CP's Princess Marguerite II: photos & discussion

[lmtengs]

So then, since this life jacket has the name Victoria Princess UNDER the word Princess Marguerite, it's definitely the Princess Marguerite III (future and past Queen of Burnaby) that the life jacket's from.

[Nick]

Aug 8, 2010 19:01:00 GMT -8 @lmtengs said:

So then, since this life jacket has the name Victoria Princess UNDER the word Princess Marguerite, it's definitely the Princess Marguerite III (future and past Queen of Burnaby) that the life jacket's from.

Probably not. The QPR (Victoria Princess) only ran for a season in 1980, after which the PMII (Maggie) started sailing the route again. In all probability, this life jacket is from the Maggie, and was most likely taken off in the mid to late 1980's.

The Burnaby most likely would not have had that type of life jacket, she would have had the square foam style that are on board BCF vessels today.

[marguerite]

ok, upon closer inspection the final number looks to actually be a 2 making it 19-2. This date is faded and stamped underneath "Princess Marguerite" with the same amount of fading as what looks to be "Victoria Princess", if it is referring to the Princess Victoria, she was built in 1902, laid up in 1950 then sold in 1952 to Tahsis & Co, Vancouver and renamed Tahsis No.3.

It is also stamped TAPATCO (The American Pad and Textile Company) which is a company that produced various items including life jackets, this company ran from 1911 - 1959.

Is it possible this life jacket was originally on the "Princess Victoria" and was then reissued on the first Princess Marguerite and worn by one of the survivors?

[Nick]

It is also possible that the life preserver was original to the Princess Marguerite II, since she was built in 1948. I suspect that it was original to the PMII, transferred to the QPR/Victoria Princess for the 1980 season, and then back to the PMII. This would explain the even fade, since the two names were only a year apart.

It is possible that it is from the original 'Marguerite, since she did sink with over 1000 people on board, most of which ended up in the water before being picked up by another Naval vessel. However, the fact that it says Victoria Princess, and not Princess Victoria, makes me think that life jacket was on the QPR.

[blynn]

Hi,
It is a Maggie life jacket. I wore them many times but not quite so faded.....
FYI:
I worked on the dock in 1980 with the Princess Victoria and the Flying Clipper (boeing hydrofoil)
I then worked from 1981 to the end of 1990 on the Maggie, the VIP and Stena Lines and late on the Maggie 3 (ick

)
i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n581/wlynn1/img088.jpg

[mrdot]

:)have a look at my new signature plate, and you will see the lines of a prewar bueaty, the princess Margurete and Kathleen, I submit this pair as the most shipshape vessels to ever sail our Pacific Northwest coast, but that is very debaitable, and I invite other suggestions, perhaps this could be a new forum debate! mrdot.

[FNS]

Dec 7, 2010 22:01:27 GMT -8 @blynn said:

Hi,
It is a Maggie life jacket. I wore them many times but not quite so faded.....
FYI:
I worked on the dock in 1980 with the Princess Victoria and the Flying Clipper (boeing hydrofoil)
I then worked from 1981 to the end of 1990 on the Maggie, the VIP and Stena Lines and late on the Maggie 3 (ick

)
i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n581/wlynn1/img088.jpg

If my memory is correct, the Boeing jetfoil that worked alongside the VICTORIA PRINCESS (QPR) was named FLYING PRINCESS. Clipper Navigation was far from being conceived then. Even though these were commonly called hydrofoils, Boeing officially called their ships "jetfoils" as water jets propelled them when "foil-borne". I think these had propellers for use when these were "hull-borne".

Rewinding our clocks even further, there was a Boeing jetfoil named FLYING PRINCESS running between Seattle and Victoria in 1976. This might have been on an earlier built Boeing Jetfoil than that other one that ran next to the QPR. This ran alongside the PRINCESS MARGUERITE II and ran a bit past the MAGGIE's season. I took a ride on that one from shabby, but beautiful, old Pier 64 one Saturday after the MAGGIE season and did see that ship already in winterization when we entered Victoria Harbour. That was in 1976.

www.boeing.com/history/boeing/hydro.html



There was another jetfoil that ran alongside the MAGGIE II in 1985. This was named SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP and was run by Island Jetfoil. This ran from Seattle to Victoria to Vancouver and return. Their slogan was "... On the ship that flies!".

Washington State Ferries tried out a Boeing jetfoil once on cross sound routes as well as trips up the sound.

[blynn]

Hmm, hardly remember the second hydrofoil. The one in 1980, they had to modify the dock. The VP was a front loader and the hydrofoil was moored in front on a short dock. This was all torn out when the Maggie came back the next year.
The Hydrofoils were waterjet-propelled according to wikipedia, the one in 85(Wikipedia bumped my memory) was part of the scam run from the Science Research tax credits the Government unwisely gave out. That ship docked elsewhere in the harbour (in a expensively built building, now owned by the navy)
I rode once on the Hydrofoil, very smooth, no sensation of speed until you looked down to the water.
It did have problems with deadheads and I think it was too expensive to run.
Later in the 80s we saw one of the foils plus the military on racing down the Sound criss-crossing our wake.

[Low Light Mike]

Here is another forum-thread on the jet-foil

ferriesbc.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=smallbcferries&action=display&thread=1952

[FNS]

Here's a photo of the predecessor of the PRINCESS MARGUERITE II. This photo of the first PRINCESS MARGUERITE is in a double page spread in the book titled Pacific Coastal Liners by Gordon Newell and Joe Williamson.

[mrdot]

:)what a lovely site the Princess liners made on the Victoria inner harbour or Elliot Bay, or thru the Lions gate or anywhere on the Pacific coast! To my mind the most handsome or shipshape vessel to sail the Pacific Northwest was the first Margureite, and her sister Princess Kathleen, however most of those living today would not remember any of the CPR fleet! Thanks to EG fleet for the neet visual memories! mrdot.

[bcferryfan87]

I'm back!!!! yes after viewing and not posting, I am back on here.

At the risk of repeating myself, I am searching (after having moved) for tapes of the Princess Maggie retirement. Me thinks they are like gold as no one has posted anything like that anywhere on you tube etc. funny how that is, maybe not many thought to keep it on tape.

I should have a yes or no as to whether I have these, in the next week or so.
Does anyone know of a good simple way to move items from - wait for it - VCR (Beta) to the computer? i bought a beta vcr for a few things from years back , off ebay about 2 years ago.


As for the pic that was posted a couple days back of the maggie, man that makes me long for those days. 1980's especially late 80's is what I remember of the maggie. nothing before that as I was too young.

If money were no object, I would love for someone to rebuild an updated version of the maggie (same plan but modernized), with at least some kind of steam whistle. There would have to be a way I'm sure they could do that (e.g. a diesel or alternate powered vessel - other than how the maggie was powered), but still have the steam type whistle.

Moot point and just a dream unless someone had big bucks. Last thought on this, is imagine if the foresight had been there to keep the maggie, and 8 years later how the titanic movie thing started such an interest in that era of ships, the maggie might have even had a spike in demand.

Interesting things to ponder. I WILL update all on the tapes of maggies retirement. Sorry for not posting for so long, I know I talked about this a while back.

[FNS]

I have dug up some old negatives and have these photos of the PRINCESS MARGUERITE to share on this thread. Three of these were taken in 1974 and the bottom one was taken in 1975.


PRINCESS MARGUERITE at Port Angeles in late August 1974. She did mid-day trips to Port Angeles between her Seattle trips.


Cars getting ready to board. This slip was fitted with both a passenger and a car plank. This is now a public pier today.


PRINCESS MARGUERITE at Victoria in late August 1974. You can see all those people lining up to board her for the evening voyage to Seattle.


Following BC's purchase of the PRINCESS MARGUERITE and the use of her terminals in 1975, we see the ship at Pier 48 in Seattle on June 1, 1975. She had just made her inaugural sailing and had an "Open Ship" that evening. It was decided to use Pier 48 rather than her usual Seattle dock at Pier 64 as more people could see the ship this way. This photo was taken by my late dad.

[mrdot]

:)to ferrynutseattle, those are neat posts of Pr. Margurete, but I think she looked dreadful in her latter CPrail garb, and puts me to mind of the latter day BCferries garb., which wac Bennett's navy has had to endure! bravo to the Alaska marine people and all others who have honoured their original heritage! :)mrdot.

[FNS]

Feb 21, 2011 20:10:02 GMT -8 mrdot said:

:)to ferrynutseattle, those are neat posts of Pr. Margurete, but I think she looked dreadful in her latter CPrail garb, and puts me to mind of the latter day BCferries garb., which wac Bennett's navy has had to endure! bravo to the Alaska marine people and all others who have honoured their original heritage! :)mrdot.

I completely agree, "mrdot"!

What else can I do for an encore?

This magnificent photo!

PHOTO FOR VIEWING ONLY. REPRODUCTION OR OTHER USE PROHIBITED.

From a purchased collection, this morning photo shows the PRINCESS MARGUERITE in virtually new condition at lovely old Pier 64 in Seattle getting ready for another set of voyages to Victoria, Vancouver, and Nanaimo. The PRINCESS PATRICIA should be soon on her way out of Nanaimo at this time and making her way on the reverse circuit.

Must of been taken when she was new on the run in 1949.

As you can see, the ship is at the south side of this dock. Later in her CPR career, she would be using the west side. This south side wouldn't be used anymore. The only way for us to see most or all of her was from the water.

It would be a few years into her BC Government services that a terminal change in Seattle would occur. She moved up to Pier 69 and berthed on its south side, enabling us to see more of her again. Just like what you can see on this photo.

Being biased in my own statement, Pier 64 was the most beautiful passenger ship terminal here in Seattle. Nice lines with well placed windows. I loved looking at this neat piece of waterfront architecture. It's been gone for quite awhile. I'm miss the old docks here in Seattle, as well as the ship in the subject of this thread.

[mrdot]

:)yes,ferrynutseattle, the encore photo is magnificent, as opposed to that dreadful latter day CPrail garb, and much of the modern day liveries of surviving shipping lines! I find it very rewarding to vue many of the old time shots being posted by various collectors in this forum, and the shipspotting site. :)mrdot.

[FNS]

We now advance a day or so to see the MARGUERITE's sister.

PHOTO FOR VIEWING ONLY. REPRODUCTION OR OTHER USE PROHIBITED.

From the same purchased collection, we see the then new PRINCESS PATRICIA at Seattle's Pier 64 in a morning scene.

The MAGGIE should be beginning to cross the Georgia Strait at this time with folks rising out of their berths from a good night's sleep. During this time, people could board either of these ships at Nanaimo the night before and get up and have breakfast before arriving Vancouver in the morning.

PHOTO FOR VIEWING ONLY. REPRODUCTION OR OTHER USE PROHIBITED.

Meanwhile, from another collection, we see the PRINCESS MARGUERITE entering Vancouver with a nice touch of snow on that beautiful north shore icon we love to come and see. Better keep an eye on that kid on that railing!

For those who are wondering what's in that space with the fancy windows aft on the shelter (Promenade) deck, that's the ship's cafeteria. Below that was the formal dining room. Ahead of the dining room was the aft social hall, staterooms, the forward social hall and foyer, the purser's office and crew area, and the anchor room. Below this deck was the car deck. Above the observatory was a bar. The ballroom was aft on the Boat Deck. There were smaller staterooms amidships on the Boat and Promenade decks.

PHOTO FOR VIEWING ONLY. REPRODUCTION OR OTHER USE PROHIBITED.

Finally, we see the PRINCESS MARGUERITE steaming her way out of Vancouver on another trip, gaining speed. There would always be small craft advisories when these ships were in the areas as they created royal-sized wakes with big waves on the beaches when steaming at full speed.

[FNS]

Going back to Seattle, I've dug up some info on a bit of history of the dock the MARGUERITE called home for most of her career here.

Prior to being the Pier 64/65 complex we knew in the recent yesteryears, this was known as the Orient Dock and was designated Pier 11. In the 1930s, the Orient Dock's buildings were torn down and two different structures were erected.


Here we are in the 1930s. Notice those neat machines that ran on the roads then. The PRINCESS KATHLEEN was at the south side of Pier 64. Pier 64 had the elegant building that housed the passenger activity of the Canadian Pacific.

www.portseattle100.org/map-and-timeline/1930-1939


We get a closer look at this facility. I can identify the masts of the ship on the west side as being aboard the PRINCESS VICTORIA.

www.portseattle100.org/map-and-timeline/1930-1939


While the CPR was using the Pier 64 side, the Pier 65 side was used by the Leslie Salt Company and they had a building for their use. That's the Lenora Street overpass.

www.vintageseattle.org/2009/11/05/congrats-sir-its-all-yours/

www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=2479

I remember the colors used on the building of Pier 64 (when I saw this in the 1970s). The eastern facade had a golden buff-ish kind of color. The rest of the structure was basically blue-ish in color. Don't know what colors were used before then.

Some people called Pier 64 a shabby old dock. I don't see this that way. I like seeing old things, event if I can only see these in pictures nowadays.

PHOTOS FOR VIEWING ONLY. REPRODUCTION OR OTHER USE PROHIBITED.

In addition to all what's mentioned on this posting, I remember seeing the interim Alaska ferry WICKERSHAM made fast to this dock in the 1970s during the MARGUERITE's winter layup in Victoria. The WICKERSHAM was in layup status during that time and AMH had to find a place to berth her for a bit.

[bcferryfan87]

here's something that I was happy to see - something I'd never seen before. An old TV ad for the Maggie (looks like the ad was for a Sea/Tacoma based station); we also get to hear a bit of that jingle "take a princess to sea"; I've never heard that jingle before -other than when the Maggie3 was running around 97 (wow that's 14 years ago); the ads would run on 100.3 the Q in the morning I remember. Thanks to whoever the poster is on that site *tube...



this fills the gap of my "way" overdue posts of old maggie video stuff re retirement...its on Beta - yes Beta; I think I'm trying to figure out the best way to get it from Beta to online (it has to digitize I guess)...ack it seems complicated

[bcferryfan87]

and here's one more post...one thing led to another and look at the 0:00:25 (20 second) mark of this video...an old sign off from Knowledge network....Maggie leaving Vic Harbour....I remembered this sign off...and searched for it and there it is... Thanks to that poster too who put that up. Great memories and for those who never saw her up close from shore in her days...a chance to see a bit of the past.

[bcferryfan87]

Ok, here is one more clip - this time an ad for ensign chrysler in Vic - and the skipper from Gilligan's Island (for younger readers/viewers it is Alan Hale - actor - from a 1960's/70's and reruns into late 70's tv show). The Maggie shows up at the end;

I remember the two different videos (the Ensign ad) and prev post re knowledge network where the Maggie showed up each of them. My dad got me onto being such a fan of the MAggie and I'm glad I have those memories of the ship; call me obsessed a bit - hmmm maybe...enjoy. So when I saw that first youtube clip -when I was on youtube, of the Maggie TV ad - it got me wondering what other ads had the maggie in them; I only found them by searching by company (e.g. know network, or Ensign); Probably alot of people - e.g. the OP's - don't realize the gems they have for the fact the Maggie is in there; they probably posted for other reasons.
(such as just the scenery in general in Know Network vid, and for the "skipper" in the Ensign ad - not just for the Maggie!)

[Deleted]

September 17, 1989
Steam Whistles Galore!

Watch this in HD full screen with your sound rattling the desk. This'll get the neighbor's attention around 6 minutes in.

I only had a tape recorder and my camera, and my light meter's battery was dead so my exposures were hit and miss. I lost my tape of this, but luckily I had given a copy to my friend Paul and he found it. He is our hero!

This is the most of Maggie I have ever heard recorded., but I hope I am wrong and someone has more!

Enjoy.

Einar

[lmtengs]

Ooh, some of those photos are priceless! I've never even seen any of her in the BC Stena colours

[Low Light Mike]

Here are some photos of a book that I bought this week, on the Maggie.
- published in 1981 by Robert D. Turner, Sono Nis Press
=======================

The cover shot, showing BC Steamship Company livery:



another photo by Mr. Turner, of Maggie in her BC Steamship Company livery




A comparison of classic CP BCCS livery and the 1970s CP Rail style livery




Maggie, after her Clyde launch.

[mrdot]

:)I'm going to have to disagree with the cdn. viking on this because I think the Margurete never looked so awful as when she had the indignity of wearing the Stena Line livery, the only thing more degrading was when the Burnaby wore the Margurete III outfit! that being said the Utube video is very interesting! :)mrdot.