The rocket ship at the southwest end of the Cambie Street Bridge is a replica of one built in 1938 for the annual PNE parade.
Story from Vancouver Exposed: Searching for the City’s Hidden History
Cambie Street Bridge:
Have you ever wondered why there is a snazzy-looking rocket ship at the southwest end of the Cambie Street Bridge? It was built for Expo 86, then shifted by helicopter to its current site after the fair ended. It’s actually a replica of a rocket ship that was designed by Lew Parry and built for the Sheet Metal Workers Local 280 as a float in the 1938 PNE parade.
After Vancouver Exposed came out last Fall, Paul Hancock sent me a photo that his uncle had taken of the PNE parade (above). Thanks to Tom Carter for pinpointing the location at the northeast corner of Georgia Street looking down Howe Street.
Built by Sheet Metal Workers:
According to a story in the Province dated August 25, 1938j, the original rocket ship was built through the efforts of 50 members of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association in several city shops. It weighed “half a ton, is 18 feet long, 13 feet high and nine feet wide and made of tin, iron and copper.”
The float was awarded the grand prize. Lew Parry, who became a highly regarded film producer, also designed a float for the Sheet Metal Workers’ in 1936 called “The Modern Aim,” which also won the grand prize at the PNE that year.
VIA:
The original streamlined rocket ship sat at the Vancouver Air Terminal until 1972, when its rusting frame was thrown into the landfill. The replica was made using old photos of the original and advice from Parry, who turned 80 as Vancouver celebrated its centennial.
This replica is made of hardier stuff than its predecessor—stainless steel and brass which will hopefully see it through another 100 years.
You might also want to make a note on your calendar that a Centennial Time Capsule buried at the base of the rocket, is scheduled to be dug up and opened in 2036. According to the CoV website “it includes items such as an Expo 86 passport with stamps of all the pavilions and recorded messages from local celebrities and many other things.”
With thanks to Donna Sacuta of the BC Labour Heritage Centre
According to 1938 newspaper reports, the original rocket construction represented the work of 50 men, working at night for over a week, building parts in several city shops. The Sheet Metal Workers International Association float carried the half-ton, 18 foot-long tin, copper and iron rocket in the PNE parade that year where it won grand prize. The union built the replica in 1985. https://www.facebook.com/LabourHistoryInBC/posts/1065531433632845
Its getting harder to find bits of EXPO 86 memorabilia. Some green and red metal benches with expo 86 cement blocks at either end can be found at Cultus Lake. May of the pavilions can be found in Deltas Tilbury Industrial Park. I wondered where I read about the rocket ship then it dawned on me Vancouver Exposed sits on our coffee table
I have seen a couple of pavilions in New West at some paper manufacturer (I think) along side the Fraser River, visible from Stewartson Way…
Our Dad, Dave Kelman worked on the original rocket ship. He was invited to the ceremony at the foot of Cambie street bridge in 1986 when the new one was placed there.
Hi Eve! Always glad to see people reminded about Lew Parry’s contributions. Did you know that he also designed the original art deco sculpture of Diana the huntress on the Vogue Theatre sign fin. (The current one is an inferior replica.) I enjoy your contributions very much.
Eve, I am very grateful for all your articles and knowledge of our shared history. I`ve learned a lot from you!
Thank you, Eve, for remembering this important landmark. I came across your article on Google Maps which had 3 references. Now I am confused. Donna says it was for the 1938 PNE parade. The Vancouver Public Art Registry (https://covapp.vancouver.ca/PublicArtRegistry/ArtworkDetail.aspx?ArtworkId=178) says it was for the 1936 PNE parade to celebrate the city’s Jubilee (50th). And the Historical Markers Data Base (www.hmdb.com) says it was for the 1946 PNE parade (submitted by someone from the USA). Which one is correct? Plus it seems no one agrees to the actual original dimensions.