Category Archives: Keepers

Book – Lighthouse Chronicles by Flo Anderson

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Lighthouse Chronicles – Twenty Years on the B.C. Lights

These are the first-hand stories of Flo Anderson and her husband Trevor and their four children as left left the city life in 1961 for a life on the British Columbia lighthouses.

They worked as lighthouse keepers for the next twenty years at Lennard Island, Barrett Rock, McInnes Island, Green Island and Race Rocks.

The book is interesting as it is written from a woman’s point of view.

Many B&W photos give illustration to the narrative.

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Harbour Publishing (1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 155017181X
ISBN-13: 978-1550171815
Product Dimensions: (9″ x 6″) 22.9 x 15.2 x 2 cm
Availability: Used (Out of Stock)

A Trip by Workboat from Carmanah Point c. 1970s – Part 1

Adult Memories, British Columbia, Coast Guard, Equipment, Groceries & Mail, History, Information, Keepers, Lighthouses, Old Website, On The Job, Ships, Transportation, Travel, Women, , , , ,
Workboat over the side CCGS Camsell - photo John Coldwell

– by Reg Gunn (First Mate on the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Sir James Douglas)

To see what life was like in the workboats that delivered our groceries and took us off for holidays, check out Reg Gunn’s article Life in the Canadian Coast Guard below.

I was talking with Reg Gunn and he told me “I remember when it was first published I received favourable comments from other Coast Guarders who also had enjoyed working the workboats on the west coast.” 

His story follows.

Life in the Canadian Coast Guard

This story was originally three pages long (sorry Reg, I had to split it into two parts – WordPress restrictions) – JC). Continue reading A Trip by Workboat from Carmanah Point c. 1970s – Part 1 →

A Trip by Workboat from Carmanah Point c. 1970s – Part 2

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Part 1 is available here.

It was a big one with a lot of energy. To slow down would have put us at risk of being carried forward up the shore. The stern went violently up and I felt my weight double. As I looked down the length of the boat, it was easy to see we were not in a very good position. I noted the crew were getting the pike poles ready for what ever came next. I thought to myself, this day has not improved. I knew the next thing would be the stern would go down just a fast and I would be floating in air. 

At the top I kicked in the throttle and braced with all my strength as we went down. The stern met the next swell and we shipped considerable water but not enough to kill the engine. I opened the throttle again and backed up and over the next swell. On the back of the next one I did a full powered one eighty degrees turn to get us clear. I slowed and moved over to the lee of the aerial anchor rock. We could assess our situation here and get ready to go out through the gap. 

       I looked at our passengers. They were soaked. I said, “Are you all right there?” Mrs. Pearce said, Apart from being a bit wet, we are fine. Thought you were going to put us back ashore again their Reg. I was glad when you changed your mind!”  Continue reading A Trip by Workboat from Carmanah Point c. 1970s – Part 2 →

Lighthouse History – 21 (1903-04-25 to 1904-04-17)

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The following extracts taken from early Victoria, British Columbia (BC) newspapers are credited to Leona Taylor for her excellent work in indexing the papers. Full information can be found here: “Index of Historical Victoria Newspapers“, 2007-09.

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W P Daykin, of Carmanah Point, who came from the West Coast lighthouse with his son in an open boat in 45 hours, has been conducting some signalling experiments, using a 25-candle power incandescent light. Mr Daykin sent messages from the vicinity of the Marine hospital, which were received by Mr E J Haughton of the Canadian Pacific Railway telegraph staff, without difficulty. Mr Daykin, who has had long experience in signalling in connection with his extended lighthouse service, has invented a new system of signalling by night, using the Morse code. In the past signals have been sent by flashes and fixed glares of a white light, but Mr Daykin has substituted a red light, by placing a red glass in front of the light, for the dash, thus avoiding confusion which has occurred in the past regarding the duration of the dot or dash shown by the white light. [Colonist, 1903-04-25] Continue reading Lighthouse History – 21 (1903-04-25 to 1904-04-17) →

Lighthouse History – 20 (1902-09-12 to 1903-03-27)

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The following extracts taken from early Victoria, British Columbia (BC) newspapers are credited to Leona Taylor for her excellent work in indexing the papers. Full information can be found here: “Index of Historical Victoria Newspapers“, 2007-09.

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Dominion Government Steamer Quadra, Captain Walbran, returned to port yesterday afternoon with Col. Anderson, chief Engineer of the Department of Marine & Fisheries, on board. Steamer has been to the West Coast, going as far as Clayoquot. Colonel Anderson has been inspecting the Coast and Gulf lighthouses and aids around the Coast. He did not go further West than Clayoquot on the West Coast, and therefore did not see Cape Cook, where many mariners have longed to see a light for seasons past… [Colonist, 1902-09-12] Continue reading Lighthouse History – 20 (1902-09-12 to 1903-03-27) →

Lighthouse History – 19 (1902-05-13 to 1902-08-06)

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The following extracts taken from early Victoria, British Columbia (BC) newspapers are credited to Leona Taylor for her excellent work in indexing the papers. Full information can be found here: “Index of Historical Victoria Newspapers“, 2007-09.

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 Dominion Government Steamer Quadra returned yesterday from a short but useful cruise to Clayoquot Sound. Two additional buoys were placed in position as aids to navigation, one off Echatchet’s I, Templar Channel to mark the rock nearby in the centre of the fairway, and the other off the Southwest point of Meares I, to show the turn into Deception Channel. The old buoy off Stubbs Spit was replaced by a new one. 
When in the Sound Captain Walbran carefully fixed the position of 4 uncharted rocks. Two of these are dangerous to navigation, one in the fairway of Browning Passage, with only 5′ of water over it at low water and the other, which dries at a very low tide, at the East end of Hecate Passage. Particulars of these rocks will be published by the Marine and Fisheries Department at an early date.  Continue reading Lighthouse History – 19 (1902-05-13 to 1902-08-06) →

Life at First Narrows (aka Capilano) c. 1913

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– Dorothy Mawdsley (Harris) Harrop (daughter of first light keeper, George Alfred Harris, at Capilano 1913 – 1925) (with special thanks to Alfred Harrop, grandson of George Alfred Harris, for letting me post the text of the letter.) 

First Narrows c. 1920 - photo Dudley Booth

[Father (George Alfred Harris)]. . . was given the First Narrows Light and Fog Station. I cannot remember but have a notion it was end of april 1915 when he took over. The light was first used May 17,1915 the day after my 17th birthday. The fog horn was started June 1, 1915. 

It must have been rather hard him living there by himself. I do not know the dimensions of the lighthouse but it was full of engines. Two engines were the same and were there in case one broke down, then an air compressor which was linked with belts to pulleys from the engine to the wall and then up to a higher pulley and across to the compressor, hence by pipes to the fog horns.  Continue reading Life at First Narrows (aka Capilano) c. 1913 →

Life on a Lighthouse by Grandma Stannard c. 1927

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– Elizabeth Kate (Stannard) Smithman (Wife of Henry Herbert Smithman who was Senior Keeper at Sisters Island 1927 – 1929) 

Ballenas  and Sisters  Islands 

I thought you might be interested to hear about “Life On a Lighthouse”. 

We lived on them for about 5 ½ to 6 years and I guess we would have stayed and made a lifetime job of it but Bert [my husband] got very sick and had to be taken off to hospital where after a lingering illness he passed away. 

Well some folks think it must be very lonesome life but there’s too much to do to get lonesome and besides, it’s a wonderful, interesting life. 

We were on two different lights. The first one was the best as it was a bigger island and we could have a garden and there was lots of room for the children to play, however I took sick and as we thought lighthouse life did not suit me, Bert asked to be replaced by another light keeper. 

We moved to Parksville, [Vancouver island, BC, Canada] where we had been getting our mail, etc. 

Anyway I was no better (for awhile anyway) but after some time I improved but we had learned that it wasn’t being on a lighthouse that caused my sickness so we put in for another.  Continue reading Life on a Lighthouse by Grandma Stannard c. 1927 →

Lighthouse History – 18 (1902-02-07 to 1902-03-09)

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The following extracts taken from early Victoria, British Columbia (BC) newspapers are credited to Leona Taylor for her excellent work in indexing the papers. Full information can be found here: “Index of Historical Victoria Newspapers“, 2007-09.

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Queen City, which returned from Ahousett and way ports on the West Coast last night, brought news of further wreckage off the island coast, which may have a connection with the fate of the missing Condor. When bound in, Queen City passed a … sail boom floating about 4 miles out from shore, and about 6 miles South of Clo-oose. The boom was about 40′ long or thereabouts, and was either yellow painted or scraped bright. As there are few sailing ships afloat these days which carry studding-sail booms other than warships, it may be that this wreckage is from Condor. Whether this is so cannot be determined, nor could it be learned last night whether Condor carried any booms such as that seen from Queen City. Steamer passed some distance from the boom, but it could be plainly seen, and it was noticed that the heel ropes were gone, evidently broken away.  Continue reading Lighthouse History – 18 (1902-02-07 to 1902-03-09) →

In Memorium – Evelyn Bruton (1930 – 2011)

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A friend of mine passed on to me the obituary notice of Evelyn Bruton, wife of retired Sheringham Point lighthouse keeper Jim Bruton – left, and directly below

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BRUTON, Evelyn [August 10, 1930 – September 17, 2011] Passed away on September 17 at Cowichan District Hospital. Born August 10th, 1930 in Ellerslie, Alberta to Michael and Adeline. At the age of 18 Evelyn moved to Vancouver and worked as a stenographer for a local paper. She met Jim Bruton in Vernon and a year later they were married on December 22, 1951, shortly after they moved to Bella Coola where Jim worked in the logging industry. Five years later they moved to lighthouses where Evelyn learned to help with lighthouse work, to run a boat, fishing for extra income for the family. She also became teacher to her four children, instructing them in their schooling for many years. After working on various lighthouses for 30 years Jim and Evelyn retired to enjoy traveling, gardening and visiting with family. After Jim passed away Evelyn moved to Duncan where she became active in the community, especially enjoying the many crib tournaments she participated in and her garden. She will be missed by her family and friends, 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren and 2 more on the way. A memorial service to be held on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 2 pm at First Memorial Funeral Chapel 4725 Falaise Drive Victoria, BC. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Evelyn’s name to a charity of your choice. 637755

– Published in the Victoria Times-Colonist on 9/20/2011

To include your memories in Evelyn’s memorial please click this link.

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