The Slocan Valley Historical Society is embarking on the restoration of the Merriwake, a vessel that is the last of her kind in Canada. She is a 31' gill netter built by Japanese-Canadian master boatbuilder Isamu Matsumoto in 1929.
In December 1941, the Merriwake, along with hundreds of other boats belonging to Japanese Canadian fishermen, was confiscated by the Canadian government. Her owner was eventually interned, as were the Matsumotos, who were sent to a camp in the Slocan Valley.
After the internment, the camps were dismantled. Today, very little built heritage remains to remind us of this time in our history, an era in which Japanese Canadians faced discrimination and suffered terrible consequences. The Merriwake serves as a symbol of the social, cultural and economic contributions made by Japanese Canadians but also as a reminder of a time which we must never forget.
The Merriwake was operated commercially by BC Packers and eventually changed hands several times before ending up in Kaslo. The Slocan Valley Historical Society acquired the boat from Ted Fitzgerald in 2019.
The Merriwake is a boat who cannot float but she will make a fantastic dry land exhibit. Our plan is to restore the ship to her 1940s condition and display and protect her in Slocan. To do this, we need to restore her structure before she disintegrates to a point beyond repair.
The structure is the first thing that needs to be addressed. A local shipwright will disassemble the deck and floor, steam and install new frames, replace previous repairs and then rebuild the deck and structure. Thanks to Columbia Basin Trust and Heritage BC through the Built Heritage Grants, and some private donations we are about halfway to our fundraising goal for this phase of the project. However, we need another $7500.
Please consider supporting our project. All donations will help our efforts. There is no administration fee; every dollar you donate goes directly to this project. Please share this page with your family, friends and colleagues. We need to raise enough money to get these necessary repairs started.
Thank you for helping to keep our history alive.
Perks
For all donations of $25 or more, individuals may choose to receive a set of nails, circa 1950s that will be used in the boat restoration. One galvanized steel square head nail and one bronze ring shank nail. These nails were donated to the project by Vancouver Island Waterjet.
A bronze sponsorship would entitle the individual to have their name on the "Bronze" pillar in the Interpretative Centre and in addition while supplies last, receive a bronze medallion commemorating Slocan's 100th birthday. Upgrade to the next level of sponsorship by donating more often, or at different levels of the restoration. All awards will be distributed when the restoration is complete.
A silver sponsorship would entitle the individual to have their name on the "Silver" pillar in the Interpretative Centre and in addition while supplies last, receive a silver medallion commemorating Slocan's 100th birthday. Upgrade to the next level of sponsorship by donating more often, or at different levels of the restoration. All awards will be distributed when the restoration is complete.
A gold sponsorship would entitle the individual to have their name on the "Gold" pillar in the Interpretative Centre and in addition, the first Gold Sponsor will receive a gold medallion commemorating Slocan's 100th birthday. Upgrade to the next level of sponsorship by donating more often, or at different levels of the restoration. All awards will be distributed when the restoration is complete.
Highlights
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For all donations of $25 or more, individuals may choose to receive a set of nails, circa 1950s that will be used in the boat restoration. One galvanized steel square head nail and one bronze ring shank nail. These nails were donated to the project by Vancouver Island Waterjet.
A bronze sponsorship would entitle the individual to have their name on the "Bronze" pillar in the Interpretative Centre and in addition while supplies last, receive a bronze medallion commemorating Slocan's 100th birthday. Upgrade to the next level of sponsorship by donating more often, or at different levels of the restoration. All awards will be distributed when the restoration is complete.
A silver sponsorship would entitle the individual to have their name on the "Silver" pillar in the Interpretative Centre and in addition while supplies last, receive a silver medallion commemorating Slocan's 100th birthday. Upgrade to the next level of sponsorship by donating more often, or at different levels of the restoration. All awards will be distributed when the restoration is complete.
A gold sponsorship would entitle the individual to have their name on the "Gold" pillar in the Interpretative Centre and in addition, the first Gold Sponsor will receive a gold medallion commemorating Slocan's 100th birthday. Upgrade to the next level of sponsorship by donating more often, or at different levels of the restoration. All awards will be distributed when the restoration is complete.
