Isabella McCormack (sometimes known as Isabel, Isabell or Isabelle) was a sternwheel steamboat that operated in British Columbia on the Columbia River from 1908 to 1910.
Design and construction Isabella McCormack was built at Golden, BC by Alexander Blakely for the Columbia River Lumber Company, and was intended to be a replacement for Ptarmigan.Downs, Art, Paddlewheels on the Frontier -- The Story of British Columbia and Yukon Sternwheel Steamers, at 108 and 112, Superior Publishing, Seattle WA 1972
Operations Isabelle McCormack was placed on the Columbia River route that began at Golden and ran south, at least during high water, to Columbia Lake, the ultimate source of the Columbia River. While the vessel was the fastest steamboat on the route, she was not a success.
Conversion to houseboat
In 1910 Isabella McCormack was converted into a floating houseboat and hotel. Her engines were removed and installed in a new sternwheeler, Klahowya. The vessel remained in houseboat use until 1914.
Notes
Further reading
Faber, Jim, Steamer's Wake -- Voyaging down the old marine highways of Puget Sound, British Columbia, and the Columbia River, Enetai Press, Seattle, WA 1985 Timmen, Fritz, Blow for the Landing, 75–78, 134, Caxton Printers, Caldwell, ID 1972