Find out why he named it Desolation Sound
Learn the inside stories about Vancouver’s exploration of the coast, including the discovery and protection of a Shaman’s burial cave; his friendship with England’s enemy, the Spanish, and a really important story about why Hawaii is not English. Vancouver’s extended survey of the northwest coast was an astonishing achievement. His voyage proved to be the longest continuous journey of discovery under sail, in history, both in time and in distance covered. Neither Cook nor Columbus, nor any other explorer, has proven to equal this accomplishment. And yet, his life ended at 40, in poverty and with no recognition. Why?
This presentation has full screen colourful paintings of our coast – showing places Captain Vancouver charted and named and 25 of John’s over 50 paintings about Captain Vancouver’s exploration of the coast, from California to Alaska. John travelled to Alaska in 2011, for the 4th time, to research more stories about this voyage.
In 2012 John presented this talk 11 times to yacht clubs, a newcomers group, power squadrons, school groups and a Rotary Club. After the last talk John just happened to be walking behind the 2 organizers and overheard “Wow, how are we going to follow that talk?”