Departure Bay Historical Stroll

On Saturday morning, October 8, the Nanaimo Historical Society hosted a walking tour of Departure Bay Beach.  Co-led by Dave Bodaly, Snuneymuxw Cultural Guide, who spoke of the long history of the Snuneymuxw village site, Stl’ilep, and  Ted Lord,  a NHS Director, the walk proceeded along the waterfront and touched on  some of the historical events that shaped Departure Bay;  the geological setting,  Saysutshun (Newcastle Island),  pre-emption of land in 1861, Hamilton Powder Company (where Cilaire is today), Pacific Biological Station, herring saltery, shipyard, BC Ferries Terminal, the buried sewer collector pipe and  the remains of the coal wharf loading berms.