Sternwheeler Sicamouse

[Ron Wild]

Hi PJ, I've been following this group for some time now and I'm
happy to report that I've managed to get hold of a set of plans for
the Sicamouse. (for you out of towners, the Sicamouse is a
paddlewheeler used on Okanagan Lake in British Columbia.) She has a
stern mounted paddle and is still in existence as a Museum ship.
As well, I noticed you had Robert Turner give a talk on paddlers at
the Victoria Model Shipbuilding Society's last meeting. Do you know
if Mr. Turner lives in the Okanagan Valley and do you think he might
give a similar talk to the Kelowna club? If so, could you tell me
how I might get in touch with him? Thanks, Ron

[Paulrjordan]

Hi Ron!

Well done, Ron..this is really good news that you've located plans of
this historically important Canadian sternwheeler...one of the
prettiest paddlers to grace the waters of the Okenagan. Thank goodness
this National treasure has been preserved, allbeit as a static
display.

> As well, I noticed you had Robert Turner give a talk on paddlers
> at the Victoria Model Shipbuilding Society's last meeting.

The actual topic was "Paddlewheelers of Canadian Pacific's Inland
Fleet" dealing with the fascinating navigation of the Okenagan and
Kootenays....your neck of the woods, Ron. Bob will be thrilled to know
you have found plans for "Sicamous". He is locating a set of modeling
plans for his other passion, the sternwheeler "Moyie", which is under
restoration as a Museum ship in Kaslo, British Columbia. We have an
old and rather "weathered" Harry Crosby 1:48 R/C model of her built of
balsa on his kitchen table 40 years ago which Ron Armstrong still
operates regularly at public displays much to the delight of the
public.

> Do you know if Mr. Turner lives in the Okanagan Valley and do you
> think he might give a similar talk to the Kelowna club? If so,
> could you tell me how I might get in touch with him?

Bob lives here in Victoria but travels frequently to Kaslo. In spite
of his stature as an expert, author and historian on British Columbia
Tranportation, Bob is a thoroughly charming and approachable guy. I so
much enjoy sitting with him over a cup of coffee and seeing his eyes
visibly light up when the subject turns to paddlewheelers. I'm
emailing you all his contact details.

Incidentally, he will be coming back to the Club to give us a talk on
the "Paddlewheelers of the Pacific North West" including the Canadian
Pacific "Princess" coastal and Black Ball Puget Sound fleets which
included a number of very famous and beautiful sidewheelers. I believe
the American Paddlers of the Pacific North West are the subject of a
new book he is writing.

Please keep us in step with "Sicamous" and especially your ideas for
immortalizing her in model form.

(Paddleducks note):
Ron is a highly accomplished modeler, past President of our Club here
in Victoria and current President of the Kelowna model Boat Club in
British Columbia, Canada, whose website can be found at:

http://www.bctree.com/~dougm/KMBC.htm

I'm very excited at the possibility of a model of such an important
Canadian sternwheeler being built by someone of his talent).

PJ