Interesting story about Black Ball, B.C. Ferries and Snake Island

[TH2008]

This one I remember. But for new people to Nanaimo, it might be a bit of a shock or surprise.

http://www.evergreenfleet.com/chinoo...II-AGROUND.jpg

"Two things that don't mix: fog and lack of radar. Black Ball had leased the radar unit for the vessel, and when B.C. Ferries refused to pay, the company removed the unit. Traveling in thick fog without the radar her captain mistook how close to land she was and ran the vessel up on Snake Island. A few cars were slightly damaged, but no one was hurt. The Chinook was later floated off with minor damage at the next high tide. B.C. Ferries Archives."

Source: http://www.evergreenfleet.com/chinookone.html

Google may have more information on this.

[islandgal]

Oh my gosh...when was that?

Carol

[TH2008]

Oh my gosh...when was that?

Carol

I think it was 1962. But I am not sure. I'll google it later and see if I can find the date it happened.

Also, I remember going into the Nanaimo Ship Yards office in Nanaimo, and they had that picture on their office wall. I am not sure why they did. I suppose it made for an interesting conversation piece.

TH

[Smokey©]

Oh my gosh...when was that?

Carol

On April 5, 1962, the Chinook II (it was originally the Chinook but had the II added when it was reregistered as a Canadian vessel to avoid confusion iwth another ship named Chinook) ran aground on Snake Island at 9:38 am as she approached Departure Bay. Snake Island is the small, low island with no vegetation that can be seen about 5 km east of Departure Bay. As the tide receeded, the ferry was left almost completely out of the water, stranded on the rocks. The passengers were evacuated via nearby vessels and the ship was refloated during the next high tide.

The only significant damage was a small hole in the hull, where the ferry had hit the rocks. The accident happened because the Chinook II was being operated in fog without radar. The radar had been repossessed by its owners after B.C. Ferries had refused to pay for it (Black Ball had leased the radar system, but then sold the vessel to B.C. Ferries).

[TH2008]

On April 5, 1962, the Chinook II (it was originally the Chinook but had the II added when it was reregistered as a Canadian vessel to avoid confusion iwth another ship named Chinook) ran aground on Snake Island at 9:38 am as she approached Departure Bay. Snake Island is the small, low island with no vegetation that can be seen about 5 km east of Departure Bay. As the tide receeded, the ferry was left almost completely out of the water, stranded on the rocks. The passengers were evacuated via nearby vessels and the ship was refloated during the next high tide.

The only significant damage was a small hole in the hull, where the ferry had hit the rocks. The accident happened because the Chinook II was being operated in fog without radar. The radar had been repossessed by its owners after B.C. Ferries had refused to pay for it (Black Ball had leased the radar system, but then sold the vessel to B.C. Ferries).

"Badda bing, badda boom"

Nice archive, Smokey. And thanks for your research

It's great to have these articles researched and archived, so other can read about them.

--
TH

[islandgal]

TH & Smokey...you are both a very welcome addition to this forum. I enjoy all of your stories about Nanaimo and am still learning lots. I have lived here since 1991, but first set foot on the island in 1974 with the hopes to someday call it home.

Carol

[CeeVee QP]

Any recollections of the C.P.R. ferry running aground just below the Bastion, back in the fiftys I thunk??

[James Younger]

[IMG][/IMG]

[James Younger]

This is one of the heads that Brian makes. I think they would be cool out there. Lights in the eyes and a deep laughing sound on Halloween.

[sistercedar]

isn't snake island a bird sanctuary now?...we used to go out there often as teens...local church groups used to picnic there for some reason...odd when you think about it now...it's not exactly a hospitable place, we used to get dive bombed by the gulls...lol