Editor’s note: The Uchuck III is the last in a series of steamships that began with the Uchuck, built in Vancouver during 1928 for the Packers Steamship Co. The Uchuck I, was built in Coal Harbour, Vancouver, during 1941 to replace the Uchuck and by 1946 was making three scheduled trips a week from Port Alberni to Bamfield, the south shore of Barkley Sound and Ucluelet before , and returning home. A second vessel, the Uchuck II was added in 1948 to handle the increased traffic. A third vessel, the Uchuck III, was purchased for the fleet in 19521.

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Yuquot, BC – The Uchuck III is a beloved cargo and passenger vessel that has been serving Nootka Sound for decades bringing the Mowachaht/Muchalaht nation back to their ancestral home, Yuquot, while delivering supplies to remote First Nations and industry camps.

Each summer, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the Uchuck III departs from the Gold River dock, travelling through the Muchalat Inlet to Nootka Sound, past Bligh Island, and arrives two hours later at Friendly Cove, also known as Yuquot.