A Discovery Passage Passage
(
A background to the annual crossing of Discovery
Passage between Campbell River and Quadra Island
and return. )
Thousands of years after early man crossed the
Bering Sea Land Bridge the Pacific Coast was the
route of the southward migration to inhabit North
America. What we now call Discovery Passage was
certainly part of that southward migration route.
First Nations traveled this route for thousands of years before Captains Cook and Vancouver sailed here. Long before the first settlement by Europeans on Vancouver Island people crossed from Quadra to the big island to fish the abundant waters of what we now call the Campbell River. The Discovery Passage is part of an ancient historical trade and exploration route . It wasn’t till 1960 that the vessel “ Quadra Queen” began ferry service.
First Nations traveled this route for thousands of years before Captains Cook and Vancouver sailed here. Long before the first settlement by Europeans on Vancouver Island people crossed from Quadra to the big island to fish the abundant waters of what we now call the Campbell River. The Discovery Passage is part of an ancient historical trade and exploration route . It wasn’t till 1960 that the vessel “ Quadra Queen” began ferry service.
Crossing these waters has always involved an
element of danger.. Yet without benefit of tide
table or clock or today’s ferry thousands have made
this crossing in small boats. The cold, swift tidal
waters of Discovery Passage are as challenging
today as they were a millennium ago, yet people
continue to cross with safety by observing and
respecting the nature of her tides and currents.
In the early days of European Settlement, there were more people living on Quadra Island than in Campbell River. Before there was a ferry, it was common practice for Campbell Riverites to row across to Quadra Island. They went to buy groceries and collect mail from the Post Office in Quathiaski Cove. Ever since there has been a ferry its very rare to see anyone to attempt the crossing in a human powered craft.
So, this event is partly a reenactment of those early days. It can be done but must be done respecting mother nature.
This is fundamentally a participants event, rather than a spectator’s event. This event is not a fund raiser, it’s a fun raiser. It’s a fine example of different communities pulling together to provide safe passage for each other. In 2007 the event was a GREAT SUCCESS.
The second annual Discovery Passage is scheduled for August 24th JOIN US !
In the early days of European Settlement, there were more people living on Quadra Island than in Campbell River. Before there was a ferry, it was common practice for Campbell Riverites to row across to Quadra Island. They went to buy groceries and collect mail from the Post Office in Quathiaski Cove. Ever since there has been a ferry its very rare to see anyone to attempt the crossing in a human powered craft.
So, this event is partly a reenactment of those early days. It can be done but must be done respecting mother nature.
This is fundamentally a participants event, rather than a spectator’s event. This event is not a fund raiser, it’s a fun raiser. It’s a fine example of different communities pulling together to provide safe passage for each other. In 2007 the event was a GREAT SUCCESS.
The second annual Discovery Passage is scheduled for August 24th JOIN US !