Maritime Museum

4/27/2017

Since Vancouver is a coastal seaport city, and, thus, has strong ties with everything nautical, it is only fitting that it has a maritime museum. Situated within Vanier Park, at the edge of English Bay, this area was once known as Snaug by the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nation peoples. Dedicated to preserving the history of Vancouvians at sea, the Maritime Museum was opened in 1959. While it includes an impressive collection of model ships, maritime art, and NASA's undersea research vessel, the Ben Franklin, by far, the main attraction is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) exploration and supply patrol vessel, the St. Roch. Named after a 14th century saint of health and healing (Saint Rocco), this ship spent over twenty years patrolling the western artic and providing supplies to RCMP detachments throughout the area. Often, because of the remoteness of its routes, the St. Roch was the only representative of the Canadian government (dealing with law enforcement, treaties, etc.). This vessel was the first ship to sail the Northwest Passage in a single season, as well as the first one to traverse it in both directions. When, in 1950, the St. Roch was transferred from Vancouver, British Columbia to Halifax, Nova Scotia, it traveled by way of the Panama Canal, making it the the first ship to circumnavigate North America. This 104 foot long and 24 foot wide vessel was decommissioned in 1954 and returned to Vancouver to become a museum piece. It was declared a National Historic Site in 1962. We had goose-bumps walking aboard the St. Roch and learning her history.

Looking out into English Bay, the Maritime Museum presents a wonderful history of Vancouver's ties to the sea.

As you enter the museum, you pass by NASA's undersea research vessel, the Ben Franklin.

Part of the museum is dedicated to model ships, from early sailing vessels, stern wheelers...

...and more modern vessels. Some were created by prisoners with lots of time on their hands.

There is even a workshop where you can watch model makers create their masterpieces.

At least fifty per cent of the museum is devoted to the history of the RCMP patrol ship, the St. Roch.

Captained by Henry Larsen, a staff sergeant in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the St. Roch spent twenty years patrolling the western artic and creating history along the way.

During part of its travels, the St. Roch hired Joe Panipahoocho as an Inuit guide. Joe brought his family along for the trip and they camped in this tent on the deck.