|
Post by Scott on Jul 6, 2012 21:40:07 GMT -8
Okay, it works. I had a "0" in front of the number, and I thought that always worked - but apparently it doesn't.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Jul 6, 2012 22:04:27 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on Jul 10, 2012 17:55:59 GMT -8
|
|
Mirrlees
Voyager
Bathtub!
Deck Engineer- Queen of Richmond
Posts: 1,013
|
Post by Mirrlees on Jul 10, 2012 19:46:43 GMT -8
That video just breaks my heart the 'Saanich served us so well for many years. She certainly does not deserve a retirement being desecrated by these hoodlums!!!
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Jul 10, 2012 20:17:30 GMT -8
I am tired of these stupid people who buy these ships and dont do anything with them! Why do they anchor it in the middle of nowhere if they have no decent place to moor it then they shouldent buy it. Should of just scrapped them all then you wouldent have to see the vandalized and all this other stuff.
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,177
|
Post by Neil on Jul 10, 2012 21:14:24 GMT -8
That video just breaks my heart the 'Saanich served us so well for many years. She certainly does not deserve a retirement being desecrated by these hoodlums!!! Idiots will always take the opportunity to be idiots when it's presented. In my mind, the real culprits are the owners, who have stashed this boat at Anvil Island, completely unattended. Pathetic, that the province and the feds can do nothing about it as long as it's not sinking or leaking. How long until some drunken young louts in a boat decide that it might be really cool to make their own video of a big ferry on fire? While moored at Britannia Beach in the nineties, the SS Prince George broke away from her moorings and could have caused an ecological disaster, considering she was full of fuel. The Coast Guard determined she had been unattended. A few years later, she burnt beyond usability, also at Britannia, and still full of fuel. I don't recall if the cause was vandalism or improper maintenance. As with the 'Saanich. the owners couldn't afford to moor her properly (they were behind in the dock lease payments), couldn't afford to use her themselves, and couldn't find a buyer. I share Karl's sentiments.
|
|
|
Post by lmtengs on Jul 11, 2012 9:06:11 GMT -8
...holy. Okay, get rid of her. First thing's first though... who's up for renting a boat out of Sewells to take some pictures?
|
|
|
Post by Curtis on Jul 11, 2012 14:29:40 GMT -8
This disrespect for the former backbone of the Dogwood Fleet is just unacceptable.
Now I'm against scrapping a vessel if she is still usable, but considering how the Queen of Sidney has been treated since retirement, Scrapping is the better option to seeing her rot away acting as support for the decomposing San Mateo. If action is not taken soon, the Saanich, Vancouver and Tsawwassen could see a similar fate down the road. A few years ago I would've thought it a blessing that the Queen of Sidney was still around and hoped she could be put to better use. Now I see that prolonging her life is now a waste.
The Tsawwassen may have the best retirement so far of the Spauldings, but the Esquimalt could take that honor if the Tsawwassen stays unused for a few years.
It is a bit sad to see that the Queen of Prince Rupert is the ONLY vessel to have a decent Post-BCF Career in recent times. It makes me wonder if the Queen of the North would have experienced the same treatment. If it's anything like the Spaulding Sisters though may she remain at the bottom of Wright Sound.
|
|
mrdot
Voyager
Mr. DOT
Posts: 1,252
|
Post by mrdot on Jul 11, 2012 16:27:30 GMT -8
:)your thoughts on the sad retirement saga of Sidney, and all of the recent BC ferry disposals are the same as mine, but it extends to San Mateao, Kalakala, the once majestic ss United States, and all once great sea going vessels left to languish in this deplorable state! So far only a few vessel restoration and suitable commerative ventures have been sucessful, the most notable being Queen Mary, Rotterdam, HMS Belfast, and the quite numerous USN memorials, including Arizona etc. It is best to remember all these vessels in their working lives. :)mrdot.
|
|
|
Post by lmtengs on Aug 1, 2012 20:05:08 GMT -8
Some photos of the Queen of Saanich from today: I only had my mobile phone camera today; I was packing light to make room for what I was bringing back home. Approaching the hulk. Lower car deck. Chief Stewards office. Buffet Lounge. This is where I spent the majority of my last sailing on her in 2008. A mural. Looking aft, starboardside passenger deck. Her funnel. A lifeboat, lowered away. Looking aft from the Starboard bridge wing. The wheelhouse. Looking towards the starboard side of the wheelhouse. Looking down the starboard bridge wing. Her wheelhouse. Bridge wing controls. Looking forward from Monkeys Island. Notice that both anchor chains have been cut. Both are gone. Looking aft from Monkeys Island. Her funnel. Looking forward. The only bit of slug left. Looking forward from the deck under the funnel. Forward Lounge, looking aft. I never did like how those chairs were arranged. This must be left from before she was Expoized. At one time, the car decks were referred to as 1A, 1B, and 1C. The lower passenger deck was 2, and the upper passenger deck was 3. Scott, the ship's whistles have been removed. The Queen of Saanich is being towed south to Mexico in eight days along with the Queen of Vancouver. The only Lifted V/B that we'll have left at that time will be the Queen of New Westminster, and she's safe and sound for now.
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on Aug 1, 2012 21:07:28 GMT -8
Thank you for posting these photos, Luke. While they're not the images I will remember her by, they are good for historical documentation prior to her departure to Ensenada. I am glad that to hear that you got permission before going aboard.
I am not going to lie, but seeing your photos brought tears to my eyes. The Saanich was the best kept of the V's, and to see all that vandalism on Decks 5 and 6, and now that graffiti painted on her is really just the ultimate insult to this once proud vessel. I feel like coming over from Nanaimo with a can of white paint just to cover-up that graffiti so she may depart our waters with a bit more dignity... Very, very upsetting...
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Aug 1, 2012 21:37:23 GMT -8
Yeah it is very sad! The Queen of Saanich was one of my favorites and I still remember my last sailing on her and all the times I rode on her.
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Aug 1, 2012 23:02:02 GMT -8
Very sad indeed. Interesting to see that so many things of value have been grabbed. I was a little surprised to see the horns missing though. Where could they have gone I wonder. Hopefully we'll see them in a new life aboard another vessel, like how the Queen of Sidney's horn is aboard the yacht, Midnight Sun. She cruises the Gulf Islands quite often.
But still though, the amount of vandalism is pretty stunning. Seeing the lifeboats and liferafts deployed is a little shocking too. Makes me wonder if the majority of this damage happened in one night or over a number of days.
|
|
|
Post by lmtengs on Aug 2, 2012 9:35:18 GMT -8
But still though, the amount of vandalism is pretty stunning. Seeing the lifeboats and liferafts deployed is a little shocking too. Makes me wonder if the majority of this damage happened in one night or over a number of days. the amount of vandalism was undertaken over weeks. Groups of people would come and party on the ship and trash her for all she was worth. In the last week or two, they've amped up security on-board and they've actually had a few groups caught and charged by the RCMP. One of the liferafts was actually inflated just yesterday, by the skipper of the ship, to show us how it works.
|
|
|
Post by hullnumbers on Aug 2, 2012 16:35:49 GMT -8
I loved the V's, historically they been through alot over the 50 years since 1962. From stretching to lifting and retiring in 2008 and sitting iddle till now. I solute their safe voyage to the wrecker. I will always remember.
Riding both was amazing when I came to the mainland.
My parents could never stop me from exploring.
|
|
|
Post by Blisswood on Aug 2, 2012 18:29:20 GMT -8
I've also enjoyed exploring on the V-class and Gulf Islands ferries.
It is not nice to see the ex-Queen of Saanich being abused like that. Yes, I wish the new owners could keep the vessels in better shape, but most of the rest of this world seems to disagree. Better to remember our ferries in their glory instead of watching them hanging on, being vandalized, left to the ravages of time and all that. Although she was a fine ship, if no owner wants to keep her in decent shape, **maybe** it's best if the ship is put out of its misery.
Please, don't keel-haul me!! I'm as sentimental as the next ferry fan. I even thought of doing a calendar with significant ferry dates on it (good, bad and ugly).
My pastor's mother launched Queen of Saanich - her husband was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Saanich in the 1960s. I rode the ship many times through the 1980s (last time February 1998 Tsa-SwB) and I like the V's best of all! But I've learned - the hard way - that life does go on. (sigh)
|
|
Mayne
Voyager
I come from a long line of sinners like me
Posts: 289
|
Post by Mayne on Aug 2, 2012 19:02:40 GMT -8
What route do you think that they will tow the old girls? south down the Strait then out Swiftsure Bank? I will be at Mayne starting Saturday for 12 days and I look out over the Strait and am really hoping of getting some pictures of them going by
|
|
|
Post by markkarj on Aug 3, 2012 17:44:05 GMT -8
Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere... I couldn't seem to find it.
The Canadian Viking said the Saanich will be towed south along with the Vancouver. I was unaware of this, and haven't seen any news articles about it (although given I now live in Ontario, I have an infrequent contact with BC media).
My questions are: -Does the Saanich need preparation before going? It sounded like the Vancouver sure did; -Is there another thread I missed or a news story about the Saanich, aside from the ones decrying its state of disrepair and mooring in Howe Sound?
Thanks
Mark (ferry fan now in Ontario)
|
|
|
Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Aug 3, 2012 19:17:27 GMT -8
Luke has done a pretty good job of posting what poor Miss Saanich looks like. But I thought I should add my photos too. The people who were working on her were welding up the stern doors to prepare her for the voyage. A hole was cut in the side to allow machinery in, but this will also be resealed. When I talked to one of the guys, he seemed to have no clue about the Queen of Vancouver, and the fact that she was also being towed down to Mexico. It may be just a coincedence that they are going around the same time. We were fortunate that the people were willing to let us take items, and I was very happy with what I was able to get! As luke mentioned, there was a lot of stuff already missing, which was too bad. I am just happy that I got to see her one last time before she is sent off to her death! Anyways, here's some photos: I was tempted to take some curtains.. but then I realized they are not actually that old, and I would have nothing to do with them! I was also very tempted to take this door.. but the shape of it makes it quite impractical! I believe this was the only teak door that the Saanich still had left. As for my collection, this was all I was able to carry in my arms. (We were originally given 15 minutes to look around on the passenger decks, but it ended up being about an hour. For those first 15 minutes I was in quite a panic, so I only took what I thought I could carry!) Unfortunately, in my mad panic, this sign broke in 3 pieces. Fortunately, they were clean breaks, so it's easily repairable. (Luke managed to get his in one piece. I'm quite jealous!) This sign was sitting upside down in the Upper deck restaurant. I just happened to turn it over, and to my amazement, found out what it was! Since I started riding the V's, I never saw these. I only remember seeing the new blue one's that have a picture of the Queen of Saanich. (This one is the Esquimalt). I took an older lifejacket than Luke. I liked the font on mine better (the 'of' is in italics. fancy!) With my obsession with this generation of dogwood carpet, I could not resist taking another piece for myself. I always liked the corner with the 2 borders, so I decided to cut a piece like this, rather than having the aisle piece with the 2 borders on the outside. All in all it was an awesome excursion, and it sure made me realize how much I miss these old ships!
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 3, 2012 19:42:52 GMT -8
It's an interesting set of emotions (or lack thereof) that I feel when I've been reading about our 2 members' final-trip to the Saanich.
I'm curious about the ship, I'm interested in the ship and her memorabilia, but I am lacking the emotional connection with this ship.
Perhaps it's because I rarely sailed the Vs and likely only did 1 round-trip ever on the Saanich (a last-chance opportunity, in her final year).
Or maybe it's my middle-aged, backseat driver style impacting how I see things?
Whatever it is, I am maybe a bit surprised and puzzled that I don't seem to have an affection for these near-dead ships, and I'd even struggle to answer the question as to which is my favourite ferry in the entire fleet.
hmmmm, I think that perhaps I'm more of a general history buff regarding the ferries, with a dose of enjoyment of photography and of riding the ocean. But I've never really made a connection to a particular ship. Although on the Queen of Sidney, I did seem to have "my spot", a place in the upper lounge where I spent many a trip studying for career exams while travelling to visit my soon-to-be wife, during the 1990s. That is an exception.
And yet, I've felt a thrill at sailing on a ship such as the MV International, the Uchuck-III, and the Lady Rose. I've made a few stops to see the remains of the Union ship Cardena. Maybe it's the connection to older history that drives me?
Yes, I think that history thing must be the answer of what drives me. That, plus the joy of photography and the early morning calm, is what is motivating me to awake at 4:00am tomorrow, to do a dawn photo-shoot of the Queen of Vancouver.
|
|
Mayne
Voyager
I come from a long line of sinners like me
Posts: 289
|
Post by Mayne on Aug 15, 2012 16:12:58 GMT -8
It think that she moved today according to www.marinetraffic.com. I found this marker in the same spot next to Anvil island and marked as moored and have been assuming it to be her. So if I have been assuming correct then she is now just south of Port Mellon. The ship number it is listed under is 720794000.
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on Aug 15, 2012 16:28:21 GMT -8
It think that she moved today according to www.marinetraffic.com. I found this marker in the same spot next to Anvil island and marked as moored and have been assuming it to be her. So if I have been assuming correct then she is now just south of Port Mellon. The ship number it is listed under is 720794000. The ship number brings back the tug Craig Trans. That tug showed up at the northwest side of Anvil Island a few days back. We have been keeping an eye on her, but are not sure that she has the Saanich, thus there was no mention of it... We'll see what more we can find out...
|
|
Mayne
Voyager
I come from a long line of sinners like me
Posts: 289
|
Post by Mayne on Aug 15, 2012 16:49:13 GMT -8
It think that she moved today according to www.marinetraffic.com. I found this marker in the same spot next to Anvil island and marked as moored and have been assuming it to be her. So if I have been assuming correct then she is now just south of Port Mellon. The ship number it is listed under is 720794000. The ship number brings back the tug Craig Trans. That tug showed up at the northwest side of Anvil Island a few days back. We have been keeping an eye on her, but are not sure that she has the Saanich, thus there was no mention of it... We'll see what more we can find out... Well I stand very corrected, I just started playing with Marine traffic and when I encountered it. Like my old man says "assumptions make arses out of you and I" and in this case me!
|
|
FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
|
Post by FNS on Aug 15, 2012 16:55:39 GMT -8
It think that she moved today according to www.marinetraffic.com. I found this marker in the same spot next to Anvil island and marked as moored and have been assuming it to be her. So if I have been assuming correct then she is now just south of Port Mellon. The ship number it is listed under is 720794000. The ship number brings back the tug Craig Trans. That tug showed up at the northwest side of Anvil Island a few days back. We have been keeping an eye on her, but are not sure that she has the Saanich, thus there was no mention of it... We'll see what more we can find out... Looking at Google search, the country of registry of the CRAIG TRANS is Bolivia. According to this source, the last known port of this vessel was Ensenada. www.fleetmon.com/en/vessels/Craig_Trans_2909806
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on Aug 15, 2012 17:32:33 GMT -8
The ship number brings back the tug Craig Trans. That tug showed up at the northwest side of Anvil Island a few days back. We have been keeping an eye on her, but are not sure that she has the Saanich, thus there was no mention of it... We'll see what more we can find out... Well I stand very corrected, I just started playing with Marine traffic and when I encountered it. Like my old man says "assumptions make arses out of you and I" and in this case me! No worries, mayne. By posting here, someone may very well be able to confirm if Craig Trans is indeed taking the Saanich to Ensenada. At this time, we just do not have that confirmation. However, as soon as we have a firm answer, we'll post here.
|
|