Wallace Shipyard Rum Boats Review and Specs

Year: 1928  
Manufacturer: Greenwood Yacht Services
Price: Can$ 21,000
(US$21,174)  

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Bring your 30-34′ Command Bridge Trade! 80 YEAR OLD RCMP HERITAGE 50 foot RUMRUNNER CHASER Under the cover of darkness, she slid quietly into the cold briny waters of Coal Harbour. Secretly she had been waiting for this moment, for almost two years. She was a stunning sight, but not in a pretty way, this girl was majestic and not to be trifled with. Her time had finally come, and she was about to embark on a journey that would span over eight decades. They spared no expense building her, using only the best mahogany, oak, and technology of the time. The futuristic high-speed designs of Hoffman were finally ready to be put to the test. The date was April 12th 1928 and it had been nearly 2 years since they had started building her. Now, with Captain M.F. Macdonald at the helm, she was finally about to begin her noble duties protecting seafarers and landlubbers alike from her new home in the coastal waters of British Columbia. She was originally built on Esplanade Rd. in North Vancouver BC, by The S. R. Wallace Shipyards. This was not the famous Wallace brother?s shipyard on the water, but rather across the road in a small yard where no unscrupulous eyes would find her. She was built in secrecy for the Canadian Protective Services Department, their secret weapon against the rumrunners and opium smugglers of the late 1920’s. M.P.V. DESPATCHER was soon to become the most feared vessel in the Canadian Pacific. Despatcher was 13.98 net tonnes, 48′ long and 10’8 in beam, but with her twin 290 hp Sterling gas engines she could run at over 30 knots. She was painted an unspectacular medium olive green that camouflaged her easily against the green wooded shores of her time. She had a low silhouette in the water, which made her almost impossible to see at night. A huge machine gun was mounted on her fore deck. This plus a highly trained four man crew and her remarkable high speed made her more than a match for all but a few of the fastest rumrunners. Despatcher caught more than her fair share of criminals on land and sea, but at the end of the U.S. prohibition on alcohol, her services were no longer needed by The Protective Services branch of the government. She was transferred to the RCMP, where she remained in service until 1933. This is when she was retired from official government service and was transferred to the public. DESPATCHER was re-christened, and 64% of her ownership was sold to Mr. Herman Thorsen, of Vancouver on the 26th day of January in 1934. The other 36% as with all registered vessels, remain a part of Her Majesties fleet in case of war. Her name was changed, and she has since been known simply as ?SPRING?. Mr. Thorsen kept ?Spring? in the family for more than 20 years, and sold her in 1955. ?Spring? had many owners, or rather stewards, living a much varied existence over her 80 years, She was a work boat to some a pleasure yacht to others and even a live-aboard for a spell. In April of this year, She was once again re-christened in an elaborate ceremony. With members of the RCMP, Customs Canada, friends and family, as well as 3 generations of the original Captain MacDonald?s family in attendance throughout the day, Spring as she had been known for over 70 years was once again bestowed with the noble name DESPATCHER. Blessings were given to all the gods of the sea and air. French Champagne was poured over her bow to insure favourable winds and seas for all time. Her original name in gold once again adorns her bow and mahogany transom for all to enjoy. We, the current stewards, have enjoyed her for years, but can no longer tend to her needs. We are looking for special people to care for DESPATCHER and give her the attention and dignity that this eighty year old vessel deserve. Along with DESPATCHER goes an extensive collection of articles, photos, and personal log entries from a time long forgotten. We believe this is the oldest floating RCMP vessel still in the water, and

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Fuel  Hull Material  Length Overall  Number of Engines

Diesel Wood 50 ft 2

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Contact Information

Phone: Fax

(604) 838-4540 604 682 0754

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