History Of The
Columbia III

When our family purchased the Columbia III in 2005, we had no idea how much goodwill the boat and the Columbia Coast Mission still carried on this coast. The first time we fueled up, the dock attendant cried out even before we were tied up, “My parents were married on that boat!” The stories never end. 

The list has become too long to itemize, but we bump into personal tales of wonderful memories relating to the CCM fleet of vessels wherever we go. And because of this, it wasn’t long before we realized that we don’t really “own” the Columbia III; instead, we are her current caretakers. I like to say, “We are the custodians of a piece of BC’s maritime history.”

We were fortunate to have the grandson of Robert Allan join us this summer with his wife. The Allan family is well-known in BC for their Naval Architecture company, which has spanned three generations here designing many of BC’s most prominent boats. Robert Allan III is still President of their company and was thrilled to travel on a vessel designed by his grand-dad. As a thank-you, he later sent us a complete set of the original blueprints nicely bound for easy viewing on the boat. I have added these to this history page for reference purposes.

We were touring the Great Bear Rainforest with ten guests, several of whom had joined us in 2006, when one couple asked the crew to gather in the salon. All the other guests gathered with cameras at the ready. I didn’t know what to expect! But out from a day pack was pulled the most BEAUTIFUL brass bell, hand-made by our guest, and engraved with a picture of the Columbia III and the words, “Columbia III Celebrating 50 years”.

I mounted the new bell on the front of the wheelhouse the next day as the guests were off paddling. When I asked our guest why he made the bell, he said he wanted to participate in the living history of this vessel and the BC coast. Now I ask you, as the host of such a generous guest, how could I respond? With a very heartfelt “Thank you!”

Our season was nearly over for 2007, and we were headed south with a group on our Coastal History Cruising Tour. I usually give a short talk one evening on the history of the boat, and I try to convey to our guests (who can come from so far away) the sense of goodwill and acceptance the CIII enjoys on this coast. As an example, I referred to the new bell mounted on the wheelhouse! But to my surprise, one of our guests interrupted my talk and presented me with an original oil painting of the ship. The couple once owned the publishing company that printed the much-loved book, “The Columbia is Coming!” (we have three copies on board), and they still had the original painting used for the book’s cover.

Not surprisingly (once we get used to all this), they brought the painting with them to donate to Columbia III!

You may be getting a sense of the trend here. On our final engagement of the year in mid-December, we hosted a “Christmas Tea and Cruise” (by donation) for anyone interested in the Columbia III. Of course, the turnout was good, and many guests had personal experiences with the Columbia Coast Mission. During my brief talk on the history of the boat, I mentioned the new bell and pointed out the new painting on the wall.

And you guessed it! I was interrupted again by a guest wanting to donate something to the boat! This time, I was nearly brought to tears. Marjorie Greene, daughter of Rev. Alan Greene, who had worked with the Columbia Coast Mission for most of his life, presented me with a gleaming silver platter.

It was the custom in 1956 for the shipyard to present the wife of the owner of a new vessel with a gift. Although the Columbia III wasn’t “owned” by Rev. Alan Greene, his wife (Marjorie’s mother) was presented with a commemorative platter.