JOHN CLAUS VOSS (1858-1922)
Tilikum

mmbc 3345P Norman Luxton, a journalist accompanied Voss for part of the voyage. It was hoped that Luxton's writings would help finance the expedition. Dropping Luxton off in Fiji, Voss then took on a series of temporary first-mates, one of whom was swept overboard in a storm, carrying with him the boat's only compass. In 1904 Voss and his final first-mate arrived at Margate. The vessel was exhibited at Earls Court, London in 1905 after which it was sold and passed through a number of hands and was discovered in 1929 lying derelict. The Tilikum at rest within the MMBC mmbc 993.117.0007

In 1901 Captain Voss left Oak Bay, Victoria, in the modified cedar dug-out canoe, the Tilikum on a journey in which he intended to circumnavigate the world. The voyage was to last 3 years and 3 months from Victoria to Margate, England. Tilikum lying derelict on the Thames mmbc 989.219.0004 Through the efforts of concerned Victorians, Tilikum was crated and returned to Victoria by freighter where restoration was carried out by the Thermopylae Club. She can be seen on display at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia.

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