It’s not too late to take a nautical trip down memory lane on board the SS Minnow.
The vessel, made famous by the 1960s TV hit, Gilligan’s Island, is owned by Quality Foods’ Ken Schley, who has offered a chance for four lucky castaways to go on a three-hour tour of Nanaimo Harbour in a bid to raise money for the Oceanside Hospice Society.
More than just a boat trip, the tour will see the winning bidder of the silent auction will join Captain Schley on the adventure while sampling gourmet foods and fine wines.
Bidding, which starts at $2,000, has been extended to August 12. For more information, call the Oceanside Hospice Society at 250- 752-6227.
• Ladysmith resident Chris Klausen has taken his campaign to repatriate relics from the tragic Empress of Ireland sinking to the next level.
Klausen, who was featured (The News, July 1) for his passion to have the major artifacts from Canada’s most devastating maritime disaster returned to Canada, has started a website, www.Empress-of-Ireland-Klausen.ca.
“My purpose is to raise enough awareness in Canada about the role the Empress of Ireland played in Canadian history to make a multi-city tour of my collection possible,” he said.
The Empress of Ireland sank in the St. Lawrence River after being rammed by a Norwegian collier in heavy fog. A total of 1,012 passengers and crew lost their lives in the next 14 minutes as the boat swiftly sank to the bottom.
• If you’ve ever wanted to take a tour of a Canadian warship, this weekend could be your big chance.
That’s because four ships from the Canadian Navy will be the featured attraction at the 2011 Nanaimo Marine Festival, which runs from Thursday to Sunday.
HMCS Nanaimo, Brandon, Edmonton and Whitehorse will be berthed at Nanaimo’s cruise ship terminal from July 22, with Nanaimo open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The ships are four of 12 Kingston Class Maritime Coastal Defense Vessels in the Canadian fleet.
Also on Saturday, a 442 Squadron Cormorant helicopter from 19 Wing Comox will perform a search and rescue demonstration at the waterfront.
You don’t have to go to Nanaimo to catch the action however, as Canadian Forces Auxiliary vessels Stikine and YAG 680 will serve as a chase boat and will mark the race turning point in Schooner Cove.
news@pqbnews.com