The Tribune
May 1, 1913

-Nasookin Glides Gracefully into West Arm--Ceremony at Local Shipyard Arouses Great Interest-

Gliding gracefully and majestically into the waters of Kootenay Lake to the accompaniment of a din of whistles which drowned the cheering of the crowd of fully 2,000 people who were gathered on her decks and at every vantage point for some distance around, the new $200,000 passenger steamer Nasookin was yesterday afternoon launched at the Fairview shipyards of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Just as the big steamer, gaily decorated with flags and bunting, entered the water, Miss Bertha Bulger, daughter of the master builder James M. Bulger, by breaking the customary bottle of champagne and with the words, "I Christen thee Nasookin", performed the Christening ceremony.

The construction work on the Nasookin was carried out under the supervision of James M. Bulger, master shipbuilder for the company, assisted by J. French, yard foreman. The joined work and cabinet making in connection with the magnificently appointed steamer was supervised by George H. Keys, master joiner for the company, and the wiring throughout was done by James McPhee.

Captain J.C. Gore, Superintendent of the inland lake and river service, made the arrangements for the letting of the contract for the steel. It was shipped in sections from the Northwestern Shipbuilding and DryDock company at Port Arthur and riveted together at the Fairview shipyards.

The engines are of the tandem compound jet condensing type with cylinders whose diameter and stroke give a pressure of 200 pounds to the square inch. The engine and hull were built under the direct supervision of D. Stephens, chief engineer of the inland fleet.

The name 'Nasookin" is a Kootenay Indian word meaning "The Supreme Chief" and was selected in accordance with the company's policy of selecting Indian nomenclature for its Kootenay Lake passenger steamers.

Editor's note:
According to Wilf Hall, the man taking pictures on the platform had a rather rough go of it when the ship slipped down the ways, as his perch rocked dangerously.

Editors Notes
by Shawn Lamb

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