Editorially speaking...
Scarcely a day goes by without my finding something that’s historically topical in the newspaper. Three recent news stories rate as really ‘good’ news.
In an early Chronicle post Disaster on Mount Benson Now All But Forgotten I told of the October 1951 crash of a Queen Charlotte Airlines passenger plane on Nanaimo’s Mount Benson that killed all 23 aboard.
To date, other than an insultingly plain and cheap marker (no names even) in the Nanaimo Cemetery, there’s been nothing to commemorate what was, at the time, B.C.’s worst aviation disaster.
Part of the landing gear of the converted Canso, a wartime bomber similar to that also used in passenger service by Canadian Pacific Airlines. —Author’s Collection
Well, that’s about to change. I’m pleased to report that the Nanaimo City parks department has agreed to a signboard memorial beside the Expressway, with a vista view of the eastern slopes of Mount Benson.
I’m somewhat disappointed at the low-key marker they’ve designated but I’ll accept that half a loaf is better than none.
I’d have preferred something like this but....
In fact, to be fair, I shall rejoice that there’s to be a marker, period, it’s so long overdue, and some recognition is certainly better than none.
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The second news story, also aviation crash related, I told you about last week. That’s the naming of Flying Firemen Park in Langford to honour pilots Alex Davidson and Robert (Paddy) Moore who were killed when they crashed while fighting a fire on Mount Skirt with their water bomber (also a converted Canso) in the summer of 1967.
Some of the wreckage on the western slope of Skirt Mountain, beside Goldstream Provincial Park. —Author’s Collection
Finally, coincidental to today’s post on Ross Bay Cemetery, the Times Colonist just reported that the cemetery is to have a new gate, at a cost of $100,000, to celebrate its 150th of existence. The gate will feature stone pillars and plaques outlining the history of the cemetery which currently lacks frontal signage.
It’s so nice to be able to report something positive for a change!
And I’d better leave it right there for this week, before I spoil the mood.
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