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 returned to port yesterday, bringing further advices regarding the derelict Schooner which has been washed onto the coast after the seas have exhausted their wrath upon it, but the identity of the lost vessel still remains in doubt. It seems that the crew of the wrecked vessel have been lost, for, although a boat has been found by Indians at Village I, intact and unbroken, no trace has been found of any shipwrecked seamen. This boat, which was located by Indians and reported by them to Captain Townsend, is a common ship’s boat, but as far as could be learned, there was no name, number or mark upon it, by which it might be identified. Sails, running gear, blocks, etc, are also coming ashore amongst the miscellaneous wreckage which the seas are casting upon the rocks, Continue reading Lighthouse History – 17 (1902-01-17 to 1902-01-28) →

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 to port from Ahousett and way ports on West Coast Vancouver Island yesterday, brought more news of wreckage. At 2 ports at which she called on her down trips news was given to her officer, meagre, but alarming, of a vessel seen off the coast floating bottom upward. This latest victim of the heavy gales was unidentified, and all that could be learned was that she was a good-sized sailing vessel, which was described by the Indians as a Schooner, thought to be a 3-master. It was at Clo-oose that the 1st news of the derelict was received. Rev Mr Stone reported that Indians had come in after sighting the derelict floating bottom upward a short distance off the coast. No particulars were learned by him which might render her identification possible.  Continue reading Lighthouse History – 16 (1902-01-14) →

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 sailed tonight for Cape Scott, Quatsino and way ports of West Coast. On her down trip she will bring a consignment of clams from Quatsino. She will also have a consignment of gold from Wreck Bay. On her last trip she saved the lives of 2 men in the rescue of a Columbia River boat which was threatened with destruction on the breakers at Wreck Bay. A new propeller is being made which is calculated to increase the speed of Steamer 
An immense run of salmon in the Straits was reported by lighthouse keeper Daykin of Carmanah Point yesterday. [Colonist, 1901-07-20]

The storm of Christmas night played havoc along the coast of Vancouver Island, upon which in years past so many wrecks have been thrown during the stormy season. This time, fortunately, no vessels, unable to withstand the force of wind and seas, were caught out in it, at least a close lookout was kept along the coast by the officers of Queen City, which arrived last night, and no signs of distressed or wrecked vessels was seen, Continue reading Lighthouse History – 15 (1901-07-20 to 1902-01-03) →

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 B G” of Alberni writes, under date of Feb 6, to the Vancouver Province as follows: Editor Province: As you will see by the heading of this letter, I wish to attract through your columns, if possible, attention to the unguarded condition of West Coast Vancouver Island. By unguarded, I refer to the lack of communication and also of warning from which that coast is in need. The Dominion Government has granted an appropriation for a telegraph line to Alberni from Clayoquot, which is certainly, when accomplished, a step in the right direction. But I consider it will be but one step in the direction desired, and the erection of at least 2 or 3 more lighthouses or beacon stations is imperatively required along the long and dangerous coast line on West Coast Vancouver Island, which has been only too significantly named the “bone yard of the Pacific”. Whilst I am writing this the United States Government vessel Grant is cruising up this coast to find, if possible, further particulars and details as to the cause of the large amount of wreckage strewed from Carmanah Continue reading Lighthouse History – 14 (1901-02-12 to 1901-06-20) →

 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 returned from West Coast last night, bringing news of the finding of more wreckage, but scattered and not sufficient to solve the mystery of what vessel it has come from. One piece of wreckage seems to indicate the fate of one of the long missing vessels the ship Andrada. Three or 4 days ago Lighthouse Keeper Daykin reports that he found a piece of teak, apparently the back part of a ship’s boat, in which were cut the letters ANDRADA. This piece of teak, which was picked up by Mr Daykin on Bonilla Point, is evidently from the back of one of the boats off the missing ship. Andrada came into the Columbia about 6 weeks ago from Santa Rosalia in ballast, and took on board Pilot Cordiner, who was known here, intending to cross the bar next morning. That night a gale blew and the vessel was not seen afterwards. It was thought that she had been driven North on the shore of this coast, but a close search made by Queen City disproves this. It is considered more likely that she has turned turtle and been lost at sea. 
Other wreckage was picked up on a small island a mile from Kyuquot. There, a pair of oars, lead colour, about 10′ long, with the letter “H” stamped in each oar, were found. Also a bundle of corn brooms, and lumber of various kinds, the beaches being littered for miles, both there and at various points all along the Island coast. On the shore near Kyuquot, was found more salmon, a number of tins being picked up by Indians 2 weeks ago. There is no clue to identify the vessel from which it came. As for the lumber, it is thought that the many deck loads washed away during the recent storms contributed a great portion of it. 
United States cutter Grant which has started on her cruise of investigation, was seen at Clo-oose, and a number of sealing Schooners were seen on the coast. Arietis and Penelope were at Kyuquot with crews aboard, read, the former with 15 and the latter with 13 canoes: Otto was to be ready in a few days, nearly all her crew being aboard. At Nootka, Schooners Annie E Paint and Beatrice were waiting, the Indians not having Continue reading Lighthouse History – 13 (1901-01-31 to 1901-02-01) →

 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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The wreckage found on West Coast, of which news was given in the Colonist yesterday, was the theme of much speculation along the waterfront yesterday, but no one could offer any information regarding the identity of the vessel which has been lost, if, as appearances seem to indicate, such has been the case. The uncertainty regarding the letters on the nameboard found in the vicinity of Carmanah balks all attempts to take the shroud from the mystery . Lighthouse-keeper W Daykin, in charge of Carmanah lighthouse, in a letter sent down by Queen City, says that this black-painted nameboard, which is a 6×8 timber, about 8′ long, has white painted letters on it, which one man reports as “Rei-ner” – the centre letter being missing and another reports “Rin-ter”. The boats, which were described yesterday, were unmarked. The one found to the westward of Carmanah was the bow boat, and about 12′ long, Continue reading Lighthouse History – 12 (1901-01-18 to 1901-01-25) →

 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’ returned from Ahousett and way ports last night, after a dirty trip, replete with fog and rain, bringing a small complement of passengers, including Mr Flanders a mining man from Clayoquot; T Daykin, keeper of the lighthouse at Carmanah, who has been ill; Captain Byers, who has been up to ship a crew of Indian hunters at Village I; and James E Sutton, mgr of the Wreck Bay placer mines near Ucluelet. [Colonist, 1900-06-20]

 

The botanical station to be situated at San Juan, on the West Coast Vancouver Island, is creating quite a deal of interest here. The buildings, 2 or 3 in number, will be commenced this winter, and it is expected they will be ready for occupancy in the spring. For the 1st year 30 or 40 students will be accommodated, and this number is expected to be much increased in time. 
The establishment of this station at San Juan will widely advertise the island, and particularly that district, as the members of the society are drawn from all parts of the United States and Canada, and the immense mineral and lumber wealth will thus be brought before likely investors, with it is hoped, good financial results. The Lieutenant-Gov has signified his intention of being present at the inauguration, and it is expected that a number of members of the house and prominent Victorians will accompany him. The expenses connected with the erection and equipment of the station have been raised by private subscription, and it is hoped that the provincial government will expend some little money in the making of a road from the government wharf at San Juan to the station – about 4 miles. The Messrs Baird, of San Juan have donated to the organizers and had surveyed 4 acres of their land, upon which the buildings are to be erected. 
No goods could be taken to the buildings by land: all the material must be sent by water, and this at many times is unsafe and impracticable.  Continue reading Lighthouse History – 11 (1900-06-20 to 1901-01-17) →