- Mayne Island
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Mayne Island — Island — Village Bay, Mayne Island's ferry dock
The Southern Gulf Islands, including Mayne.
Country Canada Province British Columbia Regional District Government - MP Elizabeth May (Green Party of Canada) - MLA Murray Coell(BC Liberal Party) Area - Total 21 km2 (8.1 sq mi) Population - Total 900 Time zone PST (UTC−8) - Summer (DST) PDT (UTC−7) 
Miner's Bay Dock
Mayne Island is a rustic 21-km² island in the southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated midway between the Lower Mainland of BC and Vancouver Island, and has a population of around eleven hundred.
Contents
History
Originally, Mayne Island was inhabited by members of the Tsartlip First Nation, prior to European colonization. Several middens are present on the island, along with period articles — most notably including a 2 tonne stone bowl which was stolen in 1982 and again, in 2007.[1]
In 1794 Captain George Vancouver camped on Georgina Point where his crew left a coin and a knife found over a century later by early settlers.
In 1857 Captain George Richards of the Royal Navy surveyed the area as captain of the Royal Navy vessel HMS Plumper , naming the island after his Lieutenant Richard Charles Mayne, son of the first commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police. His journals concerning his explorations of British Columbia are important sources for early British Columbia history, as are those of his colleague in many of those explorations, Royal Engineer Lieutenant Henry Spencer Palmer.
During the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush of 1858-1860 and after, Vancouver Island miners gathered on Mayne Island before rowing across Georgia Strait to the mainland of BC in search of their fortunes. The earliest homesteaders registered land claims in the Miners Bay area in 1859.
During the late 19th century Mayne Island was both the commercial and social centre of the Gulf Islands. The port at Miners Bay was always busy due to the steady stream of marine traffic travelling through Active Pass, the narrow, curving strait separating Mayne from Galiano Island to the north, which is the main ferry route between the Mainland and Vancouver Island today. The historic village at Miners Bay remains the commercial centre of the island, with the annual Fall Fair still being held at the old Agricultural Hall like so many years before. Nearby Active Pass still throbs with a steady stream of marine traffic, a bustling contrast to the island's quiet interior byways. Village Bay, with its BC Ferries terminal, has several late 19th century to 1930s buildings. Active Pass is named after the American survey ship USS Active, the first steam vessel to navigate the pass.
BC Ferries operates a vehicle and passenger scheduled ferry service from Tsawwassen (Vancouver) on the mainland and Swartz Bay (Victoria) on Vancouver Island. SeaAir Seaplanes operates a scheduled float plane service calling at Mayne Island from Vancouver downtown and the airport.
The Mayne Island community holds a Farmer's Market every Saturday morning throughout the summer months. Islanders sell their local produce, handicrafts, and art work.
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Village Bay from Mt. Sutil
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Font, St. Mary Magdalen
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St. Mary Magdalen, Anglican Church
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Cedar canoe-bailer belonging to Felix Jack
Climate
Climate data for Mayne Island Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 14
(57)17
(63)19
(66)24.5
(76.1)30
(86)30.5
(86.9)32
(90)30
(86)29.5
(85.1)24
(75)16.5
(61.7)13.5
(56.3)32
(90)Average high °C (°F) 7.3
(45.1)8.5
(47.3)10.8
(51.4)13.9
(57.0)17.3
(63.1)20
(68)22.5
(72.5)22.6
(72.7)19.8
(67.6)14.2
(57.6)9.5
(49.1)6.8
(44.2)14.4 Average low °C (°F) 1.8
(35.2)1.9
(35.4)3.2
(37.8)4.9
(40.8)7.2
(45.0)9.4
(48.9)11
(52)11.1
(52.0)9
(48)6.5
(43.7)3.7
(38.7)1.8
(35.2)6 Record low °C (°F) −10
(14)−12
(10)−5
(23)−1.5
(29.3)0
(32)3.5
(38.3)4.5
(40.1)5
(41)2
(36)−4
(25)−14
(7)−11
(12)−14
(7)Precipitation mm (inches) 120.9
(4.76)90.4
(3.559)72.7
(2.862)46.9
(1.846)40.7
(1.602)35.2
(1.386)22.1
(0.87)28.1
(1.106)32.6
(1.283)76.1
(2.996)132.7
(5.224)130.4
(5.134)828.8
(32.63)Source: Environment Canada[2] Parks and Beaches
- Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers opportunities for boating, kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing and picnicking [3].There is an easy 1.5km loop trail at Bennett Bay that leads to Campbell Point. Campbell Point features remnant old-growth forest and views of Georgeson Island. Bennett Bay has a sandy beach which is suitable for sunbathing and swimming [4]. Georgina Point is the location of a historic lighthouse. Built in 1885, the Georgina Point lighthouse marks the entrance to Active Pass. Orca whales, harbour seals and seabirds can all be seen at Georgina Point [5].
References
- ^ Lavoie, Judith (2007-08-17). "Island contemplates mystery of missing bowl". Vancouver Sun. http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=78e25197-7570-427d-a92a-9c9581bce41f. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 25 March 2010
- ^ http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/gulf
- ^ http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/gulf/visit/brochures.aspx
- ^ http://www.mayneislandchamber.ca/attractions.htm
External links
- Mayne Island Community Portal - News, Real Estate, Information, Email
- Mayne Island website
- Mayne Island Community Chamber of Commerce website
- "Mayne Island". BC Geographical Names. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/7473.html.
The Gulf Islands of British Columbia Howe Sound Islands Northern Gulf Islands (major) Northern Gulf Islands (minor) Southern Gulf Islands (major) Gabriola • Galiano • Kuper • Mayne • North and South Pender • Saltspring • Saturna • Thetis • ValdesSouthern Gulf Islands (minor) Belle Chain Islets • Chain Islets • Chatham Islands • D'Arcy • Dayman • De Courcy • Discovery • James • Moresby • Mudge • Newcastle • North Secretary • Parker • Piers • Portland • Prevost • Protection • Ruxton • Sidney • Skull • Trial Islands • WallaceCoordinates: 48°50′42″N 123°16′51″W / 48.845°N 123.28083°W
Categories:- Populated places in the Capital Regional District
- Gulf Islands
- Unincorporated settlements in British Columbia
- Designated places in British Columbia
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