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 | 1898-1957 |
| Status | Restored and made a National Historic Site |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 161.7 ft (49.3 m) |
| Beam | 30.1 ft (9.2 m) |
| Speed | 12 knots |
| Official name: S.S. Moyie National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1958 |
The Moyie was a special type of boat called a paddle steamer or sternwheeler. It sailed on Kootenay Lake in British Columbia, Canada, for almost 60 years, from 1898 to 1957.
After its long life on the lake, the Moyie was sold to the town of Kaslo. People there worked hard to fix it up. Now, it's a National Historic Site of Canada and the oldest passenger sternwheeler in the world that's still complete!
You can even see a copy of the Moyie today! It sails in Heritage Park Historical Village in Calgary during certain times of the year on the Glenmore Reservoir.
Contents
Building the Moyie
The Moyie was built in Toronto, Ontario. Its parts were made there and then shipped to be put together. It was first meant to sail on the Stikine River. This was part of a plan to create an "all Canadian" water and rail route to the goldfields during the Klondike Gold Rush.
However, the railway part of the project didn't happen. So, the Moyie and its sister ship, the Minto, were sent to work in southern British Columbia. They sailed on the Arrow Lakes and Kootenay Lake in the Kootenays region.
First Voyages and Popularity
The Moyie was launched and named in Nelson on October 22, 1898. Its first trip was on December 7 of that year. It connected with a new railway line from Lethbridge, Alberta, which went through the Crowsnest Pass to Nelson.
The Moyie quickly became a favorite with passengers. It had a large, fancy dining room and a luxurious smoking lounge. There was also a private ladies' lounge and comfortable cabins for overnight stays. All these areas were beautifully decorated with gold leaf.
The Queen of Kootenay Lake
The Moyie was the most important ship on Kootenay Lake. People called it the "Crow Boat." It was known as the "queen of the lake" during the early 1900s. This was a time when many people were moving to the Kootenays. There was a big need for ships to carry passengers 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 grand ships were part of the CPR's plan. They wanted to make the area a major place for tourists. The railway also built a large resort hotel in the town of Balfour.
However, World War I began, and many of the CPR's big plans for the West Kootenays ended. One by one, the other sternwheelers were taken off the route. The hotel at Balfour also closed.
Life After the War
After the war, the Moyie stayed in service almost all the time. It continued to help out other ships, tow barges, and carry supplies. These supplies included things 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. It could carry 200 passengers!
For the next 40 years, its route and job didn't change much. By the 1930s, the CPR had stopped using its other ships. The Moyie continued on its own, with only its relief ship, the Granthall, for company. On Arrow Lakes, its sister ship, the Minto, also had a long and important career. It sailed until April 24, 1954.
The Moyie's Last Trip
The Moyie's final journey was on April 27, 1957. It sailed its usual 87-mile route. It stopped at towns and landings like Riondel, Ainsworth, Kaslo, Lardeau, and Argenta.
At each stop, people were there to greet it. Many residents were sad to see it go. They honored its many years of service with farewell banners, songs, and flowers. At Argenta, it left to the sad music of "Auld Lang Syne". In Kaslo, the stores were closed. A banner read, "Better lo'ed ye ne'er will be. Will ye no come back again?" When its last trip was over, it docked at the wharf in Procter.
Restoring a Historic Ship
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The town of Kaslo was no longer as busy as it once was. But its 700 residents decided they wanted the Moyie to have its final home there. The CPR agreed to the plan. They sold the ship to the town for just C$1.
The Kootenay Lake Historical Society was formed. They raised $15,000 to start fixing up the ship.
Today, the Moyie has been restored to look like it did when it was working. It sits on a concrete spot at the end of Front Street in Kaslo. It is the last passenger sternwheeler from its time that still exists. Thousands of visitors come to see it every year. It has been made a National Historic Site and is a famous landmark in British Columbia.
