Showing 14 results

Archival description
Alexander D. Gray Fonds
986.016.0002-0029, 0111, 0113-0114 · Fonds · 1955-1962

Fonds consists of cards, envelopes, and correspondence regarding Island Tug & Barge, Point Ellice Shipyard Limited, Seaspan Internation Limited, and Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Also includes, Island Tug & Barge annual reports and accounts from 1955, 1956, and 1960, a licence to use a radio issued by the Department of Transport to Island Tug & Barge, a pad of blank Young & Gore Tugboats Limited statement sheets, a pad of blank Island Tug & Barge Limited time slips, and loading specifications for log barges.

Also includes a Workmen's Compensation Board notice, 3 January 1957 and a collection of tickets for the Island Tug & Barge Christmas Dance held 14 December 1962.

Gray, Alexander D.
Correspondence – Scow
2022.028.0046 · Item · August 1940
Part of John A. Clarkson Fonds

Correspondence regarding the requisition of the vessel for the Second World War between JT Edmond, HGR, OC Military District No11, Lt-Colonel Hugh Allan DAQMG MD No11. There are quotes sent by Island Tug & Barge Co. Ltd. and Canadian Fairbanks-Morse Co Ltd for a water scow. In one letter there is discussion of the cost of towing to Yorke Island.

Clarkson, John A.
D.B. MacPherson Fonds
982.001.0001-0009, 984.039.0001-0005, 986.002.0001-0006 · Fonds · 1915-1962

The fonds contains service records, personal documents, and correspondence of Captain Donald Boucher MacPherson during his time with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps and while working in marine towing and salvage.

982.001

  1. Canadian Army (active) tradesmen’s qualifications for D.B. McPherson, dated 4 February 1946.
  2. Letter of recommendation for D.B. MacPherson from the Department of National Defense, signed by C.G. Matthews, Major, Officer Commanding, Water Transport Coy, R.C.A.S.C., dated 12 February 1946.
  3. Canadian Army (active) Discharge Certificate for D.B. MacPherson, dated 4 February 1946.
  4. Permanent and sleeping out pass for unit: R.C.A.S.C. Water Transport, P.C, issued to D.B. MacPherson, dated 24 August 1943.
  5. Alien Registration receipt card and certificate of nationality of seamen, for D.B. MacPherson, dated 2 July 1940.
  6. Certificate of competency as master of a Steam Tug Boat in the coasting trade issued to D.B. MacPherson dated 12 April 1923. Also has handwritten note in top corner dated 19 May 1947.
  7. Certificate from the minister of national defense appointing D.B. MacPherson to the rank of Sergeant Major (skipper) Warrant Officer Class 1 beginning 1 September 1944, dated 4 July 1946, signed by A. Ross, Deputy Minister of National Defense. Also has two badges stapled to each corner.
  8. Certificate of competency as master of a passenger tug boat in the coasting trade issued by the minister of Marine and Fisheries for the Dominion of Canada for Donald McPherson (born 15 April 1857, died 15 April 1930). (Perhaps D.B. MacPherson’s father?), dated 15 January 1906.

984.039

  1. Correspondence addressed to D.B. Macpherson from:
    a. The Department of Public Works dating from 1951 to 1952
    b. The Alaska Steamship Company dating to 1958
    c. The Department of Highways and Greyhound Lines of Canada Limited dating to 1962
  2. And, a letter from D.B. Macpherson, recipient unknown, describing 3 attached photographs.

986.002

  1. Testimonial of sea service of D.B. MacPherson, signed December 1919.
  2. 5 certificates of service for seamen of Canadian Coasting or Inland Vessels for D.B. MacPherson for work on B.C. Coast Towing, dating from 1915 to 1923.
  3. 10 letters of reference written by Victoria Tug Co., Limited, Headquarters Pacific Command, Department of National Defence, and Island Tug & Barge regarding the service of D.B. MacPherson, dating from 1919 to 1923.
  4. 4 letters between D.B. MacPherson and the Department of Public Works, Victoria regarding employment, dating to 1947, and 1 receipt for a payment made by D.B. MacPherson 29 April 1947.
  5. 6 letters from the Department of Public Works, Victoria dating from 1951 and 1952.
  6. Letter from the Department of Highways dated 23 April 1962.
MacPherson, D.B.
Elizabeth Stanlake fonds
2021.023 · Fonds · 1910s-1920s

This collection of Christmas cards and photographs from the 1910s and 1920s belonged to Joseph Dakers and Bill Mills. As the family lived in Victoria these photos are from Victoria and Vancouver Island.
The following information is provided by the donor, Elizabeth Stanlake. The two Christmas cards were sent to her grandfather, Joseph Dakers, as he was good friends with Harold Elworthy, who founded Island Tug and Barge as they grew up together. The original owners of the photos are unknown as they were found in the family home and either belonged to Bill Mills or Joseph Dakers. The photos of the tugs and the wreck of Kenkon Maru III were taken by a friend of Bill Mills named Arthur.
The fonds consists 11 items.
There are 2 series:
Christmas cards, containing 2 cards
Island Tug and barge, containing 3 photos
6 at the item level not in a series

Stanlake, Elizabeth
G.R. Newell Fonds
L2193, L2312, 980.007-980.019, 985.035.0001-0003 · Fonds · 1891-1963

Fonds consists of the apprentice indenture form, Canadian Government Merchant Marine Limited co-operating with the Navy League of Canada, for George Ronald Newell, dated 21 July 1920 and a cancellation of indenture dated 23 November 1923.

Also includes a list of seamen shipped and discharged at the port of Victoria, B.C. c. 1891, an agreement and account of crew of foreign-going ships document filled out for the schooner Dora Siewerd c. 1891, assorted documents relating to survey and repair vessel Nancy Dee during the period of November 1962 and April 1963 including correspondence and notes.

Also includes black and white photographs of lumber in the hold and a drawing of the Royal Yacht Britannia, and a souvenir book of the trial trip of SS Bowness Park, Captain G.R. Newell, with the compliments of the Canadian Transport Company, 2 dinner menus, and a typed summary of VE day celebrations.

Also includes the following log books:

  • M/V Island Commander, 2 February to May 29 1943 and 3 June to 3 November 1943,
  • Barquentine Forest Friend, October 1920 to March 1923,
  • Seaman shipped and discharged at the Port of Victoria,
  • Sealing vessel Viva, 1894. Includes the regulations for preventing collisions at sea. Poor condition,
  • Register of Victoria Port Warden fees collected during 1901 to 1947,
  • Port warden fees, 1934 to 1947.
Newell, Captain G.R.
Hichens-Smith Fonds
981.006.0001-00031, 981.008.0001 · Fonds · 1908-1957

Fonds consist of documents relating to the marine service of Walter Hichens-Smith.

  1. Photocopy of typed biographical information of Walter Hichens-Smith starting in 1908 when he signed on as a machinist’s apprentice with the B.C. Marine Railway. This appears to have been compiled for Hichens-Smith’s retirement from Island Tug and Barge, possibly in 1957.
  2. Continuous certificate of discharge for seaman booklet for Walter Hichens-Smith (born 1893) listing the ships on which he served and ports of discharge during the period of 1913 to 1957.
  3. Certificate of competency as first class engineer of a steam-driven ship in a small booklet, dated 3 April 1939.
  4. Certificate of indenture of apprenticeship between Walter Hichens-Smith and B.C. Marine Railway for five years beginning 20 January 1908. Includes typed statement on the reverse certifying the completion of his service.
  5. Department of Marine and Fisheries certificate of discharge from the CGS Estevan, dated 25 July 1915.
  6. Department of Marine Fisheries certificate of discharge from the CGS Estevan, dated 31 December 1915.
  7. Handwritten letter of reference signed by John A. Sutherland, engineer of the CGS Estevan, dated 31 December 1915.
  8. Typed letter of reference signed by Ramsay’s Machine Works, dated 4 January 1916.
  9. Naval Service certificate of discharge from the CGS Lillooet, dated 4 November 1916.
  10. Certificate of Competency as third class engineer issued by the minister of public works for the province of British Columbia, dated 6 October 1922.
  11. Handwritten letter of reference signed by A. Borrowman, chief engineer, CGS Lilliooet, dated 4 April 1923.
  12. Typed letter of reference from Yarrows Limited, dated 14 April 1930.
  13. Typed letter of reference from MacFarlane Towning Company Limited for work on the Tug Daring, dated 11 February 1931.
  14. Typed letter of reference from MacFarlane Towing Company Limited for work on the Tug Restless, dated 11 February 1931.
  15. Typed letter of reference signed by A. Borrowman, Cameron-Genoa Ship Builders Limited, dated 12 November 1916.
  16. Certificate of discharge from the M/S Island King, dated 11 May 1934.
  17. Certificate of discharge from the M/S Shean, dated 11 May 1934.
  18. Certificate of discharge from the M/S Island King. Dated 11 May 1934.
  19. Certificate of discharge from the M/S Island King, dated 11 May 1934.
  20. Handwritten letter of reference signed by the chief engineer of M/S Shean, dated 26 July 1934.
  21. Handwritten letter of reference signed by the master of M/S Tees, dated 13 September 1934.
  22. Handwritten letter of reference signed by R. Barclay, Chief Engineer of M/S Island King, dated 3 October 1934.
  23. Certificate of discharge from the SS Anyox, dated 7 January 1935.
  24. Typed letter of reference signed by the chief engineer and the master of Pacific Salvage Company, Limited, dated 7 January 1954.
  25. Certificate of discharge from G.E. Foster, dated 19 September 1935.
  26. Typed letter of reference signed by the master of Westward Towing Company Limited, dated 11 October 1938.
  27. Typed letter of reference for work on the SS Salvage Queen, signed by the master and supt. Engineer of Island Tug & Barge Company Limited, dated 15 February 1939.
  28. Typed letter of reference for work on the SS Snohomish, signed by the master and supt. Engineer of Island Tug & Barge Company Limited, dated 15 February 1939.
  29. Typed letter of reference for work on the SS Salvage King, signed by the master and supt. Engineer of Pacific Salvage Company Limited, dated 18 February 1939.
  30. Certificate of nationality including photo and finger prints issued at Victoria, BC, dated 12 August 1940. This was a wartime document issued to merchant seamen that entitled the bearer to disembark in US ports.
  31. Certificate of service in the HMCS Stadacona, the name of base in Halifax that administered units such the Naval Control of Shipping organization, dated 30 March 1943.

Also includes an Island Tug & Barge brochure titled "Salvage Ships at Work" c. 1954, consisting of photos of company vessels and salvaged vessels.

Hichens-Smith, Walter
2021.023.0001,0005 · Series · 1924 - 1970
Part of Elizabeth Stanlake fonds

This collection of Christmas cards belonged to Joseph Dakers, as he was childhood friends with Harold Elworthy. The Christmas cards of Island Tug and Barge are well known with their illustrations by Edward Goodall.
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.

Stanlake, Elizabeth
Island Tug & Barge Series
2021.023.0006-8 · Series · 1910s-1920s
Part of Elizabeth Stanlake fonds

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.

Stanlake, Elizabeth
John Kirkendale Fonds
005.012.0040, 005.028.0001-0007, 016.R.0012 · Fonds · 1935, 1963-1967

Fonds consists of a Sons of the Sea initiation certificate for M/V Moveria dated 8 October 1935, and 7 photo albums consisting of photographs of vessels organized into the categories naval vessels, fishing vessels, passenger and freight vessels, ferries and government vessels, tugs, and dockyards around Vancouver Island. Also included are 47 loose album pages.

Fonds also includes an oak box contains mostly photographs from 1963 to 1967 of ships in Victoria. There are a mix of naval vessels, coast guard ships, and various vessels in local shipyards, including Island Tug and Barge.

Kirkendale, John
Logan & Holliday Fonds
018.001.0001-0003 · Fonds · 1906-1953

Fonds consists of documents relating to the careers of David Logan (donor's great grandfather) and Daniel Holliday (donor's grandfather) who both worked for the Canadian Government Telegraph and Telephone Service, and to the history of the the West coast of Vancouver Island and the development of the West Coast Trail.

Includes David Logan's 1907 telegraph line log book, Daniel Holliday's 1938-1944 telegraph line log book, and an album containing letters and newspaper clippings collected by the family over the years.

Logan, David