BC Maritime Disaster Noted; Remember the Dix!

In today's Seattle Times, columnist Nicole Brodeur notes the 100th anniversary of the Valencia disaster, in which 126 passengers of the Victoria-bound steamer lost their lives on the rocks off Vancouver Island. [link to column] Later this month, the tiny town of Bamfield will mark the anniversary. The events are organized by the Bamfield Arts Council, and this is a perfect example of the arts community joining with heritage workers to mark an important piece of local history. [link]

Puget Sound maritime heritage supporters should note that 2006 is the 100th anniversary of the worst maritime disaster in Puget Sound below Port Townsend. On November 19, 1906, the passenger steamer Dix collided with the steam schooner Jeannie on a run from Colman Dock to Port Blakely on Bainbridge Island. Nearly forty people were killed, mostly women and children. HistoryLink has a story on it. [link]