A Rendezvous with History



Hiking the beautiful trails on Newcastle Island

After an enjoyable night’s stay at Hornby Island Harbour Authority Docks, we headed for Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, where our Nephew spent another night with us aboard Got d’ Fever before departing the following day via Seair floatplane service.  We enjoyed the day touring many of the popular sights in Nanaimo:  the old city quarter, the waterfront, the Hudson Bay Bastion and cannons, and Newcastle Island by dinghy, followed by dinner at the Dinghy Dock Pub on Protection Island.  Java, our 14 year old Dachshund and Waggoner Guide Dog, hiked the trails with us on Newcastle Island.  Like her masters, she has gray hair but still pretty lively and hiked the entire 3-mile circuit to Mallard Lake and back again along the shoreline.  

Several attractive bridges found on Newcastle Island

In earlier times, Newcastle Island was mined for coal, during which quality sandstone was discovered on the island and then quarried beginning in 1869.  Pulp-stones were highly sought after up and down the coast to grind tree fibers into pulp for papermaking. 

Pulp-stone for grinding tree fibers into pulp

Sandstone from Newcastle Island was also used for columns in the construction of the San Francisco Mint (1874).  Mallard Lake was created as a water supply when people lived and worked on the Island.  Today the lake serves as a wildlife sanctuary and the island is a provincial park with picnic grounds, campsites, and a hall providing seasonal presentations and a snack bar.  

Cannons and Bastion in background

Also of interest is the octagonal fortification (Bastion) built between 1853 and 1855 to defend the coal mining operations in the Nanaimo area.  The first floor of the Bastion was used for administrative purposes by the Hudson Bay Company, and it is believed that the second floor housed the two cannons along with guns, gunpowder, and shots.  Today the lower floor houses a tourist office and the upper floors serve as a museum.  

Firing of the Cannon, Nanaimo

Now days the two cannons are located in the plaza adjacent to the Bastion and are fired each day around noon during the summer months following a short ceremony and playing of the bagpipes.  The 1853 cannons were originally intended to defend the Bastion but were routinely used to welcome ships into the harbour.  Mariners still feel welcomed today when they hear the loud firing of the cannons.       

Playing of the Bagpipes is part of the welcoming ceremony