A photograph of the Valinda and Capt. Merriam is available on site.
Fred Merriam was born in Annapolis County, Nova Scotia in 1890. He went to sea at the age of 12 and travelled widely. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War I. In the years following the war he commanded the MV Valinda and the Valinda II. Both vessels operated between Bridgetown and St. John, New Brunswick carrying passengers and freight. Merriam was commissioned by the Bridgetown Steam Boat Company to build the first Valinda at Bridgetown, which sank in 1948. He later was contracted by the same company to oversee the construction of the hull and transfer of the original engine and wheelhouse to the second S.S. Valinda. Merriam married Murial Miller (1900-1988), who was a school teacher. The couple had no children.
Published
Fonds consists of correspondence, one day book, one pay book and one journal regarding the construction of the second S.S. Valinda. Also included is one log book containing the crew list.
Custodial history is unknown.
98.05