Three old, unique ships — including a 1930s rum runner — have been left to rot at Britannia Heritage Shipyard and Richmond City Council is being tasked with deciding what to do with them – or at least absolve itself of any responsibility.
Full restoration of the ships could cost upwards of $1.7 million, according to a report from Mike Redpath, the city’s senior parks manager.
“The Britannia Heritage Shipyard Society has requested the City of Richmond consider assuming ownership of three of these boats: the Iona, the Starliner and the Fleetwood (rum runner),” states the report.
Redpath said it’s council’s prerogative to save the vessels or leave it up to the society to find another way.
The Fleetwood is a 56-foot vessel built by the Vancouver Shipyard in 1930. It was first used to transport liquor to the United States during prohibition.
Said to be in poor condition, it would cost $183,000 to restore it to a presentable, but non-operational, condition. A complete reconstruction of the vessel would cost an additional $1.1 million.
The boat had been in operating condition back in 2002, but was left to waste away due to lack of resources.
The boat has a lot of history, according to the society, as it was used to dupe the U.S. Coast Guard and take booze to Washington State.
“The BHSS has indicated to the City their collective inability to maintain, and or restore the Fleetwood,” noted Redpath.
Meanwhile two other vessels require help. The 35-foot gillnetter Starliner has been left unprotected for many years and needs a $250,000 overhaul.
And the 37-foot fish collector boat, Iona, needs about $200,000 worth of restoration work.
In his report, Redpath noted there is inherent value in restoring and maintaining boats at Britannia.
