The Hulks

The Hulks or The Giant Hulks, more formally known as the Powell River Floating Breakwater, is a floating breakwater off the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, a Pacific coast province of Canada. The breakwater is a prominent landmark of the city of Powell River and may be the largest floating breakwater in the world.

A 2004 view of the city of Powell River with its breakwater ships visible.

The breakwater consists of floating concrete ships from the World War II era and one, the SS Peralta, from World War I era. Steel was in short supply during wartime leading to ship-makers to resort to alternatives such a concrete. These heavy, awkwardly maneuverable ships were called "hulks".

A 1944 photo showing the paper mill and some loggers in the pool.

It was originally constructed by the Powell River Company, a pulp and paper mill, and the ships help form their log pond.

The ships

The Powell River Company originally purchased 19 ships for their fleet.

  • YOGN 82
  • SS Peralta, last WWI era concrete ship still floating
  • USS Quartz
  • Emile N. Vidal
  • M. H. Le Chatelier
  • P. M. Anderson
  • John Smeaton
  • Thaddeus Merriman
  • L. J. Vicat
  • Armand Considere
  • M. H. Le Chatelier

Configuration

As seen from left to right from the coast, the configuration of the ships is given roughly below.

?–2002

2002–2018

The ship's were re-arranged in 2002.[1]

2018–?

In 2018, YOGN-82 was towed away and sunk to form an artificial reef. The first of four designated for that purpose.

References
  1. "The Powell River Floating Breakwater".

Further reading
  • Campbell, John A. (2003). Hulks: The Breakwater Ships of Powell River. Works Publishing. ISBN 9780968735183.
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