http://home.tiscali.nl/annejan/swf/timeline.swf

Photo:Robert Etchell

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The Steamship Master is currently moored at Britannia Heritage Shipyard, 5180 Westwater Drive
in Steveston, Richmond, B.C. and Chris Croner, our president, is looking for any help in preserving the old girl for future generations! If You can swing a hammer, man a saw, steam a plank, wield a paintbrush, donate materials and/or bring any other talents to bear, then Chris would like to hear from You. Why not drop by on a Saturday at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard in Steveston, tour the old gal, and offer a hand where You can. Open from 9am-3pm. Contact Chris at: 604-726-2583 or chris@ssmaster.org Any help is greatly appreciated!

John James article "My 1st Job as a 1938 Deckhand on the Master"

Read a 1990 Article on SS Masters first preservationists - The World Ship Society !

SS Master loading limestone at Texada Island circa 1949

Please Sign Our Visitor Guest Book !

Confessions of a 15 Year old Oiler

Restoration of the SS Master for EXPO 86 by Steve Ley, Master Shipwright "For me it all started on a wet cold Monday morning in mid February. I had a job interview in New Westminster, the man in charge was Jim MacDonald...

If You are related to a past crew member of the SS Master during it working days: please search Your possesions and lend us any logbooks, photos, letters, or stories of that family member while at sea. We will make sure the Vancouver Maritime Museum gets a copy as well as post it here for the enjoyment of all to read and see. Please contact Garnet at: mastersteamtug@gmail.com - Remember the Society Webpage is only as good as it's contributors make it.

The Steam Ship SS Master Society is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the sole remaining wooden hulled steam tug in North America, the Steam Ship MASTER. The Tugboat is moored at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard in Steveston, Richmond, B.C. presently. From here members will be volunteering their labour, to keeping the vessel ship shape and readying Her for yet another season of steaming in May through September. Members of the public can drop by on a Saturday from 9am-3pm to visit and tour the vessel or sign up and become a member of the crew. If You have any materials or expertise that You would like to make available then please don't hesitate to call one of our Society Officers.

We Really Need Any Help You Can Offer Right Now !

SS Master Society President in Richmond Review Article April 02,08

Wooden Tugboat "SWAN" built in New Westminster circa 1888. Due to serious illness, and allthough it breaks our hearts, we are willing to give Her away "For Free", as soon as possible, "to the right person" willing to help preserve Her unique Maritime Heritage. She is 54 ft long and 12 ft wide, with a "draft" or hull-depth of 8 ft. Her hull is 11 3/4 ft thick, made of yellow cedar on oak frames and lined inside with yellow cedar as well as 1 inch gum wood sheathing on the outside. We are not sure how much she displaces but we guess it to be about 40 tons Prop: 50 inch bronze propeller

Engine: Detroit Diesel 8V92, approx. 500 Hp (needs a tune-up) with the original manuals; marine allison transmission; hydraulic ram steering and the engine could be easily converted to bio-fuel.

The Swan is a unique vessel, one of the last of her kind and her importance to the marine history of BC is well documented. The Swan is certainly a beautiful tug and we do love her truly, if it was not for illness, we would not be giving her up at all. Finding the right person is of paramount importance to us, as she deserves to be restored to her former glory by someone who will love her and appreciate her importance to the marine history of BC. We are grateful for any and all help in our quest to find her the best home. I am holding out hope that someone (or an organization) will want to preserve Her for prosperity. It would be great if a heritage society wanted to take her on because She would be a great "working" exhibit or a teaching tool. I wish that we could restore Her ourselves, but life is something that happens to you when you are busy making other plans. I am attaching a few pictures (in and out of the water) that may help as far as the visual is concerned. We have been concentrating our efforts on what is below the waterline so She is still in need of a paint job for her cabin. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email back with them.

Other Details: She is the oldest working tug in BC history, having only retired in 2001 at the death of her then owner, Alfie Talbot . She was re-corked and fastened about 30 years ago by Alfie, who also installed the bow-thruster and bow-stem. The Swan is featured in the book "Against Wind and Weather, The history of Towboating in British Columbia" by Ken Drushka . She still possesses her original steering wheel from 1888!

Thank-you for your interest. Reply to raraavis1969@gmail.com or leave message at 604-989-3697.