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ABOVE: CHIEF SKUGAID in 1960, after unloading a big catch of Bering Sea halibut at the Vancouver docks. LEFT: CHIEF SKUGAID in 1930, before unloading a big cargo of liquor from Vancouver in California waters.
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"SHELTER FROM THE STORM"
BUT....the berth, while safe, and allowing preservation&conservation
really does not accommodate a complete refit or a major restoration
the CHIEF SKUGAID has MOORAGE for now...
but "HOME FOR LIFE" still required IMMEDIATELY (for SPRING 2021)
The marina where "The Chief" has been berthed is undergoing some
changes and the vessel really needs to be immediately accessible to the public (most especially to volunteers, both on a daily basis and also for weekend billeting so as to assist in the ongoing restoration)
(updated July 2020)
ANY&ALL BERTHS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY WILL BE CONSIDERED 'OVER-TIME' IS OVER" NOW IN 'PENALTY-TIME'
WE ABSOLUTELY MUST FIND A NEW BERTH/ANCHORAGE/DOCK
in order to continue conserving/protecting this National Treasure!!!
"THE BOAT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE $5 BILL"
MANY MORE NEW DEVELOPMENTS SINCE LAST POSTINGS
RECENTLY COMMISSIONED (Fall 2019) 'Portrait of The Chief' by
local painter; see image/details on our Facebook page (see also
the image of previous painting (circa 2012; click-on in menu bar)
Soon to appear, on site, the incredible "Saga of Halibut Jack"; a
gripping short-story, by a deckhand, in the 1960's, that was swept
overboard by a 'rogue wave' in the frigid Bering Sea...and "lived to
tell the tale"!!! So harrowing and dramatic a vignette, that a short
'docu-drama' may well be in the offing in the new year (stay tuned!)
Vancouver Maritime Museum @ Kit's Point is preparing a large
exhibition to commemorate the introduction of the "Volstead Act"
(aka: 'Prohibition') 100 years ago The historic "Chief Skugaid" may
berth in their heritage harbour for the duration of the proceedings
WATCH THIS SPACE for details&dates as VMM finalizes the plan
"DON'T NEVER TELL NOBODY NOTHIN' NO-HOW" by Rick James
(History of rum-running on the West Coast) in most bookstores now
another heritage fishing vessel donated to us; float/net shed as well
(that will allow us to 'billet' volunteers whilst working on the vessel)
Int'l Liquor Corp. proposal to re-enact "rum-run" to Mexico w/ load of Canadian spirits; port-of-entry Ensenada, Mexico (just like 1920's!)
might include a week-long "Canuck Food&Beverages Festival/Fair"
pending&probable deal with a local microbrewery to label/vend a "Chief Skugaid" strong IPA (& over-proof "Rum-Runner Rum" !?!)
5% of gross sales of this 'flagship' (!) label to vessel restoration fund
The "Chief Skugaid Rhum Cocktail" (created by Justin Taylor, bar mgr "Cascade Room" on Main street) Unique&flavourful drink! See
constituents online @ "VanCityBuzz" or Google/search by name
STAY TUNED&BOOKMARK SITE....LOTS OF UPCOMING BULLETINS!
Thanks to all the "Friends of the Chief" for faithfully following the site
ESPECIALLY THOSE MENTIONED ON DONOR/SPONSOR LIST......
and all of those, day-by-day, 'too numerous to mention' that have sustained the vessel, donating goods&services both large&small
PLEASE SEE "SUPPORT THE CHIEF" in menu-bar at left margin
for a list of current and urgent "wants/needs&desires" for 2019
WE MOST URGENTLY REQUIRE slow-turning DIESEL GENSET
and/or SOLAR PANELS and deep-cycle 12V batteries and inverter
NEED A SMALL TUG/CREW-BOAT or VINTAGE VESSEL
(examples: gig/tender/'jolly-boat'/motor-launch/crew-boat or tugboat)
both for use as work vessels and for recreational purposes (for the volunteers to explore and learn sailing/boat skills and seaman's arts)
WE ARE SEARCHING ESPECIALLY FOR LARGE 'CATBOAT' hull w/o rigging/spars or interior finishing (altho' one in good trim would be welcomed and put to immediate use) to reconfigure as a 'junk-rig'
ACCEPTING DONATIONS OF BONAFIDE HERITAGE VESSELS
small or large most especially a vintage tugboat w/historic value
Wednesday, 27 March 2019:
106th ANNIVERSARY OF CHIEF SKUGAID'S REGISTRATION
On March 27th, 1913, a handwritten Chief Skugaid entry was recorded in the big leather-bound Canadian Register of Vessels for 1913, photographed in 2012 at Library & Archives Canada.
"March 27, 1913" is handwritten at lower left in the 2nd photo......
106th ANNIVERSARY OF CHIEF SKUGAID'S REGISTRATION
On March 27th, 1913, a handwritten Chief Skugaid entry was recorded in the big leather-bound Canadian Register of Vessels for 1913, photographed in 2012 at Library & Archives Canada.
"March 27, 1913" is handwritten at lower left in the 2nd photo......
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Welcome to the Centenary website of "The Chief"
LAUNCHED in 1913 as halibut schooners, Chief Skugaid and sister-ship Chief Zibassa are the oldest working fishboats on the British Columbia coast. Only the Chief kept her original name.
Both were commissioned in 1912, and two 'keels were laid' in the shipyard of Irishman William Watts in Coal Harbour, Vancouver BC, Canada. Chief Zibassa (her name was changed to Western Star) was launched that year. Chief Skugaid went 'down the skidway' a few months later in 1913, and has kept her original name for 100 years. Amazingly, both vessels are still active to the present day!
NB MAY-DAY (as opposed to "Mayday" or "pan-pan"!) newsflash
The venerable "Western Star" (see above) is 'on the market' and
listed by "Pacific Boat Brokers" (www.pacificboatbrokers.com)
SHE IS NOW SOLD!!! (into USA apparently)
She would make a great charter/whale-watching or family liveaboard
as she's been very well maintained and recently restored/upgraded
Take a look at the many fotos on broker's site and "make an offer"
for another 'piece of history'....one able 'go to sea' immediately, too!
Chief Skugaid in the 1930's, Vancouver Area. Wheelhouse modified from 1913 original.
-- Photo courtesy of the Vancouver Maritime Museum, Chung Library and Archives.
BELOW: The Chief Skugaid in 2012, courtesy Rob Mackenzie.
VANCOUVER MARITIME HISTORY The Chief on Facebook
Halibut Schooner/Long-liner, Salmon & Herring Packer, Tow-boat (& notorious "Rum Runner" for over a decade in 1920's&1930's)
NAVIGATE the menu-bar and discover the Chief Skugaid's early days as a halibut mothership for two-man dories hand-lining in the north Pacific. The Chief sailed from Vancouver as far as the Bering Sea, 1913 to 1973 (save for the rumrunning years), in winter storms of ice-laden wind... dories lost... crewmen swept overboard... Click on "Films" to see halibut dory-fishing in a 1920 documentary & 1970's home movie of long-lining in the Aleutians.
Then... rum-running on the high seas during US Prohibition, 1920-33, illustrated here with documentary film footage, this time taken from the deck of a Victoria rumrunner in 1932. The Chief Skugaid helped to supply illegal (in the States) liquor to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hollywood, and San Diego... as well as sailing down to Mexico and Hawaii. She was an active rumrunner longer than any other Canadian vessel on east or west coast: eleven years without getting caught or seriously damaged. As part of the fabled "Rum Row" network of vessels in the Pacific, she delivered to bigger warehouse vessels like the famous five-masted schooner Malahat. She also trans-shipped cargo to smalller high-speed 'contact boats' that were both fast and 'shoal-draught' for landing at shallow-water docks and jetties.
Then... rum-running on the high seas during US Prohibition, 1920-33, illustrated here with documentary film footage, this time taken from the deck of a Victoria rumrunner in 1932. The Chief Skugaid helped to supply illegal (in the States) liquor to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hollywood, and San Diego... as well as sailing down to Mexico and Hawaii. She was an active rumrunner longer than any other Canadian vessel on east or west coast: eleven years without getting caught or seriously damaged. As part of the fabled "Rum Row" network of vessels in the Pacific, she delivered to bigger warehouse vessels like the famous five-masted schooner Malahat. She also trans-shipped cargo to smalller high-speed 'contact boats' that were both fast and 'shoal-draught' for landing at shallow-water docks and jetties.
Excerpt from Chief Skugaid's log for a 1932 winter voyage, Vancouver BC to "Ensenada, Mexico," where RumRow motherships were stationed 12-plus miles off the Mexican coast, beyond the US Coast Guard's jurisdiction. Being positioned south of the Mexican border, also helped. The Chief's captain is "Master" Sidney Burridge, 31, born London UK, of 3256 West 3rd Ave, Vancouver. Burridge and his five-man crew of young adventurers and veteran fishermen are smuggling Canadian liquor into US waters for transfer to 'shore boats." Log book made available for photography by the City of Vancouver Archives.
Return to Fishing
After Prohibition, the Chief returned to the halibut fishery as a diesel powered long-liner, sailing to the Aleutians and back to the Vancouver docks into the 1970's. Later she was also a fish-packer for the salmon and herring fleets, and a cannery supply-vessel "up the Inlets" as far as Alaska, towing camp barges and fish scows in heavy seas....all the while as 'fleet tender' and supply vessel to the halibut and salmon fisheries.
Finally... for the last 40 years, a fish-packer and 'cash-buyer' all over the BC coast, buying-in halibut, salmon, and herring and steaming back down to the canneries in the Lower Mainland or north to Prince Rupert/Port Edward
CLICK-ON photos to see her then-and-now-- first as a halibut "stay-sail schooner," then smuggling spirits and liquors to foreign ports as part of the rum-runner network-- then again delivering halibut, salmon & herring to docks in Vancouver harbour. Navigate through the many 'stills' that chronicle one hundred + years of sailing & steaming......from Baja to the Bering Sea!
As you meander through this website, you will begin to appreciate the exciting, colourful and chequered career of this most venerable of vessels....and perhaps find yourself dreamily speculating as to how you, too, might participate in......THE NEXT HUNDRED YEARS!
Enjoy the voyage...
Yours truly,
After Prohibition, the Chief returned to the halibut fishery as a diesel powered long-liner, sailing to the Aleutians and back to the Vancouver docks into the 1970's. Later she was also a fish-packer for the salmon and herring fleets, and a cannery supply-vessel "up the Inlets" as far as Alaska, towing camp barges and fish scows in heavy seas....all the while as 'fleet tender' and supply vessel to the halibut and salmon fisheries.
Finally... for the last 40 years, a fish-packer and 'cash-buyer' all over the BC coast, buying-in halibut, salmon, and herring and steaming back down to the canneries in the Lower Mainland or north to Prince Rupert/Port Edward
CLICK-ON photos to see her then-and-now-- first as a halibut "stay-sail schooner," then smuggling spirits and liquors to foreign ports as part of the rum-runner network-- then again delivering halibut, salmon & herring to docks in Vancouver harbour. Navigate through the many 'stills' that chronicle one hundred + years of sailing & steaming......from Baja to the Bering Sea!
As you meander through this website, you will begin to appreciate the exciting, colourful and chequered career of this most venerable of vessels....and perhaps find yourself dreamily speculating as to how you, too, might participate in......THE NEXT HUNDRED YEARS!
Enjoy the voyage...
Yours truly,
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CHIEF SKUGAID superstructure in 2011: wheelhouse over galley, modern nav-aids, cranes and winches. Here, the Chief is moored in the Fraser River at New Westminster, BC, Canada. For two years, July 2011 to August 2013, she tied up among tugboats and other working vessels at the wharf-parking lot beside New Westminster's 'Discovery Quay.' The Quay is a celebration of the Fraser River and its commercial and transportation role for Salish First Nations and later for the city of New Westminster-- British Columbia's first capital.
