Henry Larsen was born in Norway in 1899. Inspired by the tales of Roald Amundsen and the Canadian Arctic, he travelled to the West Coast of Canada and served as navigator on a vessel in the Arctic waters. Larsen became a Canadian citizen in 1924, and joined the RCMP in 1928, the same year he was appointed master of St Roch.
As his most notable achievement, Henry Larsen completed two coyages with St Roch through the Northwest Passage: Eastbound in 1940-1942, as part of Canada's war effort, and later, in 1944, Westbound using a more northernly route through Prince of Wales Strait.
The statue will be a tribute to Henry Larsen and will recognize his career as an explorer and Canadian immigrant experience. St Roch has been preserved as a National Historic Site for its epic achievements. The goal is now to raise enough money for the statue in order to commemorate the achievements of Henry Larsen.
For more information about Henry Larsen, St Roch and donations to the Memorial Statue Fund, please visit the Vancouver Maritime Museum.