Archival Fonds and Collections

To date, the Leonard G. McCann Archives includes 60 metres of processed fonds and collections related to vessels, shipping companies and maritime personalities. Brief summaries of the fonds and collections are included below with a link to their finding aids. As records are processed, new finding aids will be added.

Cora DeVos - Souls Ignited exhibition

Recording was taken during a live event in which the director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum, David Jordan, interviewed photographer Cora DeVos in front of a live audience in the TK Gallery about the photographs featured in her temporary exhibition at the museum, entitled Souls Ignited. The photog...

Oral History Project

Vancouver Maritime Museum fonds

The fonds consists of records related to the operational and administrative history of the Vancouver Maritime Museum and its stewardship by the Vancouver Maritime Museum Society. Records include correspondence; meeting minutes; policies and procedures; contracts; financial reports...

VMM Archives collection

The Vancouver Maritime Museum (VMM) Archives collection consists of archival records donated to the Vancouver Maritime Museum from a wide variety of sources over a period of sixty years since the museum opened. Some of the archival records were originally processed and filed as th...

George Stephen Parkin papers

File consists of 30 photographic prints and postcards; one typewritten letter; one newspaper article; and a Certificate of Proficiency in Radiotelegraphy.

St. Roch research collection

The records in this research collection were created and received by three separate juridical entities carrying out three different administrative functions. Firstly, the research collection includes records created and received by the crew of the St. Roch and other members...

Parks Canada St. Roch Photograph collection

The collection consists of graphic material including photographic prints, negatives, and slides relating to the voyages of the St. Roch. Many of these images have been identified as copies procured by Parks Canada and the Vancouver Maritime Museum during their respective times as custodians ...

Union Steamship Company collection

The collection consists of a combination of materials relating to the Union Steamship Company of British Columbia that has been collected over the years by the Vancouver Maritime Museum as well as documents that have been donated to the museum by Gerald Rushton, author of two books on the company ti...

Register of Seamen Shipped Ledger collection

The Register of Seamen Shipped Ledger Collection consists of 47 volumes documenting the seamen who shipped out of the Port of Vancouver. The collection dates from 1898 to 1967 and is a unique record of merchant marine history. These large, hand-written ledgers include the name of ...

VMM Salmon can label collection

The collection consists of original salmon can labels printed for packing companies along the west coast of British Columbia and Washington. Some of the labels are from companies located overseas – such as C.E. Morton (New Zealand) Limited and Tokyo Food Products Limited. The collection includes lab...

Thomas F. Bayard collection

Records in this collection consist of materials related to the history of and preservation efforts for the Thomas F. Bayard. Records include correspondence, logbooks, reports, registry certificates, historical research on the vessel completed by John Crosse, survey reports ...

Robert G. Halford fonds

The fonds consists of records related to Robert G. Halford's research for his publication "The Unknown Navy: Canada's World War Two Merchant Navy". Records include correspondence and interview excerpts with crew members of merchant marine vessels, magazine articles, newspaper clip...

Fishermen's Reserve collection

Records in the collection include correspondence and announcements about reunion events, reunion attendance books, personal reminisces of time spent in the Fishermen's Reserve, newspaper clippings and articles on the history of the reserve, and photographs of members and vessels t...

British Columbia Whaling collection

The collection consists of records relating to the daily operational activities of the Victoria Whaling Company and its successor, Consolidated Whaling Corporation Ltd. Records include correspondence sent and received by the whaling company with suppliers, other whaling companies,...

VMM Special Collections

This collection consists of rare historical materials housed at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, including first editions of several works related to B.C. coastal history; original materials created by the crew of the St. Roch, including letters, photographs, and materials related to the St. Roch...

Captain John Park fonds

Records in this fonds consist of personal papers and correspondence related to Captain John Park's maritime career as a vessel Master and marine Pilot in the B.C. Coast Pilotage Authority. Also included are immigration papers for his wife Kate Park; family photographs; a guest boo...

Edward Crawford Swank fonds

The fonds consists of textual and graphic records created and received by Edward Swank during his private life and as a prominent member of British Columbia's maritime community. Included are photographs, negatives, personal correspondence, certificates, identification cards, service reference lette...

Ex-Foresty Service Vessel Squadron collection

The collection consists of Ex-Forestry Vessel Squadron Association documentation, such as textual records, photographs, personnel and vessel lists, reports regarding the physical condition of the Dean Ranger, logbook of the Dean Ranger, and newsletters. Collection a...

Kingsley Navigation Company collection

The collection consists of records related to the corporate history of the Kingsley Navigation Company and includes minutes and special resolutions from Director’s and Shareholders’ meetings; lists of shareholders and directors; contracts and stock certificates; correspondence by ...

J.M. MacFarlane collection

Collection consists of envelopes cacheted (stamped or imprinted) with the names and logos of ships in the Canadian, British and American naval and maritime service collected by John M. MacFarlane by sending requests to the various vessels and asking them reply using the envelopes ...

E.W. Connolly collection

The collection consists of records related to Dr. Edward Worthington Connolly’s medical career. Records include medical notebooks and papers containing hand-written notes on pathology, pediatrics, and surgery and his hand-written “study books” on shorthand, French, Latin, chemistry, geology, and phy...

Elek Imredy collection

Collection consists of correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, sketches, working papers, publicity materials, and promotional materials related to the creation of the Girl in Wetsuit sculpture located in Vancouver Harbour at Stanley Park. Also included are contracts and invoices for...

W.E. Darwell fonds

The fonds consists of records related to William E. Darwell's maritime career with the Royal Navy until his retirement and includes maritime service records; his hand-written logbook while serving on the HMS Ganges in Esquimalt (1859-1861); and newspaper clippings and records related to the c...

Norman Hacking fonds

The fonds consists of records created by Norman Hacking during his private life and public life as a writer. The majority of the fond are textual records, but there are some photographs that document his childhood, family members and friends, and marine vessels. Included in the fonds are a number of...

Littlebury collection

Collection consists of 782 negatives. The majority of the images display Stanley Park and the Vancouver waterfront. Additional images are of Mr. Littlebury's travels. Work on this collection is underway. Some photograph descriptions are missing or incomp...

Charles M. Defieux collection

Collection consists of textual records comprised of research notes, correspondence, and working papers related to the maritime research undertaken by Charles M. Defieux. Collection also contains newspaper clippings from The Vancouver Sun and excerpts of journal articles fro...

Ben Franklin/PX-15 Collection

Records in this collection consist of technical reports and correspondence related to the construction and operation of the Ben Franklin/PX-15 during the Gulf Stream Mission in 1969. Also included are promotional materials including press kits; brochures; crew biographies; ...

William Carl Tyack collection

Collection consists of textual and graphic materials related to the life and work of W. Carl Tyack, a member of the RCMP who supplied the St. Roch. The album depicts Tyack's personal and professional life. The collection also contains Tyack's obituary and 6 photos taken of the St. Roch...

Donald Graham fonds

The fonds consists of biographical information, writings, publications, minutes, memorandums, transcripts of interviews, correspondence, newspaper clippings, reports, research notes, reviews, press releases, maps, slides, and photographs.

Akrigg collection

Collection consists of records related to the research completed by Helen and Philip Akrigg for the publication British Columbia Place Names. Records include research notebooks, correspondence, newspaper clippings, copies of historical manuscripts, copies of maps depicting ...

William Kaye Lamb collection

The collection consists of textual records, including ships’ plans, timetables, publicity brochures, onboard publications – menus and published logs, notebooks, newspaper clippings, travel brochures, periodical articles and some commemorative materials. The collection also includ...

W.B. and M.H. Chung maritime history collection

The W.B. & M.H. Chung Maritime History Collection consists of archival records including pamphlets, newsletters, reports, notes, deck plans, cabin plans, menus, promotional brochures, newspaper articles, baggage tags, tickets, day programs, builder's plans, sailing schedules, ...

Henry Larsen collection

Records in the collection consist of personal papers belonging to Henry Larsen and related items accumulated by his family. Records include correspondence, newspaper clippings, a comic book, notice of medals and awards received by Larsen, a copy of the Life Magazine news article o...

John Crosse collection

Collection consists of records created by John Crosse, a local maritime historian. The records relate to his research and writings for numerous maritime-themed journal and newspaper articles as well as drafts of his self-published manuscripts: "Thermopylae"; "In the Wake of Narvae...

S.S. Master Society fonds

The fonds consists of textual records relating to the history, administration and restoration of the SS Master. Records include agendas, minutes and annual reports; correspondence; registration and insurance documents; licenses; financial papers and grant proposals; a logbook recording crew h...

Vickie Jensen fonds

The records in this fonds relate to Jensen’s research for the book "Saltwater Women at Work". She began her research in 1993, interviewing 110 women who had all earned their living working on boats or ships in British Columbi...

Pat Wastell Norris fonds

The fonds consists of two series related to Pat Wastell Norris's book publications. The first series contains material relating to High Seas, High Risk: The Story of the Sudburys, and the second series contains material relating to High Boats: A Century of Salmon Rememb...

Fred Rogers fonds

Records in the fonds consist of research materials and photographs accumulated by Fred Rogers for use during dive trips and writing books about the history of local shipwrecks. The research materials consist of notebooks, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings (original and photocopies) ...

Hugh D. Halkett fonds

Fonds consists of records relating to maritime career of Captain Hugh D. Halkett. Records include personal papers, birth certificate and membership cards for various associations; maritime certificates; testimonials and references for Halkett's shipboard character; logbooks and jo...

Alexander Spanos collection

Records in this collection include the personal papers, correspondence, and maritime service records of Alexander Spanos. A considerable portion of the collection is comprised of photographs (loose and in bound scrapbook albums) – both personal, depicting family members and Alexan...

Hayden collection

The collection is comprised of records relating to the maritime careers of Charles F. Hayden Sr. and Charles F. Hayden Jr. and include maritime service records; correspondence sent and received by Charles Sr. and Jr. with family and friends while at sea; Canadian Pacific promotion...

David I. Moore fonds

The fonds consists of 23 files of records related to David Moore's career and interests as a naval architect. The records include employment records; certificates; working papers, drawings and correspondence related to design projects; publications; meeting minutes from society/bo...

June Hickey collection

Records in this collection include correspondence, a logbook, and the maritime service records of Patrick Joseph Hickey and his son, Richard Joseph Hickey.

Vancouver Outboard Motor Club fonds

The fonds consists of eleven files of records related to the Vancouver Outboard Motor Club and include bylaws; newspaper articles; financial reports; membership applications; correspondence; meeting minutes; club rosters; notices for social events and safety bulletins; photographs and one scrapbook ...

Collins Family fonds

Fonds consists of records related to the local and international maritime careers of John Campbell Stewart, Eustace Frederick Collins, and Frederick Stewart Collins. Records include certificates of discharge, a merchant marine ID card, reference letters from shipping companies, a ...

Lord Nelson collection

The collection consists of records related to the naval careers of Lord Nelson, Lord Northesk, Lord Collingwood and events including the Battle of Trafalgar. Records related to Lord Nelson include original correspondence and transcriptions of letters as recorded by Nelson’s secret...

Glen K. Sargent photograph collection

Collection consists of photographs taken by Glen Kirk Sargent during his time posted at "G" Division, serving at Spence Bay (Taloyoak or Talurjuaq), Craig Harbour, Grise Fiord (Aujuittuq), and Coppermine (Kugluktuk), Nunavut from 1951-1958. The majority of the images focus on the ...

VMM Ship Log collection

The collection consists of original logbooks that document the day-to-day activities aboard various vessels that plied the Vancouver waterways and British Columbia coastline. The logbooks were maintained by crew members and recorded such events as crew activities, weather conditio...

VMM Reference Files collection

Work on this collection is underway. Some features may be unavailable or non-functional. The collection consists of clippings, reports, ephemera, and other documents related to specific vessels (ships, tugs, etc.), primarily those active in Vancouver and...

VMM Photograph Album collection

Collection consists of photograph albums that have been donated to the Vancouver Maritime Museum. The albums primarily contain images of ships and geographic locations. For more information, consult individual album descriptions. Work on this collection is underway. So...

B.W. Leeson collection

Collection consists of 19 photographs (glass plate negatives) taken by Benjamin William Leeson. Images depict First Nations people, including the Quatsino, and Caucasian colonists taken circa 1894-1939 while Leeson was working as a customs official. Original image titles...

VMM Photograph collection

Collection consists of over 100,000 images donated to the Vancouver Maritime Museum at various times. Often discrete items, but sometimes also whole collections, have been included. This collection is not completely catalogued. Ne...

Estevan Point lighthouse

File consists of images of the Estevan Point Lighthouse. The majority of the images are originally from the Donald Graham fonds.

VMM Chart collection

Work on this collection is underway. Some features may be unavailable or non-functional. This collection consists of nautical charts primarily produced by the British Admiralty, Canadian Hydrographic Office, US Hydrographic Office and other government organizations....

VMM Ship Plan collection

This collection consists of ship plans from various vessels. Work on this collection is underway. Some features may be unavailable or non-functional. Please consult the archivist for plans for a specific vessel.

Sir John Franklin collection

The collection consists of five nautical charts, detailing the search for Franklin and one broadside for Captain Austin's expedition in search of Sir John Franklin.

Edwin Drechsel shipboard mail cancellations

The collection consists of one album (disbound) of 48+ pages of British Columbia markings on sails, and posted aboard ships along the coast and inland lakes. Prepared in 1981.

H.T. Nelson Chandlery fonds

The fonds consists of business correspondence; personal correspondence of Randi P. Nelson; several samples of vessel orders and their related records; financial and administrative records, such as, vessel orders, receipts, invoices, insurance papers, and tax records; newspaper cl...

Burrard Shipyard and Engineering Works fonds

This fonds consists of mostly financial records including: financial statements, balances, and accounts for the organization from 1941-1961; 3 ledger books filled with business accounts, employee information, and specific projects covering 1925-1955; tenders, which includes reques...

Murray McLellan photograph collection

The collection consists largely of Murray McLellan's photographs published in Harbour & Shipping. The collection also includes early black and white photographs from the magazine and images taken by other photographers that were also published in the magazine. One camer...

S.C. [Stephanie Castle] Heal fonds

This fonds consists of 45 files of vessel plans, prospectuses and catalogues, building specifications, and some business correspondence gathered by S.C. Heal from 1964-1974 as part of a few of her shipping ventures, mostly under the names of Nordic Shipping Ltd. and Continental Oc...

Shoemaker collection

This collection contains six lantern slides regarding Captain James Cook. Most appear to depict locations in England, most likely locations associated with Cook. The remainder of the collection consists of forty glass plate negatives, most likely gelatin dry plates. The majority o...

Hubert Lindsay Cadieux collection

The collection consists of 141 images, including 45 glass plate negatives and 96 slides. Some or all of the images may have originated with the World Ship Society.

Vancouver Sun and Province collection

Collection consists of files organized alphabetically by vessel name or subject. The files were used by Vancouver Sun/Province reporters for reference while writing their stories. The files would have originally been created and maintained in the separate libraries of the two news...

Johannes Brochmann sketchbooks

This extraordinary collection of sketchbooks is the personal visual diary of Johannes Brochmann. This large collection of imagery was created during his travel at sea and is captured in this impressive collection of watercolour images. Most are bound in original sketchbooks. ...

VMM Scrapbook collection

This collection contains maritime themed scrapbooks, some of which contain various combinations of the following items: photographs; postcards; magazine, newspaper and Xeroxed clippings; and handwritten labels, titles and annotations. Scrapbooks are bound or unfastened, as well a...

John Duke photograph collection

Collection consists of 21 sepia photographs documenting John Duke's time on board the St. Roch.

Robert Hobbs collection

Records in this collection are related to the personal activities and maritime career of Captain Robert Hobbs. Hobbs’ collection includes records that span from 1934 until 1937, and primarily pertains to Vancouver, Victoria, Puget Sound, and the Coastal waters of British Columbia. The first series o...

Canadian National Steamships collection

This collection consists primarily of interdepartmental correspondence and other organizational records created by the Pacific Coast branch of the Canadian National Steamships Company (CNSS). Records were created primarily between the 1920s and the 1970s, during the CNSS' years of...

William M. Reid fonds

This fonds primarily consists of records created by William M. Reid and related to projects he completed while operating his business as a naval architect. Records are divided into four series and comprise of copies of ship plans, mostly created by Reid; correspondence with clients, the Steamship...

Arthur Ernest Emmerson fonds

The fonds consists of correspondence Emmerson sent to his parents, chronicling his work-related travels, as well as accompanying photographs of the peoples and places he encountered. Records in the fonds are also related to Emmerson's personal hobbies and interests, as well as business pursuits, cre...

Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd. collection

Collection consists of photographs and printed materials related to the history of Burrard Shipyards.

Jack Foster collection

Consists of reel-to-reel audio recordings, presumably of Jack's memories on board the St. Roch. Also consists of photographs of Jack, his family members, and his activities with the R.C.M.P.

Brown-John & Rumley photograph collection

Historical photographs related to the British Columbia coast, taken by Brown-John's family in their maritime travels.

Garrett Engine Company fonds

Fonds consists of materials created during the course of the Garrett Engine Company's business, including engineering and mechanical sketches, notes, and drawings. Also included in the fonds are photographs of the company's founder, Richard Garrett.

Captain Lloyd H. Fuerst fonds

Collection consists of photo negatives taken by Fuerst throughout his life and maritime career. The images largely depict ships on the water. All images were taken by Captain Lloyd H. Fuerst.

This fonds is not yet completely processed.

Keith Wood photograph collection

The collection consists of photographs taken in Estevan and Hesquiaht around 1958-1959, at the time when Wood was based there.

Byron Keith Roberton fonds

Captain Thomas Salter Guns fonds

The fonds consists of primary source materials created or collected by Guns during the course of his career, including photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, reports and daily logs and journals. The fonds also includes manuscripts for fiction that Guns wrote between and during his stints ...

Canadian Pacific Railway collection

The collection consists of materials spanning the late nineteenth century to the early twenty-first century, including textual records such as company and employee administrative papers; publicity brochures, advertisements, timetables, menus, and ephemera relating to rail lines, shipping lines, and ...

Ross Garner RCN collection

Collection consists of photographs related to Garner's career in the Royal Canadian Navy. The majority of photographs are of Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ships during the Second World War. Other ships include U.S. Navy and passenger ships. The collection also includes photographs of memoriam cards hono...

Thomas James Bellas fonds

The collection consists of records relating to Bellas's time in the Merchant Service, the Royal Canadian Navy Reserves, and the Merchant Marines.

Richard Robertson photograph collection

The collection consists of one file of photographs depicting RCMP operations in the Arctic sent to Richard Robertson by H.W. Stallworthy, and one file of photographs depicting sled dog training at the RCMP “N” Division complex in Ottawa.

Simon Francis Mackenzie fonds

Fonds consists of personal and professional records created by Captain Simon F. Mackenzie and members of his family, as well as copies of newspaper articles and reports about the activities of Mackenzie and his family members. These records cover the treasure-hunting expedition of the Eliza Edwa...

Morgan Logging fonds

Fonds consists of materials produced by Morgan Logging in the course of its operations, including one large photograph album containing logging photos, photographs and log books of the vessel J.R. Morgan, a photocopy of an article about the vessel published in The Yachting and Boating Monthly...

George E. McKee fonds

William Vivian Bennett fonds

Fonds consists of an original acquisition and one accrual. The original acquisition was donated in 2022 and consists of primary source menus from the British Columbia Coast Steamship Service (BCCSS). The second accrual, donated in 2023, consists of personal papers and ephemera related to Bennett's c...

RCMP Quarterly collection

Collection consists of samples of the RCMP Quarterly, including digitized versions of articles primarily related to the history of the St. Roch. Please note that all materials are housed in the library collection of the Vancouver Maritime Museum and are only uploaded on the archival database ...

Otto Landauer photographs

McCormick collection

Collection consists of original documents recording historic events of Upper and Lower Canada in the early part of the 19th century, including letters signed by Sir Francis Bond-Head, an original copy of an act of the Common House of Assembly of Upper Canada, and materials related to Captain Shepher...

G. Stenersen collection

Collection consists of documents acquired and used by Stenersen during his work at Vancouver-area shipbuilding companies. Records include construction standards for new vessels; cost analyses of completed projects; reports on staffing and project planning; inspection reports; labour dispute reports;...

Halse stamp collection

Collection consists of 8 volumes of historical stamps preserved in mint condition, usually affixed to binder pages with accompanying contextual and historical information. Interfiled throughout the collection are newspaper and magazine clippings that provide more context for the stamps. Viewers shou...

Piternick stamp collection

Collection is a philatelic collection consisting of stamps depicting explorers and discoverers. In addition to original stamps, there are secondary source materials that provide further information about the historical figures and events associated with the stamps.

Greenpeace collection

Collection consists of newspaper clippings related to Greenpeace's campaign to "Save the Whales" around the world, including Project Ahab. File consists of mostly original and some photocopy newspaper clippings from the following publications: The Vancouver Sun, The Georgia Straight, ...

British Columbia Coast Steamships (BCCS) ephemera collection