info on Queen Charlotte crossings in 40s & 50s

[jen]

Hi,

I am doing research for a novel and was trying to find info on Hecate Strait crossings in the 1940s-1950's.  I've found that Union Steamship ran these to 1958/9?, and it seems they ran from Prince Rupert like today.  Did they dock in Skidegate as they still do?  If there's any info out there as to which vessels did these trips and their schedules it would be very helpful.


Northland Navigation took over in 1959 with the Northland Prince & Skeena Prince, it seems (from another post on WCFF) - does anyone have info on how this changeover affected locals?  Also, did the schedules change at all, if known?

Any links pertaining to this topic would be helpful too.

many thanks in advance!

[Low Light Mike]

The Port Clements museum site mentions that Grand Trunk Pacific steamers "Prince Albert" and "Prince John" serviced the Queen Charlotte Islands, from Prince Rupert.
link here
CN took over Grand Trunk Pacific after WW-1

I'm assuming that the QCI port for the ships was Masset.

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Here's some info from a display at Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum in Masset:





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[Low Light Mike]

And here's a link to a book excerpt that has a few mentions of service to the Queen Charlotte Islands
HERE

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Sorry, I do not have simple straight answers to your specific questions.

[Neil]

I believe that in the Union Steamships section of this forum, there is at least one timetable that shows the boat and schedule for the former Queen Charlottes... don't recall the year, though. I think there was even a stop at Rose Harbour, at the south end of Moresby Island.

There are also at least three books on Union Steamships which might have some pertinent information. Not aware of any books specifically on Northland.

[jen]

Thanks so much! I hadn't thought of Massett being the port, but that would make sense given the population there. I have found one of the Union Steamships books through the library, so hopefully that will have more info.

Thanks again for the info & links!

[WettCoast]

There are four books on Union Steamships history that I am aware of:

1 -        Union Steamships Remembered, 1920-1958 by Arthur M. Twigg
2 & 3 -   by Gerald Rushton:
            Whistle Up the Inlet
            Echoes of the Whistle
4 -        The Good Company by Tom Henry

You might try to obtain information from museums in Haida Gwaii, the Museum of Northern BC in Prince Rupert, Maritime Museum of BC, Vancouver Maritime Museum, BC Provincial Archives, etc.  Another suggestion is to make an enquiry on the Facebook group BC Nautical History.

[jen]

wow, thanks WettCoast. I just got the first two books from the library, not as much info as hoped for that time period, but still looking. Will try to find the others and check out the museums and Facebook group. thanks again!