There are tons of places to explore in Metro Vancouver, but some are more mysterious than others— including this World War II (WWII) shipwreck that you can only see during low tide in Delta.
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If you’ve ever wanted to view a piece of history up close, then here’s your chance.
Delta’s WWII Shipwreck
Located at Deas Slough, this shipwreck is visible when the waters recede, revealing a broken wooden boat along the riverbank.
These are the remnants of a vessel called La Belle, according to Nauticapedia, a database collection by the Maritime Museum of British Columbia that tracks the province’s nautical history.
La Belle was built back in 1942 by Camden Shipbuilding & Marine Railway Co. in Camden, Maine. Nauticapedia lists the vessel as being a tug, and as having originally been owned by the United States Navy of the Coastal Transport (small) APc-1 class between 1942 and 1947.
Changes in Ownership
During her time in WWII, she was known as USS APc-15. She earned one battle star for World War II Service in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, although her ownership shuffled multiple times after the war was over. Here’s a look at who owned her between 1947 and 2008:
- 1947: Owned by United States Maritime Commission
- 1947: Owned by Harold A. Jones principal of Vancouver Tug Boat Co., Vancouver, B.C.
- 1947 – 1958: Owned by Vancouver Freighting Co. Ltd, Vancouver, B.C.
- 1961: Owned by Ronald Greene (Capital Iron & Metals Co.), Victoria, B.C.
- 1961: Owned by Westin Harold Parry, Burnaby, B.C.
- 1961 – 1963: Owned by William Smith (MO), Victoria, B.C.
- 1963 – 1967: Owned by Cyril Gardner (MO), Vancouver, B.C.
- 1966 – 1973: Owned by Francis Millerd & Co., West Vancouver, B.C.
- 1974 – 2008: Owned by Ronald Y. McMilian (MO), Richmond, B.C.
Notably, her name changed much over the years, as well. Beginning as USS APc-15, she eventually became Gulf Trader (1947), La Belle (I) (1948), and then Black Trader (II) (1961).
The End of La Belle / Black Trader
During her years as Black Trader, she was “seen in use as a live aboard in the Fraser River delta area up until the mid 1990s.” Reportedly, the vessel sank at Deas Slough after capsizing in 1998, although there is no current record of this source.
These days, La Belle sits abandoned near Delta’s Deas Island Regional Park in the Deas Slough.
While she certainly looks like her age, the ship is an amazing piece of history that anyone can visit. Just be sure to respect the space and venture out during low tide, as the rising waters can conceal her completely.
Looking for more adventure in Metro Vancouver? Check out our Travel & Outdoors section for more little-known local secrets.
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