Sicamous will be Queen of CPR fleet

EDITOR’S NOTE: In recognition of Canada’s 150th anniversary, The Herald is reprinting historic stories from the South Okanagan focusing on the biggest news story of each year.

MAY 14, 1914 — The Sicamous, easily Queen of the fleet of Okanagan Lake vessels, is larger and more luxurious than any of the CPR fleet of inland ships, save the Bonnington on the Arrow Lakes.

The hull is an exact duplicate of the hull of the Nasookin, now on Kootenay Lake, being 200 feet in length, 40 feet wide, and eight feet deep. The height of the Sicamous is 53 feet from the level of the main deck to the top of the pilot house. The length over all is 228 feet, and she draws an average of five feet of water.

The hull is of steel construction throughout, and is divided into 20 water-tight compartments. The engines, of the tandem compound jet condensing type, generate from 1,200 to 1,300 horse power, and will drive the new boat at a rate of 19 miles an hour. The entire steamer is electric lighted and steam heated.

The Sicamous is rated at 1,500 tons gross capacity, and will carry 900 tons net tonnage, besides capacity for 400 passengers, and a crew of 32 or 33.

Construction work was begun on the new boat in September of last year, and she will have cost, when entirely completed, about $180,000, $14,000 of which will have been spent for furnishings.

The dining room, 65 feet long, will seat 70 persons. There are 40 passenger staterooms, four of which are double suites, and one suite with a private-bath. In addition to the usual state-rooms for the crew, there are special rooms for the mail clerk and express messenger, a cold storage room for meats and poultry, a pastry room, shower bath for the crew, and other conveniences not found on the ordinary inland boat.

The furnishings and fittings of the steamer have been done in Australian mahogany and in teak wood from Burmah, a combination which gives an effect of unusual richness.

The large observation and smoking room back of the upper tier of state-rooms is practically walled with plate glass, and will afford a splendid point of vantage from which to view the scenery of the Okanagan.

Writing desks and reading lamps will be put on the balcony above the dining room. The most modern fire fighting devices will be provided, as well as safety devices designed to protect passengers and crew, and six large life boats will be carried.