People of the Southwest Coast of Vancouver Island is R. Bruce Scott's third wonderful book on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island. His first book was "Breakers Ahead!", which focussed on the incredible number of shipwrecks along the coast of Vancouver Island. His incredible knowledge of the area allowed him a deeper understanding of the tragic events along the coast. "Breakers Ahead!" is arguably the best book on West Coast Trail shipwrecks.
Prologue- Chapter 1: The West Coast Trail
- Chapter 2: When to Hike & Fees
- Chapter 3: Trailheads
- Chapter 4: Getting There
- Chapter 5: Considerations
- Chapter 6: Campsites
- Chapter 7: Shipwrecks
- Chapter 8: Routes
- Chapter 9: Sights & Highlights
While "Breakers Ahead!" was written to motivate the creation of the park that would encompass the West Coast Trail, R. Bruce Scott's second book, Barkley Sound A History of the Pacific Rim National Park Area laid out a wider history of the area. This amazing book published in 1972 has a chapter on Pacific Rim National Park, a few chapters on some of the first European explorers. He then has chapters covering some of the trading posts and early settlements along the islands West Coast. He has an interesting chapter on the Cape Beale Lighthouse, the Carmanah Point Lighthouse and the Pachena Point Lighthouse. Another chapter is devoted to the history of the West Coast Telegraph line. The extraordinary story of the Valencia shipwreck he tells beautifully in Chapter 13. Chapter 16 is all about the West Coast Lifesaving Trail. He also has several chapters on the history of Bamfield where he resided for much of his life. Scott's third book of the trilogy is People of the Southwest Coast of Vancouver Island. Published in 1974 this amazing book delves into the lives of many noteworthy people along the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Daykin of Carmanah is an amazing chapter on the history of Phil Daykin, the lighthouse keeper that we hear about often when reading about West Coast Trail shipwrecks.
People of the Southwest Coast of Vancouver Island
Phil Daykin was the lightkeeper of the Carmanah Point Lighthouse from 1891 to 1912. He kept a meticulous lighthouse diary in which he recorded every ship sighted from his commanding view from the lighthouse tower. Daykin's son, also named Phil Daykin and David Logan of Clo-oose responded to numerous shipwrecks along this particularly brutal and notorious stretch of the Graveyard of the Pacific. They both arrived at the cliff overlooking the horrific scene of the Valencia shipwreck, just moments before its 36 hour ordeal of being pounded by waves finally smashed her and remaining survivors into the sea.
Phil Daykin of Carmanah Point Lighthouse
In R. Bruce Scott’s excellent book, People of the Southwest Coast of Vancouver Island, he writes about his interesting life during the years he manned the Carmanah Point Lighthouse. Scott also recalls the tragic deaths of two of Daykin’s sons. One of his sons, at just 17, was taking the trolley that ran from the lighthouse down to the shore. This steep, cable trolley was powered by a gas powered winch. One day as his son was riding the trolley down and a cable broke, throwing the boy off and he died instantly falling onto the rocks far below. He lost another son years later when his son and a friend went on a hunting trip up Nitinat Lake. When they did not return a search party went to find them and discovered their boat floating in the lake. Their guns, gear, bedrolls and all their belongings were on the boat, yet no sign of them or where they could have gone. It was thought unlikely that they could have drowned as they were both excellent swimmers and the disappearance remains a mystery to this day. The Daykin's had a confrontational relationship with the local First Nations people and one plausible theory is that they were murdered and their bodies hidden.
Phil Daykin Retires to Victoria
He continued as lighthouse keeper at Carmanah Point Lighthouse until he was unable to physically keep up with all the rigorous tasks. He was replaced in 1912 and transferred to the Macaulay Point Lighthouse at the entrance of Victoria Harbour. This posting was much easier for him to cope with, with his failing health. He would eventually die of the flu, which he often suffered very badly from and was blamed on one winter night climbing the exposed stairs up to the top of the lighthouse.
The Surprising History of Clo-oose
Chapter 8 is an amazing history of Clo-oose. This town was thought to become a popular tourist town and various circumstances resulted in it not taking hold and after a few busy decades it was abandoned. You will walk through Clo-oose when hiking the West Coast Trail and see that is is now comprised of just a few First Nations houses. Yet another amazing chapter is entitled, David Logan of Clo-oose. Most of the major shipwrecks along the West Coast Trail involved him to some degree. Logan and the Daykin's facilitated the rescue of countless shipwreck survivors. An amazing book, and without it many of these interesting characters would be largely forgotten from history. People of the Southwest Coast of Vancouver Island can be found online at a few places including Amazon.
More Books About West Coast Trail Shipwrecks
West Coast Trail Shipwreck Books
West Coast Trail A to Z
The West Coast Trail by Day
Explore BC Hiking Destinations!
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Clayoquot Hiking Trails
Whistler Hiking Trails
Squamish Hiking Trails
Vancouver Hiking Trails