Jager – RCAF vessel is now a yacht

by Rick and Margaret Hartley 2013

Jager

Jager (Photo from the Rick and Margaret Hartley collection. )

The Jager (#173741) was built in 1941 by the Baba Bros. Boat Works at Sea Island BC. 36.1'x 11.0'x 5.5' / 11m x 3.4m x 1.7m. Wood hull. 17.99gt 15.36rt. She was originally powered with a 91hp engine, and re–powered with a 185hp turbocharged Ford diesel engine.

A superbly maintained vessel, most noteworthy she served with the Royal Canadian Air Force (pendant number M.449) during the Second World War as a Range Boat (Type II). She served in the Western Air Command based at Bella Bella, BC.

Jager

Jager (Photo from the Rick and Margaret Hartley collection. )

She has had a long history, and easily qualifies as "British Columbia Floating Heritage". In 1941–1942 she was owned by Amos Beckman, Vancouver BC. In 1942 she was chartered by the RCAF for service at RCAF Station Boundary Bay and RCAF Station Bella Bella. In 1951–1961 she was owned by Horace H. German, Sidney BC. In 1963–1967 she was owned by Melville Webber, Nanaimo BC. In 1970 she was owned by Elmer B. Carrothers, Nanoose BC. In 1972 she was owned by Brian Higgins, West Vancouver BC. In 1975–1988 she was owned by Guilford Brett, Vancouver BC. In 1989–1995 she was owned by Thomas Dent, Gabriola Island BC. In 1995–2004 she was owned by Terry A. Milos, Sechelt BC. In 2011–2013 she was owned by Richard and Margaret Hartley, Garden Bay BC.

Jager

Jager (Photo from the Rick and Margaret Hartley collection. )

Editor’s Note: After the publication of this article, reader Ray Stacey sent us two images of the Jager taken by Captain William Stacey about 1958–1960. Apparently she ran aground off Land’s End near Deep Cove on the Saanich Peninsula. At this time she was owned by Horace H. German and the pictures taken by Captain Stacey were used by the insurance company to investigate the claim. She doesn't look as though there was very much damage.


Jager

Jager aground (Photo from the Ray Stacey family collection.)

Jager

Jager aground (Photo from the Ray Stacey family collection.)

Editor’s Note: Later, another reader Ted Colley sent us two images of the Jager taken by his father Corporal William Edward Colley RCAF during the Second World War (he was the NCO In–charge).


Jager

RCAF Jager during the Second World War (Photo from the Ted Colley collection.)

Jager

RCAF Jager during the Second World War (Photo from the Ted Colley collection.)


To quote from this article please cite:

Hartley, Rick and Margaret (2013) Jager – RCAF vessel now a yacht. Nauticapedia.ca 2013. http://nauticapedia.ca/Articles/Jager.php

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