AN EVENING WITH A LOCAL GRAND OLD LADY “The Swan”. A steam launch built in 1890, she plied the waters of Alberni Canal and Sproat Lake; then rested for 50 years on the bottom of the lake; was raised and renovated by Art Skipsey, who donated her to the Port Alberni Maritime Heritage Society; and is now on display at the Hutcheson Maritime Heritage Gallery. Come and celebrate this grand old lady’s history. Enjoy speakers, stories, video, conversation and refreshments. Date: Thu

Who knew when we watched the SWAN being pulled out of Sproat Lake in November of 2015 that it would be the beginning of another adventure for the SWAN under the wing of the Port Alberni Maritime Heritage Society which has as their mission to Present, Preserve and Promote maritime history and heritage of Port Alberni, the Alberni Inlet, Barkley Sound and the West Coast. We knew from the very get-go that the Maritime Heritage Society had the energy to take on this project but w

Listen to our Facility Coordinator, Jenn Preedy, do a Speech on the Swan steam ship for the at the Port Alberni Rotary meeting. #TheSwan #PortAlberni #discovery #Steamboat

During the 19th century, many communities would not have survived without the use of boats utilizing the systems of rivers and lakes. Port Alberni and the surrounding towns along the inlet is one of these sets of communities; the town has been home to many important sea vessels which has helped our survival until the arrival of modern transportation. One of these important vessels was the Swan, a steamboat that was used for almost sixty years. The Swan was brought up from th