125-Year-Old Sailboat Returning To British Columbia Waters

A 125-year-old sailboat is set to return to the waters of British Columbia after being landlocked for more than 20 years.

A 125-year-old sailboat is set to return to the waters of British Columbia after being landlocked for more than 20 years.

According to BC Ferries, the nine-metre long sailboat, named Dorothy, was first built in 1897 by shipbuilder John H. Robinson for the round sum of $1,800.

BC Ferries describes Dorothy as the "oldest sailboat in Canada," while the Maritime Museum of B.C. credits the ship with being the oldest sailing yacht in all of North America's Pacific Northwest.

Dorothy has many accolades to her name, according to BC Ferries, including being the winner of the Queen Victoria birthday regatta in 1900.

Over the past 125 years, the sailboat has had nearly a dozen owners, including the ship's first owner, W.H. Langley, who swore he saw a sea monster dubbed the "Cadborosaurus."

A sworn affidavit by Langley saying he saw the sea monster is still housed at the Maritime Museum of B.C., and marks the first official sighting of the creature.

The museum acquired Dorothy in 1995, and in 2012 the ship was transported to Gabriola Island by BC Ferries to undergo repairs by shipbuilder Tony Grove.

The shipbuilder had planned to hold onto the boat until the museum could find it a permanent home, but the search continues a decade later.

Now, BC Ferries has agreed to take the sailboat back from Gabriola Island to Ladysmith, B.C., where Dorothy will dock before setting sail once again.

Dorothy hasn’t dipped her toe in the water in more than 20 years and will need a week at dock to allow her planks to expand before she can sail, according to BC Ferries in a statement.

The Ladysmith Maritime Society will look after the sailboat until the Maritime Museum of B.C. can find Dorothy a permanent home.