The Comox Valley Writers' Society and the Laughing Oyster Bookshop present David Essson Young, local author and former shipmaster of the Uchuck, who will launch his book.
The Uchuck Years: A West Coast Shipping Saga will be unveiled at the Muir Gallery in Courtenay on June 19 at 7 p.m. Young will read tales about his 40 years of experience working on the last of Canada's historic coastal shipping lines.
The Uchuck Years is a fascinating account of the life on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, and the shipping company — whose entire fleet was named Uchuck — that provided a lifeline to civilization.
Young started as a youngster with the company and later grew up to become senior master, president and part-owner. It is clear that working on the Uchuck was a labour of love for Young. He now lives in Royston.
The Uchuck Years abounds with stories and fond memories of unique coastal characters, including logging camp bosses and genius engineers. It is an enthralling historic account of one of BC's most fascinating regions, written by someone who lived most of his life in the heart of it.
— Comox Valley Writers' Society