SISKA's  August 2019 Newsletter. Upcoming events, reports and articles
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August 2019 SISKA Newsletter

Introduction

 
Dear <<First Name>>,

Thanks to those members who contributed photos and materials. After enjoying a SISKA event or paddle, please consider sending a short (100-150 words) summary article; for more information, contact one of us. If you would like to start a regular column, please let us know!

Alan Campbell (SISKA president) and Tony Playfair (editor)
PS: You can find SISKA on Facebook at this link.

PPS: SISKA has a Meetup site for "impromptu" and other paddles organized by club members. For more details, go to https://www.meetup.com/SISKA-Meetup/. To join this, you have to be a club member.

PPPS: You can find the SISKA newsletter archive here: http://goo.gl/VUkafR

Table of Contents

 

Upcoming SISKA Events

 
For more details, go to the SISKA website

Saturday, August 03rd, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Oak Bay Marina to Contingency Paddle
Sunday, August 18th, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Fleming Beach to Fisgard Lighthouse Paddle
Saturday, August 24th, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Moses Point to Russell Island Paddle
Sunday, September 15th, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Spirit Bay to Cabin Point Paddle
Saturday, September 21st, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Telegraph Cove to Margaret Bay Paddle
Saturday, October 05th, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Brentwood Bay Ferry Wharf to Mackenzie Bight Paddle
Saturday, October 19th, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Amherst to Tsehum Harbour Paddle
Sunday, October 20th, 2019 - 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Island View Beach to D'Arcy Island Paddle

What’s in a Name?

by Vic Turkington

THE GHOSTS of D'ARCY ISLAND

D'Arcy Island lies just south of Sidney Island and about 3nm east of Island View Beach. The island was named after Sub-Lt. D'Arcy (1831-1884), an officer aboard the HMS Herald; he was later promoted to Captain in 1869. A navigation beacon with a red flashing light (chart symbol Fl R) sits on the west shore.

As the island is close to the US border, it was readily exploited by bootlegger Roy Olmstead, who smuggled Canadian whisky during the prohibition era. He brought liquor from Victoria to D'Arcy Is., transferred it to smaller boats to evade the Coast Guard and transported it to the US.

D'Arcy Island was used as a leper colony from 1891-1924. Forty nine Chinese lepers were quarantined and left with meager resources. Existence was severe on this remote island and the colony was eventually abandoned and transferred to Bentinck Island in 1924. Thirteen lepers were buried on D'Arcy Is. and the ruins of various buildings can still be seen.

Today, the island makes an attractive kayak/camping destination. Beautiful shale beaches and arbutus trees cover the island. There are seven campsites, picnic tables, good landing beaches and the quiet reflective aura of a former leper colony and burial ground. The island is well worth visiting – but beware: the ghosts of D'Arcy Island are WATCHING, and LISTENING....and they are WAITING for you!

Tips from the trips


Weather Watch. Use a dive slate to keep the forecast front and centre on your deck.