THUNDER BAY — The wheelhouse of the James Whalen tugboat will take its last trip along Thunder Bay's harbour this summer.
It's one of the artifacts the Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay has secured from Marine Salvage Canada, the company hired by the City of Thunder Bay to recycle the former 120-year-old tug for nearly $600,000.
The wheelhouse measures 22 feet by 15 feet and includes the captain's quarters at the rear.
Wally Peterson, chair of the museum board, said Tuesday it requires "absolute full restoration" because "the floors have rusted out, and it's in rough shape."
He said the salvage firm has also agreed to hand over the stack, the engine room's skylight, a section of the stern quarter with the tug's name, the anchor windlass, and the steering mechanism.
Peterson hopes to obtain a section of the bow as well.
For now, most of the items are still on TBT Engineering property near the Kam River, but the transportation museum plans to move them to Pool 6 between July 2nd and August 13th, a period during which no cruise ships are scheduled to tie up there.
"That gives us a window," Peterson said.
"We're looking at having the wheelhouse do a final cruise through the harbour on a barge. Then we'll offload the items. We'll put them as close to the water as we can."
Peterson said the museum board must still complete negotiations with the City of Thunder Bay for its lease of the Pool 6 site, which is currently a year-to-year arrangement.
A lease is necessary for the museum to qualify for any government funding, but the board is also doing fundraising in the community to support its operations.
This season, visitors to the site where the former icebreaker Alexander Henry is on display will notice a new addition at the entry booth – a scale model of the James Whalen on loan from the Canadian Coast Guard.
Peterson said the museum appreciates the Coast Guard's support.
The Alexander Henry is currently open for tours Thursday to Monday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Hours will be extended once student summer employees have finished their school year.
