|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 8, 2013 7:20:31 GMT -8
In berth 3, well I don't know... At this point I want others to tell me which retired beauty should be afloat at berth 3. How about the Pender Queen? Refloat and restore the CP Princess Kathleen, or better yet the CPN's Islander (she's only been sitting on a shore for 110 years, so it should be ok). I'll pay the first $5 for that salvage job. ----------------- late edit for the 2 people reading this who will know: yes, the Islander hasn't really be on-shore for 110 years. She was underwater after her 1898 sinking, and then raised for treasure-hunting in 1934 and was left in pieces on the Alaskan panhandle shore. But we know that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Jan 8, 2013 10:39:27 GMT -8
Instead of trying to save the Sidney, why not focus on the Queen of Nanaimo or Burnaby? Still operating, and in great condition.
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 8, 2013 11:05:00 GMT -8
Instead of trying to save the Sidney, why not focus on the Queen of Nanaimo or Burnaby? Still operating, and in great condition. Forward thinking is important. Sean: this type of discussion topic really makes me (and probably you, too) thankful for the SS Sicamous in Penticton, and what the Gyro Club did there, years ago. And what the Sicamous Society is still doing today. It can be done, but it's tough.
|
|
|
Post by lselena53 on Jan 8, 2013 14:57:09 GMT -8
Well, you all make excellent points and paint such vivid if bleak pictures of her as she is. I agree that it is very sad and an undignified end. From the testimony of more informed fellow members, it is obviously way too late for the Sidney, but it seems to me that one of these great ships should find a new life here in BC that doesn't involve being dragged around as a logging camp. If that puts me in the same company as Mr. Rodriguez then I guess thats where I am. These ferries were very utilitarian, however, and that does make them less attractive for conversion than a "Princess Marguerite" or "Princess Patricia", or even perhaps the Vancouver Island Princess would have been. Losing them was a tragedy as they very definitely had the old world appeal that might have given either of them a new life as hotel ships. The BCFs like the Sidney just don't have that, but who knows ... maybe one will survive. One of the things this discussion shows me is that we love these old ferries and they are worthy of that affection whatever their fate.
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 8, 2013 15:20:48 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Jan 8, 2013 15:41:23 GMT -8
I think that it was Paul K. who pointed out that we still have a reasonable opportunity to preserve an original in the form of the Sidney's twin, the M/V Queen of Tsawwassen. It was there on Day 1 in June of 1960, and is still in fairly good shape as I understand it. At some point it lost its wooden hand rails (which the Sidney still has), but that is a minor point.
Now, hands up all of you who are ready to commit their life savings to preservation of the Tsawwassen? Okay, how about just moral support for the idea of saving the Tsawwassen so long as someone else pays for it?
I fancy the Tsawwassen dressed in pastel blue dogwood livery, and with the forward lounge windows restored too.
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 8, 2013 16:22:15 GMT -8
Now, hands up all of you who are ready to commit their life savings to preservation of the Tsawwassen? Okay, how about just moral support for the idea of saving the Tsawwassen so long as someone else pays for it? On a semi-related note, many of us have dedicated a portion of our current resources (our time, energy and some finances for related costs) so that we can see, experience and record some of these old ships, and preserve their images for historical use. In that category for me in recent years, I've done this for: - MV Balfour - MV Lady Rose - Uchuck-III - hulk of the Cardena - Queen of Vancouver - MV Mill Bay - MV International And I'm not alone in the "much time, much effort, some costs" ship-documentation club.
|
|
|
Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Jan 8, 2013 16:50:55 GMT -8
I guess I kind of forgot about the Queen of Tsawwassen. She is definitely in fine condition, and would be very worthy of saving.
Unfortunately it is very impractical. Unless we could convince the Maritime museum to move in? Or we could just all imagine being as rich as Jimmy Pattison and being able to buy her for ourselves!
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 8, 2013 17:21:07 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by mvsidney59 on Jan 8, 2013 21:00:04 GMT -8
Instead of trying to save the Sidney, why not focus on the Queen of Nanaimo or Burnaby? Still operating, and in great condition. Why not? They're too large to be logical to put something in her or make her into something, I have nothing against her, but the whole reason that the Sidney's under such hype right now is because of the fact she's not too big, not too small, but JUST right! and as Flugel Horn and I stated and re-stated, NOTHING is impossible
|
|
|
Post by mvsidney59 on Jan 8, 2013 21:04:34 GMT -8
and the Tsawwassen isn't bad, seeing as she's been electrically operational for some time and still is, if that's her in the inlet to Squamish on the far side to the highway.
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,187
|
Post by Neil on Jan 8, 2013 21:07:41 GMT -8
... and as for Jim Pattison, if he lost five dollars for every occasion where someone suggested his name for a pet project of theirs, he'd be a pauper now.
I would argue that the Queen of Tsawwassen has minimal historical value, and the 'Sidney, only slightly more. Mr Horn brought up the Nasookin a few posts back. Compare that vessel, and some of the other inland steamers, to the ugly interiors of the 'Sidney and 'Tsawwassen, and it's easy to see why there has been a push for the preservation of the former, and none for the latter.
Passenger cabins with barely a hint of décor, exposed ceilings with vents, wiring and ducts, and a cavernous, dark parking garage underneath. Any wonder why these vessels provoke nary a hint of sentiment from the public?
|
|
mrdot
Voyager
Mr. DOT
Posts: 1,252
|
Post by mrdot on Jan 8, 2013 21:53:31 GMT -8
:)while the mv Sidney has some sentiment on my part as a ontime workplace and our first BC ferry, it has no possibility of preservation, as it would be far beyond feasable as an economic proposition, perhaps the only one of a size that would make sence is the old Lady Rose? mrdot.
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 8, 2013 22:08:09 GMT -8
|
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,187
|
Post by Neil on Jan 8, 2013 23:10:17 GMT -8
:)while the mv Sidney has some sentiment on my part as a ontime workplace and our first BC ferry, it has no possibility of preservation, as it would be far beyond feasable as an economic proposition, perhaps the only one of a size that would make sence is the old Lady Rose? mrdot. Good point, and one that is often overlooked. Size. Locomotives and streetcars can be bought and overhauled by charitable societies made up of of grizzled old handymen, supported by a sensible and realistic amount of fundraising. They don't take up a huge amount of space. Even something as large as the Lady Rose might be do-able, given a secure moorage, and available restoration facilities. But the Lady Rose might be about as big as a practical project could be, and she occupies a sentimental place in some of the public's heart that the ' Sidney and ' Tsawwassen just don't.
|
|
|
Post by mvsidney59 on Jan 9, 2013 7:18:07 GMT -8
I think that it was Paul K. who pointed out that we still have a reasonable opportunity to preserve an original in the form of the Sidney's twin, the M/V Queen of Tsawwassen. It was there on Day 1 in June of 1960, and is still in fairly good shape as I understand it. At some point it lost its wooden hand rails (which the Sidney still has), but that is a minor point. Now, hands up all of you who are ready to commit their life savings to preservation of the Tsawwassen? Okay, how about just moral support for the idea of saving the Tsawwassen so long as someone else pays for it? I fancy the Tsawwassen dressed in pastel blue dogwood livery, and with the forward lounge windows restored too. Quite correct. If the Tsawwassen is out there somewhere on The Coast, she can be saved since she would be in reasonable shape just as the Queen of The Islands was when she was St. John's Fishing Lodge up in River's Inlet. If she is up for sale ending her life as a logging camp then she could be bought, towed to a local shipyard. But the restoration capital would have to be virtually all in place so that the resortation can start. I've been following a the resortation of a fire engine now since completed, but the engine was kept in good condition during its duty service and while the complete restoration was around $65,000, the museum has had other fire appliances in far worse shape, but still restorable. This is a bit more than restoring your grandpa's 1948 Town and Country that was kept in the barn for decades covered in dust complete with original '58 plates. Heck I would even go further than forward lounge. Replicated signage the carpets the whole schmeal. To add to this, why not a 1962 MCI Courier Challenger bus complete in Pacific Stage Lines livery? That could be the shuttle bus to the ferry. Excellent idea! I love it!
|
|
|
Post by mvsidney59 on Jan 9, 2013 7:26:21 GMT -8
practicality is the issue though, as all huge hopes and dreams must realize... :/
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 9, 2013 7:48:06 GMT -8
practicality is the issue though, as all huge hopes and dreams must realize... :/ haha, so you've changed your mind about the balance between practicality and dreams ? - Or are you just balancing your comments more ?
|
|
|
Post by mvsidney59 on Jan 9, 2013 10:05:50 GMT -8
Well, to be honest, the DREAM will never disappear, but I've managed to tone myself down a bunch
|
|
|
Post by Mike C on Jan 9, 2013 13:19:38 GMT -8
Well, to be honest, the DREAM will never disappear, but I've managed to tone myself down a bunch A man can dream I don't think anyone's imagination is coming into question here. Sorry for being a cynic, but I would really prefer to not see another Kalakala here in BC. I don't want to see anyone on this forum go homeless for the sake of a ferry. Anyone who has ever owned a boat or knows anyone who owns a boat knows the maintenance and cash involved in simply keeping it afloat, let alone a large, aged vessel that requires an amount of restoration.
|
|
|
Post by mvsidney59 on Jan 9, 2013 17:43:18 GMT -8
No worries, I have to agree with you. She will always be in our hearts and minds
|
|
|
Post by princessofvanfan on Jan 9, 2013 20:11:59 GMT -8
I always liked the wooden handrails on her outside decks. Added some class.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2013 20:16:03 GMT -8
I love the wooden handrails but I was never a live to ride on and to see her. BC ferries needs to bring back the wooden handrails.
|
|
SolDuc
Voyager
West Coast Cyclist
SolDuc and SOBC - Photo by Scott
Posts: 2,055
|
Post by SolDuc on Jan 9, 2013 22:20:19 GMT -8
I love the wooden handrails but I was never alive to ride on and to see her. BC ferries needs to bring back the wooden handrails. Transport Canada will say its's not safe enough and that you can get splinters because of them ;D But it is actually a good idea, for example look at the Kalakala with wooden handrails and without... you'll surely notice the difference without being a ferry geek
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Jan 9, 2013 22:53:28 GMT -8
I love the wooden handrails but I was never alive to ride on and to see her. BC ferries needs to bring back the wooden handrails. Transport Canada will say its's not safe enough and that you can get splinters because of them ;D But it is actually a good idea, for example look at the Kalakala with wooden handrails and without... you'll surely notice the difference without being a ferry geek Queen of the North ( Stena Danica) was also blessed with wooden hand rails. I always thought that wooden hand rails added a great deal of 'class' to a ship. In the steam ship era wooden hand rails were the norm.
|
|