BIBLIOGRAPHY
There are many interesting books and articles about shipwrecks, underwater archaeology, and maritime history. We have listed several here. Some you might find entertaining or inspiring for your own shipwrecks research. In addition to interviews, archival materials, historic newspapers, and photographs, we used some books in our research for this web site. Always be aware that people have different reasons for writing, and just because information is in a book does not mean it is accurate.
Vancouver Island, Graveyard of the Pacific and British Columbia Shipwrecks
Gibbs, J.A. Shipwrecks
off Juan de Fuca. (Portland: Binfords & Mort,
1968).
Though this source is relatively old,
it is used extensively by many of
the other texts on this subject. It
deals specifically with wrecks and
occurrences at and near to the Juan
de Fuca Strait entrance (Northern
Washington State and western Vancouver
Island). The author includes a brief,
informative history of the Juan de
Fuca Strait. The language and approach
is somewhat sensationalist, but it
does deal with interesting subjects
including the important role of First
Nations people, ghost ships, tales
of heroism, and warfare. The most
useful component of this source is
the extensive appendix, which includes
entries of hundreds of wrecks in the
area. Each chapter includes several
historical photos as well as an endpaper
chart that maps all of the wrecks
in the area.
Grover, David H, The
Unforgiving Coast: Maritime Disasters of the Pacific Northwest.
(Corvallis: Oregon State University Press, 2002).
Though this source is primarily concerned
with the American coast, it does devote
an entire chapter to the Valencia
wreck. Perhaps more importantly, the
introductory chapter raises fascinating
issues such as the impact of new technologies
on mariners and the level of training
each received at the turn of the 20th
century. Another valuable aspect of
this source is the socio-economic
methodological approach laid out in
the first chapter. The chapter on
the Valencia relies heavily of Gibbs’
book as well as government records
and newspaper articles and is both
in-depth and well written.
Marc, Jacques, Historic
Shipwrecks of Northeastern Vancouver Island. (Underwater
Archaeological Society of British Columbia,1990).
This is obviously among our most important
sources due to its specific focus
and in depth statistical information
on the wrecks of Northeastern Vancouver
Island. A valuable methodological
section that deals with the ethics
and logistics of archaeological wreck
diving and documentation is included.
The introductory section also includes
a discussion of relevant geographical
and site specific issues. Each entry
includes good quality historical photos
that often include wreck pictures
and location shots.
Marc, Jacques, Historic
Shipwrecks of Southern Vancouver Island. (Underwater
Archaeological Society of British Columbia, 1990).
As a companion source to Historic
Shipwrecks of Northeastern Vancouver Island, this
provides the same format, scope and quality of information,
specific to southern Vancouver Island.
Nicholson, George, Vancouver
Island’s West Coast: 1762-1962. (Victoria:
George Nicholson, 1965).
This is a large and exhaustive history of the West Coast.
It was one of the key sources used by the UASBC. It has
almost one hundred separate chapters on the seminal people,
places and events that make up the 300 hundred years of
history covered.
Rogers, Fred. Shipwrecks
of British Columbia. (Vancouver: J.J. Douglas Ltd.,
1973).
This is a systematic survey of wrecks
according to geographical location.
Included are chapters on the Strait
of Georgia, Juan de Fuca, the West
Coast, and the Northern Coast. Conveniently,
each section lists the ships in alphabetical
order. The nature of the information
is statistical and includes important
dates, locations and responses. Also
included is a brief section on treasure
ships as well as a chapter on the
guidelines for wreck diving. An appendix
lists ship names and captains.
Rogers, Fred. More
Shipwrecks of British Columbia. (Vancouver: Douglas
& McIntyre, 1992).
This source is a further study of
wrecks in BC and includes the area
around Victoria, as well as the West
Coast of the Island. Intended as a
reference guide, it includes short
but precise entries on wrecks in this
area that were not covered by his
first book. Included in this volume
is a very large and detailed shipwreck
chart of Vancouver Island that includes
484 wrecks.
Wells, Richard E., Guide
to Shipwreck Sites Along the Washington Coast. (Victoria:
1989).
This is a brief collection of historic
narratives of approximately 45 wrecks
off the Washington coast, accompanied
by sketches and thumb-nail maps.
Underwater Archaeology/Wreck Diving
Blackman, D.J., ed. Marine
Archaeology. (London: 1971).
This publication includes the proceedings of the Colston
Research Society’s 23rd symposium in Bristol. The
articles address Mediterranean and British finds, the use
of underwater instruments, coastline studies and conservation
approaches.
Foster, J.G., ed. British
Columbia Shipwreck Recording Guide. (BC: 1991, 1996).
The BC Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture,
Archaeology Branch created this guide to the systematic
identification, description and recording of shipwreck archaeological
sites. Contains identification keys, a glossary and a shipwreck
recording form template.
Gentile, Gary, Advanced
Wreck Diving Guide. (Maryland: Cornell Maritime Press,
1988).
This is a general source on wreck
diving and is not specific to Vancouver
Island. It deals primarily with the
technical skills and equipment needed
for wreck diving. As a “how
to” guide it is informative
and detailed. Of specific interest
are the sections on Recovery and Preservation.
Marc, Jacques, The
Underwater Heritage of Friendly Cove. (Underwater
Archaeological Society of British Columbia,1997).
This publication is the result of a Submerged Cultural Resources
Survey done in Friendly Cove, on the tip of Nootka Island
on the west coast of Vancouver Island. It is detailed and
an excellent source of information on the methodologies
and procedures involved in underwater archaeological diving.
It also outlines the extent of the artifacts found, their
cultural significance to First Nations and to BC maritime
history. Also included is a history of the area with respect
to First Nations, which details their relationship to the
waters of the region. Following this is a section that deals
with post-contact and the use of the waters in this context.
It provides a technical discussion of the instruments used
in such a survey as well as a scientific analysis of the
artifacts.
Note: the UASBC also published a similar
report on wrecks and cultural sites
in Burrard Inlet and Howe Sound (David
Leigh Stone, 1994). While this is
not specific to our project the report
does include interesting and detailed
information on the architecture of
steel ships and it gives some sense
of what wrecks actually look like
and how to navigate them.
McDonald, Kendall, Wreck
Detectives. (London: 1972).
The author looks at a series of European case studies in
shipwreck archaeology taking their respective material findings
as evidence for the origin, destination etc. of the ships.
Stone, David Leigh, The
Wreck Diver’s Guide to Sailing Ship Artifacts of the
19th Century.
(Vancouver: UASBC, 1993).
This book was published by the UASBC.
It uses BC wrecks as its examples
and illustrations. It is detailed
on the mechanics of wreck diving,
systematically organised according
to ship components and offers valuable
illustrations on the parts of a boat
most likely to be found. In addition,
each section has detailed and easily
read “before” and “after”
images to help divers recognise what
they are looking at.
Contextual Sources
Basnight, Bob, What
Ship is That?: A Field Guide to Boats and Ships.
(Connecticut: The Lions
Press, 1996).
Fisheries and Oceans, Canada, Canadian
Coast Guard, An Owner’s
Guide to Private Aids to
Navigation, 2001 Edition. (Ottawa: Coast Guard of
Canada, 2000).
This Canadian Coast Guard Guide is
a bilingual explanation of Canadian
navigational aides (buoys) under the
authority of the Canada Shipping Act
containing a list of boaters’
responsibilities, coloured diagrams
of buoys and their meanings and a
list of authorised manufacturers.
Glover, William. ‘The Challenge
of Navigation to Hydrography on the British Columbia Coast,
1850-1930’ The Northern
Mariner v. VI No. 4, (October 1996).
This journal article is an examination of chartmaking techniques
and policies used for Vancouver Island and BC which impacted
the accuracy of maritime surveying and therefore travel
and trade. Includes images of Powell River and extensive
footnoting.
Gores, Joseph N.; preface by Willard Bascom,
Marine Salvage : the unforgiving
business of no
cure, no pay. (New York: 1971).
This volume is filled with the wisdom of experience for
the life of a salvager, including insurance sales, equipment,
conditions for salvage, regulations, etc.
Hagelund, William, Harbour
Burning: A Century of Vancouver’s Maritime Fires.
(Hancock
House, 2002).
The research and sources in this book provide aspects of
the story of wrecks, particularly with regards to the economic
and social impact on the development of Vancouver.
Jupp, Ursula. Home
Port Victoria. (Victoria: 1967).
This is a collection of true stories of men and ships that
sailed from Victoria, told by seamen at meetings of the
Thermopylae Club, Victoria, B.C., including short sketches
of their narrators, articles on relevant history of the
Port of Victoria.
Sager, Eric W. ‘The Shipping Industry
in British Columbia from 1867 to 1914’ The
Northern
Mariner v. III No. 3, (July 1993).
This journal article looks at shipping in BC waters in the
late 18th and early 19th centuries, with tables of registered
vessels.
Wilson, Garth and Summers, John. ‘Maritime
Museums and Material Culture Studies’ The
Northern Mariner v. IV No. 2, (April 1994).
This journal article contains a discussion of methodological
approach to the study of objects as it applies to maritime
studies with suggestions for proper observations and question
skills.
Smith, Dwight L., Ed., A
Tour of Duty in the Pacific Northwest: E.A. Porcher and
H.M.S. Sparrowhawk, 1865-1868. (Alaska: University
of Alaska Press, 2000).
This is the published journal of Edmund Augustus Porcher
who was the Royal Navy captain of the H.M.S.
Seahawk at Esquimalt. It is a first hand account
of the colonial history of Vancouver Island, the Pacific
Station, and surrounding waters. It provides detailed information
on how, why and by whom the waters around Vancouver Island
were used in the late 19th century. Included are many beautifully
reproduced historical watercolors done by Royal Navy artists
travelling with the H.M.S.
Seahawk.
Webb, Robert Lloyd, On
the Northwest: Commercial Whaling in the Pacific Northwest,
1790- 1967. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia,
1988).
This is a source used by the UASBC. It is a very extensive
history of whaling that includes sections on the Victoria
Whaling company as well as Vancouver Island, the Husdon’s
Bay and First Nations.
Entertainment Reading
Neitzel, Michael, The
Valencia Tragedy. (Surrey: Heritage House Publishing
Company Ltd.,
1995).
This source is a small, populist narrative of the Valencia
tragedy. It includes a first hand account and all of the
sensationalist stories that go along with a wreck of this
magnitude. The subsequent inquiry into the tragedy is also
recounted. There are historical photos of the wreck and
the people involved.
Paterson, T.W. British
Columbia Shipwrecks. (Langley: Stagecoach Publishing
Co. Ltd., 1976).
This book is primarily concerned with “The Graveyard
of the Pacific” and addresses wrecks in a populist
manner. It includes a limited bibliography.
Paterson, T.W. Shipwreck,
Piracy and Terror. (Self published pamphlet format)
This slim volume deals with shipwrecks in a romanticised
manner. It mentions Ross Bay Cemetery as a popular burial
ground for shipwreck victims. Its bibliography relies on
the BC archives, newspapers and George Nicholson.
Scott, R. Bruce, “Breakers
Ahead!”: On the Graveyard of the Pacific. (Sidney
,BC: Review Publishing House, 1970).
This source is a limited compendium of shipwrecks, primarily
off the West Coast. There are very few plates and no bibliography.
Wood, Walter. Survivors'
Tales of Famous Shipwrecks. (London: 1932, 1974).
This collection of dramatic tales of shipwrecks suffered
by British mariners in various locations is entertainment
reading.
Lighthouses
Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee on Lightstations,
Lightstations: People Want
People on the Lights. (Ottawa: 1995).
This Parliamentary Report contains
commentary and excerpts in defence
of staffed lighthouses, including
reviews of rescue operations and a
map of BC coastal lightstations.
Gibbs, J.A. Sentinels
of the North Pacific: The Story of Pacific Coast Lighthouses
and Lightships. (Oregon: Binfords & Mort, 1955).
This source has a chapter that discusses
British Columbia lighthouses and their
histories. In the chapter on Juan
de Fuca there are limited and outdated
stories that deal with the trade and
contact between First Nations and
“white settlers” in Victoria.
Gibbs also addresses lighthouses in
his later Shipwrecks off Juan de Fuca,
which would make this source somewhat
obsolete except in a general context.
Graham, Donald, Keepers
of the Light: A History of British Columbia’s Lighthouses
and Their Keepers. (Madeira Park, B.C.: Harbour Publishing
Co. Ltd., 1985).
As a lighthouse keeper himself, the
author has a compiled a detailed and
rich history of lighthouses in BC
including a large and seemingly exhaustive
section devoted entirely to “The
Pacific Graveyard.” The information
is organized according to specific
lighthouses along the coast and includes
their histories and the wrecks and
rescues each was involved with. He
addresses interesting and important
issues of communication, provisions
and resources relating to lighthouses
and keepers.
Graham, Donald, Lights
of the Inside Passage: a history of British Columbia's lighthouses
and
their keepers. (British Columbia: 1986).
This book is very similar to Keepers
of the Light, but with a focus on the lights vs.
the people. Each chapter describes a light on BC’s
coast (eastern Vancouver Island) and some of the historic
characters that ran them. With letters, photos, historic
anecdotes.
LeBlond, Paul H., A
Review of the impact of Unmanning Western Region Lightstations.
(Vancouver: 1987).
This study looks at countries that
have removed personnel from lightstations
and applies the research findings
to the situation in British Columbia.
Tables with lighthouse performance,
weather conditions, lighthouse characteristics,
search and rescue equipment etc. are
provided.
Tanod, Lynn and Jaksa, Chris, Guiding
Lights: British Columbia’s Lighthouses and Their Keepers.
(Madeira Park, B.C.: Harbour Publishing, 1998).
This looks at the lighthouse keepers
of British Columbia through both text
and photographs. Maps are included.
Other Sources
- Archives: Maritime Museum of British Columbia, Victoria BC
- Archives: Museum at Campbell River, Campbell River BC
- Archives: Vancouver Maritime Museum, Vancouver BC
- Files and maps of Mr. Christopherson, donated to the Maritime Museum of British Columbia
- Interview with Captain Finn Andersen, conducted by Angela Andersen, December 15, 2003, Victoria BC
- Interview with Jacques Marc, conducted by Angela Andersen and Dealla Fahlman, December 4, 2003, Victoria BC
Assorted Articles from:
The Victoria Daily Chronicle
(1863-1866)
The Victoria Times
(1884-1980)
The Victoria Colonist
(1858-1980)
The Times Colonist
(1980-present)
Franchère, Gabriel, Voyage to the Northwest Coast of America, (Chicago, 1954, originally printed 1854).
Giesecke, E.W., Search for the Tonquin: Parts I, II and III’, CUMTUX: Clatsop County Historical Society Quarterly, V. 10, Nos. 3 and 4, V. 11, No.1, (1990-1991).
Jewitt, John R., Narrative of the Adventures and Sufferings of John R. Jewitt; Only Survivor of the Crew of the Ship Boston, (New York; July 1815).
Marc, Jacques, Exploring the Lord Western, (Vancouver: UASBC, 1989).
Museum at Campbell River, ‘The Ripple Rock Story’, Museum Notes Number 2, (Campbell River Museum and Archives, 2002).
Sadilek, Charles, Diary of Charles Sadilek, Museum at Campbell River ms 77 35.
St. Louis Intelligencer January 7, 1853.
