Description of Historic Place

The Malahat historic site consists of the remains of a Mable Brown-class schooner which rests close to the Powell River pulp mill log pond near Powell River's Historic Townsite on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. Of the ship's original 74.9 meter length, 60 meters of her massive keel and starboard side frames now lie at between 11 and 24 metres depth on a heading of 043 degrees (true).

British Columbia's Heritage Conservation Act automatically protects all heritage wrecks, including the remains of all wrecked vessels and aircraft once two or more years have passed since the date of loss. It is illegal to damage, alter or remove a heritage object from a heritage wreck except under a permit issued by the Archaeology Branch.

Heritage Value

Built in Victoria in 1917, the Malahat has historic value as a good example of the merchant vessels built during a massive ship building boom that occurred on British Columbia coast during World War I. However, its place in local maritime history is better defined by its role as a prohibition era rum runner.

After a relatively short career carrying conventional cargo across the Pacific, the Malahat was sold to Archibald MacGillis in 1923. He and subsequent owners would load the ship with 55,000 to 60,000 cases of Canadian liquor, sail it to the Mexican coast off Ensenada, and anchor it in international waters at Rum Row. Smaller vessels picked up the liquor from the Malahat and transported it to shore along the California coast. The Malahat was recognized as the "Queen" of Rum Row.

After Prohibition ended in 1933, the Malahat was converted into a self-loading, self-unloading log barge. It was the first self-powered log barge of this kind on the BC coast. When its engines wore out it was converted into a towed barge in 1937.

In 1944, in a severe storm off Cape Beale, the old barge started to take on water and ran aground. It was noted that its inconvenient position at the mouth of Uchucklesit Inlet, Barkley Sound was a menace to shipping.

The Malahat was eventually refloated and towed to Powell River. It was acquired by the local paper mill to use as part of a floating breakwater to protect its log pond. Finally in 1946, it was decided to scuttle Malahat to its current position.

Character-Defining Elements

The key elements that define the heritage character of the Malahat include:

- the location and accessibility of the wreck at Powell River
- the decent condition of the massive keel and frames
- five sets of chain plates to the west of the frames indicative of the masts
- a propeller skeg indicative of its auxiliary construction
- the custom constructed fuel and water tanks at the stern end