The Maritime Museum of BC has welcomed a stunning new addition to its historic fleet—and it’s got a rainbow connection, a Royal Navy legacy, and over a century of seafaring stories in its wake.
On March 12th in Ladysmith, a hand-built skiff-dinghy dating back to 1898 was officially transferred from the Ladysmith Maritime Society (LMS) to the Maritime Museum of BC (MMBC). The vessel, known as the Rainbow Skiff, now joins a fleet of classic wooden sailing vessels that includes the Dorothy, Trekka, and Tilikum.
But this isn’t just any old boat.
Originally built in Victoria during a time when Royal Navy warships still roamed the Pacific, the 16-foot lapstrake skiff once lived aboard vessels like the HMCS Rainbow—Canada’s first Pacific Command ship.
When the Rainbow was scrapped in 1920, the skiff-dinghy vanished from official records. It wasn’t until decades later that the boat resurfaced, eventually landing in the hands of LMS volunteers and historian-boatwright Robert Lawson.
Lawson spearheaded major refit efforts in 1999 and 2005, contributing over 700 hours of work. With help from generous donors and a small army of skilled volunteers, the skiff was brought back from the brink. It features Afromosia wood seats, teak decking salvaged from a 1930s steamer, bronze castings, and rare Burma teak finishing.
“The Royal Navy skiff-dinghy is a fine and rare representative of the last years of hand-built lapstrake boats,” said Lawson. “It now properly belongs to all the people of British Columbia.”
Bill Noon, Chair of the MMBC’s Collection Committee, praised the LMS crew and their long-standing collaboration with the museum.
“This is the third—and oldest—restored vessel in the Maritime Museum’s collection to be saved thanks to LMS’s incredible volunteer efforts. These partnerships are keeping maritime heritage alive,” said Noon.
The skiff joins over 35,000 artefacts, 15,000 photographs, and hundreds of feet of archival material that make up the MMBC’s impressive collection.
And the public won’t have to wait long to see it in action.
The Rainbow Skiff is expected to grace the docks of Victoria’s Inner Harbour during the 46th annual Victoria Classic Boat Festival, set for Labour Day weekend from August 29th to 31st.
So if you’re into history, craftsmanship, or boats with royal (and rainbow) ties, this might be the perfect excuse to head to the harbour this summer.
