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Lstters and enquiries from our readership are usually brief and to be found in the Onniumâ€"Gatherum column but not this time* Today, we are publishing an appeal from the Kootenay Lake Historical Society in full and on its own, not only because of its importance, but its interest, as well. mnm im P.O. BOX 537; KASLO, BRITISH COLUMBIA; VOG IHO HISTORICAl SOCIETY TELEPHONE - April 15 thru Oct. 15 - (604) 353-2525 November 17, 1987 West Vancouver Museum* &; Historical Society P.O. Box'91785 West Vancouver, B.C. V7V Usi We are writing to ask your support for the S.S. Moyie, the historic Kootenay Lake sternwheeler, now beached at Kaslo, B.C., and operated as a museum attracting about 10,000 visitors a year, many of them from other parts of British Columbia and from Alberta. The Moyle, in service from 1898 to 1957 , played a major role in transportation in the Kootenay Lake area and provided a vital link with the prairies and eastern Canada via the Crow's Nest railway route. The last of the sternwheelers that served in British Columbia, the Moyle has been operated as the only passenger stemwheeler museum in the province since 1958. Major repairs are now necessary to preserve the ship. A new cradle is required to stabilize the hull, and a sprinkler system is needed to protect both the ship and its historical collection, which tells the story not only of the Moyle but also the silver and lead mining booratowns she served. The Federal Government declared the Moyie a National Historic Site In 1978, and Parks Canada recently promised $150,000. for a Moyle preservation program, provided that the Kootenay Lake Historical Society, which Is responsible for the ship, can raise a matching amount. The Society, based in Kaslo, a Village with a population of about 750, has established the S.S. Moyle Preservation Fund arid is seeking support from the Province of British Columbia, foundations, corporations, museums and historical societies in British Columbia and Alberta-, and from private Individuals. We hope you will be able to make a contribution to the S.S. Moyle Preservation Fund, P.O. Box 537, Kaslo, B.C. , VOG IMO, and that you will pass along this appeal to your membership and the public at large In your community. Thank you very much for your consideration. Sincerely, Isabel Butler Chairman, Fund Raising Committee survival of ths Moyis U a great tribute to the efforts of all those involved... .A town the sise of Kaslo should expsotsd to preservs a vessel like the Moyie from its own rssouroes particularly when the Vessel has significance far beyond the local community." From Sternwheelera Steam Tugs by Robert D. Turner, Chief of Historical Collections, Royal British ColumUa Museum