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You are here: Home / #SummerOfYVR / I’m on a Boat! At Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site

I’m on a Boat! At Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site

06/25/14 | #SummerOfYVR, British Columbia, Canada, Destinations, North America, Vancouver


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A couple weeks ago, my home city was offering free entry into local museums and attractions and one to never say no to free, I dragged my family out for a day of playing tourist. There is a surprising amount of history in the city I call home, only if you know where to look.

Even though I say I live in Vancouver, I actually live in a city immediately south of Vancouver called Richmond. The Vancouver Airport is actually in Richmond too. Richmond grew out of a small fishing village called Steveston, so accordingly we went there in search of something new. Our first stop was the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site which is located just outside of Steveston Village. Despite living in this city for most of my life, I had no idea this shipyard even existed.

Britannia Shipyards National Historic SiteThe Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site is an authentic representation of what was once a thriving community of canneries, ships, residences and stores. It is celebrating its 125th year in 2014, making it some of the oldest shipyard buildings in British Columbia.

Britannia Shipyards DockThe site is separated into two sections: one that highlights ship building and another that takes you back in time to explore what life might have been like for the many workers that come from very different backgrounds.

The Shipyard

Britannia Shipyards BuildingWalking into the main ship building, you’re welcomed by an imposing boat currently under restoration. Sometimes you can watch the ongoing boat restoration. The building was originally used as a cannery and was only converted into a shipyard and maritime repair station in 1917.

Britannia Shipyards Ship RestorationWandering through the building it is part museum and part workshop. You can see where shipwrights have just left and where they’ll pick up their work again. Along the way there are displays and descriptions of what you were looking at.

Britannia Shipyards Signs

I love these signs!

Checking out the S.S. Master – A Historic Tugboat

Britannia Shipyards S.S. MasterWe wandered onto the S.S. Master, a fully operational steam powered tugboat that was tied up to the dock. The boat was close to 90 years old apparently and it still runs. They take up and around Vancouver and will be heading to Granville Island soon. The men working on the maintenance of the boat were on hand to show us around the boat and answer our questions. When peeking down into the engine room, we were informed that the tugboat’s engine was a scaled down size of the Titantic.

Britannia Shipyards S.S. Master Engine RoomAs we were walking back through the main building, we startled a heron who had hidden itself among the posts holding up the building. I had never seen one flying before so that was really cool. It is amazing the wingspan it has.

The Stilt Houses

Britannia Shipyards Stilt HousesWandering down the boardwalk, you come upon the stilt houses which were once home to fishermen. Walking through them you can immediately telling the difference in class and hierarchy in the workplace. In the Manager’s house you walk into a beautifully decorated Victorian home. Flowered wallpaper from floor to ceiling and the best furnishings money can buy. There was even a doll house!

Britannia Shipyards Managers HouseThe next building was the Men’s bunkhouse. Not as upper class as the Manager’s house but you could still tell the men lived well. In many ways it looked like a dorm room.

Britannia Shipyards Mens BunkhouseAt the end of the boardwalk is the Chinese Bunk House – the last in the Pacific Northwest – which was where immigrant workers were housed. Between 75 – 100 men would live in this house. It is incredible how many people they could fit inside. It’s not very big!

Britannia Shipyards Inside Chinese BunkhouseToday, there are many displays talking about the life and working conditions of these immigrants. Though my family didn’t move to Canada until much later, it was still interesting to find out how much of an influence the Chinese were in this area.

We spoke briefly with a shipwright, someone who has dedicated his life to building and restoring ships. He looked at us expectantly, volunteering to answer any questions that we may have about what he does. I came up blank. Given enough time I probably could have come up with some questions, but when put on the spot, I really had no idea what to ask. I didn’t even know where to start!

Adelina at Britannia Shipyards

Don’t I look like I fit in? (not really!)

Apart from a week-long sailing trip during my teens to Desolation Sound, I really have no experience with boats, nor do I have much interest in the subject. My grandfather worked on a boat for most of his career. He traveled all around the world and he has some fantastic stories to tell of his adventures. It was interesting to see what he might have encountered aboard his ships through this visit to the shipyard.

Britannia Shipyard
Westwater Dr, Richmond, BC V7E 6S2
Admission is free (Donations accepted)

All summer long I’m playing tourist in my own city. Come along for the adventure!

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« The Summer of Vancouver
A Perfect Day in Steveston Village »

Comments

  1. Corinne says

    June 25, 2014 at 5:13 PM

    I love a boat, riding them, going to boat museums. I have no desire to live on a boat, because…well, scary, but a shipwright museum seems like a great place to visit. I love seeing how things work.

    • Adelina says

      June 29, 2014 at 3:52 AM

      I have an irrational fear of being on small boats. Must be something about the deep and cold water. Museums talking about it are interesting though! I wish this one was a little bit more interactive though. It was a lost opportunity.

  2. Calli says

    June 25, 2014 at 8:00 PM

    Recently my dad’s wife was talking about Steveston and no one else in the room, all BC locals, knew what she was talking about. This is definitely one part of BC that doesn’t get enough attention. Those stilt houses have captured my attention and I really want to check them out for myself now.

    • Adelina says

      June 29, 2014 at 3:51 AM

      Haha, I guess if you don’t live in Vancouver, you won’t hear too much about it. Even though I live in Richmond, Steveston seems so far away because it seems to take forever to get to and almost is like its own city.

  3. Andrew says

    June 26, 2014 at 6:44 AM

    great find! It looks really interesting, and the sort of place many might not think to visit. good job, great pics!

  4. Rachel says

    June 26, 2014 at 5:37 PM

    It’s amazing what you find on your doorstep 🙂

  5. Siobhan says

    June 27, 2014 at 4:26 AM

    I love anything to with antique boats and you lady are super pretty!

  6. Sammi Wanderlustin' says

    June 27, 2014 at 12:06 PM

    Such a good idea, playing tourist at home! So fun to get out and learn more about the places you live 🙂

  7. memographer says

    June 28, 2014 at 5:19 AM

    This is kinda my place, Adelina! Would love to visit the shipyard. The photos are awesome.

Trackbacks

  1. A Perfect Day in Steveston Village in Richmond, BC says:
    June 29, 2014 at 1:39 AM

    […] Being right on the water, it was only natural that Steveston started as a salmon canning centre in 1880. The area also supported a significant boatbuilding and shipbuilding industry. […]

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Adelina is a part time traveler, exploring the world despite having a full-time job. Pack Me To is a collection of stories from her travels and adventures around the world as she packs you to destinations around the world with her.

Adelina has been traveling for as long as she can remember and has lived abroad in the Netherlands and Hungary. She loves telling stories, and eating and exploring her way around the world. Come along for the ride. Read More…

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