The Sister Steamers -  The Mara Team of Sternwheelers

 

In 1885, John Andrew Mara saw the need for steamer transport in Kamloops to assist in building the rail lines for the CPR. He built the ‘Lady Dufferin’, ‘Spallumcheen’ and ‘Peerless’ steamers which were all kept active. ‘Skuzzy’ was specifically built to assist in the building of the CPR at Van Horne, known today as Savona . The steamers carried rails and the were ships used as floating boarding houses with restaurants for the construction workers.

The last steamer added to the hardworking team was ‘Kamloops’ which helped in carrying freight and passengers between Savona and Eagle’s Pass with its sister steamers. 

The ships, which all worked tirelessly to expedite the creation of the rail connection to the eastern world, were building a rail line which would soon result in their demise.  After the CPR was completed in 1886, the team of sister steamers faced serious competition as rail transport was faster and less expensive for passengers. The once irreplaceable ships were now doomed to extinction. 

‘Spallumcheen’ floated free from its moorings in the great flood and was destroyed. ‘Skuzzy’ donated its machinery in 1889 for a Columbia steamer and ‘Kamloops’ was dismantled in 1897. ‘Peerless’, who had shown the most resilience, burned up in some early morning hours in 1907.  

 

Information

 

Monica Dickinson: Destination Marketing, Manager - Communications

Tourism Kamloops

1-866-372-8081

monica@tourismkamloops.com  

 

 

Special thanks for research assistance to the Kamloops Museum & Archives