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She was a multi-purposed vessel designed to combine elaborate first class passenger accommodations with a large cargo capacity and daily mail service. The shallow-draught hull and sternwheeler propulsion permitted beach landings resulting in less extensive wharves being required allowing service to small communities.

Major Restoration Projects over the last 5 years

S. S. SICAMOUS
GENERAL INFORMATION

ORIGIN OF NAME: a narrowing of two rivers

HERITAGE STATUS: Municipal Heritage Status. The steam ship Sicamous is the only interior steel-hulled sternwheeler preserved in the province.

OWNERSHIP: Sold by CPR to the City of Penticton 1n 1955. The S.S. Sicamous Restoration Society leases from the City at $1.00 per year.

B to C Deck Stairway: not original but built out of plywood in 1951 for public entrance from the interior Cargo Deck to the 2 nd deck Dining Room. These stairs were replaced using the wood from the original hog posts using a similar design as the original staircase located in the Men’s Smoking Saloon leading to the Observation Deck.

Cargo Deck: 10 interpretive panels, which explain through photos, diagrams and written information the beginning of the marine transportation and steam railways

Communication System Restoration of the original Gingle & Gong and Voice Tubes from the Pilot House-Purser’s Office-Cargo Deck now offers visitors an interactive experience.

Engine Room: 3 interpretive panels with mounted artifacts in a lighted open-case bring back the feel of the original engine room with an interactive component

Enhanced Exterior Lighting & Appearance: lighting of paddlewheel and smoke stack, replacement of 3 rd Deck Brass Railing, axes on Pilot House and Docking Lights re-hung.

Gallery Deck: installation of Stocks Family Gallery that educates through artifacts and archives, the pioneer photographers of the Okanagan Valley .

Exterior B & C Deck Wood Rot is critical and extensive and is now slowly being addressed so that public safety standards are maintained.

Exterior Bow Stairs: using donated steel stairs and modifications, new stairs were erected as per fire regulations.

Exterior Signage: re-creation of the 6 by 13 foot “Sicamous” sign of the Pilot House and the “Sicamous” name on the hull redone for aesthetic appeal

Hog Post Replacement: The original hog posts (8) were each an individual Douglas fir tree. With the help of a CPR grant of $25,000.00 these hog posts were replaced by laminated Douglas fir beams at a total cost of $45,000.00. The good wood was saved and some used to replace the non-original 1951 interior stairs of the ship

Hull : interpretation and restoration of wooden planking in Engine Room area

Pilot House Restoration: completely restored and interpreted in part with a grant by Benjamin Moore Heritage Foundation.

RESTORATION BY SSSR SOCIETY: Over 3 million has been spent on her since 1988 including in-kind donations and many volunteer hours. Thanks to Heritage Canada, City of Penticton, Penticton Chamber of Commerce and other corporation and private sponsors and donors, the Sicamous restoration stands as a testament of community heritage awareness.

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