The Van Anda Cairn

The cairn overlooking Van Anda Bay that commemorates the sinking

of the Union Steamship Cheslakee at the Van Anda Wharf in 1913.

For those with eyesight like mine, the plaque reads as below :

UNION STEAMSHIP CHESLAKEE TRAGEDY

Here the Union Steamship Cheslakee docked in the early hours of January 7, 1913. She started out for Powell River but fierce southeast winds made her list, causing deck cargo to shift and seas to enter open midship ports. Captain John Cockle returned to the wharf and put 90 people ashore, some heroically rescued by himself. The ship sank rapidly, drowning the cook, two loggers, a mother and her child, and two schoolteachers who would not leave their cabin improperly dressed. Some believe that anonymous loggers were also drowned, confined below deck.

The Cheslakee was salvaged and become the first west coast vessel to be “stretched” with a new centre section. It was renamed Union Steamship Cheakamus, served as a troop transport in W.W.II, and was scrapped in the late 1940’s.

Search and Rescue - 2

A CH-149 Cormorant stationed at Comox with what is now the 442 Transport and Rescue

Squadron. They fly over Westview regularly, and with their noise are hard to miss.

Fresh Veggies ...

 

... at the Meat Market.

The Flats At Brew Bay

I went to Brew Bay looking for photogenic birds, of which there were none, so I settled
for a scenic photo.

Taken at the tail-end of August, and already the leaves were starting to turn.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums and a driftwood post, on a property

facing the beach at Donkersly.

The floral season is winding down, unfortunately.

Short-billed Dowitchers

This time of year - the fall bird migration - is an opportunity

to see birds not normal to this area, as they "pass through". These

Short-billed Dowitchers at Willingdon Creek, last September, were on their

way to the southern States, with some going as far south as Brazil.

On The Rock - Three Views

Three photos taken on a recent day trip to Texada Island, AKA : The Rock

Above : at Van Anda Bay

Middle : at Erickson Beach

Bottom : the Queen of Burnaby on Algerine Passage

from the Texada ferry parking lot