Three Victoria residents were presented with Maritime Museum of B.C. SS Beaver Medals for Maritime Excellence by Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon on Wednesday.
The Beaver medal spotlights outstanding contributions to B.C.’s marine heritage and ocean economy.
This year’s medal winners are Dr. Barry Gough for his notable career as a maritime historian. Leonard McCann for his involvement and dedication to the Vancouver Maritime Museum for more than 35 years, and Capt.Tom McCulloch for his many contributions to Canadian and Commonwealth hydrography.
“We are excited that this year’s awards recognize a word-class example of our province’s ocean sciences-related technology and three individuals whose careers have advanced knowledge of our coastal environment and our B.C. maritime heritage,” said Barry Rolston, who chaired this year’s selection process.
The Maritime Museum of B.C. instituted the Beaver Medal award in 2012 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the marine sector.
Previous medal winners include industrialist Dennis Washington, naval architect Robert Allan, marine lawyer Peter Bernard, shipyard manager Malcolm Barker, Prince Rupert Port developer and advocate William Hick, and publisher and author Howard White. Special awards have gone to the well-known ferry MV Coho and the Thermopylae Club of Victoria.
A medal struck from material salvaged from the 19th century Hudson’s Bay Company SS Beaver, the pioneering first steamship on the West Coast, is presented to winners of the award.