1901 to 1902: Cable Station constructed in Bamfield by the Canadian Pacific
Railway Company.
Construction included Batchelors Quarters and the Manager's
House on the point.
1902: On September 9th, the cable ship Colonia sets the end of the cable at
the Bamfield Cable Station, and begins the journey to
Fanning Island, setting 4,000 miles of cable.
On November 1st, the final link in the All Red Cable Route is officially completed. The first messages were sent, including
one to Sir Sanfoed Fleming. On the following day, messages were sent to the King and Queen as well as the government heads of Australia and New Zealand.
1926: A duplicate cable is laid from Bamfield to Suva, Fiji Islands, by the cable
ship Dominia.
The new cable office of concrete construction was erected.
1942
June 20th
A Japanese submarine shelled Estevan Point lighthouse resulting
in Bamfield becoming the first place in Canada to be
blacked out during the war.
1950
Canadian government took over the Canadian portion of the
cable route
The Canadian Overseas Telecommunication Corporation was formed
1959
New cable office built in Port Alberni June 20th
Last messages sent from Bamfield and the station closed.
1963
Trans-Pacific telephone cable laid by the Monarch, by-passing
Bamfield, into Port Alberni via the Alberni Inlet.
1963
Five men representing : University of British Columbia, Victoria
College and Alberta University, set out on a 3-day trip to
explore possible sites for a Marine Laboratory on Vancouver Island.
This survey group consisted
of: Dr. Ian McTaggart-Cowan and Dr. Brian Bary (UBC), Dr.
Gordon Fields and Dr. Arthur Fontaine (Victoria College) and Dr. D.M.
Ross (Alberta University)
Possible sites considered: Tofino, Port-Renfrew, Victoria
area, Namino Area: Swartz Bay, William Head, Mary Hill, Pedder Bay and
Sooke
1965
Cable Station bachelors quarters were demolished and twelve
houses on the site were burned down, presumably to reduce
the taxable value of the property.
1969
Cable station site, containing the concrete building was
purchased by the five western Canadian Universities: Simon Fraser University,
University
of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of
Calgary, and the University of Victoria establishing the Western Canadian
Universities
Marine Biological Society (WCUMBS) to run the Bamfield Marine
Station.
The site consisted of 190 acres of land including 1.8 miles
of seafront.
1972
WCUMBS president Dr. Richard Lester
WCUMBS vice-president Dr. Norman J. Wilimovsky (Acting director
of the Marine Station)April
Argus Installations Limited of Burnaby won the $680,000 contract
to convert the 70 year old Cable Station into a research
FacilityJuly 3rd - Aug. 18th
Due to construction delays in converting the Cable Station,
the first summer sessions were held at the former CBC Packers
store which was located on the West side of Bamfield.
Two courses offered were Marine Phycology 420 (study of algae),
taught by Dr. Louis Druehl (SFU) and Marine Ecology 430,
taught by Dr. Bill Austin with Glyn Sharp as a teaching assistant both
from SFU.
13 students, 4 women and 9 men attended these two 7 week
courses.
Dr. Dereck Ellis, professor of Marine Ecology at the University
of Victoria was installed as the manager of the Bamfield
Marine Station until August.
1973
January
6 Graduate students began full-time research at the Bamfield
Marine Station
Summer
Director of Academic programs ñ Dr. Dereck Ellis from the University
of Victoria Biology department.
First full summer program at the BMS
1974
J.S. Hayward, J.D. Eckerson and M.L. Collis conduct research
funded jointly by the National Research Council of Canada
and the United States Coast Guard on the ìThermal protection performance of personal
flotation devicesî
1975
May 5th
BMS Recreation Society proposed to replace the former 2x4
make shift sauna that was located behind the dining hall next to the
temporary
shower unit. This project was to be fully funded by the students
for everyoneís
use, proposal was vetoed by management.July 24th
1st BMS symposium Topic: The Kelp-bed Food Web
1976
BMS proposed to open itís doors to include community college and
high school students?
First field trips for non-member university students
First Fall Program (students registered via SFU)
1977
July 24th
Dedication ceremony of the Historic monument commemorating
the laying of the Pacific Cable, 1902, The structure consists
of 8 units each 19 feet 8.5 inches in length with a diameter
of 2 1/8 inches. 1 foot of each end is anchored in the
concret base creating a 20inch diameter.
A plaque was placed on existing foundation of the former
Post office on a telephone pole.
1978
Construction/Renovation: Environmental Physiology Lab ; modification
of cottages ; Teleglobe Canada building was purchased and
renovated to provide general support to water borne station actives
1979
Departing Staff: Director, Dr. John McInerney; during his
time as director the teaching program grew to encompass
18 consecutive weeks
of intensive 3-week and 6-week courses offered during spring
and summer
Construction/Renovation: Student Dorms (B.C. House) began
; new sea wall ; foundation laid for the Directors residence ; road to
dorms
; Quonset hut in final stages of being equipped for environmental
physiology studies of fish and other marine organisms
Bms Soap Box Derby (a creative individual fashioned their
entry out of a water tank)
1980
New Staff: Director, Dr. Ronald E. Foreman ; Assistant Director,
Dr. Ian Lawn ; Research Technician (a position designed to
facilitate and promote research) Sabina Leader
Construction/Renovation: Student Dormitory completed in time
for summer courses ; physiology lab floor installed ; 10
ft wide decking along east side of Quonset hut built ; plans to develop
a new set of small
boat docks and ramp in the area ; access road to central
core closed off with a gate to limit vehicle accessMay
BMS with SFU co-host conference on ìSynthetic and degradative processes
in marine macrophytesî to be published by Walter de Gruyer
1981
New Staff: Field Trip Co-Ordinator, David Denning replaced
Anne Bergey (Fall) who replaced Miriam Preker (April)
Construction/Renovation: 1st major expanshion of BMS planed
; Seawall poured between main float and Quonset hut wharf
Summer
Invertebrate Zoology and Bryozan courses discover several
new species
Young dead Dall Porposie found and brought in for dissection
Dead Killer Whale Found and towed in, 12 feet long. Members
of the Provincial Museum, Victoria came to dissect it for
the skeleton to display at the museum. The dissection took
place on the slipway at the
lifeboat shed.
New Rigid-hulled inflatable boat received from C.W. Lucas
of Richmond, B.C
Fall
Anne Bergey, Sabine Leader and Bill Austin put the museum
collection on computer
1981
Sept. 24th
Dwarf sperm whale (Kogia Simus) stranded on Pachena beach.
BMS staff refloated the whale twice but re-beached itself
over the evening and died. The BC Provincial Museum staff
collected whale for study and
examination.Oct. 13th
Pacific Electric Ray (Torpedo Californica) caught by Bob
Bowker in Sarita Bay, kept alive at BMS till Vancouver
Public Aquarium collected
for display aprox. 100 cm (3ft) in length 75 cm (2 ft 6in)
across, the ray was female and thought to be pregnantNov.
5th
2nd Pacific Electric Ray caught by Tony McDermitt. Female,
50 cm long by 40 cm wide. Released due to the difficulty
of feeding the 1st ray caught in October.
1982
New Staff: Public Education Co-ordinator: Anne Stewart
Construction/Renovation: Administration offices renovated
; lecture hall extended ; Directorís office was increased to install
more book shelves and a small conference area was created ; road built
behind new seawall from Main float to the Quonset hut and the boat ramp
was graded to accommodate new cement-block building to house new compressor
; wharf built near new compressor shed at top of ramp to the Quonset hut
docks
Devonian Group of Charitable Foundations of Alberta and the
Alberta government funded a new library, visitors lobby and
commissioned the construction of a 40 foot research and teaching vessel
later christened
M/V Alta
Anne Bergey prepares permanent historical displays of Cable
Station era and early Marine StationMarch 19th
1st Field Trip with the M/V AltaApril
Devonian Library was completed
Old library became the small teaching labMay
Lecture Theatre completedOct. 22nd
Sport divers saw a large shark, tentatively identified as
a Blue shark est. 14 feet long about 100 pounds sighted at Adamson ReefNovember
Dave Denning, BMS Field Trip Co-ordinator, had a 25 piece
photography exhibit of colour prints of marine organisms in the Underwatrer
gallery
at Vancouver Public Aquarium
1983
New Staff: Assistant Director, Dr. Ron Shimek
Construction/Renovation: Hot lab completed and diving facility
constructed ; renovation of the photography dark room, 40
foot square float constructed by Timmy Winstob replacing old dive float
; new finger float
was added to the end of one float ; sea wall built at shore
side of the new south float ; stairs built leading down from the road
; pathway cutout
between the Dive Facility and the new South Float ; outboard
fuel storage shed built with a kayak storage areaJan. 27th ñ28th
Highest tides (to date) on record occurred, 14í17î ñ 14
inches higher than tidal predictions due to a low barometric pressure
Spring
WCUMBS initiated a graduate student financial assistance
program
1983
June 13th ñ July 7th
BMS researchers attended the International Seaweed Symposium
held in Quingdau, China July 26th
Letter received from Mr. Fred Rogers who wrote to inform
BMS that while trekking in Nepal one of his Sherpa guides was wearing
a BMS
t-shirt which he received as a giftOct. 17th -18th
BMS staff retreat to Friday Harbor Laboratories November
Black bear shot on BMS property
1984
Construction/Renovation: Pluming and upper platform (including
stairs) completed to Dive Shed ; microscope room was in use,
BMS acquires a 5 year old 20 bedroom trailer complex (Annex) to be
used for housing
; visitors lobby was completed including two 250 gallon aquaria
inserted into the wall (one depicting a kelp bed community and the
other life under
the inlets docks and pilings) ; television monitor installed
to showcase Pisces IV submersibleís work, BMS Field Trips, numerous aspects
of the marine environment of Barkley Sound and a promotional video of BMS
; foundation poured for a 30 x 60 foot storage facility ; fireplace in
the lounge became operational ; microscope room was built in Research cubicle
roomJanuary ñ February
Pisces IV submersible available to Bamfield Marine Station
researchersJune
Gray Whale approached M/V Alta close enough for students
to touch June 6th
The ëWelcome to Bamfield Marine Stationí panel installed in
the lobby along with an historical plaque donated by the CRTO commemorating
the Cable StationSept 17th
3 Baskin Sharks were seen in Kelp Bay, the longest measuring
about 34 feet longSept 27th ñ 30th
BMS hosts Annual meeting of the Organization of Biological
Field Stations
Fall
M/V Alta acquired LORAN navigation equipment
Marine Mammals course acquires a ëripeí 30 foot gray whale
skeleton from Vargas Island (cleaned using bleach and Bon Ami)Oct. 22nd ñ Nov.
4th
Pisces IV submersible available for Bamfield Marine Station
researchers
1985
Construction/Renovation: Aquarium room, Chimo residence and
lecture hall began renovationsFeb 21st ñ 24th
BMS hosts 6th Pacific Ecology Conference April 6th ñ 7th
Underwater Archaeological Society arraigned Television coverage
of the ìWreckî of the ìEriccsonî on Folger Island
(BCTV) broadcasted from BMSApril 14th ñ 18th
BMS hosts International NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
Workshop on the Evolutionary Biology of Primitive FishesApril
16th
Canadian Classical Guitarist Michael Strutt performs at BMS
Biology of Cnidaria and Ascidiacea courses discover new species Aug. 9th ñ 12th
1st Annual Tennis Tournament HeldDec. 1st
1st Annual Polar Bear Swim. Air temp. ñ30C, Seawater temp. 60C.
Participants: Jean Cureton, Juel Elliott, Glynes Gibson, Koby Lee-Ran,
Steve Rumrill, Ross Warren and Doug Westlake.
1986
January
New Staff: Assistant Director, Dr. Alan Burger March 28 ñ 31
2nd Northwest Algal SymposiumAug. 10th
Official visit of the Prime Minister elect of Singapore,
Mr. Tan and his wife who was the Minister of EducationOct. 14th
Visit by Geoff and Sandy Charles, managers of the Orpheus
Island Biological Station in Queensland, AustraliaDec. 31st
First Christmas Bird Count organized by Dr. Alan Burger
1987
Returning Staff: Director: Dr. John McInerney (Sabbatical)
1988
New Staff: Biological Technician, Sally Carson ; Research
Technician, Jacquie Lee ; Diving and Boating Officer, Bruce Burgess
; Librarian, Leslie
Rimmer
Marine Life Calander created at BMS and distributed free
to schools and sold at Chevron Stations, Museums etc.
1989
New Staff: Biological Co-Ordinator, Laura Taylor ; Field
Trip Co-ordinator, Sally Carson
Construction/Renovation: MacMillian Field Trip Laboratory
opened ; assembly of the whale skeleton (1984) for display
Sigurd Tveit Memorial Scholarship established
BMS Extension programme offers a Fall session
1990
New Staff: Public Education Co-ordinator, Sally Carson ;
Research Co-ordinator, Dawn Renfrew ; Biological Co-Ordinator: David
Hutchinson
; Boating and Diving Officer: Steve Lacasse
Construction/Renovation: A new platform, including a small
lab, for hanging experiments has been erected at the outer-edge
of a kelp bed on the Stationís foreshore ; renovation of a large, circular
enclosed tank (34í diameter, 8ídeep, 2000,000 liters) for
experimental studies has been completed ; original freshwater supply system
being renovated as a source of dechlorinated freshwater for scientific
purposes ; new wharf completed with a prestressed concrete deck (panels
from Expo í86)
1991
New Staff: Public Education Co-ordinator, Adrienne Mason
Construction/Renovation: Lecture Hall and Kitchen facilities
expanded through the installation of a folding partition
Public Education Programme received a $25,000 award from
Science Culture Canada in support of our ìPlunge into the Pacific- Student
Ambassador Programî
1992
Construction/Renovation: two new 1-2 person labs nearing
completion located on the aquarium room level of the main building
; BMS Library to
be expanded ; construction to begin on a molecular biology
laboratory
BMS initiates a non-smoking policy on site
Grant received from the Province of British Columbia for
the Library Expansion Project
1993
New Staff: Director, Dr. Andrew N. Spencer ; University Programme
Co-ordinator, Dave Hutchinson
Dr. Frankboner begins his Abalone pearl project March 5 -
7
BMS hosts the Pacific Ecology Conference
1994
Departing Staff: Dave Hutchinson and wife Kelly Nordin leave
to co-direct a marine laboratory for Hofstra University in
the Caribbean
New Staff: Research Co-ordinator, John Boom ; University
Programme Co-orinator, Barb Beasley and Dave Denning
Construction/Renovation: Development of a molecular research
facility ; ecophysiology laboratory under construction ;
Quonset Hut removed and scheduled for replacement
Dr. Dawn Renfrew oversees a seaweed cultivation project
Public Education starts the Ocean News Project
National Geographic arrived at BMS to film an hour special
in Barkley Sound (scheduled to return in 1995)
Donation from Norman J. Wilimovskyís collection of fish/fisheries
literature to the libraryMarch 4 ñ 6
BMS hosts 13th Pacific Ecology ConferenceApril 18 ñ 23
BMS serves as the ëcommand centreí for the 1994 Canadian
Coastal Safari, a special event of the Royal British Columbia
Museum live to air
broadcastingMay 2 - June 10
Summer semester offers a new course: Temperate Rainforest
Ecology
1995
New Staff: University Programmes Co-ordinator: Dave Hutchinson
; Boating and Diving Co-ordinator, Karl Fellenius
Construction/Renovation: June 26th Ecophysiology Laboratory
opened ; construction starting on the new Boat shop facility
situated between the new lab and the dive shed near the site of the old
dock and the Quonset
hut, 2000 sq. ft.
BMS gains full access to the internet and launches itís own website
HYPERLINK "http://www.bms.bc.ca"
www.bms.bc.ca
Rodger Jackman and Elisabeth Leader film a one hour documentary
about the diversity of marine life abundant along the rocky shores of
Barkley Sound; funded by
the BBC
1996
Departing Staff: Associate Director, Louis Druehl
New Staff: Research Co-ordinator Joelle Harris ; University
Programme Co-ordinator: Heather Brook
Construction/Renovation: New teaching lab ; museum room ;
BMS/Parks Canada 1,000 sq ft. storage building and the COTC building
was renovated
to contain a teaching lab at one end and the other end houses
the marine invertebrate and vertebrate collections.
1st BMS offered Fall Program
M/V Alta undergoes major service and repairs
Oceanlink website launched, project co-ordinated by Dave
Hutchinson and Kelly Nordin
1st NSERC Major Equipment grant ñ aprox. $200,000
1997
New Staff: Boating and Diving Co-ordinator, Shane Servant
Construction/Renovations: Ecophysiology lab up-grade ; North
side of the COTC undergoing renovations to make a combined
wet-research laboratory and public education laboratory ; Increase to
aquarium capacity
as a new facility was created on the concrete pad outside
the ecophysiology laboratory
1st Co-op student for Public Education
R/V John Strickland (built 1975) negotiated from UVic
BMS Museum database updated by Wendy Pope
Feb 21 ñ 23 ñ BMS hosted the 18th Annual Pacific Ecology
Conference theme: Ecology and Environmental Ethics
BBC film ñ ìAt the Edge of the Seaî by Roger Jackman
broadcasted on television in December
1998
New Staff: Assistant Director, Dr. Andre Martel ; Research
Co-ordinator, Nathan Webb
John Boom Memorial Scholarship established
MacMillan Educational Program in Marine Biodiversity established
1999
New Staff: Interim Director (1999/2000), Dr. J.C. Holmes
; University Programme Co-ordinator, Laura Verhegge ; M/V Alta Skipper,
John
Richards
Mrs. Hazel Jones donated her shell collection
2000
NSERC Promo science award
Endowment fund reached 1 million
Indonesia trip
Western Nerve Net Conference
2001
Returning Staff: Director, Dr. Andrew N. Spencer (Sabbatical)
Departing Staff: Assistant Director, Dr. Martel ; Accounting
Assistant, Nancy Christney (Retires)
New Staff: University Programme Co-ordinator, Jean Paul Danko;
Boating and Diving Co-ordinator, James Mortimor ; Development
officer, Phyllis Argue
Capital Campaign office established in Victoria, BC
WCUMBS changes name to Western Canadian Universities Marine
Sciences Society (WCUMSS)
BMS changes name to Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC)
CFI grant awarded to BMSC - 3.2 million
Mr. Guy White hired as project manager for the Bamfield Community
Abalone Project
2002
New Staff: Development Officer, Tiffany Young ; Librarian,
Jennifer Mersereau
Construction/Renovations: North dock ; Public Education
office extended ; high-speed internet connection established ; new
BMSC signage
; computers upgraded
Purchases: Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ; M/V Barkley
Star
NSERC infrastructure grant ñ increased to $350,000
BHCAP leases Wisemanís Bay from BMSC to construct an outgrow facility
for juvenile abalone
2003
New Staff: Research Co-ordinator, Andrea Hunter
Construction/Renovation: High-voltage Electrical supply upgrade
(BC Government awarded $360,000) ; Phase I of Student Lodge
began ; construction of new student dorms
BMSC Webpage updated and launched
"http://www.bms.bc.ca"
