January February 2011 NEWS FROM THE MARITIME MUSEUM OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Getting The Word Out “You’ve got great stuff here”, said a couple visiting from Portland, Oregon. “Trouble is we don’t have enough time left to see everything before we catch the ferry back. Wish we’d known about your museum earlier!” Getting the word out about Victoria’s best kept secret, the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, is an ongoing challenge. It looks like we’re about to tackle it in some new, innovative ways: bringing the museum to the people. At press time we are exploring partnerships with some key hospitality and transportation operators to establish “satellite” displays where you may least expect to see them: on the bulkhead of the MV Coho that runs between Port Angeles and Victoria; beside the registration desk in the main lobby of the grand old Fairmont Empress Hotel on the Inner Harbour; or, as you disembark from a cruise ship in the Port of Nanaimo’s new cruise ship terminal. The list seems to be increasing by the day, which for visitors to Southern Vancouver Island and our museum is a good thing. And for our guests from Portland, the next time they take a ferry or a cruise ship, or Artefact check in at their hotel they’ll be reminded of the Week that we’ve “got great stuff here”, and better yet, they’ll have time The Artefact Collection of the Maritime Museum is to enjoy it. a wonderfully diverse but largely unseen by the public. To share these hidden treasures—which normally rest safely on storage room shelves—a new showcase located at the First Floor Gallery entrance now displays the Artefact of the Week. Below is a description of the first two displayed in early January.

Planispheric Astrolab An astrolab is a very ancient astronomical computer for solving problems relating to time and the position of the sun and stars in the sky. Several types of astrolab exist, but the most popular by far is the planispheric astrolab continued on page 6 The museum’s beautiful model of Princess Marguerite is one of the collection being considered as the museum’s ambassador in the lobby of the Empress Hotel EDITORIAL A Little Goes a Long Way Volunteers A gentleman came into the museum help in making a proposal to move The area of Volunteer Coordination a few months ago seeking informa- the museum to the waterfront at the has grown by leaps and bounds! We tion on an elderly yacht he had just CPR Terminal Building (formerly have formed a Volunteer Coordinat- purchased. He the Wax Museum). ing Team of three: filled out the “That’s a lot of work,” he Debi LaHaise (staff member); appropriate replied, “You need a Penney Edwards (board form to initi- dedicated brand- member); and Bonnie ate a search in ing, a first class Stacy (volunteer). the archives pres ent at ion, The breakdown of re- and left. A few and architectur- sponsibilities will look weeks later he al models – even something like this: got a reply by a movie with Debi mail from a special effects.” Liaise with staff; coor- researcher who As I was think- dinate communications; supplied him ing about making an update database Martyn with everything he wanted to know apology for trespassing Penney Clark – and more! Attached was a bill for on his good nature he contin- Tracking hours that volunteers $10.00 for services rendered. ued. “But we’ll do it.” He said, “And work; writing, developing job Calculating that the researcher it won’t cost the museum a cent.” descriptions for volunteer posi- had spent considerably more than He then told me the story about tions; orientation manual; volunteer 2 $10.00 worth of time on his behalf, how his request for information on manual; policies and procedures for our protagonist mailed back a hand- his beloved boat had been treated volunteers; Board liaison for volun- some cheque. To his surprise he professionally and generously by a teer services. received a thank you letter volunteer at the museum. Bonnie and a membership in the There are many threads Recruiting and selection; organize Maritime Museum of we could unravel in this training and orientation for new British Columbia. story to arrive at a suit- volunteers; Volunteer appreciation Scarcely had I made able moral – the impor- and recognition; Liaise with Volun- myself comfortable tance of volunteers, a job teer Victoria. in the director’s chair well done, how one good We have had two very productive when this same gentle- turn reaps an unimaginable meetings with current volunteers man made an appointment harvest, what a museum like and have heard some valuable and dropped in to see me. ours is really about. feedback. Our immediate goals “What can I do to help?” he asked. As we turn yet another are to increase our volunteer I scratched my head and asked for page in the ongo- base; to improve communi- a little time to ponder his generous ing history of the cations between staff and offer. Doing some research into his Maritime Museum of volunteers; to develop more background, I discovered that our British Columbia, diverse responsibilities for new friend was an expert in staging an institution beloved volunteers; and, to provide events, managing displays and, in by many that seemingly volunteers with clear direction fact, putting on just about any show keeps afloat despite the heavy weath- with regard to their responsibilities. imaginable. His invoices for his last er and shoals that beset it, we are re- Look forward to hearing from Photo: year’s efforts had ranged from $35.00 minded that excellence, in even the us by e-mail and telephone more Marianne for one client to several millions dol- smallest role, is the cornerstone on regularly and we will be initiating a Scott lars for another. which we can continue to build. a monthly meeting with volunteers in I contacted him and asked for his m.j.c. Executive Director the near future. a Waterlines: The Maritime Musuem of British Columbia WELCOME Our New Director of Operations

We are pleased to welcome Skip ment, fisheries, small business and McCarthy as our new Director of community economic development. Skip Operations. With our Executive His teaching at Carleton Univer- McCarthy Director focusing on the proposal to sity and the University of Saskatch- move our location to the CPR Ter- ewan included courses in research worked for Bruckman Manufactur- minal building, the Board felt that methodology, social movements, ing, building C&C yachts. He oper- the increased energy and drive at and economics. His academic ated a workboat on the BC coast our present location would best be research has covered diverse areas freighting, log salvaging and fishing. sustained by a day-to-day manager. from evaluation studies of taxation Later he worked as an Economist Skip is the Museum’s immediate systems and technological change with the Department of Fisher- past Vice President. He has worked to immigrant settlement experi- ies and Oceans and then worked in the public, private and non-profit ence and treaty research. His work with the David Suzuki Foundation, sectors in Canada, the USA, and in government has been in policy establishing a multi-stakeholder re- East Africa. In varying roles as Ex- and program planning in economic gional fisheries management board ecutive Director, consultant, board development. on Vancouver Island. Today he is an member, and economist, Skip has Skip has been a broker with Vela active sailor, cruising on his sloop played an active role in co-operative Yacht Sales, was Fleet Captain of the out of Oak Bay. housing, labour market develop- Indiana University Sailing Club and Welcome aboard, Skip! a

CPR Steamship Terminal Proposal 3

“If you are really lucky”, writes Jamie Webb, Museum Foundation President, in a recent Times Colonist editorial, “once in the lifetime of an organization a great opportunity comes along. Such is the case for the Maritime Mu- seum of British Columbia.” This “great opportunity” of course, is the soon-to-be-available former CPR Steamship Terminal on the inner harbour which “will create a great 20,000 square foot canvas… deserving a rich and colourful theme and careful use.” Developing the theme and mak- ing a proposal has been the work of a small but dedicated team led by Jamie and includ- ing museum staff, board members, support- ers and experts. Unfortunately, the museum is not the only contender for this valued waterfront location and the deadline for proposals is February 18, 2011. It is hoped that the museum’s concept for a state-of-the-art maritime museum with interactive exhibits, increased research facili- ties and public activity spaces will prove to be the winning ticket. a The Louis Roosen Model of the 74 Gun Ship Of The Line HMS Ajax Jan Drent

The MMBC’s stupendous model of served in the over this Surprise in most of his celebrated HMS Ajax provides a window into period. When the Battle off Cape novels but once a Post Captain Jack the Royal Navy of the Napoleonic Trafalgar was fought in 1805 more commanded a Third Class Ship of Wars- the era of the Patrick O’Brien than two thirds of Nelson’s fleet— the Line in one novel and as a novels featuring Jack Aubrey. The including Ajax --were 74s. There Commodore and above his flag- model was donated by the builder, was a similar proportion in the op- ships were 74s. Mr. Louis Roosen of Nanaimo (who posing French/Spanish fleet. It’s interesting that a warship’s rat- served in the Royal Netherlands These capable vessels were a very ing also determined the pay scales of Navy and subsequently in deep sea successful compromise between all but the junior hands. ThusAjax’s Dutch merchant ships). It’s recently fighting power (74 guns on two full officers and most of her crew were paid less than their counterparts in Nelson’s flagshipVictory —a “First Ajax’s total sail area was more than two acres. Rate” because of her 100 guns—and the Ajaxes were in turn were paid been moved to a location on the decks) and sea keeping qualities. more than a frigate’s crew. 74-gun MMBC main floor where it can be They were able to operate for long ships normally carried around 630 better appreciated. periods without support of main officers and men, including 100 Ajax was a 74-gun full-rigged ship shore bases and carry sufficient pro- Royal Marines for operations ashore. (square sails on all three masts). visions and stores for six months— The crew lived in cramped condi- 4 74-gun ships were rated as “Third and water for three without having tions on the lower gundeck. Their Class Ships of the Line” because of to replenish. It was the French who median age was between 20 and 25 the number of guns carried; a ready had first developed 74-gun ships and roughly one third would have indication of a warship’s fighting of the line in the mid- 18th century. originally been “pressed men”—that power. The term “Third Class Ship Demonstrating the innovative drive is taken from a merchant ship on of the Line” sounds pejorative to that was making Britain the world’s the high seas, scooped up by a naval modern ears but in fact 74s were preeminent naval power the Royal press gang in a seaport or “volun- the standard of the time. Navy immediately started building teered” by an inland community to They formed the backbone of the its own 74s using captured French fulfill its quota. Contrary to popular British battlefleet from around vessels as prototypes. myth few men were sentenced by 1753 until after 1815. An aston- Patrick 0’Brien put Jack Aubrey Magistrates to serve in the Navy or ishing number- more than 200— on the quarterdeck of the frigate sent from prisons.

Photography: MaryAnne Dieno, Image Manipulation: Denton Pendergast A Master-and-Commander Christmas Michael L. Hadley Where else can you find a nautical a programme is mentored in part December 2010 on what Martyn organization in which the cura- by a member renowned for his BC Clark described as the Museum’s tor plays bassoon and leads an boating guides, and who has sailed “First Annual Master and Com- 18th-century quintet; where the his Dutch barge across the English mander Christmas Programme.” executive director is a deep-sea Channel and through the canals of (The theme alludes to the novels of sailing master who builds boats and Europe? And where else could they Patrick O’Brian, set in the Napole- has a degree in literature; where have played to a packed house in onic era of seafaring). In an event a two-man show is performed by a former Admiralty Court? At our rich in nautical lore, dramatic and a noted maritime historian and a Maritime Museum, of course. evocative readings, and engaging famous theologian ; and in which All this talent came together on 15 music, members and friends en- Waterlines: The Maritime Musuem of British Columbia The Louis Roosen Model of the 74 Gun Ship Of The Line HMS Ajax Jan Drent

Ajax carried three sizes of guns HMS Invincible. These two 74s were was built London and its surround- classified according to the weight unique in having a lower gundeck ings was by far the largest Brit- of shot fired: 32 pounders on the six feet longer than the standard. ish city, seaport and shipbuilding lower gundeck, 24 pounders on The extra length was to provide a centre. Ajax was the work of a yard the upper gundeck and a combina- 15th gunport on each side of the just below London in Rotherhithe tion of 9 pounders and short-range lower deck. The same number of which would be absorbed into the carronades on the quarterdeck and guns would be carried –14 x 32— growing metropolis within decades. forecastle. Ajax was a celebrated pounders- but the extra gunport Ajax’s total sail area was more than mythological hero of the Trojan meant that one gun could normally two acres. The model shows the full Wars and would have been a famil- be placed slightly further from the outfit of sails including three tiers of iar figure in 18th century culture bows to better distribute weight but Studding Sails on the foremast and through Homer’s Iliad. The Royal moved forward if required. (The mainmast which were used in light Navy in fact commissioned three experiment was not repeated). winds using special booms pro- 74s in succession as Ajax. When Ajax truding out from the normal yards. Most 74s had a lower Ajax had 40 miles of rope of all sizes gundeck 176 feet long. for rigging, gun tackles and an- Our model is based chors and some 922 rigging in the Ajax laid blocks of various sizes. Her down in 1795. She maximum speed was was one of a class around 12 knots 5 of only two 74-s with a good (her sister was wind on the Kent) whose quarter. design was based Ajax on that of had copper a captured sheathing below French 74, the to combat the destruc- tive Teredo worms which lodged in wooden hulls. (Copper sheathing was a continued on page 6

joyed one of the most memorable, ated historical themes throughout voices and sounds from the past, if not unique, evenings. Mulled the evening. The poignant literary the performers highlighted what cider and fellowship rounded out readings were presented by Dr. promises to be the beginning of a the occasion. Barry Gough (Professor Emeritus of new year of creative endeavour. Featuring delightful musical selec- History), and Rev. Canon Herbert Heard among the voices of a happy tions ranging from Boccherini, to O’Driscoll (Dean Emeritus of Christ audience disappearing into the Mozart and Salieri, and to tradi- Church Cathedral, Vancouver). night air: “We mustn’t miss it next tional sea chanties, Culyer Page’s Together with Martyn Clark and Bill year.” And again: “With all the talent captivating Windrift Woodwind Wolferstan, O’Driscoll had selected and energy among MMBC members Quintet set the tone and accentu- the poetry and prose. By evoking we can surely do it again!” a Waterlines: The Maritime Musuem of British Columbia

Ajax continued from page five had negligently left a flame burn- cruisers which outfought the Ger- fairly new innovation as the Royal ing. A new Ajax of 74 guns was man “Pocket Battleship” Admiral Navy had first experimented with ordered almost immediately on Graf Spee off the mouth of the Plate it thirty years before Ajax commis- 1.7.1807, built in Blackwall on the in December 1939. Graf Spee was sioned). The model shows four Thames-also just below London- and subsequently scuttled and her cap- of the five boats used to transport launched in 1809. This Ajax had a tain committed suicide. This episode stores from shore, to help when an- gundeck length of 176 feet. She later became a celebrated early skirmish choring, in “cutting out” expeditions typified the transition to stream in the War at Sea; Churchill declared against anchored enemy ships and propulsion as in 1846 she was fitted that it “warmed the cockles of Brit- to ferry personnel. with an auxiliary steam engine and ish hearts”. Canadian hearts too as “Our” Ajax was lost on 14 Febru- a screw. She was broken up in 1864. shown by the fact that a new com- ary 1807 due to a fire and explosion. The Royal Navy has commissioned munity east of Toronto was named The fire started in the bread room later vessels with the same illustri- Ajax in 1941 and its streets named where the purser and his assistant ous name. An Ajax was one of trio of after crewmembers of the cruiser.a

Artefact of the Week continued from page one

which shows the stars of the celestial sphere projected on to the plane of the earth’s equator. Our collection includes this 6 reproduction of a Persian astrono- mer’s plani- in the 12th century and spheric used for hundreds of astrolab, a years. The star chart on the large type invented moveable disk can be adjusted to Trekka’s chip log represent the sky at any time of day. When combined with information voyage from 1957 to 1959 as the on the rings and bar to show smallest vessel to circumnavigate the actual date and time, it the globe. can be used to help identify When a chip log is tossed into the one’s location on the earth. water beside a moving ship, The bar is a sighting device, the wooden blade drags in the water meant to be pointed at the and pulls the string off the reel sun or a specific star during at the speed of the vessel. Knots observations. tied in at regular spaces along the string provide a measure of speed. Trekka’s Chip Log The number of knots pulled out Created to measure the in a given time period, such as 30 speed of a vessel, this seconds, allow the boat’s speed to be chip log is said to calculated in terms of knots. have been used on the On this chip log, you will see a piece Trekka, the famous little of tape on the line for a knot. The sailboat now in the name comes from the earliest days, Collection of the Mari when a piece of wood was tied to a time Museum of BC. Built light rope for tossing into the water. a in Victoria, Trekka made an epic Cuyler Page holding up a reproduction of a Persian planispheric astrolab SCUTTLEBUTT Becoming More Efficient

In talking to members, volunteers, costs, printing, paper, and energy butt pages (even if you’re not a staff and others it became apparent seem obvious, but it is also our hope volunteer) to see some of the new that there were many museum sup- that many members, in seeing the initiatives your museum has taken porters who were receiving both the valuable contribution our volunteers to focus on Volunteerism. general newsletter Waterlines and make (largely behind-the-scenes) Lastly, we discovered from our the volunteer newsletter Scuttlebutt will be encouraged to sign up as recent fall campaign that our list of and some who got more than one of volunteers themselves. members, donors, volunteers and each. Since much of the news is du- There was a time when the mu- supporters was woefully inadequate plicated in both those newsletters, seum could count on a roster of (to put it kindly). One poor gentle- the consensus was that we publish around 45 volunteers. That number man received the same request four one “magazine” with all the mu- has been greatly depleted in recent times; many of you have email ad- seum’s news and a section (Scuttle- years and it is our hope that we can dresses that we weren’t aware of; and butt) driven by, directed to, and grow our small cadre of volunteers so on. As a result, both staff and often written by, our hard working significantly in the months ahead. volunteers have been working very volunteers. The savings in mailing So please have a look at the Scuttle- hard to sort out the mailing list. Please bear with us as I’m sure we’ll discover a few more wrinkles before we’re done. Many of you are used Three Cheers to receiving your newsletter elec- tronically; however, as a means of sorting out the mailing problems we for Volunteers! encountered with the fall campaign, everyone is getting a ‘hard’ copy of 7 this newsletter. We hope you enjoy this new for- mat and we welcome your contribu- tions to future editions of Waterlines and Scuttlebutt. a

HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you receive only one copy and 2 would like to continue, do nothing. If you receive more than one copy, 3 please mail or email us (see below). If you wish to receive only an 1 electronic copy please email us (see below). Email [email protected] please type “newsletter” in the subject column. Mail We’re looking for volunteers interested in helping Attention: Debi Lahaise, Newsletter with our collection, in our library and our gift shop. Maritime Museum of If you’ve some time and interest please contact British Columbia, Debi LaHaise, 250-385-4222 Ext. 101 28 Bastion Square, or email [email protected] Victoria BC V8W 1H9

Waterlines: The Maritime Musuem of British Columbia Upcoming Museum Events The Museum Crew Board of Trustees February 14th Barry Rolston, President Jan Drent, Past President Romance at the Museum Bill Jamieson, Treasurer This Valentine’s Day, from 7:30 to 9:00pm, the Maritime Museum of BC Peter Chance invites you to an evening of romance. Enjoy the music of Ol’ Blue Eyes as Penney Edwards sung by the talented and critically acclaimed Frank Sinatra tribute artist, Clay Evans Rick Valiant. Todd Hooge Set in the Museum’s beautifully restored 19th century courtroom, Valiant’s Jenny Marshall Gerry Pash voice will create a truly memorable experience. This award-winning artist David Roberts has been performing Sinatra since 2008 and hasn’t looked back since. He Jon Spalding has released two CDs with another on the way as well as venturing into Scott Sutherland acting. Rick Valiant has been a fan of Sinatra for a long time and enjoys Eric Waal the positive response he invokes from his audience. “When I see people singing along and smiling it makes me smile,” says Valiant. Museum Staff Reserve your seats today! Proceeds aid in the preservation of Telephone 250 385 4222 BC’s Maritime Heritage. For more information, visit www.mmbc.bc.ca. Martyn Clark Executive Director, ext 104 February 24th - 26th and March 3rd - 4th Graeme Bartle Urban Arts Productions is back! Accountant, ext 111 The Maritime Museum is pleased to present Marie Antoinette – The Colour MaryAnne Dieno of Flesh. The talented performance troupe that brought you Nevermore will Communications, Marketing & Events, ext 113 take a turn again. February 24th to the 26th and March 3rd to the 4th from 8 Sadie Evans 7-9pm, enjoy a tale of one of the world’s most fascinating historical figures. Weekend Giftshop Supervisor, Part history, part fiction, this play weaves a story about love and deceit that ext 103 is sure to entertain everyone! Shalini Kennedy March 11th to 28th Programs, ext 107 Debi LaHaise Things to do throughout March Break Office Manager, ext 101 Looking for things to do with the whole family? Why not come down to Skip McCarthy the Maritime Museum of BC! We have got programs, tours, speakers, Director of Operations, ext 105 workshops and pirates!! Contact Shalini, ext 107. Cuyler Page Curator, March 24th Collections & Programs, ext 106 A Great Noyse Tatiana Robinson The Maritime Museum of BC is proud to present the music from the Collections Registrar, ext 107 “Age of Discovery” as performed by the critically acclaimed group, Trudy Semeniuk Visitor Services & Retail, ext 102 A Great Noyse. The concert is set for Thursday, March 24th at 7:30 pm Jenni Shipway in the Museum’s beautifully restored 19th century Courtroom. Visitor Services & Retail, For more information or to register for any of the above weekends, ext 103 events and activities, please call 250-385-4222, ext. 113.

28 Bastion Square. Victoria, Waterlines: The Maritime Musuem of British Columbia B.C., V8W 1H9, Canada