The First Trans-Canada Auto Trip

Halifax: August 27, 1912 <<<    >>> Victoria: October 17, 1912

Daily News: October 16, 1997

Across Georgia Strait to Nanaimo

Today's Statistics:	Travelling from Vancouver, British Columbia to Nanaimo, British Columbia
Distance: 46 km	Driving Hours: 1.5 h	Fuel: 17 l	Weather: Showers	Temperature: Min. 7 Max. 15

The Reo left Vancouver via the Lions Gate Bridge, which passes over Burrard Inlet providing a beautiful view of Vancouver's harbour. Stanley Park, the Port of Vancouver and many tall buildings lined one side of the harbour, while the north shore mountains rose steeply along the other side.

Once across the bridge the Reo travelled through the municipality of West Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay, where one of the B.C. Ferries terminals is located. West Vancouver, with its large homes and beautiful views, has the highest per capita income of any city in Canada. Horseshoe Bay, at the western edge of West Vancouver, is a quiet little community where private boats come and go amidst the huge B.C. Ferry boats. The B.C. Ferry fleet is the largest fleet in the world, with 41 ships servicing Vancouver Island, the lower mainland, the B.C. coast, and numerous other smaller runs throughout the province.

At the ferry lot, the Reo was loaded onto its trailer in preparation for the sailing. It was the first time the car had been on the trailer since Toronto. The sailing time was one hour and forty minutes as the M.V. Queen of Cowichan made its way across the 25 km strait to Departure Bay, just outside the city of Nanaimo.

After leaving the ferry, the Reo was unloaded and drove the short distance into Nanaimo, escorted by members of the Malahat Challenge Planning Committee in their pre-1916 cars. The Malahat Challenge is an annual Vancouver Island car tour for cars built before 1916. At Nanaimo the Reo stopped at the local Speedy Muffler shop, where the Findlays (including Peter's wife Teresa and daughter Claire) were greeted by Mayor Gary Korpan and Lyle Crowell, B.C. Area Manager for Speedy Auto Centres. After a brief reception, the cars went their separate ways and the Findlays took the Reo away to prepare it for one of the longest days of the trip.

Horseshoe Bay is a scenic cove where ferries dock and small private boats moor.

The Reo was put on its trailer for the B.C. Ferry ride, the first time since Toronto.

The B.C. Ferries, running between Vancouver Island and the mainland, is the world's largest ferry fleet.

... One of the cars that met the Reo in Nanaimo was this 1910 Russell, a Canadian car built in Toronto by the CCM company. CCM now makes bicycles and sporting goods.

On this day in 1912 ...

• The Pathfinders took the Princess Patricia ferry to Nanaimo ($9.00) and were warmly welcomed by local auto enthusiasts.