Captain Richards' journal is an account of three survey seasons on Vancouver Island aboard two British Navy ships, the HMS Plumper and the HMS Hecate. Between 1860 and 1862 Richards and his dedicated crew surveyed and charted the entire coastline of Vancouver Island, creating baseline information for the nautical charts we use today.

This monumental task, faithfully and often humorously recorded, also includes a lively description of California on the eve of the American Civil War as Richards sits in dry dock following the near wreck of the Hecate. Part of the private collection of a direct descendant of Captain Richards, the journal is a little known and untapped resource.

Extensively annotated and supplemented with excerpts from the journals of Second Master John Gowlland, the journal provides a unique and personal view of the aboriginal, colonial, nautical and natural history of Vancouver Island. Richards is revealed as a man of immense energy and diplomacy; the descriptions of the First Nations he encounters are remarkably unbiased for the time and his keen observations are a portal into the social and political life of Vancouver Island during these formative years of the colony.

The journal will appeal to historians, anthropologists, sailors, meteorologists and the general reading public alike.

Linda Dorricott is an ethnohistorical researcher and writer with an academic background in anthropology. Her research supports treaty negotiations, aboriginal land and resource use, archaeology, the development of First Nation archives and libraries and legal actions. Captain Richards' journal was obtained during a research trip to England in 2006. She was born and raised on Vancouver Island and lives in Nanaimo. This is her first book.

Linda Dorricott's profile page

Deidre Cullon is an ethnohistorical researcher and writer with an academic background in anthropology. Her research supports treaty negotiations, aboriginal land and resource use, archaeology, the development of First Nation archives and libraries and legal actions. Captain Richards' journal was obtained during a research trip to England in 2006. She was raised on Vancouver Island and lives in Nanaimo with her family. This is her first book.

Deidre Cullon's profile page

“The Richards journal adds to our appreciation of early Vancouver Island history. After a century and a half, it’s safe to say one thing about this book: It’s about time.” —Victoria Times Colonist

“We were lucky to have [Captain G.H. Richards], and even luckier now that his journal has finally appeared in print after a century and a half in the private possession of his family. Discovering this remarkable man in our history is like meeting an unknown great-uncle and finding him one of the real stars of the family. Richards tells us some amazing stories about the family, stories that also tell us who we are and why.” —The Tyee

“We were lucky to have [Captain G.H. Richards], and even luckier now that his journal has finally appeared in print after a century and a half in the private possession of his family. Discovering this remarkable man in our history is like meeting an unknown great-uncle and finding him one of the real stars of the family. Richards tells us some amazing stories about the family, stories that also tell us who we are and why.” —The Tyee

“The Richards journal adds to our appreciation of early Vancouver Island history. After a century and a half, it’s safe to say one thing about this book: It’s about time.” —Victoria Times Colonist