July 7 Saturday- We leave Shoal Bay at 9am as Johnstone Straight is said to be calming down. We pass spawling clearcuts of 30-60 years ago .For the most part they are greening up nicely. Many of the old logging roads can be distinguished as fast zigzagging patterns outlined by noticeable taller trees. We pass the Greenpoint rapids and the Whirlpools with no problems. Going through Chatham Channel between the mainland and East Croft Island we line up the red range markers to forge through a narrow channel. It took us 7 hours to get to Minstral Island where we dock .We meet the new owners.
A little history on Minstral- It got its start in 1905. It was an area rich in timber and about 60 logging outfits worked around the area. The Union Steamship made one of its scheduled stops here. 1907 a general store was opened and a hotel was added. It became the recruiting center for loggers. Their saloon was known as one of the toughest place on the coast. It was said to sell the most beer on the BC coast. As many as 500 people milled around with dances and “boat Days” for more attractions. A mechanic shop and a boarding school were added to the property. Then the Islands first Post Office arrived. By the end of 1950’s life around Minstral slowed down. The Canadian Fishing Co cannery at Bones Bay around the corner closes its doors in 1949. The Union Steamship no longer serves the coast and small logging outfits are taken over by Crown Zellerback. Minstral has changed hands many times. Now only a very run down hotel and house (empty) remain with many trailers on barges where a restaurant, pub, store and laundry facilities once flourished. The government still exist but need repairs so there is no charge. The 3 tonne crane is still here. The helicopter pad and float plane dock are in shambles.
Today the property has been bought by 4 partners. We meet two. Paul and Danelle are from Montreal, and Steve is from Mudge (Nanaimo). We also meet steve’s mom Murial .They have lots of work ahead of them as they want to clear out all the buildings on barges and make one large beach. The barges are full of heavy appliances- fridges ,stoves ,freezers about 30 of them. They have a caretaker (Dan) looking after what he can as he is working on the land development on the other side of the island. In the evening he goes and checks his prawn traps . He traded prawns for a bottle of wine. What a deal !