Denman Island

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Denman Island (Sla-dai-aich [k'omoks First Nation name meaning "inner island".
Denman Island from Comox.jpg
Denman Island looking south from Comox
Canada British Columbia location map 2.svg
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Location in British Columbia
27 Comox Valley Regional District British Columbia.svg
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Geography
Location Strait of Georgia
Coordinates 49°33′N124°48′W / 49.550°N 124.800°W / 49.550; -124.800
Archipelago Gulf Islands
Area51.03 km2 (19.70 sq mi)
Administration
Province British Columbia
Regional district Comox Valley
Islands Trust Local Trust Cttee.
Demographics
Population1,391 (2021)
Leaving Denman Island on the Ferry Quinitsa which was replaced by the Baynes Sound Connector in 2016 Leaving Denman Island.jpg
Leaving Denman Island on the Ferry Quinitsa which was replaced by the Baynes Sound Connector in 2016

Denman Island, (also known by Sla-dai-aich or Taystayic, in the Comox language), is one of the Northern Gulf Islands and part of the Comox Valley Regional District of British Columbia, Canada. It is a member of the Islands Trust group of islands and is home to a small community of 1391 year-round residents. [1]

Contents

History

Denman Island was first inhabited by Indigenous peoples including the Pentlatch and Sliammon as evidenced by middens, gravesites, and oral history. The site most recently occupied by Pentlatch people named the island PUNCHLATT. In 1862 smallpox epidemic severely reduced its population and the survivors moved to join the K'ómoks people in nearby Comox. [2]

The Island was seen and mapped by Europeans during the 1791 voyage of the Spanish ship Santa Saturnina , under Juan Carrasco and José María Narváez. [3] It was named by Captain Richards in 1860 for Rear Admiral Joseph Denman who was commander of the Pacific station from 1864 to 1866. [4] [5]

The earliest colonial settlers of Denman Island arrived during the 1870s. Some were attracted by the establishment of the Baynes Sound Coal Mine on the Tsable River, across Baynes Sound from Denman Island. Mine construction started in 1873 and coal was shipped in 1876. Several large families migrated to Denman Island from Eastern Canada in1876 including the McFarlane, Piercy and Graham families. [6] After being briefly in production the Baynes Sound mine closed in 1877 and mine surveyor David Pickles moved to Denman Island, preempting a large wetland in the middle of the island. [7]

Denman Island life

Regular ferry service links Denman Island to both Hornby Island from Gravelly Bay on the east side of Denman and across Baynes Sound via the MV Baynes Sound Connector cable ferry to Buckley Bay on Vancouver Island on the west side. The Village of Denman consists of one general store and Post Office, two community halls and a museum, the Dora Drinkwater Volunteer Library, a community school, an Anglican church and the Arts Centre. There is also a hardware store, craft store and Abraxas Book Gifts, a book and gift store and coffee shop. [8] Around the corner on Piercy Road is the Denman Island Health Centre. [9]

A number of potters, weavers and painters have made Denman Island their home for decades. [10] The island has a land area of 51.03 square kilometres (19.70 sq mi).

The author Emily St. John Mandel spent most of her childhood on Denman Island, [11] and modeled much of the fictional Delano Island in her novel Station Eleven after it. [12]

Vegetation and soils

The western part of Denman Island is covered by a dense forest dominated by Douglas fir, western hemlock, and western red cedar on deep loamy glacial till or marine deposits mapped as Royston gravelly loam or Tolmie-Merville complex. Some areas have shallow soils over sedimentary rock and are mapped as Haslam shaly loam or Rough Stony-Haslam complex. The eastern part has a loamy sand (Kye-Qualicum complex or Bowser series) on which arbutus is frequently present near the shore. Poorly drained depressions are mapped as Tolmie loam, Parksville sandy loam, or Arrowsmith peat. [13]

Denman Island Disease

An infectious disease among Pacific oysters was identified in 1960 off Denman Island. The disease causes visible yellow/green pustules on the body and adductor muscles of the oysters therefore reducing marketability of the oysters. It was found that the causative agent of these lesions are associated with microcells, which were later identified as Mikrocytos mackini. [14]

Provincial Parks located on Denman Island

Baynes Sound Connector arriving at Denman West Ferry Terminal Baynessoundconnector.jpg
Baynes Sound Connector arriving at Denman West Ferry Terminal

Local media

Denman Island has a monthly news and artistic journal called the Flagstone, [15] a weekly news and advertising circular called the Grapevine, [16] and several active online groups on social media.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comox, British Columbia</span> Town in British Columbia, Canada

Comox is a town on the southern coast of the Comox Peninsula in the Strait of Georgia on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Thousands of years ago, the warm dry summers, mild winters, fertile soil, and abundant sea life attracted First Nations, who called the area kw'umuxws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kʼómoks</span> Ethnic group

The Kʼómoks or Kʼomoks, usually known in English as the Comox, are an indigenous group of Coast Salishan-speaking people in Comox, British Columbia and in Toba Inlet and the Malaspina Peninsula areas of the British Columbia mainland across Georgia Strait. They historically spoke the Komox language (Comox-Sliammon), and were divided in two main dialect and tribal groupings, which are known by academics as Island Comox and Mainland Comox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strait of Georgia</span> Waterway between Vancouver Island and mainland North America

The Strait of Georgia or the Georgia Strait is an arm of the Salish Sea between Vancouver Island and the extreme southwestern mainland coast of British Columbia, Canada, and the extreme northwestern mainland coast of Washington, United States. It is approximately 240 kilometres (150 mi) long and varies in width from 20 to 58 kilometres. Along with the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound, it is a constituent part of the Salish Sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Courtenay, British Columbia</span> City in British Columbia, Canada

Courtenay is a city of about 26,000 on the east coast of Vancouver Island, in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is the largest community and only city in the area commonly known as the Comox Valley, and the seat of the Comox Valley Regional District, which replaced the Comox-Strathcona Regional District. Courtenay is 4 km (2.5 mi) west of the town of Comox, 7 km (4.3 mi) northeast of the village of Cumberland, 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of the unincorporated settlement of Royston, and 108 km (67 mi) northwest of Nanaimo. Along with Nanaimo and Victoria, it is home to The Canadian Scottish Regiment, a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quadra Island</span> Island in British Columbia, Canada

Quadra Island is a large island off the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the Discovery Islands, in the Strathcona Regional District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comox Valley</span> Region of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

The Comox Valley is a region on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, that includes the city of Courtenay, the town of Comox, the village of Cumberland, and the unincorporated settlements of Royston, Union Bay, Fanny Bay, Black Creek, and Merville. The communities of Denman Island and Hornby Island are also considered part of the Comox Valley. The Comox Valley contains the 47th largest metropolitan area in Canada with a population of about 76,000 as of 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hornby Island</span> Island and human settlement in British Columbia, Canada

Hornby Island of British Columbia, Canada, is one of the two northernmost Gulf Islands, the other being Denman Island. It is located near Vancouver Island's Comox Valley,

Union Bay is an unincorporated community located south of Hart Creek on the east coast of central Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This Comox Valley community on BC Highway 19A is by road about 93 kilometres (58 mi) north of Nanaimo, and 14 kilometres (9 mi) south of Courtenay.

Baynes Sound is the channel between Denman Island and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The sound is a narrow western offshoot of the Strait of Georgia that separates Vancouver Island from the mainland of British Columbia. The area is actively harvested by the local oyster industry, as is apparent by an abundance of oyster farms. It produces 39% of the oysters and 55% of the manila clams farmed in British Columbia. The sound is 40 km (25 mi) long and is 3.5 km (2.2 mi) wide at its widest point, although the average width is less than 2 km (1.2 mi). The southern boundary lies around Chrome Island, a small island off Boyle Point, the southern tip of Denman. The northern boundary is less defined, but lies between Tree Island at the northern end of Denman and the Comox harbour. The sound is dotted with the small communities of Royston, Union Bay, Buckley Bay, Mud Bay, Fanny Bay, and Deep Bay on Vancouver Island. The crossing is served by the British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. ship MV Baynes Sound Connector, between Buckley Bay and Denman Island. Baynes Sound is named after British Rear Admiral Robert L. Baynes, who commanded the Pacific Squadron from 1857 to 1860. Baynes Sound is the home of Vancouver Island University Center for Shellfish Research's Deep Bay Marine Field Station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pentlatch language</span> Salishan language

The Pentlatch, Pentl’ach, Puntlatch, Puntlatsh or Puntledge language is a Salishan language that was spoken on Canada's Vancouver Island in a small area between Comox and Nanaimo, British Columbia. The Pentlatch people formerly numbered at least 3,000 with at least 90 settlements in the area. The language became extinct in the 1940s after the death of the last fluent speaker in 1940, but researchers from Qualicum First Nation declared it to be a living language in December 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miracle Beach Provincial Park</span> Provincial park on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada

Miracle Beach Provincial Park is a provincial park on the eastern shore of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Located between Comox and Campbell River, the park includes a foreshore area in the Strait of Georgia, much of the Black Creek estuary, and a forested area. According to its Master Plan, it fulfills primarily a recreational role with a focus on beach play, picnicking, nature appreciation, and camping, and a secondary conservation role with a focus on the natural shoreline and estuary. In support of its recreational focus the park is developed with a day-use parking area with accessible trails leading to the shoreline and a camping area with 200 drive-in sites. The park is also hosts a nature centre building and a sheltered group picnic shelter. Vegetation in the park is typical for the region's second-growth forests with Douglas-fir most prominent. Common associates include Western hemlock, Sitka spruce, red alder and bigleaf maple. Salal and sword fern are the most abundant shrub. Black Creek, which flows through the park, is a spawning area for coho salmon.

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MV <i>Baynes Sound Connector</i> Cable Ferry Connecting Vancouver Island and Denman Island

The Baynes Sound Connector is a car ferry owned and operated by B.C. Ferries that runs between Buckley Bay on Vancouver Island and Denman Island. It is the first and only cable ferry in the BC Ferries fleet and replaced the self-propelled MV Quinitsa in February 2016.

Beddis soil series is a coarse, well to rapidly drained soil which occurs on eastern Vancouver Island and the adjacent Gulf Islands. Its parent material is eolian, fluvial or marine sand. The soil texture is usually loamy sand or sandy loam, but pure sand horizons may also be encountered. The usual soil classification is Orthic Dystric Brunisol. A Gleyed Humo-Ferric Podzol example is also known, although that profile does not have the eluvial horizon characteristic of classic Podzol development.

Baynes soil series is an imperfectly drained soil which occurs on eastern Vancouver Island and the adjacent Gulf Islands. Its parent material is eolian, fluvial or marine sand. The soil texture is usually loamy sand or sandy loam, but pure sand horizons may also be encountered. It is classified as Gleyed Dystric Brunisol or Gleyed Humo-Ferric Podzol.

References

  1. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (February 9, 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  2. Millen, John (2004). Brazier, Graham; Doe, Nick (eds.). "The Pentlatch People of Denman Island". Islands of British Columbia 2004 Conference Proceedings. Denman Island BC: 162–180. ISBN   0-9738949-0-3.
  3. McDowell, Jim (2015). Uncharted Waters, The Explorations of Jose Narvaez (1768 - 1840). Vancouver, BC, Canada: Ronsdale Press. pp. 146–148. ISBN   978-1-55380-434-5.
  4. "Denman Island". BC Geographical Names .
  5. Richards, Captain G.H. (2012). Dorricott, Linda; Cullon, Deidre (eds.). The Private Journal of Captain G.H. Richards, The Vancouver Island Survey (1860-1862). Vancouver BC Canada: Ronsdale Press. p. 33. ISBN   978-1-55380-127-6.
  6. Mackie, Richard Somerset (1995). The Wilderness Profound, Victorian life on the Gulf of Georgia. Victoria BC Canada: Sono Nis Press. pp. 189, 190. ISBN   1-55039-058-9.
  7. Isenor, D.E.; McInnes, W.N.; Stephens, E.G.; Watson, D.E (1987). Land of Plenty A History of the Comox District. Campbell River, BC Canada: Ptarmigan Press. p. 115. ISBN   978-0-919537-45-3.
  8. "About Denman Island". Visit Denman Island. November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  9. "Denman Island Health Centre". islandhealth.ca/our-locations. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  10. "Denman Craft Shop". Visit Denman Island. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  11. Kirch, Claire (March 9, 2012). "Emily St. John Mandel: Once a Dancer, Now a Noir Phenom". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  12. "Emily St. John Mandel on iPhones after the apocalypse". CBC Radio. January 4, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  13. "Soil Survey of Southeast Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands, British Columbia". Canadian Soil Information Service. 1959. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  14. Elston, R; Friedman, C; Gustafson, L; Meyer, G; Rogers, R (May 21, 2015). "Denman Island disease in Washington State, USA: distribution and prevalence in Pacific and Olympia oysters". Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 114 (2): 147–154. doi: 10.3354/dao02862 . ISSN   0177-5103. PMID   25993889.
  15. "The Flagstone". Denman Job Board. October 22, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  16. "Home". The Islands Grapevine. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

Further reading