FLORENCIA ISLAND
This island is named after the ship “Florencia”. Indeed,the entire bay is named after this ship. The Florencia was a 200 tonne Brigatine.
The Florencia started out from Victoria in November of 1860, loaded with timber for Peru. She sailed into a fierce storm that drove her north. The Florencia capsized & 4 men died! It righted it’s self & drifted further north into Nootka Sound.
Another ship (HMS Forward) put her in tow & headed south to Victoria. The “Forward” encountered engine trouble & had to cut the “Florencia” loose!
The hapless ship drifted onto the rocks of this island.
This bay was renamed “Florencia” bay in 1930.
Thanks for this story. Very interesting. I thought this place looked cold and dangerous.