Another Cook

Medal

ONE stormy evening, about eight years ago, the “Lorna D”, schooner yacht, of Victoria, 8.C., lay at anchor, weatherbound, in historic Friendly Cove, Nootka, Vancouver Island.

Late that night, a canoe scraped alongside. Its occupant was a priest, who asked for a lift, down the coast, as far as Hesquit, where there is a Catholic mission and Indian village.

We invited him aboard, and told him he was welcome to come along with us.

We hoped to pull out at daybreak, so

we hoisted his canoe and belongings on deck, and then went below, to warm up, at the galley stove.

The conversation naturally came around to the historic spot we were anchored in. This was where Captain Vancouver met the Spaniards, and settled the question of possession, in a friendly meeting.

After searching in his numerous pockets, Father A brought to light a weather-beaten medal, similar to the one described in “PIM” of January, 1941, and which medals were distributed by Captain Cook to native chiefs on his second voyage.

I made a sketch of the medal that night, as I was interested in its history; and I find, on comparing this with the drawing in “PIM” that they are identical, except for a few corroded spots.

Father A was given this medal by an Indian chief, of Yuquot, or Nootka village. The latter, I believe, round it on the sandy beach, many years before.

It was Father A ’s intention to present it to the Provincial Museum in Victoria.—Lorna Davidge, schr. “Lorna D”, Suva.

Cairn erected at Friendly Cove, Nootka, Van couver Is., British Columbia, to commemorate Cook’s visit in 1778. Yuquot, or Nootka Village, in background.