SS Beaver on the Bottom
The SS Beaver (1966) a replica of the first steamship on Canada’s western coast rolled over and sank while moored in Cowichan Bay May 7th 2014 at around 8:30pm. Initially estimated to be in 60 to 80 feet of water some speculated that it was laying on it’s side on the bottom.
Today we can reveal that not only is the ship sitting upright, but also that it is in much deeper water than first anticipated.
Launching Day 1914
Tedora (Elmera) is back in the water… She came off the cradle at the Maritime Centre with nary a hitch a few days ago. Not bad for a 100 year old girl.
Originally named “Elmera”
Built in 1914 at Esquimalt B.C. by Donald Robertson. It is a Carvel Construction cedar on oak.
Renamed: “Tedora”
The original engine was a Palmer 24 HP which is now at the B.C. Forest Discovery Centre, Duncan.
Tonnage: 14.72 Length:10.7 meters
Depth: 1.3 meters Breath: 3.2 meters
SS Beaver April 29th 2014
The replica of the SS Beaver which has been tied up in Cowichan bay since last June, rolled over and sank Wednesday (May 7th 2014) evening at around 8:30pm. It is currently estimated to be in 60 to 80 feet of water. Nothing much visible above the water, it is speculated that it’s laying on it’s side on the bottom.
Some wreckage evident on the surface, however observers from the motor-vessel Kalisa reported no fuel or oil slicks thus far. Obviously it is a bit early to begin assessing environmental damage at this point. Light was fading on the scene shortly after the ship took her plunge. Previous reports seemed to indicate that there was no fuel and very little lubricant aboard the vessel.
It’s MINUS 5!
It’s cold out. Not a cloud to be seen, the sun is shining with that miserly winter’s light and it’s cold out. Not cold by anyone’s standards but our own mind you, but it IS below zero on the Celsius scale.
Water taps are freezing up all over the place on the docks. Not a single otter is to be seen sunning him or herself today.
Even Timmy de Vries, (our Siamese feline companion) who normally loves to sit on the couch with the window open, shrank back from the chill today, and is now on a chair in front of the gas fireplace.
It’s been sunny off and on this week. I’ve been kept busy with work and various projects of late and have been neglecting you, dear readers. To make up for it a little, enjoy the slide show of pictures taken this week.
Concerned for safety of artifacts, donation goes to roofing project.
Maritime Centre Pier – Cowichan bay Village
An organization you may never have heard of has come forward with a large donation for the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre.
Captain Terry Stuart, who presented the cheque to incoming Centre President Chris Banner on behalf of The British Columbia Supercargoes’ Association said the move was primarily initiated by a concern over the safety of historical artifacts.
He is quoted in a short article in the Cowichan News Leader as having said; “We were concerned that your valuable artifacts in the pods and pavilion might be jeopardized, so this donation is toward your roofing fund.”
Roche Cove
There’s a new vessel in the harbour at Pier 66 this week. Well…. It’s not exactly a new vessel in the true sense. It’s probably not even new to Cowichan Bay.
No, Roche Cove has been around for quite a while, and probably seen about all of this coast at one time or another.
She’s a small wooden tug, named for a place to be found near the town of Sooke BC. That’s the same place my own little boat is originally from, and so a bit of investigation was in order.
