SS Klondike
Encyclopedia
The SS Klondike was the name of two sternwheelers
, the second now a national historic site located in Whitehorse, Yukon
, Canada. Both ran freight between Whitehorse and Dawson City along the Yukon River from 1921-1936 and 1936-1950, respectively.
The Klondike I was built in 1921 and had the distinction of having 50% more capacity than a regular sternwheeler, while still having the shallow draft
and meeting the size requirements in order to travel down the Yukon River
. Klondike I had a cargo capacity of 270 metric tonnes without having to push a barge.
Klondike I ran aground in 1936. The British-Yukon Navigation Company (a subsidiary of the White Pass and Yukon Route
railway company) salvaged much of the ship and cannibalized the wreckage to build the Klondike II the following year.
Klondike II carried freight until 1950. Due to the construction of a highway connecting Dawson City and Whitehorse, many sternwheelers were decommissioned. In an attempt to save Klondike II, it was converted into a cruise ship
. The venture shut down in 1955 due to lack of interest, and the Klondike II was beached
in the Whitehorse shipyards.
The ship was donated to Parks Canada
and was gradually restored until 1966, when city authorities agreed to move the ship to its present location, then part of a squatter's residence. The task required three bulldozers, eight tons of Palmolive
soap, a crew of twelve men, and three weeks to complete. Greased log rollers eased the process.
On 1 July 1981, the Canadian government declared Klondike II a National Historic Site of Canada, and it is now open during the summers as a tourist attraction.
Paddle steamer
A paddle steamer is a steamship or riverboat, powered by a steam engine, using paddle wheels to propel it through the water. In antiquity, Paddle wheelers followed the development of poles, oars and sails, where the first uses were wheelers driven by animals or humans...
, the second now a national historic site located in Whitehorse, Yukon
Whitehorse, Yukon
Whitehorse is Yukon's capital and largest city . It was incorporated in 1950 and is located at kilometre 1476 on the Alaska Highway in southern Yukon. Whitehorse's downtown and Riverdale areas occupy both shores of the Yukon River, which originates in British Columbia and meets the Bering Sea in...
, Canada. Both ran freight between Whitehorse and Dawson City along the Yukon River from 1921-1936 and 1936-1950, respectively.
The Klondike I was built in 1921 and had the distinction of having 50% more capacity than a regular sternwheeler, while still having the shallow draft
Draft (hull)
The draft of a ship's hull is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull , with the thickness of the hull included; in the case of not being included the draft outline would be obtained...
and meeting the size requirements in order to travel down the Yukon River
Yukon River
The Yukon River is a major watercourse of northwestern North America. The source of the river is located in British Columbia, Canada. The next portion lies in, and gives its name to Yukon Territory. The lower half of the river lies in the U.S. state of Alaska. The river is long and empties into...
. Klondike I had a cargo capacity of 270 metric tonnes without having to push a barge.
Klondike I ran aground in 1936. The British-Yukon Navigation Company (a subsidiary of the White Pass and Yukon Route
White Pass and Yukon Route
The White Pass and Yukon Route is a Canadian and U.S. Class II narrow gauge railroad linking the port of Skagway, Alaska, with Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon. An isolated system, it has no direct connection to any other railroad. Equipment, freight and passengers are ferried by ship through the...
railway company) salvaged much of the ship and cannibalized the wreckage to build the Klondike II the following year.
Klondike II carried freight until 1950. Due to the construction of a highway connecting Dawson City and Whitehorse, many sternwheelers were decommissioned. In an attempt to save Klondike II, it was converted into a cruise ship
Cruise ship
A cruise ship or cruise liner is a passenger ship used for pleasure voyages, where the voyage itself and the ship's amenities are part of the experience, as well as the different destinations along the way...
. The venture shut down in 1955 due to lack of interest, and the Klondike II was beached
Beach (nautical)
Beaching is when a vessel is laid ashore, or grounded deliberately in shallow water. This is more usual with small flat-bottomed boats. Larger ships may be beached deliberately, for instance in an emergency a damaged ship might be beached to prevent it from sinking in deep water...
in the Whitehorse shipyards.
The ship was donated to Parks Canada
Parks Canada
Parks Canada , also known as the Parks Canada Agency , is an agency of the Government of Canada mandated to protect and present nationally significant natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative...
and was gradually restored until 1966, when city authorities agreed to move the ship to its present location, then part of a squatter's residence. The task required three bulldozers, eight tons of Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive Company is an American diversified multinational corporation focused on the production, distribution and provision of household, health care and personal products, such as soaps, detergents, and oral hygiene products . Under its "Hill's" brand, it is also a manufacturer of...
soap, a crew of twelve men, and three weeks to complete. Greased log rollers eased the process.
On 1 July 1981, the Canadian government declared Klondike II a National Historic Site of Canada, and it is now open during the summers as a tourist attraction.