SS Sicamous still floating, ‘looking better than ever’
The SS Sicamous sternwheeler has never looked better — and to think she almost floated away last spring.
The flooding of 2017 created many challenges for the crew of the SS Sicamous.
The rising waters actually lifted her 60 centimetres above her resting place on the shoreline, society director Adolf Steffan told Penticton city council at its last meeting. It was the first time the large ship had moved in more than 30 years, according to The Herald’s archives.
Steffan was in front of city councillors to thank them for helping “keep this old lady floating and looking better than ever,” he said.
He also wanted to let them know that the $50,000 loan the city provided the society will be paid back this year.
The city loan was mostly to build the new wharf.
The wharf is a large platform that is more welcoming to visitors compared to the narrow ramp that used to be there and was built by volunteers, said Steffan.
The flooding endangered all the boat’s connections. All the underground power systems were under water and the gas line was going to tear off the ship, Steffan said.
The power was shut off just when a wedding was booked for that Saturday, he said.
“But it all came together. A city crew installed overhead connections and we brought power in. The wedding went on without a glitch,” Steffan recalled.
Weddings are popular on the heritage sternwheeler. The ship is all booked up for the August and September and is starting to take bookings for next year.
Following the flood, the society raised the boat using sand and a large bed of rocks under her bow.
That meant expanded connections, upgrades to the underground connections, new exit stairs and raised elevator.
“We had to raise the exit stairs and put in a raised platform for the elevator and it was all done by September. With that done, now volunteers could focus on the wharf which was completed in spring,” Steffan said.
Irrigation was replaced and planting started.
“We have the greenest lawn in Penticton thanks to city parks,” said Steffan.
The SS Sicamous held an open house to celebrate the upgrades in early July.
The society wanted to thank the city, fire department and local businesses for coming together.
“Many local businesses who did things at cost or free — it is our experience that local community supports the SS Sicamous,” said Steffan.
Now into its tourist season, an average of 100 people tour the SS Sicamous each day.
The SS Sicamous is open to the public Sunday to Friday, but closed Saturdays for weddings.