SS ''Trail'' was a sternwheeler used for freight on the

Columbia River The Columbia River (Upper Chinook: ' or '; Sahaptin: ''Nch’i-Wàna'' or ''Nchi wana''; Sinixt dialect'' '') is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, C ...

and Arrow Lakes in British Columbia, Canada. Built to replace SS ''Kootenai'', ''Trail'' began service on June 11, 1896 and operated until she burned down in 1900.

Construction

By 1896, the earlier sternwheeler ''Kootenai'' had aged and was in need of a replacement. The new steamer was built at the shipyard in Nakusp, British Columbia by J. McCain and was named ''Trail''. Her engines likely came from ''Kootenai'', but her boiler was probably new, as the local newspaper, ''The Miner'', reported on April 11 that SS ''Nakusp'' had brought one down from Arrowhead, British Columbia.Turner, Robert D. (1998). ''Sternwheelers and Steam Tugs''. Winlaw, British Columbia: Sono Nis Press. ''Trail'' was an important addition to the Columbia River fleet due to heavy traffic from mining and railway development and at 633 gross tons, she was the largest vessel in the fleet, alongside ''Nakusp''. ''Trail'' was designed as a larger and improved version of ''Kootenai'' and although she was not a passenger ship, she was attractive. ''Trail'' was launched on May 7, 1896, and began freight service on June 11.Volovsek, Walter. "Steamships on the Columbia." Trails in Time. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 July 2015.

Service

''Trail'' was used for freight service on the Columbia, which continued after

Canadian Pacific Railway The Canadian Pacific Railway (french: Chemin de fer Canadien Pacifique) , also known simply as CPR or Canadian Pacific and formerly as CP Rail (1968–1996), is a Canadian Class I railway incorporated in 1881. The railway is owned by Canadi ...

bought the Columbia and Kootenay Steam Navigation Company in 1897. Administrator and Captain

James William Troup James William Troup (February 5, 1855 – November 30, 1931) was an American steamship captain, Canadian Pacific Railway administrator and shipping pioneer. Family Captain James William Troup was born in Portland, Oregon in February, 1855.Newell, ...

was soon taken by ''Trails design and used it in 1898 as a basis for several future vessels on the Stikine River, including ''Hamlin, Schwatka, Duchesnay, and Constantine''. After the launching of '' SS Minto'' in 1898, ''Trail'' and ''

SS Illecillewaet SS ''Illecillewaet'' was a wooden-hulled stern wheeler that operated on the Arrow Lakes in British Columbia, Canada from 1892 to 1902.Turner, Robert D. (1998). ''Sternwheelers and Steam Tugs''. Winlaw, British Columbia: Sono Nis Press. She was b ...

'' were used to haul rail and construction materials for the extension of the Columbia and Western Railway to the Boundary region.

Fate

While many Columbia River steamships of the time were dismantled or abandoned after retirement, ''Trail'' escaped such a fate by burning down at West Robson, British Columbia in June 1900. Only a charred hull, intact boiler, and still-standing funnel remained.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trail Steamboats of the Arrow Lakes Ships built in British Columbia Canadian Pacific Railway West Kootenay