Moyie (sternwheeler) facts for kids
SS Moyie in 1898
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Canada |
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| Name | Moyie |
| Launched | October 22, 1898 |
| In service | 1898 |
| Out of service | 1957 |
| Status | Restored and made a National Historic Site |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Paddle steamer |
| Length | 161.7 ft (49.3 m) |
| Beam | 30.1 ft (9.2 m) |
| Speed | 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
| Official name: S.S. Moyie National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1958 |
The SS Moyie was a special type of boat called a paddle steamer. It had a big paddle wheel at the back to push it through the water. The Moyie sailed on Kootenay Lake in British Columbia, Canada, for almost 60 years! It operated from 1898 until 1957.
After its long service, the Moyie was sold to the town of Kaslo. It was carefully restored and is now a National Historic Site of Canada. It is the oldest passenger sternwheeler in the world that is still complete! You can even see a copy of the Moyie at Heritage Park Historical Village in Calgary. This replica boat takes people on rides in the Glenmore Reservoir during certain times of the year.
Contents
The Moyie's Early Days
The Moyie was built in pieces in Toronto, Ontario. It was first meant to be used on the Stikine River. This was part of a plan for an "all Canadian" route using water and trains to reach the goldfields during the Klondike Gold Rush. But the railway part of the plan did not work out. So, the Moyie and its sister ship, the Minto, were sent to work on the Arrow Lakes and Kootenay Lake. These lakes are in the southern part of British Columbia.
The Moyie was officially launched in Nelson on October 22, 1898. Its first trip was on December 7, 1898. It connected with a new train line from the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). This train line ran from Lethbridge, Alberta, through the Crowsnest Pass to Nelson.
A Favorite on the Lake
The Moyie quickly became a favorite boat for passengers. It had a large and fancy dining room. There was also a luxurious smoking lounge and private rooms just for ladies. The overnight cabins were very comfortable. Everything on the boat was beautifully decorated with gold.
Since it was the main boat on Kootenay Lake, people called it the "Crow Boat." It was like the queen of the lake during the busy years of the early 1900s. At that time, many people were moving to the Kootenays. This meant there was a big need for boats to carry both people and goods.
During this busy time, other large and fancy sternwheelers joined the Moyie. These included the CPR's Kuskanook, which arrived in 1906, and the Bonnington, launched in 1911. These beautiful boats were part of the CPR's plan to make the area a big tourist spot. The railway even built a grand hotel in the town of Balfour.
However, World War I started, and many of the CPR's big plans for the West Kootenays stopped. One by one, the other sternwheelers were taken off the route. The hotel at Balfour also closed down.
Years of Service
After the war, the Moyie kept working almost all the time. It helped out other boats and pulled barges. It also carried supplies like lumber or coal. The Moyie was also used for fun trips. On holidays like Victoria Day, you could see it on the lake. It would travel from Nelson to Procter, decorated with streamers and flags, carrying 200 passengers.
For the next 40 years, its route and job did not change much. By the 1930s, the CPR had stopped using its other boats. The Moyie continued its work alone, sometimes helped by its relief ship, the Granthall. On Arrow Lakes, its sister ship, the Minto, also had a very long and important career. The Minto operated until April 24, 1954.
The Last Trip
The Moyie's very last trip was on April 27, 1957. It traveled its usual 87-mile route. It stopped at towns and landings like Riondel, Ainsworth, Kaslo, Lardeau, and Argenta. At each stop, people were sad to see it go. They honored its many years of service with farewell banners, songs, and flowers. When it left Argenta, sad music like "Auld Lang Syne" played. In Kaslo, the stores were closed, and a banner read, "Better lo'ed ye ne'er will be. Will ye no come back again?" After its final journey, it docked at the wharf in Procter.
Restoring a Legend
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In Kaslo, even though it was not as busy as it once was, the 700 residents decided they wanted the Moyie to stay there forever. The CPR agreed and sold the boat to the town for just C$1. The Kootenay Lake Historical Society was formed. They raised $15,000 to start fixing up the boat.
The Moyie has been restored to look just like it did when it was working. It now sits on a concrete spot at the end of Front Street in Kaslo. As the last passenger sternwheeler from its time, it gets thousands of visitors every year. It has been made a National Historic Site and is a famous landmark in British Columbia.
More to Explore
- Canadian Pacific Railway Lake and River Service
- List of ships in British Columbia
- Heritage Park Historical Village in Calgary, Alberta, where you can see and ride a working copy of the Moyie.
