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COMOX VALLEY HARBOUR AUTHORITY |
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See bottom for links.
COMOX HARBOUR (or PORT AUGUSTA) for centuries has provided shelter for ocean travelers and marine explorers. It has been known by many names, but it was best known as "THE LAND OF PLENTY" by the local Komoux natives, who lived here for centuries before European explorers arrived ....The well-known "Beaver" was one of the early exploration ships that made marine history.
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"THE GRAPPLER" |
The boats and ships came to the Comox Valley for many reasons; to explore, to trade, to survey, to work, and like many today, to rest and enjoy the beauty of the area.
This partial summary of the Marine History Events that helped shape the development of our communities is not intended to be complete. Want to see YOUR marine history pictures up here? We are always interested in old photos of ships, boats, or local scenery to put up on our pages for all to enjoy. Please contact us by phone or e-mail.
Comox Harbour Marine History
| 1790's | Capt. Vancouver & the "Discovery" explore the Inside Passage. Two Spanish Capt.'s, Galiano and Valdes investigate the Comox area and meet Capt. Vancouver near Texada Island. |
| 1837 | The Hudson Bay Company's "Beaver", built in 1835, searches the South and East coast of Vancouver Island for suitable locations for new Trading Posts. The "Beaver" is the 1st steamboat to be used on the coast, but keeping up steam for 3-4 days travelling, meant 26 cords of wood had to be cut by her 13 woodcutters. |
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| 1848 | Courtenay River named for Capt. Courtenay of the HMS Constance from Esquimault, one of the vessels that first used Augusta Bay & Goose Spit for Gunnery practice. | |
| 1852 |
HBC sends Joseph Wm.
McKay to Comox to look for Coal deposits by canoe. HBC commissions the "Otter", which arrives from England in 1853, and becomes the 1st propeller driven steam boat on the BC coast. |
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| 1853 | Governor James Douglas visits the Comox area on the Beaver, and sees the agricultural potential of the area. | |
| 1858 | The British frigate "H.M.S. Tribune" is in the area as a territorial presence. | |
| 1860 | Capt. George Henry Richards aboard the "H.M.S. Plumper" surveys the Baynes Sound area, reporting enthusiastically of the potential for a settlement, and the safe anchorage. | |
| 1861 | Governor Douglas issues a land and settlement proclamation designed to lure settlers to other areas of the coast than Victoria. | |
| 1862 |
First wave of European
settlers arrive in Comox aboard "The Grappler". Wm. & James Robb take title to the area on the shores above Augusta Bay, which becomes known as 'The Landing.' The rest of the settlers stake areas on the prairie along the Courtenay River. |
The
Grappler at the end of her career |
| 1863 |
First shipment of cattle
arrive in Augusta Bay, aboard the schooner "Douglas". To unload they are
pushed overboard and herded to the shore by canoes. British Navy Gunboats and the Hudson Bay Co are expected to supply regular boat service of mail and supplies to the area. In fact, service to the area is better measured in months than weeks. Settlers campaign to get regular schooner service for mail & supplies to Comox. The "Beaver" is leased by British Admiralty and begins extensive charting of the Inside Passage. |
| 1864 | Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition and Dr. Robert Brown, survey the Puntledge, Courtenay and Brown's Rivers, who confirms coal is plentiful and of high quality. |
| 1865 | H.M.S. Sutlej, Elias, & Sparrowhawk come to Comox to resolve problems with whiskey trading. |
| 1868 |
The screw steamer "James
Douglas" commences regular service to "Port Augusta." Hudson Bay Post opened, supplies, trade goods and A.G.Horne, manager, brought by the "Otter". |
| 1870 |
A.G. Horne recommends
the HBC Post be moved closer to the anchorage, this idea is ignored by his
superiors. Salt cured salmon becomes an export product of BC. |
| 1871 | British Columbia joins Confederation. |
| 1874 |
A wharf is built at 'The
Landing' for $3,337. It consists of a pier 1035 ft. long and 12 ft wide, and
the wharf head is 50 X 60 ft across. This allows freight and passengers to be landed without needing transfer to smaller boats for delivery to shore. |
| 1874 | Joseph Rodello buys lots on Wharf Rd, building a store on one side and eventually the Elk Hotel on the other. |
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Wharf Road & Dock Courtenay Museum |
| 1875+ |
'The Wharf' has become
central to the surrounding community, providing a link to the rest of the
coast and the world. Before roads connected the various small communities; canoes, rafts, and row boats delivered goods and people through out the area. The 'Royston-Comox Taxi' delivered men to and from the Elk Hotel, and eventually the Lorne Hotel for evenings. Mail delivery by boat to Comox is still proving unpredictable. |
| 1876 |
The "Maude", built in
1871, begins mail service to Port Augusta, with Capt. Joseph Spratt. She is
the first of a number of vessels to undertake the Mail contract. Goose Spit becomes a Royal Navy training base. |
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| 1877 |
Joseph Rodello builds
the 1st Elk Hotel across from his store on wharf road Cariboo & Fly, also owned by J. Spratt services Comox & Union to Naniamo. |
Cariboo & Fly Loading Freight |
| 1878 |
Hudson Bay Post closes;
unwilling to compete with Rodellos' store and the other steamer service,
this further reinforces 'The Landing's' as the center of commerce. Lorne Hotel built by John Fitzpatrick. |
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The
Elk Hotel |
| 1880 | Rodello's first store burns, he rebuilds within 2 years. |
| 1882 | The "Beaver" is towing logs from the Trent River to Vancouver Mills as her career wanes. |
| 1883 | Princess Louise begins regular service to the Valley. |
| 1884 | Mail Contract goes to the "SS Robert Dunsmuir" which also later delivers supplies to Comox. |
| 1885 | Salmon Hatcheries begin in 4 locations in the province, the first year they rear 1.8 million fry. |
| 1888 | Coal seams opened at Cumberland, and the lumber industry develops to supply the coal mines, and the growing community. |
| 1889 | James & Alexander Dunsmuir launch the 1st single purpose tow boat built in BC. "The Lorne's" 3rd inaugural trip was an overnight celebration to Comox. She was to return to the area frequently in years to come. |
| 1889 | The "Isobel" begins 2 trips a week to Comox & Union Bay, bringing miners and supplies, this run continues till 1892. |
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Early
Dredge |
| 1895 | SS Joan, built in 1892, begins service from Naniamo to Comox & Union Bay, for E & N Shipping. She continues until mid 1907, when she burns at the Vancouver dock. Telegraph Offices open at Comox & Union Bay. |
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Sister
Ship, |
| 1896 |
'The City of Naniamo",
built in 1891 and sister ship to "Joan" changes routes with her, and stays
in service to Comox till 1911. The Royal Navy are to become frequent visitors to Port Augusta, Goose Spit and Comox. "Flora", "Grafton", "Bonaventure" "Egeria", "Algerine" and "Shearwater" being only a few of the many RN ships that will come to Comox to rest & train. |
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Shearwater in Comox Harbour |
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| 1898's | J.B. Holmes, builds the Port Augusta Hotel, which also operates as a store and occasionally a church. | |
| 1908 | "SS Otter"(2), built 1900, begins a scheduled run which includes Comox for the CPN. | |
| 1909 | "SS Cowichan" stops in Comox as part of Union Steamships scheduled service. |
The
Cowichan |
| 1910 |
"H.M.S. Rainbow" is at
the Spit for training. Photo to right has 2 crew from the "Rainbow".
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 Left to right, James Davies, sailor, sailor, George N. Davies (2nd), David Davies. Side note: George, James and David Davies were sons of British Columbia's first fulltime lighthouse keeper George Nicholas Davies 1st and his wife Rosina Warner (British Columbia's first female light keeper). They arrived in British Columbia aboard the Grecian ship in 1860, having departed from London, England, and worked at both the Fisgard and Race Rocks lights. Photo taken in the 1800's when Joyner Studio existed in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Courtesy Joy Davies. Added March 2004. |
| 1911-12 |
CPR begins service to
the area with the "Princess Mary" with overall length at 210 feet. Jack Martin begins rebuilding the Elk Hotel. |
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| 1912 |
"The Mary" is changed
for "The Charmer" by CPR. "The Charmer" was launched in 1887 as "The
Premier". "The Charmer" is converted to oil in 1924 & stays on this run till 1932. |
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| 1914 | The mail is coming daily from Naniamo on the E & N Railway. | |
| 1916 |
"Princess Charlotte"
steams away from Comox, taking the 102ND Battalion, with many local sons &
lovers to serve in WW1 in their ranks. Prohibition begins in Canada, closing the local hotels as well. |
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1920
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The Lorne & Elk Hotels
are renovated & reopened when Prohibition is repealed in BC. The new owner of the Elk, d'Esterre has an idea that begins Tourism. |
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| 1922 |
d'Esterre includes
upgrading of the Annex (Old Port Augusta) and advertises in Vancouver &
Victoria. His ads boast of Tennis Courts, Golf, Boating, Swimming, Hunting
Tyee Fishing, a new Dining room and Electric lights. Following in the footsteps of the Terminal Steam Navigation Co, d'Esterre added Comox to the holiday destinations of the day. Comox Bay becomes known as a Tyee Salmon Fishing Spot bringing visitors from all over the world. |
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| 1926 | The Annex to the Elk Hotel is destroyed by fire. | |
| 1931 | "The Mary" returns to the Comox run after conversion to oil and remains in the area till the 1940's. | |
| 1932 |
The Comox King Salmon
Club is formed, One of their main objectives; to build a dock for members
to tie up their small row boats. R. Filberg donated the logs to build the docks. |
Dayboats in Comox |
Bibliography
A Picture
History of British Columbia; G Woodcock, Hurtig Publishers , 1980
Land of Plenty A History of the Comox Valley; Isenor,McInnes, Stephens, Watson;
Ptarmigan Press, Campbell River, BC,1987.
Ships of Canada's Naval Forces, 1910-1981, McPherson & Burgess
The Friendly Port; J.Glover-Geidt,Kask Graphics Ltd., Campbell River, BC, 1990
The Princess Story; Hacking & Lamb, Mitchell Press, Vancouver, BC, 1974
Union Steamships Remembered,
Westcoasters, Boats that built BC; Tom Henry, Harbour Publishing, Maderia Park,
BC, 1998
This page originally researched by Diane Weir.
B.C. Ships and harbours - Searchable Database from City of Richmond Archives
