While cruising close to Victoria, on one occasion we decided to anchor behind Discovery Island. Sailing our dingy “Goblin” was a delight in the protected haven and we landed at the old Coast Guard lighthouse station and found this view from the ruined boathouse.
“Exploring Discovery Island”
“Incoming Weather” Fraser River, British Columbia
Painting different climate or weather conditions can be very rewarding for an artist. The ever changing light and what that change does to colour ensures you do not get stuck in a rut. In this work I have explored what happens when an incoming storm begins to whip up the Fraser River and a shaft of sunlight lights up the autumn trees – a magic moment.
“Stern Chase” Liverpool Packet off Massachusetts
My wife, Mary, is from Liverpool and Halifax, Nova Scotia and has always wanted me to paint the famous Liverpool Packet. The Covid down time has given me the inspiration to paint this ship after doing much research. This is a difficult ship/ boat to paint as there are no plans or official paintings of her but we know she was a Baltimore Clipper schooner – so we worked from the clipper schooner lines even though the Liverpool was quite a bit smaller.
“For What We Are About to Receive”
In advance of the 2010 Canadian Naval Centennial I produced a collection of sketches requested by the Royal Canadian Navy as ideas that could be developed into final paintings. The intention was to illustrate, at least in part, the history of the RCN. Throughout the 100 year history the RCN has performed in many theatres in both war and peace and many fascinating stories spring to mind.
“Arrival off Gibraltar”
In advance of the 2010 Canadian Naval Centennial I produced a collection of sketches requested by the Royal Canadian Navy as ideas that could be developed into final paintings. The intention was to illustrate, at least in part, the history of the RCN. Throughout the 100 year history the RCN has performed in many theatres in both war and peace and many fascinating stories spring to mind.
One such story is that of the “Three Musketeers”. 3 naval officers from well known Vancouver families who served with distinction in command of Motor Gun Boats during WWII in the Mediterranean. I had the privilege of meeting all three before their passing, Doug Maitland, Corny Burke and Tom Ladner. All three were awarded the “Distinguished Service Cross” and bars along with numerous “Mentioned in Dispatches”.
Their daring exploits are the stuff that make the heart pound and fill one with gratitude for their devotion to duty.
In April 1943 having completed work ups and being declared fully operational it was decided to send a flotilla of 15 MGBs and MLs to the Mediterranean, to bolster boats already there, and help to foil German forces being supplied in North Africa.
After a very rough passage from the UK when they were under constant German air surveillance and attack, the weather finally cleared as they turned S.E. for Gibraltar.
While still 150 miles from Gibraltar the convoy sighted the Battleship “Duke of York” with three escorting destroyers steaming north looking very majestic and powerful. As they passed a light hearted signal was flashed to them. “Hope you get there.” But in everybody’s mind must have been…what action lies ahead… will we survive… will we be successful… will we help win the war?
“Arrival off Victoria”
Britannia Heritage Shipyard in Richmond, BC, on the Fraser River, was not always a shipyard and started out as a cannery. Following is some information about Britannia as a Cannery reprinted from page 118 of “Salmonopolis: The Steveston Story” by Susan and Duncan Stacey.
“For example, some Steveston canners saw an opportunity to reduce costs by having their salmon loaded directly onto sailing ships rather than trans-shipping them to Victoria. When the China tea clipper Titania, at that time owned by the Hudson’s Bay Company, had extra space available on an 1889 voyage that included stops at Victoria and Vancouver, the space was filled with cases of Fraser River salmon, loaded directly at the Britannia cannery wharf. The Titania’s September arrival in Steveston was the first time a Europe-bound vessel had docked there. Not only the canners benefitted; ship owners were pleased to have a fresh water port in which to rid their ships’ hulls of barnacles.”
This painting depicts the Titania arriving off Victoria. After her stop in Victoria she then proceeded to cross the Strait of Georgia and then sail up the Fraser River to Steveston.
“Meeting over the Banks”
(Grand Banks, off Newfoundland)
The Grand Banks are situated off Canada’s east coast and for centuries they proved to be one of the world’s richest fishing grounds. While European vessels had fished the banks before, it was in the 1800’s that Canada and the US developed a new breed of fishing schooner especially designed to exploit the riches of the banks. Fast, capable schooners would sail out from eastern ports to deploy their crews in small dories to fish with hand lines.
“Solitude” (Misty Fjords, Alaska)
For those who have cruised the Pacific north coast, nothing can be more soothing than anchoring alone midst the grandeur of mountains and forests as they meet the sea. Here in the “Misty Fjords” of Alaska you can almost hear the silence.
“Right of Passage” Fraser River, BC
Most years a commercial chum fishery takes place on the Fraser River. It can coincide with dense fog which makes for very dangerous moments. With nets set close to, or across the navigational channel, deep sea ships must sound warnings for fishermen to clear the channel.
“Laying Out the Beach Seine” (Granite Bay, BC)
There are several ways of deploying a salmon seine net, based on location of the fishery.
One method used is called a “beach seine”. Here they row the skiff to the beach towing the end of the net, which when landed is secured to a tree. The seine boat lays out the net and maintains heading into the current. After a period of time the seine boat circles back to the beach and the catch is hauled in.