On Oct. 22, 2023, the Native III sunk at the wharf in Port Alberni – an integral part of the Bamfield fishing fleet.

Some sad news: On October 2nd, after 75 years as an integral part of the Bamfield fishing fleet, the Native III sunk at the wharf in Port Alberni. Designed by Jackson Jack and built in Dodger’s Cove in 1947 by Jackson and his son, Ernie, its 1st skipper, the double ender always seemed to ride easily through the water. Johnny Vanden said all of Jackson’s boats seemed to go faster with less power than other boats. “He went by eye and the shear was always perfect.” Ernie and later, his son, Alan, would gas-up and buy fishing gear at Ostrom’s. There was always time for Ernie and Leonard plus other guys in the store to enjoy each other’s fishing tales. Ernie’s sense of humour would set the whole store crowd laughing. He died suddenly in 2016 and now his beautiful boat is gone, too. Both will be missed. It’s the end of an era.

Also see Jane Peters story on our website:
The Jack family of Ohaiht boat building in Dodgers Cove