14

The S.S. D.A. Thomas was completed and launched at Peace River Crossing in May 1915. The local newspaper, the Peace River Record, was aware of the magnitude of the occasion:

"Largest Inland Steamboat Launched Tuesday Evening.

The D.A. Thomas, built by Peace River Tramway and Navigation Company, the Largest Steamboat from Great Lakes to Pacific Coast--Has Carrying Capacity with Scows of 2,000 Tons--Built for Oil Trade and Equipped with Oil Storage and Fuel Tanks and Oil Burning Boilers.

The completion of a long winter's cork at the Law ship yards at West Peace River was marked on Tuesday evening of this week, when sharp at eight o'clock the last prop was knocked from the ways and the steamer D.A. Thomas, the largest steamship between the great lakes and the Pacific coast, slid gracefully into the waters of the Peace River."

Source:

Peace River Record Volume 11, No. 42, June 2, 1915

15

The launch of the S.S. D.A. Thomas.
1916
West Peace River, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Provincial Archives of Alberta, A. 10,161

16

A man sells balloons near the landing of the S.S. D.A. Thomas at Peace River Crossing.
1928
Peace River Crossing, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Peace River Museum, Archives & Mackenzie Centre, 68.044.014

17

Over the years there were modifications made to the design of the S.S. D.A. Thomas. One of these was following the construction of the Central Railway Co. railway bridge at Peace River Crossing. This bridge had been designed to allow for the passage of the boat but this was not always possible due to high water levels. To accomodate the S.S. D.A. Thomas its smokestacks had to be cut and hinged so that they could be lowered while going under the bridge.

18

The hinged smokestacks on the S.S. D.A. Thomas
Circa 1916-1930
Peace River Crossing, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Peace River Museum, Archives & Mackenzie Centre

19

The S.S. D.A. Thomas passing under the railway bridge at Peace River Crossing.
Circa 1919
Peace River Crossing, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Peace River Museum, Archives & Mackenzie Centre, 80.1123.019

20

The S.S. D.A. Thomas under steam near Peace River Crossing.
1929
Peace River Crossing, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Peace River Museum, Archives & Mackenzie Centre, 68.138e

21

The S.S. D.A. Thomas heading upriver from Peace River Crossing.
circa 1916-1930
Peace River Crossing, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Peace River Museum, Archives & Mackenzie Centre, 72.453y

22

The S.S. D.A. Thomas with a full load of freight on the front of its deck.
15 July 1918
Peace River Crossing, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Peace River Museum, Archives & Mackenzie Centre, 73.550.056

23

Chief Hutchinson in the engine room of the S.S. D.A. Thomas.
1918
The engine room of the S.S. D.A. Thomas

Credits:
Peace River Museum, Archives & Mackenzie Centre, 73.559.42

24

The S.S. D.A. Thomas (right) anchored next to the S.S. Peace River (left).
circa 1916
Peace River Crossing, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Peace River Museum, Archives & Mackenzie Centre

25

The paddlewheel of the S.S. D.A. Thomas.
circa 1916-1930
On the Peace River, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Peace River Museum, Archives & Mackenzie Centre, 75.636.008

26

The S.S. D.A. Thomas "under steam" on the Peace River.
Circa 1916-1930
Peace River Crossing, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Peace River Museum, Archives & Mackenzie Centre, 79.989.018

27

The S.S. D.A. Thomas near Hudson's Hope on the Peace River.
Circa 1919
Hudson's Hope, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Peace River Museum, Archives & Mackenzie Centre, 80.1123.18