Kelsey Bay is a small coastal settlement located in the Sayward Valley on northern

Vancouver Island Vancouver Island is an island in the northeastern Pacific Ocean and part of the Canadian Provinces and territories of Canada, province of British Columbia. The island is in length, in width at its widest point, and in total area, while are o ...

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...

about 1 mi (1.6 km) from the community of

Sayward Sayward is a village located in the Sayward Valley on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It is about inland from Kelsey Bay on a spur from Highway 19. The village (like its West Kootenays namesake) was called af ...

. The wharf at Kelsey Bay was previously the southern terminus for the B.C. Ferries Inside Passage route until 1978, when

Highway 19 Route 19, or Highway 19, may refer to: For roads named "A19", see list of A19 roads. International * Asian Highway 19 * European route E19 * European route E019 Canada * Alberta Highway 19 * British Columbia Highway 19 * Manitoba Highway 19 * ...

was extended north to Port Hardy and the terminus relocated there. Kelsey Bay is part of the Village of Sayward. Charles William Kelsey and his family moved from Washington State in 1906. They originally were headed for Alaska. They stopped at

Topaz Harbour Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine with the chemical formula Al Si O( F, OH). It is used as a gemstone in jewelry and other adornments. Common topaz in its natural state is colorless, though trace element impurities can ma ...

, started hand-logging and never did get to Alaska. They moved from Hardwicke Island in a scow-house which was their unique floating home. This was beached at the beginning of the rock cut and continued to be their home for some years. In January 1925, they moved to the wharf, operated a store-telegraph office and founded the post office which was named in their honor, which became The Kelsey Bay Post Office. The town was named after them. This is documented by Frances Duncan, granddaughter of William Kelsey. Mrs. Duncan still lives in Sayward and is 83 years old. During the summer months a Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Boat Station is located in Kelsey Bay The station is staffed by a coxswain and two crewmembers running a Rigid Hull Inflatable Fast Rescue Craft.

References

Northern Vancouver Island Populated places on the British Columbia Coast Populated places in the Strathcona Regional District {{BritishColumbiaCoast-geo-stub