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Steamboats on the Columbia: Part 1

In 1888, a group of local businessmen formed the Columbia Transportation Company, and had a small catamaran steamer, the SS Despatch built to transport goods between Revelstoke and Sproat's Landing, near present-day Castlegar, B.C. The company expanded in 1889 with new partners to become the Columbia and Kootenay Steam Navigation Company. The new company built the SS Lytton in 1890 and the SS Columbia in 1891.

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S.S. Columbia and Lytton at Revelstoke.
1890
Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada
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S.S. Columbia and Lytton at Revelstoke, c. 1890.

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In the reminiscences of steamboat captain James Fitzsimmons, he tells of a trip made by the SS Lytton north of Revelstoke. "In the summer of 1897 the Lytton was commissioned to make a series of special trips to carry machinery to the foot of Death Rapids, north of Revelstoke. She left Revelstoke on her first trip in the early morning of August 5. Captain Troup was personally in charge; her master, Captain Albert Forslund, piloted her and James Townsend, who knew the river well, was taken along to advise about the course. For safety, all passengers were put ashore at the foot of the (Revelstoke) canyon, and they, with the crowd assembled, saw a great sight. For six hours the steamer chugged, breasting and beating the roaring rapids, before she whistled 'all's well.' It was 11:45 a.m. before she was over the first rapids. Some idea of the swiftness of the water may be gained from the fact that she came down on the return trip in 6 minutes and 51 seconds. Captain Troup then turned her over to Captain Gore, who, with Captain Forslund in the pilot-house, finished the contract in three more trips."

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S.S. Revelstoke at Downie Creek.
1910
Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada
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S.S. Revelstoke at Downie Creek, c. 1910.

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In 1902, a group of Revelstoke businessmen formed the Revelstoke Navigation Company and had the SS Revelstoke built at Nakusp, B.C. The aim of the company was to restore navigation to the Big Bend Country. The boat was designed for river travel and was able to travel as far north as Downie Creek, 64 kilometres north of Revelstoke, just below Priest Rapids and Death Rapids. The Revelstoke Navigation Company purchased Boyd's Ranch, below Downie Creek and used the fresh produce grown there to supply its steamer.

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S.S. Revelstoke ticket for travel from Downie to Revelstoke.
13 August 1907
Downie Creek, Columbia River, British Columbia, Canada

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S.S. Revelstoke ticket for travel from Downie to Revelstoke, August 13, 1907.

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Manifest of the S.S. Revelstoke.
12 August 1914
Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada
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Manifest of the S.S. Revelstoke.

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S.S. Revelstoke shaving mug.
Date not available
Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada

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S.S. Revelstoke shaving mug.

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The SS Revelstoke was often used as a pleasure boat and while it was licensed for only 10 passengers, was sometimes fully loaded with local residents headed for a day at St. Leon Hot Springs on the Arrow Lakes or other picnic spots.