FAQs

Why was the S. S. Sicamous important to the Okanagan Valley during the period it operated on the lake, from 1914 to 1936?

The S. S. Sicamous transported passengers, mail, and freight for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) on Okanagan Lake.  By 1935 the demand for the Sicamous to carry passengers decreased, however there was still a demand for the ship to transport freight.   At this time the CPR decided to renovate the boat in order to supply the changing demand.  Historian Robert D. Turner wrote in his book, The Sicamous & The Naramata: Steamboat Days in the Okanagan, “Their [the sternwheeler’s] jobs depended largely on the success and production of the fruit-growing communities around Okanagan Lake in the busy years of the early 1900s.”

Why is the S. S. Sicamous important today?

The S. S. Sicamous is a unique historical landmark.  It is the largest of four stern-wheeled, steam-driven lake vessels that have been restored in Canada.  The restoration of the S. S. Sicamous is an attempt to help people today discover the importance of stern-wheelers for people living in the Okanagan Valley during the early 1900s.  The boat is, in the most literal sense, an attempt to bring history alive for its patrons.

How was the S. S. Sicamous powered?

The S. S. Sicamous was powered by a locomotive steam-pipe boiler which is located on the Cargo Deck.  The boiler has three chambers: first, the firebox which housed a coal fire; second, a chamber encompassing the firebox filled with water which created steam; and third, a smoke box which allowed the smoke from the fire and excess steam to escape through the chimney.  The second compartment contained 320 empty pipes.  The pipes were connected to the firebox and as the hot air rose through them they would in turn heat the water.  Once the water turned into steam it would flow down a pipe and engage the engines which powered the paddle-wheel.  The engines would move in a bicycle-like motion, turning the paddle-wheel one side at a time.  After the steam was sued by the two engines it returned to the boiler which would keep the steam-pressure high.

Where was the S. S. Sicamous controlled?

The S. S. Sicamous was controlled in part by the Captain who was stationed in the Pilot House, and in part by the engineer stationed in the Engine Room at the back of the cargo deck.  Although the engineer controlled the speed and the basic forward/backward direction of the paddle-wheel, he could not see where he was going.  Likewise, the Captain could only control the direction of the ship.  The heavy steering-wheel in the Pilot house was linked the rudders by chains that extended down the Communication Tower.  During storms, or times of heavy wind, two or three men were needed to control the wheel and steer the ship.

The Communication Tower was disguised as a structural pillar on the floors where the passengers stayed.  Running through the Communication Tower was a Voice Tube System which was used for communication between the Pilot House, the Pursers Office, and the Engine Room.  To announce that a change in the paddle-wheel’s speed or direction was needed the Captain would use the Gingle and Gong which was mounted on the base of the steering-wheel and connected to the Engine Room.  In the Engine Room a bell would ring: one long ring would indicate a start or a stop; two rings would indicate reverse; and jingling would indicate an increase in speed.  As soon as the Engineer heard the bell he would put his ear to the voice tube and listen to the Captain’s instructions.

In some pictures the S. S. Sicamous has three decks and in others it is four.  Why?

The S. S. Sicamous was built as the CPRs response to the booming population in the Okanagan Valley.  However during the late 20s the railway began to supersed the efficiency of the sternwheeler and became the norm in transportation.  The design of the Sicamous was modified in 1935 to accommodate this change.  At the ship yard at Okanagan Landing Mezzanine deck (the third deck) and the Texas deck (the fourth deck) were lifted of the vessel with the help of cranes.  As can be imagined this was a very intricate and complex process.  In the end the Texas deck was totally removed, but the Mezzanine deck was shortened by 2/3.

The CPR hoped that by lowering the weight of the Sicamous they would be able to transport more mail and freight, such as cars, fruit, and various animals, for the people living in lakeside small communities.  Unfortunately, the boat was not able to meet the demands of Okanagan orchardists.  Tugs like the S. S. Naramata became more popular because they were able to push barges which carried more goods then the Sicamous ever could.  In 1935, the Sicamous was retired.  However, in 1936, because of the growth success in the orchards she was taken out of retirement for several runs.

If you have any other questions please contact us.