a a a a ea ee Feature Captain of SS Iroquois had licence revoked after Se by Girard Hengen The Review Eighty years have passed since the horrific sinking of the SS Iroquois, a steam passenger ferry that foundered in heavy seas near Canoe Channel and sank with a full load of passengers and cargo. Today, the legend of the Iroquois is kept alive in the town through the naming of a park, and with items recovered from the wreck which can be found in the park or stored at the Sidney Museum. The Iroquois had a regular run carrying mail, freight and people ~ between Sidney and the Gulf Islands. On Apnil 10, 1911, Capt. Albert A. Sears ignored 100 km-h winds and rolling seas to take her out of the dock at the end of Beacon Avenue. It would be the last anyone would see of the ferry (until divers found it about 15 years ago), but not of the enigmatic Capt. Sears. Sears was one of the lucky ones. He and 10 others managed to survive. It is believed 21 people drowned. The captain, a stocky, blond, rough-hewn, 47-year-old bulldog of a man, was known for his sharp vulgar tongue which often spewed obscenities at passengers and crew alike. Undercover provincial police agents were investigating Sears for illegally selling booze during some of the island runs. Ironically, authorities were contemplating canceling the ship’s steamship 5S Iroquois at Beaver Point, Saltspring Island, circa 1910. The ferry sank 80 years ago in rough seas off Ssidney’s Roberts Point. SIDNEY MUSEUM photo The captain, a stocky, blond, rough- hewn, 47-year-old bulldog of a man, was known for his sharp vulgar tongue which offen spewed obscenities at passengers and’ crew licence before she sank. Recounting the mishap, Sears told an inquest he had taken the trusty steamer out “lots of times, hundreds of times,” in the same weather. “The wind was blowing rather strong from the southwest, but I have come out in a far worse storm,” he said. “When we were about to make the entrance to Canoe Channel the wind struck us in the beam and together with the seas the ship took a slight list and her cargo (weighing about 40 tonnes) shifted onto the lee side and when the purser informed me of this I sent the first mate with the deckhands below to try and right her. “While they were below I put her to the wind but soon it was found that she would not right herself. I immediately headed for Roberts Bay with the hope that we might reach shore before she went down. We did not get far however before she commenced to settle rapidly.” The vessel sank within sight of the wharf, upon which stood many horrified residents with relatives on board. The wreck now lies 30 metres deep, half way between Roberts Point and Ker Island. Two life boats were freed, but one full of passengers floundered and capsized. Sears and the ship’s engineer, along with two native deckhands, got into the other lifeboat. They managed to row to shore. Sears would claim he asked others to come along, but nobody wanted to. Other survivors would contend Sears made no effort to rescue those drowning within his reach. Three native Indians who had heard of the sinking set out to the scene and began picking people out of the water. They saved three, and for their bravery were pre- sented gold medals from the fed- eral government the following year. Meanwhile over the days that followed, Sears was charged with manslaughter, and a preliminary hearing was held on April 20 and 27. The beleaguered captain told the court he went to shore seeking help for the stranded passengers. When he got there, though, he went home to change his clothes:: Many people testified help was sent long before Sears reached the shore. Some experienced seamen said on the stand Sears put his passengers and crew at risk by setting the overloaded ship at sea in the extreme weather. The judge found there was enough evidence to go to trial, but Sears was acquitted by a jury of manslaughter after the June trial. He wasn’t through yet. An Admiralty Court judge revoked his master’s certificate for life for wrongdoing and “disgraceful” behavior. ANNIVERSARY SALE 20% off - STOREWIDE Starting June ist UNIQUE GIFTS & CRAFTS #107 - 2506 Beacon Ave. Sidney, B.C. alike 655-7189 WIN YOUR GLASSES FREE!!! (JUST DROP OFF YOUR NAME IN OUR ENTRY BOX) Prices include frame. lens and case. 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T7OS DOUGLAS ST. — UVER OPEN OWNED:AND: OPERA AW Ps 2S The judge ruled Sears “failed to _ effort to rescue people in the water, perform his duty in either person- or alternatively in staying by the ally making a more determined wreck to the last.” ATTENTION SIDNEY RATEPAYERS NOTICE to all concerned Ratepayers of Sidney. A meeting 4 will be taking place on — i June 17th, 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Centre on Resthaven Drive, Sidney This meeting deals with important issues of great concern to all residents of Sidney. 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