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gun emplacements, and buildings are accessible when one is on the island. Hobbyists with metal detectors are strongly cautioned against using them on the island due to the possibility of live ordnance left over from training purposes during the war. Safely accessing the island is a difficult and sometimes dangerous journey due to dangerous tides and winds. The safest access is in
Courtenay Bay due to its protection from extreme flood and tidal action compared to the conditions found on the beach side near to the dock built during the
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brought in to fill the 50000 gallon cement water tank via the nearest creek on
Hardwicke Island. Filling this tank and its challenges led to the only death on Yorke, Gnr Brunt, when the skiff he and others were on was swamped returning from a maintenance trip to Hardwicke Island. Brunt's leg tangled in the boat tow line and he was lost when it sank. Efforts to recover him were not successful.
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be found out in plain site on the island. Recent visits have shown the use of ground penetrating radar (Suzie Guns) and damage to walls and floors in the main bunker trying to find these rooms as reported in an inaccurate Urban
Exploration posting. Research shows the entire fort built on bedrock, with final construction involving over 100,000 cubic feet of concrete.
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Yorke Island was an isolated post which combined with lack of action, the advent of the conscript act, and minimal contact with locals led to some discipline issues, nicknamed "Going Yorkie". Segregation was also a difficulty: some men served on the island at the same time did not meet until reunions
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was dismantled, meaning
Courtenay Bay offers safest access to those requiring anchorage. There are no operators with permits to conduct tours of Yorke Island on shore at this time. Visitors should also be aware that there are no hidden rooms, bunkers, ordnance rooms, or anything other than what can
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Although the fort is abandoned, Yorke Island itself is now a
Conservancy protected under BC Parks. Recent efforts by volunteers and local groups have now allowed for a major cleanup at the fort. Trails have been cut and marked to areas of safe access and interest. Extensive remnants of the bunkers,
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Approximately 60 buildings were built to support the garrison. A major challenge with Yorke Island was a lack of drinking water. Water was at first supplied by Union Steam ships while dropping off construction materials. After this was determined to be too inefficient, a scow with a large tank was
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and determined suitable locations for coastal defences. Yorke Island was determined to be a suitable site. The site was equipped with two 4.7" Quick firing guns, later replaced by two 6" Mk7 guns on Mk 2 mounting (transferred from the
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https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/old-bc-fort-was-braced-for-japanese-invasion-that-never-came/article2230032/
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https://books.google.com/books?id=Vp_MygAACAAJ&q=Yorke+Island+and+the+Uncertain+War,+Defending+Canada's+western+coast+during+WWII+
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have to pass. As
Hardwicke Island separates two channels offering passages between Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of
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https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/photos-yorke-island-then-and-now/article2230058/
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As the threat of attack diminished the garrison was decommissioned and the fort was abandoned by early 1946.
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Vancouver
Defended. A History of the Men and Arms of the Lower Mainland Defences, 1859 - 1949.
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and their crew, were on station to assist the fort in examining all passing traffic.
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https://web.archive.org/web/20120618135327/http://kasha.ezabu.com:80/2012/05/12/434/
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World War II era map of Yorke Island, showing
Canadian military's infrastructure
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In 1938 Major Treatt of the Canada War
Department, inspected the west coast of
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and
Sunderland Channel which all vessels traveling between the mainland and
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1945 schematic of Canadian military's fixed defence works on Yorke Island
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http://www.bcdailybuzz.com/media/3998/In_the_camouflage_of_Yorke_Island/
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List of World War II-era fortifications on the British Columbia Coast
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external links, and converting useful links where appropriate into
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were positioned to maintain a night fighting ability. In addition
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guns at two different sites. In all three 800 million carbon arc
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and Sunderland Channel between Vancouver Island and mainland
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