85' BC Steam Tug (1922) - SS MASTER

This steam-powered tug is an amazing piece of maritime history … and she is almost 100 years old! The Master is truly unique and stands out in today’s world of steel-hulled, diesel-powered tugs.

Her power comes from a British Navy surplus Triple Expansion Steam engine built in 1916. The steam engine, boiler, and ship’s steam systems are cradled in a massively strong double wood hull.

For over a century, the “tugboat” has played a major role in BC’s maritime history. From massive Deep Sea tugs to tiny Boom Boats, the venerable tugboat can be seen every day towing chip barges, log booms, rail cars, transport trucks, fuel barges and so much more. The tug is also the final link as ocean-going freighters, bulk carriers, and container ships are guided gently into their berths in BC’s ports.

Many wood-hulled steam tugboats worked tirelessly up and down the coast of BC for many decades. By the early 1920s, the simplicity of diesel power had become the power of choice for the commercial marine industry, replacing steam. Many of the old steam-powered ships were converted to diesel power or scrapped. The Steam Ship Master is the sole survivor of the long-forgotten steam tug era.