Ladysmith Maritime Society

10/26/2026

** AGM is on 3rd December at Eagles Hall, from 6.30 to 8.30pm**

We urgently need Board Members. We need volunteers who can take on Administrative tasks:

Website
Newsletter
Membership
Fundraising
Organizing events.

Please contact [email protected] asap

09/30/2026

Clinton Charlie performs the Canoe Song. Produced by Ladysmith & Di...

09/12/2026

Did you spot the "Rainbow Row" in the Inner Harbour last weekend? 🚣‍♂️

A team of volunteers took to the water in a 16-foot Royal Navy skiff-gig. Built in the late 1800s, this vessel likely served alongside HMCS Rainbow (the Royal Canadian Navy’s first Pacific Command warship) before being sold at auction in 1920.

Its survival is a testament to community care and stewardship. Historian and boatwright Robert Lawson dedicated over 700 hours to its upkeep before donating it to the Ladysmith Maritime Society (LMS). Together, LMS volunteers and the Maritime Museum of BC’s Dorothy refit crew brought it back to peak form using salvaged 1930s steamer teak, donated Afromosia wood from West Wind Hardwood, and custom bronze hardware.

As the third restored vessel from our ongoing partnership with LMS, seeing this piece of local naval history back in action was a standout moment from the weekend!

Photo courtesy of Vincent Witteveen.

09/09/2026

Rainbow Makes a Splash- By Francesca Pacchiano. The historic Rainbow’s skiff-gig has returned to the water after decades of intricate and painstaking restoration. Read the article in the September issue of TAKE 5 Newsmagazine. https://issuu.com/take5publications/docs/take_5_sept_2026_/10

09/05/2026

Classic Boat Festival is on now in Victoria. Come enjoy the boats, music and excitement.

09/03/2026

Catch the "Rainbow Row" in the Inner Harbour this Friday, September 4 at 2:00 PM!

A team of volunteers will take to the water in a restored 16-foot Royal Navy skiff-gig. Built locally in the late 1800s, the vessel likely served alongside HMCS Rainbow (the Royal Canadian Navy’s first Pacific Command warship) until the ship was scrapped in 1920.

Rescued through decades of community effort, the skiff-gig was maintained by historian and boatwright Robert Lawson before being donated to the Ladysmith Maritime Society (LMS) and then later to the Maritime Museum of BC (MMBC). LMS volunteers and the MMBC Dorothy refit crew brought it back to life using salvaged 1930s steamer teak, Afromosia wood from West Wind Hardwood, and custom bronze hardware.

This is the third vessel restored through the ongoing LMS and MMBC partnership.

Head down to the harbour this Friday to see maritime history in action!

08/29/2026

08/28/2026

The HMCS Rainbow’s skiff gig was launched yesterday with Ladysmith Maritime Society volunteers, donors, and Maritime Museum of BC attending. The restoration took over 3000 hours to complete and would not have been possible without many generous individual and business donations. Thank you to Ladysmith Marina and Ladysmith Yacht Club for the use of facilities and to the LMS cooks! The skiff gig will be on display at the Victoria Classic Boat Festival, Sept 4 to 6 so be sure to attend!

08/27/2026

Thanks to everyone who enjoyed our rowboats this season and to those who donated to the Ladysmith Maritime Society to keep a little piece of local history alive. Also, thanks to Mañana Resort & Marina for giving us a place to display and operate these boats. The days are getting shorter but there is still time to try them out. Go to lmsmarina.ca for details.