| Feature Type: | Bay - Water area in an indentation of the shoreline of a sea, lake, or large river. |
| Status: | Official |
| Name Authority: | BC Geographical Names Office |
| Relative Location: | S end of Vancouver Island, between East Sooke Park and Rocky Point (community), Metchosin Land District |
| Latitude-Longitude: | 48°19'27"N, 123°36'45"W at the approximate centre of this feature. |
| Datum: | WGS84 |
| NTS Map: | 92B/5 |
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Origin Notes and History:
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Adopted 2 May 1911 in the 10th report of the Geographic Board of Canada, as labelled on British Admiralty Chart 1911, published in 1849 following the surveys of the US Exploration Expedition, 1841, and the surveys of Captain Kellett, 1847. Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office |
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Named in 1846 by Captain Henry Kellett, HM surveying vessel Herald, after Admiral Alexander Bridport Becher, RN (1796-1876), well-known and valuable surveying officer. Entered the navy in 1810 and commenced his surveying career in 1814, chiefly on the Canadian lakes; surveying in various parts later. Lieutenant, 1822; Commander, 1841; Captain 1856; Rear Admiral, retired, 1874. Source: Walbran, John T; British Columbia Coast Names, 1592-1906: their origin and history; Ottawa, 1909 (republished for the Vancouver Public Library by J.J. Douglas Ltd, Vancouver, 1971) |
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Mis-labelled "Beecher Bay" on early charts, a phonetic spelling of Admiral Becher's name, and probably confused with nearby Beechey Head, also named by Captain Kellett, after another Royal Navy officer. Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office |