Tofino - Port Alberni, BC

LUCKY LAGER ROAD TRIP
WESTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA 

September 28-30, 2015 (Days 10-12)

Tofino & Tofino to Port Alberni 
 Miles: 118 / Total Trip Miles: 826

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Port Alberni:
Port Alberni (population 18,000) is a lumber and fishing town located on a deep water ocean inlet in the south-central heart of Vancouver Island. Port Alberni lies within the Alberni Valley at the head of the Alberni Inlet—Vancouver Island's longest inlet. The chief source of employment is the forest industry.  The Alberni Valley's forests consist primarily of Douglas fir, hemlock, yellow cedar and western red cedar. Most of the old growth forests have been logged with current logging coming from second growth forests.

Port Alberni was named for Captain Pere d'Alberní, a Spanish officer, who commanded Fort San Miguel at Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island's west coast from 1790 to 1792. In 1964, Port Alberni was hit by two tsunamis during the Alaskan Earthquake (aka Good Friday earthquake). The water rose about one foot in a minute reaching ten feet above the high-water mark. About 375 homes were damaged and 55 homes were washed away, however there were no injuries. 

Port Alberni was named the "worst Canadian city to live in" by MoneySense's annual ranking. The magazine scored Canadian cities across 34 categories. Despite its picturesque location, Port Alberni came in last place due to high unemployment, high crime rate and low household income. 

Port Alberni has a warm Mediterranean/ dry-summer subtropical climate. The annual mean temperature is 49 degrees Fahrenheit. During the summer, average high temperatures are 74°F. Total annual precipitation averages 74 inches.  Rating for Port Alberni = C+.

Photographs:

These photographs are the property of Leon Jackson, and are protected by copyright laws. Photographs may not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Leon Jackson. © 2015 Leon Jackson. All Rights Reserved.

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Great White

This small boat with a big name is docked in Tofino Harbor.

Tofino Air

Cessna 180 Skywagon floatplane heading north from Tofino on our sight-seeing flight. Photo credit: Mary Jackson.

PV Inkster Docked in Port Alberni

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Patrol Vessel (PV) Inkster is a 65-foot, high-speed patrol catamaran—stationed at Prince Rupert, British Columbia. She patrols an area south to Vancouver Island—a distance of approximately 300 nautical miles. PV Inkster is capable of speeds in excess of 25 knots.

MV Songhee Docked in Port Alberni
The 95-foot Motor Vessel (MV) Songhee was built in 1944 by Star Shipyards in New Westminster, BC. Songee has seen varied service as a minesweeper, tug and fishing lodge. She was originally named M-468 Songhee, after the First Nations Songee people, and served as a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) supply vessel.  Songee was tasked with provisioning and providing personnel transport to RCAF coastal radar outposts. For a brief period before transferring to the auxiliary fleet, Songee was taken over by the Royal Canadian Navy and renamed HMCS Songhee. In 1961 Songhee was used to conduct an extensive site survey for the establishment of the Patricia Bay Under Water Range. Removed from service in 1990, she was then sold to commercial interests. The 70-year-old Songee is now serving as a bed and breakfast vessel berthed at Centennial Pier in Port Alberni.