Maritime Museum of British Columbia

Did you know our museum is pet-friendly? 🐾⚓

Bring your four-legged friends to explore BC's maritime heritage together.

Plan your visit here: www.mmbc.bc.ca/visit

Image description: a small dog peers into an exhibit case in the museum gallery, with the photo cropped to look humorously like the dog is very tall.

A new season of Sea Glass Workshops begins! We are so excited to teach another season of our wire-wrapping method to make beautiful pieces you'll wear and share.

First one is coming up this Saturday, January 13from 2:00 - 3:15 PM!!

Other dates include:
Saturday, January 27 (2:00 - 3:15 PM)
Saturday, February 10 (2:00 - 3:15 PM)
Saturday, February 24 (2:00 - 3:15 PM)
Saturday, March 9 (2:00 - 3:15 PM)
Saturday, March 23 (2:00 - 3:15 PM)
Saturday, April 6 (2:00 - 3:15 PM)
Saturday, April 20 (2:00 - 3:15 PM)

To register, see our season via the Linktr.ee in our bio.

Image descriptions: photos from past sea glass workshops of participants making their jewelry, and a display of many different colours of sea glass.

Join us this Saturday at 10:30 AM for Museum Tots! 🌊 The topic this week is Shipwrecks.

Museum Tots is a weekly learning program for children ages 3 – 5; that's right, we run it every Saturday! Explore maritime topics through play, stories, crafts, dance, and games. Included in adult admission or membership.

Learn more on our website: https://mmbc.bc.ca/programs-2/youth-programs/

Image descriptions: groups of children work on crafts and listen to a story with facilitator Wes. The last image is a text ad that reads, "Museum Tots, Shipwrecks, Saturday, Jan. 13"

Today is , and we are featuring the whaling/sealing vessel Wanderer, a four-masted Barque, made famous in John Masefield's poem, "The Wanderer." She was an unlucky ship, killing her first skipper on one of three attempts at her maiden voyage. She was run down by a steamship near Hamburg in April 1907."

Wanderer has a red lower hull and keel and a black upper hull and rudder. A black hawsehole on both the port and starboard upper hulls, through both, runs a metal chain connected to a wooden fisherman's anchor. On both the port and starboard side, the anchors are attached to chain plates by string. Over the portside hull hang three whaleboats. The whaleboats and supports are the same colour, but it is unclear if they are light wood, or painted white. Each contains one long wooden oar, a bundle of smaller wooden oars tied together with wire, a coil of wire, and a piece of cloth wrapped around a wooden pole and tied with string.

The ship's name is printed on a placard at the bow of the ship on both the port and starboard side. On the stern of the model the ship's name is printed on a placard, underneath is written: "NEW BEDFORD." The model sits on a wooden stand and base.

MMBC 1008

In this photo, you can see SS Sudbury II with a tandem tow of two 10,000-ton liberty ships, going 5,500 miles from Victoria, BC to Hirao, Japan, in January 1961. This tandem tow turned out to be an extremely dangerous, but legendary trek across the Pacific Ocean.

SS Sudbury II was one of the most famous and iconic tugs in the maritime history of British Columbia.

MMBC P1182.08

Edited to correct date--thanks to commenters!

Is Norman Yarrow defying gravity?🕴🤔

While that is a fun thought, the first two images are an optical illusion of Mr. Yarrow (president and sole director at Yarrows Ltd.) taking a walk through the SS Prince Ruppert to assess damage after she took in water on one side while completely stationary at Yarrows Dock in Esquimalt in 1931.

Things seemed peaceful until a watchman found water flooding the hold and raised the alarm. Water was coming in fast, and those on board only had enough time to grab some clothes before evacuating, having to leave everything else behind. Luckily, everyone made off in time before the Prince Rupert tipped over and found herself at a 45-degree angle. The only thing keeping her from turning over completely was that her crew tied ropes to her masts and the shore to keep her in place. The cause of this mishap? An open window.

Turns out, earlier a lower room of the ship was being painted, and the
painter left a porthole open to air out the smell. However, when the tide
came in, the water levels rose, covering the porthole.

📷MMBC , 993.017.182, 993.0178.182, 999.123.001

Image Descriptions:
1 - A man in a dark suit stands diagonally in a ship hallway, like an optical illusion.
2 - The same man (now with a hat on) stands diagonally over a set of stairs going to down.
3 - A ship can be seen titled on its side with water covering a large section of its back half.

Did you catch our latest Maritime Moment video? With Collections insights and archival objects, Commodore (Ret'd) Jan Drent speaks on Navigation & Hydrography.

Check out our Youtube channel for more Maritime Moment videos: https://www.youtube.com/maritimemuseumofbc

Maritime Moments: Navigation & Hydrography with Commodore (Ret'd) Jan Drent Jan Drent shows a box compass that was donated to the Maritime Museum of BC, along with copies of Captain Vancouver and Cook's explorer journals.

With this chilly winter weather, we are already dreaming of summer. ☀️

This photo was from 2022's Classic Boat Festival--one of our favourite weekends of the year!

Image description: Victoria's Inner Harbour during the Classic Boat Festival. Many people are walking and a band is playing on the walkway. Boats are in the harbour and the BC Legislature building can be seen in the background.

It's only the second day of 2024, and we can"knot" believe the incredible year that awaits us! 🪢

Want to follow along on our journey and have exclusive MMBC perks? Sign up for a membership here: https://mmbc.bc.ca/become-a-member/

A new year, a new ! 🎉

This week we're featuring a Fishing troller.

The ship has no name, but the number "13K53942" is on a plaque on the boom. The model rests on a wood base decorated with sand, pebbles, and wood to look like a beach.

This fishing troller has a red lower hull and keel, a black rudder, a gold propeller, a black boot stripe with a white upper hull and a bulwark with a black stripe around the whole of the hull. There is a smaller black stripe on each side of the hull.

On the fore deck is a white cabin with clear windows and a green roof. On the aft deck, a green platform. At the stern, a semi-circular indentation. On either side, a silver davit with pulleys rigged to the deck and support masts.

One green mast and two white masts. A white boom coming off the green mast. The rigging is constructed out of string and nylon.

MMBC 996.752.0001

Is your New Year's resolution to volunteer more? 🌊 Join the Maritime Museum of BC as a volunteer to make an impact in your community, and help us with our mission of engaging communities in witnessing and preserving maritime heritages.

Training is provided for all positions, and there are many opportunities for additional learning, socializing, and community engagement!

Volunteers engage in various aspects of the Museum, including visitor services, collections, research, library, and archives, playing a vital role in the organization.

Apply through our website: https://mmbc.bc.ca/volunteer

Image descriptions: series memories of 2023 volunteering, including Liam and Irene at the front desk, Terese leading a wreath workshop, volunteers and staff singing sea shanties at the Volunteer Appreciation Party in December, Jan and Murray at the spring Salty Sing-a-long, and staff members Sarah and Stephanie with volunteer Rilla at a volunteer beach engagement.

Volunteer Victoria

Unsure what to do this New Year's Eve? Take some inspiration from the WRCNS, from our archival collection photos from the Bayley Collection labelled "Off-Duty."

The Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS) was active from 1942-1946, and we have many photos in our archives of moments amidst training and service. These are some of our favourites of "Wrens" having some fun!

So long, 2023! 🎉🎉🎉

📷 P988.100.5.13, P988.100.5.8, P988.100.5.9, P988.100.5.11, P988.100.5.35

Image descriptions: a series of black and white photos of groups of young women or individual women doing things like singing or performing around or on a piano. One photo depicts a naval dance (all in dress uniforms or formal wear), and one photo depicts a young woman in a soup pot with a large wooden spoon, laughing.

Here we can see the RCMP St. Roch stuck in snow and ice with sled dogs sitting around the vessel. This image conveys the challenges of Arctic conditions, emphasizing the vessel's resilience to the harsh environment. ❄️

Built in 1928 at the Burrard Dry Dock in Vancouver, the RCMP Schooner St. Roch was instrumental in delivering supplies to RCMP detachments along the Arctic Coast.

This vessel was crafted with a unique rounded hull, allowing her to winter the northern waters and Arctic ice. On a 28-month voyage between 1940 and 1942, St. Roch became the first vessel to navigate the challenging Northwest Passage from west to east. Later, in 1950, she became the first ship to circumnavigate North America after a journey from Vancouver to Halifax through the Panama Canal.

📷: Maritime P1723a

Image Description: A grainy black-and-white photograph depicting a ship trapped in snow and ice with sled dogs sitting on the ice near the hull of the ship. You can see two figures standig on the ice near the stern of the ship. There are snowy mountains in the background.

What do these signal flags spell? 🤔

Hint: In 2024, the MMBC wishes you ______________! ⛵️

City of Ainsworth was a paddle steamer sternwheeler that worked on Kootenay Lake in British Columbia, Canada from 1892 to 1898 as a ferry. This photo shows her leaving the dock with passengers on board.

Unfortunately, in November 1898, City of Ainsworth sank during a storm, taking the lives of nine people, and is considered the worst sternwheeler disaster in Kootenay Lake history. She sank to such a great depth (110m [360ft]) that her wreck would go undiscovered for nearly a century.

MMBC 017.FIC.017

Image Description: This photo shows City of Ainsworth leaving the dock, photographed from the port side. Passengers can also be seen on board, mostly towards the bow of the vessel. Mountains can be seen in the distant background.

Explore the captivating history of the Victoria Inner Harbour with your loved ones this week. Our doors are open, and we'd love to see you!

We're open on our regular schedule, Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 - 5:00 PM.

Plan your visit: www.mmcb.ca/visit

📷: MMBC P934.07

Image Descriptions: Image 1 has the title "Victoria Harbour" on a dark blue background. "Victoria" is spelled out with flowers. Image two is an archival black-and-white photograph of an aerial view of the Inner Harbour looking north into the town.

Get anything nice under the tree this year? Maybe a new pair of bell-bottom trousers?

We found this perennial favourite again while searching our digital archives.

Signalwoman Madge Foster of Vancouver, pictured with Yeoman Walter Clements, was one of four west-coast "Wrens" to debut bell-bottom trousers. The Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service entitled signallers and motor drivers to wear trousers by 1944.

📷 MMBC P988.100.6.36

Image description: Two naval servicemembers stand next to each other looking at each other's uniforms. One is a young woman in a cap, collared white shirt with tie, and dark jacket with wide-legged trousers. The other is a young man in a collared sailor uniform with cap.

Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁

This undated holiday card features a photograph of HMS Champion, built in 1878, at anchor. This fun card includes greenery and holiday wishes; however, the sender's identity remains a mystery.

MMBC P2046

As a Christmas Eve surprise, this week's is getting posted a day early! 🎁

This 74-gun ship of the line (c.1800) model is a little bit of a mystery-- it has no name, and it is unclear whether the model is of a specific ship or is just a generic representation.

A ship of the line was a type of naval warship constructed during the Age of Sail from the 17th century to the mid-19th century. The ship of the line was designed for the naval tactic known as the line of battle, which involved the two columns of opposing warships maneuvering to volley fire with the cannons along their broadsides.

This model has a white lower hull, keel, stem, and rudder with a thick black boot stripe. There is a brown upper hull and bulwark, with two rows of red gun ports. Where the quarterdeck is, there are three rows of gun ports. Each gun port has a black and red metal cannon. The Stern is ornate with white, gold, and blue, and has quarter galleries with clear windows. Two red gun ports are beneath the stern gallery. The gold figurehead on the bow depicts a lion holding a sword. There is a black hawsehole on either side of the bow, with black string connecting to a black wood and metal admiral's anchor. The anchors are rigged to the gunwale.

There is a wooden deck, with raised forecastle, quarterdeck, and p**p deck. On the forecastle, a ship's bell in gold housing. Hanging from the rigging above the main deck is a white and brown lifeboat with white oars. On the quarterdeck, a wooden ship's wheel. Hanging over the hull on either side of the p**p deck is a white and brown lifeboat with white oars attached to brown davits.

There are three wooden masts, each with three sections and three black yards. Wooden bowsprit and jib-boom, with a black yard. The mizzen mast has two wooden spanker sail booms. Where the masts meet, black doubling. Where the lower and top masts meet, a black platform. The rigging is string, and the hardware is wood. There are no sails. The model rests on wooden mounts, on a wooden base.

MMBC 340

Another evocative Arne Baker pen & ink drawing from our .

That looks like a monkey's fist knot at the end of a line, being caught by the waiting sailor.

📷 MMBC P987.6.11

Image description: pen and ink drawing of a sailor on a pier catching a line with a large knot at the end of it. Seagulls fly close by.

Do you want to create one-of-a-kind pieces or wearable art? Learn a new skill?

Sign up for our Sea Glass Jewelry Workshops and immerse yourself in a hands-on learning experience that transforms ordinary beach finds into personalized treasures. 🌊

Dates available:
January 13
January 27
February 10
February 24
March 9
March 23
April 6
April 20

Learn more & register for our workshops here: https://store.mmbc.bc.ca/collections/digital-programs/products/workshops-sea-glass-jewelry-winter-spring-2024

Within our collection, we have several of Arne Baker's exquisite pen & ink drawings, depicting life in the . In the drawing above, we observe a service member engrossed in the composition of a letter, perhaps destined for home? A sweetheart? A dear friend? 🖋⚓

📷MMBC P987.6.8

Image description: a black and white ink drawing of a man with his head resting on his handwriting a letter.

Did you know that an octopus has three hearts? 🐙

One that pumps blood through the body, and two that pump blood through the gills. What fascinating creatures!

If you or someone you know loves octopuses as much as we do, our gift shop is the perfect stop to make before Christmas to dive into our collection of octopus-themed items.

Image Description: A white shelf holding two red-toned octopus plushies, a glass octopus cup, and a 1000-piece octopus puzzle.

Holiday closures at the Maritime Museum of BC will be limited to December 26. We are otherwise open on our usual Tuesday - Saturday schedule, from 10 AM - 5 PM. See you in the gallery!

Plan your visit at www.mmbc.bc.ca/visit

Cute photo of crew members from HMCS Arnprior - frigate K 494 with a festive Christmas tree.

See the catalogue entry here: https://mmbc.catalogaccess.com/photos/18622

📷 MMBC P5066.29

Image description: black and white photo of a group of men gather on the deck of a ship around a Christmas tree.

of A22 by artist Daniel Melville.

Aberdeen type, Scottish steam trawler. Whittled from fenceposts with a penknife only.

Wooden model. Red lower hull, keel, and rudder. Grey wooden propeller. Black upper hull, wall around the deck, and gunwale. One black-rimmed, red hawsehole on each side of the bow. On the port side, there is a metal chain connecting to a black metal anchor. Unclear if there was originally an anchor on the starboard side, too. One black metal fitting on each side of the bow and each side of the stern. The interior deck wall is white, and lined with wooden planks.

Wooden deck with raised forecastle and quarterdeck. At the bow is a black, cream, and red anchor windlass with a red wheel. Directly aft of the forecastle is a raised wooden structure with a black outline and one metal-rimmed porthole on each side. Towards the quarterdeck in a two-storey cabin. Between the cabin and the foremast is a raised wooden box. The lower level of the cabin is red, with a black roof. The upper level is the wheelhouse, with wooden walls, a white roof, and wooden windows. Aft of the wheelhouse is a red and black smokestack with metal pipes. Aft of the smokestack is a wooden skylight with metal-rimmed, circular windows. The back portion of the cabin is raised, on the quarterdeck. Wooden walls, black roof, and carved doors. Supposed to have one metal-rimmed porthole on each side, but the metal on the port side has fallen off. Aft of the cabin is a raised box, red walls with one metal-rimmed porthole on each side and a white or light-coloured wood roof. A red grate covers the aftmost part of the deck.

Two masts. The foremast is wooden with a white tip, on the main deck. The aft mast is black, extending from the rear part of the cabin, with two wooden booms extending perpendicular towards the stern. Both booms swing side-to-side. Rigging is a string, with metal and bead hardware.

Check out the catalogue record here: https://mmbc.catalogaccess.com/objects/5730

📷 MMBC 1255N

We have a selection of interesting and useful gifts for your loved ones for upcoming holidays; shop our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide here: https://mmbc.bc.ca/blog/

This unidentified "Wren" from the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service has her arms full during training--look at all those uniform pieces! Circa 1940s.

📷 MMBC P988.100.2.45 Bayley Collection

Did you know we have hands-on activity stations in the museum gallery?

Test out anchors in gravel and sand to identify which anchors are suitable for different conditions and environments at sea. Or, gather all your pals to learn a few hitches, bends, and splices at our knot-tying station!

Plan your visit to 744 Douglas Street: https://mmbc.bc.ca/visit/

The archival photo is from our collection of photos of "Wrens"--service members in the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. We hold a wonderful group of photos of members training, from Phyllis Bayley. Chief Petty Officer Phyllis Bayley's naval career began in 1943 when she joined the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. She served at Conastoga, Ontario, and Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, until 1946. The WRCNS was active from 1942-1946.

📷 MMBC P988.100.2.5 Bayley Collection

Image descriptions: archival photo is black and white, showing a group of four young women and a man practicing knot-tying along a central line suspended across a room; all are in naval uniform. Other photo shows a child in a tutu in the museum gallery testing out anchors; many different types of anchors are hanging along the side of a large container.

From the past to the present, the Fairmont Empress Hotel has been a symbol of Victoria's Inner Harbour.

Dive deeper into the harbour's rich history with our latest exhibit, 'Victoria Harbour'—running until April 6th!

📷 MMBC 991.073.021

Image Description: A hand holds up a black-and-white historical photo of the Fairmont Empress Hotel in front of the modern-day version. The entire photo contains the hotel and the surrounding Inner Harbour on a sunny day with bright blue skies.

What are you cooking for family gatherings this holiday season? Hope it's even half the feast of this enormous halibut we found in our Archives!

BC Packers employee circa 1950s, Margaret May, poses with a halibut: 264 lbs (approx 120 kg)!

📷 MMBC 999.131.8

Image description: a young woman in coveralls, boots, and a hair wrap poses beside an enormous halibut that is hung from its tail.

It's and today's model is Greta M.

Diesel-powered yacht. Also known as the "Thomas Crosby IV" and "Argonaut II."

Scratch-built model, built from raw materials rather than a commercial kit.

Burgundy lower hull, keel, and rudder. Metal propeller. The middle section of the hull is black. White upper hull, with metal-rimmed portholes. Wood rubbing strake and gunwale. Black hawsehole on either side of the bow, with white Hall anchor.

Wood deck, lower at the stern. At the fore, a white metal anchor windlass. A wood wheelhouse, with a grey roof. Wood doors and clear windows, through which you can see curtains and a metal ship's wheel. Aft of the wheelhouse, a white smokestack with a black top. On either side of the deck, a white lifeboat with fabric covering, held by white davits. A wood skylight, and a partially raised wooden door. Onto the lower deck extends a raised platform with windows.

Two wooden masts, one fore and one aft of the wheelhouse, with string rigging.

The ship's name is painted in black on either side of the bow, and in white on the port side of the stern. On the starboard side of the stern in white is written: "VANCOUVER B.C." The model rests on wooden mounts, inside a wood and glass case.

Check out the catalogue sheet here: https://mmbc.catalogaccess.com/objects/6296

📷 MMBC Collection 004.035.0001