IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
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- Vessel Name: SS Pumper (formerly SS Planet, Racey, Paul Evans)
- Year of Build: 1903
- Built at: Buffalo, NY
- Type: Steamship (various roles: fishing boat, tugboat, icebreaker, tour boat)
- Hull Materials: Steel
- Dimensions: 61′ x 14′ x 5.5′
- Final Location: Moored near Kars marina, Ontario
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The SS Pumper is a steel-hulled steamship built in 1903 in Buffalo, New York. Over the decades, the vessel has undergone various transformations, reflecting its multiple roles ranging from a fishing boat to a tugboat, icebreaker, and later a tour boat. It was originally launched as the SS Planet and later renamed Racey due to its speed and fine lines. The vessel’s construction and features were typical of early 20th-century steamships, designed for robustness and versatility.
HISTORY: #
The SS Pumper (formerly known as SS Planet, Racey, and Paul Evans) boasts a storied history that spans over a century. After her launch in 1903, the vessel quickly found herself embroiled in early 20th-century border disputes and was seized by the Canadian Coast Guard in 1909 for “Running the Line,” a practice associated with illegal fishing and smuggling during Prohibition. Renamed Racey, the ship became known for her speed and reliability, leading the fishing fleet out of Port Dover and even participating in search and rescue missions.
Over the years, Racey was refitted and repurposed multiple times. In 1989, she was reconverted to steam power with an original Doty Steam Engine from 1895, alongside a Scotch marine boiler originally built in 1900. This restoration, carried out by the Pettit family, was a labor of love aimed at preserving the vessel’s historical significance. In the 1990s, the ship operated as a tour boat on the Rideau Canal before being moved to the Manotick area, where she remains moored near the Kars marina.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
As of 2021, the SS Pumper is moored near the Kars marina, Ontario. The vessel, now over a century old, is a living relic of a bygone era, with her future uncertain. Despite her age, the SS Pumper still floats, with her steel hull enduring the harsh winters frozen in ice, much like her fate, perhaps frozen in time.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
- Navigational Warning: Exercise caution when approaching the SS Pumper near the Kars marina, as the vessel may be surrounded by ice during winter months.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The SS Pumper has been moored near Kars marina since the early 2000s. The vessel’s location has been cataloged under Location ID #BR0108.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Pumper.ca: Detailed historical information and family accounts related to the SS Pumper.
- Capital Gems: A resource highlighting the vessel’s significance in the Ottawa region.
CONCLUSION: #
The SS Pumper is a testament to the resilience of early 20th-century steamships, having survived numerous transformations, a century of service, and the test of time. From her early days as the SS Planet to her current incarnation, the SS Pumper remains a significant piece of maritime history, moored in the still waters of Ontario, waiting to reveal the next chapter in her storied life.
KEYWORDS: #
SS Pumper, SS Planet, Racey, Paul Evans, Buffalo, Steamship, Steel hull, Doty Steam Engine, Scotch marine boiler, Tugboat, Icebreaker, Rideau Canal, Ottawa River, Kars marina, Capital Gems.
