42VANCOUVER
Vancouver i5 the principal city of British Columbia and with its surround-
ing municipalities Greater'Vancouver has aver l million peop!e. almost ha!f
that of the province of British Columbia which has a population of about 2.2
million. This is the largest city in the area covered by this guide. It has
its own specia! attractions as well as the disadvantages of big cities any-
~here. When Captain Vancouver sailed past First Narraws into Burrard Inlet in
1792 wha cou!d have imagined that a city such as this wauld graw fram the
densely wooded shores of sue h a primitive land.
This city enjoys one of the most beautiful natura! harbors in the world.
The surrounding mountains offer a seenic backdrop as weli as good skiing in
season. The mild Pacific coast climate allows year-around sailing (though
winter's cooler weather requires a heater for comfort aboard).
Beginning from the south and proceeding narth>'ard the centers of popuiat ion
Delta, Richmond, Vancouver, ~orth Vancouver, and ~est Vancouver --wil1 be
discussed.
Deriving its name from being part of the delta of the Fraser River, Delta
is a sprawling district on the south side of the Fraser River. The two
significant landmarks seen as one sails northward are the B.C. Ferries TerminaI
at Tsa~~assen and the huge Roberts Bank Coal Port development. The silt of the
Fraser River has laid two large shallow banks --Roberts Bank off of Delta and
Sturgeon Bank off of Richmond. Both banks are well buoyed and courses past
them should pass well away from the extensive areas af shoal water.
The South Arm of the Fraser River exits through a buoyed channel protected
by a breakwater which ends at Sands Heads Light Station at the edge of the
bank. North af the river is the municipality af Richmand. The south arm of
the Fraser River is navigable by deep sea vessels as far as the Port of New
Westminster, about 20 miles upstream. Cruising yachts can go in to the small
town of Steveston far fuel, moorage, and provisions, though this is mainly a
commerciai fishing vessel center. Captain's Cave ~larina is 9 1/2 miles up the
river from Sands Heads. From ApriI till July the melting snows that feed the
Fraser cause freshet currents that can run to 5 knots. Upstream travel is
dependent on these currents and the state of the tide.Richmond extends between the North and South Arms of the Fraser River. It
i5 one of the largest residential suburbs of Vancouver. Included in this area
is the expanse of Sea Island on which ~ancouver International Airport is
located. Depending on the prevailing ,,'inds the jets land from inland or come
in over the Strait of Georgia to the runway. Entrance to Richmond marinas is
through the North Arm which exits just south of Point Crey. There are severa l
marinas at the southeastern end of Sea Island. The Arthur Lang bridge has
clearance of 65 feet while the airport swing bridge beyond it has only 18 feet.
Many of the marinas are south~'est of this bridge.The high bluff of Point Grey marks the tip of the peninsula on which
Vancouver proper is lacated. Immediately behind it are the extensive lands of
the University of British Columbia.