50p
The Most Beautiful Shortcut
In island country, ferries play an important role. Here at Brentwood, ferries connect us from our campus on Vancouver Island. It is common to hear students talk about taking the Clipper back to their homes in Seattle, or visiting friends in Vancouver via either Horsehoe Bay or Tsawassen. It is, however, less common to hear about journeys on our local ferry: the route between Mill Bay and Brentwood Bay across the Saanich Inlet. Served by the MV Mill Bay and branded by BC Ferries as “Vancouver Island’s most beautiful shortcut”, it might very well be the island’s most incredible ferry route. With stunning views of the Saanich Inlet and the sweeping tree-covered mountains in the area, the Mill Bay Ferry certainly is a beautiful way to enjoy a relaxing 25-minute journey to the Saanich Peninsula.
First sailing in 1924 as a means of avoiding the treacherous journey over the unpaved Malahat Drive, the Brentwood-Mill Bay Ferry has been in near-continuous service for 87 years. In its history, it has run aground twice, once drifted without power across the inlet, and rescued two men after their canoe tipped in the 1980s. It has also been the sight of several movie filmings, most notably Five Easy Pieces starring Jack Nicholson, the moving story of a forlorn former piano prodigy finding his way in the world. In its time, two different vessels have chugged back and forth between the two villages. The current vessel was built in 1956 in Victoria and has a length of 36 meters, a breadth of 9.9m and a draft of 2.5 meters. With a capacity for 16 standard-sized vehicles and a small passenger lounge, the MV Mill Bay is BC’s second smallest ferry.
Used by Brentwood students and families for many years, the ferry is regularly engaged by the school’s Outdoor Pursuits rock climbing program on their cycling commute from Brentwood to the climbing gym at Stelly’s Secondary in Saanich. The group is led by Mr. Norman and Ms. Marchand. Ms. Marchand, who lives in the area and spent time on the ferry as a child, describes the ferry as “certainly beneficial” to the ODP program. Additionally, the Brentwood-Mill Bay ferry does not charge Brentwood students for its use on school trips, cementing our connection with the ferry.
The ferry’s long-standing relationship with Brentwood pre-dates its current use by the ODP program. Mr. T. Gil Bunch, eminent teacher of yore and namesake of Brentwood’s Center for the Performing Arts, often enjoyed a daily commute from his home in Brentwood Bay to school via the ferry. “He would take it most mornings” says biology teacher and advisor Mr. Pennells, a long-time colleague of the Brentwood icon. However, in contrast with the well-known image of Mr. Bunch in the school’s theatre zooming across campus on a bicycle, Pennells says he has “never seen [Bunch] on a bike”. Bunch instead preferred his Datsun 240z sports car: a little quicker, but still with the flamboyant and energetic air so captured in the photograph.
Earlier this year, BC Ferries planned to remove the route but was forced by public outcry to continue service across the inlet. Instead of closing, the ferry is being replaced by a larger vessel and the docks on either end are undergoing renovations to accommodate the larger ship. While service will resume in June, the route will be closed in May as repairs are made to the loading ramps. Stay posted for the maiden sailing of the new ferry, the MV Klitsa.
For Brentonians, in addition to its practical purpose of transportation, the Mill Bay ferry also provides a physical and lasting connection to our school’s original campus in Brentwood Bay. Destroyed by flames in the 1940s, Brentwood College, like a phoenix expanding from our school’s crest, has risen from the ashes. We cannot forget our roots and this ferry serves as a daily reminder of where it all began. Smooth sailing!
First sailing in 1924 as a means of avoiding the treacherous journey over the unpaved Malahat Drive, the Brentwood-Mill Bay Ferry has been in near-continuous service for 87 years. In its history, it has run aground twice, once drifted without power across the inlet, and rescued two men after their canoe tipped in the 1980s. It has also been the sight of several movie filmings, most notably Five Easy Pieces starring Jack Nicholson, the moving story of a forlorn former piano prodigy finding his way in the world. In its time, two different vessels have chugged back and forth between the two villages. The current vessel was built in 1956 in Victoria and has a length of 36 meters, a breadth of 9.9m and a draft of 2.5 meters. With a capacity for 16 standard-sized vehicles and a small passenger lounge, the MV Mill Bay is BC’s second smallest ferry.
Used by Brentwood students and families for many years, the ferry is regularly engaged by the school’s Outdoor Pursuits rock climbing program on their cycling commute from Brentwood to the climbing gym at Stelly’s Secondary in Saanich. The group is led by Mr. Norman and Ms. Marchand. Ms. Marchand, who lives in the area and spent time on the ferry as a child, describes the ferry as “certainly beneficial” to the ODP program. Additionally, the Brentwood-Mill Bay ferry does not charge Brentwood students for its use on school trips, cementing our connection with the ferry.
The ferry’s long-standing relationship with Brentwood pre-dates its current use by the ODP program. Mr. T. Gil Bunch, eminent teacher of yore and namesake of Brentwood’s Center for the Performing Arts, often enjoyed a daily commute from his home in Brentwood Bay to school via the ferry. “He would take it most mornings” says biology teacher and advisor Mr. Pennells, a long-time colleague of the Brentwood icon. However, in contrast with the well-known image of Mr. Bunch in the school’s theatre zooming across campus on a bicycle, Pennells says he has “never seen [Bunch] on a bike”. Bunch instead preferred his Datsun 240z sports car: a little quicker, but still with the flamboyant and energetic air so captured in the photograph.
Earlier this year, BC Ferries planned to remove the route but was forced by public outcry to continue service across the inlet. Instead of closing, the ferry is being replaced by a larger vessel and the docks on either end are undergoing renovations to accommodate the larger ship. While service will resume in June, the route will be closed in May as repairs are made to the loading ramps. Stay posted for the maiden sailing of the new ferry, the MV Klitsa.
For Brentonians, in addition to its practical purpose of transportation, the Mill Bay ferry also provides a physical and lasting connection to our school’s original campus in Brentwood Bay. Destroyed by flames in the 1940s, Brentwood College, like a phoenix expanding from our school’s crest, has risen from the ashes. We cannot forget our roots and this ferry serves as a daily reminder of where it all began. Smooth sailing!
75p
