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Conserving, Preserving and Protecting the Maritime Heritage Lying beneath
British Columbia's Coastal and Inland Waters
WEST KOOTENAYS
CPR Barge No. 15
On 9 April 1901, the steam tug Valhalla left Kootenay Landing for Nelson at 5:00 am with CPR Barge No. 15. The barge was loaded with 15 cars containing coke and coal. With the voyage half completed, the barge suddenly lurched and a line of five cars fell into the lake. Then the barge lurched to the other side. Three more cars went into the lake. The Valhalla was pushing the foundering barge ashore when six of the remaining seven cars dropped overboard.Click here to view
Bonnington
At 202.5 feet long and 1700 gross tons, the Bonnington was a giant sternwheeler. Built in 1911, this luxurious vessel was made obsolete in 1937 with the completion of the Kettle Valley Railway. She was cut down and later served as a car ferry and as a barge before sinking at her mooring in 1960.Click here to view
City of Ainsworth
Lost in a gale on Kootenay Lake along with nine passengers and crew on 29 November 1898, the City of Ainsworth lay undiscovered for 92 years. Click here to view
Hosmer
The Hosmer was the largest steam tug constructed on Kootenay Lake for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) barge service. Built in 1909, she moved the huge, 15 car railway transfer barges between Procter and Kootenay Landing. The Hosmer was retired with the completion of the Procter-Kootenay Landing railway extension in 1931. Her engines were removed and she became a houseboat in 1934, but was burned by vandals soon after.Click here to view