By early 1900, Whitehorse had become a centre for upper Yukon River steamboat traffic. With the arrival of the railway on June 8, 1900, railway president, Samuel H Graves, purchased most of the independent steamboats to create a through passenger and freight service from Skagway to Dawson.
Now, with coastal marine services operating out of Pacific coast ports to Skagway, coupled with the railway and the upper Yukon River steamboats, it was possible to travel from Seattle or Vancouver to Dawson and the Klondike in eight to ten days – a great boon to the North.
This picture illustrates early Whitehorse shipyard operations after spring ice breakup – some steamers in the water while others remain on the ways. There are many people on and around the ships. Can you count them?
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