Haro was built in 1910 in Vancouver where she was owned by the British Columbia Mills Tug & barge Co.Ltd. 1943-1944 she was requisitioned as a Canadian Naval Auxiliary Vessel/Tender

Correspondence regarding the requisition of the vessel for the Second World War in the file is between TM Stephen, AA Stephens, TH Evans and Mr Cliff & BC Mills Towing Co. Ltd.. The reports in the file cover the general condition of underwater hull and fittings, the general condition of hull, general condition of boiler and machinery. One leaf mentions MV “Barmar”.

Series consists of records relating to the correspondence between members of the Steamship Inspectors Office including the Chairman, Senior Steamship Inspectors and Steamship Inspectors, amongst others regarding inspections done before and after the requisition of vessels for the second world war. There is also additional correspondence, including with the owners of the vessels.

The photos belonged to Bill Mills, and were taken by his friend Arthur. Although the dates of the photos are unknown, it was before the establishment of Island Tug & barge in 1924, with the ships being built in the 1910s.
The company was founded in 1924 by Harold Elworthy (1901-75), acquiring Gardner Towing in 1926, 1956 acquired Young & Gore and in 1958 acquired Victoria Tug, who remained the president of the company until 1970. It provided towing services to different local industries in Victoria and then expanded in World War II to deep-sea towing and salvage and pioneered the use of self-dumping log barges. One of their most famous was the “Sudbury” tug. The company is now known to offer bulk fuel transportation, specialty towing, marine logistics, submarine cable laying, commercial diving, and more. They are the marine transporter of choice for some of the world’s leading multinational oil companies. In 1960 McAllister Towing of Montreal, purchased the company in 1960. In 1968 it was acquired by Genstar Ltd, which in 1969 joined Dillingham Corporation. In 1970 Seaspan International Ltd. was created by the acquisition of the Vancouver Tug Boat Company and Island Tug & Barge through Dillingham. The name Island Tug and Barge was sold 1993. Seaspan has continued to purchase and merge with companies in the marine transportation and building business.

The photo shows a profile view of the tug Haro close to a forested coastline, with a number of people visible on deck. The back states that it was built in 1910 in Vancouver.
Haro was built in 1910 in Vancouver where she was owned by the British Columbia Mills Tug & barge Co.Ltd. 1943-1944 she was requisitioned as a Canadian Naval Auxiliary Vessel/Tender