S.S. Aberdeen

The Aberdeen was built at the CPR shipbuilding yard in Okanagan Landing, and she cost $50,000 to build. The boat was 146 feet long and 30 feet wide (44.5 metres long and 9 metres wide). She could carry 200 tons (181,440 kilograms) of cargo. This sternwheeler originally burned wood to produce her steam power, but later she was changed to burn coal. The Aberdeen made her first trip in 1892, and she continued to operate until 1916. The Aberdeen made the return trip from Okanagan Landing to Penticton three times a week. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, she went south. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, she went north. The Okanagan Valley people said the Aberdeen’s timetable was “south today, north tomorrow.” In the winter, the schedule was sometimes less regular due to poor weather and water conditions. In February 1907, the Okanagan Lake was nearly frozen over. A tugboat had to be used to keep a path of water free of ice so that the Aberdeen could continue to make her tri-weekly trips.