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) →