Russel Brothers Limited OWEN SOUND, ONTARIO Steelcraft Boat Builders
 |  |
|
| Beamsville
Janes Fighting Ships 1990 - 1991: Beamsville [YTL 583] Built by Russel Bros. Launched January 16, 1944. Particulars Of Canadian War Vessels Building & Projected by Naval Service Headquarters (D. N. C. Dept.) 1943 - 1945: Beamsville [CN801] Shipped by rail to the west coast and served in Esquimalt. After the war she was later assigned as a tender to HMCS Discovery at Deadman's Island, Stanley Park. GAO Notes: Still in Navy service at Esquimalt, B. C. in 1997. Joe Fossey notes (2008): Last registered owner Tom Wilson of Dawson's Landing, Rivers Inlet, BC. Used for log salvage and beachcombing.
Ville Class Tug BEAMSVILLE Z61 / YTS 583.
Laid Down: 29 Nov 1943.
Delivered to the RCN: 16 Jan 1944.
Removed from service: 1997.
Built by Russel Brothers Ltd, Owen Sound, Ont., Beamsville was delivered by CN rail to Vancouver to serve on the West coast, Beamsville became the longest serving vessel in the history of the West coast Auxiliary Fleet. After the war, Beamsville continued service as a CNA. Due to cut backs in the navy that began in 1963 and the anticipation of the new generation of tugs, by 1976, Beamsville as the last of the first-generation Ville class tugs at Esquimalt. She later became a tender to the reserve unit HMCS Discovery. Removed from service in 1997, she was sold to private interests.
July 12 2018... Beamsville used commercially by https://tofinomarineservices.com/ "Our 39' tugboat, Beamsville, provides vessel assist services and general towing. Ceara Salvage also has the equipment and expertise to recover sunken vessels." Details for registered vessel BEAMSVILLE (O.N. 820147) owner: MARCEL THERIAULT PO BOX 535 TOFINO, BC.
BEAMSVILLE
Namesake town: Beamsville, Ont.
Ville Class tug for RCN,
Laid down: 29 Nov 1943,
Penant: Z61, YTS 583,
Registration No. 820147,
Hull No. ???
Delivered by rail to Vancouver.
Commissioned: 14 Dec 1943, CN 801.
1943-1997: Served as harbour tug Navy dock yard, Esquimault BC.
Removed from service in 1997
1970: Renamed Beamsville I CNAV, then Beamsville II CFAV
2001: Sold to private sector
2001-2005: Thomas Wilson, Dawson's Landing, Rivers Inlet BC
2005-2006: Einar Jensen, Powell River BC
2011-2013: Earl Guilbride, Nanaimo BC
2014 to present: Marcel Theriault Tofino BC.
Had been Repowered with 6-71 GM and Texas Nozzle added to rudder
Used for general towing and salvage.
|
Beamsville RCN Official Photo E-6489-2_DHH courtesy nauticapedia.ca.
In 1960-1989 she was owned by the Royal Canadian Navy. In 2001-2003 she was owned by Thomas H. Wilson, Dawsons Landing BC. In 2011-2013 she was owned by Earl M. Guilbride, Nanaimo BC. In 2013-2018 she was owned by Marcel Therieault, Tofino BC.
source:
http://www.nauticapedia.ca/dbase/Query/Shiplist4.php?&name=Beamsville%20(H.M.C.S.)&id=1752&Page=1&input=beamsville
 |
Clippings courtesy Leigh Cossey, Feb. 4, 2020.
 |
Times Colonist, Feb. 1, 1950. Harbor Ice-Breaking Third Day Running. For the third day running, the steel hulled auxiliary navy tug Beamsville broke up ice in the inner harbor north of Johnson Street Bridge. Task was easier today than previously, and only a thin sheet which had formed out from the shoreline had to be broken. Bargeloads of coal and coke which were held up awaiting ice-breaking to be carried out have been docking without trouble since a passage was cleared for them Tuesday. |
 |
Vancouver Sun, Thurs Nov. 22, 1951. Triple Play Brings Boat Safe to Port.
Spilt-second co-operation between RCAF operations Vancouver, RCN, and U.S. Coast Guard brought the disabled American fishing vessel Lassie safe to port in Victoria before dawn today. Lassie reported to the coast guard from two miles south of Discovery Island, hard by Victoria, and requested a tow to that port. Time was 8:38 p.m. Wednesday.
A signal to operations was relayed to Esquimalt and navy tug Beamsville was dispatched. Tug and tow reached Victoria at 2:15 a.m. today.
At 11:45 p.m. Wednesday Department of Transport notified RCAF Operations they had received information a tug owned by Chemainus Towing Company was adrift two miles south of Ladysmith showing distress signals after engine trouble. The Victoria Straits, Straits Towing and Salvage Company, assisted the vessel and took her tow of logs to Ladysmith.
|
Esquimalt, BC, May 12, 1986. Photo courtesy Mac Mackay. 
|
This classic tug was built by Russel Bros - Ontario, to the Canadian Navy Standards. The keel was laid in 1943 and the hull mothballed until 1960 when the vessel was finally completed and commissioned. She served as a harbor tug in Esquimalt British Columbia until the late 1990's, and during this time, she was maintained to Navy Standards. The 671 Detroit Diesel engine has 3900 hours on the hour meter since its complete overhaul, and lives in a completely walk around engine room. This is coupled to an Allison gear, which is connected to a 37 X 27 Wheel. The Vessel is equipped with a head, oil stove, 3 bunks for sleeping, 16 mile radar, depth sounder, and 2 UHF radios.
The Beamsville travels economically using only 2.2 gals per hour, at approx. 7.5 knots. Full speed is 9 knots. This vessel could be used for a variety of different of purposes, and with her beautiful classic lines, she attracts attention where ever she goes.
Skip Jensen of Qualicum Beach B.C writes (
Mar 28, 2011): "Hello there. I was following links looking at boats and came across your great site dedicated to Russell Bros. Ltd. I would like to request that you update the page on the vessel 'Beamsville'. These photos were taken by me about 5 years ago. The first two are taken from the Government Dock at Westview (Powell River) and the second two Are taken from the Tanker Wharf at Westview. My father, Einar Jensen acquired the tug presumably from Mr. Wilson in Sointula Island shortly before the photos were taken. The Beamsville was very well maintained by the navy and was, and likely still is, in excellent condition. We had the pleasure of working and maintaining her for a season and can confirm that she was a very well designed vessel. She was not a boat for large waters but she handled moderate conditions well and pulled hard and tracked straight. She was a fairly basic boat with minimal amenities but was still very comfortable for a narrow steel vessel. Thank you for the excellent compilation of information on your page and keep up the good work!"
Internet source page here: http://www.onelink.ca/beamsville
Photo courtesy Gerry Ouderkirk. Date, location and photographer unknown.
Photo courtesy Joe Fossey.
Photo courtesy Joe Fossey.
Photo courtesy Joe Fossey.
Beamsville at the WWBA 2007 Ganges Fall Rendezvous. Photos � Westcoast Work Boat Association.
http://wwbaca.com/photo-gallery-3/nggallery/wwba-photographs/2007-ganges-fall-rendezvous/page/2
 |
|
May 14, 2008: Beamsville at Delta Marine in Sidney 20k north of
Victoria, BC. Photos by Bruce Robertson. | |  |
Beamsville at the WWBA 2008 Ganges Fall Rendezvous. Photo � Westcoast Work Boat Association.
http://wwbaca.com/photo-gallery-3/nggallery/wwba-photographs/2008-ganges-rendezvous/page/3
Terry Rowsell notes (April 8, 2009): "Part of your site says Beamsville was still in Navy service at Esquimalt, B. C. in 2002. The Navy moved me to Esquimalt in 2002 and I don't recall ever seeing the tug there, so it may have been disposed of around that time, though I can't be sure.
Recently we moved our little sailboat to a new marina located in Tsehum Harbour at Sidney, BC, just North of Victoria. You can imagine my surprise and delight when there she was! I took the attached picture Sept. 28, 2008, the first time I saw her. It appears to be beside the Westport Marina. But I think on a private Jetty. Please see the picture that I just cobbled together. "
|
July 12 2018... Beamsville is now used commercially by tofinomarineservices.com "Our 39� tugboat, Beamsville, provides vessel assist services and general towing. Ceara Salvage also has the equipment and expertise to recover sunken vessels." Details for registered vessel BEAMSVILLE (O.N. 820147) owner: MARCEL THERIAULT PO BOX 535 TOFINO, BC.
July 13 2018...Marcel Theriault comments: "I purchased her in 2014, she had been on the hard for 3 years at that point.
Still working today and in mint condition. Before my purchase a Texas nozzle had been installed and at that time had no stern fendering. In 2014 I had installed a Schuyler stern fender. In 2017 a engine room refit was done."
Beamsville at Tofino BC
Thursday Aug 30, 2018. Photos by Leigh Cossey.
Owner was away, but called me back this morning. He has blueprints for her. He bought the tug from a friend while it was on shore being restored. Says it's not going anywhere, he loves it. When I gave him my email address as shaw.ca he said he had towed Mr Shaw's disabled yacht back to Victoria with the Beamsville. This being on the open ocean on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
 |
 |
Beamsville towing Lady Rose to Sechelt, BC, Nov. 6, 2019. Photo by Liam O'Kiely. "The journey began the morning of Oct. 27 with Beamsville, a historic vessel in her own right. The 39-foot tugboat was used during the Second World War as an assist vessel for war ships arriving at Esquimalt navy base. She stayed in service until 1997 � the longest serving auxiliary Navy vessel in country, according to its owner and skipper, Marcel Theriault.
Theriault towed the 105-foot vessel 285 nautical miles � his longest tow with Beamsville � through the Strait of Juan de Fuca and up the Strait of Georgia to the Sechelt Peninsula." https://www.coastreporter.net/news/local-news/lady-rose-arrives-in-sechelt-1.23999949
 |
Beamsville, Tofino, BC, Jan. 2020. Photo by ceara_salvage on instagram.
Feb. 2021: Marcel Theriault is planning a refit of the Beamsville.
"Will be towing her to a crane to pull engine out. Engine is being replaced while she is still running well. We will be going from a Detroit 6-71 165HP to a John Deere 230HP while maintaining same fuel consumption.
The new engine will give a 1 extra knot towing and Beamsville's range will be 40hrs allowing us to tow to Nanaimo or Vancouver non stop. The other reason is to improve emission standards going from tier 0 to tier 3 (tier 3 is the highest standard for diesel engines).
I will be spending two week cleaning and painting engine room while I have the room. Refit includes new fuel tank with stainless valves and fitting, new wiring and electrical panel (including LED lights through out) and replacing old chain steering with hydraulic.
I'll send some pictures after I cut hole. Will be removing the back wall of engine room, tow post, centre framing below and a section of bulk head. At this point I have been stripping engine of all peripheral parts to make hole as small as possible. Engine weights 2230lbs and will be lifted with manual winches. Once lifted, the oil pan will be removed (holds 22L). Engine will be blocked up and manually slide aft till crane can get a straight pull.
I would call this a pretty big job doing most myself."
3 days later she’s stripped down to 29”, framing allows a 31” hole in deck.
For more Russel exhibits visit Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum 1165 1st Ave West, Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K8
(519) 371-3333  http://marinerail.com |
|
|
|
|
|
