Page M16 March 28, 1990, This Week

TOP STORY

hile debate continues here over

the future of the 42-year-old for-

mer CPR ferry, in other countries

there is life for the steam-set, even
after long, often hectic careers shuttling pas-
sengers and freight.

Information supplied by Victoria business-
man Blayney Scott, an ardent supporter of the
Maggie, shows that tourists and steam-
powered vessels make a potent attraction in
various parts of the world.

In Toronto tourists can take a trip on the
Trillium, a 137-foot steam ferry, from down-
town Toronto to Toronto Island, thanks to a
decision made in 1973 to restore the 1910-era
vessel. The Trillium languished in a lagoon on
the island for 16 years after she was taken out
of service in 1957.

At that time, she’d spent more than half a
century serving the peo-

LIFE ON THE STEAMY SIDE OF TOURISM

newer paddle steamers and diesel-powered
vessels. One steam boat, the PS. Schiller, was
built in 1906 and is one of five steam vessels
carrying passengers on Lake Lucerne.

The Schiller, according to an article pub-
lished by The Steamship Historical Society of
America, “glides over the waters with a gentle
silence broken only by the rhythmic sound of
the paddle wheels and the happy passengers.”
Thirteen other ships in the fleet are diesel
powered.

One tour passengers are sure to enjoy is the
William Tell Express, a trip across Lake
Lucerne, then a train ride over the Alps to
Lugano, Italy.

Another lake tour can be taken down under
in New Zealand, aboard the twin screw
steamer Earnslaw. Launched Feb. 24, 1912,
the 330-ton vessel plies Lake Wakatipu, a

48-mile stretch of water

ple in the area.

It took a great deal of
interest from various
elected civic officials to
save the city-owned
boat. The Trillium re-
turned to service in No-
vember 1975 after a re-
fit costing nearly $1 mil-
lion.

Elsewhere there is al-
so interest in the legacy
of steam. In Britain peo-
ple have not forgotten
their seafaring roots.
Non-profit groups make ©
steam happen there, in-
cluding Waverley Ex-
cursions Limited of
Glasgow. The flagship of
this group’s fleet of three
vintage vessels is the
Waverley, the last sea-
going paddle steamer in -
the world, a brochure

described as a vintage

river paddle steamer which — with the
1930s-era motor vessel Balmoral and the
Waverley — takes tourists through some of
Britain's most beautiful inland waterways and
along some of the coastlines.

One ship operates during part of the tourist
season in conjunction with a vintage non-
profit railway society. Steam enthusiasts are
also encouraged to contribute directly to the
society by joining the Commodore Club, to
ensure its future prosperity and continuation
of service. For £195 someone can become a
Scottish Commodore. Or people can sign on as
members of the society for a modest £12 for a
husband and wife, less for seniors, singles and
young people.

“Without the Paddle Steamer Preservation
Society (a registered charity) there would be
no sea-going passenger ships offering day
trips and cruises in Britain today,” states the
brochure.

Over on Continental Europe, a Swiss com-
pany offers a number of refurbished and

on the South Island,
where tourists visiting
Queenstown, the home
port of the 165-foot boat,
can watch sheep being
sheared against a back-
drop of spectacular scen-
ery.

During this lake circle
tour, aboard the coal
burning ship featuring
an organ pipe whistle,
meals and drinks are
served, says an article
written by David Fogg.

Back in North Ameri-
ca on the Mighty Missis-
sipp’, the huge Missis-
sippi Queen, brought in-
to service in 1976, plies
legendary waters. She
visits New Orleans, Bat-
on Rouge and, farther
up the river, St. Louis
and other cities and

claims. MAGGIE'S SISTER SHIP. the Princess communities. A bro-
Another steamer is Patricia, under construction. chure entitled Steam-
the Kingswear Castle, '_ Marifime Museum of Brifish Columbia Archive hoatin’ 1989 describes

the service provided by

the 379-foot-long Mississippi Queen paddle-

wheeler and the Delta Queen as “the Original

American Vacation.” It promises fun and
excitement in the “Heart of America.”

Success stories like these have helped con-

vince Blayney Scott that some combination of

ship-rail service can work here, too, and at a

profit.

“We have all the ingredients here with the E
and N and the Princess Marguerite, as well as
the potential with other vessels and rail lines
in the interior, to make B.C. the mecca of the
world,” he said.

“Nothing else on this planet has got what is
going for us here and we're not even investi-
gating this potential.”

A comprehensive study is needed and a
trust should be created to protect the ship and
the railway service, maintaining them for
present and future generations, Scott said.

There is potential for everybody to benefit
from a profitable operation. “We're walking
through nuggets so why go buying a mine?”

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MAGGIE’S

HOPE

Continued from Page 15

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