Devon W.

Floating-Justice: St. Roch

Devon W.
Vernon Heritage Fair
Vernon, BC

My project is on the St. Roch. It is an RCMP ship that patrolled our waters. The St. Roch was the first ship to go over the Northeast Passage. The captain’s name is Henry Larson, and his hero Roald Amundsen he was the first to travel over the Northwest Passage. There was a family on the ship, the father Joe was a hunter, the mother Letia was a seamstress and they had 5 kids on the ship. 

My answer to my inquiry question is: The St. Roch is still important to remember because if it weren’t for the St. Roch, our waters wouldn’t be as safe. The main character who helped me is Martha Kayak she helped me with mostly the Inuit people and on how they helped the St. Roch when they got stuck in ice for two winters. The Inuit helped get food and water for the crew on the St. Roch. Did you know that only one person died on the St. Roch he died from a heart attack. I really liked the story of the St. Roch. I actually went to the Maritime Museum last year. 

What sources and evidence did you consult for your project? What different perspectives did they provide on your topic?

'St. Roch (Ship)'. Wikipedia 
ProQuest - Part of Clarivate 
‘Henry Larsen (Explorer)’. Wikipedia, 31 Oct. 2025. 
Sisters of the Ice - Bruce Macdonald 
Arctic Workhorse the RCMP Schooner St. Roch - James P. Delgado

What is the historical significance of your topic?

On the St. Roch it was really hard to get through the Arctic waters. One time they tried to get through the Arctic waters but got trapped in ice for two winters.  

Why did you choose this topic? 

I chose this topic because last year I went to the Maritime museum and I learned a lot of history and I felt like not too many people knew about the St. Roch RCMP ship.