Historic Shipwrecks Abandoned on the River | Destination Adventure

The Paddlewheel Graveyard, is a fascinating spot because it is home run historical site, but it's almost forgotten by the locals. I understand how this can happen though. Often times, the things in our own backyard are the ones that get overlooked, or lose their interest. Lucky for me, I was told about this location long before arriving in Dawson City, and let me tell you it did not disappoint.
This location along the Yukon River, was once a ship yard, and is now home to the Ship Graveyard. As time goes on, technology advances and industry shifts, we must also shift with it. When these ships were pulled onto shore here, there was little to nothing wrong with them, other than the fact they were no longer needed. It is a shame really, because these much have been beautiful boats in the day, but that is the way things go. Nothing lasts forever, but I am happy to have had the opportunity to see these before they are lost forever.
I want to thank Alex, for making the time to fit me in for an interview. This location was surprisingly difficult to secure a reliable interview, but it managed to happen literally hours before I had to leave Dawson City. I am also excited to have seen so many people in the comments asking for this location, so I hope you are all happy to see this one.
A big thank you, as always, to my Patrons. I never had imagined I could make it this far north over the summer, and I owe that comfort to you guys and gals. Thank you!
If you wish to help the channel, and see places further and more remote, please consider joining one of the tiers on Patreon: / destinationadventure

[@bctrails7206]

The symbol on the 2'' globe valve @17:18 made by powell is from the White Star Shipping line dating all the way back to ancient Scotland. Was the very same shipping line that later made the Titanic.James Houston the first discoverer of gold in (New Caledonia) B.C. was a decendant of the family that originally owned that particular ship manufacturing company.

[@Ganiscol]

Man made machines built to navigate the rivers, now sit in decay in a fall colored forest. So soothing. 😌

[@dr.trixiecp5651]

Come to Kaslo, BC and see their SS Moyie sternwheeler restored and dry docked on their main beach...it’s certainly beloved by the community and a wonderful reminder of days gone by

[@sheldondyck8631]

I’ve been through there many times. That old stern wheeler is pretty cool. I like driving hwy 31 from Kaslo to Galena Bay. And is that Hedy Lamar in your profile pic?

[@andygebert2460]

Couldn't agree more. SS Moyie is a treasure. What an experience it must have been to sail on her.

[@dr.trixiecp5651]

@@sheldondyck8631 yes it is

[@sheldondyck8631]

@@dr.trixiecp5651 Nice. She deserves far more recognition than she gets. Without her there’d be no Bluetooth or Wifi

[@dr.trixiecp5651]

@@sheldondyck8631 agree! She was an under-appreciated, intelligent, inspiring, beautiful woman ..I just love her ☺️

[@danielfouardlibertarianono8017]

I sometimes feel like a lot of other people. "What a waste, couldn't they have restored these boats?" But the fact is they have restored some of the old stuff, but who's going to pay for the restoration of the rest and continue to maintain them? Everything can't be saved. But a guy would think people would have scavenged more off of those big ole boats to build other stuff in the bush. Like houses or barns. They still could with a lot of the lumber that's left. Now that would be a story for the grand children. Epic you know it could be epic. "Yea sonny and you see the big beams holding up the hay loft? And all the decking up there? That come from the wreck of the S.S. Mermaid. Them beams held up the paddle wheel and the decking came from the inside of the hold." That would be the coolest! GOD bless all and stay safe exploring these awesome sights!

[@susannenerad9851]

Totally agree with you

[@bigbird2451]

Such good sound tracks. Thank you to all you artists. And you Destin for promoting them.

[@marjolainejane1506]

My grandfather B1868 ran a wood lot camp chopping wood for the paddlewheelers in the Yukon. He sailed out of Vancouver & hiked the Chilkoot to get there. He grew up in Newfoundland & around 1905 he returned to Bonavista to marry then came back to Vancouver & built houses. As old men he & his brother still loved clearing land, fishing & hunting.

[@ericryckman5174]

I still can't get my head around the fact that there is 7 steamers. How many of these ran at the same time? Shows how busy this area was. It's unreal. Good job Dustin. You never fail to amaze us!

[@trevorkenny]

The First Drone shot was amazing.

[@chrishorbatt3504]

You always find the coolest old stuff! When you said"someone walked these steps 100 years ago" thats exactly what i was thinking the whole episode.

[@steamingaround6524]

You’ve got to tour the intact stern wheeler there in Dawson City, the Keno! Gives you a better idea how opulent these boats were, how they functioned & what they did!

[@magictune7935]

Welcome to my old home town!

[@imyeet1662]

I'm a Deckhand on one of the last Paddel/Stern-Wheel tour boats left in Alaska, and all of these boats are amazing, their deisghn dates back to the 1700s, yet they still amaze me, Thank you for the awesome video, you're the best

[@klondikewoman2851]

Dustin if you ever get to Whitehorse. Check out the S.S. Klondike. Those sternwheelers were so beautiful. Others see junk you see treasures..that is so great..Keep up the good work.

[@47fireguy16]

Saw that when my wife and I were in White Horse. It was a work horse in its day.

[@Hikethe48]

We are from Maine and found your channel a month or so ago. We love your adventures. In this episode, we noticed your Windlass find. We were elated to see it makes with Bath Maine. We live 1 1/2 hours away from Bath Iron Works, originally the Hyde Windlass Co and a well known ship building company in our parts. It was neat to to learn that the windlass ended up on the Yukon.

[@robheathcote8561]

nice brother, cheers for sharing. as usual, awesome vid

[@skyhawk182]

Just amazing, the stories we probably would never hear if you weren’t bringing them to us! Thank You for taking us along. 🤠

[@SnuffyB123]

I remember seeing one or two of the Riverboats (I think in Whitehorse when I rode my Harley down the Alcan from Anchorage to California in 1965. When you look at all the lumber your crawling through to explore those ships I can’t help but think of “What a waste of Lumber” They should have parked them where someone could have utilizes some of the material from them. Someone could have started their own Lumber Yard from all that Wood:)

[@SWEET-2381]

the things you show me is by far what anyone else shown.. Love ya!!!

[@mancima]

That windlass you found is beautiful. If it wasn’t so damn heavy it would be a beautiful piece to repurpose.

[@68carolinas]

It's an awesome video, I am surprised that someone hasn't reused some of the old growth timbers. When you hopped down into the boat, and asked about the lever, the beams look almost perfect. It's a shame they are going to be lost to nature. If the abandoned boats were here in the States, I think someone would have stripped all of the metal out of them. Thank you for saving pictures of the site before they are gone.

[@maljcross4634]

I just love your enthusiastic comments about being told that there was nothing left by locals....and you get there and find plenty, in my opinion you found a gold mine of historic vessels.

[@charliemccoy1452]

The sound of Knarly Davidson is hilarious! Thanks for your explore!

[@davidbeer]

Thank you Dustin and thank you Alex Sommerville for a great historical adventure. Gotta watch out for these people living in the woods though Dustin. They can be a bit sketchy. You really struck gold in the Yukon with that steel hull paddlewheel. Looks like freight runner... Made my day with this one man.

[@metaxaanabeer]

After urging you to return and do the paddle wheel graveyard last video I'm somewhat embarrassed that I would not have thought that you had already done it! We travel up there often enough that I have acquaintances now...not friends but we know one another and even I haven't seen the last three...Dustin, you are amazing in what you can squeeze out of a community.

[@billyhensley7770]

I was clinching my teeth hoping you didnt step on a nail lol great video man

[@KrazyMitchAdventures]

19:46 That is not a Winch exactly. That is a windlass, they are still used today, mostly on sailboat, and very large cargo ships. (from Wikipedia) The windlass is an apparatus for moving heavy weights. Typically, a windlass consists of a horizontal cylinder (barrel), which is rotated by the turn of a crank or belt. A winch is affixed to one or both ends, and a cable or rope is wound around the winch, pulling a weight attached to the opposite end. Thank you Capt D, for another awesome adventure through history.

[@jusportel]

They were used on the riverboats for pulling them through rapids.

[@Nupealoop]

So many beautiful bits are left and amazing how well the wood has held up. Crazy to imagine say 70+ years ago people exploring these when they were intact. Perhaps using for shelter when hunting, parties, etc... Thanks for the video. My mind spins thinking of repurposing this stuff!

[@theell9014]

Another in a very pleasing long line of interesting and informative mini-documentaries. I am always learning new things as I watch your videos. I continue to be rather appalled that no provincial, territorial or even the federal government has not seen fit to sponsor you; you are doing more for Canadian history and geography than a dozen textbooks could accomplish!

[@liquidgal9867]

That's b/c Trudeau would rather not have you remember history. Anything made by the white man is racist, according to him. As Trudeau said "We are a post national state and no core identity." Obviously he hasn't really seen Canada, And the settlers that built this glorious country.

[@bigbird2451]

Crazy graphics at 6:18. Snooping around and met with those eyes!

[@wigsy99]

Saw this back in 2019, very interesting and fascinating site. Easy walk from the Ferry

[@SJB117]

Makes me kinda sad seeing how much of our country's history is rotting away out there, but very cool to see nonetheless!

[@AdventuresofanoldSeadog]

Wow, loved that.

[@leahsiemens1424]

My kids and I just love your channel. Keep up the great work!

[@favoriteswubby]

I want to tell you how much I enjoy your videos 😉. But I spend every video yelling at the screen that you are going to break your neck climbing on old rotted things. I really love your intro. Your nieces are just so adorable 🥰

[@mikaeljonsson4686]

Be glad it didn't fall on top of you... 😉 thx for a great video, history is always amazing!

[@gorillagoldhunters]

Right on buddy the old ship yard:)

[@boe4448]

That was really interesting and cool. Thank you, Boe

[@crossfitting]

I love your stuff because you give just enough background but not too much so to where it's a gimmicky history channel show. You have genuine reactions and excitement and that's what makes your channel awesome!!

[@cedricliggins7528]

I love exploring shipwrecks

[@movieexplainerbangla1473]

Nice One. Thanks for the video waiting for the next video.

[@12345678989814]

All the places you travel there in Canada are absolutely gorgeous I love the work that you are doing it is absolutely awesome makes me want to visit Canada

[@dr.trixiecp5651]

Please, respectfully, only come if you are fully vaccinated

[@paulgaudier8431]

Really?

[@axelford5514]

Hehe, I get told the "nothing to see" claim all the time when hunting for plane wrecks, "oh there's nothing to see" "just some bits of metal" but even the slightest find makes my day. The size of those steamers is amazing though, I wish to explore wrecks like that someday. Also, I can see those being really expensive to restore or preserve but I reckon sections could be airlifted and displayed in a semi-reconstructed setting, certainly those iron ones could be saved :P

[@timpage8996]

Thanks for the opportunity to live vicariously through you. Always been fascinated with the Yukon since reading Pierre Burton’s book on the Klondike????

[@bustercrabbe9767]

That bilge pump was pretty cool!

[@jayjones6904]

Ty for the adventure you're up where I wouldn't last a winter lmbo

[@noleftturnunstoned]

Amazing! Love the Canadian content.

[@jwillingham88]

This is super awesome, appreciate you showing us these old ships. I really would have loved to see how those old timers got them to their final resting places! That must have been an insane amount of work!

[@Brutaga]

Pleased to see you placed that dowel back in place, heaven knows what would’ve happened if you hadn’t 😊

[@KiiJay]

Excitement overload, Dustin uploaded 😁

[@jonsymmonds1120]

Awesome Explore Dustin! I love it!

[@bctrails7206]

The old steamer with those square cut spikes/nails was probly one of the first up the yukon.The round nails/spikes show it was used and repaired for many years after being built there.It's boiler and all the hand wrought iron hardware was probly dragged in by dog sled and would bet was originally built/smithed and shipped in from the Uk or down south.Very cool vid! was a pleasure to watch.

[@richardwo4543]

I was born in Canada and now live in AZ. I was a trucker all my life and saw much of North America but never had a chance to see the places that you go to. Enjoy your videos. Thank you.

[@OscarRuiz-gj3mp]

Hyde Windlass Co. ( 20:02 ) is now Hyde Marine. In business since 1895. I love the Internet!

[@jeffthain4420]

The lever was the blow down for the boiler most probably. The valves were brass and that's why they're missing. The sternwheeler with the largest boiler might of only had one boiler that's why it's so big. The others probably had two boilers. The fulcrum you're talking about is called a walking beam.

[@CurtisAClark]

Thank you for this video. I am so sad due to these beautiful “old ladies”. I lost a great great grandfather to Lake Superior who traveled the Yukon area before coming to Michigan.

[@Dwendele]

Man, I'd LOVE to get my hands on that windlass!

[@leilaparker4371]

We are the posterity of those rugged pioneers. it really doesn't matter that the remnants of their lives lay rotting out there in the Canadian wilderness. for us, it was a good thing they came to the wilds of this country, or we would not be here now. our WILD WEST was TRULY WILD. and its nice that it still is. and their blood still runs through our veins... and the jewel that is the wilderness is still there for the future select few brave to explore...

[@lyallarblaster3416]

Only 79.9k interested in what's still there. Great video man 🍻

[@MrGixxer1300r]

Dustin what a amazing find!!! I love the things you explore, and your enthusiasm. Please never stop posting this great content.

[@hoboonwheels9289]

"Nothing to see-ers" live blind to the interesting. Penticton has a huge paddle wheeler with a miniature railroad inside, pretty well restored with furniture and rooms original, plus a couple smaller boats used on Okanagan lake when Kettle Valley RR was running.

[@nicolaassnoek9902]

Seen these three years ago, stumbled across them when we were camping in the camp ground behind them, lots of history to see in this part of the Yukon

[@celestelacey812]

Dustin you are braver than I am. I would have been terrified to have climbed on them. Thanks for showing us an awesome adventure. It is great to see the world through someone else's eyes when we can't do it ourselves. Looking forward to many more adventures.

[@carolinenorman9997]

So very sad , they could at least protected them from the elements . History is slowly disappearing and humans to blame . Can you imagine riding in a paddle boat . Thank you so much for the video 🙂.

[@jeffr2643]

Thank you for this channel!

[@erikletham4944]

Visited the site this summer very cool but at the same time sad to see history vanishing fast. The SS Klondike in whitehorse is nice as you can get a big picture on how they work and the hardworking crew to keep them rolling on the river the boiler crew stoked a log every 30 seconds a total of a chord an hour sometimes more depending on the river and rapids The other large boat you found at the first yard of boats is intact a large barge they used for hauling fuel or ore to and from Dawson city to whitehorse pushed by the bow of the steam ship Awesome videos keep them up !

[@richardp1522]

A while back when you made an episode at a preserved US Military Base you pointed out how poor a job we do in Canada of preserving our unique pieces and places of history. This episode seems to illustrates your point. History so important to the development of the Yukon left to decay on the shores of the very river they once worked seems a miss. Maybe having the SS Moyie at Kaslo (which is so well preserved and presented) is enough ???. Great episode awesome to have you adventuring beyond BC, thanks.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Love that bike.

[@jameslumley5170]

Amazing place, isn't it?? Saw the gold dredge that was south of Dawson City!! Another awesome sight. Just think........all the trees you saw in the valley are leas than 100 years old. At the time of the sternwheelers, both sides of the valley were stripped of trees to provide the fuel for them. A little tid-bit from my visit there!

[@garycothren1294]

That square nail is probably hand forged in a shop after initial build. Lots of those used by miners from what I was told.

[@ronalddailey5208]

Assume video. You take a lot of changes. But you're great. Thanks for sharing.

[@jefflawrentz1624]

This was fascinating! I’m glad you made this video because years from now so much more will be gone. Thank you !!

[@cooterguy4867]

The valve you found was made by a company still in existence in Cincinnati, Ohio, Powell Valves. The company was founded in 1846.

[@ianhudson2193]

Great video......such a shame all left to decay but you can't save everything.....

[@joeminnick2746]

Wow.... amazing

[@issyhalecullen]

Such a waste of history. I’m so glad you explored and showed us what remains. And to add the history behind it, I love it.

[@tarn1135]

One reason why I love old things is the craftsmanship. 100 years ago people seemed to care about their work and almost everything was handmade, just look at houses from that time now look at a modern house the modern homes are just ugly with crazy roof lines, while older homes have intricate scroll work amazing architecture. Don’t get me wrong I’ve worked on 100 plus year old homes most my life and I’d rather live in a new home because of comfort but older homes have a story to tell and beauty few things can match.

[@elizabethrowe7262]

Fantastic history these old steamers and the job they did bringing supplies etc and the role they played so long ago. Like all things in the past they don't fit in when new technology takes over and then just left to rot away and forgotten. Thanks Dustin for sharing!

[@lickalittle]

Loved this video. Love seeing old boats and how they were built, just wish they preserved them. History.

[@bobbiesox6289]

Great adventure Dustin! You take us to all the best places!! Be safe and take care!

[@OneBlueFroggy]

Another wonder of a video, thank you for another Canadian Dustination Adventure ! ❤️✌️🇨🇦👍

[@brendakrieger7000]

Really excited for this one! I love abandoned boats and shipwreck🚢⛴ this was very satisfying! Thank you very much Dustin!

[@GRock5k]

Windlass made in Bath Maine the City of Ships. Or the drinking town with a ship building problem.

[@prognozprognoz9145]

I'm loving this channel more with every upload! Wish I could do this kind of stuff

[@notinservice3724]

great show, for me that was the best yet !

[@Chambersdavidjames]

Good episode. I really enjoy your narration and fun attitude. I do worry (just a little!) when you do things like walk on rotted decks high up. And no one around to come help…

[@rshutterbug47]

That Was Really Neat & To Bad You Went All The Way To Where Three Were & There Was Nothing To See 😉 & Whats Someone Trying to Hide, VERY VERY INTERESTING 🙄 Good Stuff There & Please Be CAREFUL 👍👍👍

[@andrewhorwood1058]

Wow. what an amazing place.

[@scottjohnson6173]

Dustin that big metal piece look like a anchor chain spool…..I don’t know that it is, but that’s what it look like…..but that was an Awesome expedition.

[@bencolangelo3302]

Where I live in cape cod Massachusetts we have a steam boat from the same era that was drug on the land and converted to a restaurant which is still in use today

[@brianvansickle5196]

top notch as always sir…

[@robynsnest22]

I find it so sad that these boats have just been left to rot. The SS Moyie was restored in Kaslo. I would have thought they would have wanted to keep some of their history.

[@metaxaanabeer]

They have. A restored paddle wheeler runs out of Dawson City daily. Mostly a tourist boat trip draw, they announce that the bar is open before the last mooring line is on board!

[@OneMorePan]

Love watching these with my son. Great videos. So nice pausing and teaching him things along the way. Cheers 🤘😁🤘⛰⛏🇨🇦

[@suzanneberkey1114]

Really cool history. Thank you for taking me here.

[@denniseldridge2936]

A agree with others here in saying that it really is a shame that more hasn't been done to preserve these magnificent boats. But they were caught in that weird time warp between being obsolete eyesores to be discarded (this is true of ordinary objects we use today) and recognition that they really are objects which should be preserved. That span of time is the most dangerous for an item, whether it be a building, vehicle, vessel, or whatever. As for these, I think the best course of action would be to try to extract the hard objects such as the steam engines and restore one or more to show condition, or even working condition. Now *that* would be amazing! And I think it could be done quite reasonably, with volunteer help as much as possible.

[@ckm-mkc]

The fact are still there & not salvaged or burned down is a form of preservation. Closer to civilization, they would have been long gone.

[@medionlvr]

just think of all the hopes and dreams that those boats helped to fulfill.

[@morkorson4196]

That was so awesome, thanks for re discovering these lost and forgotten places.

[@fyi650]

Loved that one, the 2nd ship collection I thought, was really cool to see. No knarly Davidson though. Breaking in the new ride ? Gotta put some km's on er, work out the bugs, lol

[@enigmanoneya6418]

That was really cool.

[@westcoastislander6699]

Good one! So interesting to see theses amazing "ships", as they truly were. And the river flowing by in the background like nothing ever had happened..........

[@robertwells6454]

Very cool one. 👌