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Marion (sternwheeler)
Encyclopedia
Marion was a small sternwheel steamboat that operated in several waterways in inland British Columbia
from 1888 to 1901.
in 1888 for Frank P. Armstrong by Alexander Watson, a shipbuilder from Victoria, BC
. Klahowyas engines were manufactured by Polson Iron Works. Marion had a deckhouse and a wheelhouse, but no passenger cabin. Passengers simply perched wherever the could on the boat deck.
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Capt. Armstrong operated Marion on the uppermost reach of the Columbia River
, which ran from Golden, BC south down the Columbia Valley
to the headwaters of the river at Columbia Lake
. Small sternwheelers like Marion played an important role in development by allowing miners, loggers and entrepreneurs to penetrate the region. They also established the economic viability of steamboat operations in eastern British Columbia, which led to the placement of larger steamers on the routes that the small boats had pioneered.
, an important junction where the transcontinental line of the Canadian Pacific Railway made one of its two crossings of the Columbia River. From Revelstoke, a steamboat could navigate south down the Columbia River to the Arrow Lakes
and on the lakes proceed far to the south, near the international border, where spectacular mining discoveries were being made in the lat 1880s. Near the southern end of the lakes was a little settlement called Sproat's Landing. Armstrong put Marion on the Revelstoke-Sproat's Landing route, running in opposition to the catamaran steamer Despatch, the only other steam vessel then in operation on the Arrow Lakes.
In 1890, Armstrong sold Marion to Capt. Robert Sanderson, who worked the vessel on various routes out of Arrowhead, BC
. (Other sources state it was Sanderson who purchased Marion in 1889 and had her shipped to Revelstoke.) Marion was used as a low-water vessel. This was important because at that time the Upper and Lower Arrow Lakes were separated by a shallow stretch of water known as the "narrows". During certain times of the year, such as the later summer, water levels were low in the narrows and also on the Columbia River for example, vessels with a shallow draft could continue to use the water routes when vessels needed more water to float in were forced to curtail operations.
announced plans to build a rail line along the course of the Lardeau River from Kootenay Lake to Upper Arrow Lake. The Great Northern Railway also began surveying the same route, with a view towards constructing a completing line on the opposite of the river. To
In 1897 Marion was shipped to Kootenay Lake
. Once on Kootenay Lake Marion was operated on the Duncan River
which flows into Kootenay Lake from the north. Marion was also used to provide service to Kootenay Flats at the southern end of Kootenay Lake.
. In 1907 Captain Sanderson broke up the vessel and used her machinery to bore wood pipes at a mill in St. Leon, BC
.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
from 1888 to 1901.
Design and Construction
Marion was built at Golden, BCGolden, British Columbia
Golden is a town in southeastern British Columbia, Canada, located west of Calgary, Alberta and east of Vancouver.-History:Much of the town's history is tied into the Canadian Pacific Railway and the logging industry...
in 1888 for Frank P. Armstrong by Alexander Watson, a shipbuilder from Victoria, BC
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
. Klahowyas engines were manufactured by Polson Iron Works. Marion had a deckhouse and a wheelhouse, but no passenger cabin. Passengers simply perched wherever the could on the boat deck.
Operations in Columbia Valley
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
, which ran from Golden, BC south down the Columbia Valley
Columbia Valley
The Columbia Valley is the name used for a region in the Rocky Mountain Trench near the headwaters of the Columbia River between the town of Golden and the Canal Flats. The main hub of the valley is the town of Invermere. Other towns include Radium Hot Springs, Windermere and Fairmont Hot Springs...
to the headwaters of the river at Columbia Lake
Columbia Lake
Columbia Lake is the primary lake at the headwaters of the Columbia River, in British Columbia, Canada. It is fed by several small tributaries. The village of Canal Flats is located at the south end of the lake....
. Small sternwheelers like Marion played an important role in development by allowing miners, loggers and entrepreneurs to penetrate the region. They also established the economic viability of steamboat operations in eastern British Columbia, which led to the placement of larger steamers on the routes that the small boats had pioneered.
Transfer to Arrow Lakes
In 1889, Armstrong had Marion shipped by rail on two flat cars to Revelstoke, British ColumbiaRevelstoke, British Columbia
Revelstoke is a city in southeastern British Columbia, Canada. It is located east of Vancouver, and west of Calgary, Alberta. The city is situated on the banks of the Columbia River just south of the Revelstoke Dam and near its confluence with the Illecillewaet River...
, an important junction where the transcontinental line of the Canadian Pacific Railway made one of its two crossings of the Columbia River. From Revelstoke, a steamboat could navigate south down the Columbia River to the Arrow Lakes
Arrow Lakes
The Arrow Lakes in British Columbia, Canada, divided into Upper Arrow Lake and Lower Arrow Lake, are widenings of the Columbia River. The lakes are situated between the Selkirk Mountains to the east and the Monashee Mountains to the west. Beachland is fairly rare, and is interspersed with rocky...
and on the lakes proceed far to the south, near the international border, where spectacular mining discoveries were being made in the lat 1880s. Near the southern end of the lakes was a little settlement called Sproat's Landing. Armstrong put Marion on the Revelstoke-Sproat's Landing route, running in opposition to the catamaran steamer Despatch, the only other steam vessel then in operation on the Arrow Lakes.
In 1890, Armstrong sold Marion to Capt. Robert Sanderson, who worked the vessel on various routes out of Arrowhead, BC
Arrowhead, British Columbia
Arrowhead is a former steamboat port and town at the head of Upper Arrow Lake in British Columbia, Canada. Though the initial site has been submerged beneath the waters of the lake, which is now part of the reservoir formed by Hugh Keenleyside Dam at Castlegar, the name continues in use as a...
. (Other sources state it was Sanderson who purchased Marion in 1889 and had her shipped to Revelstoke.) Marion was used as a low-water vessel. This was important because at that time the Upper and Lower Arrow Lakes were separated by a shallow stretch of water known as the "narrows". During certain times of the year, such as the later summer, water levels were low in the narrows and also on the Columbia River for example, vessels with a shallow draft could continue to use the water routes when vessels needed more water to float in were forced to curtail operations.
Transfer to Kootenay Lake
In 1897, the Kootenay and Arrowhead Railway, a subsidiary of the CPRCanadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001...
announced plans to build a rail line along the course of the Lardeau River from Kootenay Lake to Upper Arrow Lake. The Great Northern Railway also began surveying the same route, with a view towards constructing a completing line on the opposite of the river. To
In 1897 Marion was shipped to Kootenay Lake
Kootenay Lake
Kootenay Lake is a lake located in British Columbia, Canada and is part of theKootenay River. The lake has been raised by the Corra Linn Dam and has a dike system at the southern end, which, along with industry in the 1950s-70s, has changed the ecosystem in and around the water...
. Once on Kootenay Lake Marion was operated on the Duncan River
Duncan River
The Duncan River is a long river in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Its drainage basin is in area. It is part of the Columbia River basin, being tributary via Kootenay Lake to the Kootenay River, which is a tributary of the Columbia River...
which flows into Kootenay Lake from the north. Marion was also used to provide service to Kootenay Flats at the southern end of Kootenay Lake.
Sinking
In January 1901 Marion sank in a gale while moored at Kaslo, BCKaslo, British Columbia
Kaslo is a village in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada, located on the west shore of Kootenay Lake. Known for its great natural beauty, it is a member municipality of the Central Kootenay Regional District...
. In 1907 Captain Sanderson broke up the vessel and used her machinery to bore wood pipes at a mill in St. Leon, BC
St. Leon, British Columbia
St. Leon, formerly known as Leon and also known as St. Leon Hot Springs because of a mineral spring located nearby, is an unincorporated settlement and former hot springs resort and steamboat landing on the east side of Upper Arrow Lake in the Kootenay Country of British Columbia, Canada, located...
.
Further reading
- Faber, Jim, Steamer's Wake -- Voyaging down the old marine highways of Puget Sound, British Columbia, and the Columbia River, Enetai Press, Seattle, WA 1985 ISBN 0-9615811-0-7
- Timmen, Fritz, Blow for the Landing, 75-78, 134, Caxton Printers, Caldwell, ID 1972 ISBN 0-87004-221-1