#141 Mar 2017 Victoria History

For Ralph and I traveling is about learning and understanding the area we are exploring. What better place to start than museums.

CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum is a treasure trove of information and exhibits about the British and Canadian Navy and Canadian Army.

Esquimalt harbour is one of the finest natural harbours on the west coast of the Americas. It has a well-protected natural entrance opening into a larger basin with deep water extending to the shoreline.

In 1865 the British Empire established the Royal Navy’s Pacific Fleet Headquarters in Esquimalt near Victoria.

There was a great need for a dry dock in order to make the naval base fully functional.

As a condition of British Columbia joining Canada, several layers of government agreed to fund a dry dock.

In 1910 the British Navy withdrew from Esquimalt in order to deal with the emerging naval arms race with Germany. At that time the Royal Canadian Navy was formed in order to protect Canada and support the Royal Navy if required.

In 1939 King George VI presented the King’s Colour to the Royal Canadian Navy. A Colour is a ceremonial flag that is considered a symbol of the sovereign, and is treated with the same respect.

For every day of the week the Navy has ceremonial toasts.

Some of the toasts have been updated.

The museum also has an exhibit about the Canadian Women’s Army Corp. The recruiting posters certainly made signing up sound like fun.

 I scanned the displays very carefully as my mother trained as a dental assistant in the CWAC.

The Esquimalt Naval Base is an integral part of greater Victoria employing over 6,000 military personnel and civilians.

We took a Walking Tour of Quirky Victoria during which we learned about many colourful characters who were part of Victoria’s history.

 

 

As part of the tour we were introduced to the story of John Tunstall who worked at his father’s general store in Victoria. In the 1870’s John moved to New Mexico where he bought a ranch and set up a mercantile store. It was, however, in direct competition to another store operated by the  Murphy-Dolan gang.

When the gang murdered John his death was avenged by a friend and employee, William Bonney. William Bonney was better known as "Billy The Kid".

Peter and Lorraine directed us to a quirky part of Victoria they had discovered.

 And I finally found some flowering trees.

The Wee Book Exchange is an invitation to neighbours and passersby to stop and perhaps take a book they might not have considered otherwise.