Francis Brockton facts for kids

Francis Brockton was a skilled engineer who worked on a ship called HMS Plumper. In 1859, while exploring the area that is now Vancouver, Canada, he made a very important discovery: a vein of coal! This find helped shape the future of the region.

Francis Brockton: The Coal Finder

Francis Brockton was the ship's engineer aboard HMS Plumper. This ship was led by Captain George Henry Richards. In 1859, during their explorations, Brockton found a valuable deposit of coal. Coal was a very important resource at that time, used for heating homes and powering steam engines.

The Impact of His Discovery

Captain Richards quickly reported Brockton's discovery to Governor James Douglas. This find was significant because coal was a key resource for the growing settlements in the area. To honor this important moment, Captain Richards decided to name two places after the discovery and the engineer.

Naming Coal Harbour and Brockton Point

The area where the coal was found was named Coal Harbour. This name clearly tells us what was discovered there. Captain Richards also named a special spot at the eastern end of what is now Stanley Park in Vancouver. This place was named Brockton Point, in honor of Francis Brockton and his important discovery. These names still exist today, reminding us of Brockton's contribution to Vancouver's history.