A historic steam tugboat, the S.S. Naramata, a significant relic in Canadian maritime history, is set to undergo extensive preservation efforts for future generations to appreciate. Anchored near Okanagan Lake in Penticton, British Columbia, the vessel, which first set sail in 1914 and served for over five decades, was a vital link in the region’s transportation network prior to the existence of modern highways.
Jessie Laven, president of the S.S. Sicamous Marine Heritage Society, highlighted the tugboat’s crucial role in transporting goods and produce between lakeside communities and railway connections. During the winter freeze, the S.S. Naramata’s reinforced bow facilitated the breaking of ice to assist other vessels navigating Okanagan Lake, as explained by board member Paul O’Neil.
With a capacity for 20 passengers, the ship boasted amenities such as a galley resembling a standard kitchen with a coal-fired stove, designated quarters for the chief engineer, captain, and first officer, and modern conveniences like running water and a flushable toilet – a pioneering feature at the time of its launch.
Following a recent approval by Penticton city council for a $45,000 funding allocation, the S.S. Sicamous Marine Heritage Society now has the necessary resources, complementing their own fundraising efforts totaling $205,000, including a significant contribution from the Heritage Legacy Fund. The society’s restoration plans include raising the vessel seven feet to prevent corrosion, utilizing a custom-designed concrete cradle supported by the Vernon Museum’s expertise.
The restoration project aims to be completed by the upcoming spring, with meticulous steps such as constructing a temporary berm around the ship, filling it with water to lift it from the mud, and carefully settling it onto the concrete cradle as the water drains away. Laven expressed the importance of preserving this unique piece of maritime heritage for the community and future generations to cherish.