O F F T H E B E AT E N PAT H
ROYSTON WRECKS HISTORICAL GHOST SHIPS In the first half of the 20th century the Comox
they are a reminder of the booming logging industry
Valley had a booming logging industry. The logs were
here. And whatever you think about it, it is a big part
pulled by train to the entrance of the Comox Harbour
of the local history. Looking at the hulking shapes you
in Royston, dumped there and then towed over the
can imagine how the whole place was buzzing with life
Strait of Georgia to the big sawmills in New Westmin-
more than half a century ago.
ster on the mainland.
Not to mention that a lot of wildlife enjoys this shel-
The site in Royston is very exposed to southerly winds
tered place nowadays. Divers and Kayakers still enjoy
increasing the tidal swells,
which made the dump
visiting this site. A Diver organization has GPS mapped
tricky and dangerous especially in winter. To protect
all the Royston Wrecks as part of an application for
against the South-Eastern winter storms, an exten-
National Historic Status. The Ships provide a protect-
sive breakwater was built. First the logging company
ed location for the re-growth of eel grass beds and are
tried to install a breakwater with boomsticks. In the
a protected habitat for all kinds of sea life.
late 1930s they sunk the first old ship hulks, beginning with the Laurel Whalen, to break the ocean's force. Over the next 25 years 13 more ships were sunk, including old whaling boats, schooners, navy frigates, freighters and tugs. The most historic might be the Melanope, a 79-metre 3-masted sailing ship built in 1876.
LIST OF SUNKEN SHIPS: Comet, 4 masted barque · Dunver HMCS, frigate · Eastview HMCS, frigate · Forest Friend, 5 masted barquentine · Gatineau HMCS, destroyer · Harpoon Boat Laurel Whalen, 5 masted windjammer (first boat) · Melanope, 3 masted windjammer · Nanoose, steam tug · Prince Rupert HMCS, frigate · Qualicum, steam tug ·
They are still there today, slowly but surely falling
Riversdale, 3 masted windjammer · Salvage King, tug ·
apart and vanishing. In a way these rusty bits and piec-
Tattnall USS, destroyer.
es sticking out of the water are ugly. On the other hand, 1 0 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 3 6
W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
