Fraser Shipyard Workers

October 2009

The S.S. Master Society is finding it difficult, in these tough economic times, to do all the repairs SS MASTER needs, at refit time. Indeed We need to postpone and schedule only what is  crucial and what is financially feasible. An old wooden ship does not repair itself, but yet she is the only one We have left.

We look to the City of Vancouver  for support, and from whence  she came. Master  helped to erect some of those very city buildings with limestone from Texada island, such as the current Hotel Vancouver. In the early days SS Master helped provide heat in the form of coal, barged to the city steam plant itself.

We look to the Province who helped restore Her for Expo 1986, (The World Transportation an Communication Exposition), and designated her as a Heritage Object, to recognize this and once again help preserve this important part of our maritime heritage with some funding.

We hold our hand out  to the towboat,  logging and mining industries which used this type of vessel, the backbone of the marine transportation system, and for which she is the only early survivor of Her type and a tribute to the early working men that built the Province of B.C.

 Many members have volunteered countless thousands of hours over the decades  and a very large number of companies and organizations have supplied materials and/or  cash contributions  over the years in order to save this grand old steam powered lady of our maritime towing industry.

The MASTER has encountered quite a few problems over the years whilst in retirement from commercial service. She has been 'sunk' twice, once by vandalism and the other by miscalculation of the shipyard that had her under its charge. Each time she has reappeared along with the renewed determination of the Society members to continue the restoration.

The Province and the City have helped in the past, and we are pleading for their help once again! Marine industries, Oil companies, and many other companies have been more than generous with donations of supplies and materials. Many individuals and organizations have also supported her with gifts of money and by purchases of souvenirs and regalia while visiting communities on the coast and at the Vancouver international boat show.

It has been this support, for which we have been extremely grateful, that has helped save the SS Master to date, - without it, the ship would have been  long gone, if not forgotten.

There is still much to be done. There always will be!

All manner of support, in cash or in kind, for this 'Heritage' vessel, will be acknowledged with a Tax Receipt, for we are a Federal Registered Charity.  For more information on how you can help, please contact Our Society President Chris Croner. 

Click here to email Chris or call him at 604 726 2583 

Thank You for Your Support!