The Underwater Archaeological Society of BC (UASBC) announces its latest exploration project. Starting fall 2016 the UASBC plans to survey and document the Historic Shipwrecks of the Southern Gulf Islands. The project is expected to take three years to complete and will involve archival research, underwater fieldwork, site documentation and mapping.
Once complete, the UASBC will publish the results as permanent record of these historic shipwrecks and this important chapter of BC history.
The Southern Gulf Island waters contain several large sailing ship wrecks from the 1870’s, as well as a 1868 side wheel paddle steamer and early passenger ships. The most modern major wreck is that of the Point Grey, which was lost in tumultuous Porlier Pass in 1949. Many of these wrecks were part of the early coal trade, which played a significant role in the early BC economy and the development of a number of Vancouver Island communities. Several of these vessels were enroute from Nanaimo to San Francisco when they got off course and tragedy struck.
Diving operations will start this the fall, 2016. Simultaneous with the start of this project the UASBC will be running a series of Nautical Archaeology Society Survey courses to prepare new divers for underwater survey work.
Members of the public can learn about the project by visiting the UASBC web page. Details can be found on the website under “Events”.
The UASBC is a volunteer group of avocational archaeologists, historians and shipwreck divers dedicated to researching, locating, identifying, surveying and protecting the maritime heritage of the Province of BC, Canada. The UASBC is committed to this task for the interest, education and benefit of all British Columbians. The UASBC has been in operation for over 40 years and has located and documented over a 100 historical shipwrecks in BC waters.
Learn more at: http://www.uasbc.com/