Abandoned Shipyard in Remote Canada With Seven Ships Left Behind

Amazing adventure for anyone traveling around Dawson City Yukon, and an amazing piece of history.
• Historic Shipwrecks Ab...
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[@waynesmith2792]

Those little metal triangles remind me of the ones my Dad & Grandpa used when replacing glass in a broken window. They were used to hold the glass in place before you could apply the glazing putty...

[@keithrundquist1207]

Known as "glaziers points". Maybe left from a collapsed cabin window frame?

[@Destination_Adventure]

Oh very cool, thank you for the info.

[@seattletown3983]

I have a gun from my Grandfather's shop used to install them. Patten 1744700 in 1936. Or you can install with a putty knife.

[@mrandrat625]

Yup, that was my first thought too. Window (glazier) points.

[@MelioraCogito]

@@seattletown3983 My 1908 built home on V.I. still has its original hand-crafted single-pane, double hung (with counter-weight) windows on the second floor. I had to use _glaziers points_ to install new panes of glass about a decade ago, after refurbishing the >100-year-old well weathered sashes (even built a new sash from scratch for one of the windows), after the old glass panes had cracked-the glass was so old you could see how it had sagged over the years, creating visible wavy lines of more (or less) dense regions of glass. Most people think of glass as having a permanent rigidity, but it's not-it's quite fluid, give enough time.

[@KrazyMitchAdventures]

6:51 some stats on the Seattle #3 Built in 1898 the wooden sternwheeler; 151 feet long, 34.9 foot beam, 6.2 foot hold (Affleck says 150x32.5x6 feet). Gross tonnage 548.12, registered as 326.45 tons. Two decks, plain head and square stern. August 28, 1898, arrived at Dawson with 175 tons of freight (MacBride). Included were 3,000 cases of coal oil for the Standard Oil Company and Julia B sternwheeler; 158.7 feet long, with 38 foot beam and 6 foot hold; gross tonnage 835.33, registered as 511.08 tons. One deck, 2 masts, sharp head and square stern. powered by a pair of horizontal high-pressure steam engines built by James Reese & Sons of Pittsburgh; the cylinders had 8 inch diameter and 72 inch stroke. 1908, built at Ballard, Washington by Cook & Lake, for Captains Brown and McCarthy

[@stevecarlisle3323]

I have a Dawson City historical object sitting in my backyard, in Coal Harbour BC, the Hornsby Steam Chain Tractor, from 1910.

[@brucechristofferson5104]

Thanks so much for the return visit. We had fully intended to visit the graveyard; however, seeing you, Emi, and your adventure rig coming off the ferry at Dawson City really messed me up. 😊 And having you run back to us with stickers and our handshake was a highlight of our adventure to the far north. Travel well and keep living a life full of stories. We'll keep watching and promoting your channel. Be well!

[@Destination_Adventure]

I was happy there was enough time before the ferry was loading again. 😊 🤘🏻

[@ajkolodziejski118]

Hello Dustin, the curved timber you highlighted in the ship graveyard is known as a “knee”. If they are installed vertically they are called hanging knees, if they are installed horizontally they are called lodging knees. They are made of root and trunk of the tree. The curve of the tree matches the curve of the part. Extremely strong! I have actually made them and installed them in a reproduction tall ship project.

[@Destination_Adventure]

This is really cool information, thank you. Amazing the things I learn from this comment section. 🤘🏻

[@gabemidkif]

I live in Maine. Bath iron works is still in operation and make US Navy ships. It's cool to see something old from when bath iron works built more than Navy ships and that it made it all the way to the Yukon! Thanks!

[@Vtarngpb]

This video also reminded me of the two schooners that were laid up in Wiscasset 🥲

[@nattybumpo7156]

​@@Vtarngpb I saw them when i was a kid. The inboard one was still remarkably intact.

[@jayneterry8701]

Maybe they could come pu their garbage 😬

[@VistaViews]

Its sad, amazing and awe inspiring to see those old remnants of paddle wheels sitting there over a hundred year later. I have an inherent desire to restore anything old so it kills me to see them like that. Still… at least someone still respected them enough to capture them in a means that will ensure they are never truly forgotten. Love your work buddy!

[@psjoden]

Referencing the iron haul ship. The long stringers that you noticed with the notched block to hold the long stringers…. The stringers are used to “push cargo” off or onto the deck of this badge. In old days they would liberally “Grease” the stringers to lesson friction then push the Pallets onto the deck , having to balance the loads as cargo came aboard, or left.

[@katherinespong]

Thanks for the surprise entry, Dustin. I enjoyed it on my crossing from Fairview to Digby with a large coffee.

[@elizabethmcintosh5238]

I don't know why but abandoned ships - boats, make me the saddest. Those wheels would be a beautiful display somewhere. Thanks !

[@finalfantasychick88]

The first time you went to the paddle boat graveyard is one of my favorite videos of yours. It’s so cool that you went back! Thanks for the video and safe travels!

[@gmac9956]

Any extra videos you produce I'm A ok with.

[@douglasfleetney5031]

Three rudders was a fairly standard set-up on the Yukon, fitted between the stern and wheel and shaped to the radius of the wheel, also protected by the hull going forward and the wheel when backing up. Wheel turned around 30-45 rpm depending on the size of the boat and wheel. The Keno (I think she is at Dawson) turned her wheel at 37 rpm all out, doing around 18 mph up stream to Whitehorse, coming down stream to Dawson she coul get into the mid to high 20's. They would take four days of steady running on the Dawson/Whitehorse and about 48 hrs Whitehorse/Dawson. They could carry over 1,000 British tons and navigate in 3 feet of water (that's not just floating but steaming hard). The Whitehorse (aka The Old Grey Mare) was the biggest on the River with the ability to carry well over 1,500 tons and tow two barges, again in a mere 3 feet of water. They were magnificent ships, all of them. Go and walk around them, you have four left, The Moyie (I believe at Keslo), the Sicamous at Penticton, the Klondike at Whitehorse and as I thought the Keno at Dawson. Without these CPR River and Lake Steamers I doubt BC and the Yukon would be as they are today, they were the only way in and out for almost 80 years. Towns stopped when the ice broke and the first howl of a whistle heard in the distance. They took in everything from wives to brass screws, they carried everything out either to Whitehorse for transference to the Railway to the coast or they would go the long way to the Barents sea to transfer cargo to ships or they would coast hop down to Vancouver. They were tough Steamers! Thank you Dustin from a Brit who would dearly love to walk in your footsteps and touch the Old Girls. I grew up in an atmosphere where my Dads job was his Hobby and he was a Steam Engineer. I believe he was on the Keno on her last run down river (he is a Brit, I was born in the same house he was) so before I could read properly I knew these vessels and loved them. This made me sad, as did your first film, however it was a pleasure to see them. Thank you again.

[@harrisji]

Those "nice rounded" pieces are knees and are made from where the trunk of the tree meets the roots and add for strength. They were added where the hull meets the deck, or the sides of the house (inside above the deck) meets the roof.

[@jedharding3492]

Big jump from Dease Lake to Dawson City! You'll be at the Arctic in no time!

[@sherrilee230]

Well what a surprise to see the old ships again. I remember that video. There was someone else checking them out too. They deteriorated a lot since then. Thank you for showing us again. Safe journeys

[@thomaslawry5238]

Great video. Most of those steam-engines were "double acting"....the steam pistons pushed out and then the steam pulled the piston back. The steam worked alternately on both sides of the piston.

[@cindystrachan8566]

I used to work for a company that made engine seals for these vessels. They were massive and had to be made by hand, a process that took several days. That was back in 1985 and last I knew the company had been purchased by Federal Mogul. But it was fun to think about the size and power of the engine that would need something so massive.

[@gertvaniperen1870]

what a beautiful day and a great history lesson. Thanks Dustin 😎

[@buddy-wrenchgarage]

The reason the steam engine cylinders aren't 180 degrees off is so that it doesn't get stuck if ones all the way out and ones all the way in, they're 90 degrees off just like a steam locomotive, unlike a gas engine that has a power stroke in one direction steam engines have it in both directions, and by "quartering" them it makes sure there's never a dead spot and at least one cylinder can get it moving

[@Destination_Adventure]

Very cool, thank you for the info. I love learning about these old things.

[@workhardlivefree3818]

All cranks are 90 degrees out from each other. Locomotives, Oil Field Pump houses, Paddlewheelers to provide a constant power stroke. That's a beauty Capstan/ Windlass... hate to see that disappear into the rubble

[@Fluxcore70es]

Dustin I was a welder at Bath iron works in 1982. Did not know that history . Thanks. And great video.

[@Destination_Adventure]

Very cool

[@paulk43470]

Your fellow Canadian over at Traplines and Inlines is unreal. I can't believe that young man.

[@janh8847]

How did they drag those ships high up on the land? Love your videos exploring these places and your history lessons. I always look forward to your videos! Be careful out there 😮

[@spongebobsqueeze]

Some people lose their curiosity and their imagination when they get older. You have not and we are all the richer for it. Thank you for another interesting and very enjoyable video.

[@Destination_Adventure]

This channel has allowed me the opportunity of infinite curiosity. 😊

[@lostrailbeds8289]

I enjoyed your show on these derelict boats a few years back...and got to enjoy for a second time!! They really look as if they've held up ok, even though only a few years has passed. This reminds me of the old Steamships that plyed the Hudson River in NY from NYC up to Albany and points in between. All of them met the similar fate as these......we really need to start saving at least a few? of our Historical items for future gens to enjoy. Thanks...AGAIN! Dustin!

[@empressvogt]

We still use these kinds of boats in different parts of the US. They are a tourist attractions as well. I've never seen them myself.

[@MrTonyPiscatelle]

Amazing look into past history of the gold rush era and what part the old paddle wheelers played in those years. Thanks Dustin , nice job bringing that info out for us to see.

[@ginrobi01]

An excellent Workshop Wednesday! I remember this from a previous video, and it's still fascinating. To see them still as intact as they are, even now, is crazy. They sure don't make things like they used to back then.

[@dianeb.4791]

Every video is informative and very good! Didn’t see the paddle wheeler graveyard when we were in Dawson City!! Cheers!

[@andrea6421]

I imagine what you imagine, just think of all the people on those boats and all the places they’ve been. Great video 😊 Thank you!

[@stephenrrose]

Nice revisit Dustin. Thank you for keeping History Alive!

[@bobpenny8011]

The large gracefully curved wooden part is called a knee. It was a critical structural part, transferring load from the hull to the cross deck beams, keeping the entire hull ridged so it wouldn't collapse. They were often carved from "grown" crooks - the natural crooks of trunk/limb parts of large trees, so that they were very strong. The smooth shaping is so they transfer load smoothly and evenly.

[@tonydeleo3642]

I used to do glass installation and those little triangles were probably glazing triangles, used to hold glass in wooden window frames before applying putty to seal them. They were usually made of solid zinc.

[@TinTin-nz2kt]

Another Beautiful short video. Glad you are doing well. See you on Saturday Cheers.

[@mrandrat625]

I'm always surprised at how little has been salvaged over the decades. It's cool to revisit prior adventures. Have you thought about going back to the abandoned mansion from your second adventure? I found that one intriguing,, for some reason..

[@keithrundquist1207]

Dustin, you've got to edit in a reading of Robert Service's poem, "The Cremation of Sam MaGee"! About a gold rush prospector who carries the body of his pal to its final resting place!

[@davidbandler]

16:57 Ship lap decking - and that's where we get the term overlap from. Would have been used for cladding, reinforcing areas, and sometimes water-tightening.

[@BlackCat-aka-Jewels]

Always so happy to see your videos and adventures! We bought a 1959 westerner and tore it down and are beginning our build from the ground up..to make it road worthy and self contained for or trip next year...your way!...you are a great teacher of all things Yukon and travel. Wr so appreciate you! You rock and you guys be safe in " THE YUKON " LOL. BLESSINGS ❤

[@EKAdventures51]

those rounded pieces are called knees, they were a necessary part of boat building just as a triangle in any 2x4 wall in house construction, added strength , nice to see this graveyard of once magnificent boats

[@RobsNeighbor]

Jeepers Wedensday already eh. Thank you Dustin what a treat this is

[@HuntANtrap]

Thanks for the longer humpday video! We always look forward to a mid week video, the longer video was a bonus!

[@donchandler755]

Interesting visit to these old ships again. Thanks for taking us along.

[@user-qf1it8jc9y]

Nice walk thru history, really sheds some light on how things were made back in the day. So much work to make those ships in order to advance human settlement and progress! The stories they could tell of fortunes made and lost, the people coming and going, the sailors making a living going up and down the rivers. Really amazing that they are still there even if not so great condition. Thanks Dustin once again for bringing us along with you!

[@QuiltedLily]

Thank you for sharing your adventure!

[@frosthollowfarms174]

Paddlewheelers do have a rudder system, if you look at the Delta Queen or Delta King, you can have a really solid idea of how those rudders work. Those two were built in the early 20s so they could give you a pretty solid idea as to the general construction of the vessels you were documenting here. These were likely packet boats that carted cargo and passengers along. So the Gordon C. Greene would have been an excellent example where the Delta Queen, with exception of being used as a yard ferry during WWII, has always been a luxury cruiser.

[@47fireguy16]

You better try and find Mick. They said in Dawson City that he was running around trying to apply for a cruise director job on one of the stern wheeler's. He must have been around Caveman Bill, that lives in the cave on the river.

[@jerrypeters8525]

Thank you Dustin, these are real treasures

[@jacobderaadt6501]

My younger son and I visited this site whilst on a canoe trip from Johnson's Crossing (on the Alaska Highway) to Big Salmon (on the Campbell Highway) in the late 1980's..In a group of about 9 canoes, we camped one night on the east side of the river across from the vessels, near the confluence of the Yukon River and the Teslin River, and some in the group paddled across the next summer morning., (The graveyard is actually on a narrow island: upstteam from the confluence of these rivers; putting them to rest would have been easy.) The vessels were still in a fairly good shape, with nameplates on some of the hulls and pilot houses. I was President of the Yukon Transportation Museum Society at the time, and many in Whitehorse knew that "we" were asking the public for any artifact related to "air, water or road transportation". On Main Street one Saturday morning, I was given two heavy cloth and cork lifejackets that had come off paddlewheelers;, one was stencilled CASCA and the other one CANADIAN. These are likely now displayed in the Transportation Museum at the Whitehorse Airporr.... This video brought back many pleasant memories !

[@jbrobertson6052]

Its sad to see a part of our history end up like this. Thank You for caring enough to do this video because even though there isn't much left it still was amazing to see

[@mpetrino7330]

Dustin hi from Calgary. Enjoyed your first visit to this site and this one equally so big guy. Gonna do the Yukon next year mid June. Wouldn't wanna miss Horsefly season 😫but its part of the adventure too. Think your are correct about the steel hull barge having two layers of decking. First was purely structural the second was for the daily abuse of freight sliding on and off deck, no rubber tire 4 wheel forklifts back in the day. Apparently main method of moving freight on deck was using winches dragging hardwood skids and pallets around, on and off. That was why the wood plugs you pointed out were in the second layer. So the hardwood skids/pallets wouldn't get caught on the square nail fasteners below. Thanks again.

[@rjkStudios]

Stuff like this that is hiding out in remote parts of the country is so cool!!! It's heartbreaking to see the deterioration, and imagine how it once looked 100 years ago. Thanks for taking us here with you!

[@jburnett8152]

Nice to see you are having a bright sunny day. Those old ships were really something. To see how they are crumbling is interesting. I imagine the barges were for moving goods up and down the river. I believe there is still a paddle wheel in Whitehorse.😎

[@kb1kos]

15:45 Glazier's points. They're used to hold glass panes to a sash of a window, or porthole.

[@Spielmanjon]

Really interesting, but a shame at the same time. It really is too bad that there was not a way back then, to preserve those better, and maybe bring them back to service one day! How amazing would that be!

[@mtacoustic1]

Would love to see drone video of this site! I was through Dawson City in 2016 & wish I had known of this site at the time. Fortunately, there are a few preserved steamboats in the area: a small boat in Dawson City, and one each larger boat in Whitehorse and Fairbanks, AK.

[@robdedrick2052]

Hey Dustin I would imagine that when the wood is soaked with water the freezing temperatures cause the wood to split accelerating the decomposition .

[@signdigger]

Much more to people going north than just what they tell you! Looking for gold was not the only reason they went north ! Many know not the main reasons they went to the far north long ago !

[@larrymiller2370]

Interesting to see how they made all the old ships used them & now everyone is gone & there they set abandon in time. Don't get hurt walking around we need you to stay healthy and well so we can ride along on the journeys.

[@montyforster3370]

Enjoying your fervor towards old stuff. I indeed even as a child rooted around our local Newton Trading Post in Surrey. Long gone but memories still fresh. Thankyou agaun from the flatlands of Alberta. Cheers

[@briansteve5269]

The rectangle plugs in the wooden deck are Dutchman patches used to repair damage areas or defects.

[@blueman5924]

Kinda neat having one of those sternwheelers beached here in Penticton, the SS Sicamous. There is one docked in Kaslo as well, as the town museum. Great adventuring. 🤙cheers.

[@TheFreakyman81]

In our old house (200 years old) these trangels are used to fix the glass in the windows, after which it is sealed with sealant.

[@user-iamRobinV68]

Wow love this explore! So cool to imagine who walked on it and what they were doing 😊😊😊

[@sailingspock]

I can remember the other time you were there, the decay is really not that bad over the last 2 years. And exactly, that's what I always wonder as well if I am urban exploring..... Just to imagine how it was back in the day. Thanks for another, happy humpday video Dustin !

[@wendyking3565]

This reminds me that Laura Beatrice Berton wrote a wonderful account of her voyage from Toronto to a new life in the Yukon in 1907. She was a school teacher at the time, the book is called "I Married the Klondike".

[@derekcourt425]

I've worked on a few Barge repairs in B.C. and watched a crew of 6 carpenters install "double wear decks" This would be another wooden deck on top of an existing deck to "take the abuse" of dragging, smashing, grinding heavy equipment or boxes, crates, etc across a deck. The "wear deck" would be replaced every few years during refit. The deck underneath might need a few repairs but not like a "wear deck". The last "wear deck I saw replaced was about 8 years ago on a totally steel fuel barge. They installed 10 inch x 10 inch thick beams lying flat around the perimeter of the entire deck. Then they hammered in 2inch x 10 inch planks ON EDGE across the entire deck. It took the carpenters a month to nail 2x 10's ( 2 inches thick at a time) across the whole barge deck. The cost of the wood alone was probably close to $200,000. I asked the barge Crew why they needed 10 inch thick wood to cover an entire steel deck. "Bulldozers, fuel trucks, etc" would drive onto the barge to be refuelled. The steel couldnt handle the weight ...but the wear deck displaced the weight so the steel deck wasnt damaged.

[@territaylor4317]

My Grandmother used to a singer on one of the paddle wheelers that ran up in that area. I suppose alot movers and shakers rode on them.

[@trevorlyle6381]

Thanks for the extra Show was awesome. You uploading more videos showing more is always going to make more viewers.😊😮😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@sandkirk]

I was lucky enough to visit there when some of them were still standing. Many many years ago.

[@JimRO79]

cheers matey - lovely to get a surprise mid-week explore video :0) Yeah, they do seem to be slightly worse than during your previous visit. Could you imagine what it would be like to press the rewind button and see them slowly but surely resurrected - wow!

[@Destination_Adventure]

100 year backwards Timelapse lol

[@timtaylor1365]

Interesting piece of history that we would never have known about if you hadn't kindly shared....

[@V.I.Outdoors]

Thank Dustin. Most of us would have never known about these let alone see them in person. I admire the history of our province as much as you do as with many other things. Don't change Bro!

[@johnki325]

Thank God there's the sternwheeler Moyie preserved in Kaslo, BC.

[@slant36]

Dustin your real time narration is exquisite- you are so focused ! The copper triangle were "glazing points" that kept window panes in place before the "glazier" applied putty. Received my "T" shirt and sticker - the shirt was easier to figure out than getting the sticker on the RV!

[@Destination_Adventure]

I really appreciate that, thank you. 😊

[@TracyRedding-c6x]

Dustin those little triangles look like window clips to hold the glass before being caulked in place. Thanks for doing your thing and sharing.

[@isabelmendi3973]

I’m glad you had a chance to video this place Certainly unique . It’s nice the way you explain the history of the places you present makes your videos very interesting. Thank you Dustin

[@Awsom47Merc]

Thankyou "Steamboat Willie" Dustin. Good vid as always with valuable history. 👊😎👍

[@staceyrenner5418]

Man, I remember your first video on these so well, nice to see them again! The wife and I just spent out annual holiday in Kaslo for the 8th year, and boy am I glad that the SS Moyie didn't meet the same fate as these girls. It almost did as it, and its sister ship the Minto, were originally built for service in the Yukon. Yet another great video my man, my "visit the same places that Dustin does" list is getting a tad large lol.

[@CanadianSledDog]

Always enjoy watching you walk on various piles of rotten steel and lumber

[@johncooper9980]

Thank you! 👍👍

[@censured-again]

They look about the same as they were in 1990. Thank you for your wanderings.

[@nanaandpeepssadventures3991]

We made that trip to the old ships loved it glad to see that they are still there.

[@davebeningfield]

Take in the Moosehide Festival while you're there. It starts this coming Friday. Free boat shuttle from the waterfront in Dawson downriver to Moosehide.

[@lotharschiese8559]

15:53 Those were used to hold windowpanes in place before caulking was applied to seal them.

[@Jasontodd74]

Very interesting!!! You never disappoint Dustin!!! So neat, I live in a river town in the US. and we had a lot of paddle wheel ships here. Had one parked here for years that was refurbished giving tours and rides. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@davepascarella3829]

Alright! Shout out to my home state of Maine, and Bath Iron Works! Great video!

[@Destination_Adventure]

🤘🏻

[@joanneachildoftheking4199]

Your agility and bravery always amazes me and scares me to death. Thanks for going places that few of us would ever see!

[@BlackdogADV]

I stopped and explored there twice on my motorcycle trips from Portland to Tuktoyaktuk. Thanks for the video.

[@celticrider06]

In case anyone is going to be in Dawson , there is a wonderfully preserved paddle wheeler being maintained by Parks Canada

[@jeffsr.8126]

Most awesome video... You really risked your own life to show and document that place of history... Thank you Dustin... God Bless

[@RobSharp-wo5qj]

WOW awesome . love to know more about the ships and the how they helped open up the northern Gold rush

[@GrammaBonnie]

My family used to drive up to Whitehorse from Haines every summer and saw some big paddle wheel steamships, in the 60’s.

[@teaeff8898]

Very interesting video! I’m pretty sure the one with the 3 rudders would have been a towed barge, like a butty. I used to love climbing through/over/into old abandoned stuff when younger. 😉

[@sarakalisgilbert]

Thanks for another great adventure. A place I have always wanted to visit!!!

[@WildSideOfLifeYT]

Nice way to spend half of my first break! Enjoyed the video and information! Cheers dustin happy humpday

[@Justanadventure]

Great!! Absolutely love the 2024 stick tag. Dustandvetuture!!! Been a huge fan for a long time. From your 2nd year. !! Great content. Can't wait till your next video every week.. thank you for your contribution to my life! Great inspiration from Canada!

[@trevorlyle6381]

Wood plugs nice 😊

[@rodgeraskew9236]

My grandfather George Askew built some of the paddle wheelers in the Yukon.

[@MadAsKiwi]

Thanks for sharing this again. These places amaze me (here in New Zealand, there is a ship graveyard at a place called Quail Island in Lyttleton Harbour). As for the paddle wheel crank offset, have a look at Quin's explanation of quartering on episode 41 of her model steam locomotive build. It's the same principle (you are about right though with your thoughts). Keep up the great work!!

[@robertsaline]

Completely awesome follow up on these.