Historic Ruins

 

 



Docks and Native Village of New Vancouver

This morning we made our way back west through Cramer Pass, then turned south along Retreat and Spring Passages, arriving at New Vancouver on the north side of Harbledown Island.  New Vancouver is a Native village in The Broughtons referred to as Tzatsisnukomi in the Kwak’wala language.  After tying-up at the dock, we were greeted by a band member who collected payment for our moorage, the band office was closed that day.  

Big House at New Vancouver

Beautiful Totems in front of the Big House

We commented on the nice ‘big house’ and the new totems located in front.  She proudly announced that they were carrying on the work started by her grandfather who had passed away last year.  She further explained that a ‘big house’ has one fire pit as distinguished from a ‘longhouse’ which has two fire pits.  We appreciated her warm welcome as she no doubt appreciated our interest in her Native culture.  After settling in and grabbing a bite to eat, we lowered the dinghy and headed to a nearby abandoned Native village site on the southwest side of Village Island, just one and a half miles away.  

Abandoned Native Village on Village Island

The white midden beaches and clear blue water are very picturesque.  It’s best to wear boots, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt as the ruins are quite overgrown. 

Landing the dinghy at Village Island

There are two sets of large poles left from the longhouses that once stood here, and the remains of a large apartment-style building and houses from a later period.  Some of the houses have since collapsed and continue to be taken over by nature.  We stopped here several years ago and inadvertently found the backend of a bear among the bushes, this time we were more ‘bear aware’ and made noise and conversation while touring the area.  

Remains of a Longhouse, Village Island

Although small, this abandoned village is fascinating to visit and is within an easy dinghy ride from New Vancouver.  For an even closer dinghy ride, you can anchor the mother-ship in a cove just north of the abandoned village site.  

Village Ruins on Village Island

Impressive stone walls on Harbledown Island

The next stop by dinghy was ‘Monks' Wall’ on Harbledown Island located southwest of Dead Point.  We had an approximate latitude but not a longitude, so finding the exact spot proved challenging.  We found the given latitude and started scouring the shoreline for any evidence of an early homestead and stone wall.  We spotted what looked like a cairn and hoped it was marking the spot to go ashore.  We tied-off the dinghy; and sure enough, we found the ruins of large rock walls hidden just inside the tree line.  It is not known where the nickname ‘Monks' Wall’ came from, but the stone walls were not built by monks but by William Herbert and Mary Anne Galley, who acquired 160 acres on Harbledown Island in the late 1800’s.  

Remains of stone wall archway

They established a homestead with fruit trees and livestock, including cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens.  The homestead was defined by large well-built walls, some of which are still standing.  Mr. and Mrs. Galley also created a trading post identified with a stone archway over the entrance.  The arch has since collapsed but the rock wall supports are still intact.  

Remains of extensive rock walls around the homestead

Bits and pieces of dishes and rusted hardware can also be seen at the site, left as a collection for others to enjoy.  While walking around the impressive rock walls, we couldn't help but imagine what stories have gone untold.  

A Cairn marks the spot to go ashore

Returning back to the dinghy, we made note of the GPS location on our hand-held InReach DeLorme which read:  50 35.408 N and 126 35.107 W; we also stacked more rocks on the cairn to help others find this special place.  

Dinghy Landing on either side of the Cairn

Clear-cut logging has taken place behind the homestead, but fortunately a row of trees were left in place and the rock walls were left undisturbed.