SS Prince Rupert
The Grand Trunk Pacific Steamship Prince Rupert
| |
History | |
---|---|
Canada | |
Name | Prince Rupert |
Builder | Wallsend-on-Tyne |
Launched | December 13, 1909 |
Acquired | June 4, 1910 |
Decommissioned | 1956 |
In service | 1910-1956 |
Honours and awards | Atlantic 1944 |
Fate | Retired |
General characteristics | |
Length | 307.6 ft (93.8 m) |
Draft | 8' 6" (2m 59cm) |
Propulsion | twin screw steamer |
Speed | 18 kn |
Notes | Displacement=3379 Tons |
The Grand Trunk Steamship Prince Rupert, and her sister ship the SS Prince George, served the coast of British Columbia and Alaska.[1] Originally these vessels served regular runs from Seattle to Victoria, Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Stewart Alaska. Seattle and Victoria were dropped from the route after a few years and Skagway, Alaska was added. The Prince George served briefly as a Royal Canadian Navy hospital ship in 1914.[2] From 1925, ownership of both Princes was transferred along with the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway system to the Government of Canada to be operated as part of the Canadian National Railway. [3]
On August 22, 1927 the Prince Rupert was caught on Ripple Rock. Captain Andy Johnstone of the competing Union Steamship Company of British Columbia maneuvered the Cardena alongside and pulled the Prince Rupert off the reef saving her from almost certain disaster.[4]: 109
The Prince Rupert had a 46 year career serving northern ports from Vancouver, BC.[5]: 223 She was sold and scrapped in 1956. A Japanese scrap company bought her and renamed her Prince Maru and took her on her final voyage from Vancouver to Japan.
See also
References
- ^ Grand Trunk Pacific Steamship "Prince Rupert", Library Of Congress
- ^ CFB Esquimalt, Navy and Military Museum. "First Aid, Nurses in the RCN, WWI". Retrieved 2007-07-21.
- ^ Library and Archives Canada. "Grand Trunk Pacific Coast Steamship Company, Limited". Retrieved 2007-07-21.
- ^ Rushton, Gerald A. (1974). Whistle Up the Inlet, The Union Steamship Story. Vancouver: J.J. Doulas. ISBN 0-88894-057-2.
- ^ Hacking, Norman R.; Lamb, W. Kay (1974), The Princess Story, A Century and a Half of West Coast Shipping (Second ed.), Vancouver: Mitchell Press, ISBN 0-88836-002-9
External links
- Canada Science and Technology Museum (CSTM). "Observation room of the SS Prince Rupert".
- CSTM. "Ferry SS Prince Rupert".
- CSTM. "Dining room of the SS Prince Rupert".
- CSTM. "The S.S. Prince Rupert sailing in Alaskan waters".
- CSTM. "S.S. Prince Rupert on a cruise near Taku Glacier, Alaska".
- CSTM. "S.S. Prince George mooring at the Grand Trunk Pacific Coast Steamship Company harbour facilities".