Jack Bowerman's Photo Album

026   Unknown location, but that is Jack in the middle. Might be Prince Rupert (Digby Island).

027   Album plate.
028   Triangle Island showing the radio operations building and a stepped radio mast. Indicator at rear is where photo #031 was likely taken. It appears the windows are taped as a safety measure due to implosion by the elements. Date is 1912-14.

029   Homemade post card face from Estevan Point station c.1917. Jack Bowerman was stationed there 1911-12. Wireless operator Raine on the right, next to his daughter Doris. Operator Andy Gray in the middle and an unknown lad on the left.

030   Triangle Island light and radio station. What you see, is what you get on this island.

031   Another Triangle Island view.

032   Triangle Island radio operator's dwelling. Due to the high winds this building was eventually anchored to the ground by cables and buttresses.  Window glass was replaced with a checker board of smaller panes.  The glass as seen in the photo had a habit of bowing inward from the effect of the wind.

   This house was a pre-fabricated house, manufactured by B.C. Mills of Vancouver, BC. The house was pre assembled in 4 x 8 foot sections and the join covered by a vertical batten. Once the foundation was completed, the building itself only took a few days to erect--think Ikea on a grand scale. Floor plan from the catalogue here. See the interior layout.  Base price was $770 FOB Vancouver. A few options were available and could add another $200 to the price. (Thanks to Craig Williams for the BC Mills information.)

033   "At 2 AM March 7, 1916 the SS Camosun ran up on Lucy Island when headed for Masset, QCI. No injuries amongst the 17 passengers. 100 Tons of coal and freight were lightered off. She was refloated on the 17th. and went south under her own steam for repairs." 'Whistle Up The Inlet' by G. Rushton

034   Jack was an operator at Digby Island (Prince Rupert) Radio from 1914 until 1918 and had a small boat. Perhaps he went over to Lucy Island and took these photos of the SS Camosun up on the rocks.

035   Jack with an unknown lady. Location is also unknown.

036   Unknown couple, but obviously there is a connection to the photo above.

037   Another shot of treeless Triangle Island. The tramway scar is 1600 feet long and is still visible today.

038   Three radio operators at Triangle Island. From the left: Harold Tee, Jack Bowerman and Jack Berry. Berry had a wife, two boys and a girl with him at this very isolated station. Harold went on to be the District Superintendent of Radio for Saskatchewan in 1945. Read a transcribed newspaper clipping Jack kept of Harold's retirement.

039   Victoria District office staff in the 1950's. Here is the photo with some of the people identified. Gentleman #9 has been identified, by his grandson, as Walter Howard. He was given the nickname 'Daddy' as he had been one of the original operators on the coast.
040   Perhaps Estevan, couple is nameless.

 

041   Blank

042   Work crew lightering cargo ashore from the navigational aid tender "Estevan" in the background. Location is at Hesquiat village, about 8kM east of the Estevan Point light and radio station. Cargo is a load of planks, substantial planks--no doubt for the plank road.

043   Estevan Point, looking westward, with the 'new' radio operations building in the foreground.

044   Pachena Point light house, co-located with the Wireless Station. Pachena is some 150 miles to the south east of Estevan Point.

045   Duplicate of 028. It appears the windows are taped as a safety measure due to implosion by the elements.
046   Triangle Island operator's dwelling. Lighthouse tower in the rear distance. Tramway steel rails to the beach appear in the lower left and disappear into the building with the steam engine boiler's smoke stack. Tramway winch was steam powered.

047   Department of Transport brass at Patricia Bay (YYJ-Victoria BC) airport. Person #1 and #2 are unknown. #3 is thought to be Walter Rush, Controller of Radio, Department of Transport. #4 is Stevenson and #5 is Bowerman. About 1940's.

   Bowerman left some loose notes in the album, one of which says "The first plane to land at Pat Bay with Walter Rush."

048   Point Grey (Vancouver) Wireless station dwelling. This station was located on the grounds of present day University of British Columbia.  Dwelling is a B.C. Mills product, and a photograph of the building was used in some of their advertising. 

049   Docking facilities for the station at Digby Island. 1914-1918

050  The Union SS Camosun went aground on Digby Island in the early morning of March 7, 1916.  She was on her way to Masset.  She pulled herself free ten days later and received only minor damage.  The area has a very wide range of tide heights.