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PREFACE
So little is yet known
about British Columbia and Vancouver Island that the Author hopes his
experience of four years, spent in the survey and exploration of both
these Colonies, may be found of interest.
To Dr. Wood, R.N., of H.M.S. ‘Hecate,’ to the several travellers from
whom information has been obtained and whose names occur in the book, as
well as to the others, too many to enumerate, who have assisted him in
various ways, the Author begs to return his thanks.
To Mr. E. P. Bedwell, R.N., Dr. Lyall, and Dr. Bindley, for the sketches
which enliven the text, his thanks are also gratefully tendered; and
last, but by no means least, to Mr. William J. Stewart, without whose
aid these pages would probably never have seen the light, he gives his
most cordial thanks.
For any errors which may occur in the latter part of the book the author
claims the reader’s indulgence, as the revision of it has been carried
on in great haste amid the bustle of fitting out a ship for foreign
service.
H.M.S. 'Eclipse,’ October, 1862.
CONTENTS
Chapter I.
Appointment to H.M.S. ‘Plumper’ — Historical Sketch of the British
Possessions in North-West America.
Chapter II.
Leave England — Arrive at Sandwich Islands — Stay at Honolulu — King
Kame-Hame-ha and Prince Lot—The Straits of Juan de Fuca — Description of
— Arrival at Esquimalt— Description of, and of Victoria.
Chapter III.
Semiahmoo Bay — Gulf of Georgia — Visit Nanahno — Coal — The Haro
Archipelago — Discovery of Gold—Consecpient Excitement—Growth of
Victoria — Arrival of H.M.S. ‘Havannah’ — Threatened disturbance at
Victoria — Arrival of Colonel Moody — Abatement of the Gold Fever.
Chapter IV.
Rumour of disturbance at Yale — ‘Plumper’ proceeds to Langley — Canoe
journey to Fort Hope — Fort Yale and Hill’s Bar — Termination of the
difficulty with the Miners — Miners generally — Expresses and Express
Men — New Westminster — Return to Victoria — Difficulties arising from
the immigration of Indians from the North.
Chapter V.
Description of the River Fraser and the Country beyond — The Bush of
British Columbia — American River Steamers — The Harrison-Lilloett Route
to Lytton — Account of Indian Guides, &c. — Camp Life — The Canons on
the Upper Fraser.
Chapter VI.
Journey continued — Kamloops — Life of the Hudson Bay employes — Indian
Chief, St. Paul — Pavilion — The Harrison-Lilloett Route.
Chapter VII.
American occupation of San Juan Island — Arrival of the Flagship, H.M.S.
‘Ganges’ — Inlets of the Coast of British Columbia — Autumn Survey
between Nanaimo and Victoria — The ‘Plumper’ leaves for San Francisco —
Our stay there.
Chapter VIII.
Jolmstone Strait — The North-East of Vancouver Island — Fort Rupert and
Queen Charlotte Sound.
Chapter IX.
Jervis Inlet — Overland to Port Pemberton — Ship goes to observe Eclipse
— To Nanaimo with ‘Alert’ and ‘Termagant’ — ‘Termagant’ runs . ashore —
‘ Alert ’ accompanies ‘ Plumper ’ to Fort Rupert — Rescue of Female
Slave — Ship goes round West Coast of Island, and I go down inside in
boat and up Squawmisht River in canoe — Arrival of H.M.S. ‘Hecate’.
Chapter X.
Turn over to the ‘Hecate’ — Preparations for Summer’s Work — Trip to
West Coast to look for the ‘Forward’ — Visit Nootka Sound — Survey of
Barclay and Clayaquot Sounds, and Remarks on West Coast of the Island —
Promotion — Ship runs ashore.
Chapter XI.
Indians — The Coast Tribes — Classification — Manners and Customs —
Notes from Mr. Duncan’s Journal — Inland Tribes — Number — Information
concerning them.
Chapter XII.
Religious and Educational condition of the Colonies.
Chapter XIII.
Routes to British Columbia — Agricultural Resources of British Columbia
and Vancouver Island — Natural History — Land System — Roads, Climate,
&c.
Chapter XIV.
Mineral wealth of British Columbia, Summary of — Conclusion.
APPENDIX
Explorations in Jervis
Inlet and Desolation Sound, British Columbia By Mr. William Downie.
List of Trees, Shrubs, Grasses, &e., found in Vancouver Island. By Dr.
Forbes.
Land Proclamations relating to British Columbia.
Land Proclamations relating to Vancouver Island. |
