Ladysmith Maritime Society

In 1991 on July 10 the Ladysmith Tall Ships Society members voted to become the “Ladysmith Maritime Society” the better to reflect the Society’s goals and objectives.

Eight huge, outdated propane tanks were donated and towed to Ladysmith harbour in 1992. Four were retained by the Society for use as a breakwater; two were sold to Ladysmith Yacht Club as floatation for its clubhouse; the rest were sold to others.

A large ancient anchor was retrieved from the seabed of Ladysmith Harbour by a local commercial diver. After being donated to Ladysmith Maritime Society, it languished out of sight as there was no display site available. It passed through several hands before acquiring a place of prominence as the centerpiece of the roundabout at 1st Avenue and Symonds Street.

To promote interest in Ladysmith’s waterfront and marine heritage, a “Maritime Festival” was held in 1993. Registered vintage vessels were invited and were open to the public. Harbour tours and a “boom boat ballet” were supported by onshore boat and equipment booths, model boat building for children, a fashion show and food booths. This was successfully repeated the following year. The organization of these festivals proved to be an all-absorbing, all-year activity for all the active members of the Society. The decision was reluctantly made to discontinue the festival so that the Society could concentrate on its aims of collecting historical marine artifacts, restoring locally built vessels, and operating the marina.

By 2005 we were ready to try a modest festival again and an “open house” was held to show off our fleet and new boathouse. Invited steamboats and engines were an added attraction. The second “open house” in June 2006 showcased offshore boats and their adventurous crews.

In 2007, an expanded Maritime Festival was enjoyed by young and old with the waterfront decorated in a pirate theme. By emphasizing family fun around the waterfront, the 2008 Maritime Festival saw an increased number of participants. 2009’s special activities revolved around a tribal journey and dinner celebrating cooperation between the Town of Ladysmith and the Chemainus First Nation.

Donated vessels have expanded the Society’s fleet. C.A. Kirkegaard, a 29-foot retired local ferry, was restored–again–assisted by government vocational training funds. She was re-launched in 1993.

A deep-sea vessel’s life boat, now our tour boat, Maritimer came our way on the dissolution of the Ladysmith Waterfront Enhancement Society. The restoration of a Porlier Pass troller, originally built in Saltair circa 1930, was completed in time for her to participate in the 2003 Light Up parade. A 1959 Glaspar Club Mariner, donated as a memorial, was restored and displayed for the first time at the 2005 Steamboat & Heritage Boat Show. A work boat off the renowned deep-sea tug Sudbury II was restored in 2007.

In recent years, restorations and maintenance took place in the “Car Shop,” now known as the Boat Restoration Shop. Repairs and maintenance to the shop have been a major project requiring considerable Society funds and many volunteer hours. There is still more to be done but a washroom, heating, secure storage for tools and a small meeting room are proving valuable to the Society.

Our marina has provided a successful nesting site for the endangered West Coast Purple Martins. Cooperation between LMS and the BC Purple Martin Stewardship & Recovery Program has resulted in attaching nest boxes to dock pilings, advising of arrival date of purple martins, assisting with the counting and banding of birds and locating an information kiosk (wheelbarrow shelter) at the head of the marina. A nestcam is relayed to a screen left of the Bill Adair Boathouse entrance.

In 2005 LMS donated the materials and our volunteers built a special purpose dock for the disabled sailing program of Cowichan Valley Independent Living. LMS also provides free moorage for their vessels. We welcome this opportunity to support such a worthy group interested in boating.

Over the years the docks have expanded and been upgraded from dilapidated, discarded, forestry company floats to the present 3,500 feet of useable and safe moorage space; 1,100 feet are designated for visiting boats during the cruising season. LMS welcomes everybody to use its “Social Dock” adjacent to the Welcome Centre, walk the docks and enjoy the marina. Our award-winning floating Museum, which was completed in 2007, now houses local marine communication, navigation, safety equipment and artifacts.

The Society continues to work towards developing an attractive presence on Ladysmith’s waterfront, restoring historic vessels, sharing waterfront history through education and ambassador programs.