John Thomas Walbran facts for kids
John Thomas Walbran (born in 1848 – died March 31, 1913) was an English-Canadian ship captain and a famous writer. He is best known for his book about the names of places along the coast of British Columbia.
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The Life of John Thomas Walbran
John Thomas Walbran was born in Ripon, England, in 1848. He loved the sea and became a qualified ship's master, which means he was a skilled captain, in 1881.
From 1888 to 1890, Walbran worked for the Canadian Pacific Navigation Company along the coast of British Columbia. This company helped ships travel safely.
Later, from 1891 until he retired in 1904, he worked for the Georgian Bay Survey. This group later became known as the Canadian Hydrographic Service. Their job was to map out the waters on the Pacific Coast to make sure ships could navigate safely. Captain Walbran was even the first captain of a ship called the DGS Quadra, which was used for these important surveys.
Walbran's Famous Book
John Thomas Walbran is most famous for writing a book called British Columbia Coast Names. This book was first published in 1909. It's a very important book because it explains how many places along the coast of British Columbia got their names. People still use and refer to his book a lot today!
His Final Years
John Thomas Walbran passed away on March 31, 1913, at St. Joseph's Hospital. He was buried in Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria, British Columbia.
How John Walbran Is Remembered
To honor his important work, several places are named after John Thomas Walbran. These include Walbran Island, Walbran Point, and the beautiful Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park.
