Victoria in Capital, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

Sahsima

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 22, 2014

1. Sahsima Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Sahsima, meaning "harpoon", was the original name identified by Songhees elder James Fraser for the point where the Chinese Cemetery is located. Hayls the Transformer, with spirit companions Raven and Mink, came by in his canoe, frightening away the seal the harpooner had been stalking. The harpooner rebuked them. Hayls turned him to stone as he stood there poised to throw the harpoon, saying, "You'll be boss for seals...from Sooke to Namaimo."

Artwork by Charles Elliott, Temoseng

BC 150 Years, 2008

Erected 2008 by Oak Bay Heritage.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 2008.

Location. 48° 24.388′ N, 123° 19.33′ W. Marker is in Victoria, British Columbia, in Capital. Marker is on Penzance Road, 0.4 kilometers south of Crescent Road where Penzance dead ends, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Victoria BC V8S 2H5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker. Chinese Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Chinese Cemetery (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); European exploration in the Strait of Juan de Fuca (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Abkhazi Garden (approx. 1.1 kilometers away); Abkhazi Garden House (approx. 1.1 kilometers away); Tlikwaynung (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); Right Reverend George Hills, D.D. (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); Isabella Mainville Ross (approx. 1.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victoria.

Sahsima Marker Artwork image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 22, 2014

2. Sahsima Marker Artwork

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 22, 2014

3. Sahsima Marker

Looking WNW into Chinese Cemetery

Harpoon Rock during low tide image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 22, 2014

4. Harpoon Rock during low tide

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 705 times since then and 158 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on July 18, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.