During the second world war, the defence of the west coast fell to commandeered fishing and commercial boats, newly-constructed army vessels, and crews coming from as far away as the prairies.
On Sept. 24, historian and author Catherine Gilbert will be discussing the wartime history of the west coast, including a discussion of the second world war fort on Yorke Island, which was the focus of her first book called Yorke Island and the Uncertain War. The illustrated talk is called 鈥淚t鈥檚 a Maritime War 鈥� the boats and men that protected B.C.鈥檚 coast during World War II鈥� and will be held at the Courtenay and District Museum on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.
"During World War II, the Canadian army, navy and air force each constructed their own boats and ships to be employed in the service of the war. Many of these vessels, as well as fishermen鈥檚 boats and other commercial vessels commandeered for the war effort, patrolled the west coast," a release from the event says.
Some crew members would be seasoned sailors, but others came from landlocked areas like the prairies and had never been on a boat in their lives.
"Survival meant they had to learn quickly," the release says. "Many images used in this pictorial presentation come from private collections of veterans and families of veterans, and so too, do the stories that go with them."
The crews of these vessels would be tasked with duties like mine sweeping, watching for enemy submarines, laying cable, bringing supplies to coastal defence sites, towing targets, and transporting military personal. Some of the vessels would eventually go overseas.
"It could be dangerous work!" the release says.
Gilbert is an award-winning author and historian. She will be giving a powerpoint presentation on the war at sea, and the discussion will include the history of Yorke Island. Yorke Island is located just north of Sayward, near Hardwicke Island.
Admission to the evening is $5 per Historical Society member; $6 non-members. Advance tickets are recommended. For more information, or to purchase tickets over the phone call 250-334-0686 ext. 2.
The Courtenay and District Museum is located at 207 Fourth Street in downtown Courtenay.
