Memories from a lost past haunt this abandoned homestead in County Kilkenny, Ireland. Houses like this are scattered all over Ireland due to the incredible historical population collapse. In 1841 the population of the area now covering the Republic of Ireland was over 6.5 million however the Great Famine (Gorta Mór) of 1845 to 1852 or Irish Potato Famine as it is known outside of Ireland, directly caused the deaths of over one million people and a further million more emigrating from Ireland. By 1871 the population had dropped by over a third to four million, and by 1926 the subsequent economic, social, and political turmoil had further reduced the population down to three million, less than half of the 1841 population.
Another shot from Jet boating in the Fort George Canyon last weekend. Up until the completion of the railway the Fraser River was the main transport route in and out of Fort George (now Prince George), and the Fort George Canyon was one of the key obstacles that sternwheelers had to navigate. It quickly became known for its dangerous reefs, rapids, and whirlpools. Sternwheelers like the “BX”, “Nechacco” and “Quesnel”, navigated these treacherous waters in the early 1900’s. The BX sank in Ft George Canyon in November 1919 after striking a rock. It was loaded with 2500 bags of cement that perished. In April 1921, the Quesnel would become the last sternwheeler to run the gauntlet through the canyon. She was relaunched with the intent of resuming the local service abandoned by the BC Express and BX and lasted only three weeks before being wrecked in the canyon. During the salvage of her cargo, which included 100 barrels of beer, she broke free from the rock she was caught on and sank and was never recovered. Fort George Canyon Provincial Park, Northern British Columbia, Canada
Located on a small island that lies between Stephens Passage and Frederick Sound the Five Finger Islands Light was the first U.S. government lighthouses opened in Alaska, on March 21, 1902. It became the last lighthouse in Alaska to be automated on August 14, 1984. The original wooden lighthouse burnt down and the current art deco structure dates back to 1935. We were lucky enough to be radioed by the lighthouse keeper as we sailed past in S/V BOB and were invited onto the lighthouse for a tour. Taking advantage of a rare bout of calm seas around the light, we headed over to the rocky outpost in our little skiff and were able climb the light. South East Alaska, USA.
