Bowen Island Undercurrent Dec 3 2020

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SPECIAL FEATURE: 100 years of Union Steamships & Bowen Island

Thursday, December 3, 2020 • A1

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2020

VOL. 46 NO. 48

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USSCO. LEGACY What it did & what it left behind PAGES 5  9

BIRCH project lays roots BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

ication to the community and service to the nation.”

Beattie made her start in geriatrics in 1971. She’d finished her training in internal medicine and visited a mentor at Toronto Western Hospital, who suggested she work on the hospital’s geriatrics ward.

Bowen Island Resilient Community Housing (BIRCH) unveiled the first phase of designs for its affordable rental housing project in a virtual community update last week.

While the number of units has fluctuated as the project progresses, the current design allows for 27 units, approximately five studios, nine one-bedroom, 11 two-bedrooms and two three-bedroom units, said Anthony Boni of Boni Maddison Architects. He introduced Bowen Islanders to the 26,000 sq. ft. design on Lot 3 of the Community Lands.

In January, BIRCH is hoping to apply for BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund, which has a prescriptive income mix of 20 per cent deep subsidy units; 50 per cent rent geared to income units; and 30 per cent moderate income units. Estimated rental costs under that program range from $375 a month for deep subsidy studio rental to $2370 for a three-bedroom, moderate-income unit.

While there are to be two or three determined units designated fully wheelchair accessible, all units will be accessible, built to universal design standards, said BIRCH’s executive director Robyn Fenton. If a community member has ideas and suggestions as to how to make the design more accessible for all sorts of people with all sorts of needs, Fenton said she’d be very open to hearing that. (One can contact BIRCH through the non-profit’s website).

The 27-unit design includes 10 parking spaces, which contravenes bylaw but BIRCH plans to apply for a variance to allow for fewer spaces. (D.K. Harris Properties’ housing project across from the museum received a similar variance recently).

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BRONWYN BEAIRSTO PHOTO

SNACK BREAK: A Bowen buck takes a brief break from snacking to model for the camera recently.

Islander appointed to Order of Canada BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

Bowen Islanders may know Lynn McArthur as past president of the Garden Club but it was her illustrious alter-ego, Dr. Lynn Beattie, who was appointed a member of the Order of

Canada last week.

Recognized “for her pioneering contributions to the field of geriatric medicine in Canada and abroad,” Beattie was one of 17 British Columbians and 114 Canadians appointed Nov. 27.

As one of the country’s highest civilian honours, the Order of Canada “recognizes outstanding achievement, ded-

A unique grove of Arbutus trees in various stages of growth helps make this property ty y stand out. Located near the top of Cates Hill, with expansive & ever-changing views across Snug Cove and Howe Sound to the North Shore Mountain ns. Cozy in winter, with an open plan, kitchen, DR, LR & den – all warmed by the fireplace & a hearth created by gifted craftsman -Nicholas Purcell. Antique stained-glass windows add a gorgeous touch & lighting g betw tween w the hallway & den. In warmer months, the main floor opens to a large extended deck taking life outside. The upper level is a master suite including an office area, bedroom, Walk in closet and master enssuite with combined shower/steamer. On the lower level 2bdrms and a FR opening to the garden area. Close to amenities of Snug Cove – near trails, Artisan Square and the school.

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A2 • Thursday, December 3, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

December 14, 2020 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting All meetings are online via Zoom and

open to the public, unless noted otherwise.

Council proposing to change procedure bylaw

Seeking ice and snow removal contractors

Events

Bowen Island Municipality seeks applications for interest in the following: • •

Ice Patrol - Temperature Dependent Snow Removal - Weather Dependent

Please provide a written response expressing interest in the On-Call position(s) by email to: Public Works EMAIL: publicworks@bimbc.ca Phone: 604-947-4255

A Procedure Bylaw is a is a regulatory bylaw required by the Community Charter to establish general procedures to be followed by Council and Council Committees in conducting their business.

The current Council Procedure Bylaw is out of date and requires updating to reflect current meeting practice.

Council received a report and draft bylaw at its November 23rd Regular Council meeting with proposed changes to its Council Procedure Bylaw. To view the report, please visit our website at www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca.

The Community Charter requires a local government to provide notice of the proposed changes in general terms.

Please contact ICBC (1-800-663-3051) to request a driver’s license abstract and ask ICBC to forward it directly to BIM by The proposed changes include: fax at 604-947-0193.

Municipal Hall Holiday Hours Help slow the spread of COVID-19:

• •

Bowen Island Municipality will be closed from Thursday, December 24th at 12:00 pm until January 1, 2021.

We will be open for regular business hours on Monday, January 2, 2021.

• • • • • •

Stay home if you’re sick

New and revised definitions.

New sections to address: 1) Livestreaming of all open Council and Committee meetings; and 2) Consent Agenda Items.

Revised Council Agenda publication schedule.

Revised procedure for holding electronic meetings.

Update to Delegations section.

New and expanded procedures for handling motions and resolutions.

Update to Committee and Commissions procedure.

General minor revisions to update current legislation, formatting, and grammatical modifications.

Council will be considering Bylaw No.529, 2020 at its December 14th Regular Council meeting for consideration of readings.

If you have any questions or comments relating to the proposed changes, please submit them in writing by Monday, December 7th or speak during Public Comments at the Council meeting.

Meeting details are available on the Municipal website:

Clean your hands frequently

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/council-meetings

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Geriatric medicine trailblazer honoured

BIRCH completion at least two years out CONTINUED FROM P.1

CONTINUED FROM P. 1

“The specialty evolved in Canada and I was with the people that were involved with making it happen,” said Beattie.

In 1979, The McArthur-Beattie family moved out West and Beattie returned to her alma mater, UBC. Starting in about 1980, Beattie developed the training program for geriatric medicine at UBC, was the division’s founding head and for 30 years was medical director for the clinic for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

“There were new opportunities just opening up in the ’80s,” said Beattie. “I happened to be in the right place at the right time to be involved.”

“Age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s so being in geriatrics was appropriate.”

Looking back at her career,

Thursday, December 3, 2020 • A3

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO PHOTO

Dr. Lynn Beattie was apppointed to the order of Canada last week.

Beattie is particularly proud of developing the geriatric medicine training program. “Now there are more than a couple of people on the ground who can act as consultants for the increasingly aging population that we have in British Columbia and around the world,” she said.

“That’s really neat.”

In fact, one of the doctors Beattie trained in that program was too appointed to the Order last week. “It’s very special,” she said. “It means that we’ve come a ways.”

More than 30 years ago, Beattie and her late husband, Dr. Bill McArthur, had friends on Bowen and McArthur started a practice on-island. Though their main

address was still on the mainland, the family had a home in Deep Bay (where Beattie now lives full-time).

After decades in medicine, Beattie retired to professor emeritus status in 2013.

While the Order of Canada ceremony in Ottawa is postponed due to the pandemic, Beattie’s friends and colleagues have wasted no time celebrating the news.

“It’s been a really exciting few days for me because I’ve heard from people I haven’t heard from for a long time,” she said, “and that can all be done virtually.”

When it comes to the honour, “I’m thrilled,” said Beattie. “It’s beyond anything I ever imagined.”

BIRCH is also hoping to align with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund for sustainable affordable housing, which requires the building be net zero energy or net zero ready.

Bowen Island Municipality’s 2020 housing needs assessment showed that showed that 45 per cent of renting households on Bowen face affordability challenges and that there was support for increasing the purpose-built rental accommodations in the Cove, noted presenters.

When it comes to property management for such a project, there isn’t the expertise on-island, said Fenton, so they’ll be looking to off-island support for at least the short-to-mid term. (She also noted it’s early days for such considerations.) How that would work in terms of on-island personnel is yet to be worked out but they plan on using Bowen businesses, trades and companies as they can, said Fenton.

If everything goes well, construction may begin toward the end of next year, said Fenton, with completion a minimum of two years away.

“We’re just working as fast as we possibly can within the constraints that we have and working to make it the best building that we possibly can and really meet the needs,” she

LIGHT UP BOWEN December 6th - all lights on!

Stroll the Cove to see some of your favourite light displays

CANDY CANE lane NORTH POLE PLAID COTTAGE SNOW STORm Cates HILL chapel NATIVITY GOLD ForesT NUTCRACKER Gingers house Hearth CHRISTMAS greens RED TRUCK TREE FARM festival of TReeS SANTA TRAIN & LIGHTs on the pier USSC CHRISTMAS TREE BOWEN MUSEUM TEDDY BEAR CHRISTMAS & REINDEER FOREST

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said.

Tenant selection will prioritize Bowen Island community members, though that doesn’t exclude off-island residents. “There’s a lot of people who are part of the Bowen community that aren’t necessarily current residents,” said Fenton.

Income will too be a significant consideration. Fenton also stressed that while they’ll have people register interest closer to completion, it won’t be first-come first-serve occupancy.

“Whatever this process is that we’re going to use to determine who’s going to get into the various units…we’ll be really clear and transparent about how that selection process is going to happen,” said Fenton.

Well-behaved pets will be allowed and BIRCH is planning on electric car plugins.

When asked about her favourite part of the project, Fenton responded: “I have a vision in my head of the day…the first tenant who gets to come in and sign their lease and I get to hand them over their keys and take them to their unit and show them in,” said Fenton. “That’s the vision that I’m working toward.”

Disclosure: the author of this piece is a tenant of the chair of the BIRCH board.

SANTA is coming Sunday December 6th Santa will be coming to you!

STARTING at 2 PM Bowen Island Library Dorman Point Drive though Deep Bay Stop at Legion Eagle Cliff & Old Eagle Cliff Drive by Bowen Island School Killarney Lake Drive through Cates Hill Meadow Brook Corner Drive by Adams Road Cowan Point Post Boxes Drive through Tunstall Bay Drive by Bowen Bay Drive by Bluewater

FOLLOW US For Full Detail

Light Up Bowen Island

BOWEN ISLAND “LIGHT UP” CHALLENGE: In next weeks Undercurrent look for Bowens Islands Light Up Map. Following will be the announcement of the various winners - remember: it is not how many lights you have on your house. We look at the overall design of your display, the creativity, the theme and the joy it brings to one and all. GOOD LUCK ELVES!!!

A4 • Thursday, December 3, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

VIEWPOINTS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Memories of French summers sustain pottery

DEAR EDITOR It seems so long ago that I was last in France.

I remember with pleasure and a tinge of sadness walking on the beach at low tide in La Tranchesur-Mer two summers ago. I followed the estran, the foreshore, wherever it wanted to take me, circling around freshly made sandcastles and avoiding large beached jelly fish, resisting the urge to touch them with my big toe and make them wiggle like a Jell-O pudding. I watched the soft morning light play with round puddles and I watched with delight the small organic ripples carved in the wet sand by water that seemed to surface out of nowhere and then travel down the gentle slope toward the ocean. The water meandered lazily pushing grains of sand, one at a time, effortlessly but stubbornly with only the mysterious and random intention of creating a masterpiece, not unlike an expert Japanese gardener making patterns in the sand with a wooden rake in a rock garden. There was something magical in these spontaneous patterns. They were simple and complex at the same time and offered for the pleasure of my eyes a piece of art crafted by a skilful anonymous designer.

A year later, while I was working in my pottery studio, experiencing my very first summer ever on Bowen Island (I usually spend all my summers in France but obviously not this year), my mind took me back to that morning on a beach in France and the playful wet sand ripples. I threw a flat piece of light buff-coloured clay on my potter’s wheel, took my homemade coiled butter wire and cut the slab of clay horizontally with it. I added a rim. I stopped the wheel and studied the small clay Zen garden I had just created, which looked just like the lovely patterns on the beach in France.

My Christmas pottery sale this year will be held safely outside in my garden (a special 2020 edition!) and under cover outside if it rains.

See more information in the calendar on p. 12.

— Babette Deggan

Our last edition of 2020 will be Dec. 24, 2020. This will be our annual ‘Bowen’s yearbook’ edition.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Soup fairy is on the move

DEAR EDITOR: As many of the Soup Fairy friends and customers already know, my consignment contract with the Ruddy Potato recently ended. I want to thank you so much for supporting my business out of the Ruddy over the past year and a half.

It has been an absolute, and delightful pleasure to serve you. For me there is nothing more rewarding than seeing

and chatting with repeat customers, and building relationships with new customers. I can’t express how grateful I am for every connection, as your friendship, encouragement, and loyal support have helped me grow personally.

Currently I am exploring options for a new home base for the Soup Fairy and am excited about the next chapter and the new year ahead. Please know that the

Bowen Island Undercurrent Subscription Rates: Mailed 1 year subscription on Bowen Island: $55, including GST. Within Canada: $85 including GST Newsstand (Single Copy) $1.50 per copy, including GST

ISSN 7819-5040

— Frank Patt

THE WRITE STUFF. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste.

Please limit to under 500 words. HERE’S HOW: To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

All Advertising and news copy content are copyright of the Undercurrent Newspaper. All editorial content submitted to the Undercurrent becomes the property of the publication.

The Undercurrent is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, art work and photographs.

#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0 Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 bowenislandundercurrent.com DEADLINE for advertising Monday, 4 p.m. DEADLINE for editorial Tuesday 5 p.m.

health and safety of my customers will remain a priority in my business transition during the COVID pandemic and always.

If you still have a Soup Fairy gift card, these do not expire and I look forward to serving you soon. In the meantime, I invite you to share your product reviews, suggestions for additional menu items, or to like or share posts on the Soup Fairy / Frank Patt Facebook page. See you soon,

National NewsMedia Council.

EDITOR Bronwyn Beairsto editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com

ADVERTISING Tracey Wait ads@bowenisland undercurrent.com

CARTOONIST Ron Woodall

PUBLISHER Peter Kvarnstrom publisher@bowenisland undercurrent.com 2011 CCNA

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011

SPECIAL THANK-YOU Audrey Grescoe

The Undercurrent is a member of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please email editor@bowenislandundercurrent. com or call 604-947-2442.

If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, December 3, 2020 • A5

100 YEARS OF UNION STEAMSHIPS & BOWEN EDITORIAL I have to start with the Yukon.

It, like Bowen Island, is a land of romantic appeal –– home of the Klondike Gold Rush and the Alaska Highway “punched through the wilderness” –– beckoning tourists with the allure of long-gone eras (and settler-constructed myths.)

Yukon is also where Captain John Cates, in the gold rush, gained some of the funds that that made it possible to create the Terminal Steamship Company and purchase Joseph Mannion’s property that would become a seaside resort.

Union Steamship Company (also known in the day as Union Steamships or the Union) bought Cates’ company and property in 1920 (the anniversary we’re celebrating) and built on his legacy to create “the Happy Isle.” The legendary resort became at once a picnicker’s oasis, a family-friendly getaway and locale for renowned debauchery until the resort’s demise in the 1950s.

Today, when we tell ourselves the story of Bowen Island, Union Steamships inevitably has a starring role. “Resort town” was our defining characteristic of last century.

Historian Jack Little noted in his 2018 talk ‘In the metropolitan shadow: Bowen Island,’ that in recent years, “Bowen Island has disappeared from the mental landscape of Vancouverites.” We’re no longer last century’s famed resort juggernaut, though we still play into the “away from it all” identity, especially for tourism purposes.

Beyond the streets that carry the names of Union ships or the Cove’s geographical puzzle that emerged from the company’s piecemeal sales, of all the communities served on the B.C.

coast, Bowen claimed the name.

In the mid-1980s, Rondy Dike acquired the rights to the Union Steamship Company name and like his predecessor, reshaped the Cove.

He dredged the Cove mudflats for the Union Steamship Company Marina and built restaurant, accommodation and store fronts that look like they could date to the old steamship days.

Perennial local controversies of today –– environment vs. development, tourism vs. isolationism, ferry fares and service –– were issues in the USSCo. days, if Irene Howard’s classic history Bowen Island 1872-1972 is any indication.

Howard also noted, “When I talked to people about their island, the very name evoked little gusts of nostalgia, mostly for the moonlight cruises on the Lady Alexandra.”

How many people have ended up on Bowen because of memories of those midnight cruises or weekend getaways?

But romantic ideals often outshine stories we don’t want to tell. In the Yukon, the very aspects that lend it legendary romance (the gold rush and highway) were disruptive and destructive forces for many.

On Bowen, what are the stories we don’t tell because it doesn’t fit with our tourism spiel? What were and are the ‘open secrets’ guarded by the small-town life –– who are the people excluded from the narratives? –Bronwyn Beairsto, editor

Feature credits Concept: H.C. Behm Coordination: Helen Wallwork Photos & historical support: Bowen Island Museum & Archives (Catherine Bayly)

Wonder why they just didn’t send a text?

We get it. A text would be easier.

But we’ve been really busy this year and we have a lot to tell you about.

Like the Resiliency Fund we created in response to the pandemic that helped hundreds of people on Bowen struggling with access to food, hygiene, isolation, and mental health concerns.

Or the newly created Responsive Neighbourhood Small Grants program that enabled more than 20 islanders to help their neighbours, seniors, youth and friends through the early stages of Covid isolation this year.

And... well, a whole lot more.

But we need a little help from you to keep going.

As we start our 2020 Giving Campaign, we have one small ask:

Answer the call *

& please give today bowenfoundation.com *We're not actually going to phone you. It's a metaphor.

(But we'd love to chat!)

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOWEN ISLAND MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES

Sheena Smith 1937-2020

Sheena moved to Bowen in 2016 - having just lost her husband of 54 years - to be close to her daughter (Tania), son-in-law (James) and grandson (Robbie). After a chance encounter during which she made a connection with Maryann Smith, Sheena was quickly embraced by our community and found a group of loving, supportive friends.

Before COVID struck, she served on the board of SKY, attended seniors’ Pilates, joined a bible study group and was a member of Cates Hill Chapel.

As a child, Sheena would walk four miles to and from school each day, and this love of walking remained with her. Sheena was often to be seen on her daily walks around Whitesails and Tunstall, and even further afield with the help of the wonderful Bowen bus drivers. After her usual trip to the General Store and the Ruddy on Friday, Sheena passed away peacefully in her sleep on 22nd November, aged 83.

Sheena met her husband Tom towards the end of her nurse’s training. They were married in 1962, beginning a story of true love, respect and devotion that lasted over five decades. Sheena was a born healer and worked first as an Emergency Room nurse, then a clinical teacher, finally specializing in geriatric and end-of-life care. As a nurse, Sheena combined expertise with a practical and compassionate approach to her patients. She understood and wondered at the life in all things and was deeply grateful for her experience. In life Sheena glided forward with trust, not knowing the destination, firmly believing she was being guided by a benign hand.

From all of Sheena’s family, we would like to offer our deep gratitude to her friends, our neighbours and to this community for their loving support. A celebration of life will be held in December via Zoom.

A6 • Thursday, December 3, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Did you know?

One can learn more about the history of the Cove through the heritage trail tour available at bowentrails.ca/heritage/. Photographs and historical accounts shed light on some classic Bowen landmarks.

One and only upholstery Christmas Special Turn of the century sofa with hand carved show wood trim all around. Complete overhaul. Follow our progress on Facebook. Purchaser gets to participate in the outcome. Your choice of fabric or leather not included in sale price. $11,000 Christian/David 604908-0950.

Find us on Facebook

Book your complimentary meet & greet and first walk or drop in. Rates are $25 for group hikes and start at $15 for drop-ins.

Dog Walking Group Hikes Individual Walks Socialization

778 898 5950 |

Cat Care

Home Visits Litter Maintenance Playtime

www.barkpetcare.ca

on Bowen Island

Make cheques payable to B.I. Christmas Hamper Fund mail to PO Box 19 Bowen Island TAX RECEIPTS WILL BE PROVIDED Infformatiion: Lind da Pfeiiff (9625)), Janiice Skeells (952 24), Pernille Nielsen (2210), or Ian Thompson (329-8097)

p

Bowen Drive Bowen Island Island Christmas Hamper Drive

Coastline lifeline: USSCo. beyond Bowen Island SUPPLYING EVERYTHING FROM THE KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH TO LOGGING CAMPS, UNION STEAMSHIPS WAS MORE THAN A RESORT BUSINESS

CATHERINE BAYLY

Bowen Island Museum and Archives

The Union Steamship Company (USSCo) did for the coast of British Columbia what the Canadian Pacific Railway did for Canada. It connected previously difficult to access coastal settlements to the province’s largest city, Vancouver. For 70 years, 1889-1959, the Unions’ black and red funnelled steamers sounded their trademark whistle - one long, two short, one long - up and down the coast. They made weekly stops at logging camps, canneries, mines and small settlements between Vancouver and the Alaska Panhandle. The Union was the first line to use Vancouver as its port where they picked up and carried passengers, freight and mail to and from the Union Dock located at the foot of Carrall Street.

The company began by offering local service on the Burrard Inlet but when gold was discovered in the Klondike they quickly expanded to include transportation to Alaska. By 1897 the USSCo had outfitted two of their steamships with crude berths for passengers to make the run to the mouth of the Yukon River. In 1898 the Capilano 1, Coquitlam, and Cutch made regular trips to Skagway and Dyea loaded with hopeful miners and their gear, horses, cattle and other provisions.

In the early 1900s the USSCo continued to open up the coast by providing regular services to Prince Rupert and the canneries of the Skeena and Nass rivers. They stopped at the communities at Klemtu, Hartley Bay and Kitimat and the new northern settlements at Namu, Bella Bella, Bute and Knights Inlets, Alert Bay, Sointula, Hardy Bay and Bella Coola. The steamships carried topsoil, livestock, produce, mail, machinery, coal and workers to the canneries and logging sites and returned with salmon. They also hauled the supplies necessary for the early pioneers to establish homesteads. By the 1920s the steamships called at over 150 ports and settlements up and down the coast.

Most of the USSCo vessels used for servicing logging camps and pioneer settlements were small, rough steamships. They had to be large enough to cross the Queen Charlotte Sound and small enough to squeeze into the canneries and logging sites. One such vessel was the wooden-hulled Cassiar, outfitted for transporting the loggers between Vancouver and camps. On this ship loggers were allowed to wear caulk boots onboard, and even to bed. It was equipped with an onboard bar and jail. The rules of conduct for this loggers ship included that stewards were not to be pitched overboard.

Most logging camps were remote, without access to local pubs. Some of these faraway ports found unique solutions to allow extra time for loggers to quench their thirst. For a bar on a ship to remain open Marine law required that the ship be in motion so they installed two docks, about 100 yards away from each other and the ship travelled at “drinking speed,” allowing the bar to remain open longer. Of course should anything get out of hand, the onboard jail came in handy.

At the outset tourism was a side market for the company.

In 1917 the USSCo expanded their market and purchased the All Red Line and Selma Park south of Sechelt, followed in 1920 with the purchase of the Terminal Navigation Company and one thousand acres on Bowen Island. By the late 1920s and 1930s the company’s shipping business began to decline and the company’s focus shifted in earnest to tourism. This was the start of USSCo’s long and prosper-

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOWEN ISLAND MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES

Before it ever got into tourism, Union Steamships served communities up and down the B.C. coasline, even heading up to Alaska and the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush.

‘The Union Steamship Company (USSCo) did for the coast of British Columbia what the Canadian Pacific Railway did for Canada,’ writes Catherine Bayly.

ous passenger and tourism industry.

The company carried on through two World Wars, supplying the logging, fishing, and up-coast communities and transporting tourists but began to flounder in the 1950s. The steamships were aging, the canneries were closing, small airplanes were flying in and out of camps and reliable outboard motors meant that operators of a small logging camp could transport workers and goods. They no longer relied on the Union Steamships. The improvement of the road network into the province’s interior during the post-war period brought a sharp decline in the coastal resort traffic and the Union Steamship Company’s shipping and resort business came to an end in the late 1950s.

There is a large, informative panel about the history of the Union Steamship Company installed in the Davies Orchard that is well worth exploring on a nice sunny day!

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, December 3, 2020 • A7

After the holidayers

THE UNION’S LASTING LEGACY IN DEEP BAY & THE COVE

H.C. BEHM

Contributor

Almost all settlers on Bowen have their own “why and how story.” For us Behms, it began in early 1971 as weekenders in Arbutus Point/Bowen Bay and for me, as a designer and builder, every week.

In 1977 we finally made Bowen our fulltime home because, with parental involvement, the elementary school had improved.

That meant we had to live near the school and thus we looked at the lots the Union Steamship Company had developed after its resort operation closed down in the ’50s.

These included Melmore and Lenora roads, “the Loop.” Senator Road had been developed earlier and shows still original cottages of the 1930 to 1940 period.

We chose a large flat lot on Lenora and thus began our contact with the USSCo. in the form of its maintenance manager, Cy Harding. Among other duties he looked after the water system and collected hookup fees and annual dues.

When he learned that I was a builder, Cy would ask me sometimes to give him a hand with repairs to the water line.

I had never seen anything like it. The main line from Terminal Creek consisted of a 12-inch “wood stave” pipe, strips of cedar held together tightly by wire. After several decades of use it showed signs of wear and

started to leak. Cy’s self-help-method was to jam cedar shingles into the leaking cracks, until the pipe looked like a porcupine. (If anyone has pictures, please publish them).

We started to explore the slightly overgrown paths above the lagoon where a number of cabins were standing, a few in use, but without water and power. The road connecting Millers Road and Killarney Lake was called the Dump Road (fittingly because it lead to the the dump).

The meadows still showed traces of farming and the barn and stable foundations were still visible. On the way back we would go through the orchard, where most of the USSC cabins stood, and where they had been made habitable again. A colourful community was developing. Sadly, of the hotel complex, only the Teahouse remained with a few cabins along the perimeter, separated by fruit trees.

Young families moved into the Snug Cove area, creating a thriving neighbourhood.

Friendships developed and with them work parties.

BowFest was born and the Community School Association. The Loop became the most popular carolling area at Christmas and at Halloween the favourite route for trick or treating.

At 3 p.m. the children would come from school, have a snack and disappear until 6

BOWEN ISLAND MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES PHOTO 4846

Union Steamships’ picnic ground #1 (see map on p. 5).

p.m. for supper. Stories of adventure and discoveries circled family tables.

Deep Bay Beach became popular and it was, and still is, as if the echoes of the Happy Isle from the USSCo. days came alive again.

This year, 2020, we celebrate indelible memories that began one hundred years ago and we thank the many people who worked hard to keep the vestiges of the most popular sea resort in Western Canada alive.

Join Us! Virtual IPS Open House

For Students & Parents

Interested families who want to learn more about IPS are invited to join us online.

Parents will be able to join our Head and Assistant Head of School along with some parents and students. Make a list of your burning questions and RSVP by Monday, December 7th to get the meeting link for the Zoom.

islandpacific.org/attend-an-event

A SMALL BY DESIGN

Tuesday, December 8 7:00 pm

DI SC OVE R U S

MIDDLE SCHOOL

ISLAND PACIFIC SCHOOL Apply Now for 2021-22 and Beyond

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A8 • Thursday, December 3, 2020

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Memories from the steamships

A COVID CONVERSATION WITH THE DAUGHTER OF CAPT. JOHN MALCOLMSON

DUNCAN MACLEOD

Curator, Vancouver Maritime Museum

This has certainly been a strange and difficult year for many of us.

On March 17, the Vancouver Maritime Museum made the difficult decision to close its doors to the public and did not reopen them until June 11.

There were many projects, programs and exhibitions that were disrupted due to COVID19 lockdowns. Among these was a partnership that the Maritime Museum had been developing with the Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association and the Bowen Island Museum and Archives to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Union Steamship Estates.

Although the museum was unable to support a physical display, I would like to mark this occasion by sharing the result of a conversation I had during the

height of the pandemic with the daughter of USSCo. captain John Malcolmson.

While conducting research on the USSCo. last year, I was provided with the contact information for Anna Wellborn, Vancouver resident and daughter of Malcolmson.

Mrs. Wellborn, now in her 90s, spoke to me about her father and her experiences with the Union Steamships. We were forced to speak by phone due to the COVID restrictions.

John Leaske Malcolmson was born in Lerwick in the Shetland Islands in 1892. The Shetland Islands are the most northern part of Scotland and, as I learned from Anna, were part of the Kingdom of Norway until the 1400s. John’s father owned fishing boats in the Shetlands, so this is where he may have gained some of his nautical and navigational skills.

As a young man, John came to Vancouver in 1912 and began

working for the USSCo. in 1914. He began working on the runs from Vancouver to Alaska, three days up and three days back with a day off at the end of the run.

Anna recalled an incident when Malcolmson was a new crewman with limited training. As a vessel was preparing to depart from a dock in Howe Sound, he yelled out to the captain, “Don’t leave yet!”

This was not well received and Malcolmson was severely dressed down for speaking to the captain this way.

During the First World War, Malcolmson remained in Vancouver and in the ’20s and ’30s he was promoted to first mate and captain of USSCo. vessels. While working one of the northern runs he told his daughter about a practical joke his crew played on him.

Since there was no onboard running water his crew had given him some warm water to mix up with his shaving soap to create a lather.

He worked and worked but try as he might, a lather would not form.

As it turned out the crew had given him salt water.

As a young girl Anna remembers fondly her own experiences on the Union Steamships. In the summers, she and her mother would often spend the day aboard the vessels. Together they would cruise up to Squamish or Gibsons Landing. In those days it was a major event to make these trips

and Anna and her mother would dress in their best, particularly since they would be dining at the Captain’s table.

Captain Malcolmson enjoyed more than 30 years with the USSCo., and likely would have continued, but tragically suffered a heart attack at the wheel of the SS Capilano as it was coming out of Howe Sound in 1947. He was 55

years old.

Years afterwards, when Anna had completed her studies in Social Work at UBC, she would meet clients on the B.C. coast who by then relied on the Black Ball Ferries, the successor to the USSCo. Many of these people had met her father and always spoke highly of Captain John Malcolmson.

JAMES SHAW PHOTO

The last operational vessel of the Union Steamships Company fleet, the 200-ton MV Lady Rose, made the journey from Tofino to Sechelt last year as a Sunshine Coast family purchased the historic vessel. Launched in 1937 in Glasgow, the vessel served west Howe Sound and could carry a maximum of 130 passengers and 25 tons of cargo. The Union sold the ship in 1951 but as the last boat standing, it remains a key artifact in USSCo. history.

Plans for the boat’s future and resoration are still in preliminary stages.

Somebody you love would love this t-shirt

Patient of the Week MOLLY Molly is a life time Bowen resident and a community treasure. She recently came in for a basic growth removal near her eye. She is recovering well and we are sure many of you will see her out and about in the Cove in no time!”

REGULAR HOURS Tuesday to Friday 9- 5 Saturday 9- 1 Closed Sunday and Monday

To schedule appointments, please call

604.947.9247

or email reception@bowenvet.com

Guaranteed delivery before Christmas on all orders placed before December 15th Shop now at bcisawesome.com

Childhood recollections

THE PEOPLE, THE BOATS, THE REVELRY: IT WAS AN EXCITING TIME TO BE A CHILD

BRUCE RUSSELL

Contributor

As a child summer resident at our Mannion Bay (aka Deep Bay and Hotel Bay) cottage in the mid 1940s and ’50s, I fondly remember the importance of the Union Steamship Company’s fleet of coastal ships that were the lifeline of the Bowen Island community delivering a wide variety of freight including food, building supplies and picnic supplies, the latter for thousands of visitors each summer attending the incredible number of large company picnics (hundreds of attendees), for which Bowen was so famous.

It was a fascinating form of entertainment, while standing on what is now the north BIM Snug Cove pier watching the Lady Alexandra, the Lady Cecilia, the Lady Rose and other “proud” ships in the fleet arrive to unload their wide array of cargo, including five rolls of building paper for my father in July 1947 for which he

Spend your bucks on Bowen!

paid the grand sum of $.85 for freight. Blackbear Transport’s Jim Clarke pays more than that for a cup of coffee.

For a change of scenery my brothers Ken and Doug and sister Maralyn would walk over to Miller’s Landing/Miller’s beach to watch the boats unload localized shipments at the pier in one of Bowen’s other ports. The third port of call was the pier at Seymour Bay, due east of our beautiful community golf course.

Alas, no golfers disembarked in those days but considering that in 1930 George Cowan proposed a nine-hole golf course on a portion of his Cowan Point lands, where a good part of our course is located today, there could well have been golfers offloading in addition to building supplies and groceries for the extended Rogers family.

Mount Strachan Lodge was located at the north end of Mannion Bay, where the Podavin, Pynn and Woodall residences are today.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, December 3, 2020 • A9

BOWEN ISLAND MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES PHOTO3040

The Union’s Bowen hotel on the Deep Bay waterfront as it was in 1940. The hotel was demolished in 1962. Fred Billington had the contract. “He says he felt as though he were bulldozing a section out of his life,” Irene Howard wrote in 1973. “First the demolition crew crushed the roof; then the bulldozer went in, leveling it in sections.”

This was the company’s very popular destination hotel and resort. Many were dazzled by the competitive tennis on the firstclass clay tennis courts; the horseshoe matches; lawn bowling, horseback riding and yes, even putting.

I like to think that putting green was a precursor for things to come.

The antics at the lodge’s beer parlour were something to behold for the unique manner in which the company was able to serve patrons that far exceeded the seating capacity. It was not uncommon to see dozens of thirsty customers, who could not find seating in the pub, sitting on the lawn outside the exit door in the southwest corner of pub. An endless supply of beer served to patrons at the table closest to the door was shared with friends on the lawn outside. Obviously lax liquor laws were more lax in those days.

The company’s circular dance hall on Snug Point, where the

Bowen Island Lodge is now, was another source of great memories and entertainment, especially watching the company’s “booze cruise” patrons arrive on one of the company’s ships in their “welloiled condition,” ready to party and dance the night away to many wonderful live orchestras.

Oh those were the days when the USSCo. played a vital role with their prominence at the front door entrance to the community, which for good reason was affectionately referred to as the Evergreen Playground.

Thanks to the Dike family the modern Union Steamship Company, by way of their marina, Doc Morgan’s, rental cottages, boardwalk and spacious waterfront lawn continues to play an important role in making our community a more enjoyable and attractive place for all of us, plus thousands of tourists each year.

Long live the Union Steamship Company.

REMEMBERING THE SANNIES AND CABIN VACATIONS MURRAY ATHERTON

Contributor

Some of my most enjoyable memories of early Bowen was being a “rope boy” with Tommy White on the Sannie runs from Horseshoe Bay to Bowen. It was always a thrill when we’d get a special drop off at Eaglecliff or Miller’s Landing!

We rented the cabins in the Cove virtually every summer until 1957.

The best thing about Union Steamships was in 1958 my parents bought our little $4,000 cabin at Eaglecliff because now we had the ability to bring our car to the island.

The year before we had rented in Mt. Gardner area and my mom had her Morris Minor shipped to the island by freighter!

Bowen Island Municipality encourages everyone to support our local businesses this winter. Now more than ever before, buying local products and services to keep our businesses open throughout the pandemic is essential to keeping our local economy strong.

A10 • Thursday, December 3, 2020

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FLU SHOTS FOR OUR PATIENTS

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Places of Worship Welcome You

Queen of Capilano Ferry Schedule October 13 to May 15 2021

BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH

DEPART BOWEN ISLAND DEPART HORSESHOE BAY 5:20 am except Sundays 6:20 am 7:30 am 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:50 am 12:00 pm 1:10 pm 2:55 pm 4:00 pm except Wednesdays 5:10 pm 6:15 pm 7:25 pm Mon Wed Th Fri 7:26 pm Tue Sun 8:30 pm 9:30 pm 10:30 pm

Thursday, December 3, 2020 • A11

Now offering a youtube channel of reflections and hymn/songs with Reverend Lorraine Ashdown and Lynn Williams. youtubewatch?v=tejV7Y6jo

5:50 am 6:50 am 8:00 am 9:05 am except Wednesdays 10:15 am 11:25 am 12:35 pm 2:20 pm 3:30 pm 4:35 pm 5:45 pm 6:50 pm 8:00 pm except Saturdays 9:00 pm 10:00 pm

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Sunday Mass at 9.30 (limited seating due to Covid 19)

Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515

CATES HILL CHAPEL

www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 (661 Carter Rd.)

Now offering worship services via Zoom.

A link available on website.

Note: Schedules subject to change without notice: Please check BCFERRIES.COM Schedule changes on statutory holidays

Pastor: Phil Adkins

BOWEN HOME SERVICES love the life you live

BOWEN ISLAND SPECIALISTS! QUALITY SERVICE GUARANTEED! Keep Calm and Call Econo

604.980.3333

991 West First Street, North Vancouver, BC www.economovingandstorage.com

NEW CONSTRUCTION RENOVATIONS RESTORATION ADDITIONS SECONDARY STRUCTURES UNIQUE OUTDOOR SPACES SUB CONTRACT WORK

BUILT GREEN BC BUILDER CONTACT US FOR A FREE QUOTATION WWW.WHITEHART.CA ADDRESS 302-566 ARTISAN LANE BOWEN ISLAND, BC PHONE 1 (778) 999-3434

Landscape Lighting Irrigation

Seascape Bruce Culver

Office: 604-947-9686

Cell: 604-329-3045

Window Blinds On Bowen 778-995-1902

A12 • Thursday, December 3, 2020

C A L E N D A R

ONGOING

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Letters to Santa For an express delivery to the North Pole, write a letter to Santa and drop it into the red mailbox at the Recreation office.

Nov. 15 to Dec. 15, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Facebook Online version of the winter market will run Nov. 21 to Dec. 22. (In-person winter market now suspended due to COVID-19) Visit facebook.com/ vents/738063303466214/ to see Bowen-made products!

Arts Pacific Gallery Enter to win a $100 Gift Certificate from Arts Pacific Gallery Nov. 20 to Dec. 20

Bowen Island Winter Fair Online

Arts Pacific Gallery gift certificate draw

Bowen Bay Water System Local Advisory

THURSDAY DEC. 3

King Edward Bay Water System Local Advisory Committee Meeting Zoom 1 pm

Committee Meeting Zoom 3 pm

FRIDAY DEC. 4

Drive-through dinner at the Legion 4 p.m. to sold out Gumbo, rice, greens with pound cake. All dinners by donation. Cash or cheques are welcome.

SUNDAY DEC. 6

Light Up Bowen

All lights will be on Santa’s tour of Bowen 2 pm Santa tours Bowen like never before - starting in the Cove. We’ll bring you more information closer to Sunday at bowenislandundercurrent. com Babette’s Christmas pottery sale 234 David Rd (Miller’s Landing) 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Hand sanitizer will be provided. Bring your mask and your good social distancing manners. Bring your own shopping bag and newspaper to wrap your purchases. Salad bowls, soap dishes (inspired by low tide in France), fruit juicers, milk & sugar, cereal bowls, vases, Christmas lanterns, decorative objects and a lot more! Contact if you wish: bpdeggan63@gmail. com or 604 947 9221

MONDAY DEC. 7

Cove Bay Water System Local Advisory Committee Meeting Zoom 4 pm [CORRECTION: Last edition gave the incorrect time for this event] 2021 Budget Committee of the Whole Zoom 1 pm

TUESDAY DEC. 8

Snug Cove Sewer Local Management Committee Meeting Zoom 1 pm Bluewater Park Water System Local Advisory Committee Meetin Zoom 3 pm Grant writing workshop Online 11 am - 1 pm “A grant writing refresh, covering some tips on understanding the changing grant seeking environment and telling your story during COVID, streamlining your grant development time, and sourcing new grant opportunities.” For nonprofits and charities. Free.

Hosted by West Vancouver Foundation. Space limited - register & more info westvanfoundation.ca/ leadershiplabs

THURSDAY DEC. 10

Light Up Your Home challenge winners announced

Eagle Cliff Water System Local Advisory Committee Meeting Zoom 2:30 pm Rotary talk: NERP’s Edward Wachtman Online 7:30 pm Edward Wachtman, lead coordinator for the Neighbourhood

Emergency Response Program (NERP) will increase our awareness of NERP and encourage volunteers to join up. Topics discussed will be NERP’s origins, current status and organization, volunteers’ roles and responsibilities and the kiosks. Go to Bowenrotary.com for meeting link.

FRIDAY DEC. 11

Drive-through dinner at the Legion 4 p.m. to sold out Roast beef, mashed potatoes, roasted root veggies, gravy, yorkshire pudding and treacle pudding cake. All dinners by donation. Cash or cheques are welcome Stories from the bay deadline for submissions Stories from the Bay will be an evening of storytelling about Kwil’akm/Mannion Bay with memorable tales from the community and presentations from people who are protecting and restoring the Bay Jan. 20.

More information at bit. ly/33CbocW CAWES Winner’s Choice Raffle 7 pm More information at cawes.org

SUNDAY DEC. 13

Regular Council Meeting Zoom 6:15 pm Christmas Carol Live-streamed 7:30 pm 22nd annual reading - in support of Snug Cove House Society

MONDAY DEC. 14

Regular Council Meeting Zoom 6:15 pm

SUNDAY JAN. 1

Christmas Bird Count Open to anyone keen on birds. Contact Micaele Florendo at 604.838.2321 or mflorendo@hotmail.com

WEDNESDAY JAN. 20

Stories from the Bay event Zoom 7:30 pm Howe Sound / Átl’ka7tsem Marine Reference Guide is hosting with SeaChange Marine Conservation Society and Bowen Island Municipality.

Inviting submissions from the community. More info bit.ly/33CbocW There’s lots happening online!

Have an event? Email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent. com