City Awaits Cost Estimates for James Whalen Tug Salvage Plans
The City of Thunder Bay is exploring options while awaiting cost estimates for salvaging and preserving key components of the historic James Whalen tugboat.
Officials are considering several storage locations for these components after the tug is removed from its current site on the Kam River, near the James Street Swing Bridge.
The 119-year-old tugboat has been stationed there since 2022, when it took on water and sank. The city has already invested $800,000 to relocate and secure the vessel on land and may spend up to an additional $400,000 to dismantle the tug while preserving iconic components for historical display.
Following a close vote by city council in September, the city issued a tender inviting bids from marine salvage and recycling companies. Interested firms are required to provide separate quotes for different levels of salvage:
- Selective Salvage: Removal of specific parts such as the bridge, stack, rudder, winch, funnel, escape hatches, lifeboat posts, portholes, and a section of the hull bearing the “James Whalen” name. These pieces would be transported to the Parks & Open Spaces yard on Empire Avenue.
- Upper Deck Preservation: Cutting and removing the entire intact upper deck, including walls, columns, and all contents, for transport to one of three potential locations: Fisherman’s Park West, Pool 6 at Marina Park, or TBT Engineering’s yard on Yonge Street.
- Full Deck Preservation: Cutting and preserving the lower hull below the bulkhead line along with the upper deck, transporting the entire structure to one of the aforementioned sites.
Cory Halvorsen, manager of parks and open spaces for the city, emphasized the flexibility provided in the tender process, which allows for collaboration with groups like the Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay.
“When we went to council in the fall, Fisherman’s Park was identified as the main option for displaying preserved components. However, preserving larger portions of the deck opens additional possibilities, including working with the Transportation Museum, which has expressed clear interest in the vessel,” Halvorsen explained.
Wally Peterson, chair of the Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay, confirmed his group’s commitment to preserving as much of the tug as possible for future display at their Pool 6 site.
Ultimately, the decision will rest with city council, with costs being a major determining factor. “When we discussed this at council, it was clear that costs are the main driver,” Halvorsen noted. “With a unique project like this, having detailed pricing options in the tender allows for informed decision-making moving forward.”
The tender closes next month, and the dismantling and removal process is expected to be completed by May 2025 once a contract is awarded.
