MV Skookum (1906) facts for kids
class="infobox " style="float: right; clear: right; width: 315px; border-spacing: 2px; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;" |+MV Skookum | colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; line-height: 1.5em;" |
|} The MV Skookum, also known as Tut Tut, was an important ferry boat. It sailed on Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada. The Skookum started its service on April 2, 1906. It was the first official ferry on the lake to get money from the government. This ferry helped connect the towns of Kelowna and Westbank.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
| Canada | |
| Operator |
|
| Builder | H. B. D. Lysons |
| In service | 2 April 1906 |
| Nickname(s) | Tut Tut |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Ferry |
| Length | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Beam | 6 ft (1.8 m) |
| Draught | 2 ft (0.61 m) |
| Installed power | Turscott one-cylinder, 7 hp (5.2 kW) engine |
| Speed | 8–10 mph (13–16 km/h; 7.0–8.7 kn) |
| Capacity | 20 passengers |
What Was the MV Skookum?
The Skookum was a special kind of boat called a ferry. Ferries are used to carry people, vehicles, and goods across water. This particular ferry was very important for the communities around Okanagan Lake. It made travel much easier for people living there.
Building the Skookum Ferry
The Skookum was built by a person named H. B. D. Lysons. It was a good-sized boat for its time.
- It was 30 feet (about 9 meters) long.
- It was 6 feet (about 1.8 meters) wide.
- It had a depth of 2 feet (about 0.6 meters).
The ferry had a Turscott one-cylinder engine. This engine had 7 horsepower. It allowed the Skookum to travel at a speed of 8 to 10 miles per hour. That's about 13 to 16 kilometers per hour.
Carrying Passengers and Goods
The Skookum could carry up to 20 passengers at a time. The cost for a passenger was 25 cents. If you had a horse, it cost one dollar.
The ferry also had a special boat called a scow. This scow was attached to the Skookum.
- The scow was 40 feet (about 12 meters) long.
- It was 16 feet (about 4.8 meters) wide.
- It was 4 feet (about 1.2 meters) deep.
The scow was used to carry bigger things. It could transport livestock like cows or one vehicle. If someone needed the scow, they would light two fires on the west side of the lake. This was their signal to the ferry.
Government Support for the Ferry
The Skookum received money from the government. This was called a subsidy. The ferry got CAD$1000 each year. This money helped it run two round trips every day. The ferry operated every day except Sundays. This agreement lasted for three years.
Who Operated the Skookum?
The Skookum had a few different owners over the years.
Captain Len A. Hayman's Time
In 1907, Captain Len A. Hayman bought the ferry's operating rights. He continued to run the ferry service. He kept it going until 1911.
The Okanagan Lake Boat Company
In 1911, a company called the Okanagan Lake Boat Company took over the Skookum. This company was owned by Peter Roe. Peter Roe and his brothers, Fred and Gerald, operated the Skookum. They also ran another ship called the MV Trepanier. They continued to operate these ferries for many years.
