Princess Louisa Inlet
Encyclopedia
Princess Louisa Inlet on the British Columbia Coast
is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) in length and lies at the north east end of Jervis Inlet
. It is entered through Malibu Rapids
off Queens Reach
past Malibu
, a former private resort and now youth camp. A portion of the area makes up Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park
. James Bruce Falls
and Chatterbox Falls
are on Loquilts Creek, a large stream that enters the head of the inlet.
, charting the BC Coast
in a search for the Northwest Passage
, explored Jervis Inlet
to its end and apparently found the entrance
to Princess Louisa Inlet but did not enter as the tide was ebbing through Malibu Rapids
at the time. In 1860 Captain George Richards
surveyed and mapped Jervis and Princess Louisa Inlets naming it and surrounding features. In the same year Commander Richard Charles Mayne
explored the valley at the head of the inlet hoping that it would lead to the interior of British Columbia
.
James F. "Mac" MacDonald purchased the core of the park, 45 acres (18.2 ha), in 1919 and donated it to the Princess Louisa International Society in 1953. It was acquired by BC Parks in 1964. Much of the remaining land surrounding the inlet has been acquired and added to the park in following years. Hamilton Island
, renamed MacDonald Island
, is now a part of the park as well.
In 1940 Herman Caspar, who was rumored to have homesteaded
at the entrance of the inlet, sold the land to Thomas F. Hamilton
for $500. Casper was actually a squatter and had no legal right to the land. Hamilton, an American aviation executive, did buy all the land surrounding Princess Louisa Inlet with the intent on developing it with a series of themed luxury resorts to cater to visiting yachtsmen and Hollywood celebrities. However, only one resort was built at the entrance of the inlet, the Malibu Club which was named after Hamilton's yacht the Malibu. In 1950, the resort was closed and abandoned due to a polio outbreak and quarantine. The property was later sold to Young Life
in 1953 and has successfully operated it as a non-denominational Christian
summer camp
for teenagers.
, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria
, whose husband was the Marquess of Lorne
, Governor General of Canada
. The vice regal couple traveled extensively in Canada. Princess Louise spent three months in Victoria, British Columbia
, in 1876 and was popular to the point that when the Governor General announced that the awaited completion of the transcontinental railway would pass through the Selkirk Range at the Kicking Horse Pass
into what has since become Vancouver
, rather than by the Yellowhead Pass
to Bute Inlet
and then to Victoria, Premier Robert Beaven
asked the Duke whether it would be possible for Vancouver Island
to become a separate kingdom with Princess Louise as Queen. The more accepted theory is that the inlet is named for Queen Victoria's mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
, who was born Mary Louise Victoria. The actual source of the name is uncertain. Adjacent Prince of Wales Reach
was named after Edward VII when he was the Prince of Wales
. Princess Royal Reach was named after Empress Frederick of Germany. Five mountains around Queens Reach are named after children of Queen Victoria: Mount Victoria
, Mount Albert
, Mount Alice
, Mount Arthur
and Mount Helena
.
landing on Highway 101 at Earls Cove, British Columbia
. The area is a popular destination for boaters and can also be accessed by float plane
from various locations around the Strait of Georgia
. Boaters should note that Malibu Rapids is a narrow entrance and at spring tide can have a current of 9 knots.
British Columbia Coast
The British Columbia Coast or BC Coast is Canada's western continental coastline on the Pacific Ocean. The usage is synonymous with the term West Coast of Canada....
is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) in length and lies at the north east end of Jervis Inlet
Jervis Inlet
Jervis Inlet is a principal inlet of the British Columbia Coast, about northwest of Vancouver.-Geography:It stretches from its head at the mouth of the short Skwakwa River to its opening into the Strait of Georgia near Texada Island...
. It is entered through Malibu Rapids
Malibu Rapids (British Columbia)
The Malibu Rapids forms the entrance to Princess Louisa Inlet and is also connected to the Jervis Inlet. The tidal flow of both inlets pass through this narrow and shallow passage that creates a fast moving and strong tidal rapids during the peak flows...
off Queens Reach
Queens Reach
Queens Reach is a the last arm of the Jervis Inlet and is located within the Coast Mountain Range of British Columbia Canada. This arm was named during the 1860 survey by the HMS Plumber who charted all the of the area and was named after named after Queen Victoria of England.- External links :**...
past Malibu
Malibu, British Columbia
Malibu is a locality in British Columbia's Sunshine Coast district. This place may also be referred to as Malibu Islet and Malibu Rapids. This was the site of the Malibu Club, formerly a private resort which is today a Christian youth camp.Malibu is at the mouth of the Princess Louisa Inlet and...
, a former private resort and now youth camp. A portion of the area makes up Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park
Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park
Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada surrounding Princess Louisa Inlet....
. James Bruce Falls
James Bruce Falls
James Bruce Falls is the highest measured waterfall in the continent of North America and ninth tallest in the world. Located in Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada, it stems from a small snowfield and cascades down to Princess Louisa Inlet...
and Chatterbox Falls
Chatterbox Falls
Chatterbox Falls is located at the head or end of Princess Louisa Inlet. It is part of the Loquilts river which empties into the inlet. The falls are a popular destination for boaters around the world and are part of the BC Parks marine park system which manages the area with the cooperation of...
are on Loquilts Creek, a large stream that enters the head of the inlet.
History
In June 1792 George VancouverGeorge Vancouver
Captain George Vancouver RN was an English officer of the British Royal Navy, best known for his 1791-95 expedition, which explored and charted North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions, including the coasts of contemporary Alaska, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon...
, charting the BC Coast
British Columbia Coast
The British Columbia Coast or BC Coast is Canada's western continental coastline on the Pacific Ocean. The usage is synonymous with the term West Coast of Canada....
in a search for the Northwest Passage
Northwest Passage
The Northwest Passage is a sea route through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America via waterways amidst the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans...
, explored Jervis Inlet
Jervis Inlet
Jervis Inlet is a principal inlet of the British Columbia Coast, about northwest of Vancouver.-Geography:It stretches from its head at the mouth of the short Skwakwa River to its opening into the Strait of Georgia near Texada Island...
to its end and apparently found the entrance
Malibu Rapids (British Columbia)
The Malibu Rapids forms the entrance to Princess Louisa Inlet and is also connected to the Jervis Inlet. The tidal flow of both inlets pass through this narrow and shallow passage that creates a fast moving and strong tidal rapids during the peak flows...
to Princess Louisa Inlet but did not enter as the tide was ebbing through Malibu Rapids
Malibu Rapids (British Columbia)
The Malibu Rapids forms the entrance to Princess Louisa Inlet and is also connected to the Jervis Inlet. The tidal flow of both inlets pass through this narrow and shallow passage that creates a fast moving and strong tidal rapids during the peak flows...
at the time. In 1860 Captain George Richards
George Henry Richards
Admiral Sir George Henry Richards was Hydrographer to the British Admiralty from 1864 to 1874.-Early life:Richards was born in Anthony, Cornwall, the son of Captain G S Richards, and joined the navy in 1832....
surveyed and mapped Jervis and Princess Louisa Inlets naming it and surrounding features. In the same year Commander Richard Charles Mayne
Richard Charles Mayne
Richard Charles Mayne RN CB FGS MP was a Royal Navy Captain, later Admiral and explorer.Richard Mayne was the son of Sir Richard Mayne KCB and the grandson of Judge Edward Mayne. Both his father and grandfather were graduates of Trinity College, Dublin,. Richard Mayne was educated at Eton...
explored the valley at the head of the inlet hoping that it would lead to the interior of British Columbia
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...
.
James F. "Mac" MacDonald purchased the core of the park, 45 acres (18.2 ha), in 1919 and donated it to the Princess Louisa International Society in 1953. It was acquired by BC Parks in 1964. Much of the remaining land surrounding the inlet has been acquired and added to the park in following years. Hamilton Island
MacDonald Island
MacDonald Island is part of Princess Louisa Inlet in British Columbia, between the entrance of the inlet at Malibu Rapids to the head of the inlet at Chatterbox Falls. It is a popular mooring place for it is one of the only shallow places of the deep fjord. The island was originally named after...
, renamed MacDonald Island
MacDonald Island
MacDonald Island is part of Princess Louisa Inlet in British Columbia, between the entrance of the inlet at Malibu Rapids to the head of the inlet at Chatterbox Falls. It is a popular mooring place for it is one of the only shallow places of the deep fjord. The island was originally named after...
, is now a part of the park as well.
In 1940 Herman Caspar, who was rumored to have homesteaded
Homesteading
Broadly defined, homesteading is a lifestyle of simple self-sufficiency.-Current practice:The term may apply to anyone who follows the back-to-the-land movement by adopting a sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle. While land is no longer freely available in most areas of the world, homesteading...
at the entrance of the inlet, sold the land to Thomas F. Hamilton
Thomas F. Hamilton
Thomas Foster Hamilton was a pioneering aviator and the founder of the Hamilton Standard Company.Since 1930, Hamilton Standard was involved with revolutionizing propulsion technology of propeller-driven aircraft, prior to World War II...
for $500. Casper was actually a squatter and had no legal right to the land. Hamilton, an American aviation executive, did buy all the land surrounding Princess Louisa Inlet with the intent on developing it with a series of themed luxury resorts to cater to visiting yachtsmen and Hollywood celebrities. However, only one resort was built at the entrance of the inlet, the Malibu Club which was named after Hamilton's yacht the Malibu. In 1950, the resort was closed and abandoned due to a polio outbreak and quarantine. The property was later sold to Young Life
Young Life
YoungLife is a worldwide, non-profit, Evangelical Christian organization. YoungLife consists of many branches of ministry , but most commonly the name "YoungLife" refers to the outreach arm of the organization directed toward high school students...
in 1953 and has successfully operated it as a non-denominational Christian
Non-denominational Christianity
In Christianity, nondenominational institutions or churches are those not formally aligned with an established denomination, or that remain otherwise officially autonomous. This, however, does not preclude an identifiable standard among such congregations...
summer camp
Summer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
for teenagers.
Naming of the inlet
The inlet may have been named for Princess LouisePrincess Louise, Duchess of Argyll
The Princess Louise was a member of the British Royal Family, the sixth child and fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and her husband, Albert, Prince Consort.Louise's early life was spent moving between the various royal residences in the...
, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
, whose husband was the Marquess of Lorne
John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll
John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll KG, KT, GCMG, GCVO, VD, PC , usually better known by the courtesy title Marquess of Lorne, by which he was known between 1847 and 1900, was a British nobleman and was the fourth Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883...
, Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
. The vice regal couple traveled extensively in Canada. Princess Louise spent three months in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
, in 1876 and was popular to the point that when the Governor General announced that the awaited completion of the transcontinental railway would pass through the Selkirk Range at the Kicking Horse Pass
Kicking Horse Pass
Kicking Horse Pass is a high mountain pass across the Continental Divide of the Americas of the Canadian Rockies on the Alberta/British Columbia border, and lying within Yoho and Banff National Parks...
into what has since become Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, rather than by the Yellowhead Pass
Yellowhead Pass
The Yellowhead Pass is a mountain pass across the Continental Divide of the Canadian Rockies. It is located on the border between the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and lies within Jasper National Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park....
to Bute Inlet
Bute Inlet
Bute Inlet is one of the principal inlets of the British Columbia Coast. It is 80 km long from its head at the mouths of the Homathko and Southgate Rivers to the continental headlands at its mouth, where it is nearly blocked by Stuart Island, and it averages about 4 km in width...
and then to Victoria, Premier Robert Beaven
Robert Beaven
Robert Beaven , son of James Beaven, was a British Columbia politician and businessman. Beaven moved to British Columbia from Toronto, where he had been educated at Upper Canada College, because of the gold rush. He entered business in Victoria, which was then the capital of the Colony of Vancouver...
asked the Duke whether it would be possible for Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
to become a separate kingdom with Princess Louise as Queen. The more accepted theory is that the inlet is named for Queen Victoria's mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld was the mother of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.-Early life:...
, who was born Mary Louise Victoria. The actual source of the name is uncertain. Adjacent Prince of Wales Reach
Reach (geography)
A reach in geography can mean several things. Most generally, a reach is any length of a stream between any two points. The points may be selected for any reason, such as gauging stations, river miles, natural features, and topography. They may be arbitrary or vague.A reach may also be an expanse,...
was named after Edward VII when he was the Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
. Princess Royal Reach was named after Empress Frederick of Germany. Five mountains around Queens Reach are named after children of Queen Victoria: Mount Victoria
Mount Victoria (British Columbia)
Mount Victoria is a mountain located above Queens Reach of Jervis Inlet within the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains of British Columbia Canada...
, Mount Albert
Mount Albert
-Settlements:* Mount Albert, New Zealand, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand* Mount Albert , based on Mount Albert* Mont Albert, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia-Mountains:...
, Mount Alice
Mount Alice (British Columbia)
Mount Alice is a mountain located at the Queens Reach arm of the Jervis Inlet within the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains in British Columbia Canada...
, Mount Arthur
Mount Arthur (British Columbia)
Mount Arthur is a mountain located at the Queen Reach arm of the Jervis Inlet within the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains in British Columbia Canada...
and Mount Helena
Mount Helena (British Columbia)
Mount Helena is a mountain located at the Queen Reach arm of the Jervis Inlet and behind Princess Louisa Inlet. Mount Helena is part of the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains in British Columbia Canada...
.
Access
The nearest road access to the inlet is about 50 kilometre away at the BC FerriesBC Ferries
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. or BC Ferries is a de facto Crown Corporation that provides all major passenger and vehicle ferry services for coastal and island communities in the Canadian province of British Columbia...
landing on Highway 101 at Earls Cove, British Columbia
Earls Cove, British Columbia
Earls Cove is a small settlement located on Jervis Inlet in the Sunshine Coast region of British Columbia. It is a terminal for the BC Ferries route across the inlet to Saltery Bay, linking the Lower Sunshine Coast with the Upper Sunshine Coast of B.C...
. The area is a popular destination for boaters and can also be accessed by float plane
Seaplane
A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...
from various locations around the Strait of Georgia
Strait of Georgia
The Strait of Georgia or the Georgia Strait is a strait between Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is approximately long and varies in width from...
. Boaters should note that Malibu Rapids is a narrow entrance and at spring tide can have a current of 9 knots.
See also
- Robert GennRobert GennRobert Douglas Genn is a well known Canadian artist, who has gained recognition for his style, which is in the tradition of Canadian landscape painting.-Life and work:...
(Canadian Landscape painter of Chatterbox Falls) - Thomas F. HamiltonThomas F. HamiltonThomas Foster Hamilton was a pioneering aviator and the founder of the Hamilton Standard Company.Since 1930, Hamilton Standard was involved with revolutionizing propulsion technology of propeller-driven aircraft, prior to World War II...
(the builder of Malibu)