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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 .♦'^ - H [STORY OF THE i t t t '^<^^- Being a Graphic and Vivid Sketch of this Noted Pioneer Steamer and her Romantic Cruise for over Half a Century on the Placid Island-Dotted Waters of the North Pacific. - ALSO CONTAINING - A Description of the Hudson's Bay Company from Its formation Mcslm Tu V*''' '"'*'""' '""'• »'«Kr«phy of Captain McNeill The Narrative of a Fra^r River Prospector of ■ «5Q. Historical Momentoes of the Beaver's Copper Remains. The sad ending of the Authors last trip In search of old- time Naval Relics. Important Developments In Steam since Its introduction In 1769, Etc. — COMl'lLED BY — OHATMiES W. M CO A IX. JHKArriFrLLV rLLirSTIiATKI). Vancouver, B.C., 18Q4. $. -iS^L EVANS & IIASTIN(;S, I'KINTERS, \ ANCOm EK, B. C. SS35:a«H=S3s*- 4>^p>^M»;.-o>-yd,-: o-R^o^-^f-sx^^^,.- 'P^snQ>=!"*> d'^^i-y TO THE PUBLIC. FOKSIlKINt; thfiiicat interest which future Keneiations must naturally take in any history relative to the pioneer steamer Heaver, which has played a most con- spicuous part in the exploration, settlement and civilization of the Pacific North-West, and realizing how (piickly unrecorded events drop out of existence, it has been deemed emin- ently essential to collect, as far as possible, all the facts associated with this most interesting steamer, and thereby re- tain a record of the historic craft. .\s a result of persistence and extended effort, I have succeeded in arranging this concise work, after a careful com- pari.son and research, of leading histories and encyclopedias ; a thorough investigation of dust-covered maps, documents and manuscripts in the attic of the old peltry storehou.se at the Hudson's Hay Company's heachiuarters in Victoria, H. C, and from much valuable information derived through personal conversation with some of the oldest residents of that capital. Particularly in this connection am I indebted to Mr. R. J. Ilorton, who, for many years, has been associated with the great corporation above n.entioned, and also to Captain Ceorge Lewis, who came out to the Oregon Territory from London in 1846 in the 11. B. Company's bark " Cowlitz." These gentlemen, as well as many others, have won my last- ing gratitude for the patient manner in which they imparted to me all the information they ].osses.sed regarding my subject ofimpiiry, and the great interest which they manifested from hrst to last in the "Heaver's" history. Very important - 4 — knowledge has also been gained thruugh corresjiundente with rchable persons fainihar with data concerning this steamship, the most essential, perhaps, being letters from \V. H. I)arlin^- ton, manager for James Watt c\: Co. of Birmingham, Kngland (late Boulton i\: Watt), and also from II. llo/ier, secretary for the Mes.srs. Lloyds of London, as the result of a careful investigation of their famous marine records. With the assistance of all this authentic matter there is little difficulty experienced in compiling this brief history inde- pendent of any statements not of the most reliable source heretofore published, some of which have been very faulty in their detail, and probably originatetl in stune imaginative brain, thereby being very misleading, contradictory, unsatis- factory, and conse<|uently utterly worthless as historical matter. Although perfectly well aware that this little work does not possess the classical finish which a learned writer would have given it, still I hope, and am of the opinion that the state- ments herein contained harmoni/e with truth to a degree which will not only make it valuable to historians, but also worthy of a place among works of a more voluble nature. The public will find this book to contain the most authentic and complete history of the steamer ** Beaver'' yet published, and therefore I feel assured that it will be welcomed l)y many readers all over the land, especially on account of the large number of souvenirs of this celebrated old craft that have reached most, if not all, ci,vili/ed countries since she met her fate on the rocks at the picturesque entrance to Burrard Inlet, British Columbia. C. W. McC. Vancouver, B. C, July 19, 1894. - 5 The Ciovcrnor and Company of Adventurers of England, Trading into Hudson's Bay ; — Uk HIE — ■ HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY ■ (Incori'okated 1670.) Bl! I'ORl', j)ioct'ecling with tlie romantic career of this stainuli little steamer, we shall dwell for a short time on the formation and workings of the great corpora- tion for which the //d'^K'^r was constructed. This corporation was and is yet known as the Hudson's Hay Company. It was cret ted in '670, during the reign of King Charles II., and consisted principally of the King's cousin, I'rince Rupert, and a few intimate friends. This Comi)any was invested with the absolute proprietorshij), subordinate sovereignty and exclusive traffic rights of Rupert's Land, which was the name then ap- plied to all the region discovered or undiscovered lying within the entrance of Hudson Bay. Rupert's Land was at that time considered one of the most extensive dependencies under luiglish rule, and was suj^posed to embrace all the lands drainetl by the Hudson Bay and its tributaries. Unmolestever the same trail hy which the fur companies lirst reacheired, we will conie to that period, 1821, when tiie two companies consoli- dated, hereafter to be known as the " Hudson's Hay Com- ]>any." Opposition being thus overcome, the Company con- centrated its efforts in the establisiiment of fur posts in localities best calculated to suit its purpose. Fort Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia River, was then one of the oldest and the ciiief station on the North Pacific Coast, having l)een erected by J. J. Astor in the year 181 f. John Jacob Astor was born in (Jerujany in 1763. At the age of twenty he came to America, and shortly afterwards founded the " American Fur Company." iJy industry and economy he so increased his means that in a few years he suc- ceedeil in fitting out two expeditions to the Oregon Territory, and it is veiy probable that here was laid the corner-stone of the famous Astor fortunes. (See Washington IrvingV "Astoria." John McLoughlin, l iuef Factor and sole ruler of the Northwest Coast, arrived at this jxist in 1824, having crossed the mountains in charge of a small party of fur-traders, con- spicuous among whicli was a lad named James Houglas, ilestined twenty-seven years later to become the (lovernor of Fngland's most western colony. One of McLoughlin's first acts on reaching the Coast was to move the head(juarters of the Company from Astoria to Fort Vancouver, some dista'M:e up the Columbia, and in the vicinity of the now flourishing city of Portland. — 8 — The Company had l»y this lime realized thai the day must rc»me sooner or hiter when the great repuhUc to the south wouUI ask for a dividing; line helween its possessions and those of the Hudson's Hay Company. Might not the Cohimhia be agreed upon as the national hounchiry ? \'es ; everything con- sidered, it ai)peared more than Ukely that such would he the case, at least so it seemed to the magnates of llie Company. Should this eventually he the case, the new headquarters would still he in their own domain, as Fort N'ancouver was situated on the north hank of the river, while Fort .Astoria was on the south, consecjuently, in the face of this, the move was deemed advisable. Another advantage would !)e that ocean boats could ascend the Columbia with their cargoes as far as Fort \'ancouver, and thereby lessen the distance (jf transportation to the Comjiany's inland posts. Besides these advantages, the new head(|unrters would not, as formerly, be so easily attackeirates, which was also a consideration, as these North I'acitu waters were by this time often frequented by sailing craft of various nations under command of lawless crews, in search of plunder. The line of communication between Montreal, Hudson Hay and the Arctic Ocean, with its tributaries connecting with the rivers and lakes to the Hacific, was now (|uile comjjlete. In selecting this transportation highway the Comjjany chose the most convenient streams having the greatest amoun* of navigable waters, and in doing so were often obliged to go considerably out of the direct route, but even this was prefer- able to land travel. Still in souie localities long portages were unavoidable, and on some of lhese tlie servants of the Company were obliged to carry on their backs heavy packs for miles at a stretch, while cayuses — wild horses — were employed on the others. Twice every year over all these lines of trans- portation passed regular bands, or supply trains, carrying i)ro- visions and fort supplies to the most distant i)osts, then returning to head(|uarters laden with rich packs of furs which had been collected at the various subordinate stations along the route. It must have been a welcome sight to the little band of whites in charge of those lonely forts, hundreds of miles from civilization, to see the brigades advancing, winding their way around perpendicular rocks, through deep canyons, up rugged trails, bringing to them the necessaries of life and news from their homes across the sea. - 9 — Sir George Sinij)Son was (lovernor of the lludsons Hay ('oinj)any's afVniis at this time, and «onsei|uently was at the licad of all this jjjicat coiuiiUMcial eiileiprise in Aineriia. lie had no fixed residenie, and most of liis time u as occupied in travelling from one station to another. I'art of his time was spent in Lower C-anada, part at ked River and Athahasca, and the balance in ()ret;i>ii, the Hawaiian Islamis agency and j'.ngland. Whenever any changes of importance in the business atfaiis of tiie COnipany \Nere consider^ i idvisaide, the matter would be C(»mniuMicated l»y a Chief Iradci — who was the one m charge of a i'ort — \u (fO\ernor Simj .son, who in turn wouhi bring it before the London manr" meal. The system em- ployed in governing the workings of tl s great corporation v.: > 'uost Complete, in fact we might vcn.aie still further and call it wonrises the I )ominion of Canada ; also a number of the northern states. And on the site of many of these fur ])Osts now stand large commercial cities and towns. As for instance, Pittsburgh, Penn., is built on the site of old Fort Pitt ; Detroit, Midi., on the site of old Fort Detroit; Chicago, 111., majestically towers above the niouldering ruins of the oUl fur post of Fort Dear- born ; Winnipeg, Man. (originally Fort (iarry), was for years the prairie haunt of n\any a roving rey this Act the li.idson's liay Company aopiired absolute control tjf the " Indian Territories," which lands were e\i)ressly ileclared to be all that region of JJritish North America to the west of n — 12 — Rupert's l.and. Hut instead of this new license heinjj |)ei|)etual. as liad the charter, it was only issued for short periods of 21 years each. This }^ave the British < rown the |>rivilege of allowing the license to expire without renewal, j)rovidin^ the home government deenjed it advisable at any lime to throw tiie country open to settlemetit. Shortly after the renewal of the first license, the region to the south of the Indian territory, throui^h the liberal j)olicy of the I nited Slates government toward settlers, became the abode of many soil-tillers, and as there was no boumlaiy existing, these settlers very naturally crowded northward into the Hudson's Kay Company s ])ossessions. I hese encroacli- ments on the part of home-seeUers i:alled for a arliament would invest tl-.vm with the necesst'ry power. Accordingly, on January ijth, 1S49, the Crown granted the said Island to the Hudson's Bay Company for the purpose of settlement at a yearly rental of seven shillings, reserving the right to recall the grant at the end of five years, or at the end often years to buy it bai'k, prcjviding no (olony had been ft)rmed. But as civilization is directly opposed anil, conse(|uently. very destructive to the fut traffic, it is not surprising that dur- ing tiie ten years which followed, this great monopol} did not use its utmost efforts in ct)lonizing, for well it knew that sooner or later it only meant the complete overthrow of its own prolitable vocation. Conse(piently, parliament, now fulh satisfied that the colonization scheme in the hands «tf fur- traders was a failure, purchased the Island from the Company — 13 — ;it the c'X].irati()n m the ten \eiis' fnim ,« i . .1 :'n(l the west ioin.^l I,.,, 1 '".-'"'> ^^^ ''^7i, when the east ""™- '■"■s;;„V!r.Vl,::-;:-;^,4-'e, ... .1,. ,.e,e,,n.,i„„ of .l.i' Ihhlson'l 'I 7 '■" '"K"'-'' '"'" ""'«'■ han.ls, so thai [J. 8.— I' 01 more extendcl information we hee to ref,.,- I e reader to the following vohunes : Fit/reral Ps '' Fx^.nTnr -n of the Uiarter and Pro RS ,. a >> S u M 03 CA C5 CO •a a a i> J3 H Ill ; ! I i r 1, U I .' — '5 THE STEAMER "BEAVER." ONI! Ol' VWK greatest events that ttanspiretl timing the career and reign of King Wilham IV., and one which marked the beginning of a new era in com- mercial enterprises, was the introduction of the steam engine. With this, the same as with other great mechanical discoveries, all manner of obstacles tending to place a damper on the s( heme were at once introtlucetl by prejudiced |)ersons, with the result that for nearly half a century this most important of all inventions made but little headway. Still, in the very nature of things, a motive power which was destined to revolutionize the commerce of the world could not long re- main undeveloped. And perhaps the most important ))eriod, and the one which will ever stand out in bold relief as having accom|)lished the most essential achievements in furthering steam power, is the fourth decade of the i)resent century. It was during this period that the shrill whistle of the "iron horse" first awoke the echoes of the American forest, and dur- ing this period that long wasting lines arched the Atlantic, connecting, as it were, the Old and the New World, as thi( k, sooty clouds of smoke belched from the funnels of the first transatlantic steamships. In those days freight steamers were called "steam packets,'' and their build and e(}uipment varied so essentially from the system now generally employed, that in the present advanced stage of naval architecture these old- time i)ackets would be considered a great curiosity. It was an interesting day among shipbuilders, and the Knglish people generally, when the keel of their first transat- lantic steamship was laid u|)on the slit way at Blackwall, a suburban town of London. The Hudson's Bay Company, for which this steam-packet was built, evidently intended from the start that their craft should be "A i" in every respect, and that only the best materials that money could procure should be used in her construction. That they succeeded in produc- ing such a craft is best instanced by the fact that for fifty-three — i6 — year* this staunch little steamer remained in actual service. She was built by Messrs. (ireen, Xigrams »S: (ireens, as ajipears by a certificate under their own hand, dated May 7th, 1835. The exact cost of her construction we have been unal)le to ascertain, but judging from the class of material used, it must have been something enormous for a craft of her dimensions. The elm keel was of unusual si/e and strength, as was also the British oak stem and stern-jjost. Along the keel were l)lacerime of its existence, and being a great power its movements were consecpiently watched with nearly the same esgerness as nntional undertakings. Thus the interest n\anifest at the laying of the vessel's keel rapidly in- creased as the work of construction advanced, until all r.ondon was astir as the day dawned on which the little adventurer should be entrusted to the care of the briny deep. Thousands were focussed to the scene at the Blackwall shi|)yards, where soon mingled a motley throng, in which aristocracy and peasantry combined to witness an event long to be remem- bered in the history of marine navigation. According to accounts published in several newspaj)ers, it api)ears that King William IV'. then on the throne, to- gether with several members of the Royal family, attended the launching, while a lady, l)earing ihe title of '* Ducliess," i)er- formed the christening ceremony. But there must have been another christening going on behind some of the jjiles of tim- ber about that same time, or else the reporter got too near the bottle, and thereby had his sight affected by the fumes from the vintage as it broke over the little vessel's prow, for he goes on to say that 160,000 of the king's loyal subjects graceil the occasion. This seems to me like loo many i)eoi)le, and I am of the opinion that this portion of these accounts is very much exaggerated. As the little craft which iiad attracted so much attention plunged into the mighty Thames, her banners were unfurled to the bree/e, when through that vast assemblage echoed the apjiropriate and long to be remembered name Beaver. Next in order came the ])lacing of the boiler apd machin- ery, which had been ordered about a year |)revious from the old reliable establishment of Houlton i.\: Watt, which firm was the first that ever manufactured steam engines. Mathew Houlton, the senior member of this firm, at the death of his father, undertook the business of a large steel i i 'i — i8 — manufactory, which his father had estahlished at Birmingham, Kng. This he greatly extended by the purchase, in 1762, of a tract of land at Soho, situated a short distance beyond the city, and to this he moved his entire ])lant, which at this writ- ing is still in operation as one of the largest of its kind in the country. In 1774 he formed a partnership with James Watt, who by this time was fast coming to the front as the inventor of the steam engine. To Boulton & Watt the world will ever be indebted for numerous important inventions, the most essential being improvements in steam engines, coining ma- chinery and inlaying steel. The celebrate(j Watt gave up his interest in the extensive business to his two sons, and died a few years afterward at Ileathfield in his 84th year. The Beaver's engines, when packed at the works for shipment to London, weighed 63^^ tons. This included the boiler and also the gearing for the i)addle-wheels, the cost be- ing i;4,5oo sterling (over $22,000), or nearly ten times tlie weight and cost of engines of like power at the present day. These engines, of which there were two of the same design, were termed 35 nominal horse-power each, and were of the side-lever type, which, in the earliest experiments of steam marine navigation, was the style universally favored ; but this has long since become obsolete. The cylinders stood vertical and had a diameter of 42 inches, with a 36-inch stroke. The piston-rod projected through the top of the cylinder to the centre of a sliding cross- head, at the ends of which linked rods ran down on either side of the cylinder to a pair of horizontal beams, or levers, which oscillated on a fixed gudgeon at the middle of their length. The opi)osite ends of these beams were joined by means of a crosstail, from which connecting rods led up to the crank shaft above. This shaft, six inches in diameter, was in three sections, and was thus supplied with four cranks, each of which wai 18 inches in length. At each extremity of the outer portions of this shaft was a paddle-wheel 13 feet in diameter, made uji of 1 1 radial arms 5 feet in width. The low-pressure boiler, which rested on brick furnaces, and from which steam was carried through large copper tubes to the steam chests, was situated about midship, but still some distance aft of the engines. This arrangement crowded the paddle-wkeels far forward, like the tins of a seal, thus giving the little steamer a very unique appearance. — 19 — As soon as the machinery was in position a trial trip was made, when, according to Lloyd's records, the Beaver at- tained a speed of 9^*4 miles ])er hour, which must have been exceedingly gratifying to her builders as well as to her owners, for in those days this would be considered a very good rate of speed. During the time this steamer was under construction, the Hudson's Bay Company was also having a bark built which should accompany the Beaver across the seas to her destina- tion. This bark was called the Columbia^ and was of 310 tons burden, carried 6 jiieces of artillery and 24 men. The Beaver\s dimensions were : Length over all, loi ' ( feet ; breadth, inside of paddle-boxes, 20 feet ; outside, 33 feet ; depth, ii|^ feet; her register was 109)8 tons burden; she was armed with 5 guns — nine-pounders — and carried a crew of 26 men. Built and equipjied at a i)eriod when the problem of steam marine navigation was about to be solved, is it any wonder that the little steamer, which was destined to traverse two oceans — one of them scarcely known outside of books of travel — should be an object of deep and engrossing iaterest from the day that her keel w as first laid until she passed out of sight on her long voyage to the North Pacific sea? It was on the 29th day of August, 1835, that the Beaver, amid the encouraging cheers trom a throng of well-wishers, the waving of banners and the boom of artil y, glided down the Thames into the English Channel, and thence out into the open trackless sea. Thus from the shores of Old Kngland passed forever a steamer which in after years should beconie famous in the annals of the West. The Beaver and her escort, the Columbia, proceeded by way of Ca|)e Horn, and after a very successful and rajnd run of fifteen weeks, ]'ut into Juan Fernande/ on December 17th, 1835. Juan Fernandez, or " Robinson Crusoe's Island," as it is often termed, lies in the Southern Pacific, about 400 miles due west of Valparaiso, the chief commercial city of Chili. This island — mostly rocky — is about 18 miles in length, by 6 miles in breadth, and is inhabited at the present time by a few Chilians. It was here that Alexander Selkirk, a buccaneer, whose native place was the Scotch fishing village of Largs, lived in solitude between the years 1704 and 1708. And it — 20 — was the story told of his experience on this ishin«l that is sup- posed to have originatetl the famous " Knbiiison C'rusoe " of I)e Koe. I regret to state that we are unable to furnish more ex- tended reminiscences of the lieai'ers initial trip, owing to our unsuccessful efforts to locate the log-l)o()k of tliis voyage. This log-hook, from which I hoped to glean much infor- mation of interest relative to this passage, appears to have disappeaieil under very mysterious circumstanc es, the incidents associated therewith, as related to me by an old pioneer set- tler, being (juite romantic, but through his retjuest I am obliged to keeji the matter a secret. On account of this serious loss of valuable records, I am unable to state what ])ortion of this passage was made under steam, or whether any of it was or not after the heai'er got fairly at sea, as statements regarding this are too diverse to be relied upon. Owing t(j the uncertainty felt in those tlays regarding steam ))ower, esj)ecially for so great a passage, the Heaver was supplieil with considerable canvas, and was there- fore not entirely at the mercy of her engines. Nevertheless, it is cjuite possible that she might have been under steam a considerable portion of the way, and even possible that a (juantity of her fuel was carried in the Columbia, whicii ship is registered as having accompanied her the entire passage. Still I feel justihed in saying that the Heaver did not steam the entire distance owing to the evidence, and also to recorded statements made by Dr. Lardner — an authority on marine matters — shortly after the Great Western crossed the Atlantic in 1838, and to which steamer he refers, places the longest continuous steam ])assage u]) to that date at about 2,000 miles. (See ** Kncyclopedia Hritannica," )). 815.) Nearly four months pass by, tluring which time the move- ments of the Beaver and her convoy are to us entirely un- known, as they traverse the great Southern seas, cruise under the burning suns of the equator, and then speed onward through the peaceful waters of the North I'acitic to their far distant haven. It was not until April 4th, 183O, that the Beaver^ to- gether with her faithful comjxanion, the Columbia (Capt. Darby), arrived at the old historical fort of Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia river in Oregon. From thence the heaver proceeded some 115 miles up the great stream to Fort ■*2i — 21 X'ancouver, then the Hu(ls<)n"s Hay Coin|i:iny's hea(h|u:iiters on the North I'ncifio coast. Here a waini iC(ei)tion greeted her jolly crew hy John Mc Louj^hlin, governor of Northwest Coast atFairs ; Chief I'actoi I). I'inlayson, James Douglas, John Dunn and several others, who composed the little hand of whites then inhabiting these lonely regions. .\nil as the lordly savages ga/eil in wild liewilderment u|)on the " rire-si>it- ting demon of the deep," cannons roared, congratulations went their rounds, and festivities became the order of the day. ml of the Capt. David 1I( tirst office in comm U^a^'t'r, and one can well imagine the feeling of jnide with which he bestrode the deck of his brave little steamer which had so sviccessfully made the perilous voyaj,'e around Cape Norn, and thus attained the proud distinction of being the tirst steamer to cross the Atlantic to America, the tirst to round Cape Horn, ami the tirst to ii|)ple t!ie waters of the broad Pacitic. No doubt, many porsons not familiar with the true facts relating to early steam navigation, will be surprised to learn this, for I must confess that I was. Nevertheless, it seems to be founiled on the best of authority, and after a careful research of marine records, it has been shown that the Heaver is justly entitled to the honor set forth in this claim. Soon after the little black steamer arrived at Fort Van- couver, Capt. W. H. McNeill took command, while Capt. Home retired to one (jf the Comjjany's posts, and subsecjuently l)erished in 1837 by the upsetting of a small boat while cross- ing the Columbia river, some say, at " Death Rapids," while others state that the accident happened at Haker's Hay. In those days Oregon included all the country north oi California, all the region drained by the twin rivers of the West, and wn*;. says Hancroft, the historian, "a mystic land, a region of weird imagery and fable, without, in 1832, a single United States settler in ail the territory." But now that a steamer had arrived, swift flowing rivers, circuitous inlets, and intricate bays were to be navigated for the tirst time by a craft other than the native " dug-out," and consecjuently jhis vast and fertile region of the Tacific North- west could not long be expected to remain uncivilized. The juincipal northern settlement, or fur station, at this time was Fort Simpson, while next in imi)ortance came Fort McLoughlin, on Milbank Sound, anrd later Fort Tako, on the 11 • i! M' I i U 1 m j ! IP j 1 |l — 22 — Tako river. Besides these, there were several ot'aers of minor importance. Still, the duties of the Beaver were not confined alone to waiting on the Hudson's Bay Comprny's fur posts, for we have abundant proof that during her early history she made frequent trips to Sitka, Alaska. Probably one of the most important events in the career of this historic steamer, and one for which she will long be remembered, was the part she bore in the first discovery of the now famous coal-fields of Vancouver Island. It appears that just previous to the Beaver'' s arrival on the Columbia river, a party of Indians, from the north end of Vancouver Island, strolled into the blacksmith shop inside the stockade at Fort McLoughlin. In a very short time these savages became curiously inter- ested in the movements of the smith, and finally their curiosity led them to asking questions. "What is that?" they queried, as the smith shoveled fresh coals on the glowing fire. '* Stuff to make the fire burn," replied the m?n at the anvil. "What do you call it?" " Coal," was the answer. " How is it made?" "It is dug out of the ground." " Where do you get it?" After the smith had answered this last ([uestion by telling them that it was brought in shijjs many miles across tlie great water, he left his work and called in W. F. Tolmie, together with several other officers of the Fort. And to these gentle- men the redskins exjilained that in many places in theii country there was j)lenty of this same kind of stone. Word was shortly afterward sent to Fort Vancouver, with the result that about the month of July, 1836, Chief Factor John McLoughlin issued orders for the Bea~'er to proceed to the north end of Vancouver Island and ascertain if coal did actually exist in this western region, as reported by the Indians. As Mr. John Dunn was one of the i)arty sent thither, I will permit him to make his own report. "Mr. Finlayson, m — 23 — with a j)art of the crew, went on shore, leaving nie in the ship to conduct the trade, and after some in(juiries and a small distribution of rewards, found from the natives that the original account given at Fort McLoughlin was true. The coal turned out to be of excellent (|uality, running in extensive fields, and even in clumpy mounds, and most easily worked all along that part of the country." In honor of her cai)tain, the umall bay where the steamer first cast anchor was called McNeill Harbor, but later Beaver Harbor, after the little craft herself. (See Dunn's " History of the Oregon Territory," i)ublished in London 1844 ; also Bancroft's ** History of British. Columbia.") Thus was the bituminous coal-fields of the North Pacific coast made known to the world, and their worth first teste^l in the Bearer^s furnace. Indeed, there was no other use for coal in these western confines at this time, except a small (|uantity which the Hudson's Bay (.'ompany required for use in the blacksmith shops at its various forts, and even then it was only partially used for fuel in the little steamer, as will be seen by the following (pioted paragraph from an entry made by Mr. Dunn during the steamer's first voyage to Fort Simj)son in 1836. ''At Fort McLoughlin we took on board about twenty-six cords of wood for fuel, which was ready cut for us. This generally lasted us when running on between three and four days." It would appear that the Hudson's Bay Comi)any about this time were anxious to establish a saw and grist rnill in some convenient locality on the North Pacific .oast, and in conse- (|uence of this, we lintl the Bearer engaged during the follow- ing year in the very important work of discovery. Says the Fort Simpson yournal^ under date August loth, 1837 : "On his way to the southward, Capt. McNeill explored the south end of Vancouver Island and found an excellent harbor and a fine open country along the sea-shore, apparently well adapted for both tillage and pasturage, but saw no river sufficiently extensive for mills." This clearly shows that the harbor of Ks([uimalt — now the famous naval station where fioats the formidable war-shijjs of Her Majesty's North Pacific S([uadron — was first entered by the Beaver fifty-seven years ago, as was also, at the same time, Camosun Bay, now Victoria Harboi. i i i ,' I ii i i'm — 24 — As rmu-yi of the information contained herein has been gathered from Fort journals, it might he well to state that at each of the Comi)any's forts a journ-^l was kept, after the fashion of a minute-hook, and from day to day any hajijienings worthy of note were recorded. They thus furnish history which can he relied upon as (]uite conect. In May, 1840, James Douglas jiroceeded in llic steamer /Nearer to Sitka, Alaska, where he counseled with hltholin, the Russian governor, with the result that the Hudson's Hay Couij^any ac([uired the right to occupy certain southern por- tions of Alaska in exchange for cattle and j^rovisions. During this same voyage the Tako and Stakeen rivers were explored and Fort Tako erected on the bank of the for- mer, while Fori Stakeen, started some live years previous, was completed by the assistance of the Bearer's crew. It was also during this year that Fort Langley, on the F'raser, was totally destroyed by fire, but at once rebuilt by men landed from the little steamer. Sir George Simpson, in his " Narrative of a journey Around the World During the \'ears 1841-2," s]ieaks of a ciuise in the /Nearer through the labyrinth t)f till, sparkling waters between l-'ort Nistjually, on Puget Sound, and Sitka, Alaska, at which latter place he and James Douglas sjient a most enjoyable time — toward the end of Sei)temi)er, 1841 — with luliolin, the governor, who visited the little vessel in full uniform, and was loyally welcomed by a grand salute from the Bea: ers guns. The next imj)ortant event in the career of this renowned craft was the founding of Camosun, or Fort Victoria. About the iirst of March, 1843, an exjiedition, consisting of some fifteen men, left Vovi Vancouver and crossed the Cowlitz country to Fort Nis(|ually, situated at the head of Puget Sound, near where now stands the city of Olymjiia. It was not until the ninth of the month that they suc- ceeded in reaching this place of embarkment, i)ut as they found the Beaver here awaiting them, it was not long before all their utensils and i)rovisions were carefully stowed on board. Soon all arrangements for the voyage were complete, and after a prolonged scream, the natives' sea phantom swung ott' from her moorings and pointed her nose for the north. Away she went, steadily buffeting her way through the merry ripple — 25 — of F'uget Souml and Admiralty Inlet, llien across tiie more turlnilent waters of Juan dc Kuca Strait, until about 4 o'clock in the afternoon of Marcii 14th, when, with a si)lash, an iron claw sank into the sea ; this was followed by the rattle of chains, then all was still, for the little steamer was gently rid- ing at cable's length on the calm, peaceful bosom of Camosun I5ay. At the head of this enterj>rise was James Douglas ; still John McLoughlin, Caj^tain McXeill and several others are a!lso entitled to due recognition in the establishment of this most important of all posts. The expedition had l)een sent thither for the jiurpose of erecting, (^n the south end of Vancouver Island, a sub!)tantial fort, suitable for the Company's headme port of the steamer herself. Al)t)ut the 1st ()f May, 1850, the little craft carried f. \V. McKa;,, together with a i);uty of prospectors, froni I'Ort \'ic- toria to the native hamlet of Xanaimo. It seems that .Mr. McKa)', while engaged in the Company's service at the foi- i i t 27 litiule 11 the s. the \an- ( "om- ; port . \V. \ir- Mr. mer |>lacc the piovious outiinin. \v;i,s shown samples of coal l>y :i N'aiiaimo indian, ami heme the present expedition, \vliich had the t^ooil fortune to lind coal in abundance, and thus to discover the celebrated coal mines of Nanaimo. It was the steamer Beii7'er that conveyed (iovernor I )ouglas to Nanaimo. then only an Indian village, in January, 1S53, when, after considerable parley, in whi(h bloodshed was narrowly averted, two Indians were surrendered by their tribe for the murder of Peter Brown, an emjdoyee of the H. ]{. Company, near I'ort \'ictoria the month previous. These savages were taUen back to headijuarters, given a trial, and iliL'U followed their execution, which ajipears to be the lirst re- corded in the history of Hritisli Columbia, or rather of Van- couver Island, as the Province of British Columbia was then unformed. I'ive years later, in 1S5S, canie the famous " l''raser river gold excitement," which shook with monetary ague the finan- cial centres of the world, and caused thousands of men to rush pell-mell over ]>lain and mountain in a ma. C., in the early spring of '5S, for passage up the l'"raser, no doubt many hundreds still remain, though scattered in ilitTt"erent parts of the world, whose minds will wander back to times long siiue past as they recognize the illustrations lierein given. .\nd jterhaps, also, a few of the old "Forty-niners"' siill survive who took j)assage in the Ih'aref during the long-to-be-remembered California gold fe\er of 1S49, and who will !)e carried back, as tiiey recall to mind the subject of this sketch, to the scenes of romantic incidents in days long ago. Huring these periods of wild excitement, many a ))ound of the precious metal found place on the /H'lli't'f's deck. In 1859 the San Juan Island tliiruulty, which threatened several times to involve the United .States and Britain in open hostilities, neared a crisis. .\\m\ in this, the same as in most every important event ii\ the early history of I'acil'ic .\orthwest affairs, the little steamer figured i)uite conspicuously. v: > ■ .*■ i^f ir M, I ! — 28 — I'lic facts of the case appear to he these : A L'nited Stales settler, by the name of L. A. Cutler, took up l\is abode on the islaiul, which at that time was somewhat in dispute between the American authorities and the Hudson's IJay Company. On the 15th of June, 1S59. this man Cutler shot a pig, which it seems was destroying his garden, and which was the ]»roperty of the Hudson's Bay Com|)any, then occui)ying a considerable porti(jn of the island. Mr. (."utler, as atonement for his rash act, then offered the officer in charge of the island post a small sum as i)ayment for the animal, but when in- formed that, owing to its sui)erior make Uj), $100 was the value placed on the rooter, he concluded to let the bill stand. Word was tpiickly sent to j-'ort Mctoria, and very soon the /'eai'er, well armed, was puffing toward the scene of the dis- turbance. On board the miniature war-steamer were several officers of the colonial council, including .\. G. Dallas, Tolmie and Fraser, which gentlemen, on landing, declared the Island of San Juan to be British soil. It then seems that Cutler was given the choice of i>aying for the hog, or in default be taken to Fort Victoria, where a trial would be held and the matter thoroughly investigated. But Mr. Cutler couldn't see it in this light, and, nervously fingering his rifle, threatened to shoot the first man that should lay forcible hands uj^on him. This was the commencement of the famous San Juan hostilities, and during the long, tedious litigation which fol- lowed, the steamer Bearer, on many occasions, came i>romin- ently before the public. After dragging along for a number of years, the island was finally ceded to the Cnited States on October 21st, 1872, l)y the award allowed by the arbitrator, Emperor William I, of Germany. For fifteen years subsecjuent to 1S59, the Heaver con- tinued to serve the various posts without anything unusual transpiring, except that settlers were rajndly taking the place of the native redskins, and consequently the huge cargoes of furs, once so common, were each year growing lighter ; while at the same time steamships of modern design had arrived in the field, and now the (pieen of the North Pacific must come down from her exalted position and struggle along in the rear ranks. — 29 — riie f;nnous IIiKisons Hay Company (<)rgani/c«i in 1670). to which she htMongcd, having been divestcil of its power liy the hiijierial authorities in 1S59, was now in its tleeUne, an. C., who afterward utilized her as a general freight and tow-boat, in which caj^acity she remained until the last, with the exception of a short period in which she was employed by the Imj)erial hydrographers in the pre- ]iaration of charts of the North Pacitic coast. Although the /V^irt'rwas old-fashioned and out of date when offered for sale by the II. I>. Company, she was still considered in jierfect order, and it cost the new company just $17,500 to gain possession of tliis pioneer craft. In recent years the Comjiany e\i)erien( ed much ellation assigned the Chinese cook. ()win|j; to the several attempts which wore then made to lloat the liltle steamer being unsuccessful, she was allowed to remain upon the rock-hound shore for well-nigh four years, attracting the curiosity of woild-ciicling tourists and the travelling public, who, tilled with admiration and w()npeil in :i sheet of tiouliled \\;itei, with head eahiily lesliiig ijii a huLje l>aiiiaile-i lad in.)uldei tiipi'led, helpless and loisaken. I'he anxiety became so great to secure relics of this ancient vessel, that at certain low tides one's life was considerably en- dangered by the scores of axes which flew thick and fast in every (|uarter of the shiji, and at these times it was (|uite a common occurrence to meet men theie that had come long distances expressly to get, as they said, "a relic of the old lu'ai't'f. The ])referencc tlu-n was almost entirely for the woodwork, the most of which aiij)eaied to be nearly as sound as the day on w hiih it had been put togelhei. ( 'onset|uentl\ . her engines suffered but little damage while the woodwork lasted, but finally some |>arties wanted the foundation timbers on which they stood ; then a few shots of dynamite lifted them, in a broken mass, out of the bed in whicli thev had rested foi nearly three-score years. Most of the cast-iron was then pur- chased by the local foundries and sooti mingled with other metal in building new machinery. In the meantime I had been busily engaged in securing the copper fastenings of the hull, and also the brass ami bron/e portions of her machinery, which to my i\iiud were far more valuable than the timber as lasting n-.ementoes. Kut i)ef(jre jjiirchasing any of this metal, I hatl (.lecided to manufacture ii into souvenir medals, as it was plainly to be seen that every vestige of the tjld /uVJTvV' would soon pass into obli\ ion, unless in some way identitied. And it is but fair to expect that these medals, relics of this famous steamer, will exist through ages as historical souvenirs of this progressive steam era. As a short chapter elsewhere in this work has been tievoted tt» a description of these medals, further allusion to them in this ((jiinection is unnecessary. The wood of the old boat has been worked u|i into num- erous useful (jrnaments, such as walking-canes, jewelr\ caskets, writing-desks, picture franu.'s, vases, clock cases, chr.irs, etc., and many of these fiave found a wehome place in distant lands, as the various newspaper aiiounts go to juove, A society of Foresters in this city (X'ancouver) is named "Court Heaver," after this j>ioneer vessel, and has its gavels, ballot-box, chaiter frame, etc., made of wood of this veteran steamer. The daik variegated colors of this wood, caused by 3^ il fli! ■ k t the action of tlie salt water < oiiiinj; in (ontact with tlie copper fastenings, makes it extremely handsome, and besides it is susceptiltle to a very hij^h |tolish. The i^reenheart, which formed u larj^e hidk of this woodwork, was importeil expressly into Kngland from British (iuiana, where it grows to the height of from 75 to 100 feet. In color it resembles beech- wood, but in texture is more like lignum \h.i-. It is extremely valuable for shi]ibuilding, and is almost entirely free from tlie attacks of the teredo, which fact we ]>articularly noted while working about the old steamer's hull. This wooil is also very heavy, and unless thoroughly seasoneanted uj) their shaVrt7V7' chose as her last resting jdace, a most beautiful and befitting spot. The Hudson's Bay Comj)auy, which for 200 years reigneil resplendent over a large portion of North America as the greatest monojuily in history, is now, com])aralively speaking, a figure in past events. That the steamer HeiU'er lived long enough to witness all this great overturning of afilairs seems hard to believe, but it is true nevertheless. Surely the present jieriod can well be termed the " I'logressive Steam l'",ra,"' foi who at this enlightened age, and in the face of the many im- portant mechanical discoveries now being made, wouUi dare ! — 34 — predict that heforc the elapse of the next c entui y the steam engine will not he entirely supersedetl hy electric oi othei motive jjower and be a thing of the past. In all histories of the North Pacific States and of the Province of British Columbia the name Bearer must ever stand as a glittering jewel ; indeeliy of William McNeill. The photograph from which the accomj)anying illustration was taken, was also cheerfully furnished by Mrs. Jane, v.'Iu) is a daughter of the late Captain. W. H. McXeill, *he subject of this sketch, was born in Boston, Mass., in the year 1800. During his early boyhood he attended the jjublic schools, and, being naturally clever, soon obtained a very fair education. But while yet a mere lad a desire to follow the sea threw its fascinating arms about the young Bostonian, who, after spending several years on the waters of Massachusetts Bay, concluded to seek fame and fortune in the wilds of the faraway Oregon 'I'erritory. Accordii gly, as the year 1S30 was drawing to a close, he bid farewell to his native home and stepped as commander aboard the bri^ IJa)na, then about to sail on a fur-trading expedition to the North Pacific coast. This vessel was owned by Bryant tS: Sturgis, a firm of Boston merchants, and her cargo consisted of a varied assortment of cheap, highly-colored trinkets, such as would attravt the fancy of the unsusjiecting savages. For many weeks the Llama traversed the great seas, and it was not until twelve thousand miles of trackless jiassage lay astern the little brig that she landed her captain and crew of fortune-seekers safe upf^ii the shores of the Oregon 'I'erritory, then a wild region '.ceming with all the richest furs |)eculiar to an undisturl-ed vvilderness. The I Jama, shortly after arriving in these North I'acific waters, was purchased, together with her contents, by the Hudson's Bay Company, who must have seen something uncommonly clever in her commander, for he was retainetl as cai'tain of the vessel and at once admitted into the Company's service, a somewhat unusual occurrence for an American citi/en. Some three years later, in the spring of 1S34, word reached Fort V^ancouver that a Japi'ncse junk was lying w )t< _ 38 - stranded oH' i'a]>e Flattery and heiny; ])illa;];ed by the natives. Cajitain McNeill at once undertook the dangerous tasU of rescuing the crew, and with this iletenninalion in view sailed thither in the LlcDiia. He had scarcely readied the wreck when his vessel was boarded by the savages, but being familiar with tlieir tactics, he soon overnowered them anc, took a nunii)er prisoners. These he held as hostages until the survivors of the ill-fated craft were delivered to liim. There proved to be but three remaining alive. These were taken i)ack to Fort Vancouver, and shortly afterward sent home in one of the Comj)any's shij)S by way of Fngland. Captain McNeill continued in the Llama until the arrival of the steamer /leaver at Fort Vancouver in the sjning of 1836, when he succeeded Ca|)tain Home, and thus gained the distinction 01' being the second caj)taMi of the jiioneer steamer, whicli position he most judicious!} filled for many year.-i with the exception of several brief iniervals In a sliort time Caj'- tain McNeill and his little black steamer became important factors all along the North Pacitic coast, so muclr so that their names have become inseparably connected with the early records of this vast region. In 1851 Captain McNeill assumed command of the Com- pany's shiji Una, which later was burned by the Indians at Neah Bay. He was also for a time in command of the II. H. Company's shij) Nenid^ during which time she made a voyage to London and return. l'>er ready for an opportunity to rise in the world, we soon find Captain McNeill in charge of several northern ])usts, and finally at the head of affairs at the important station of I'ort Simpson, wiiich position he continued to lill until, after a long and faithful association with the Hudson's Bay Com- pany, he retired from active business life and severed his con- nection with the great monopoly in the year i86i. After leav- ing the Company's service he retired to his farm on Point Jonzalo, Vancouver Island, where he built a line resilience and passed the remainder of liis days surrounded by his large family and all the comforts which his life's work well merited. Ca])tain McNeill was a man of sterling (pialities, just and honorable in his dealings with his fellow man, and the absence of that dotninating spirit which so fiequetitly characterizes men in less laomincnt positions, made him a general favoritt not only among his inferiors, but also among men of hi-hci i9 — .station. lie wns a man of rntluM lartjc staturi e, and \\i\s pos- si'ssL'ii o( a very stront; constitution, which ('arrictl him safelv lhr()U_t4h the n\aiiy hanlships with whirh the ]iioneer whites of ih.is western domain had to l)altlc until 1S75. 'I'hen after an iUness of only two (hiys — the result of a severe cold — the old pioneer ( ajjtain was piloted across the dark river from whence no voyay;ei returns, w liancroft, in his "llistorv of the \(jrth- est C'oa.^f, speaks lluis of the capfai " llesides being an ii)le se-.nan and a sliarp trader, Mi \eill was a thoioui^hly hones, man, and he served the ("ompmy well and faithfully." The j)eoi)le of the North Pacific coast, es|)ecially of liritish Columbia, must ever be indebted to Captain NIcXeill for many important events as the result of his long and useful life among the fur-trapers and Indians of the North l*aciti(- Slojie. Not only is he associated with the first discovery oi the North Tacitic coal-tielcis ; the disclosure of Victoria and l\s(|uimalt harbors ; the founding of Hritish Columbia's capital, but also with the first disc(»very of gold, which a few years later led to the famous Kraser river excitement. It is very probable that (aptain McNeill he.ded tlic first j»arly of piospectors in search of gold in Mritish Columbia, ami my belief in this is strengthened by the contents of two letters written by the captain to James Douglas (later Sir [ames 1 >ouglas, governor of British Columbia), which ihanied to i-omo under my notice wditn engaged in collecting material for tics work, ami from wdiicli the following extracts have been iij ic '.. Although it has been genei ally understood that tiie ;i:>,t 'scovery of goKl was made at (^Uiecn Charlotte Island, '-i'M ll.'i facts relating thereto have heretofore been \eiy me. ;rv\ hut as these letters are the oii^^iinal manuscript they can safely be relied u})on as containing i correct account of this earliest discovery. " KoRi SiMi'^o.N, 2o\\\ November, 1S51. " 1 \MI> I )t>t (il.A>, 1N<,>, "Sir — After leaving X'iiioria, I |)roceeded with the {. Jh' lu fulfill your instructions of 4th October, 1S51. We had a fni' run of four days to i). C. I., after which a gale of wind ::;iiie on and detained us olT Cape Ilenry eight days, conse- ipiently we did not anchor in Mitchells Harbor until the 20th < >ct. On the second dav after we arrived we conimencetl blasting the rock at the oi> Si: - • M ,^ <* 5 - 4 - : i « s c " r. i -. = r * St - •" =S i a 'i a r &■ 43 t ^ X i I -C - i "3 - ■^ a, •-< > " " i £ r ^ s 3- s - u R b tf I. ^" M ■ fM X A* tc mt "" if m. it 1 2 ;- > 9* V ^ ;. w 1. ;*i« J^ • » A «■ « •iM ^ 2 ^^ > N« w •W »« % /. :; •/« •^ ^ ■•« 1* piM r a. r. 1. ([•\>r till! following' interostiiit^ narrative I am t^xceediugly grateful to Mr. CluirU's H. Wixxlard, a pntiiiiiietit citi/mi of I'on- laiid, Orogou, also senior member of the old established tirm of Woodard, Clark tt Co., wholesale drug','ists, of that city. It was re- ceived from the writer in resijonse to communications which I directed to him, as to numerouB others, when enf4af,'ed in collecting' information for this history.) What I Know About the *' Beaver" OK The Narrative of a Fraser River Prospector of 1859. Till". SI'IRIT of adventure wliich had been inspired in the American puhHc by tlie discovery of gold in Cali- fornia had, at the j^eriod of which we write, subsided, l)ut was not wholly extinguishe«i. l-ike the smouldering ember, which needs but a breath to fan into new life, so the latent elements of restless desire for new fields to e.xplore and prosjiect needed but the least encouragement to supply the motive force. That encouragement I'ame in little less than a decade, and though reports at tirst were l)Ut meagre, yet as "The hills are always green fai away," so the scene of this discovery, though yet farther remote than that of the earlier ("alifornian gold tields, was moic alluring. Those subtle agencies by which stories arc magnified in pro|)ortion to the distance of transmission, and the number of times repeated, were a j^otent agency in inaugurating what became known as the I'raser river excitement of J 857 and '58. 'i'he location of this new 11 Doradi^ was upwards of 7,000 miles distant from the Atlantic seaboard by the most direct route of travel at that time available. Such news as had been received in the "States" was of that character which inter- ested transportation comjtanies w ere desirous of disseminating; and that the public pulse res])on I III — 44 — riie price of lickels from New \'ork to San Krancisco rose to $3CX) and $350 for first caMii ; $250 for second ( ahin, and $150 for steerage. It was in tlie inontli of August, 1.S5S, that a party of four young and inex])erienced hoys — of which the writer was one — under the guidanv:e of a man of middle age, arrived in New \'ork en route to tliis faraway Fraser river. 'The fiftli and eldest of our |)arty had been to California during the palmy days of '49, and enjoyed the ])roud distinction of being called an old California miner, whi(h, to our youthful minds, constituted him high authority not only on all subjects pertaining to gold mining, but nearlv all other matters, and in conseainfull\' in the minority. This constituted my liist act (jf insubordination against tlie superior intelligence of the oUl Forty-niner. — 45 — However, it was arranged that the two factions should proceed independently, agreeing to meet in the evening at French's hotel to compare notes, which we did. I confess that my heart was heavy when the fact developed that while my ticket was by the steamshij) Star of the IVes/, sailing direct for Aspinwall, their's were all by the trranada, to sail on the same day, but to proceed via New Orleans and pick up passengers there awaiting transjiOrtation, thence direct to Asjnnwall. There is said to be no loneliness equal to that of a stranger in a great city, and I pictured my own isolation among a throng of more than a thousand passengers, among whom there would not lie one solitary familiar face ; but as there is said never to be any great loss without some sliglit gain, so my loss in this instance was not without its compen- sating features, for, through the influence of Mr. Tilton's agency, I liad saved $25 in the j)rice of my ticket, and with even better accommodations, as I afterwards learned, than furnished on the Granada. 'I'wenty-five dollars saved to a jioor boy was a large sum, and to my jjractical ideas, I com- puted it as equivalent to being paid about a dollar a day wages for the voyage, which I regarded as rather a good omen under which to begin tlie new life and experiences that were opening out before me. On the 20th of August, 1858, the two steamers sailed from New ^'ork, ours having r,ioo i)assengers, the otlier 700, after taking on the New Orleans comjjlement. These were exclusive of the resj^ective crews — the statutes regulating cubic air si)ace, or limiting numbers, being alike inoperative and a dead letter. At As[)inwall we awaited the Liranada, and then all j^roceeded by railway to Panama, where uj)on arrival, to our consternation, we found but one steamer i)rovided to take the combined aggregation of passengers from the other two. The prolilem of transportation became one fraught with great danger, but as l)ut few of us had means sufficient to enable us to await the arrival at Panama of the next steamer a month later, and if we had, even then there was no assur- ance that she too would not be loaded beyond her capacity, there was no alternative l)Ut to proceed. The cupidity of the steamshij) company saw in the rich harvest that woulcl result, if they could but land this vast cargo of human freight safely at its destination, money enough to either conqiromise or pay damages in any suit for violation of passenger laws, and they decided to jnish us forward at all hazards. - 40 111 ■1> if The Sottora was one | Its ilisioni forts, .iml it siamls iintivallcil as the sm.illcsl voy- age with tht,' liiigest amount of discomfoit in all my c\|>ericni o on all \\ ati'i II owcvt'i. the littl <■ steamer possessetl tlie merit of slaiincliness, and she cerlainl) inoved as in(liistiiou> as her patron) niic, for she kept ste;"lily hufteting head winds and a heavy sea until she landed us, (.lren<'hed, i(dd and hunj;ry, hut withal ihanUful, at l''ort Lani;ley. Here we founilot, which, with all our t)uttit, re(piired a very large canoe. This secured, the jnocess of loailing engrossed about as much attention as a ste\edore usually bestows on a clipper ship. At length everything was in reatliness, and a large crowd of idle men had assembled on the bank to witness (.ur dei)arture. We were ranged four on either side, each with an Indian paddle, while the pilot took his position at the helm with another paddle as a rudder. At the word we pushed off. Providence has wisely ordained that we cannot look into the future. Were it otherw ise, many of our joys and much of our unhapi)iness and misery would be anticipated. If on that inclement March morning we could have " crossed the bridge before we came to h," I am certain that the number of pro- spectors in that canoe would have been diminished at least to the extent of one. Hence it was undoubtedly belter that we could not then leali/.e that the many previous disciuiiforts encountered since leaving home were but mere child's play in comjjarison to the real hardships which were yet in store for us. Whether any of the others had an intuition of this I cannot say, but if there had been any exuberance of feeling it must in a great measure have been dispelled by the j)arting salutations from the idle crowd that had assend)led on the bank to witness our dei)'ul- ure. They seemed one and all lo predict the wreck of our craft ere we should proceed many days on our journey. Sev- 1s^ ■aiispani ■ i . mi' !!<■ inj^ ' I L'f ^i — 50 — eral of them went so far as to designate this or that article of the cargo 10 vvhicli he would hiy claiii) when the wreckage should come drifting down the stream. The jneference seemed largely for the keg of w iiisky, which wa- -^ notable index to the character of the crowd. But there was jne, a])jlun(ler amidship-s and too hif;h above the gunwales, in ordei to give ample room ancl more comfort to each man with his jiiiddle. This tendered our craft c-ranky or top heavy, and it became necessary, in ord.er to avoid capsizing, U) stOA all our heavier goods well along the bottom of the canoe. In so tlo- ing we discovered to our dismay a check or split extending along the ijain of the wood of the canoe, well below the water line, which became a menace to such goods as would be ruined by getting wet. CaiUking wouUl only serve to distend the check and. iricrcase the difticulty, and as we had no means at i...ud foi- patching, we must either return to Langley for another canoe or jiroceeil as best we could, bailing the water out whenever it should encroach too far upon our cargo. One horn of the dilemma thus in\olved our personal safety ; tV,e other the loss of the goods. After viae deliheration, we deter- mined to relieve the overburdened craft by taking alternate turns ol walking along the river bank, so that, for instance, four should walk while four should remain aboard ; but as the very swift current made it necessary to cross and recross the river frecpiently. in ortler to avail ourselves of the numerous eddies, this must at such crossings make vhe embarkation of the entire ]tarty absolutely imperative. Finally all was rear- ranged, and we proceeded on our way until approaching night- — 5 1 — fall, when we pitrhe\\i 1 could make but poor pay, ami, after a few weeks with but indifferent lesults. was glad enough to join my party, who had returned iliscouraged from the upj)er country. So, bidding adieu to the good captain, Mr. Sjiaights and the others, we embarked in another canoe voyage, retracing the course of the former. The downward voyage was as full of pleasure as the other had been of misery, and we were sorry when it was so soon over. This proved to be the extent of my mining operations and jircjsjiecting. The only souvenir that [ retain of that exj^eri- ence is one solitary gold linger ring o( my own mining, and, ]ierhaps, a few twinges of iheumatic jiains. More recently 1 liave received from Messis. McCain \ Men/ies, N'ancouver, B. C, a medal made from the copper t)f the old Beaver: and this recalls me to my subject. < )f the old Beaver others may be in a p'osition to su|)j)ly more extended reminiscences of her life and history. For me and thousands of others, who ever grateful to the *' bridge that carries us safely o'er,'' she will always have a green place in our memories. Peace to her ashes. C. 11. WOODARI). {§ 1 I 1; View Looking Northeast, Showing the I^ntrance to Burrard Inlet, British Cohimbia, Lying in the foreground, stranded ujwn the rocks beneath Observation Point, is the Steamer "Beaver." Ph()to^'rai)li taken in 1891. — 55 (Lest the reader, after perusing this chapter, might question tlie propriety of its insertion, it is but fair to say, in justice to my- self as well as rej^ard for tho reader's feelings, that it has very little connection with li..^ rest of this work, and perhaps, therefore, will bo found interestinj,' to such persons only as are already concerned, or who may become concerned, in the subject of which it treats.) - Historical Mementoes - - OF THE - ''Beaver's" Copper Remains. THIS IDEA of making medals of metal of the steamer Beaver is entirely original, and it is my belief that nothing of the kind has existed heretofore. We have no record or knowledge of any medals in time past heing stamped out of metal having historical connections, which fact of itself tends greatly to enhance the value of these /leaver souvenirs. A relic such as this, whose worth, on account of its his- torical relations, increases with age, is of little or no value unless its identity is assured ; and in order to accom])lish this it must be marked and an authentic record also preserved. In the British and other leading museums of ^he world there are relits from nearly every quarter of the gi-be, upon some of which has been placed an almost jiriceless value simply because their identity has been satisfactorily proven. Therefore, I fully realized from the start that in onler to gain, or even hope to gain, the confidence of the pui)lic in respect to these souvenir medals, it would he necessary to give some proof that they were genuine. But how was this best to be accomjilished, was a subject for earnest thought, in order to answer the perfectly justifiable (questions : " How do we know that these medals are made of copper of the steamer Beai'er'r^ " What guarantee have we got that they are genuine?" After seri- ously considering this matter, it seemed the only course to 5^' '.: si m ! pursue was to jnoduce all the evidence in ni} power that would tend to prove tiiat these medals were as represented. In the lirst j)la(;e, as a protection to myself as well as to the inter- ested j)ublic, it was necessary tiiat the manufacture of tliem should be controlled, and for this i)urpose patent and copy- rights were secured and the designs also registered. In addi- tion to this, it seemed most essential that my name should be stamped on the face of each medal, as persons securing them would very naturally wish to know who was responsil)le for the statements made thcieon. Another commendable feature, and one which no doubt will be met with favor, is the fact that each medal has a private number of its own stamped upon its edge in sunken figures. I'Or the manufacture of these medals a heavy screw press was constructed, and with this 1 am enabled to do the stamp- ing myself, or have it done under my own instructions, and can therefore conscientiously warrant these medals as real relics of the steamer Beai't'r. As no])rocess has yet been dis- covered by which cojiper can be jierfectly cast, the metliod of turning out these medals is similar to that em])loyed at mints in making coins. Kirst the metal is cast into Hat bars, after which it is jilaced lietween hardened steel rollers and rolled out. As tlie metal passes l)etwecn these rollers it bec(^mes hard and brittle, and rcipiircs annealing se\eral times liefore it is finally rolled down to the desired thickness. These sheets of metal are then ])laced under a punch, which cuts them uj) into ciicula' pieces as neai' the si/e of the medals as jiossible. These blank medals, or coins, so to speak, are then placed singly between highly tempered steel dies, which are set under the press, and a pressure of about lOO tons or u])wards jier s(|uare inch of surface is retpiired to fuice the cold metal into the recesses of the finely engraved steel which transfers the im]>ression and completes the uuMhil. Steel tiies of the nature of these are \ery cosily, and no doubt to the great majority of l)ersons their cost would seem most excessive. They are en- graved by jwactical die-sinkeis, s]iecial skill being reipiired in tempering them, especially for these medals, which is owing to the unusual hanlness of the metal, causetl by mixing the brass or i)ron/e portions of tire machinery with the cojiper fastenings. 'This blending not only places a ipiantity of both metals in these souvenirs, but imparts to the medals themselves a hard- ness which will preserve the impressions much longer than if made solely of the copper. The lirst of those medal rehcs of the Hearer issued lueas- med I 11- lO iivhes in diameter and weighed about i '4 ounces each. While these were heinjj stamjicd an accident was met with in which the dies were s])oiled, and owin^ to the belief that smaller ones would give e((ual, if not l)etter satis- faction, it was decided to not make any more this si/.e, as the saving of metal was an important consiileration. These large medals contain an illustration of the wrecked steamer Beaver, also apj)ropriate wonling aro\ind the i^erijihery on the one side, wliile on the other is a telling inscription. These were numbered from I t(j 12 consecutiN ely, then liie ligures 3, 6 and <) were left out entiiel}-, after which the numbering con- tinued thus : 14. 15, 17. iS, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25,27,28,40,41, etc., the last one l^earing No. 54S. As there were only 226 me of 1492, signifying the first famous sailing vessel to America and the til St steamer. In adtlilion to the illuFtrations, both sides of this medal contains a suitable inscription, and it is scarcely necessary to say that in all probability these will ccjmmand a high price in the near future ; for of all the ditferent styles of World's I'\'iir souvenirs that were issued during the years 1892 and 1893 — and I feel sure many will agree with me in this — none can com])aie with tiiese from an historical j)oint of view, which fn(~t, in the very nature of things, must sooner or later place a hige premium on this special design. These, after be- ing minted, are stamjied consecutively from No. i upwards. The selling price for tlie jiresent is fixed at 75 cents each. It will always be found very gratifying to those securing these souvenirs to be able to tell at a glance just how many of them have been stamped before the one whiih they have gained i)ossessit)n of. .\ record of the numbers is kej^t as the medals are stamped, and never are two of the same design issued with corresponding numbers. Perhaps the most im- portant question relating to these relics, and one which is repeatedly asked, is : " How many of these medals are you - 5« - going to manufacture?" As this will depend on the demand for the present issue, as well as on the demand for the next anticipated issue of smaller dimensions, it is impossijjle to state at this writing the exact number. Still it may he pleasing to the interested public to know that the output is limited to 1,050 pounds. When this amount of metal has been worked up, or otherwise disposed of, it is my intention to notify the public of the fact through the press, stating at the same time the exact number of medals in each separate issue. The total amount of coi)i)er and composition metal of the Hudson's Bay Company's steamer Beaver which I secured weighed just about 1,085 pounds, and consisted of a vast assortment of copi)er bolts, which formed her fastenings ; sev- eral sets of main shaft bearings, which weigh about 45 j-»ounds per pair ; various other sets or smaller dimensions, a variety of copper tul)ing, several brass plungers, a number of valves and numerous small devices belonging to the shii)'s machinery, besides two large bronze condenser valves, which are excep- tionally line curiosities of old-time marine engines. Of this 1,085 pounds it is very jjrobable that some of the pieces may be disposed of as they are, which of course would reduce the number of medals accordingly. But in the event of the entire lot being used for the medals there will be, as above stated, not more than 1,050 pounds of these relics, as the amount of waste in recasting and manufacturing will l)e considerable. As there is a great probability that the demand for these medals will be enormous, and wishing to extend the metal as far as possible, I intend to issue another size, which will only weigh about one-quarter of an ounce each and be, in diameter, somewhat smaller than a twenty-five cent silver coin. In general design these will be somewhat similar to the first issue, but in addition to these being interesting relics, they will be found exceedingly well adapted for brooches, bracelet bangles, watch-guard charms, cuff buttons, and various other useful ornaments of apparel, and owing to this special j^ains will be exercised in their manufacture. It is quite Ukely that two styles of this size will be issued. Should this be the case, and no others introduced, which is most probable, the output of these medals will thus include the three different sizes above described, and these will contain four slightly varied designs. In all likelihood the lovers of curiosities — and they are legion — have never before had such a splendid opportunity of acquiring so valuable a relic at so small a cost, and that they — 59 — are not slow in perceiving this is shown by tlie fact that these medals — although their existence is as yet scarcely known to the public — have already found their way into China, Japan, Australia, the United States of America and various parts of Canada. Many thrilling and romantic associations hang round these historic medals, which no doubt will always jirove a source of interesting pleasure to their possessors, who, through generations to come, will treasure with a strange fas- cinating interest these mementoes made of copj)er of the tirst steamship to cross the Atlantic to America, the fust to round Caj)e Morn, and the first to rutlle the waters of the great Pacific. I'erhajis, also, many will prize them highly owing to the fact that the metal of which they are made has been to that lonely isle in the far Southern Pacific famous the world over as "Robinson Crusoe's Island." In addition to these interesting connections, these medahj have other special charms, for ihey contain metal of machinery made by the tirst firm that ever manufactured jnactical steam engines, and are therefore inseparably connected with the celebrated name of Watt. Their relation also to the famous Hudson's Bay Com- l)any makes them valuable souvenirs of lasting historical in- terest. But as this chapter is not intended altogether as an advertisement, but rather as a method of describing as nearly and clearly as ])OSsible all particulars relating to the manufact- ure, etc., of these medals, I shall conclude this article by say- ing that my earnest hope is that every person who may secure one or more of these mementoes will regard them as true relics of the steamer Beaver^ and be as sanguine that such is the case as if they had gone to the wreck, secured the copper and made the medals themselves. All that I can say is that these medals are genuine, and that to the best of my ability they have been honestly rej^resented, which statement, it 's most gratifying to know, has already been received by many as a tru'hful assertion. And as an examjile of this, following is a co])y of the first order for these meflals which we had the pleasure to receive, and which, coming as it did from the highest institution in the Dominion of Canada, cannot fail to give some idea of the valuable manner in which these histori- cal medals are prized. A long list of orders since received from various quarters, also letters expressive of gratitude from persons who deem themselves fortunate in accjuiring so fine a relic, could also be published, but such a move would be en- tirely too commonplace in this connection. II — 6o — Although it is scarcely probaMe that it would jiay anyone to go to the exjtense and risk of counterfeiting these medals, still before purchasing it will be well to see that the auth(ji's name (C \V. McCain) is stamped on the face of each one, otherwise you will be ])erfectly justitied in regarding them as false imitations. Therefore beware of any medals not bearing this imprint, but claiming that the metal is of the steamer /n'arer. The above name, in the case of the two first sizes, appears (|uite consjiicuously in raised letters near the periphery of the medals, but in the case of the small ones it will be found embossed in very line lettering \ipon that portion of the medal representing the rocky clitl. (Tliis copy (»f nil order, liorctofovc meiitioncul. from th«^ liiltrary Dupflrtmcnt of tlio Hous-l' of Commons, ro(iuircs a word of »'X])IiUnition owiii^,' to the address. I nuiy stato that tlu; address is tliat of my fatlu-r, who, l)y the way, lias not only kindly assisted in iM'inf^in;^ forward tliosf* medals, i»ut also in collecting isonie inii)ort- ant information for this history; and tlie, Lil»rnrian. as will l)t! seen, haviiij^ previously learned that he mi^'lit seeiire these souvenirs through him directetl the eoiunninication thither.) l.lKkAKV ()!■ I'AKI.IAMEN 1,(1 Dominion oi- Canada, s OriAWA, 31st Dec , 1892. D. \V. McCain, 1-S(j., Port Colborne, Out. M\ Dkak Sir — I have received your adthess from Mr. I. J. Murphy, of Toronto, and herewith enclose to you a money order for ($5.00) live dollars, ft)r which you will ])lease send to me live coi)ies or speiimens of yt)ur medal {Bearer) by Canadian e\i)ress. When you have your pamphlet on the medal ready for issue please send two (2) copies of it to this Library, witli in- voice of same in duplicate. I am, my dear sir, yours sincerely, L. I. Casali.i, pro. 01 iShortly after Uih • li 1 CiTv OF Vancouver, } Hkitfsh Colu.miua, Canada. f CiTv Ci.EKK's Ofiick, Vancoi VKK, Feb. iSth, icSo-,. < . W. McCain, I-:s(.., \'ancoiiver, B. C. Dear Sik_i Leg to acknowledge the reieii^t o( vour souvenn- medal made of copper of the SS. AV.rrJ- ami h- ' presented same to Council as per your request I have been instructed to thank you on their behalf for h landson.e donation, and they trust that you will be sue- (esslul m your busniess venture. \'ours truly, Tuns. \'\ McCJiioAN, City Clerk. ?t M' ® /^ \ <>5 — The Sad Ending of the Author's Last Trf,> in Search of OJd=Time Naval ReJics. — - «o«-- al out the- closing hours of each yenr, •, vo.nethin.. which seems to renetrite to tl.M v^.,-, • ".'"^ ^ "KU, With . .,eno„.sness seid,.:, ' p. °, i ^ ^ , ™ ll,';',""" '"^ ilello : not ready yet ?"* l-ookinc-r u|>. I I.eheM :uy old fiie iiig in the doorvvnv with 1 ml K. A. H yellow, wenhed feet protruding fr us arms filled v\it i"own staml- » parcels. Us :>in one of th T! won contents, revealing the fact that the fanuly fo ese i)e amply the |u)or fellow i look uj>on the fa that lie was now pi-ovMed tor on X ali/e that ne\-er ew t eai- s 1): ;ti\e le I'e.sjjoke att; joard e di(' ces o f h ;i;.^ain m this life should h< leavinL! IS (lear onc>. i.itfle (\u\ J token of a fatlier's 1 'eliind U' reali./e blot out the old vear h ove, and that (ew holiday gifts as the last •efore antjther si;n should IS siari! would he with its Maker lying ins parcels on a table, he stoo.l minutes and then left tl talking foi a i ew • liiidren s candy le room, saying, " I've forgotten th( Aft er a lapse of jirohahlv fift J)eared, and hv this t start, O ime everything was een minutes he again ,eai crowbars, Th ur Kit consisted of a lantern, t piece of roj)e, a sledge- ha m readiness for the saw , two lowing these over our should wo axes, a inrner and a wedi errand ers, we starte \ few niinutfs* walk (Ujwn a siclc avt'iuie IdtMight us to Linton's l)oal house, at the foot of Canall street. 1 leie every- thint^ w;is silent as the gra\e, sa\e tlie dull, ceaseless iii)]>le of the sea in the chinks of the loi;-ll(Kit on w hicli the boat-house is .onstiucted. We f OUIKl the |ihu-e entirely deserted by tiie boatman and his attendants, but as \s e had engaged a boat for this occasion on our retuin from the wreck the ]>revious e\en- mg, we decided to selec t one for ourselves from the large num- ber that was lying on the lloat. Our mutual choice was the Alice, a ft)ur-oared t-edar skilf, sharji at botli ends, but with ample seating accommodaticjn for at least three persons. ( )ur leason for selecting this boat in lueference to a larger one wliich we had been in the habit of using on similar occasions was that it was much lighter, and therefore we would be able t(j make better he;ulway, as we wished to return before nud- niglit, on account of this i)eing Saturday evening. Launching the skiff, we stowed our luggage carefully be- low the seats, and then went in seaic h of the necessary com- plement of oars. T'liis pro\'ed a moie laborious task than had the linding of a bo.it, as the apartments in which the oars were kept were all locked, and in conse(|uence of this we were oi)lige(l to resort to a large pile of culled oars and paddles at a coiner of the l)oat-house. liowever, after sorting and re-sort- ing this ])ile, we managed to get four oars, which, although slivered and cracdicd and otherwise imperfect, we ("Oncluded would answer our j.)urpose. Keturning to the boat, we tied each of the rowlocks with a (ord to tl^ic gunwale so as to pre\ent their loss in case they slunild happen to jump out of ])lac e. This accomjilished, we took our positions in the boat, Mr. Hiown as stroke, while I manned the forw ard (jars. As we pushed from the dork the musical strains of a hiass band floated (j\er the waters, lendiiig ajipaicntly new /eal to the oars as they cut the watei' witii .|uickening stroke, Rending plK;si)horic, glowing eddies whirl- ing in rajjid succession along tlie sides of our little craft. 'The night air was clear and cold, yet we plied our oars with a vengeance that soon sent the lu^t blood coursing through our veins, and that made our frail skifil" seem like a thing of life as it bcjunded out into the darkness. One by one the dim lights of the city faded from our view, until wc lounded Ihockton I'oint. when suddenly the entire undulating island of glittering aic lights vanished from our view. 07 A (i(.;s( lij'tion of \'anc-oii\ei "s harbor and atljact'iit \\;,:ci's at tins junct\ue will Jjcst sei\e — unless already fnmiiiir \\;t!i tlie place — to give the reader a cleaier understainlin;; oi ihe course \ve took, and of our perilous situation on the o(( ;.<-ion of w hit h I write. ()|)ening off the ( iulf ol ( li'or^da. tivc miles north o| : he l-"raser's mouth, is a hnije, S(|iiarely-formed sheet of '.\atei known as I'.nglish l^aw Tlie southern Ijoundary of this Uay is formed l>y a wooded promontoiy of the mainhmtl projecting out into tlu' gulf a distance of some se\en miles, where it sud- dien!) teiininates in a loun led hhdf lalleii I'oint (irey. The northern b'^nindaiy — sHghth- concave — runs jiarallel to the s(nithern, which in a]ipearance it (loselv resembles, except that the land ra])idly ascends from the water-line, until, only a few miles back, it terminates in snow-capped peaks 4,700 feet above the sea. 'idie sijuare face of the j^eninsula, on w hicli stands the city of \'ancouver, extends nearly across the bay at right angles to its sides, thus supplying its eastern boundar)' and forniing a bay live miles by seven in extent. At the southeast corner of this bay the waters creep through a narrow tdiannel to the east a distance of some tiuee miles, forming a beaut if il lagoon known as l'"alse Creek, while at the northeast corner lies the entrance to tlie magnilicent land-locked harbor of Buirard Inlet. This harbor, (jr sound, extends twelve miles eastward with an average breadth of .diout two nules, while eight miles from its mouth, along the north shore, a channel a nule in width runs four leagues to the northward among jutting rocks and steej) mountains, w hich in places i^lunge almost perpendicuh.rly into ninety-live fathoms o( cold, calm sea, lemark.ible for its transparency and luirror- like surface. 'I'he ]irincipal ba_\'s of tlu' Inlet are situated on the S(>uth shore, as the main channel and ( urrenls follow along tlie noith bank, rendeiing the coast line on that side conijiaratiN (dv stiaight. The waters enter Ihirrard Inlet through a narrow pass scarcely a t a section of the bottom, on which rested a few chunks of iron and :' promiscuous pile of old furnace brick. Included among these pieces of iron was the centre por- tion of the main shaft, a piece of forging about se\en and a luilf feet in lergth by six im hes in diameter, with an iS-inch crank at each end. This shaft my companion, Mr. Blown, regarded as one t)f the finest and most valuable relics in the w hole craft, antl he desiied very much to secure it as an inter- esting ornament to place on the lawn in front of his line new residence on Mount IMeasant, a suburb of the city. 69 - Conset|uently, it was ai ranged tliat we should go out on New \'ear''s eve and free tliis piece from the rest of tlic wreck- age and get it in shape to fasten under a large boat, which we intended to take out on the Monday night following. All piei es of iron that were too heavy to ))Ut aboard the boat we wouhl fasten underneath by means o/"roi>es passed around o\ or the top of the gunwale. i'hen as the tide would raise the boat, the iron below wduld be floated, after which we ctiuld row to the city, carrying in this way, with comparative ease, pieces weighing many hundreds of j)Ounds. We had also de- cide 1 to totally abandon the wreck after Monday night, as there would then be very little left worth going after, espe- cially at midnight, when the tri])s were always accompanied by more or less haidship. Stiange to say, we never realized that our lives were in danger, or at least 1 never did, although we had worked .ibout the wreck scores of times, wlien at certain stages of the tide the waters would rush past us with awful force, then at othei times they would api)ear almost motionless. The spot where the }lea''er was wrecked is at the north west corner of Stanley Park, just at the point where the waters of ICnglish Hay enter Hurrard Inlet, and where the channel at very low tide is scarcely more than two hunear almost as though we were sliding down a bank of water. Suddenly there was an open- ing in the trees, in the midst of which stood a small frame building. This, although scarcely discernible, we at once recogni/ed as the storehouse at the south end of the submerged city water I'il'e lines, .\s we swejH past this clearing, which at once gave us our bearings, and revealed the fact that only a few hundred yards of the channel yet remained, a feeling of uneasiness stole over me as I now fully realized that we were in the clutch of a most terrific current. Never before had we visited the wreck with lighter hearts. " Like the swan that singeth liefore its death,"' my companion hail on this occasion seemed unusually cheerful and happy. But the dawn of the transformation scene was already visible, and as the curtain gradually lifted, a sense of seriousness rapidly dispelled all merriment. Our conversation, which during most of the trip had been about the World's Columbian l'"air and the pleasant times we would sj)end together among our friends and relatives in the I'ast during the coming sum- mer, was brought to a sj^eevly termination as a rushing mass of eni-ircling foam struck the side of our little craft and whirled it clear around before we were able to again head it down the cliannel. This was the first time that our ANce — 7 1 ha1'1 caught hold of it. There was no time to speak, scarcely to gas]), then we were a second time submerged beneath the roai- ing torrent. By the transj)arency ans an explanation ol Iidw, in my eslimaticjii. this is hest accomplished mi^ht Ik- the uicins of saving someone's life, although 1 trust the leadci ma) never have occasion to I'lactically re(|uire this ad\ice. Should you fall intc; the water, draw in all the air your lungs are capable of holding, the n th close your mouili, anc )f you sink l)elo\\ tlie surface be as sparing of \-our breath as ]iossU)le, allowing it to cscajje dl< throusih the nose h y degrees only as necessity compels .eep the lips tiglitl)- compressed so as not to admit any water, and work your throat as though in the act of swallowing. When the lungs are inflated, or even nartly so, it is comparat i\ ely an easy matter to rise to the surfac e, and this in most instances may he acconij)lished by simpl\ pawing with the hands and treading with the feet, then gasp a fresh breath and ymi are prepaied for the next struggle. My o])inion is that a person, although unable to swim, might exist some time in the water I. carrying ou It thii. hlan, and mucli longer th nn under ortlin- nrv circumstances. It was on this ]iarticular point that the celebrated l-'.nglish swimmer, (laptain James Webb, jdaced so much reliance in iris bold attenij't to pass througli tlie Xiagara whirli)Ool rapids in the summer of 1883. In conversation with a gentleman just before he started, he is t laimed to have said : " If I can only manage to come to the surface at intervals of not more than five minutes, I think I shall liave no difficulty in getting through." If Ca])tain Webb could remain under the water five minutes without breathing, he must have been an extra- t)idinary man, as the great majority u( ])eople, according to my e\[!erieni'e, would find three minutes (juite sulhcient. Still, we are told that such a thing is possible, as some of the pearl- fishers have accomplished it. However, wliether the great .'^wimmer overrated his slaying ontaiti a caij^o, hallast. or luachinerv i)f a sinkahl ■ natiiu;. it wouKl iindouhtedlv "■" '^' the l)f)tt(iiii unless it she iM ha|'poii to turn over and iluinp it> burden. I f a .- nail boat ^ontainin^ I wo ] eisoiis shoul'i > a] - si/e, in nin!i..l anil not be so aj't to 1<)S'. their hold by flie boat lolliiij^ river. I'hey should also, in most instances, endeavor t.) Ueej' the boat u[iside down, as a certain aniount of air nearlv al\s;iys remains under a craft when in this position, whicdi serses ma- terially uj counteract their (.wn weij;ht when resting on [\\t bo:it*s bottom. •X- -X- -A- * -X- * It seemed is though our little skitf would nevei rise. Still, althcjugh my breath was about exhausted and I 'hought my last liour had come, I lesolved to drown clinging lo the b(jat. as holding to this seemei! uiv only ]iossible (dumce of escaj.e. liut. to my intense relief, the boat at last rost to the >uifa(X', when to my utter ilisappoint ment I discov red tliat u\y friend was missing. Sweeping a longing glance in ever\ direction, my sight was suddenly arrested by the struggles of my i'om]';iiuon in an edd}- a, short distance away, only still nearer the centre of the w ild flood. There was something so lieartrending, so intensely sad about the ghastly pale fui e as it struggled for life in the midst of that awful cuireni that for many months after it haunted me in my dreams, lie seen\ed to realize that 1 was j'owerless to assi^-t him and to ))refer s]>ending his last moments in silent sup])li( ation, rather tlian waste them in shouting for aitl ; for no doubt h« well realized that his moments in this life were rapidly drawing to a close, and that it would be mad ness to exjject human help to leach him in that secluded spot before the spark of life had Med No beseeching cry for help escape»l his lips, onl\- 'h< simple Muestion ilav e you got the !)0 at ?" This I answered in the aft'irmative, and endeaxored to cheer him up as !>est I could by offering encour;\ging woids, while at the same lime I did all in my power to take the ujiturned boat to him ijy lay- ing dat down and using my hands as paddles. lie then seemed to put forth an aliiKJst superhuman effort to rea( h it, but with little effect, as the eflort only aj.peared to kindle the ■iJ anj;t_'i of the clenit'iit^- in then iicLilish I'Uipose. Tlu- l»iee/c tuns Mdwinj.; against the wliiiling ti'.le lashed it into a fonni, in wliic!), without assistant c, no oniinary man, much less one htlle accustomed to the sen, coulit long expect to suivi\e, es- j)ecially when he had on n !'>np jiair of heavy ruhhei- lioots and unusually heavy clothin<.',. As the heartless w ateis fnufd him hack an exclamation of utter ho|/elessness luoke in tiemhling, choking accents from his lii>s. My very hlood seemeil to freeze and reason itself to ahviosl depart, as this last despaiiing cry, "Oh my ! oh my '." pierced tlie night and avsoke tlie cciioes of that dismal place. Then the merciless sea sv\allr)wed uji my dear friend, to never again !>e seen in life. m)i yet scaicely in death ; foi" a strange mystery lurks ahoul the deep, over-(dianging waters o[ this channel, \vhich suggests the sad thougiit to ever prey upon the mini's of tlie bereaved fiiends that, in all likelihood, the remains of the lost and lovdl one must e\er wander in its watery shroud, tossed and restless in the cradle of the dee]', until th.al grea' day when the sea and the earth sjiall give up their ilead. Seldom, veiy seldom, is the body of an unfortu nate who sinks into the cold cmhicce of these waters to meet death at ehl) tidi- e\er recoNcieo. Anm|ianion had suc- cumhed. Several times after this the boat was forced down, hut I always managed to retain my hold until it again came to the to]). Although i)rol)al)ly not more than a hundred feet ofl' the land and wrecked steamer when the boat first swam]>ed, I ha to the landing and provided with an additional oar. It was now flood tide, ami as I rowed along the shore, telling those I chanced to njeel of the sad accident and requesting a search for tlie body, every- thing seemed transformed ; the flurried bay was now a lalm exjianse of sparkling sea, while the tempestuous gorge had become a tran(iuil strait, beautiful beyond compare. \'et a shudder stole over me as I passed through the de(^eitfid, trv^acherous waters into the harboi-. Tlie chiming churc h bells jealed forth their i)athetic note of welcome just as 1 delivered to the city and my lost com- panion's bereaved an>wn from the wall as -i w . -s. ' "•'"•'five ,t is lookin^r night. ' '"^'^^''-^ f^>"y experience on that fatal 4^ ■A a! ii»»i lnt%pnient:- in Steasii Since Its Introduction in 176Q. i( iU'etuliy (."oiiijiiled fro-ii \'iirii)iis Aii^ii; ntic litcords. IT IS .\'i )\\' universally acknow ledj^ed tiuU the hisloiy ol the piMctiv'al slenDi en^ino ilntes tvom janu^s Watt's itn- pitneinents anij inventions in 1769. 'I'liere aie, l-anv- ever, many instatices ol experinunits with steam iiior ti) this (late, l)u{ for these tlic wovM is little wiser. rerha[)S the liist event in this connection uoithy ut note look jilaee on Octohei i-llh, I7•"'^, when Messis. Millet i\ Taylor exhibited a small dniihle boat, with a paddie-wheel m the interspace, on a lake on Miller's estate in Scotlaml. The boat, it app-eais. \vas di'iven by a steam ent;ine with 4-inch brass cylinders. idus exj^eriment demonstrate ! 'he fa t tiia! steam as a motive power might be successfully em; loved ii, large craft. In 1803 Ml. Symington built a steam-tug called the i'harlotte Dunda:;, which he intentierf to use as a tow-boat on the I'orth and Clyde canal, but the agitation of the water cause! b)- the large ])addle- wlieels wa-s so injunous to the (lay banks ihat the \'essel was tied up iind the schetntr designated as a failuie. There seems to he a differeiKe of opinion regard- ing this vessel. Some authorities claim that slie had a large stern- wheel ; stiii tlic prepon'ierance of evidence would seem to indicate that she was ]>ro]ieiied ))y side paddle-wheels. In iSo.; Kichaid Trevethick ev!\ibited a steam cavriagi' on the Mertyr- TynN ii tramway m Waies. I'he wdieels of thi^ locomotive were providsed wuth a cogged rim ti> work on ■ corres])ond:ing track along the rails, and with this contiivaiu c he manage'.! to haul s«*Tje ten t(jns of bar-iron loaded in w »|^ons at the rate of almut tive miles per hour. Irevelhick's loco motive carriage aj-pears to lie the hrst ot w hii !-. ihere is an) recoi'l, an'i altiiougli the e.\j>eriment seems to have been (]uile sue ■'-''''. •■ •^-■- was but little nci'omplished in steam railroad ing I ^.- 84 Robert l<"ulton, an American citi/en, and a man of spl cn- (lid ])iarti(al ideas, while uii a lour aliroad visited tiie unfor- lunate (harlotle Duudas, it seems, and obtained drawings of her inacliinery. lie shortly aftei wards retniiied home with a 20dioi'se ]i(nver engine, matle \{ Kobert h'ullon has been immortalized. In 1S12 Robert P)e!l. a Scotchman, ran a small steamer tailed tlie Cotiiet as a pleasure boat between (ilasgow and (lreeno(d<, im the Clyde. This side-wheel steamer was pro l-elled by a lever engine ol 4-hoise powei', and .Ulainetl u speed of about six miles an houi. Hc-ll is thus looked U))on as thi' lather of steam na\igation in Hritaiii. In 1S14 Jolm Waltei-, jiioprietor (jI the London limes newsj')aper, concluded to try steam j^rinting. Two I'resses, ihat could be worked li\' steam, were conseipuntly placed on the premises adjoining the main press-rooms. Tliese ])resses were cajiable of turning out some 1,100 impressions jier hour, instead of 250 as formerly, and were the invention of l''redcrick Koenig, a (ierman. The tiial was successful, and accordingly, on \o'.-embei- 2Sth, 1814, the public were informed that the ! i'lU'S of that tlate vvas the Inst news]>aper evei" printed by sU'am-pro| lelled machinery. In iSjo, it seems, a service of steaui packets was esiab 'sheil loi- t he U time between llolvhead, ;ind l)id)lin. In 1820 (.leorge Stephens m ran i;is famous " Kockel locomoti\e over a line uf railwax just completed between Liverpool and Manchester. This event marked the begniuing of great aciuevemeiits lor the steam engine. In 1833 a line of railway was constructe^i in Amciica, be- tween ( harleslon and Ilamhurg, .South Carolina, when over tl lis road, it seems, the I'nited States mail was for the tirsl time transmitted by steam. At the encl of this same year some 380 miles (A steam railroad had been iH)nstructe.,. iliiliiii ^^'th a .small sieani v.^c.^..! , '" ^^ ''^''i ^ ant lin i",; . ^'''^iin(lr\-, iij.,,\i.'/ i'^^'"-^'''' I'oi'rietoi of iiw. i. .• , ' ^ ^^''^^^"'i'u -ha, arontriv- — 86 — i nncc (UliLT tii:in the ordinary slide-viih'e aivl k'vei was U'(|uiieil in (jtdcr to secure comijlete cuiiiinaiKl <)\er the jiowtT of lh( lih)W. Mr. Xasmyth, after iiiakini^- several iiiisuccessfnl al iemj'ifs to osereonie this diHi'nilty, was nhout to alininhon tiie lamnier scheme w hen Mr. kol)ert Wilson, his entiineerin'/ manager, came to ins rehel witii a heai itiful mechanical mo- tion. This invention was attach.ed to the hammer and found s every variety of hlow could In- !j;ivep Id 1) to work admiraMy witl'iout further difficulty. in developiuL^ the throat resource? o[ the iion trade, thi; steam hammer as an ituention has (louht- Ic^s coiitri!)uted nnjre th.an any other of modern tinus. On .May loth, 1S53, the (je/'oi'a, of 350 tons lunden. from Li\erj)ool, steamed uj) the Si. Lawrence river and en lered th.e poit of Montreal, Canada. This vessel wa.s the propert}' of the Canadian .Steam Xavis^alion ('om]>aiiy, wh.i(di was th.e lirst (:omj)any to run a line of ocean ste.imshi]'S into Montreal. <0n January 31st, 1S58, the (irgat I\asterii slid down th.e ways into the Thames river. This vessel was luiilt for the ivistcrn Steam Naviga.lion Coin|rovitled feet, to top o f bul with side paddle-wheels 56 feet in diameter, while at the end. of a shaft 160 feet in length, by 24 inches in thicl-;ness, was a scre\'. rojHdU: w ilh a swing of 24 feet. Th.e lie engmes, four in numlicr, had cylinders of 14 feet stroke and 74 inch.es ameter, while the four screv. engines (Boulton i.\ Watt's
  • -a.„,,,,;^;:,!-,,^;^e....,,,„. ^ , J'erhaps Uie first atten,,,f , c-rthe .\tl;,ni; .M. '^^^"M'' t( si I ' - stantiate tins. Iliat this attenijit to utih/e steam as an auxiliary motive power on board ocean sailini; shii>s was only an exjieriment, and that the experiment was a fiiihue, is run ,is a sadin^ ])acket be- tween New N Ork and, southern American ports until wrecked some three year;; latei. I )ou!illess the fact tlu\t this attempt to employ steam in sucdi a temporary manni'i' was at that time not considered an event (jl mu-.h imj.ortance accounts for their not iKnv being in existence, so far as known, any reliable drawings or ilescriptions of the craft i]ut some jiatriotic en- thusiasts have recently endeavored to suj>ply this deticiency by having an illustration of a steamshij' engraved to correspond with their idea of what the Sa' a)inali was, or at least should have been. And it is to l)c regretted that anxone wdio attempts to write for ))ublic enlightenment should peir)rm the task lo poorly and with so little regaid foi' the truth, as has been exhibited of late in at:coanls p.ertaining to this vessel. One of these articles, accomi>anied by an imaginary steamship, recently pvddished in several newspapers, shows clearly the object for wdiicdi it was written, namely, to (daim for the United States the lujnor of being th.e lirst country to inaugurate a transatlantii' sleamshij) line. Ihe SaaJUia/i did not cross the Atlantic undei- steam from New \'ork. Fiut that the American j)eople as a nation tlo mil regard the Sara?inah's history as of any sjtecial interest, oi-, quite probably, do not regard her as a steamship at all, espec daily in connection with the transatlantic jiassage, anU\ whicdi had its lurjich puMishing house in <^>uel)ei- at the time the Roval William left, we timl that no reference whate->'er is made \o this \ess(;l in any o{ its numbers — a full set of whi(h we have from I'el.'ruary of that year, 1S53. Idiis would seem to indicate that the Roval // /7//<7//'/".s' steam -gear- ing was only I'egarded as auxiliary when she saileil from <^Uiehec foi ]\nrrland. r^s otherwise moie importance woukI have iieen atta( heil to such an event as the Atlantic being crosseil for the tirst lime by a steamship, and the occurrence sliould unassage. Aftc an elaiise (j )f t wo more \'e;us we lind anotiier shii navigating .\llanti- waters ivith, apjiarently, steam as an auxiliary. This ship was called the dipt' Hreton, and it seems she sailed from .Sydney, (ape Breton, and arrived at I'lymouth on August 2nd, iS:;5. ureordin^^^ to Lloyd's list of entries for that \-ear. just here I wish to say thai at the time the lir.st Bea'Cr medals were issued the evidence then jiossessed concerning early ocean vovages of vessels >:assilicd is steamships was o f ■a- such a I'eliable character as seeminiilvto iustifv the idaim made thereon. ; a: .\:lantic." the Hea't'ey was the tirst steamer to cross tlie iuformatioi: ha ;ut 1 I »revious to .'jetliiiL: out l.ie ne\ I d esiiin, )een collected relative to the Royal IVillid/n, which, although meagre, was of such a nature that it was 'jeeme( )est to state onl\' tlij oale on whuh the />'eai ro ssed- j)referrnig to be on IK sa fe side- -and to issue the medals in this way until full authentic data concerning the R(>yal William could be [aocured. Shortly afterwards the Canadian authorities and historical \\ I m p ^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) y ^ 7 A f/. Z ^ 1.0 !P- i I.I 25 12.2 2.0 ^^§ 1.25 1.4 lA ^ 6" ► % A r em. > (9 / Photographic Sciences Corporation ^ V 33 WCST f'!Alt« STMfT WEBSTiRN.Y t4580 (716) 873-4S03 ^ 9) ^i it -fi- — 90 — sorieties took slejis in the matter, whidi Imally resulttHl in the placing (tf a hiass tablet in the c:oni(K)r loading from the Mouse of ("oninions reading ooni t(» the l.ihraiy. This conimemoi- ative tablet \sas formally unveileil oi. |une 2Sih, iSi)4, jusl at the close of the tiist day's session *.A the gieat Inteic o!oni;d ( 'onfeience, which was held at the city of Ottawa al that lime. ;\s the large assend)lage was ab>»iit to dis| eiso, I lis Ia( ellency the (loveinoi-Cyeneral leaM the toUowing letter, which he had leeeivetl from the secretary of the Koyal Society : "(>n.\\\A, (»Nl., June 2()th, 1S04. "To lllN lv\( KI.I.KNCV I UK (i<)\KKN«)K-(JKM':K,\l. : " Mv LoKi) — I he two houses of the Canadian Parliament liave ordered that a brass tablet should be ]daced in the wall i)f the corridor leading to the librai) of Pailiament, with a suitable inscription, 'commemorating the departure of the /\ova/ William from the port of (Jueliec in 183^ — the tirst vessel to cioss the ocean by means of steam. '* N'oui l",\cellency is already familiar with liie leading 1 ircumstances connected with this interesting historical faci. The brass plate ordeied by I'ailiament is now ready to be put in jtlace, and it is felt that no more lilting time could be < hoscn ihan at the close of the wjiening meeting of the colonial con- ference. ( )n behalf of the Royal S(j( iety ami associated soci- eties — who wtre the lirst to move in doing honor to the builders and navigators of the Royal William — I express the hojie tiiat your l\\c:ellen( y will be plea.sed to place the com- memorative plate in its permanent jjosition. If ii be agreeable to your l'"xc:ellency, 1 encdose the list of gentlemen who it is thought desirable should witness the ]uoceedings : "The delegates to the conference, the speakers of the Senate and C'ommons, (abinet ndnisters, Mr. (lustavus Wick- steed, who saw the Royal William laumheil ^)3 years agcj and took passage in her during the trial triji ; Mr. iiorace Wicksteed, who boarded the Royal William on her arrival in luigland and dined w ith the caj)tain ; representatives of the koyal Society and associated societies. 1 have the honoi to be, " \'our I'.xcellencv s most faithful servant, CI. Hot' K I NOT 'i'his concluded, the National Anthem was sung, after which the gathering dispersed, the invited guests immediately ^b — 9> — lepainnj; lo llu- iouhIdi, where His 1 .xceileiuy I.oid Ahei- e /xovd/ H'i/IiafJi and was on hoard of hei on the dial tri)>. Mr. \\ it'Usteeuebec, m the year iSjoi. 2. " The designer of the ship and sui'ei inlendent ol its construction was Mr. James (loudie, born in (Juebei iSoy, and w ho died 1S92. V "This ship was launclud in the s|iring of 1S3 1 with mole than oiiliniry ceiemony. The governor of the TroNiiu'e. Lord Aylmer, was present with his staff, the military authori- ties and the band of the 32nd Kegimeiil. The e>ent was further houcjred by the presence of Lady Aylmer, who, in the customary manner, gave the vessel the name of the Royt\l ll'illidHl, after l\ing William I\'., then on the throne. 4. " I'he ship was lowed to .Montie.il to ie(eive her ma chinery, .uid t)n iiemg title \ ln C'llC< II;ilif;i.\ ani lioslon. She \v as ilic tir.st Mrilisli sto.imei t ) ariive at tin- ialtci port. 5. " III the list of owners appear i!k' names of the three biothers, (osejih, Henry and Sanuiel (unaril of Ilalifav. <). "Iler S feet. She hid three niisls, sch.ooner-rigjjed ; buildei's nieasiiiemenl . I,>70 tons, with accommodation foi oi) p.issi-n^crs. .>/ /. She left 'Quebec for London Aaj^ust 5th, 1S33, called al I'ictou, Nova .Scotia, lo receive i oal and overhaul machinery. .Slu.' ie-starti;d from Tictoii Auj^usi iSth with seven passeni^evs, 254 chaldrons of coal and a light cargo. She encountered a teriilic gale on tlit- bajiks of Newfoundland which ilisabled one of her engine^. Ihe passage from I'ictou [o London oci uj»ied 2^ days. S. " I'en days after her anival in London she was t bar- tered by the Portuguese government to enter the service of I >om I'edio as .1 troopship. y. "In iS_J4shewas sold to the Spanish government, was coiuerled into a wai' steamer, and under the new name o\ hahel Secu)uia wasemployeecame a color-sergeant, ajipeaied in tiie Toronto (ilnln' May I5^''> lS7<>. This letti'i describes an incident which came under his own observation May 5th, iS3(), off St. Sebastian, Hay of iiiscav M r. .Somer ville remarks that tlu- Canadian-built ship Is>iIh'I Seciiiudi (or- iginall} the lloijul Williiiin ) ' \\[\^ tlie lirst steamer-of-w ar in the history of nations to deliver a hostile shot." 10. " Afl'.M an eventful sej\ice lor some years, she was sent to Hordeaux for lepair: \\ hen her timbers were found t< be .somewhat decayed. The engines, however, were in ser- \iceable .tjiiditii)!!. and s\ ere transferred to a new vessel, a second IsiIk'I Smnnlx, to form part of the Sp.'Huisli navy. What was left of the original lioi/nl W'illiiiiii rem.'uned a hulk in the I" rench port Thus it seems the lliijiiil Will in 111 crossed the Atlantic nearly two years previous tij the /u'di't'r^' de|>arture from Lngland. Still Ihe ijuestion as to wliethe' or not she was classed as a steamship at thai time seems to be a Point for arj^umenl. liut as slateil heretofore, 1 have no wish lo claim — 9.? — anything more foi tlif /yt\i:'<'r \h.\n is justly due iii'v, and as this trrhnital puint is and } orhais always will reaiain in dis- |iule, rather than a|>|>(.'ar [Jicjudii i-d, I I'leler to aA>\ to the claim that ''the /'t'lVrr was the liist steamer to ( loss the At- lantic" the svoi'ls, " to America, which will perliaps lle ol recent news|ia]>eis it would seem that I'iuropeans, oi at least some of them, maintain that the /•>'t'i7't'^ was the first steamer to cross the Atlantiv'. Ihit jicrhaps this is not very reliahle authority, as they say u>] lays was the tinie occujiieil in ilu' jiassage, when in ic-ality some 210 days elapsed tVon> the tiim the /ieni'er \{.'ll lini^land until she arrived at lu-i dcs'iint loii. This, howevei, itu hides all stops. !.!•. I'RKMIKK SlI.AMI.k IkANs A 1 I \ \ ll-.H !,.— II y a pies de soixatite ans (jue le steamer /yt'ni't'r, constiuit 'par la Hud- son's Hay Cominmy anj^laise, descendait la Tiinise pour entreprendre la traversee de iC )cean. (.'"etait le pi«*iuiere navire '|ui osait hasarder la traversee de TOcean jn)ur TAme- rifjue. l.a duree out sixty years ago the steamei lu'i^wr, laiilt l»y the lludson's \\\\ Company, steamed down the Thames on its ocean voyage. It was the first steamer that dared to attempt to cross the orean to Ameri( a. The time occupied in the passage was lO^ days. It landed safely at .\storia, in ()regoii. She measured 101 feet in length hy 20 feet heaai ; its draught was 1 I '2 feet, anil its tonnage 109 \j. The hollers were made in Hirmingham. The engines cost L"4, 500, and weighed tit'ty two tons. — I.i>)ui(>)i I it- Hits. Then again we find that e\cn the AV'^rvv, as well as tlu lloijul ll'illiiiiii^ is overlooked and entirely neglected in i onnec- tion with the transatlantic passage, as instance the fage 20.) "The a]'])lical)ility of steam hoth for river and sea navigation was now thoroughly estaMished, and steamers ra])idly increased in si/e, jiower and numhers. " (ireat Western, A.l). 1S3S. "The only step which now remained to he accomplished was to cross the Atlantic, which was first effected in 1S38 l»y the iirent Western." Now it is not a little singular that this emi)h:itic state- ment should he found in a work compiled by men ap- parently well versed in the early history of steam navigation, and j)id)lished, too, so soon after these events trans]ured, ;Mid conse<[uently at a time when it would have been comparatively easy to ascertain all the true facts associated therewith. The reason why the Bearer might jiot have been consid- eied in relation to the Atlantic |)assage is (piite obvious, owing to the fatt that in reaching America she did not cross to tb.e Atlantic seaboard, but sailed directly around (laj^e Horn to the North I^acitic, during which voyage her engines may not have been used to any great extent. Hut it seems difficult to understand or assign any |n)sitive reason why the Iloi/nl Willinvi was overlooked by this as well as other very good authorities (jf still earlier date, and the real 1; *-' o ■"• :■ ^ X c ;<^ /; •- lb tx 5 -' ^ c r — -- C ',< C — " ^ r -r : ^ ~ "" .^ .1 ^ ■^1 - i- "^ C £-3 ^ '): From the -Beaver'' to the ''Empresses/' a> '^'^'"^^ "V'y i"<'i,crly he t,,,nc:i ;, on the rorliy le'l^;. ' *'""'^^ ^'"'' ^'■"- ''- fn-lploss posit' on MORITURA Tli SALl TAT. "•■'••Mith.. V»nr„uv(.r- Daily Wu.-i.i.', A broken hulk. fo,h„n nn.i lost a.n 1 Ahov.rnerrowntherhrtsin,nm,,artshmh Beneath on n,rky ledge ^ ' Ige I stramled h'e. Aroun.l, the hungry uavesawa.tth.u- , ucv hey surge- above my head. a,.dda>..,\' ' <''uml,k' as they steal ' - My life auay. l\^' iit"^ ""'"'!'' ''^'^PO'l^'' »^y ^sind and wave But Man, whom I have served A\.\ \ ' And rol.s n.e as I sink ""' ^" '^"'^• Into my grave. f - 98 ~ 'The seaweed atid cliill hin-is fast my breast, \'et (leeji below, in passionate unrest, i liere slirs a hope, a dream Unknown, unguessed. At morn, when the first ray of daylight creeps I hroiigh clinging mists wliere soft the darkness sleeps, And faintly trembles down To dusky deeps. At noon, when clear and bright the waters spread, And < )(ean scarcely moves t(» rock my tjcd. While droojis tire gcjlden moss A})ove my head. At eve, when shadows fall and winds are free, .And moaning surges call aloud for me To sink to sleep :it last Heneath the sea. Through storm, througii sunshine still I 'najestii' through The Lion's Gate ! Great impress, proud, serene I thy coming fleet, Announced l»y herald echoes wild and sweet, I'he purple hills proclaim. The vales repeat. 'i'o my dull vision from the world apart, Thtju seemest a miracle of magic art, Stiange forces throb and glow Within thy heart ! l-'air white enchantress from the Orient sped ! Its fragrani:e and its s'pice about thee shed Still lingering incense breathe About thy head. Above thy path the screaming sea gulls fly, Like mystic sjiirits, weave in circles high A charm of waving wings Against the sky — ')9 —- I knuu thmi .lost „u, iKTcl M.v -ireaiv lot VVhere desolate I lie "^ ' Hy all foijTot. TJH-I'Mstam I. but yet thou ranst not rhide He worship {hot, hast won fron. ancient mde Whose yourh on.,. rhallenKerl Kate ^ ' An. I Time .lefied. For ha.i f ne'er traverse.! this Western sea ^o l.rayc.<)Hswrath,ot,n.ia,.athfor,hee >M«ere then thy stately ^M-ace ' •'Secure and free? mi"' \''7-'^''' "'''"' ^'"'^ ••^^'"•'" ^<^'- "'anj a year VUleyet th untro.l.len fores, sh.mbered^;ere ' Of I 1 ogress, |«aith and Peace ' The pioneer. And Science nia.le me strong to prove her worth ^hose gl ory now is sj)read I'hroiigh all the earth But ha In now my work is done— I sink ir l^m press : may tl to rest- niusic murmur still 'e wave thou hast carressed Above my breast. And when at midnight I And softly through the mists that si lour thou drawest nigh, 'II le st ar upon thy brow eepmg lie Is gliding by. Oh may its light that trembl With dreams of th \Vh es oer my tomb, ere I beneath th ee steal downwards th e sea Have found my doom. \'an couver ough the gloom, L. A. L.