Tilikum

In 1901, Captain Voss, along with journalist Norman Luxton, left Victoria, BC to sail the world in the Tilikum. Originally, she began her life as a cedar dugout canoe, until Voss transformed her into the sailing ship she is today.

She carried Voss and Luxton across the Pacific to Fiji at which point Luxton left the voyage. Voss then took on a series of temporary first-mates, one of whom was swept overboard in a storm, carrying with him the boat’s only compass. Despite this, Voss continued on to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Brazil.

Finally, in 1904, after 3 years and 3 months, Voss and his last first-mate arrived in Margate, England. Tilikum ─ now world renowned ─ was exhibited at Earls Court, London in 1905, at which point she was eventually sold and passed through a number of hands.

By 1929, Tilikum — found lying derelict on Canvey Island — was returned to Victoria, restored and is now proudly displayed permanently at the Maritime Museum of BC.