History of Alert Bay

In 1792 Captain George Vancouver anchored his vessel, the H.M.S. Discover, at the mouth of the Nimpkish River. While Captain Vancouver visited with the inhabitants of Cheslakee's village, the island, now known as Cormorant Island, lay uninhabited just a short distance away.

In 1846 the island was named for a coastal cruiser, the H.M.S. Cormorant, and later, about 1858, the Bay was named for the H.M.S. Alert which was then stationed on the North-West coast. The period of 1865 to 1870 saw the beginning of active settlement on Cormorant Island and the nucleus of the formation of the village of Alert Bay.

By 1887 the settlement was beginning to show significant signs of progress. 1881 saw the construction of a store and a cannery while the Reverend Hall supervised the construction of "Christ Church".

Water transportation has always been an important ingredient of Alert Bay's history. In 1896, the Union Steamship "Comox", made its first regular call while en route to Rivers Inlet lying to the north. Many other ships, representing a variety of purposes ranging from the transportation of goods, to the delivery of tourists, have visited the Island over the years. In more recent years, when the community was at its peak as centre of the region, regular access was provided by ferry from Kelsey Bay via Beaver Cove. Regular ferry service is now provided from Port McNeill with direct runs to the Bay interspersed by trips to neighbouring Malcolm Island.

In 1946 the Village of Alert Bay became incorporated. At the same time the region was commencing a new era of prosperity which would see profitable growth in the fishing and logging industries.