Seaplane Crashes Through West End Roof

“It is a matter of poignant regret that the forest scouting hydro-aeroplane built to the order of the BC Government by Hoffar Bros of Vancouver had its career cut short at the very outset. The accident was due to the engine missing fire. The plucky aviator, Lieut.V.A. Bishop, is to be congratulated on what was a miraculous escape from instant death.” British Columbia Lumberman, September 1918

This is one of my favourite finds at the Vancouver Archives, and reprinted in At Home with History. The house at 755 Bute Street is long gone, but was once owned by Dr. James Farish, a Vancouver ear, eye and nose specialist. On September 4, 1918, Victor Bishop, 23, was home on leave from the War, when the builders—Jimmy and Henry Hoffar, asked him to take their seaplane for a test spin over Burrard Inlet.  Young Victor got into difficulties, dropped 12,000 feet and crashed into the roof of one of the larger West End Houses, leaving a hole big enough to drive a Hummer through.

Dr. Farish came home to find a very banged up Bishop walking out his front door, and drove him to the hospital, where apparently he was treated with cracked ice.

According to the newspaper: “Lt. Bishop lost considerable blood as a result of his injuries, for the gore mixed with the gasoline from the engine and dropped down the side of the building.”

© All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, all blog content copyright Eve Lazarus.