| Mudge Island was named by Captain Richards of the HMS Plumper
circa 1859 for Lieutenant William Tertius Fitzwilliam Mudge who
served under Captain Michael de Courcy aboard the HMS Pylades
and was stationed in this area 1859-1860. Lieutenant Mudge was
born in 1831 and entered the navy in 1845 and achieved his lieutenancy
in 1855. He was drowned in the wreck of HMS Orpheus where he served
as a flag lieutenant, on the Manaku Bar, New Zealand on February
07, 1863.
Mudge Island is one of the most northerly of the Gulf Islands
and is among a string of low islands tucked between Vancouver
Island and Gabriola and Valdes Islands, south of Nanaimo. This
group of islands is known as the De Courcey Islands and consists
of Mudge, Link, Ruxton, Pylades and De Courcy islands. The infamous
Brother XII (Edward Arthur Wilson) based his religious cult at
the south end of De Courcy Island. For a time the "end of
the world" colony flourished, attracting generous donations
from followers and expanding to nearby Valdes Island and Cedar-by-the-sea.
Wilson's erratic behavior, his sexual involvement with initiates
and his tyrannical leadership resulted in divisions within the
movement. The mysterious disappearance of various cult members
caused Brother XII to be investigated for murder in 1932 and resulted
in him fleeing to Switzerland with his mistress Madame Zee to
seek medical help and where apparently he died, however some people
are convinced he faked his own death. It is rumored that a great
deal of gold was buried on this property when he ransacked the
colonies at the dissolution of his reign of polygamy and occult
communal life during the late 1920's and early 30's.
All of these islands are very popular with boaters and kayakers,
but they are not serviced with regular ferry service.
The Gulf Islands are a scattering of more than 200 islands and
islets situated in Georgia Strait. Technically the term encompasses
all islands in the strait, but commonly refers to those on the
southwestern side.
The islands were once part of Vancouver Island but were detached
by glacial erosion. They are well wooded, with rugged topography
and uneven coastlines attractive to recreational boaters. Located
in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island, they enjoy more sunshine
than almost any other place in Canada.
Human occupation dates back at least 5,000 years. The island
was used extensively by Coast Salish groups for resource harvesting.
The first Europeans in the area were Spanish mariners, who explored
in 1791, and British naval vessels surveyed the islands in 1858
and 1859. Coal was discovered in Nanaimo in the early 1850's and
Great Britain supplied some of the earliest non-Native settlers.
Initially they were contracted with the Hudson Bay Company to
mine coal but some stayed to mix with those who arrived in the
1860's to farm and fish. Early industry included mining, quarrying
of sandstone, brick making and later logging (which is still taking
place but on a smaller scale).
Since the 1960's the islands have become a favorite spot for
retirees and refugees from the urban rat race, including many
artists. In 1999 the permanent population was about 11,500, but
the numbers swell each summer as seasonal visitors are attracted
by the pleasant weather, convenient ferry access and beautiful
scenery. |
