The Saravan is the flagship vessel of the Ladysmith Maritime Society. She was built in 1938 in Coal Harbour and worked out of Victoria. Pressed into service for the Royal Canadian Navy through the war years, in 1948 she was purchased and subsequently operated for 30 years by Chemainus Towing. Ladysmith resident Ken Mulholland donated the Saravan to the Maritime Society and LMS volunteers, led by a professional shipwright, rebuilt the entire stern and half the back deck plus numerous hull planks using old growth fir. The Saravan now plays an active Ambassador role for LMS and the Town of Ladysmith travelling to many classic boat shows from Vancouver to Victoria and as far as Port Townsend. Her wooden lapstrake skiff named Marilyn was donated by Georgia Paterson of Creston, BC, specifically for the Saravan as it fits neatly on her after deck. The skiff was built in the early 80’s by Robert Lally, a shipwright and surveyor.

Special thanks to Rod McNeil, Boat Steward for sharing his stories.

The C.A. Kirkegaard was built in 1947 by Clark Brothers Boat Works in Brentwood Bay. She was designed as a passenger boat for Canadian Explosives Limited (later CIL) , who used her to transport workers from the Saanich Peninsula to their explosives factory on James Island. The “Kirk” was owned by CIL until 1982, and from 1983 to 1988 she was used by several owners as a ferry to Sidney Island and for whale watching in Johnstone Straits. She was eventually abandoned on Hanson Island. The ‘Kirk” was acquired by Ladysmith Maritime Society in 1992 and re-launched in 1993 after a significant restoration. She was used for harbor tours up till 2016 when she was moved onshore for repairs. This time, there were many planks, ribs and timbers to be replaced due to wood rot. All of the stern timbers, including the horn timber, were removed due to rot. The restoration was completed in 2021 by LMS volunteers under the supervision of a shipwright with an estimated volunteer commitment of 10,000 hours.

Special thanks to John Beames, Boat Steward, Jeff Reichert and Robert Lawson for sharing their stories.

Built in Nanaimo in 1950 as a 23’ Columbia River style fishing boat, Song Bird is double ended with an enclosed wheelhouse, she originally had a fish well behind the wheelhouse and a working well at the stern. The boat still has the original “two lunger” Easthope Engine installed and operating, the first production model with electric start. After ten years of commercial fishing, Song Bird was laid up in a barn in Porpoise Bay from 1960 to 1980. The engine lay outside, exposed to the elements until purchased, refitted and displayed at EXPO ’86. In the years following, Chuck Davison acquired the boat and completed major restoration work in 2008 - 2009. In January 2016 Sydney Johnston and Angele Demers acquired Song Bird and kept her at their marina on South Dyke Road in New Westminster. Song Bird cruised for many years on the Pacific North-west coast and as far as Princess Louisa Inlet, until Angele donated her to LMS in 2020, shortly before she passed away.

Special thanks to Robert Lawson, Boat Steward for sharing his stories.

The Marilyn is a classic-built flat bottomed skiff that typically would be found on commercial vessels before WWII. Built by Duncan based shipwright Robert Lally in 1980, the skiff has been restored and is the tender for the historic Saravan, the flag ship of the Ladysmith Maritime Society's heritage boat fleet. Ladysmith Maritime Society members Robert Lawson and Rod McNeil share their stories about the Marilyn and boats like her.

The Northern Light is a 50' classic Monk, built in 1967. It worked the coast for years as a Mission Boat owned by the Seven Day Adventists. Ladysmith Maritime Society director and owner of the Northern Light Art Rendell gives us a tour and shares some stories as he chronicles some of the boat's unique features and some of the restoration work completed. Built by Vancouver's Matsumoto Shipyards, the Northern Light combines wood with aluminum, and is an early example of use in aluminum in the ship industry.  
Special thanks to Art Rendell for sharing his photo collection and stories.

The Lesley is a Spencer craft, built in the late 1940’s with cedar planks on oak ribs, with a length of 14’ and beam of 5’6”. She was acquired by Barney and Lesley Durban in 1965. Barney was an avid fisherman who used the boat locally and rarely came home empty handed. The boat was later owned by Michael and Judy Durban and restored to her former beauty in 1991 by Michael, when she returned to the fishing ground for a final farewell to Barney. The Lesley was donated to LMS in 2007 by the Durban family with the understanding that it would be restored.
In 2014 LMS honored their commitment to Lesley Durban and started work on it. A used engine and steering wheel were donated and a stock of Sapele was purchased to make the new side decks, rub rails and the seats. The boat was repainted and varnished, and bronze fittings were acquired for oar locks.

Special thanks to Michael Durban, Robert Lawson, and Bob Hogberg for sharing their stories.