TheDeserters Group is a small group of islands in theQueen Charlotte Strait region of theCentral Coast of British Columbia,Canada, off the northeast coast ofVancouver Island to the north ofPort Hardy.[1]Deserters Island and Wishart Island are among it.[2][3]
The name refers to a group of eight men who had been crew on theNorman Morrison, aHudson's Bay Company vessel, who deserted the vessel while it was moored inSuquash Harbour, upon hearing news of gold in theCariboo. Two stories relate their demise at the hands of local natives, one saying that the natives had mis-interpreted the ship's captain's offer to pay money per head, which was taken literally and so the men were killed rather than taken captive and returned to the ship.[4] Another says that HBC representatives atFort Rupert had instigated the murders by offering a dead-or-alive reward, though GovernorBlanshard in his report to London about the incident said the incident was "baseless".[5] The deserters include a James Wishart, whomWishart Island and theWishart Peninsula are named for, and A. Willoughby, for whom Willoughby Rock, which is off the north side of the Deserters Group, is named for.[6]
50°52′34″N127°28′10″W / 50.87611°N 127.46944°W /50.87611; -127.46944 (Deserters Group)
 | This article about a location on theCentral Coast of British Columbia, Canada is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
 | This article related to an island or group of islands inBritish Columbia is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |