Carcross, Yukon — The Northern Territories (North America)
Boats of the Southern Lakes
| | SS Tutshi Memorial | |
June 5, 2024
1. Boats of the Southern Lakes Marker
The Yukon steamers were all sternwheelers rather than sidewheelers. The paddlewheel at the rear of the boat allowed grounded steamers to wash the sand away from the hull by reversing their engines. Sternwheelers had a narrow beam enabling them to negotiate small channels and they did not require special docking facilities. The Bennett Lake and Klondike Navigation Company sternwheelers were called the "mosquito fleet". Two of these little boats were sent through Miles Canyon and White Horse Rapids and were the first to offer scheduled trips between Dawson and Whitehorse.
The John Irving Navigation Company operated the Gleaner on Bennett and Tagish lakes and the Scotia on Atlin Lake. The boats offered a through transportation route to the Atlin goldfields and on July 30, 1899, the Gleaner arrived in Bennett with $24,000 in gold dust. John Irving's company was taken over by the BYN in 1901.
The BYN Co. sternwheelers were modeled after the "swift water" vessels that operated on the Snake, Williamette, and Upper Columbia rivers. The Yukon River boats had flat bottoms and used rudders while lake boats, like the Tutshi, had narrower and deeper hulls and a keel. The Tutshi had rudders attached behind the stern wheel ("monkey rudders") in 1952.
Oval: Sternwheelers "Kilbroune"
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is July 30, 1899.
Location. 60° 9.897′ N, 134° 42.23′ W. Marker is in Carcross, Yukon. It is on Yukon Road. Located on the top level. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3141-3145 YT-2, Carcross YT Y0B 1B0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Canadian North. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Arctic, in the Western Hemisphere, and in the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Freighting on the Southern Lakes (here, next to this marker); WP & YR and Carcross (here, next to this marker); "The Crew of the "SS Tutshi" (here, next to this marker); Adapting to Changing Times (a few steps from this marker); "Tutshi" Mechanics (a few steps from this marker); SS Tutshi Mechanical Equipment (a few steps from this marker); Nen/Haa aanν/The land (a few steps from this marker); A Matter of Safety (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carcross.
Regarding Boats of the Southern Lakes. In 1917, the S.S. Tutshi was launched a luxury tourist boat for the region. It had its heyday during the 1920s, but by the late 1950s it was dry docked and eventually purchased by the Yukon government to be restored as an interpretive site. In 1990, the S.S. Tutshi was almost completely destroyed by a fire. The remains have been preserved as a memorial site.
Also see . . .
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, June 5, 2024
2. Boats of the Southern Lakes Marker
1. S.S. Tutshi -- Carcross, YT. landmarking website entry (Submitted on April 28, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The Sternwheeler Gleaner. Explore North website entry:
The Yukon River sternwheeler Gleaner was active from 1899 to 1932. (Submitted on June 13, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, June 5, 2024
3. Boats of the Southern Lakes Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker
4. Boats of the Southern Lakes Marker
Interpretive signs are visible on the upper and lower levels.
Photographed by Craig Baker
5. S.S. Tutshi Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 1, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on June 13, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on June 14, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 4, 5. submitted on June 1, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
