Captain E.G. Beaumont
Encyclopedia
In 1918 Captain Ernest Godfrey Beaumont (1876–1967, sometimes called the "King of the Island") bought 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) of Discovery Island, British Columbia
, Canada
. Captain Beaumont and his wife built a house near the centre of the island. He had a 40 feet (12.2 m) yacht named the Discovery Isle which he had had built in Hong Kong
in 1930, and which he would use to go to and from the island. Beaumont used to say "I know where all the rocks are. I bumped into all of them and once in a while I bump into them again to remind myself of their presence". The Discovery Isle met its end on December 5, 1950 when it struck a rock in Enterprise Channel. Beaumont had to abandon ship and barely managed to make it ashore.
Beaumont was always inviting Scouts
, cadets and all kinds of youth to the island and he always loved it. He claimed to have hosted 20,000 over his lifetime on the island. He keep fit into his 90’s and used to row around Discovery Island and the Chatham Islands, as well as to the Victoria Yacht Club.
In 1967, after spending 50 years on the island, Captain Beaumont died at the age of 91. In his will, he gave his part of the island to the Province of British Columbia to be used as a park. There are two plaques on the island, one from the Scouts and one from the Province of British Columbia, thanking him for his gift. The plaques are located on the west side of Rudlin Bay.
On July 27, 1972, the southern part of Discovery Island was established as the Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park
.
holds logbooks of the motor yacht Discovery Isle and other records (16 volumes) written by Captain Beaumont from 1926 to 1962, and a photograph of the yacht.
The provincial archives of British Columbia holds a diary of Beaumont and 29 photographs from 1939.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Captain Beaumont and his wife built a house near the centre of the island. He had a 40 feet (12.2 m) yacht named the Discovery Isle which he had had built in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
in 1930, and which he would use to go to and from the island. Beaumont used to say "I know where all the rocks are. I bumped into all of them and once in a while I bump into them again to remind myself of their presence". The Discovery Isle met its end on December 5, 1950 when it struck a rock in Enterprise Channel. Beaumont had to abandon ship and barely managed to make it ashore.
Beaumont was always inviting Scouts
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
, cadets and all kinds of youth to the island and he always loved it. He claimed to have hosted 20,000 over his lifetime on the island. He keep fit into his 90’s and used to row around Discovery Island and the Chatham Islands, as well as to the Victoria Yacht Club.
In 1967, after spending 50 years on the island, Captain Beaumont died at the age of 91. In his will, he gave his part of the island to the Province of British Columbia to be used as a park. There are two plaques on the island, one from the Scouts and one from the Province of British Columbia, thanking him for his gift. The plaques are located on the west side of Rudlin Bay.
On July 27, 1972, the southern part of Discovery Island was established as the Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park
Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park
Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park is located about two nautical miles east of Oak Bay. It is about a mile long and one-half mile wide and looks out into the Juan de Fuca Strait...
.
Archived records
The Maritime Museum of British ColumbiaMaritime Museum of British Columbia
The Maritime Museum of BC reflects the Pacific maritime history and culture of Canada's west coast, with an exhibits and public program mandate for research, education, and partnership.-History:...
holds logbooks of the motor yacht Discovery Isle and other records (16 volumes) written by Captain Beaumont from 1926 to 1962, and a photograph of the yacht.
The provincial archives of British Columbia holds a diary of Beaumont and 29 photographs from 1939.
External links
See also
- Discovery Island (British Columbia)
- Discovery Island Marine Provincial ParkDiscovery Island Marine Provincial ParkDiscovery Island Marine Provincial Park is located about two nautical miles east of Oak Bay. It is about a mile long and one-half mile wide and looks out into the Juan de Fuca Strait...
- Discovery Island Lighthouse