In April 1971, the World Ship Society, finding it increasingly difficult under its charter to maintain the MASTER, turned her over to a newly formed group called the Society for the Preservation of the Steam Towboat Master (in May, 1985, the name was changed to the 'S.S. Master Society'), who have been her exclusive owners and operators ever since.
From 1922 to 1959, the Master towed logs and barges in Georgia Strait and beyond, steaming over a million miles. She has seen many ports on the Pacific Coast, from Alaska to San Francisco. Laid up in 1959, she was bought in 1962 for $500, to be restored as a memorial to the men of the BC towing industry.
Many thousands of hours are put in each year to maintain her in a condition good enough to pass her obligatory annual Canadian Ship Inspection, and thanks to her faithful volunteer crew, she always passes with flying colours. In 1980, the society decided that only a near total re-building could save her. In May, 1986, she once again raised steam and proudly took her place as the Flagship of Expo 86.
This was only made possible by the efforts of a small, dedicated group of volunteers, assisted by generous corporate and individual donors, and with the aid of all levels of government.
