One of the busiest SYC outstations during the summer months is the Ganges Harbour Outstation, located within the Ganges Marina near the head of Ganges Harbour on Saltspring Island, the largest, most populated, and most frequently visited of the British Columbia Gulf Islands.

Saltspring Island was named by officers of the Hudson’s Bay Company for certain shallow and otherwise unremarkable saltwater springs located on the north end of the island. Tall forests, broad meadows, and beautiful views framed by blue waters and steep hillsides grace Saltspring. Saltspring Island is the most topographically diverse island in the Gulf Islands; with views ranging from verdant farmland and vineyards to Cliffside terrain towering over the tidal river of Sansum Narrows.

The diverse history of Saltspring Island is interesting to explore. The Coast Salish First Nations have visited this island for centuries, and a small reserve of the Tsawout Band remains on the south coast. The island was explored by the Spanish and British in the 18th century, and settled in 1850 by pioneers from the B.C. mainland. These early settlers were joined in 1857 by groups of freed slaves who emigrated to Canada and Saltspring Island after leaving the United States. Today, Saltspring is the home of artists, farmers, retirees, and vacationers who visit the island by B.C. ferry, private boat, and floatplane to enjoy its laid-back lifestyle and stunning natural beauty. The town of Ganges is located on the east shore of Saltspring Island, at the head of a long natural harbor bounded by rocky islets. Keep a lookout for crab buoys and bustling boat traffic as you approach from the south.

Ganges was named for HMS Ganges, the flagship of the Royal Navy’s Pacific Station between 1857 and 1860. HMS Ganges was an 84-gun ship of 2,284 tons, carrying a crew of nearly 800, and is reported to be the last British sailing warship commissioned for duty in foreign waters. Built of teak in Bombay, India, and completed in 1821, she was a copy of HMS Canopus, renamed by the Royal Navy after her capture from the French (who called her the Franklin) following the Battle of the Nile in 1798. HMS Ganges concluded her remarkable career by serving for more than 60 years as a training vessel for boys of modest means who sought careers in the Royal Navy.

Ganges is the commercial center of the Gulf Islands, offering nearly every amenity a cruising yachtsman might require, including fine restaurants, good provisioning markets, interesting shops, a liquor store, the famous Mouat’s hardware store, and ample opportunities for walking adventures. To get the best from your visit to Ganges, put on your walking shoes and get off the boat for a day or so. Just west of town centre is Mouat Park, with great hiking trails and a unique Frisbee golf course. To experience the island from a wider perspective, rent a car and explore the island’s unique scenery. Consider a sunset visit to Vesuvius Bay, or an adventuresome drive to the summit Mt. Maxwell, where you can experience awesome views over the Gulf Islands, Sansum Narrows, and Vancouver Island.

Every Saturday in Centennial Park at the town centre, local farmers and merchants gather for a Saturday market that should not be missed. Saltspring Island has developed a local gourmet cuisine that includes award-winning wineries specializing in pinot noir and pinot gris, an artisanal cheese maker who creates delectable goat’s milk chevre cheeses, and organic farms that produce tender spring greens for salads. Each year that I visit Ganges, the local restaurants seem to provide more diverse and tastier offerings for those evenings when a meal ashore is appealing. In addition, Saltspring Island hosts frequent arts festivals and other cultural gatherings where all visitors are welcomed. Throughout July of each year, the island hosts its annual Festival of the Arts, with new music, drama, and other artistic offerings each week. The highlight of the Ganges Harbour Outstation summer calendar is the unique lamb and salmon barbecue hosted by SYC and the Saltspring Island Chamber of Commerce on the SYC docks. This event is a good opportunity to experience local culinary specialties and meet new friends in the Saltspring community. Watch the SYC website and Binnacle for the date of the 2005 event!

At this time, SYC leases approximately 780 feet of moorage in the Ganges Marina, which is located near the town center. The SYC dock area has fresh water and both 30 AMP and 50 AMP power. Ganges Marina during the summer months is a busy place, so be prepared for lots of boat and floatplane traffic. Our docks are also a bit rustic, but no different than many other Canadian marinas where bull rails rather than cleats are the rule.

Please note the following rules specific to the Ganges Harbour Outstation (in addition to the General Rules Governing All Outstations.) SYC members are subject to all rules of the Ganges Marina; however, SYC members need to register only in the logbook located on the SYC dock. Rafting is required on the north side of the dock, between the finger piers. Due to limited space, stays are limited to four consecutive days, eight days total in any 30-day period from July 1 to August 31.

See you in Ganges in 2005!