"In 1842, when explorer James Douglas encountered the rugged natural paradise that would become Vancouver Island, he described it as "a perfect Eden." This book gathers the early recorded histories and personal accounts left by Chinese seafarers, Spanish and British naval officers, traders seeking sea otter pelts, colonial surveyors, as well as soldiers, settlers, and other adventurers, starting from many centuries ago up to 1858. Collected here in detail for the first time, these accounts create a multilayered tale of discovery and exploration."-- Provided by publisher

British Columbia Vancouver Island, Cartographie Colombie-Britannique Vancouver, Île de Histoire, Cartography, Cartography British Columbia Vancouver Island History, Discoveries in geography, Explorateurs Colombie-Britannique Vancouver, Île de Histoire, Explorers, Explorers British Columbia Vancouver Island History, History, Indians, Indians Briti

Three puzzling voyages : the mystic, the raider, and the old salt First confirmed encounters : Pérez and Cook chance upon the Nootka Spaniards take possession of Nuca Malaspina's expedition arrives and explores : the Corbetas and the Goletas The Island of Quadra and Vancouver "A convenient situation for an establishment" Fort Victoria : early visitors' impressions The new colony is proclaimed and exploration begins Explorations north to Comox and across to Alberni Mesachie, the haunted forest : Pemberton and Gooch in the Cowichan Valley The new districts "A most eligible and handsome locality" : Alberni colonized George Richards and the men of Plumper Hecate in the western inlets