S.S. HAZELTON

Built:  1901 in Victoria for Robert Cunningham
Registration #:  107834

Hull length:  134.4 feet  (exclusive of sternwheel)
Hull width:  24.0 feet
Hull depth:  4.4 feet
Gross weight:  377.86 tons
Registered weight:  235.94 tons

HAZELTON on Skeena River at Hazelton
Image Courtesy of BC Archives - Detail of Call #A-02004

Engines:  1901 Albion Iron Works, two horizontal high pressure cylinders 12" wide x 48" long, rated at 9.2 NHP

During the winter of 1900, Robert Cunningham built the HAZELTON based on designs by Captain Bonser.  She was a trim, beautiful vessel and when she arrived on the Skeena in 1901 under Captain Bonser's command, she very quickly proved far superior to the Hudson's Bay Company's CALEDONIA.  In 1902, the Hudson's Bay Company's MOUNT ROYAL became her major rival, and the most intense rivalry was born between the two skippers.  They would push their boats to the maximum, always trying to beat the other vessel's time in runs up and down the Skeena.  They would often crowd each other on rapids and steal from the other's woodpile when refueling.

On one occasion in 1904, while racing to be the first vessel of the season to Hazelton, the HAZELTON began ramming the MOUNT ROYAL, causing her to lose steerage.   The HAZELTON then surged ahead, "wagging her stern" triumphantly.   During the incident, Captain Johnson, of the MOUNT ROYAL, left his pilot house to get his rifle and then fired shots across the HAZELTON's bow.

Although these antics delighted the passengers on both vessels, the two captains were reprimanded by the Federal Department of Marine.  As a result, the Hudson's Bay Company and Robert Cunningham decided this rivalry was profitless.  The Hudson's Bay Company agreed to pay Cunningham $2500 a year to take the HAZELTON off her Skeena run while they would haul his freight for free.  If business demanded it, they agreed to purchase the vessel.  This left Captain Bonser without a boat until he commanded the PHEASANT in 1906 and then the INLANDER in 1911.

HAZELTON arriving at Hazelton                                                                           
Image Courtesy of BC Archives - Detail of Call #E-02828                                        

After the tragic loss of the MOUNT ROYAL in 1907, the Hudson's Bay Company purchased the HAZELTON and put her back to work on the Skeena.  She operated until 1912, at which time her machinery was given to a Peace River vessel and her hull was sold to the Prince Rupert Yacht Club for use as a clubhouse.

This digital collection was produced under contract to the
   SchoolNet Digital Collections program, Industry Canada. Revised:  02/15/99