Contractor Dave Madden, Slocan Valley Historical Society director Lynnda Moore and society president Joyce Johnson.

Seven years after acquiring a last-of-its kind Japanese-Canadian fishing boat, the Slocan Valley Historical Society has announced construction of the vessel’s shelter is underway.

“After many unexpected delays, we have finally broken ground on the next step in this project,” says president Joyce Johnson.

“The Merriwake has been restored to the condition she was in when she was confiscated during World War II. We are excited to display the boat and share her history, as well as tell part of the internment story.”

Located at Main Street and Fitz Avenue in the Village of Slocan, the display will be accessible and free to all.

The original design for the shelter came from internationally renowned architect Gene Kinoshita, whose family was interned in Slocan. Nelson Rocha of Studio 9 Architecture + Planning Ltd produced the current plans and will oversee the build. Rossland engineer Alison MacLeod of MacLeod Nine Consultants Ltd. is responsible for structural engineering. Nakusp firm Madden Timber Construction was awarded the contract to construct the building.

Construction is anticipated to wrap up this fall.

“This project has been a labour of love for our small society and the many generous donors who have supported us,” says Johnson.

The SVHS will host an opening ceremony to celebrate this significant historical project once finished.

The Merriwake has had a long path to reaching Slocan. It is one of the oldest surviving Japanese-Canadian boats and is in excellent condition for its age. It is a 31-foot gillnetter built in 1929, probably by Matsumoto Boatworks in the Prince Rupert area.

Along with all Japanese-Canadian-owned fishing boats, this craft was impounded by authorities during World War II. It was later sold to BC Packers, and had a series of owners thereafter. Its previous owner, Ted Fitzgerald, brought the boat to Kaslo in 2011, coincidentally another of the internment camps.

The boat was restored by Eric Chevalier of the Copper Nail boatshop in Bonnington.

Architect's drawing of the Merriwake shelter.