Suncruiser West Coast

D16 DISCOVERY ISLAND

-

Gonzales Bay – Rocks and reefs. These hazards earned the bay its original name, Foul Bay. Gonzales Bay Park is in the west corner.

Trafalgar Park – Has King George Viewing Terrace which was dedicated in 1990 by two Rotary Clubs. It has signs which point to 14 different locations giving distances.

Trial Islands – A 23 hectare ecological preserve which protects the most outstandin­g known assemblage of rare and endangered plant species in British Columbia. Four towers are on the islands with a light at Staines Point. Ships have come to nasty ends here and dozens of people have lost their lives. 54 people died in 1904 when the Clallam sank.

Enterprise Channel – Also known as Trial Island Pass; loaded with kelp. Mouat Reef at the east end is marked and challengin­g. Only those with local knowledge should cross here. Gonzales Point – Named for Gonzalo Lopez de Haro who was with the Spaniards in their 1790 expedition of the region. He drew the first charts of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The golf course here displays a large Canadian flag.

Harris Island – Lee Rock is south, Emily Island is west. Tod Rock is north as is Fiddler’s Reef.

Oak Bay – An 8 kph (5 mph) speed limit. Be cautious in the passage between Mary Tod Island and the Oak Bay Marina breakwater. Willow Beach Park at the north end offers great views, swimming area and beaches. Mary Tod Is. is grassy with a small breakwater on the south tip.

Mayor Channel – The passage that coastal vessels usually use. Tides flood to the north and ebb to the south. Lewis Reef – Marked by a light on a 6.7 m (22 ft) white tower. Fiddler’s Reef is also marked with a light on a 7 m (23 ft ) white tower. The passage between the two reefs is known as the Goal Posts.

Chain Islets – A 170 hectare ecological preserve which also takes in Jemmy Jones Island and Great Chain Island. It was establishe­d to protect bird breeding grounds, wildflower­s and marine life. Carolina Reef is on the north side.

Virtue Rock – East of Chain Islets is one of the most dangerous areas in the region. At low tide it is under 60 cm of water, just enough to catch unsuspecti­ng boaters who are gazing across Juan de Fuca. Plumper Passage can produce currents between three to five knots.

Cattle Point – Has two boat launches. Watch for rocks at low tide to the east when coming into the launch. Uplands Park is 75 acres and a tremendous spot for bird watching. Five knot speed limit.

Cadboro Bay – Named after the HBC brigantine Cadboro and is home to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Gyro Park has beautiful sandy beaches, washrooms, kids playground­s, and a great view of the bay where there is good anchorage. Staines Island and Flower Island are on the east side of the bay.

Jemmy Jones Island – Named after Captain Jemmy Jones whose experience with boats in the region is less than inspiring. In 1856 his schooner Emily Parker burned near Clover Point. In 1858 the Wild Pigeon capsized leaving Victoria. Carolina, his next ship, ran aground on the island named for him. This suggests he might have had either a vision or drinking problem. Foul ground is north to Cadboro Point and it is an ecological preserve. Baynes Channel North light is at Cadboro Point.

Baynes Channel – Named after Rear Admiral Robert Baynes. Currents are stronger in the north channel. Tides flood to northwest, ebb to southeast.

Discovery Island – Named after The Discovery, the ship which carried Captain George Vancouver to this region. About two-thirds of the island is a marine park with temporary anchorage in Rudlin Bay. The north side is an Indian reserve. At Commodore Point there are lots of rocks. Heavy tide rips can develop.

Sea Bird Point – An American paddle steamer, the Sea Bird, was on its way from Victoria to Vancouver on September 7, 1858 when a fire broke out. To save lives the vessel was run aground. In 1886 a lighthouse was put up.

Alpha Islet – Named for the first ship built in Nanaimo, the Alpha - a 58 ton trading schooner launched in 1859. On February 1, 1863 she ran aground with a cargo of coal in a snowstorm.

Chatham Islands – Lots of shoals, rocks and reefs to worry about. Five radio beacons make the islands easy to identify. The islands belong to the Songhees Indians and you need their permission to go ashore. At low water, these low, wooded islands are almost joined to one another. Fulford Reef (northeast) is a group of drying reefs.

20. Haro Strait – The border between the U.S.A. and Canada runs down the middle. Watch for a counterclo­ckwise current off the east side of Discovery Island when the tide is flooding.

21. Ten Mile Point – Part of a world wide system of natural areas set aside for scientific research and education as a provincial marine ecological preserve. Do not take any marine species (alive or dead) and do not harvest any seaweed. If you see someone doing it, call BC Parks (604) 387-4363. Good scuba dive site.

22. Telegraph Cove – Drying rock in the entrance. Beachside fires are prohibited. An underwater cable comes ashore here. Stay on the western side of the cove.

23. Finnerty Cove and Arbutus Cove – Small boat anchorage. Johnstone Reef (northeast) is marked by a port hand buoy and dries to about 60 cm. 24. Gordon Head – Home of Mount Douglas Park. Gordon Rock is north of the head. Margaret Bay provides shelter from west winds. There is a rock that dries to about 30 cm just north of Cormorant Point. South is a small bay that provides shelter from north winds.

 ??  ??
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada