Restoring the hull - Courtesy of The S.S. Sicamous Restoration Society

The S.S. Sicamous

The S.S. Sicamous is beached at the southwest end of Okanagan Lake, in Penticton. This magnificent sternwheeler kindles fond memories not only for residents in the communities on the lake, but for travelers as well. We are fortunate to have such a fine example of past transportation still with us in a presentable condition.

During the years 1911 to 1914, the Canadian Pacific Railway launched three steel hulled sister ships for the B.C. interior waterways. They were the Bonnington, at Nakusp in 1911; the Nasookin, at Nelson in 1912; and the Sicamous, commissioned on May 20, 1914, at Okanagan Landing. As the sole survivor, the Sicamous represents an era when life was not so hurried. She allowed the passengers to see and appreciate the magnificent scenery of the lake: blue waters, sandy beaches, numerous birds and animals along the shores, unending orchards of cherries, apples, pears and peaches, against a backdrop of magnificent treed hillsides.

For twenty-two years, the Sicamous was an integral component of the economic and social fabric of the Okanagan Valley, leaving Penticton each morning and stopping at fourteen calls before returning to Penticton each evening. For many years the Sicamous was the beginning of the journey of Okanagan fruit to outside markets. During this time, the Sicamous took the boys off to the Great War, and later, in 1919, she brought the men home.

In 1935, as the passenger service and lake traffic decreased, due to improving roads and railway connections, an effort to make the Sicamous into a more productive freight vessel saw the removal of the Texas Deck and 2/3 of the Gallery Deck. This did not prove satisfactory, and in 1936, she was tied up at the Okanagan shipyard.

The S.S. Sicamous was bought from the C.P.R. by Penticton in 1949, and moved with financial assistance from the Gyro Club of Penticton to her current resting spot in 1951. The Gyro Club centered their activities and other social events on the vessel for a number of years. The City of Penticton then housed the Penticton Museum on board the Sicamous, and the vessel has also been home to a private museum, and several restaurant operations, which continued on board until December of 1987.

In 1987 the City authorized Canada West Inspection Services, to complete an ultrasound test of the hull. The results were examined by Robert Allan Ltd., naval architects and marine engineers, and their opinion as to the feasibility of whether or not the hull could withstand a restoration attempt noted the "fair" condition of the hull.

The S.S. Sicamous was leased by the City of Penticton, to the S.S. Sicamous Restoration Society, effective June 1, 1988 and restoration was begun.

Currently, over 30,000 people from around the world visit the Sicamous annually. Open all year to the public, hours for viewing range from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily during the summer, to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays during winter months. Alternate viewing arrangements can be made by contacting the Sicamous at 492-0403. Boarding fees for a self navigated tour is $3.00 per person. Bus tours and group visits are welcome, and the vessel is available on a rental basis for special events. Individual lifetime memberships are available for $25.00. A tax deductible receipt is issued for all donations beyond the membership fee.

We invite you to come on board and see for yourself the work that is being accomplished. In the long run, no one loses in projects of this magnitude, we all benefit. The S.S. Sicamous Restoration Society and the S.S. Sicamous are proud to be Keeping Heritage for the Future.

The S.S. Sicamous Restoration Society