MV Skookum (1912) facts for kids

The MV Skookum was a special ferry that helped people travel across Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada. It connected the towns of Naramata and Summerland. This ferry was important for moving people and goods around the lake.

Building the Skookum

The story of the Skookum began with a company called the Okanagan Lake Boat Company. This company was started in 1909 by a pioneer named John Moore Robinson. Later, in 1912, Peter Roe took over managing the company.

After a while, a group called the Naramata Syndicate bought the company. They wanted to build bigger and more modern boats for the lake. The Skookum was the very first of these new boats!

What was the Skookum like?

The Skookum was a motor launch, which means it was a boat powered by an engine. It was about 50 feet (15 m) (or 15 meters) long. This ferry was designed to carry up to 60 passengers at a time.

The Naramata Syndicate also built special flat-bottomed boats called scows. These scows were used to carry heavy items like freight and cargo. They worked alongside the Skookum and other ferries to move goods across the lake.

A Collision on the Lake

In November 1913, something unexpected happened. The Skookum was involved in a collision with another boat called the SS Castlegar. This accident happened between the areas of Trout Creek and Penticton.

Sadly, the Skookum sank after the collision. To keep the ferry service going, another boat quickly took its place. This replacement was the MV Trepanier. The Trepanier was a bit smaller than the Skookum and had mostly been used for fun trips before it became a ferry.