Two ships that played important roles in the early history of what is now British Columbia by exploring and surveying coastal and river navigation were the HMS Plumper and her replacement, the HMS Hecate.
The captain of these vessels in our waters was George Richards, Royal Navy, who in November of 1862 was preparing to leave the West Coast for England.
Before his departure, he paid final visits to some coastal locations, one of which was New Westminster.
Citizens of this city were quite enthralled to watch the ship, HMS Hecate, as she steamed up the Fraser, past the Royal City and then, when in position, dropped anchor opposite the Royal Engineers' Camp.
The camp in 1862 was on the hillside behind today's Sapperton Landing Park.
The city had formed strong ties to these ships over the years as they carried out their duties and supported the ongoing work of the Royal Engineers.
The communities also got to know the members of the crews of the various vessels and, since the Hecate was in harbour, the municipal council "availed themselves of the favourable opportunity thus afforded to present an address to that popular and talented commander."
The newspaper report of the visit and the address to the commanding officer and crew clearly shows the affection felt for these men and the esteem in which their work was held.
"The value of your services to this colony cannot be too highly appreciated. The accurate surveys of our coast will be invaluable to unborn generations of mariners, and commerce will ever owe you a debt of gratitude. "
As there had always been derogatory comments levelled at the harbour area on the Fraser River, the council was thrilled to see a large navy ship steam up the river's reaches and commented as such: "The municipal council of New Westminster - hail with pleasure the opportunity afforded them before your return to England, of offering you their sincere thanks for the zeal you have ever displayed in portraying the navigation of the Fraser River in its true colours, for the ability with which you have conducted its survey."
And they went further: "more especially for exhibiting to the world an incontrovertible proof of the great capacity of that noble stream for commercial purposes, by bringing HM Ship Hecate, of 900 tons register, past our wharves; a fact which refutes all the statements that have been so industriously circulated regarding the character of our port, and should be sufficient to dispel the misapprehensions created in the minds of foreign skippers by those who are interested in retarding our progress."
And so the commanding officer and crew were graciously honoured and thanked: "we trust we may always have the honour of claiming you as a friend of British Columbia - and beg to assure you that you and your officers carry with you the grateful remembrance of every inhabitant."
