Lynne Bowen is a much-published author of historical non-fiction. On June 6, 2025, she shared her longstanding passion for the history of coal mining on Vancouver Island.

For over 100 years, coal mining was the most important industry on Vancouver Island. While it made one man, a Scot named James Dunsmuir very rich, it was Scottish, English, Italian, Croatian, Chinese and Japanese miners who dug the coal that lay beneath the surface of Vancouver Island from Ladysmith to Port Hardy.

The Nanaimo harbour was central to the coal industry in the 19^th and early-twentieth centuries. Mine shafts dotted the surrounding hills, and some extended under the waters of the harbour. Coal was shuttled around the bay so it could be stored on land, loaded on steam ships as fuel, or taken aboard to be transported to market. Segregated settlements (Italians, Chinese, Japanese, and others) lined the harbour coast.  

Dunsmuir, who was to become the first lieutenant governor of British Columbia was a man of many achievements and political connections. He bought property rights extending as far north as Cumberland so he could monopolize the mining and transport of coal through most of the mid-Island. He was well-connected with moneyed businesspersons in the US, and helped John A. MacDonald win a federal seat in Victoria after the latter lost his Kingston riding.  

For those interested in learning about the horrendous conditions that claimed the lives of many from underground floods, explosions and cave-ins, or the (unsuccessful) battles to unionize coal miners, consider registering for one of Lynne’s courses at the Mid Island Elder College. https://eldercollege.org/

About Lynne:
When Lynne Bowen enrolled at the University of Victoria to study history for the pleasure of it, she had no intention of becoming a writer. But three weeks after the former public health nurse and mother of three completed a Master of Arts degree in western Canadian history, a group of coal miners approached her with stories to tell. Seven books, many magazine articles and a column later, Lynne continues to write historical non-fiction.