Editorially speaking…
Last week, I wrote that I’m not the only one who collects old photos. Al Maas had sent along a copy of a somewhat battered photo he’d bought at Whippletree Auction, years ago. “...It’s a local picture of rail workers? Bridge builders?”
The “beams are quite long and may have been used for trestles, etc.?”
He was hoping I’d “see something here that [I] might recognize”.
Because they look like piles of lumber to me I speculated that these (other than the little boy on the man’s lap, front and centre), are sawmill workers. Everyone appears to have spruced up for the camera but whether they’re local, British Columbian or even from western Canada or the U.S. is anyone’s guess.
Reader Stephanie W. asked if Al Mass has “gone to [the] Forest Discovery [Centre] and to Kaatza [Station Museum] and tried to match with their extensive collections of photos?
“A passing thought - wondering if it could be a [barn] building bee? The men seem more well-dressed than usual crews and there is a child there, too.”
Faithful reader Bill Irvine chose to try colourizing the photo—and what a difference.
The wonders of digital technology never fail to amaze me. (See another example of Nigel Robertson’s artistry below.)
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I’m waiting with bated breath for the Martin Mars water bomber to take its final flight to well-earned retirement at the BC Aviation Museum in Sidney. According to the latest reports, the work of preparing her for flight after several years’ lay-up is running ahead of schedule.
Better yet, owners Coulson Aviation are accepting applications for selected members of the public to get to sit at the controls of this legendary behemoth or to view her close-up from the water (Sproat Lake). Need I say that I (thanks to friend Belinda) have my name on the wish-list?
For readers who are interested, here’s the link.
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A headline leapt off the page of last week’s Nanaimo News Bulletin. It’s about coal mining, of course: Road re-naming recognizes coal mining history.
One of my personal peeves is that Nanaimo—I’m speaking for myself—doesn’t really appreciate its ‘black’ past. Rather than revelling in its rich colliery history, neither the city nor the regional district do anywhere near enough to honour the area’s historical legacy.
As Nanaimo area coal mines required tons of explosives over the years, local manufacturing plants were established. —Author’s Collection
Last week’s news story is about the latest modest acknowledgement, the re-naming of a section of Boxwood Road between Northfield Road and Rosstown Road, a section of which is being being opened as part of the Midtown Gateway project to improve traffic flow in the area.
The stretch now known as the Boxwood Connector will be re-named Powder Works Road in recognition of the Hamilton Powder Works’ plant that produced chemicals for explosives used in local coal mines.
The new name complements Black Powder Road in Cilaire.”
Cilaire, by the way, is derived from Canadian Industries Ltd., longtime and bigtime makers of nitroglycerine and dynamite for B.C. collieries and other heavy industries.
See: Nanaimo’s explosives industry was one BIG BANG after another.
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Also in Nanaimo news last week, an article about the return of priceless cultural artifacts from the Royal BC Museum to the rightful owners, the Snuneymuxw First Nation. A repatriation ceremony celebrated the transfer of nearly 100 objects with more promised to come.
Yes, official and public recognition of rightful ownership has taken a long, long time. But, as they say, better late than never. Hopefully, museums around the world that hold Aboriginal artifacts have come to accept that they really belong to the peoples that created them.
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Finally, for this week, and also Nanaimo oriented, there’s an online advertisement for Saysutshun, formerly known as Newcastle Island, the absolute gem on Nanaimo’s doorstep that’s now under Snuneymuxw First Nation ownership.
Anyone who’s ever visited the island knows what an unspoiled treasure it is, one that’s rich in history from its Aboriginal beginnings through industrial activity. There’s even a murderer’s grave. Visitors can enjoy its natural beauty by just walking around, as I’ve done several times over the years, or participate in various activities and guided tours as described in the ad:
“Explore the island’s storied past, learn about traditional customs, the Hul’q’umi’num language and even the [sandstone] quarries that once echoed with sounds of Nanaimo’s coal mining industry...”
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This week’s digital canvas from Nigel Robertson depicts the Crofton copper smelter which was born of the short-lived copper mining boom on Mount Sicker at the turn of the last century. Poor Henry Croft had a somewhat tragic life but at least his name lives on on our maps.
Other than historians, hardly anyone remembers the names of his wife, her lover or her spiteful mother-in-law!
