The Beaver
A Journal of Progress
H.B.C. Pioneer Steamer RuledWest Coast Trade 20 Years
Part in History of British Columbia–Cared
for Wants of 40,000 Natives.
By C. H. FRENCH
THERE was not a single phase ofBritish Columbia history from1835 to 1874 in which H.B.S.S. “Beaver”did not play a large part. She wasadmired by all those old pioneers associatedwith the history of the West Coast.
The foundation of Victoria City waslaid by the “Beaver.” Fort Rupertand Nanaimo were built under herprotection, and though Fort Simpsonwas founded prior to her arrival on thecoast, she was the main protection ofthat establishment for many yearsafterwards.
Ship Used to Keep Law and Order
Operations of the Hudson’s BayCompany in Russian America wereentirely under her control and manyminor difficulties in that region wereeffectively settled promptly on herarrival at the seat of trouble. When,too, the reign of law and order wasthreatened closer home, in every casethe arrival of the “Beaver” was awaitedbefore effective steps could be taken tobring affairs back to a normal state.
On one occasion, two murderersescaped to Cowichan and the warship“Thetis” sent a hundred and fifty ofher men on the “Beaver” and proceededto Cowichan under command of JamesDouglas to administer the law.
There were many other cases of thisnature that demonstrated the “Beaver’s”usefulness in developing andcolonizing British Columbia, particularlythe north coast.
The “Beaver” Steamed Roundthe Horn
It was, to many, a marvel that a smallboat of this kind could steam roundCape Horn and weather any storm thatshe encountered. These men forgetthat, though small, she was built ofstoutest oak and was considered amore able and seaworthy craft thanmany of much larger size operating today.
Her keel was of unusual size and infull keeping with the British oak stemand stern post. The best greenheartand oak ribs were used, being carefullydressed and of large size. The spacesbetween these frames were filled insolidly to a level above the water linewith curved timbers of the samematerial as the ribs. Outside plankingwas oak and