The BCP45 Commemoration Ceremony

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Saturday, May 22nd, 2010
1:00 PM

Campbell River�s Maritime Heritage Centre and Government of Canada will Celebrate the Designation of the Motor Vessel BCP 45 as a National Historic Site of Canada

The Government of Canada and the Maritime Heritage Centre will be holding a commemorative ceremony on Saturday, May 22nd at 1:00 P.M. to honour the vessel BCP 45 and its designation as a National Heritage Site. The Honourable Jim Prentice Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada invite you to the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the national historic significance of the Motor Vessel BCP45. Cake and refreshments will be served and free tours of the BCP45 and exhibits will follow.
On Sept. 19, 2005 The Honourable Stephane Dion, then Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and the Honourable Keith Martin, MP for Esquimalt- Juan de Fuca, announced that the Motor Vessel BCP45 had been designated as a national historic site of Canada.

"The Motor Vessel BCP 45 is among the oldest and best-preserved surviving examples of a wooden seiner, a class of vessel intimately associated with the commercial West Coast fishery during the 20th century that has had all but disappeared from use: said Minister Dion. "Canadians will remember seeing an image of the vessel on the Canada five-dollar bill from 1972 to 1986, we are proud therefore to commemorate the national historic significance of this vessel as part of our shared history."

"BCP 45 is part of our history in terms of its ownership, design and technology, - said Keith Martin.�The vessel illustrates key aspects of the developments in the West Coast fishery over a period of nearly 70 years. This vessel is part of the history that mirrors the technological changes that have been introduced to the industry over the years."

The Motor Vessel BCP 45 was built in 1927 at Vancouver's Coal Harbour. BCP 45 was launched at a time when seine fishing was coming into its own. The vessel's original owner, British Columbia Packers, was to dominate the fish canning industry in the second half of the 20th Century.

The vessel is currently housed within the Campbell River Maritime Heritage Centre, in Campbell River, British Columbia where it was expertly restored by a corps of volunteers in a three year process that will assure that the historic vessel will be shared by the community, commercial fishermen, and those interested in our coastal maritime history for many years to come.

Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advise the Minister of the Environment about the national historic significance of places, persons and events that have marked Canada's history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of their historic value. It is one means of educating the public about the richness of our cultural heritage, which must be preserved for present and future generations.


Free tours of the BCP45 and exhibit to follow dedication.
Cake and refreshments being served.