 m) |
| Installed power | 2 × 150 hp (110 kW) Vivian engines |
| Propulsion | 4 × screws |
| Capacity | 30 cars |
The MV Pendozi was a special ferry that sailed on Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada. It was built in 1939 and was the very first steel ferry made for this area. Its main job was to carry cars and people between the towns of Kelowna and Westbank.
The Pendozi was quite large for a ferry. It was about 147 feet long and 42 feet wide. It could carry up to 30 cars at one time. The ferry was powered by two strong 150-horsepower engines. It also had four propellers, two at each end, which helped it move easily. For safety, it carried two lifeboats and two life rafts.
What's in a Name?
The ferry got its name from a local hero, Rev. Father Charles Marie Pandosy. He was a missionary who started a settlement called Okanagan Mission, British Columbia way back in 1859. The people of Kelowna suggested naming the ferry after him.
You might notice that "Pendozi" is spelled a bit differently than "Pandosy." This was not a mistake! The name "Pendozi" was chosen because it sounded exactly like how people said his name. A street in Kelowna was also named Pendozi for the same reason.
Life as a Ferry
The Pendozi was an important part of transportation on Okanagan Lake. Before the Pendozi, there was another ferry called the MV Kelowna-Westbank. Later, two more ferries, the MV Lloyd-Jones and the MV Lequime, joined the Pendozi.
These ferries worked hard to carry more and more cars and people. However, as the area grew, even three ferries struggled to keep up. This problem was solved when the Okanagan Lake Bridge opened in 1958. The bridge made it much easier for cars to cross the lake.
The End of Its Journey
After the bridge opened, the Pendozi was no longer needed as a ferry. The city of Kelowna bought the retired ferry for just one dollar. It was then tied up at a city dock and used by sea cadets for training.
On New Year's Eve in 1964, something unfortunate happened. Some people caused the ferry to sink by opening its water valves. In the new year, the Pendozi was brought back to the surface. It was then moved to Westbank. Today, the old Pendozi has a new life. It serves as the clubhouse for the Westbank Yacht Club.
