England and Canada: A Summer Tour Between Old and New Westminster, with Historical NotesFleming, Sandford
History
England and Canada: A Summer Tour Between Old and New Westminster, with Historical Notes
Fleming, Sandford
Canada -- Description and travel
The fog continued all day; it appeared, however, to have little
influence upon Captain Urquhart more than to bring out his phonetic
genius. Familiar with the intricate channels, currents and tidal
influences of the San Juan Islands, the lead constantly going, he
keeps on his course slowly and cautiously, but perfectly undismayed
and without a moment of doubt. The whistle, with its echo, pilots him
through the archipelago; and to this day it is a wonder to me how we
found our way. I was by his side and had the benefit of his shrewd
deductions and theories. Even with a bright sun, skill and knowledge
of the landmarks are called for in the passage through these waters.
Our difficulties and the skill displayed in overcoming them may well
be imagined. Fortunately for us there was no wind; frequently we found
ourselves amongst kelp, with its rank leaves floating on the surface.
At one point we passed by rocks not seventy yards distant from us on
the starboard side, the land appeared through the fog a ship’s length
ahead. We immediately stop. The engine is backed. We are so near that
we can hear the voices of children playing on the elevated shore
directly ahead. No one is visible, but in reply to the question from
the look-out at the bow we learn that we have passed Victoria Harbour
and are near the entrance to Esquimalt.
The course of the steamer is changed and we shortly enter Victoria
Harbour in as dense a fog as can be seen in any part of the world.
It was dark when we reached the wharf. I do not think that any of us
were sorry that the experience of the last thirteen hours had been
brought to a close. It was entirely new to me, and with all its success
somewhat bold and enterprising. Capt. Urquhart undoubtedly displayed
great qualities, sagacity, caution, coolness and skill to track his way
as he did. He achieved wonders in seamanship, but to men wanting in
the qualification he possesses, the attempt to imitate it is not to be
commended.
It was three o’clock in the afternoon of the following day when the
regular steamer from New Westminster arrived. She left twenty-four
hours before we started for Burrard Inlet, and took fifty-six hours to
cross the Strait through the fog. We found our way in thirteen hours.
In clear weather the trip is made in about half that time.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account