This collection of Christmas cards and photographs from the 1910s and 1920s belonged to Joseph Dakers and Bill Mills. As the family lived in Victoria these photos are from Victoria and Vancouver Island.
The following information is provided by the donor, Elizabeth Stanlake. The two Christmas cards were sent to her grandfather, Joseph Dakers, as he was good friends with Harold Elworthy, who founded Island Tug and Barge as they grew up together. The original owners of the photos are unknown as they were found in the family home and either belonged to Bill Mills or Joseph Dakers. The photos of the tugs and the wreck of Kenkon Maru III were taken by a friend of Bill Mills named Arthur.
The fonds consists 11 items.
There are 2 series:
Christmas cards, containing 2 cards
Island Tug and barge, containing 3 photos
6 at the item level not in a series

The photo shows the Kenkon Maru III being towed by a couple of boats. The annotation on the back: Kenkon Maru III being pulled off Belle Chain Reef January 1916. The photos has scuff marks. The donor states that the photo was taken by Bill Mill’s friend Arthur.
Kenkon Maru III originally built in 1890 in Scotland and in 1910 was owned by Inui Gomei Kaisha, Japan. In 1916 she left Seattle for Vladivostok, Russia via Nanaimo, she ran aground during a snow storm as there was a faulty compass. She was also carrying iron railway equipment for the Russian government.

A photo of Kenkon Maru III at a tilt stuck on a reef with the crew members getting into a tender. The back states it was the Kenkon Maru on Bellchain Reef between 1910-1920; Kenkon Maru III Japanese Steamer stranded on Belle Chain Reef, Adjacent to Mayne Island January 12, 1916. The photo has creases and tears around the edges. The donor states that the photo was taken by Bill Mill’s friend Arthur.
Kenkon Maru III originally built in 1890 in Scotland and in 1910 was owned by Inui Gomei Kaisha, Japan. In 1916 she left Seattle for Vladivostok, Russia via Nanaimo, she ran aground during a snow storm as there was a faulty compass. She was also carrying iron railway equipment for the Russian government.