|
Batoche | Gulf
of Georgia Cannery |
Signal Hill |
Craigellachie | Fur
Trade Lachine |
National
Battlefields Park | Vimy
Ridge | Dieppe After the Great
Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890's, the BYN (British Yukon
Navigation Company) serviced the settlers and
settlements between Whitehorse and Dawson City. They
operated large, shallow draft vessels which could carry
a large number of passengers and cargo along the Yukon
River.
The S.S. Klondike was
the largest of these steam powered paddle wheelers to
run the route and was built and launched in 1929. It was
wood burning with the supply of wood being plentiful
anywhere along the banks of the Yukon River. In 1936 it
sank but was salvaged in 1937 and put back into service.
Although over 250 ships ran the Whitehorse, Dawson City
route, during the second world war, the building of the
Alcan highway enabled easier transportation throughout
the territory and by 1955 the Klondike was retired from
service.
In 1960 the vessel was
donated to the Canadian Government and it was converted
into a National Historic site and today is on display in
Whitehorse for visitors to explore and learn about the
exciting history of the area.
|
