C6 - Wednesday, July 18, 1984 - North Shore News

Try a paddlewheel ride

SINCE the historic paddlewheeler was officially
opened as a museum in October of 1983, more than
16,000 visitors have explored the decks of the Sam-

son V.

The powerful, steam
powered vessel, which once
plied the waters of the Fraser
and Pitt Rivers, is now per-
manently moored in New
Westminster adjacent to the
Fraser River Market. While
the Samson is unable to take
tours on the river her engines
and paddle are completely
functional and can be placed
into operation for special
occasions.

The Samson V was a
familiar and romantic sight
as her great paddlewhceel pro-
pelled her up and down the
Fraser for 43 years. Her
unusual, almost flat bottom
construction enabled her to
snug up on sandbar landings
and gave the appearance she
was skimming on top of the
river when she was perform.

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North Shore
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Travel Agent

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825-1212

ing her snagpulling duties.

The Samson V was the last
of her line. Her ancestry
traces “back 100 years to the
Samson | which was built in
Victoria but worked the
Fraser River.

The Samson was turned
over to the City of New
Westminster and the Hyack
Festival Association in 1980.
Original plans were to con-
vert her to a tour vessel, but
due to a downturn in the

economy, plans were
changed.
Paddlewheelers were in

their prime jg British Colum-
bia from the 1850s through
the turn of the century when

they served as the main form
of transportation of people,
livestock and supplies to gold
fields in the Thomson,
Fraser, and Cariboo areas.

During the gold rush there
were as many paddlewheelers
serving the rivers of British
Columbia as the more
famous Mississippi River,
but with the advent of rail
transportation and better
roads, demand decreased and
the vessels slowly went out of
service.

The first to capitalize on
the need for paddlewhcelers
to serve the river was New
Westminster’s Capt. William

Irving, fondly called the
**King of the River.’’ His
Pioneer Line which fater

became the Canadian Pacific
Navigation Company and
was eventually purchased and
became the nucleus of the

caddy / comfort cushion
for all sporting and
outdoor events

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Three Large inside Flap Pockets
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Richmond Centre Mail

922.9650
276-2606

SAMSON V, the
powerful steam-
powered vessel which
once travelled the
Fraser and Pitt Rivers,
is now moored in New
Westminster as a
museum for tourists
and visitors to explore.
Though the Samson is
no longer in operation,
her engines and paddle
are still functional and
can be put into opera-
tion for special occa-
sions. Paddlewheelers
were in their prime in
B.C. from the 1850s
through to the turn of
the century.

Photo submitted

Canadian Pacific Steamship
Company, was located in
New Westminster.
Curator is Archie Miller,
who is also the curator of Irv-
ing House Historic Centre
and Museum. The vessel will
continue to be maintained by
the Canadian Steam Preser-
vation & Industrial Archaco-

Mini Cruise on

The Nieuw Amsterdam!
September 25th

logical Society rT
(CANSTEAM). From $169.00!!
The Samson V is open Space is limited so call now.

Saturdays 12 noon - 4 p.m.,
Sundays 12 - 5 p.m. and
holidays from 12 - 4 p.m.
Special tour times can be ar-
ranged by calling (604)
521-7656.

929-794 = B

2221 Panorama Dr. North Vancouver, B.C..V7G 1V4,

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