For S.S. Princess Victoria, Haste Meant Disaster

Throughout the Pacific Northwest at the turn of the last century there was no argument as to the Speed Queen of the Seas: the CPR flagship Princess Victoria.

With three funnels belching black smoke, the sleek liner raced between Victoria, Vancouver and Puget Sound ports, showing her stern to all challengers.

But there was a price to be paid for such lightness of step; more than once, emphasis on speed meant carelessness and disaster.

A century and more ago, speed meant prestige, even glory. It was little short of “Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead!” and nothing like the ships of today’s B.C. Ferries fleet which err on the side of caution.

Such was B.C. seafaring in the good old days—and in next week’s Chronicles.

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PHOTO: There were many CPR Princess ships over the decades but, in her own way, the SS Princess Victoria was one of a kind. —Author’s Collection courtesy of Canadian Pacific