An exhibit chronicling the untimely demise of the SS Princess Sophia sets sail at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia with an opening reception today, nearly 100 years after the Sophia sank.
The commemorative exhibit, SS Princess Sophia: The Unknown Story of the Largest Marine Disaster along the Pacific Northwest Coast, follows the career of the ship, which sank in Alaska after 40 hours stuck on Vanderbilt Reef, on its way back to its home port of Victoria.
Some refer to the Princess Sophia tragedy as the Titanic of the West Coast.
Built in 1911, the steamship was named for Princess Sophia, granddaughter of Queen Victoria and daughter of Emperor Frederick III of Germany.
She was commissioned during a time of major growth for the Canadian Pacific Railroad, one of eight Princess ships and two tugs built for service on the West Coast between 1910 and 1914.
The Sophia was designed and built to service remote northern communities up to Alaska between May and October. During the winter months, she spent her time carrying passengers and freight between Victoria and Vancouver. With a gross tonnage of 2,320, the 75-metre-long ship could carry up to 500 passengers (with special permission).
She sank on Oct. 25, 1918, with the loss of more than 350 passengers and crew members — there were no survivors. The sinking at Vanderbilt Reef in Lynn Canal near Juneau, Alaska, was the worst maritime accident in British Columbia and Alaska.
The exhibit brings together artifacts and archival documents from multiple organizations, including the Alaska State Museum and the Vancouver Maritime Museum, for the first time since the artifacts were salvaged from the wreck.
The opening reception, which begins at 6:30 p.m. tonight, features remarks from Bill Morrison and Ken Coates, co-authors of The Sinking of Princess Sophia: Taking the North Down with Her (Oxford, 1990).
Viewing of the exhibit is included with general admission to the museum: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, $5 for youth 12 to 17 and free for children 12 and under. The exhibit runs until March 11.
The museum, at 634 Humboldt St., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday until Victoria Day.
For more information, go to mmbc.bc.ca/events.
Launch party kicks off Dine Around and Stay in Town
Eat like a queen — and sleep on a king-sized bed — for less than you imagine at the Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria culinary festival, which kicks off with a gala launch event Friday at the Victoria Conference Centre.
More than 60 restaurants, 25 VQA wineries and craft breweries and 12 hotels have teamed up to offer a taste of the city at a discounted rate.
“It is a great opportunity for people to try out new restaurants and for chefs to test new menus,” said Paul Nursey, president and CEO of Tourism Victoria. “It enables chefs to get creative.”
The two-week promotion grew out of a partnership between Tourism Victoria and the Victoria branch of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association.
Popular eateries throughout the city have created special fixed-price three-course meals for the event, with a choice of $20, $30, $40 and $50 offerings.
The promotion is also a chance for Greater Victoria residents to plan a staycation at a hotel during the slow time of the year in a tourist-driven city.
For two weeks, hoteliers will offer discounted accommodation, with rooms available from $89 to $229 a night.
The only change from previous years — the event has been held for at least 15 years, says Nursey — is that the dates have been brought forward a few weeks, as February has been getting busier.
Friday’s gala launch has also been “amped up,” Nursey said.
He expects 400 to 500 people will attend the event, which will feature food samples from participating restaurants, washed down with B.C.-sourced libations.
Tickets are $68.25 (must be 19 and over).
The event runs 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas St.
The Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria event runs Jan. 19 to Feb. 4 at more than 60 restaurants and 12 hotels.
For sample menus, a list of participating restaurants or more information, go to tourismvictoria.com/eat-drink/dine-around.
Spring gets a preview at Butchart Gardens
Spring has already sprung — at least at Butchart Garden’s Spring Prelude, which starts Monday and runs until March 15 at the popular Brentwood Bay attraction.
This is the 19th year for the indoor garden display, created to provide visitors a sample, during the shortest days of the year, of what awaits outdoors during the spring.
Besides blooming tulips, crocuses, rhododendrons, daffodils and more, the indoor garden boasts water features and sculptures.
There is also an Asian-themed courtyard as well as a garden area designed for wedding ceremonies.
Visitors can view a seasonal display featuring memorabilia and photographs showing the transformation of the former quarry into a world-class garden.
Displays can be found in the White Room, Breakfast Room, Tango Room and Billiard Room.
The historical display is open Jan. 15 to March 15.
Both events are included in general admission: $24.60 for adults, $12.30 for youth 13 to 17 and $2 for children 5 to 12. The gardens are open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. until Feb. 28. The attraction is located at 800 Benvenuto Ave. Brentwood Bay. For more information, go to butchartgardens.com.
Learn Scottish folk dancing for free
Kick up your heels this year by taking your first Scottish Folk Dancing class for free on Friday at the Central Saanich Senior Citizens Association in Brentwood Bay.
The Brentwood Scottish Folk Dancers claim Scottish folk dancing is good for the body and mind.
Inexperienced dancers will be taught footwork and how to dance with a partner. Dancers of all levels are welcome, as there are easy and more difficult dances in each class.
No partner is required. The only requirement is to wear clothes that allow for movement, and low-heeled, lightweight, soft-soled shoes that totally enclose the foot.
The first class is free, with subsequent classes $3 each. Classes are included with $60 membership in the Central Saanich Senior Citizens Association. Classes take place Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., and every second Friday at 7 p.m. at the Centre for Active Living, 1229 Clarke Rd., Brentwood.
For more information, email [email protected].
Find out about projects to help plant species at risk in city parks
Learn about plant species at risk in City of Victoria parks at the next Victoria Natural History Botany Night, Tuesday at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature House.
The two-hour session examines the 90 hectares of natural areas in city parks, which contain at least 10 plant species at risk.
Speaker Thomas Munson will provide information on projects currently underway in Victoria parks, including a three-year project to protect and enhance populations of five rare plants in Beacon Hill Park and Summit Park.
Another project is the reintroduction of golden paintbrush, a plant that disappeared from the parks almost 10 years ago.
The event is free to attend. It runs 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature House, 3873 Swan Lake Rd. For more information, go to vicnhs.bc.ca.
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