Waddington Harbour facts for kids
Waddington Harbour is a natural harbour located at the very end of Bute Inlet in British Columbia, Canada. It's a special place on the Central Coast region of British Columbia. Two important rivers, the Homathko River and the Teaquahan River, flow into the harbour. A bit further south, the Southgate River also flows into the inlet. The lower part of the Southgate River valley is known as Pigeon Valley.
Exploring the Geography
Right where the Homathko River meets the harbour, you'll find Homathko Estuary Provincial Park. This park protects the area where the river water mixes with the ocean. Nearby is Potato Point at 50°55′38″N 124°51′26″W / 50.92722°N 124.85722°W, which is home to Potato Point Indian Reserve No. 3. Just a little south along the Bute Inlet shoreline is Hamilton Point at 50°54′07″N 124°51′14″W / 50.90194°N 124.85389°W. A creek called Cumsack Creek also flows into the estuary from the east at 50°56′12″N 124°51′46″W / 50.93667°N 124.86278°W.
Mountains Around the Harbour
Many tall mountains stand proudly around Waddington Harbour.
- On the north side of Pigeon Valley and the lower Southgate River, you can see Southgate Peak at 50°55′04″N 124°45′07″W / 50.91778°N 124.75194°W.
- Right next to it on the east is Mount Bute at 50°56′06″N 124°42′04″W / 50.93500°N 124.70111°W.
- Further north on the same ridge is Galleon Peak at 50°57′31″N 124°42′23″W / 50.95861°N 124.70639°W.
- North of the harbour, where the Homathko and Teaquahan rivers meet, stands Teaquahan Mountain at 51°01′55″N 124°49′28″W / 51.03194°N 124.82444°W. A peak of this mountain is Mount Evans at 50°59′43″N 124°51′04″W / 50.99528°N 124.85111°W.
- On the west side of Waddington Harbour, above Potato Point, is House Mountain at 50°53′45″N 124°56′47″W / 50.89583°N 124.94639°W.
- South of the harbour, you'll find Mount Sir Francis Drake at 50°47′29″N 124°47′09″W / 50.79139°N 124.78583°W.
History and How it Got its Name
Waddington Harbour played an important role in the history of British Columbia. It was especially significant during the Chilcotin War in 1862. People once thought it could be a major port for ships heading to the Cariboo goldfields. Later, it became a place where soldiers and officials from Victoria gathered during the conflict. The Canadian Pacific Railway Survey even considered this route for a railway across Canada.
The harbour is named after Alfred Waddington. He was a very important businessman in Victoria during the colonial era. He came to Victoria in 1849, drawn by the news of the Fraser Gold Rush. This gold rush led to the creation of the Colony of British Columbia.
During the Cariboo Gold Rush, people needed an easier way to travel to the gold towns like Barkerville. Waddington wanted to build a wagon road from Bute Inlet to Fort Alexandria on the Fraser River. From there, existing roads led to the goldfields. He started this project in 1862 and faced financial challenges.
In 1864, work began on the road. The construction crews hired Tsilhqot'in warriors to help. However, there were serious problems. The Tsilhqot'in people were facing difficult times, including a widespread illness that had greatly reduced their population. When the warriors understood what the road was for, they protested. This led to a tragic conflict. On April 30, 1864, the Tsilhqot'in warriors attacked the work crew.
This event started a long search for the warriors. Troops were sent by warship to Waddington Harbour, which was then known as Port Waddington. The war ended when Klatassine, a Tsilhqot'in leader, surrendered under certain conditions. However, he and four others were later captured and executed in Quesnel on June 13, 1864.
Alfred Waddington was also a member of the Legislative Assembly of Vancouver Island and worked as a superintendent of schools. He continued to promote his idea for a railway route through Bute Inlet. He sold his plans to the new Province of British Columbia in 1871. Waddington passed away in Victoria in 1872, still hoping his railway dream would come true.
Many other places are also named after Alfred Waddington. These include Waddington Bay in the Broughton Archipelago, Mount Waddington (the highest mountain entirely in British Columbia), the Waddington Range of mountains, and a glacier from its summit. There's also Waddington Peak near the Yellowhead Pass, which was his preferred route for the railway through the Rockies. One of the canyons of the Homathko River is called Waddington Canyon, and there's also Waddington Channel between East and West Redonda Islands.
