110 years ago this week, the S.S. Komagata Maru, holding 376 passengers from Punjab, India, was forced to depart from Vancouver.
Upon arriving in May, the passengers and a shore committee fought for their rights as British subjects to enter Canada, but the passengers were barred from entry due to the “continuous voyage” policy in the Immigration Act which was created to exclude Asian immigrants.
After months of legal battles, their case was denied by the B.C. Court of Appeal. This photo, taken by Charles Heaney from the North Vancouver Ferry, shows the ship departing Vancouver on July 23, 1914.
Visit the MONOVA website for more information about the history of the North Shore and to plan your visit to MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, now open at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards.
Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver, at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley, is open for drop-ins on Monday and by appointment Tuesday-Friday, 12:30-4 p.m. Contact: [email protected]
Navigate culture on the North Shore by using the North Shore Culture Compass.
