FAQs

Why was the S. S. Naramata important to the Okanagan Valley during the period it operated, from 1914 to 1967?

The S. S. Naramata was the first steel-hulled tug on Okanagan Lake.  It was designed specifically to break the ice in the winter.  In the earlier years, the lake would freeze over.  Since the tugs on the lake were built with wood hulls, smaller lake communities, such as Paradise Ranch, Gellatly, and Nahun, totally isolated from the outside world.  The CPRs response to this problem was the Naramata.  The Naramata would lead the sternwheelers up and down the lake, breaking the ice for them, as well as transporting small groups of passengers to small communities.

In the summer time, as well as the winter time, the Naramata would carry freight up and down the lake.  The importance of the S. S. Naramata was transporting produce.  Like the S. S. Sicamous the Naramata’s success relied heavily upon the fruit industry in the Okanagan.

What is the importance of the S. S. Naramata today?

The importance of the Naramata today is her uniqueness in the Okanagan Lake barge service.  She was the first steel-hulled tug, she is the last survivor of her sister ship’s, and the fact she operated for 50 years is outstanding.  The Naramata was in great condition when her restoration began in 1975, and for this reason she remains a historically unique site in so far that she has remained intact; most of the Okanagan’s ships were looted by collectors or sunk by the CPR.

How did the S. S. Naramata transport freight?

The Naramata transported freight on Okanagan Lake freight with barges.  The tug usually pushed two barges, but could pull another two.  When two barges were handled, they were tied together at the front and the tug was wedged in between then at the back forming a V-shape pattern with the tug in position to push and maneuver the barges effectively.  The earlier wooden barges were each capable of carrying eight freight cars; the steel barges, used in the later years of service, could each carry 10 cars.  A tug, with two fully loaded barges, could move the equivalent of a 16-20-car train.