Merva’s history begins with a remarkable journey by sledge, drawn by a team of horses, from Mr. Morriss’ yard to the water’s edge for launching. Afterward, she cruised the waters around Victoria for many years during the 1930s and 40s with the Morriss Family, making frequent stops at Sydney Spit and Musgrave Landing.
After finally being sold for reasons I am not aware of, she remained in BC waters for some time, until after another sale, she made another remarkable journey, this time across the continent by truck to the Great Lakes (Oakville, Ontario), where she cruised for many years. She was transported by truck once again (same owner), this time to Florida (West Palm) where she stayed for just a couple of months. The owner had changed his mind and had Merva sailed from Florida back to Oakville. A woman named Judy MacKay skippered Merva on the trip back for the owner via the inter-coastal waterway.
Later still, Merva was sold once more than transported across Canada, this time back to British Columbia, her home waters. That she survived the indignity and danger to a wooden vessel of these multiple overland journeys in remarkable condition is a testament to Mr. Morriss’s abilities as a shipwright.
Donell McDonell purchased Merva late in 2008 after she had spent some months at the SALTS facility in Esquimalt, BC. She had been donated to SALTS after her most recent owner could no longer care for her himself, and attempts to sell her had failed. Donell hired Abernethy & Gauden to do major upgrades on Merva at their Brentwood Bay shop. This included among many other things a new engine, a new canvas on the cabin roof, and complete electrical and mechanical upgrades. Donell was very kind to Merva over the 10 years he owned the boat but his priorities changed.
Today she resides in Tacoma, WA.