Mountainview cemetary: a look at our past

Shhh! Do you hear it? That tap tap tap in the wind? You can hear it more clearly when the Pacific gales blow early around this time of year. If you hear it near October 25 take heed for that's when the taps turn to screams in the howl of the tempest... When power lines and trees topple... When all hell breaks loose.

 "You talk to me, so I know you are coming,"  beckons the hideous invitation from the grave of David Robinson. Mr. Robinson, a wireless operator on the Princess Sophia, was one of 75 crew and 268 passengers to perish off the Alaskan coast when the the CPR steamer travelling southward ran aground after losing its way in a sudden snow squall. Early reports over the wireless said the ship had struck a reef hard but firm and passengers were in no immediate danger. But over the next 40 hours the squall turned into a gale severe enough to block several rescue attempts. The wireless messages grew more urgent: "For God's sake hurry, the water is spilling into my room!" Radio rooms were located at the top of the ship next to the bridge. A ship nearby radioed the Princess Sophia instructing Robinson to save his batteries. The operator was the first and the last hear Robinson's final words: "You talk to me, so I know you are coming."

You might dispute what I hear in the wind when it blows early, hard and cold, but the sinking of the steamer and the last words of the radio man are all a matter of record which you can find for yourself at Vancouver's oldest cemetery: Mountainview. If you think I am being a little macabre skulking around cemeteries remember that before there were parks, cemeteries were often the only outdoor green space accessible to workers in an urban setting. Thus it was common for families to use these hallowed grounds as recreation areas for picnicing and so on. In many parts of the world this is still a common practice.
Mountainview cemetery has several graves of interest to see and frequently offers historical walking tours such as the upcoming Sunday, October 30 walk featuring the sinking of the Princess Sophia. The tour is organized in part by the Vancouver Maritime Museum . It's free and meets at Celebration Hall in the cemetery at 4pm. The cemetery is flat and there is paved pathway throughout. Getting to some graves means a slog over uneven grass. There are no benches except in the Masonic burial area and no public washrooms. Celebration Hall has accessible washrooms. Enter through the main gate near Fraser and East 35 Avenue as there are steps at many other entranceways along East 41 Ave to the south and on the North end along East 33 Ave.  You can also take self guided tours by using maps and brochures available in the main office at Celebration Hall. The cemetery is open from 7am to 7pm 365 days a year. Check out the web if you want to download walking tour maps and to get more information vancouver.ca/commsvcs/NONMARKETOPERATIONS/MOUNTAINVIEW/.

Aerial photo of Mountainview Cemetary
courtesy City of Vancouver

If you want more information on the October 30th walk event go to www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=173563199391477.

Next time we'll feature more ways to celebrate Halloween and get your spook on in the Lower Mainland.