Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum of BC
The Maritime Museum of British Columbia is inviting nominations for the Beaver Medal, an award that recognizes outstanding contributions to the marine sector.
The Maritime encourages nominations for anyone who has contributed to BC’s marine environment, which include but are not limited to, science, technology, business, applications of maritime skills, nautical heritage and culture, and academic contributions.
“This will be the third opportunity for British Columbians to recommend someone whose work has made a major contribution to our province’s diverse maritime scene,” said Commodore Jan Drent (RCN Ret ’d), who heads the Maritime’s medal project. “The Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Judith Guichon presented the 2013 awards at a well-attended recognition ceremony last November. The recipients were Malcom Barker, the driving force behind Seaspan Marine’s successful Victoria Shipyards; Dr William Hick, who has been involved in the dramatic development of Prince Rupert over several decades, as both a port executive and advocate; and Howard White, long-time publisher and author of works telling the stories of our coastal waters. The Thermopolyae Club of Victoria received a special medal for its role in preserving marine heritage since 1934.”
The gold-plated medal is struck from copper salvaged from the 19th century paddlewheel steamship S.S. Beaver, built in England in 1835 for the Hudson’s Bay Company. After rounding the treacherous Cape Horn, the Beaver reached the northwest coast where she served for 53 years. This iconic vessel pioneered commercial navigation on the BC coast as a floating trading post, hydrographic survey ship and towboat. She grounded near Vancouver in 1888 and after foundering, some of her machinery was recovered, providing the metal for the Beaver Medal.
“To our knowledge, no other award encompasses all aspects of our coastal industry, history, technology, or practical application of skills,” said former Ambassador and retired Admiral John Anderson. “What a fitting namesake—the Beaver—or Castor Canadensis.”
The Maritime urges members of the public to nominate a marine contributor for the Beaver Medal. Potential recipients will be selected by an awards committee that includes Capt. Stephen Brown of the Chamber of Shipping of BC; Don Krusel, President & CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority; and Capt. Jamie Marshall, Vice President Operations, BC Ferries. Marine writer Dr. Marianne Scott of Victoria, marine historian Dr. Michael Hadley, former Coast Guard Captain Duke Snyder and past president of the BC Maritime Museum Society Jan Drent are also members of the Awards Committee.
Nominations for 2014 close on May 15. Nomination information, easy-to-complete forms and due dates are located at http://mmbc.bc.ca/about-2/s-s-beaver-medal/.