and it was the right side of the ship that was laid against the pier, even though the ship was leaning over sharply to the left. A gangway was run out on the right hand side onto the dock, and passengers disembarked. Eventually the lean became so sharp that the gangway could not reach the dock, and it had to be supplemented by a long plank. The ship started flooding and began to sink. According to a report, all the officers remained calm. Captain Cockle personally rescued three loggers who were trapped on board. However, not everyone was able to get off, and seven people drowned. This was the only loss of life on a passenger vessel in the 70-year history of the Union Steamship company. Inquiry and salvage On January 20, 1913 a marine court of inquiry was conducted to determine the cause of the disaster. The court criticized the construction work on the cabins and other work that had been done to the vessel since for making the ship top heavy. The court also found that it had been the practice to leave freight doors open for ventilation, and it was possible these were open or not properly secured at the time of the accident. Union Steamship Company contracted with the B.C. Salvage company to raise the Cheslakee. The salvage firm sent its ship Salvor to Van Anda, and in a few weeks was able to raise Cheslakee and tow the ship back to Vancouver. Later history Once in Vancouver the ship was cut in half and an additional 20 feet of hull was inserted, thus lengthening the vessel to 145 feet and increasing the size to 689 Gross register tons, This was the first time this type of reconstruction had been done in British Columbia. The rebuilt vessel was given new name, Cheakamus. In 1941 the rebuilt ship was transferred to the U.S. Government. In 1946 the rebuilt ship was scrapped. Notes References Henry, Tom, The Good Company -- An Affectionate History of the Union Steamship, Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, BC (1994) The New Mills' List, “Registered Canadian Steamships 1817-1930 over 75 feet” (accessed 06-27-11) Newell, Gordon R., ed. H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest, Superior Publishing, Seattle, WA (1966) Rushton, Gerald A., Whistle Up the Inlet - The Union Steamship Story, J.J. Douglas Ltd., Vancouver, BC (1974) Rushton, Gerald A., Echoes of the Whistle