Vancouver Voyager: 1947

The year is 1947. The place... Vancouver, Canada.

On January 27, Walter Mulligan became police chief. This Liverpool born officer had a memorable term in office as you can see by some of my earlier entries. He was a colourful character who was unfortunately not too honest and was investigated.

Mayor Gerry McGeer officiated at the sod turning ceremony for the Schara Tzedeck synagogue at Oak and 19th on January 31, 1947.

The next day, February 1, Bob Smith made his debut as host of the CBC Radio show Hot Air. Winnipeg born Smith played jazz recordings from his own collection. He hosted the show for 35 years until 1982 when he left due to the onset of Parkinson's disease.

February 10 marked the end of an era. The last ferry to run across the Burrard Inlet to West Vancouver made its run and returned to the downtown terminal. The ferry to North Vancouver would continue to run until 1958.

The Eburne Post Office, active since 1892, closed on March 31, 1947.

April 28 a mystery was born. A Trans Canada Airlines Lockheed Lodestar disappeared with 15 people aboard. No one from the flight was heard from again. In September 1994, the crash site was discovered on Mt. Cheam near Chilliwack.

Here's something interesting. On June 24, 1947, US pilot Kenneth Arnold was flying above the Cascade Mountains in Washington State when he saw nine silver disc shaped objects in the sky. These orbs did aerial manoeuvres unlike anything Arnold had seen before. This was the start of the flying saucer craze.

The BC Bus Terminal opened on July 31, 1947.

Art Seller moved his little airplane company from Vancouver to Langley on August 6, 1947. There was mention of Seller and his company on the Canadian Museum of Flight website but it doesn't seem to be there any longer. Fortunately, the source I am using managed to save this quote:

“To take advantage of the postwar flying boom, almost as soon as he got home in 1945, in partnership with Harold Foster, whom he later bought out, he formed Royal City Flying Club at Vancouver Airport. It had one war surplus Tiger Moth. Later, a second Moth was added. Vancouver airport was becoming crowded so, in 1947, he decided to move to Langley. He might almost be considered the father of the present day bustling Langley Airport for in 1947 it was only a grass field—an emergency landing strip for Trans Canada Airlines, with no buildings other than a couple of old farm privies Art used as offices. Business was good. The company grew. On August 6 1947 it changed its name to Skyway Air Services . . .”

August 11, 1947 was a sad day for Vancouver. While still serving his term as mayor, Gerry McGeer unexpectedly died. His was vigorous man, full of energy. McGeer passed quietly lying on a sofa at his home.

“Clad in pyjamas, covered by two blankets, he was found by his driver, Police Constable Andy Sculley, (who) had gone to pick up the mayor and take him to his office at City Hall.”

Stuart Thompson took this photo in 1932 of Gerry McGeer. He served as mayor from 1932 to 1936 then was re-elected in 1947. Seven months after re-taking office, he died. Photo courtesy of the Vancouver Public Library.